Yao Ye, a Pity

The Battle Qi Continent had a fierce culture that revered strength above all else. The Imperial Capital of the Jia Ma Empire had also built an enormous battle arena capable of holding tens of thousands.

After three consecutive days of ticket sales, the battle arena's stands were already packed to the brim. Compared to this, the Miter Family's competition had been nothing more than child's play.

Xiao Le had been invited into the palace by Yao Ye's people early in the morning. Today, he would be fighting on behalf of the royal family.

The palace's splendor carried a weighty sense of history and a rich imperial aura. Every corner displayed regal luxury and nobility.

After entering the palace, he made his way to Yao Ye's chambers.

Yao Ye was respectfully standing behind an old man. His skin was withered, his white hair grayish, yet his eyes were bright and spirited. He wore plain clothing and carried himself like an ordinary old man.

Xiao Le did not need to guess. The only person Yao Ye would treat with such respect was Jia Xingtian, the peak Dou Emperor and guardian of the Jia Ma Empire.

The instant Xiao Le entered, an imposing pressure descended upon him. It felt as though a massive boulder had been placed on his back.

Was this a test, or a probe?

Xiao Le's expression remained unchanged as he calmly approached them. When he was ten paces away, he cupped his hands in salute. "Greetings, Princess. Greetings, Elder Jia!"

Neither servile nor overbearing, he remained perfectly composed.

Jia Xingtian could not help nodding. Smiling, he said, "Worthy indeed of one of the Jia Ma Twin Stars. How did you guess my identity, young friend?"

Xiao Le looked at the respected old man before him, an old man who had dedicated his life to the Jia Ma Empire and always treated others kindly. His first impression was that he was like a kind, benevolent grandfather next door.

"Princess Yao Ye is the heir of the Jia Ma Empire and holds command over the military. The only person she would treat with such respect should be Elder Jia, the guardian among the Jia Ma Empire's ten greatest experts!"

That bit of flattery made the old man laugh heartily. Both Jia Xingtian and Yao Ye could not help admiring him. What a sly little fox!

Jia Xingtian studied Xiao Le with smiling eyes and asked, "I wonder, young friend, do you have a marriage arrangement?"

The question caught Xiao Le completely off guard, leaving him frozen where he stood.

Xiao Le carefully examined Yao Ye beside him. Her figure and appearance were both exceptional. It would be a lie to say he was not tempted, but Xiao Le knew the royal family's waters ran deep. Without sufficient benefits, he would not wade into them. Besides, Yao Ye, whose heart was wholly devoted to the Jia Ma Empire, was not suited for him.

Yao Ye shot Xiao Le an annoyed glare and snapped, "You little brat, what are you staring at? You may be young, but you've got plenty of dirty thoughts. Grandfather wasn't talking about me!"

The old man smiled fondly at the sight. After laughing, he said, "I was referring to Yao Ye's younger sister, Yueyue. She is only a little older than you, and she is also an alchemist. I imagine the two of you would have plenty to talk about. What do you think?"

Xiao Le was greatly disappointed. If Jia Xingtian had meant Yao Ye, perhaps Xiao Le would have hesitated for a while. But if it was someone else, he definitely could not agree.

"My apologies, Elder Jia, but I already have a girl I like," Xiao Le directly refused, without the slightest hesitation or reluctance.

This made Jia Xingtian think even more highly of him. He was unmoved by power, status, and profit.

"You little brat!" A delicate shout rang out. A head poked out from within Yao Ye's chambers. The girl was playful and adorable, with a pure and captivating air.

The pure, beautiful young girl pointed at Xiao Le, her face flushed red with anger. "Today, you'd better explain to me exactly how this princess is not worthy of you!"

Xiao Le had never encountered anything like this before and hurriedly looked to Yao Ye and Jia Xingtian for help. Yao Ye simply ignored him.

Fortunately, Jia Xingtian held back the suddenly appearing princess. Otherwise, Xiao Le truly would not have known how to deal with this willful princess.

"Enough!" Jia Xingtian grabbed the little princess, who was about to leap up, and said indulgently, "Grandfather was too abrupt. You two do not even know each other. If he had agreed without hesitation, what would you have done?"

"Well, you..." The little princess was left speechless, muttering incoherently.

Jia Xingtian was not displeased by Xiao Le's rejection. Looking at the two girls before him, he said to Xiao Le, "I'm not afraid of being laughed at. In this generation, the only talents the royal family can present are these two girls before you. The Misty Cloud Sect is like a mountain crushing down upon the Jia Ma Empire's royal family, leaving us unable to breathe!"

"Young friend Xiao Le, I hope you can defeat the Misty Cloud Sect disciple competing today and preserve a little dignity for our royal family. Now, the entire Jia Ma Empire may not know who its emperor is, but it cannot fail to know the Misty Cloud Sect."

The pressure the royal family faced from that towering mountain was even worse than Xiao Le had imagined. Otherwise, why would they ask him for help?

Xiao Le's expression turned solemn. Taking a step back, he respectfully said, "Elder Jia, rest assured. As long as the empire can protect my family and friends, I will certainly contribute my share."

Xiao Le's forceful words made Jia Xingtian clap and praise him. Even Yao Ye, standing nearby, began to see him in a different light.

It was getting late. Vast Battle Qi surged from Jia Xingtian's body, and a pair of dazzling Battle Qi wings burst forth from his back, shimmering like aurora lights in brilliant colors.

A current of Battle Qi protected Xiao Le beneath his feet. Jia Xingtian shot upward, carrying him into the air.

Looking down upon the Imperial Capital, Xiao Le found its majestic grandeur unforgettable.

The cheers that shook the sky nearly pierced Xiao Le's eardrums.

"Elder Jia!"

As the guardian of the Jia Ma Empire, Jia Xingtian drew countless admirers whenever he appeared. As a Dou Emperor, he was also publicly acknowledged as the Jia Ma Empire's strongest expert.

Energetic, youthful young people occupied nearly half the stands. Xiao Le had never seen such a spectacle, with tens of thousands gathered in one place.

Following Jia Xingtian, the four of them arrived at the VIP section. The three great families, court ministers, nobles, generals, and soldiers had already arrived, but the Misty Cloud Sect's seats remained empty.

At this moment, all the Jia Ma Empire's prominent figures treated Xiao Le with friendly courtesy.

As a junior, Yao Ye was not qualified to sit in the front row, even though she was the future heir.

Looking at the roaring venue, Xiao Le sighed. "The Jia Ma Empire is still too small!"

Yao Ye's eyes flickered, though no one knew what she was thinking.

Xiao Le looked at Yao Ye, especially at her purple, evolvable trait, and said regretfully, "Sister Yao Ye, your stage should not be confined within the prison of the Jia Ma Empire. The Battle Qi Continent is vast, especially the Central Plains—a land rich in talent, where prodigies from every side gather. That is where the truly magnificent stage lies. You should go and see it!"

A trace of emotion appeared on Yao Ye's cold, beautiful face. Yet when she looked at Jia Xingtian's stooped back, she silently sighed, and that flicker of longing in her eyes was extinguished.

Watching Yao Ye closely, Xiao Le noticed the change in her. He inwardly lamented the purple trait of the War God Empress. What a pity—being born into the imperial family came with so much helplessness.

Jia Xingtian had also heard Xiao Le's words, and a trace of guilt flashed through his eyes. The royal family had failed her.

"Everyone, you arrived quite early!"

An arrogant voice rang out from the horizon.