Four months later.
Shi Rong emerged from her room after successfully breaking through to the rank of a low-level Martial Honor. She clutched her fists in frustration at the unsatisfactory result of her slow cultivation.
"Only two levels, I need to get stronger to avenge my mother!"
Then, she turned around and glance at the maid guarding her door. The maid noticed her gaze and immediately dropped to her knees and bowed. "My Lady, 5th Princess Shi Yan and 4th Xiao Dragon Country Prince Lin Shaoze, along with the others have already been notified about you awakening soon and are waiting in the courtyard!"
Shi Rong nodded lightly and strolled out the mansion into the courtyard.
Shi Yan lifted her round dewy eyes and ran into Shi Rong engulfing her into a warm embrace and sobbed lightly. "Dear elder sister this weak princess has rose to the ranks of a low-level martial knight and was unsuccessful of meeting your demands. I have failed you and myself!"
Shi Rong softened her gaze and lightly patted the young girls soft head. "Yan'er, you have not failed me for you've done your best and for that, I congratulate you."
"Let's go."
In the Imperial Study the Emperor paced back and forth with a frustrated expression.
Shi Rong pushed open the doors with Shi Yan and Lin Shaoze along with his personal maids and her guards following closely behind her.
The Emperor stopped and glanced at Shi Rong. Suddenly his face turned red with anger. PA! His hand struck the table.
"Shi Rong you bastard how dare you charge into my study with this sickly useless seed of mine…...Prince Lin Shaoze, I'm terribly sorry I didn't notice you standing there!" Emperor Shi's forehead broke into a cold sweat. He slicked his grey hair back and casually whipped the sweat cascading down his face. If he was to anger and get on the bad side of this prince, he would lose face in the eyes of The Great Imperial Authorities and be replaced by one of his sons on the throne.
Lin Shaoze took a deep breath and ignored the old man.
Shi Rongs clear and cold voice echoed across the study. "Imperial Emperor this humble good-for-nothing shall like to embark on a mission around the Four Peak Mainland's!"
Emperor Shi's face turned from red to white then from white to red. PA! He slammed his hand on the table once again.
"Shi Rong you bastard an evil and cunning woman like you will only bring disaster if allowed out the palace walls, I reject your request!" Emperor Shi roared in anger.
Shi Rong made slow and careful steps towards the Emperor, as if he was afraid of her intimidating cold gaze he stepped a few steps back bumping into the wall behind him.
She spoke slow and calmly, "Imperial Emperor Shi Zhangcheng it was you who once said this good-for-nothing was worth nothing and wouldn't be able to accomplish anything! By letting me out of the palace not only will you not have to gaze upon my face, but you wouldn't have to worry about dealing with me nor Shi Yan till our possible return."
"You heartless and cunning little girl, if not for your appealing speech about not seeing you nor this disappointment than I wouldn't have humbly agreed to your request!" Emperor Shi throw his arm forward as his sleeve fluttered. "Quickly leave my study and my chambers and never return unless you can prove yourself to actually be worth something Haha!"
Outside the city gates the group walked through the vast fields towards the Azure Dark Mountains.
Shi Yan shivered in fear as she felt the murky venomous air around her and clutched onto Shi Rongs red robes.
"Sister why are we headed towards the Azure Dark Mountains, there are rumors only the most terrifying and power world level spiritual beast reside here?"
Shi Rong raised her lips. Her gaze landed on Shi Yans pale face.
"Yan'er no need to be so frightened, your dear sister has heard a rumor about a high-level world king spiritual beast being in The Genji Tiger Country, it should be residing in these very mountains."
Shi Yan breathed a sigh of relief. To her Shi Rong held a great importance in her heart. With her life being save by her hands, Shi Yan was entitled in insuring her safety. After all, there's no one else in the world who possessed such a great importance to her.
Lin Shaoze let out a dry cough as he fanned his delicate handsome face, "Shi Rong while I admire your bravery and confidence, but I fear for your lack of common knowledge with these mountains. If you wish to die please don't drag me down with you, for I'm far too handsome to die, my dear Rong'er."
Shi Rong glanced at Lin Shaoze's calm face then continued walking.
The group walked deeper into the mountains till the clear skies became dark and gloomy under the intense spiritual energy and multiple trees. Shi Rong focused all her energy and pressed forward leading the group as they clumsily stumbled in the dark.
Shi Yan stumbled over a rock and ran head first into Lin Shaoze's back. Eek! Shi Yan frowned and shook in fear as she wrapped her arms around Lin Shaoze and clutched his golden robes with her pale hands.
He turned towards Shi Rongs directed and scoffed. "Hmph! Shi Rong, is this your younger sister who just broken through to the ranks of a martial knight but is solely afraid of the dark and clutching to the clothes of a man. My dear Yan'er may you have a beautiful face and a huge cloud like chest, I will surely not take responsibility of you being sullied for touching my robes while being single. Maids bring me a new robe for these are now wrinkled!"
Shi Yan fiercely gritted her teeth while digging her nails into palms.
"Quiet!" Shi Rong glanced at Shi Yan and Lin Shaoze then slowly descended towards a large tree.
She stared ahead with a cold clear expression and spoke calmly, "come out from behind the tree you can't hid for long." The group stared at her with a hint of astonishment then turned their attention towards the large dark dead looking tree as a giant tiger with purple flames circling his foot walked forward and stretched its long slender body.
Shi Rong felt her frightened heart grow calmer as she stared at the majestic spiritual beast.
"Little girl just how long are you planning on staring at me with that fairy like arrogant expression of yours. Could it be you sense my overbearing power and wish to become my partner."
Shi Rong was astonished as she stared at the tigers large mix colored red and golden eyes. She could not help but burst into laughter, her eyes filled with mockery, "You are one arrogant and self-loathing spiritual beast, but sensing you can talk and hold a human conversation you're not an ordinary creature. I wish for you to join me as my companion and walk side by side with me as we grow in power together!"
The large tiger squeezed his claws into the ground as he let out a low mocking roar before staring at Shi Rong with a look full of disdain. "Little girl you and your group are unworthy of being my companions nor worthy of being my afternoon meal but at least you have the courage to walk into this gloomy forest and approach this heavenly divine beast, Xiandi."
Lin Shaoze's face paled. "Xiandi the heavenly divine beast who roamed the earth for thousands of years Xiandi!"
Shi Rong raised her long lashes towards Xiandi. "If I can personally defeat you in combat then you have to join me as my spiritual companion."
Xiandi snickered, "little girl if you can beat me in battle I shall follow you to the ends of the earth but if you can't defeat me you shall become my personal concubine till the day you die!"
"Bullsh*t!" Shi Yan howled in anger towards Xiandi, "your no divine beast but a demon who wishes to savor my sisters fruit with your wicked passion and vulgar attitude."
Shi Rong stepped forward with no emotion in her cold clear eyes. "I accept."
Xiandi glanced expressionlessly towards Shi Rong as his lip curved upwards into a half smile that didn't reach his eyes. He waved her over in a calm manner, "lets see how long you last little girl, your overly confident attitude shall become your downfall!"
Xiandi lunged forward with intense murderous intent in his eyes as he swung his large paw towards Shi Rong. She gracefully dodged his attack by a mere inch as a cold sweat broke across her forehead. The place where she once stood held a large crater in the ground as she ran towards the side of Xiandi's body.
He immediately pounced towards her direction releasing large amounts of fire attacks towards her direction as she ran back and forth towards the cliffs edge to dodge his attack. Xiandi was distracted for a second while issuing a large amount of ferocious attacks, Shi Rong immediately lunged to his side and struck his shoulder with all her strength.
Xiandi knitted his brows as his large body toppled over the cliff. His large claws sunk into Shi Rongs arm as he dragged her off the edge and fell into the large abyss.
Shi Yan's and Lin Shaoze's face darkened as they watched her fly off the edge of the dark cliff. They lunged forward only to be pulled back by the group of guards and maids.
Shi Rong rolled off the cliff as her body struck multiple pillars and eventually a large oversized boulder as her body rushed towards the ground below.
Below the large cliff lay a handsome man dressed in black robes. His long silky hair lay cascaded across the soft grass and softly blew in the wind occasionally caressing his face. His eyes were shut tightly as his arms stretched comfortably behind his head. His content face was otherworldly as his beauty can cause the very universe to collapse on itself with just one glance. He slept lightly under the bright sunlight.
Shi Rongs body hurtled towards the ground with the large boulder when she noticed a handsome man sleeping right below her.
"Hey, get out of the way!"
She twisted in the air as large burst of energy struck the boulder smashing it into tiny rocks and large stones before she crashed into the sleeping man.
The man rose to his feet in anger as he pushed her body away from him with a visibly darkened expression.
She had always been fearless but looking at his angry expression made her extremely fearful for her life.
He glared viciously at Shi Rong.
"Little girl how dare you defy my presence! Has your parents never taught you not to pounce on a man while he is sleeping, for I don't recall you being of age to relish in such relations. Nor do I remember praying to the heavens for them to deliver me such a young, beautiful but fearful little wife. Return when you have gathered some courage to actually be able to ravish my bed or when you have grown of age to marry till then I want a humble apology from you for disturbing my slumber, or you shall rather face the consequences!"
His handsome face clouded over with murderous intent.
Shi Rong slowly raised her head with a smile on her face that did not reach her clear eyes and pointed towards the piles of rocks and stones scattered across the field around them. "Kind sir my dear apologizes but I was thrown off the cliff and stuck a large boulder which was hurtling towards you. I merely smashed it before it struck you but as a consequence I fell into you."
He scoffed coldly then looked around the field. To his surprise the young girl was telling the truth. He glanced at her curiously. "How could I not feel her presence approaching me let alone the boulder and piles of rocks and stones. Just who is this girl!"
He quickly stepped towards Shi Rong and wrinkled his brow. "little girl you have saved this gentleman's life and I am not one to owe any favor therefore I shall follow you for a total of five years and keep you safe from any harm that may come your way."
Shi Rong stumbled a few steps back in surprise and stared at the handsome man in front her. When he saw she wasn't responding he stepped closer once more till his chest was close to her slender nose.
"My name is Ling Yiyao, now let us be off little girl."
Ling Yiyao turned around and walked across the field. His black robes floated gracefully with his every move and his long silky hair danced along with the gentle breeze. Not even the heavens and gods could have painted a more beautiful sight.
"My name is Shi Rong, 3rd Imperial Princess of Genji Tiger Country!"
Ling Yiyao stopped and stared seductively at the young girl behind him with childlike expression as his cold purple eyes stared into Shi Rongs clear black pupils like an endless pool of water.
"Well princess let us be off, I sense a group of people rushing towards our direction along with a world knight level beast." He rubbed his forehead helplessly then walked towards the young girl before picking her up in his arms and walking away.
"I can walk."
Ling Yiyao placed Shi Rong on the ground and walked side by side with the young girl as they crossed the field.
Shi Rongs face turned a bright red after envisioning herself being in Ling Yiyao's arms. She took a deep breath and composed herself.
She snuck a glance at his handsome face, reigniting her face into a deep crimson as her lips arched into a shy smile.
"Little girl Shi Rong if you have something to say then please say it quickly, I wish to quickly make haste towards the location you was headed." Ling Yiyao smiled a seductive smile as he stared into her bright face. "were you perhaps praying to the gods for a kiss from me is that why your face is the same shade as your tongue which is tied little one?"
Shi Rong's face looked like she just swallowed a bug. She took a deep breath and composed herself as her face returned to its normal lovely white shade and glanced at Ling Yiyao with a soft fairy-like expression. "Ling Yiyao you are mistaken my expression has nothing to do with impure and vulgar thoughts please contain your urges."
Ling Yiyao was momentarily taken aback by the girls beauty. His eyes turned clear and calm as he placed his hand under the girls slender chin. "little girl shall I ease your mind and show you a small sample of pleasure."
Shi Rong was frozen in complete shock as Ling Yiyao's face inched closer towards hers, as his sweet breath tickled her face, her expression turned a deep shade of red as she stared at his lips drawing closer.