Abyss Plane

Forget it. This marriage alliance can count as doing Linyuan a good deed.

Zhu Yu, Zhu Yu... You can't take advantage of the Molong Duke Mansion so easily.

While Xia Yanqing and the Duchess discussed the marriage alliance, Xia Linyuan kept teasing the little girl who'd been made a sacrifice. He acted just like a model husband, letting his wife look over every good thing first. The Duchess watched, grinding her teeth with rage.

At first, Dai Yunjin had been at a loss over Xia Linyuan's sudden show of kindness. But when she saw the Duchess—who had always picked on her and her mother—looking ready to go mad, she felt a rush of satisfaction, as if she'd finally gotten some revenge. Gradually, she learned how to play along with Xia Linyuan's act.

You wicked woman! That's what you get for bullying Mom every day!

The seeds of hatred had been planted in young Dai Yunjin's heart long ago. Xia Linyuan was merely taking this opportunity to make them sprout early.

Seeing the delight she kept so well hidden beneath her blue eyes, Xia Linyuan couldn't help smiling. His slightly sharp tiger fangs gleamed in secret, like those of a predator baring its teeth.

The seeds of hatred had sprouted. Now all that remained was to wait for them to grow into a towering tree—and then... strike back!

On the way back to the Molong Duke Mansion.

Xia Yanqing didn't ride his beloved Tianlin Horse. Instead, he squeezed into the same carriage as Xia Linyuan.

"Linyuan, do you like that girl, Yunjin?"

Xia Linyuan thought it over briefly, then replied coolly, "Maybe... she's all right."

"You seemed to like Yunjin quite a bit at the White Tiger Duke Mansion just now."

"Oh, I was only putting on a show to annoy the Duchess of White Tiger Duke Mansion."

Xia Yanqing was taken aback by Xia Linyuan's reply.

"The Duchess of White Tiger Duke Mansion is so obviously jealous. I don't like people treating me like a bargaining chip, but I was in a good mood today, so I played along with her little act."

"Besides, it's rare to meet such an idiot. When the opportunity comes, how could I not have a little fun with her? Don't you think so, Dad?"

Xia Yanqing was drenched in sweat.

Is this child really only six years old? So young, yet already so shrewd and calculating. What will he be like when he grows up? If other people find out...

Forget other nobles— even the Xingluo Imperial Family might grow wary of him...

Thinking this, Xia Yanqing gripped Xia Linyuan's shoulders and made him meet his gaze. He said sternly, "Linyuan, don't tell anyone else what you just said. No one besides you and me. Understood?"

"Yes, Dad." Xia Linyuan sounded a little helpless.

It was almost sunset by the time Xia Linyuan finally returned to the Molong Duke Mansion.

But while they were still some distance from the mansion, Xia Yanqing once again reminded him not to tell anyone else what he'd said earlier.

After Xia Linyuan promised again and again, Xia Yanqing finally relaxed.

Maybe it was just his imagination, but Xia Linyuan felt that after the Xingluo Emperor had summoned Xia Yanqing, his father had become much quieter and more serious. His dashing brows were always knitted together.

"Linyuan, did you meet your future little bride? What do you think? Is she pretty?" Zou Yihan pinched Xia Linyuan's adorable cheek.

Xia Linyuan smiled faintly. "I did. She's a very cute little girl."

Cute?

Hearing Xia Linyuan describe Dai Yunjin that way to Zou Yihan, the guards following behind couldn't help muttering to themselves.

We're pretty sure that's not how you described her a little while ago, young master.

That scrawny little girl looked as if she hadn't had a full meal in days. All skin and bones...

Young master, have you forgotten who said all that?

"A little girl?" Zou Yihan pinched his cheek again, harder this time. "You're so young, but already pretending to be all grown-up. If she's a little girl, what are you? A little brat?"

Xia Linyuan smiled faintly and said nothing.

Xia Yanqing gave the steward a look.

The steward immediately understood. "Young master, you must be tired from the journey. Why don't you go rest for a while?"

Watching the steward lead Xia Linyuan away, Zou Yihan seemed to think of something. She asked worriedly, "What's wrong, Qing?"

Xia Yanqing took a deep breath. "The Emperor summoned me today."

Zou Yihan's expression suddenly grew grave. "The Emperor summoned you? Could it be that he wants you to..."

Xia Yanqing nodded. "There's no time to lose. I'll rest tonight, then set out tomorrow. The situation at the front is unpredictable, so I'll have to leave the household and Linyuan in your hands."

"Tomorrow? So soon?" Zou Yihan hurriedly asked. "Can't you stay at home for a few more days?"

Xia Yanqing shook his head. "The soldiers at the front are waiting for me."

Zou Yihan sighed. Knowing her husband had made up his mind, she didn't try to dissuade him further. Instead, she said, "Be careful. If things get too dangerous, retreat and defend. Don't push yourself."

"I know. After all these years, don't you know my limits? Don't worry."

In Xia Linyuan's little courtyard.

Although Xia Yanqing had immediately asked the steward to take Xia Linyuan away, his spiritual sense was nothing to scoff at. The moment he turned around, his vast, ocean-like spiritual sense had already spread to every corner of the Molong Duke Mansion. He had heard every word Xia Yanqing and his wife said.

War?

Xia Linyuan immediately understood what had happened.

Six years ago, when he descended upon Douluo Continent, even though he had arrived in the form of an avatar, his power was still too great. It caused part of Douluo Planet's space to collapse, opening the spatial rift between Douluo Planet and the Abyss Plane far earlier than it should have. The rift was originally supposed to open thousands of years later, when the collision of the two continents caused tectonic shifts.

At the time, Xia Yanqing had been urgently dispatched to garrison the Endless Mountains and repel the Abyssal Creatures trying to invade Douluo Continent. That was why he'd happened upon Xia Linyuan's avatar. And because Xia Linyuan had descended near the spatial rift, he'd received that "special" treatment.

Mm... Fate really is a wondrous thing.

Still, as far as Xia Linyuan was concerned, this Abyss Plane was nothing but a small plane with an impressive-sounding name. The Abyss he came from was neither a plane nor a world, but an indescribable existence.

Some said R'lyeh had created the Abyss. Others said R'lyeh had been born from the Abyss. Still others claimed R'lyeh was the Abyss, and the Abyss was R'lyeh. All kinds of theories abounded, but none could prove what the Abyss truly was.

Back to the point.

Since the spatial rift was still unstable, so far only Abyssal Creatures at Emperor Rank or below could pass through it and reach Douluo Continent.