The Advantage Is Mine!

At This Moment, within the Imperial Palace.

As noon arrived, Yaoye's Coming-of-Age Ceremony was officially announced to begin.

As the First Princess of the Jiama Imperial Family, her Coming-of-Age Ceremony was naturally no small affair. Representatives from the major families of the Holy City, including Mitel Teng Shan and Nalan Su, had all arrived.

Some rapidly rising family factions within the empire were also in attendance. For instance, the Mo Family of the northwest, which had recently latched onto the Misty Cloud Sect's coattails, had sent its Great Elder, Mo Cheng, to participate.

However, Mo Cheng was clearly not very interested in the ceremony In the Field. More of his attention was focused on the people from the Misty Cloud Sect beside him.

Clearly, in his heart, the Imperial Family no longer held the same status as the latter.

Ironically, he looked down on the Imperial Family, yet the master he was so eager to curry favor with—the Misty Cloud Sect—attached great importance to them. Not only had Great Elder Yun Leng come, but even Yun Yun had personally attended, giving them considerable face.

Apart from the people of the empire, two individuals in the guest seats were particularly conspicuous. From time to time, someone would cast a cold glance their way.

The Ninth Prince from the Chu Yun Empire, along with one of his Three-Star Dou Spirit Guards.

Part of the reason Yun Yun had personally come today was that she had received news of them beforehand.

Although the relationship between the Imperial Family and the Misty Cloud Sect had grown increasingly tense, that was an internal matter of the empire. When facing all sorts of outsiders from beyond the empire, the two sides still stood united.

At the very least, for now.

In the Field, following a lengthy opening speech, the Jia Ma Emperor, who had little sense of presence, finally appeared and personally performed the ceremony for Yaoye.

Today, Yaoye had shed her valiant military attire. Dressed in a luxurious long gown, her exquisite figure was displayed to perfection, her radiance eclipsing everyone else.

Today, at this very moment, she was the only protagonist! Looking at Yaoye, who resembled a queen, not only were the others stunned, but even Jia Xingtian, Yaoyue, and the Emperor with no sense of presence felt somewhat dazed.

This was how she should have been! Yet because of... Quite a few people unconsciously looked toward the Emperor. They said nothing, yet seemed to have said everything, making the Emperor feel his face burn.

With the ceremony concluded, the only serious matter of the event had also ended. What followed were performances to liven things up—the customary time for boasting, idle chatter, and watching shows.

However, an unexpected incident occurred during this process.

The Ninth Prince of the Chu Yun Empire rose with a wine glass in hand and walked to the Jia Ma Emperor, instantly drawing everyone's attention.

Even with several Dou Wangs present, and even two Dou Emperors watching openly and covertly, the Ninth Prince showed no nervousness. This was precisely the effect he wanted.

"Your Majesty, I came uninvited this time on behalf of the Chu Yun Empire. Offering congratulations to the First Princess is one matter, but I also have another request for Your Majesty's approval."

Though he called it a request, there was no pleading expression on his face. Even his salute was rather perfunctory.

The Jia Ma Emperor's expression darkened as he replied coldly.

"Speak."

If he could, he truly wanted to drag this fool outside and have him beheaded. But the Ninth Prince's identity was special, so he had no choice but to consider things carefully. Otherwise, it could lead to consequences beyond measure, perhaps even war.

The Imperial Family's pillar holding up the heavens, Jia Xingtian, was already old. If he could not break through to the Dou Zong realm, he did not have many years left. Their guardian beast, the Abyssal Sea Flood Dragon, was in poor condition as well.

And beside their bed lurked the covetous Misty Cloud Sect.

Among the Three Great Clans of the Imperial Capital, only the Mu Family could be considered loyal.

The Nalan Family played both sides and was fickle in its loyalties, while the Mite'er Family sought profit before all else. If war truly broke out, it would already be fortunate if they did not take the opportunity to profit from it.

Considering matters inside and out, the Imperial Family's predicament was obvious. They truly could not withstand the ravages of war.

The Ninth Prince clearly understood this as well. That was why he had dared to come so rashly, without even informing his emperor father, intending to return and claim credit afterward.

As long as he had reason on his side, the Jiama Imperial Family would never dare touch him.

Well, that was indeed the truth.

"Your Majesty, to be honest, I have admired Princess Yaoye for a long time. I merely did not raise the matter before because of her age. Now that Princess Yaoye has come of age, this prince does not wish to delay any longer. I have come today to ask for her hand in marriage. I hope Your Majesty will grant this request, for the friendship between our two nations. As a token, I offer one million gold coins and ten Fifth-Grade Pills."

The first part was not too bad. Marriage proposals between the major empires were not uncommon, though most ended in failure.

But when they heard the list of gifts, the entire venue instantly fell silent. One could hear a pin drop.

One million gold coins sounded intimidating, but considering that even a low-grade storage ring cost at least One Hundred Thousand Gold Coins, the problem became obvious.

Compared to the status of Yaoye, the First Princess, this gift was cheap beyond measure! This was a blatant humiliation!

The atmosphere In the Field instantly turned murderous. Especially among those loyal to the Imperial Family—if looks could kill, the Ninth Prince would likely have been flayed into mincemeat by now.

The Jia Ma Emperor's chest rose and fell sharply with anger. He was weak—so weak that he did not even deserve a name; weak because he had not given birth to a Prince capable of carrying the burden; weak because he lacked formidable strength.

But he still had blood and fire in him.

Just as the Jia Ma Emperor could no longer endure it and was preparing to teach him a profound lesson even at the risk of offending the Chu Yun Empire, Yaoye, today's protagonist, stood up and stopped him.

As the person directly involved, having suffered such humiliation, she should have flown into a rage. Yet Yaoye's behavior at this moment was extraordinarily strange. Not only did she show no anger, but there was even undisguised delight on her face.

Do not misunderstand. It was not that she enjoyed being treated this way. She had simply received an enormous surprise and found an easier way to handle the matter.

Walking up to the Ninth Prince, Yaoye looked down at the toad who was a head shorter than herself.

"You want to marry me?"

"Isn't that obvious? I have admired the First Princess for a long time."

The Ninth Prince's gaze was frivolous as he looked Yaoye up and down. He had originally only intended to humiliate the Jiama Imperial Family and return to claim credit, but after seeing how stunning Yaoye was without her military attire today, he truly developed such thoughts.

In other words, lust at first sight.

Suppressing her disgust, Yaoye said, "Fine. But you surely know my temperament. Show me your strength and make me see you in a new light."

"Oh? What do you mean?"

"This is the seat of the Jiama Imperial Family, so I will not make things difficult for you. I will find you a sixteen-year-old opponent. If you can defeat him, I will agree to this marriage. If you cannot, then crawl back into your mother's womb for further training. The Jia Ma Empire despises paper tigers most of all." Yaoye had deliberately added several years to the age.

Upon hearing this, the Ninth Prince did not agree immediately.

In truth, though he was not favored, among the Princes and Princesses of the Chu Yun Empire, his talent was considered rather good. Now twenty-four years old, with the Imperial Family's resources, he had already reached the strength of a Six-Star Great Dou Master.

He was very confident in himself, but since Yaoye had taken the initiative to propose a match, he felt that things could not be so simple.

That opponent he had never met must also be a genius.

But the age was there. At sixteen, reaching the Dou Master realm would already be an overestimate in his mind.

Thinking of the Fourth-Grade Beast Strength Pill and Third-Grade Windwalk Pill on him, both of which could enhance his combat strength, the Ninth Prince shamelessly made a request.

"Then I must add a rule as well. I may use pills and similar items on my person."

Everything was for the sake of safety. There was no shame in that; after all, he only had one life.

His principle was that he could take risks, but only if he was certain of victory. Being certain meant enjoying the game; being uncertain meant courting death.

Yaoye turned to glance at the Young Man who had already stepped to the edge of the plaza. Seeing him nod, she immediately agreed.

Unexpectedly, when the Ninth Prince saw the Young Man's youthful face, his confidence grew even stronger.

"Will life and death be left to fate? Or do we stop at the point of contact? Personally, I am not used to sparring and exchanging pointers. I cannot fight freely that way."

"As you wish. We shall put it in writing."

"Hahaha, good. Then let us begin."

The Ninth Prince had no idea where Yaoye's confidence came from. That kid looked sixteen or seventeen, but people of the Dou Qi Continent matured quickly, especially during their youth. With his eye for such things, he could be certain that the kid was absolutely not sixteen.

In this battle, the advantage was mine. Victory was certain!