Jia Xingtian, Yaoye

Lin Hai and Yao Chen had just returned from the Magical Beast Mountain Range and set foot in the Xiao Clan's courtyard. Before they even had a chance to drink some tea, a commotion rose from the front courtyard, mingled with the tense, deferential reports of the guards.

Soon, footsteps approached from a distance. The clan head, Xiao Zhan, came hurrying over in person, leading an old man.

The old man wore a golden robe embroidered with dragons. Though he tried to keep it in check, the authority of one long accustomed to power showed between his brows, and the faint aura of a Peak Dou Emperor radiated from him, marking his extraordinary identity: Jia Xingtian, guardian of the Gama Empire's Imperial Family!

Jia Xingtian's expression was grave, and a trace of anxiety lurked deep in his eyes.

The moment he entered the courtyard, his gaze locked onto the young man in green robes, standing with his hands behind his back and an utterly ordinary air about him.

Rumors that this mysterious expert had crushed Elder Ge Ye of the Yunlan Sect in the Xiao Clan's hall, and supposedly possessed the strength of a Dou Emperor or even greater, had already reached his ears through certain secret channels.

With the empire beset by troubles within and without, the Yunlan Sect pressing forward at every turn, and the Imperial Family in decline, he had no choice but to set aside his pride and seek possible aid in person.

"I am Jia Xingtian of the Gama Empire. I have taken the liberty of visiting you; I hope you'll forgive the intrusion." Jia Xingtian clasped his hands toward Lin Hai in greeting, adopting an exceptionally humble posture.

He did not even dare take a close look at Yao Chen's soul form beside him. He could only sense that the soul form was unfathomably deep, which filled him with even greater reverence.

Xiao Zhan stood to one side, his palms sweating with nerves. He hardly dared breathe.

Lin Hai's expression remained calm, as if his visitor were not the empire's guardian but merely an ordinary passerby. "What is it?"

Jia Xingtian took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "I'm sure you know the Yunlan Sect has grown powerful and ambitious. It keeps eroding the foundations of the empire and treats the Imperial authority as nothing.

"If things continue this way, the Gama Empire is bound to fall into chaos, and its people will suffer untold misery.

"I've come to implore you, for the sake of the empire's countless people, to lend the Imperial Family your strength and help us stand against the Yunlan Sect. The Imperial Family will give everything it has to repay your kindness!"

He humbled himself as much as he could, even invoking the greater good.

Yet Lin Hai showed no trace of being moved. He merely asked, "What do I gain from helping you?"

Jia Xingtian faltered. The words he had prepared seemed feeble in the face of the other man's overwhelming strength and bluntness. He gritted his teeth. "The Imperial Family's treasury will be open to you! We'll share rule over the empire's lands with you! As long as you—"

Before he could finish, Lin Hai cut him off. "Mortal power and wealth are like drifting clouds to me."

Jia Xingtian's heart sank at once, and despair showed on his face.

That was true. At the other man's level, the empire's power and wealth were probably not enough to move him.

Just as Jia Xingtian was losing hope, Lin Hai changed course. "Still, I could give you a chance to break through to the Spirit Sect Realm. In exchange, your Gama Imperial Family will rally its strength and clean house on its own. That might be possible."

"Break through to the Spirit Sect Realm?!" Jia Xingtian jerked his head up, wild, disbelieving joy blazing in his eyes. His voice even changed pitch with excitement!

He had been stuck at the peak of the Spirit Emperor Realm for far too long—so long that he had nearly given up hope!

Breaking through to the Spirit Sect Realm was his lifelong dream!

If he truly reached the Spirit Sect Realm, what would Yun Shan have to fear? The Imperial Family's crisis would resolve itself!

"Are you serious? What price must I pay? If it's something I can do, I won't hesitate!" Jia Xingtian trembled with excitement as he hurriedly pressed for an answer, afraid Lin Hai might change his mind.

Lin Hai's gaze rested calmly on him, his tone still indifferent. "The price is simple. I want one person."

"One person?" Jia Xingtian froze. A flood of thoughts flashed through his mind. Who in the Imperial Family could possibly be worth specifically asking for by an expert who was likely at the Spirit Sect Realm or above? He cautiously asked, "May I know who you want?"

"Yaoye." Lin Hai spoke the name plainly.

"Yaoye?" Jia Xingtian was completely stunned, astonishment and bewilderment written all over his face.

He had never imagined that the person the other man wanted would be his great-granddaughter, Yaoye, the Imperial Family's eldest princess!

Yaoye did have a fine talent. At such a young age, she was already a Dou Shi, and she was also quite capable at handling government affairs. She was one of the successors the Imperial Family was working hard to cultivate.

But... that seemed utterly mismatched with the other man's level of strength. What did he want with Yaoye?

Suddenly, a thought flashed through Jia Xingtian's mind like lightning!

He stared at Lin Hai, taking in his young, handsome features and those deep, tranquil eyes that seemed capable of seeing straight through a person.

That was it! He must have taken a liking to Yaoye's looks and potential!

He wanted to keep her by his side and gradually cultivate her, perhaps someday... taking her as a concubine or something of the sort?

Jia Xingtian's heart became a battlefield.

On one side was a once-in-a-millennium chance to break through to the Spirit Sect Realm and save the Imperial Family; on the other was the future and happiness of the great-granddaughter he treasured most and had placed his highest hopes in.

If he handed Yaoye over to such a mysterious, unfathomable expert, would it be a blessing or a curse?

But with the other man's terrifying strength, the Imperial Family would have no way to resist if he truly wanted to force the matter. Yet he was willing to offer a trade instead, which seemed... like a form of "respect."

Besides, if Yaoye really could follow an expert of this caliber, perhaps it would be an enormous opportunity for her?

That would be far better than staying in the empire, where the Yunlan Sect might one day crush her...

Thought after thought raced through Jia Xingtian's mind, and his expression shifted again and again.

In the end, his longing to break through to the Spirit Sect Realm and his duty to save the Imperial Family outweighed everything else.

He shut his eyes with difficulty and took a deep breath. When he opened them again, his gaze was resolute.

He clasped his hands firmly toward Lin Hai and spoke in a hoarse but determined voice. "...Very well! I agree. I'll talk it over with Yaoye when I return. She'll soon be able to follow you and do your bidding! I only ask that you... keep your word!"

He had spoken those words almost through gritted teeth, his heart full of guilt toward Yaoye, but he had no other choice.

Seeing Jia Xingtian's conflicted yet resolute expression, Lin Hai naturally understood what the man had imagined, but couldn't be bothered to explain.

There were indeed reasons he wanted Yaoye that had to do with her abilities and potential. Perhaps he could cultivate her to help deal with some of the chores in the future. As for anything else... he would let nature take its course.

"Mm." Lin Hai nodded faintly. "Go back and make preparations. When the time is right, I'll help you break through."

Hearing this, Jia Xingtian felt a great weight lift from his heart. The price was steep, but at least there was hope now.

He bowed once more. "Thank you! I'll return and make arrangements. I'll await word from you!"

With that, he did not dare linger any longer. He turned and hurried away, his heart a tangled mess and his retreating figure looking somewhat desolate.

Xiao Zhan had listened with his heart in his throat and cold sweat streaming down his back.

With just a few words, the fate of the empire's eldest princess and the future of a peak Spirit Emperor had been decided?

His uncle's methods truly were... capable of summoning clouds with one hand and rain with the other!

Yao Chen floated nearby, stroking his beard as a knowing smile flickered in his eyes.

He had lived for so many years and grown wise with age. He could vaguely guess that Lin Hai's reasons for wanting Yaoye were probably more than just "that." Most likely, he genuinely needed someone to help.

Jia Xingtian, though, had clearly misunderstood—and in a rather amusing way.

Ignoring everyone's reactions, Lin Hai looked into the distance, as if he could already see the empire's future shifting.

Resources, influence, talent... everything was quietly gathering according to his will.