"It sure is crowded."
The gentle wind blew past his face, gently swaying his hair. Yun Che hovered in the air with his hands crossed behind, staring down at the Divine Phoenix Empire.
His long black hair was tied with a golden pin at the top of his head, forming a ponytail. He wore black robes with a golden design, and a golden crow was imprinted at the back. These were the robes of the Demon Emperor of the Illusory Demon Realm. His relationship with Huan Caiyi was still not public knowledge, but since she wanted him to wear these robes and they looked cool, Yun Che decided to wear them.
He raised his head and looked at the sky; the shadow of a huge box could be seen there. It was the Primordial Profound Ark, containing the Soul of the Heretic God's daughter and also his future weapon.
"A Profound Ark? This princess—no, wait… Is that another legacy?"
Yun Che smiled wryly at Jasmine's sudden change in tone. It seemed that after living with him for so long, her mindset had really changed to "anytime Yun Che moves, it's another legacy." It was funny because—
"Yep. And this time it contains the progeny of the Heretic God. Aren't you glad, Jasmine? You get to meet the daughter of the Heretic God."
"The daughter of the Heretic God?" Jasmine's eyes narrowed. "That sounds dangerous."
"Don't worry. She is poisoned, so she can't do anything." Yun Che shrugged his shoulders. "Though I would have expected a more dramatic reaction from you."
"Humph. After what we have been through all these years? Bha! Even if the Creation God himself appeared in front of this princess, this princess wouldn't be surprised anymore."
"Hahaha… By the way, Jasmine, how old are you now?"
"Eighteen, why?"
"Perfect." Yun Che clasped his hands with a gleeful smile. "It's time to harvest."
It took a second for the crimson-haired girl to understand what Yun Che meant, resulting in her face turning bright red. She felt her heartbeat suddenly increase, causing her to retreat back into the Sky Poison Pearl.
"T-This princess is going to rest. Don't disturb her."
"Hahaha!" Yun Che laughed loudly. "You really are a cute master, Jasmine. Teasing you never gets old."
He finally returned his gaze to the Divine Phoenix Empire and smiled.
"First, let's go and watch Cang Yue mercilessly beating her opponents."
1
This time, the Seven Nation Ranking Tournament was the most shocking tournament for every nation.
Normally, the Divine Phoenix Sect would dominate the Ranking Tournament with the other Five Nations, excluding Blue Wind, usually occupying the second to sixth positions. Blue Wind was the weakest nation, and no one cared about it because its strength was too feeble to even defeat the weakest disciples of the other nations.
This time was different; Blue Wind only sent one participant, and that was their princess. And if there were any doubts in their minds, those doubts were cleared the moment she dominated the whole tournament with pure elegance.
It didn't matter whether the opponent was strong or weak; the end result was always the same – instant defeat.
Everyone was left dumbfounded. They all had only one question: What is going on?
But the shock didn't last long before it turned into pure admiration. Matched with Cang Yue's beauty, she looked second only to Feng Xue'er, Princess Snow. Many people began to entertain various thoughts, especially the royal families.
A political marriage with Blue Wind didn't sound bad now.
Unaware of what others thought of her, Cang Yue sat on the seat provided for participants from the Blue Wind Empire, lost in thought.
Her long hair was tied in a bun above her head, giving a full view of her flawless neck, arousing the desires of any man who looked at it. Her beautiful eyes were squinted, and a small pout was visible on her face as she rested her hand on it. Her long legs were crossed, and she leaned slightly to support her elbow on her thigh. A huge claymore rested beside her.
Sitting on her seat with a cute pout, she looked like a fairy in a painting. People from all Seven Nations couldn't help but stare at her with infatuation; she was an untouchable fairy that everyone wanted to touch.
"[Father said he will be present in the last round; please do not be angry, mother.]" A gentle, childish voice resounded in her mind, causing Cang Yue's pout to recede slightly.
"[Mother is not angry… She is just not happy.]" Cang Yue's lips pursed, and she released an annoyed sigh. "[Your father said he would be here… Then why isn't he here yet? Did he forget about me after spending his time in the Illusory Demon Realm with Sister Huan Caiyi?]"
"[Yan'er doesn't think father will ever forget about you, mother!]" Yan'er tried her best to take her father's side. "[He must be busy.]"
Cang Yue's pout returned, her cheeks slightly bulging.
"The final round of the Seven Nation Ranking Tournament shall commence now." An elderly man stood beside Feng Hengkong and looked at everyone present before loudly announcing, "Contestants from Blue Wind and Divine Phoenix, please come to the stage."
"{They are calling you, mother.}" Seeing Cang Yue lost in thought, Yan'er reminded her.
"Oh!" Cang Yue blinked her eyes cutely, her attention returning to the tournament. She uncrossed her legs and stood up, causing her ample bosom to jiggle slightly. Her dainty hands reached for Yan'er, and she grabbed her.
In a single step, she appeared on the stage. No one questioned her speed; they were already used to it. In their minds, they all thought it was some form of Movement Profound Art, which they were not wrong about.
It was the skill called [Ground Shrink] that allowed Cang Yue to cover the distance between two points in a single step – a neat skill that had almost the same application as instant teleportation.
Six people from the Divine Phoenix Sect also appeared on the stage, all of them looking at Cang Yue with varying expressions. Some were filled with admiration, some with blatant lust, some with arrogance, and some with pride.
"Surrender. You cannot beat me." Already in a bad mood, Cang Yue did not mince her words. She raised Yan'er and pointed her blade towards the six participants from the Divine Phoenix Sect, her expression sharp.
If before she looked like an untouchable fairy from a painting, now she looked like a war goddess ready to annihilate anyone in her path.
"It has not been decided yet. Do not jump to conclusions so fast, Princess," Feng Xiluo, the most talented prince, arrogantly smiled. "Why not consider marriage between us, Princess? I am the most talented individual in all Seven Nations. No one can match my talent, except you. Our marriage could herald a new alliance between Blue Wind and Divine Phoenix. Your Blue Wind could become the second strongest nation after our Divine Phoenix. Moreover, if our bloodlines combine, we can give birth to an heir stronger than anyone!"
Of course, it wasn't only the other nations considering a political marriage. Divine Phoenix was no different. In their eyes, a single talented individual like Cang Yue wasn't enough to threaten them. But considering her age, if they could marry her into their Divine Phoenix, it would greatly benefit their empire.
"I appreciate your offer, but I am already married, Prince." Displaying the elegance of a princess, Cang Yue simply smiled and shook her head. "However, let me correct you on something."
Her eyes stared directly at the disfigured face of the prince at her denial, and she smirked.
"If you think you are the most talented individual within the Seven Nations, Cang Yue recommends you see a doctor. Your delusions might end up killing you in the future."
"Are you saying there is someone more talented than me, the prince of the Divine Phoenix Empire?" Feng Xiluo snorted.
Cang Yue chuckled.
"Of course. Leaving me aside, who is obviously stronger than you, my husband alone could decimate your whole empire with a slap. And he is younger than you, Prince." A playful smirk adorned Cang Yue's face before her gaze moved towards Feng Xue'er sitting beside the frowning Hengkong. "Hm. Princess Snow is very beautiful. How about you engage her to my husband? Your Divine Phoenix might earn my husband's favor that way."
"You dare!?" Feng Ximing, who also sat beside Feng Hengkong, angrily stood and pointed his finger at Cang Yue. "Do not think we will not do anything just because you are the princess of Blue Wind! We will—"
"Shut up!" Hengkong shouted and glared at his son with a frown. "Shut up and sit back. If you shout again near us, we will imprison you in the dungeon for a hundred years."
"But Father!" Ximing shut up instantly at the sight of his father's angry expression. He turned his gaze and glared towards Cang Yue, whose expression remained the same. She giggled softly at Ximing's outburst, instantly stealing the spotlight with how enchanting she looked.
"Don't be mad, Prince. What Cang Yue said is true. Oh, now that Cang Yue remembers, her husband also has Divine Phoenix Bloodline, the purest of all. Hehehe, you really won't find anyone better than him, Your Excellency."
She looked like a saleswoman trying to scam Hengkong into selling his daughter.
Hengkong's expression instantly changed at the mention of Divine Phoenix Bloodline. He looked at Cang Yue, his hand on the armrest tightening.
"Is your husband from the Divine Phoenix Sect, Princess?"
Cang Yue shook her head.
"Your sect is too weak for my Husband to even consider joining. Maybe if he is in a good mood, he will hire your people as his servants? That does sound like something Husband would do if he is bored."
She once again started to giggle, remembering the times Yun Che did silly things just because he was bored.
Despite the disrespect and anger he felt, Hengkong did not say anything. Instead, he took out a portrait and showed it to Cang Yue.
"Is this your husband?"
Cang Yue's brow raised in surprise. With a confused look, she looked at Hengkong and asked.
"Why do you have my husband's portrait?"
A glint passed through Hengkong's eyes. He had been looking for this person for two months now, but couldn't find him. Who would have thought that he was from the weakest nation?
"Is your husband really looks like that, Big Sister?" An innocent and slightly childish voice came from Feng Xue'er, instantly attracting everyone's attention, including the angered Feng Ximing.
"Does Princess Snow know my husband?" Cang Yue's eyes suddenly shone. "Don't tell me… You are his secret lover? That's so romantic!"
"N-No, I-I am not…" Feng Xue'er's expression instantly crumbled into an embarrassed mess, turning crimson as she panickingly denied Cang Yue's accusation. "I-It's just that—"
"Princess Cang Yue, how about you invite your husband to our Divine Phoenix Sect? Important matters shouldn't be decided behind someone's back."
Silence instantly fell as everyone looked at Feng Hengkong with astonished gazes. They couldn't believe he just agreed to marry his daughter to a man. All of them, including all the princes and elders, looked at Hengkong with scared expressions, as if they were seeing an imposter.
Even Cang Yue looked towards Hengkong with a surprised gaze before a playful smirk appeared on her face.
"Someone called me?"
"Kyaa~!" Feng Xue'er jumped at the sudden intrusion of a voice behind her. Scared, she looked behind, and her gaze froze staring at the face of the man who had been appearing in her dreams for months now.
For some reason, she felt her heart beating faster. She didn't know what to say anymore!
...
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