Nine Clouds stepped forward, half-shielding Jiang Ping'an behind her. The gentle smile that usually graced her peerlessly beautiful face had vanished, replaced by an air of authority that awed without anger.
Her gaze flashed like lightning as it swept over the group of young cultivators blocking their path, and her voice rang clear and cold, like an icy spring striking stone. "Guangming, Pojun, what are you trying to do?"
There were roughly a dozen young cultivators in the group. Each was dressed in finery, their auras far from weak; clearly, they came from families with considerable roots in Human Emperor City.
The man at their head was named Guangming. He had swordlike brows and star-bright eyes, and looked rather heroic and extraordinary, but at this moment, his handsome face was filled with suppressed anger and unwillingness.
When he heard Nine Clouds's rebuke, the muscles in his cheeks twitched involuntarily a few times. His hands, hanging at his sides, clenched tightly into fists, his knuckles whitening from the force.
"Your Highness, Nine Clouds Imperial Daughter," Guangming forced out through gritted teeth, every word trembling with restraint, "this is a matter between men. Please do not interfere."
His gaze passed over Nine Clouds's shoulder and fixed deathly on Jiang Ping'an behind her, his eyes full of hostility and scrutiny.
Jiang Ping'an stood behind Nine Clouds and saw everything clearly.
He understood at once, and could not help sighing inwardly—sure enough, this was jealousy over romance. Truly boring beyond belief.
Seeing that Nine Clouds had no intention of moving aside, Guangming grew even more agitated, and his voice rose despite himself. "Jiang Ping'an, if you're a man, stop hiding behind a woman!"
Jiang Ping'an frowned slightly and was just about to step forward to speak when Nine Clouds suddenly turned around. The authority