Chapter 98

When Hao Qi woke up, he saw the luxurious ceiling of a palace, adorned with crystal chandeliers and various decorations. The corners of his eyes were bathed in a golden hue, clearly indicating genuine gold embellishments. The combination with the crystal chandeliers was grand rather than vulgar. He remained silent for a moment before standing up. What met his eyes was a European-style room, with a lavish desk, cabinets, a mercury mirror, and various paintings. The place where he had been lying was a finely detailed velvet bed, and Lan Ling'er was sitting not far from the bed, holding a book.

Hao Qi quietly watched Lan Ling'er as she read with great concentration. He sighed inwardly and then lightly coughed. This coughing triggered intense pain in his internal organs, causing him to start coughing violently. Lan Ling'er was immediately startled and hurriedly walked to his side, taking a cup of water from the bedside cabinet and handing it to Hao Qi.

Hao Qi drank the water and then asked, "How long have I been unconscious? Did Lan Xingchen not kill me?"

Lan Ling'er tried to smile but couldn't. She put down her book and sat next to Hao Qi, saying, "Brother Hao Qi, you should find a way to leave Mobi Mobi. This is not the dream city of your imagination. There is no dream here, no paradise... Leave this place, Brother Hao Qi."

"That's not what I meant," Hao Qi shook his head.

Lan Ling'er was taken aback but continued, "Brother Hao Qi, you've been unconscious for a day. Lan Xingchen didn't kill you... He wants to recruit you. He aims to become one of the Nine Martial Kings under the emperor, and his martial group must be very powerful. He is now very eager for all kinds of talents, so he didn't kill you..."

"That's not what I meant," Hao Qi shook his head again.

Lan Ling'er was confused and didn't know what to say. Hao Qi didn't press further but looked around the room and asked, "Is this your room?"

"Yes," Lan Ling'er sighed in relief. She stood up, looked around the room, and then said to Hao Qi, "Brother Hao Qi, it's a pity I can't show you the place where I've always lived. There are many books I've collected there, so many that they fill several large cabinets. It's such a pity..."

"Tell me about your daily life," Hao Qi said, trying to endure the burning pain in his internal organs. He got out of bed, sat on a chair with his legs crossed, and勉强运了一丝内力，开始按照罗汉伏魔功的运转路径运行。一开始运行，体内深处就涌出清凉的感觉，渐渐地，内脏的疼痛也减轻了。

Lan Ling'er worriedly walked to Hao Qi's side, touched his forehead, and said, "Brother Hao Qi, don't overexert yourself. My uncle is the most talented martial artist among my grandfather's children. He has already mastered our Lan family's highest martial art, Indigo Blue. The most significant feature of this martial art is its continuous flow, both in the speed of internal energy recovery and the internal energy infused into the enemy. My uncle's internal energy in your body, along with the final kick, has injured your internal organs and is still lingering inside. It will take at least a year or two to recover. Brother Hao Qi, don't overexert yourself."

Hao Qi looked at the worried Lan Ling'er with a gentle gaze, gently stroked her hair, and said, "I understand. Tell me about your daily life... Not now, but when your grandfather was still alive."

Lan Ling'er nodded obediently, pulled a chair in front of Hao Qi, poured him a cup of fragrant tea, and said, "When my grandfather was alive, I would sleep until I naturally woke up every day. After waking up, the maids would help me wash up, and then I would start reading books. I would also go to the laboratory to do some research or borrow and return books from the family library. After reading for a few hours, the nanny would ring a bell to remind me. I knew she meant well, but every time I was interrupted at the most exciting part, I would get upset. Then the maids would help me tidy up, and I would go to greet my parents and grandfather, and take a walk. Occasionally, I would also participate in royal public relations, such as TV interviews, and I would give a lecture at the university once a week..."

Lan Ling'er, a princess raised in the palace, was not a spoiled and ignorant young lady. From her words, Hao Qi could sense many things. For some reason, Lan Ling'er's grandfather, the former emperor of Mobi Mobi, Lan Jingling, had placed great emphasis on her upbringing, even more so than his own children. From academic knowledge to moral education in social interactions, and even political education in state management, all were subtly revealed in her words. Moreover, Lan Jingling had frequently exposed her to the public from a young age, involving her in charitable activities and more.

Lan Ling'er was obedient, though she was a congenital meridian blockage and could not learn any martial arts. She was exceptionally intelligent, able to grasp concepts quickly and learn at a speed far beyond the norm. She was a genius in ancient languages, ancient history, ancient knowledge, and ancient technology. By the age of eight, there was no one left to teach her. Therefore, the information Hao Qi obtained from her about her daily life was all about reading, studying, researching, participating in public affairs, or helping her grandfather manage personnel, finances, officials, and parliamentary matters.

For an ordinary person, and especially for Hao Qi, such a life might seem unbearable, like being in prison, and an indefinite one at that. But for Lan Ling'er, it was the happiest time of her life. Every day, she could immerse herself in her favorite books, read until she was tired, and then help her grandfather, her family, and the country in whatever way she could. Lan Ling'er...

She longed for those days to continue...

But her guardian, her most respected grandfather, died suddenly. After failing to break through to the True Qi Realm, he left only a few last words before passing away. The entire Mobi Mobi was in chaos, and so was the Lan family. In this situation, Lan Xingchen, the most skilled and popular among the Lan family, ascended to the throne. Lan Xingchen, who had always been very similar to Lan Jingling, made Lan Ling'er feel relieved, thinking that perhaps life would continue as before. But... Lan Xingchen changed.

This was all Hao Qi learned from Lan Ling'er about her past life and the history of Mobi Mobi. After listening, he remained silent for a long time before asking, "What is the sacrificial ceremony? Does Mobi Mobi still retain primitive and bloody sacrifices?"

Lan Ling'er shook her head, her expression filled with sorrow and confusion, but she still said, "I don't know what's going on. This time, when I returned to Mobi Mobi from the western part of Lanhai, my uncle was very angry with me. He then had a lot of people examine me. I don't know the details, but my uncle was angry for days and kept cursing my grandfather. After that, he told me that he would sacrifice me to Azure Blue. This is for the Lan family, for Mobi Mobi."

"Sacrifice... Will you die?" Hao Qi asked softly.

Lan Ling'er rubbed her red eyes and managed a weak smile, "I don't know the specifics. There is no record of sacrifices in Mobi Mobi's history. I think it's some kind of religious ceremony. After all, it's my uncle, he won't kill me. Don't worry, Brother Hao Qi."

"I understand... You still owe me one more thing, but I know the rest," Hao Qi said, then closed his eyes and began to fully focus on the Luohan Fumo Gong.

Lan Ling'er blinked, not quite understanding Hao Qi's meaning, but her thoughts were simple, so she didn't think too much about it. She continued, "Brother Hao Qi, you are at the Internal Energy Realm. Although you are severely injured now, you can find a chance to escape from Mobi Mobi. Zhang Heng is also at the Internal Energy Realm. You should leave quickly."

"I understand," Hao Qi simply replied.

"You... You can't win against my uncle. The Lan family has six Internal Energy Realm martial artists, and two of the six Internal Energy Realm martial artists from the noble families have joined my uncle's side. You can't win against so many people, and my uncle's martial arts are very high. My grandfather used to personally guide him, so..."

"I understand," Hao Qi still replied.

Lan Ling'er became a bit angry, walked to Hao Qi's front, and said seriously, "Brother Hao Qi, think carefully. Your dream is to travel the seven seas. If you die here or are imprisoned by my uncle, how can your dream be realized? Don't be stubborn, listen to me. Find a chance to leave Mobi Mobi, and I will find a way to help you..."

Hao Qi suddenly opened his eyes. His eyes were filled with anger, passion, determination, and something Lan Ling'er couldn't describe, something that seemed to shake the heart.

"I understand everything, so..."

"Don't say anything more, don't cry, Lan Ling'er, I..."

"I know everything!" (To be continued.)

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