Chapter 16

The surrounding Qingzhou Guanxuan Guards were momentarily intimidated by Nanling Zhao's imposing presence and dared not move.

Nanling Zhao led Ye Tianming out, holding his hand. Feeling her warm, jade-like hand, Ye Tianming's face turned slightly red, but he quickly regained his composure. He had instinctively wanted to pull away, but Nanling Zhao held on tightly, so he gave up.

As soon as the two left the Guanxuan Hall, Jishi, the head of Qingzhou Guanxuan Academy, appeared with a group of Qingzhou Academy elders blocking their path.

Jishi stared at Nanling Zhao, "Madam Zhao, what are you doing?"

Nanling Zhao smiled, "I'm taking Mister Ye to file a complaint in the Guanxuan Realm."

Very straightforward.

Jishi's eyes narrowed, "Madam Zhao, you are overstepping your bounds. Mister Ye has passed the Guanxuan Path, and Qingzhou has already entered the self-investigation process. This matter falls under the jurisdiction of our Qingzhou Guanxuan Academy."

Nanling Zhao turned to look at Ye Tianming, glancing at the scars on his neck, she asked, "Has anyone from Qingzhou threatened you?"

Ye Tianming immediately nodded, "Yes."

Nanling Zhao turned to Jishi, "The Guanxuan Sword Master once said that anyone who passes the Guanxuan Path should immediately trigger a self-investigation in their state. Now, not only has Qingzhou not entered the self-investigation process, but they have also colluded to threaten the victim. Headmaster Ji, I think Qingzhou is thoroughly rotten."

Jishi calmly said, "Nanling Zhao, whether Qingzhou is rotten or not is not for you to decide. Mister Ye has passed the Guanxuan Path in Qingzhou, and Qingzhou has entered the self-investigation process. Therefore, his matter is our Qingzhou Guanxuan Academy's responsibility. Moreover, our Qingzhou Guanxuan Academy has the authority to protect his safety."

As he finished speaking, Zhou Qing, who was standing nearby, waved his hand, and the Qingzhou Guanxuan Guards immediately surrounded them.

The boundary protectors who were originally guarding outside also rushed into the academy.

"Let's see who dares!"

Hu Pan, the leader of Panzhou Guanxuan Guards, stepped forward. He waved his hand, and thousands of Panzhou Guanxuan Guards immediately descended from the sky.

Liu Yan, the leader of Yongzhou Guanxuan Guards, also waved his hand, and thousands of Yongzhou Guanxuan Guards rushed down, forming a protective circle around Ye Tianming and Nanling Zhao, totaling over ten thousand strong.

Jishi glared at Hu Pan and Liu Yan, "The Panzhou and Yongzhou Guanxuan Guards have no right to enforce the law in Qingzhou without an external order. If you enter Qingzhou without permission, I will not be held accountable for killing you."

Hu Pan sneered, "Headmaster Ji, we indeed have no right to enforce the law in Qingzhou, but don't forget, Madam Zhao is an inspector. She has the authority to mobilize any local forces. It is only natural for us to follow her orders."

Jishi gave Hu Pan a cold look and then turned to Nanling Zhao, "Nanling Zhao, Qingzhou has the responsibility to protect Mister Ye, so I cannot let you take him."

With that, he waved his hand.

Dozens of powerful auras suddenly emerged from the surroundings. These were top-tier experts carefully cultivated by the academy, far stronger than ordinary local Guanxuan Guards.

Nanling Zhao smiled, "Headmaster Ji, are you going to use force?"

Jishi's face was expressionless, "It is my duty, and I must offend you, Madam."

Nanling Zhao stared at Jishi, her right hand slowly clenching.

The atmosphere in the field suddenly became tense.

Elder Yu suddenly stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Madam Zhao, what you are doing is indeed against the rules. Rest assured, Mister Ye will be absolutely safe in our academy."

"Safe?"

Nanling Zhao gave him a cold glance, "You have driven him to the point of wanting to commit suicide, and you still have the nerve to talk about his safety here?"

Elder Yu's face turned grim, "Madam Zhao, this matter involves the Xiao family and many others. What you are doing, where does it leave the Nanling family?"

Clearly, he was telling Nanling Zhao that she also had a family. Was it worth offending so many people and so many forces for an ordinary person?

Nanling Zhao shook her head slightly, "I entered the Inspection Bureau at the age of fourteen, and it has been five years. In these five years, I have seen many dark sides of this world that most people have never seen. Many times, I have made compromises because I know that the law cannot truly eliminate all evil. Some compromises are better for the victim, but..."

At this point, she suddenly gave Jishi and the others a cold look, "If I compromise today, this young man from Qingzhou, who has no power, no influence, and no backing, will be forced to death by you. As an inspector, I must address all injustices in the world. Come, follow me and break out of Qingzhou."

With that, she suddenly waved her sleeve, and a powerful force swept out, instantly sending the Guanxuan Guards blocking her path flying.

When Hu Pan and Liu Yan heard Nanling Zhao's words, "Break out of Qingzhou," they were both startled. Was Madam Zhao really going to do this?

A battle between the Guanxuan Guards of two states—what would be the consequences?

But at this moment, they had no other choice but to follow Nanling Zhao into action.

A direct battle!

"Ridiculous!"

Jishi, who had been calm, was completely taken aback by Nanling Zhao's sudden move. He was both shocked and angry and immediately ordered, "Protect Mister Ye. I will take full responsibility for any consequences."

Hearing Jishi's words, the Qingzhou Guanxuan Guards and boundary protectors no longer hesitated and rushed toward Nanling Zhao and the others.

Nanling Zhao, holding Ye Tianming's hand, forcefully broke through the encirclement and headed for the sky.

"Stop!"

At that moment, a furious shout echoed from below, and a hundred-zhang giant hand shot up, grabbing toward Nanling Zhao and Ye Tianming.

It was Jishi.

Nanling Zhao quickly pulled Ye Tianming behind her, clenched her fingers, and punched downward.

Bang!

Jishi was sent flying back several dozen feet. When he stopped, he looked at Nanling Zhao in shock, "Such a young Divine Realm..."

Nanling Zhao paid no attention to him and pulled Ye Tianming toward the sky.

Seeing this, a fierce look flashed in Jishi's eyes. He suddenly waved his sleeve, and a large seal flew out. Instantly, the entire space trembled violently, and powerful auras converged from the heavens, forcing Nanling Zhao and Ye Tianming back to their original position.

The Qingzhou Academy Seal!

This Qingzhou Academy Seal was a gift from the Guanxuan Realm's Inner Cabinet, a divine-level treasure. Its power was several times greater when used in Qingzhou.

Originally, Nanling Zhao and Jishi were of equal strength, but with the appearance of the Qingzhou Academy Seal, Nanling Zhao was instantly suppressed.

Jishi stared at Nanling Zhao with a murderous look, "Nanling Zhao, according to the rules and the law, Mister Ye belongs to Qingzhou. If you continue to interfere, I will kill you today, and neither the Inspection Bureau nor your Nanling family will have a say."

"Kill me?"

Nanling Zhao laughed coldly, "With you?"

With that, she suddenly waved her sleeve, and a large seal flew out from her sleeve, colliding with the Qingzhou Academy Seal. The moment the two seals touched, a powerful shockwave erupted, causing the surrounding space to ripple.

Jishi opened his palm, and the Qingzhou Academy Seal landed in his hand. He stared at Nanling Zhao, "The Inspector Seal!"

Nanling Zhao opened her palm, and the Inspector Seal appeared in her hand, emitting golden light and powerful energy.

Jishi's face turned grim. He knew he could not do anything to Nanling Zhao. He glanced around, his expression dark. The moment Nanling Zhao appeared, he had already notified the Xiao family. He knew that Nanling Zhao had the Inspection Bureau and the Nanling family behind her, and he, as the head of the Qingzhou Academy, could not suppress her. He could only hold her back.

But now, no one from the Xiao family had shown up, which made him quite angry.

Nanling Zhao suddenly pointed at the Inspector Seal, and a golden light burst out, filled with countless golden runes. They surged toward Jishi like a storm, instantly forcing him to retreat.

Nanling Zhao did not continue to attack. She pulled Ye Tianming and leaped into the sky, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

Ye Tianming, who had never been so high off the ground, was clearly nervous. He subconsciously wrapped his arms around Nanling Zhao's waist, his face pale.

Nanling Zhao turned to look at Ye Tianming, "You're taking advantage of me."

Ye Tianming quickly let go, explaining, "Madam Zhao, I..."

Nanling Zhao suddenly smiled, "Forget it, I forgive you. Hold on tight."

Ye Tianming felt relieved and held onto Nanling Zhao's waist, but not as tightly as before. He just clung to her dress, but Nanling Zhao suddenly wrapped her arms around his waist. Ye Tianming turned to look at her, seeing her staring into the distance with a serious expression on her beautiful face.

At that moment, a few hundred feet in front of them, the space suddenly split open, and several figures rushed out. The leader held a black spear and lunged at Nanling Zhao and Ye Tianming.

The spear was terrifying, making Ye Tianming feel as if a mountain was pressing down on his chest, making it hard to breathe.

Nanling Zhao's eyes flashed with a cold light. She held the Inspector Seal and smashed it forward, a golden rune light emerging and instantly forcing the black-clothed man and his companions to retreat.

Nanling Zhao stared at the black-clothed men and laughed, "Xiao family, you are really desperate, daring to attack an inspector."

The leader of the black-clothed men said in a hoarse voice, "What Xiao family? We don't know."

Nanling Zhao did not want to waste time with him. Just as she was about to attack, the space around them suddenly trembled, and dozens of black-clothed men appeared. These men were all at least in the Divine Realm, and several of them had hidden their true strength.

The leader of the black-clothed men stared at Nanling Zhao, "Nanling Zhao, our target is the person behind you. You can leave at any time."

Nanling Zhao did not speak.

"Madam Zhao."

Ye Tianming suddenly said, "Let me face this on my own."

Nanling Zhao turned to look at Ye Tianming, who said, "I have already involved Fang Xiao, and now I have involved you. I feel very guilty."

Nanling Zhao shook her head, "Don't think like that. You haven't involved anyone. Whether it's Fang Xiao or me, we are not just protecting you, Ye Tianming, but also the justice of this world. In other words, it is people like me who should feel ashamed for letting you suffer such injustice."

With that, she turned to the black-clothed men and smiled, "I, Nanling Zhao, want to see if your Xiao family can cover up the sky with one hand."

The leader of the black-clothed men said, "Nanling Zhao, why are you doing this? As far as we know, this person has no relation to you. Why get involved in this mess? Don't you think about yourself, or at least your Nanling clan? If you leave today, we will owe your Nanling family a favor."

Nanling Zhao laughed, "In this world, many things go wrong because of these 'favors.' Out of respect for your Xiao family's ancestors, I will give you one last warning: it's not too late for your Xiao family to turn back."

The leader of the black-clothed men was silent for a moment and then said, "What Xiao family? We don't understand."

Nanling Zhao's eyes narrowed, "It seems you are determined to silence us."

The black-clothed man said, "How dare we kill an inspector?"

As he spoke, he looked at Ye Tianming beside Nanling Zhao, opened his palm, and a light screen emerged, showing a scene of the Ye family.

At that moment, on the roof of the Ye family's house, stood several black-clothed men, looking down at the Ye family members below.

The black-clothed man said, "Ye Tianming, if you follow Madam Nanling Zhao, your Ye family will be completely wiped out."

...