Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely Chapter 1259 - 416: Secluded Cultivation and Breakthrough, Botched Capture, Have Your Superior Come [Subscription Request]

She appeared entirely indifferent to Xia Chuan, who stood frowning before her, and felt no apprehension regarding her confinement. Her expression remained serene, punctuated by a faint, lingering smile at the corners of her mouth.

Abruptly setting aside her paintbrush, she looked up at Xia Chuan with a smile. Minister Xia Chuan, you are wasting your time, she declared. Unless Lord Xia Hong presents himself, I shall remain silent. It was already a breach of conduct for you to extract information about Chen Cang from me; do not dream of gaining anything further.

Although Chu Yan’er wore a smile, a keen ear could detect a note of irritation in her tone, revealing her lingering resentment over being manipulated into disclosing the origins of Chen Cang.

Xia Chuan’s brow furrowed more deeply as he retorted coldly, Miss Chu, infiltrating the Inner City to endanger our Great Xia disciples is no trivial matter. As for your connection to Chen Cang, I fear it holds little sway here. You would be wise to reconsider.

If you wish to speak with me, stop hiding behind these charades!

Before Xia Chuan could finish his retort, a voice cut across his words.

Greetings, Lord!

The newcomer was Xia Hong, clad in black. Having received a report from Xia Chuan at the Star-picking Hall, he had emerged from his state of cultivation.

Xia Hong gestured for Xia Chuan to rise before turning his gaze toward Chu Yan’er with an expression of mild annoyance.

He had been on the verge of entering deep seclusion when Xia Chuan’s messenger arrived, claiming that this woman from Chen Cang insisted on an audience.

Initially, Xia Hong had no desire to attend, but the prospect of securing information regarding the route to Chen Cang convinced him to make the journey.

So, she truly is from Chen Cang!

As Chu Yan’er appraised him without a shred of reverence, her demeanor confirmed his suspicions regarding her origins.

Confirming her identity did nothing to improve Xia Hong’s mood. He continued to study her, his face a mask of indifference.

Chu Yan’er remained unmoved. She set aside the brush and tugged firmly at the skin behind her right ear.

Rip!

Her face had been covered by a translucent, paper-like mask. As it fell away, her true features were revealed.

Compared to her formerly mundane visage, Chu Yan’er’s genuine appearance was breathtakingly exquisite—surpassing any beauty in Xia City, provided one excluded Li Xuanling.

Of course, appearance was merely secondary. The true change lay in her demeanor. With her true face exposed, her posture radiated pride. The facade of mediocrity vanished, replaced by an aura of natural superiority.

Strength at roughly the 51-zen level, appearing no older than twenty, and possessed of such mastery in painting—this girl’s standing in Chen Cang must be significant, Xia Hong mused.

Xia Hong cared little for her beauty, focusing instead on the prowess she permitted to bleed through her disguise.

Chu Yan’er of Chen Cang greets Lord Xia Hong. I apologize for the disguise, but it was necessary to avoid complications while traveling. I trust the Lord will forgive my deception.

Despite her words, her eyes held no hint of contrition.

Unwilling to suffer through empty pleasantries, Xia Hong waved a hand. You have your audience. Speak your piece.

Chu Yan’er hesitated, surprised by his bluntness, yet she remained composed. After a brief pause, she bowed and spoke, Lord Xia Hong, a great calamity looms over Great Xia; your people face imminent disaster.

Xia Hong’s brows knitted together. He raised his head and pressed, Continue.

Based on my estimations, the Demon Dragon dwelling beneath Qinghepu Lake is either a Heavenly Phenomenon Realm Venerable-level Cold Beast or a Calamity-level Demon Monster. If it rouses, even the combined might of the Nine Towns may fail to subdue it. Indeed, the entire Moao Southern Slope will be laid to waste.

She stopped to gauge his reaction. Seeing a flicker of gravity in his eyes, she pressed on, I have spent considerable time in the Nine Towns and must concede that your talent and strategy, Lord Xia Hong, are formidable. The progress Great Xia has achieved in a single decade is truly remarkable; given enough time, you might indeed conquer such a beast. However...

Can your Lord Landgrave spare the strength to assist me in slaying this Demon Dragon?

Caught off guard by the interruption, Chu Yan’er looked up. Finding no mockery in his expression, she saw he was entirely serious. She lowered her head in thought.

When she finally replied, her voice was sincere, To be candid, Lord, it is not possible at this phase. But considering—

Then enough of these idle words, Xia Hong interjected. I grasp your intent. Once your Landgrave possesses the strength to help me confront this creature, we can communicate further. Furthermore—

He offered a thin smile. Your talent is commendable, young lady. The painting skills you inherited from the Deceitful Monster, combined with your heritage, ensure a bright future. But—

His tone shifted to one of icy solemnity as he continued, Given your current caliber, you lack the standing to demand such an audience. Send your master here instead; that would be more fitting. And as for your infiltration of Xia City, using your art to manipulate our young disciples, that is behavior I define as unacceptable.

Feeling his aura begin to flare, Chu Yan’er turned deathly pale. Without hesitation, she lunged toward the canvas on the desk.

A miraculous sight ensued.

As she collided with the painting, her form shimmered and vanished.

In precise terms, the painting functioned as a gateway to a Different Space that pulled her entirely within.

Lord Xia Hong, there is no need for such temper, her voice echoed. While Great Xia displays some strength, it remains insignificant compared to the majesty of Chen Cang. The Demon Dragon could awaken at any moment; I advise you to prepare accordingly!

As she disappeared entirely, her voice carried a final note of indignation, clearly piqued by his dismissive attitude.

Xia Hong watched her departure with perfect calm. He paced to the desk, his left eye shimmering as he stared at the depiction of the Snow Forest.

So, she left herself an escape route?

Xia Chuan, equally unfazed, wore a knowing smirk. Indeed. I planted the Puppet Silk Thread upon her when I detained her at the Yuan Mansion. Allowing her to paint was merely a test to see what tricks she was hiding.

She had revealed her aptitude for painting at the Yuan Mansion; to control her, Xia Chuan had naturally anticipated such an eventuality.

Granting her the freedom to paint was a dual-fold strategy: it permitted them to gauge her methods, and it allowed her to return to Chen Cang, providing a tether for his Puppet Silk Thread to trace her path.

Xia Hong had understood the plan from the moment he received the report, hence why he intentionally exerted his pressure to force her hand.

Sizzle!

The painting began to hiss, spontaneously bursting into flames until only ash remained.

Direct passage through a painting—a spatial technique, Xia Hong noted. She is talented, though it is no shock the other six escaped the same way.

Xia Chuan nodded, then chuckled and shook his head. Arrogant, self-righteous, and insufferable. She is merely a younger, more talented version of Yang Ning.

Xia Hong laughed, the sound echoing through the room.

Considering the parallels, the comparison was apt. In many ways, the girl was reflections of the past, truly a larger-scale iteration of Yang Ning.

Oh dear, this young lady’s techniques are not as refined as she believed, Xia Hong muttered, his eyes narrowing curiously.

It seems we need not wait for her to actually reach Chen Cang after all.