Heaven's Favored Daughter (Part One)

"I never expected it to be the Carefree Old Couple. I have failed to greet you properly." His expression changed slightly. Then, Young Master Yin Gongzi Dongfang Yan stepped forward and bowed to the two elderly men and women.

"Oh? A young master from the Dongfang Family? As expected of a young master from a great family, you truly possess extraordinary bearing and are exceptionally polite," the elderly man said with a smile, turning his head to look at Yin Gongzi.

"These two old guys are not simple," Zhuge Xiang said in a low voice, his eyes narrowing slightly as he looked at the so-called Carefree Old Couple.

The less Qi Energy they exuded and the more ordinary they appeared, the more terrifying their strength was, as Zhuge Xiang could tell. For example, the Old Man Dragonwood had already reached the Tenth Layer of Return to Simplicity Realm ten years ago, and his every move was devoid of any aura.

"The Carefree Old Couple are quite famous in Yanling Commandery. I heard they are a married couple who reached the Tenth Layer of Return to Simplicity Realm more than twenty years ago. Although they never broke through to the Deity Transformation Realm, they have a Combined Secret Art that, if they join forces, are enough to fight against Deity Transformation Realm Cultivator," Su Huayu, as the Young City Lord of Rakshasa City, had obviously heard of the Carefree Old Couple's reputation and explained to Zhuge Xiang in a low voice.

"Tenth Layer of Return to Simplicity Realm, yet they can fight against a Deity Transformation stage Cultivator when they join forces?" Upon hearing Su Huayu's words, not only Mizheng but also Zhuge Xiang were astonished.

The difference between the Deity Transformation stage and the Qi Refining Stage can be seen from Qing Mingzi's actions that day. The Old Man Dragonwood, who Tenth Layer of Return to Simplicity Realm, had no power to resist. The impact of his Divine Sense instantly shattered his will, and he kowtowed until he died. However, how could the two of them, the Carefree Old Couple, actually fight against Deity Transformation Stage Cultivator? Their so-called secret technique was indeed too powerful.

"No wonder the Yin Gongzi master of the Dongfang Family was so humble and polite to these so-called Carefree Old Couple," Mizheng said, quickly suppressing his shock.

The casual greeting from Free and Unfettered Duke to Yin Gongzi Dongfang Yan was merely superficial, due to Dongfang Yan's status. However, Free and Unfettered Duchess, standing beside him, looked at Dongfang Yan a completely different gaze. Her eyes shone as she stared intently at him for a moment. Although his temperament was somewhat effeminate and lacked the masculine vigor of a man, it was undeniable that Dongfang Yan, born into the Dongfang Family, possessed an extraordinary bearing.

Looking at her granddaughter beside her, Free and Unfettered Duchess suddenly interjected, "Zhao'er, this is Dongfang Yan from the Dongfang Family. Why haven't you shown him your respects? What kind of behavior is this?"

She glanced at her breasts with some surprise. The girl, barely in her early twenties, didn't ask any questions. She stepped forward, clasped her hands in a fist salute to Dongfang Yan, and said with a spirited air, "This humble woman, Wu Zhao, greets Brother Dongfang."

Look at this young woman, in her early twenties, with a pretty face and fair skin. However, unlike ordinary women, she doesn't wear dresses. Instead, she wears a Tight-Fitting Martial Outfit that perfectly accentuates her full figure. Although she is a woman, she is as capable as any man, poised and generous, giving people a bold and forthright feeling, like a female general.

"Greetings, Miss Wu," Dongfang Yan said hastily in return Wu Zhao clasped her hands in greeting.

Pfft.

Looking at Wu Zhao and Dongfang Yan, Su Huayu couldn't help but laugh out loud and said to Zhuge Xiang, "Look at Miss Wu Zhao and Dongfang Yan, they really are a perfect match."

Slightly taken aback, Zhuge Xiang then understood Su Huayu's meaning and couldn't help but smile.

Su Huayu is right. Dongfang Yan, though a man, has a gentle and feminine temperament, while Wu Zhao, though a woman, is heroic, graceful, and full of magnanimity. The two of them together are truly a match made in heaven.

"Where did this junior come from? Speaking nonsense like this?" Su Huayu's words were heard by the experts present. The Free and Unfettered Duke's face darkened, and he shouted at Su Huayu. He moved his feet and appeared in front of Su Huayu like a ghost, his palm open, grabbing at Su Huayu.

Regardless of whether Su Huayu's words made sense or not, Free and Unfettered Duke naturally could not accept others talking about his granddaughter so openly.

The Carefree Old Couple, working together, could fight against Deity Transformation Stage Cultivator. They were both righteous and wicked, and they attacked without warning, causing Su Huayu to change color in horror. She wielded her Flowing Fire Blade and slashed at the Free and Unfettered Duke's palm. After all, he was Asura Sect Disciples the Asura Sect, and she couldn't dodge his attack, so she simply didn't bother to dodge. Even if he grabbed her, she would still cut him with her sword.

Mizheng's Demon Subduing Pestle also moved, but Zhuge Xiang's movements were even faster. He unleashed Explosive Steps, and at the last second, Zhuge Xiang stood in front of Su Huayu, raising his hand to Blade of Blockade and deflect Free and Unfettered Duke's hand.

"Old man, stop!" At the same time, Free and Unfettered Duchess spoke up, saying, "Actually, this young lady is right. She has good taste. I also think our Zhao'er and Young Master Dongfang are quite a good match."

Although it was just a casual strike, his palm was actually blocked by a mere youth at the Void Splitting Realm. The Free and Unfettered Duke felt greatly humiliated. Staring at Zhuge Xiang, he said, "You're quite strong, kid, to be able to block my casual strike. I wonder if you can block my Grasping Hand technique too?"

As he spoke, Free and Unfettered Duke made another move, as fast as lightning. His hand was shaped like a claw, like Eagle swooping down from the sky, and he arrived in front of Zhuge Xiang in an instant, so fast that it was almost beyond the limit of what the naked eye could see.

"Eagle Eye Technique!" Zhuge Xiang thought to himself. All of his cultivation came from battles, and he had incredibly rich combat experience. Naturally, his reactions were also fast. After activating Eagle Eye Technique, Zhuge Xiang swung his Blade of Blockade fiercely, Knockback!

Despite being the second to strike, Zhuge Xiang's Knockback Skill was activated. His Blade of Blockade collided with Free and Unfettered Duke's palm. Despite Xiaoyao Gong's incredibly strong physical defense, Zhuge Xiang 'Free and Unfettered Duke Blade of Blockade did not cause him any damage, but it did knock him back.

Zhuge Xiang's move caused even the most oblivious people, including Free and Unfettered Duchess, Wu Zhao, Situ Zhaixing, Mizheng, to widen their eyes in astonishment.

The cultivation of the Void Splitting Realm was actually able to repel the Free and Unfettered Duke? On the contrary, Yin Gongzi and Su Huayu, who had witnessed Zhuge Xiang's strength before, were not too surprised. Although the Free and Unfettered Duke was strong, he was only on par with the Old Man Dragonwood. His strength was only due to the secret technique he used in conjunction with the Free and Unfettered Duchess.

"Good lad, I really underestimated you. You're so young, yet you possess such strength," said Free and Unfettered Duke, his eyes wide with surprise as he stared at Zhuge Xiang.

As he spoke, he was about to make a move, but Dongfang Yan moved aside and blocked Free and Unfettered Duke Asura Sect's path, saying, "Senior, Brother Zhuge is Inner Sect Disciple of the Asura Sect, and Miss Su Huayu is the Young City Lord of Rakshasa City. It is unreasonable for them to attack an Asura Sect Inner Sect without cause."

"Reason? Get lost, I've never known what reason is," Free and Unfettered Duke shook his head, looking Zhang Kuang, but he didn't continue to attack. He just glanced at Situ Zhaixing, who was lying on the ground, on the verge of death, and said, "Alright, enough with the idle talk. This Situ Zhaixing is of great use to us, Carefree Old Couple, so we'll take him away."

As they were speaking, the Free and Unfettered Duke reached out to grab Situ Zhaixing on the ground. However, Zhuge Xiang and Dongfang Yan's expressions changed slightly, and they simultaneously stepped in front of the Free and Unfettered Duke.

"This Situ Zhaixing is in my hands, and no one can take it away from me." The Sword of Slaughter was drawn, and the rolling killing intent almost materialized. Zhuge Xiang stared straight at Free and Unfettered Duke. No matter what the other party's cultivation level was or how strong he was, Zhuge Xiang absolutely could not allow him to take what was his for no reason.

"Senior, if it were anything else, I would obey your every command, but Situ Zhaixing is also very important to my Dongfang Family," Dongfang Yan said firmly, shaking his head as well.

"You two juniors are commendable for your courage, but I must have Situ Zhaixing. Do you intend to stop me, the Carefree Old Couple?" Looking at Zhuge Xiang and Dongfang Yan who were blocking his way, the Free and Unfettered Duke asked, pressing down on the two with his cultivation at the Tenth Layer of Return to Simplicity Realm.

"I'll help you," Mizheng and Su Huayu said as they stepped forward to stand beside Zhuge Xiang. The two old servants of the Dongfang Family also stood on either side of Dongfang Yan.

"Old man, although we, the Carefree Old Couple, are not self-proclaimed righteous people, we would never stoop to the methods of these highway robbers. How can you be so shameless as to lay a hand on a few juniors?" The Free and Unfettered Duchess stepped forward and complained to the Free and Unfettered Duke.

"Old woman, what's wrong with you today? Did you take the wrong medicine?" Hearing the Free and Unfettered Duchess's words, the Free and Unfettered Duke was a little confused. She had just made a move, and she stopped him. Now, she was actually stopping him again. She knew how important Situ Zhaixing.

"You're the one who's taken the wrong medicine," the Free and Unfettered Duchess retorted without any politeness. As she spoke, her gaze fell on Dongfang Yan, her eyes full of admiration. She said, "Young Master Dongfang, you have always treated us with the utmost courtesy, so we shouldn't be competing with you Situ Zhaixing for Situ Zhaixing. However, he is very important to our Zhao'er. I wonder if Young Master Dongfang would be willing to part with him?"

After all, they had been husband Free and Unfettered Duchess immediately made the Free and Unfettered Duke understand her meaning. He said, "So that's why. It turns out that you, this old woman, have taken a liking to this young master Dongfang and want him to be our granddaughter's husband?"

"Indeed, look at Young Master Dongfang, so polite and with such extraordinary bearing, isn't he a perfect match?" Nodding, the way Free and Unfettered Duchess looked at Dongfang Yan was like a mother-in-law looking at her son-in-law, growing more and more fond of him the more she looked.

The words of the Free and Unfettered Duchess stunned everyone present. They hadn't expected her to think that way. Dongfang Yan opened his mouth, looking both amused and exasperated.

Wu Zhao, however, carefully examined Dongfang Yan for a moment, then shook his head and said to Free and Unfettered Duchess, "Nainai, don't waste your time on this. Although Young Master Dongfang has an extraordinary bearing, he is not my type. My man, Wu Zhao's man, must be a peerless hero who stands tall between heaven and earth."

"Hey, Zhao'er, won't you reconsider?" Hearing Wu Zhao's words, Free and Unfettered Duchess became a little anxious. Clearly, Free and Unfettered Duchess was very satisfied with Dongfang Yan.

Wu Zhao didn't answer her mother's question. She simply took a few steps forward, glanced at Dongfang Yan, and then her gaze fell on Zhuge Xiang. She clasped her hands in a fist salute, and said with a spirited air, "This Situ Zhaixing is undoubtedly valuable; all three of us want her. Although I, Wu Zhao, am a woman, I won't take advantage of you. According to the rules of the Cultivation World, how about the three of us young people take matters into our own hands?" (To be continued.)