A forbidden zone destroyed in a snap, an ancient kingdom's eldest princess arriving to propose?

An airship rose into the heavens, soaring from the Phoenix Ancient Kingdom into the clouds and looking down upon billions of miles of mountains and rivers.

Streams of light flickered, their radiance illuminating the enormous airship. Densely packed Runes enveloped its hull, as though an ancient formation protected it.

Though it could not compare with the carriage airships of the Eternal Ye Lineage, it was still impressive.

Behind the airship hovered a phantom Phoenix, its outstretched wings blotting out the sun and sky as it let out piercing cries, terrifying beyond measure.

The Phoenix Ancient Kingdom and the Eternal Ye Lineage both lay within the Heavenly Profound Dao Domain, so the distance between them was not particularly great.

They would naturally arrive in less than three days.

At the bow stood the Phoenix Sovereign, his bearing proud and his gaze imperious as he surveyed all directions.

Looking down upon the mountains and rivers, he felt a surge of ambition vast enough to fill the heavens.

If this journey proved successful, the Phoenix Ancient Kingdom would secure a perch on the lofty branches of the Eternal Ye Lineage.

The benefits to the Phoenix Ancient Kingdom would be enormous.

Behind him, a young woman slowly appeared.

Her skin was like congealed cream, her delicate lips touched with crimson, and her teeth gleamed like pearls. Her figure was slender and graceful, her long legs like the finest jade—fit to admire from afar, but never to profane.

Perhaps owing to her royal upbringing, she possessed an innate nobility, like a proud phoenix that would never bow its regal head.

This woman was the Eldest Princess of the Phoenix Ancient Kingdom, the Phoenix Sovereign's eldest daughter, Huang Ruoxi. Rumor had it that she possessed Phoenix True Blood, with a trace of pure Phoenix bloodline flowing within her.

At only sixteen, she had already reached the Divine Ability Realm, making her a talent found in fewer than one in ten thousand.

Of course... she could not compare with the Ye Lineage's peerless prodigies.

If ordinary prodigies stood on the first level and top prodigies on the second, then prodigies with extraordinary Super Physiques like Huang Ruoxi stood on the third.

The Ye Lineage's prodigies stood at the supreme heights of the tenth level.

As for Ye Tian, there was no point discussing him. He was a cheat standing up in the atmosphere.

"Father, have you... truly decided?"

Huang Ruoxi asked with trembling lips. They parted slightly, her breath fragrant as orchids, and even her voice quivered.

She understood that women like her, born into sacred lands and great Lineages, could never escape their fate as bargaining chips in marriage alliances, no matter how exceptional their gifts or dazzling their talent.

Yet she had never expected that day to arrive so quickly, leaving her struggling to accept it.

"My daughter, you are the Eldest Princess of the Phoenix Ancient Kingdom. Surely you understand that certain things must be sacrificed for its sake."

"What do personal interests amount to before the interests of the kingdom?"

"If the Eternal Ye Lineage agrees to this marriage, it will be an immense blessing for our Phoenix Ancient Kingdom."

"I hope you can understand your father's painstaking intentions!"

The Phoenix Sovereign spoke with apparent anguish, tears almost welling in his eyes.

But... Huang Ruoxi understood that it was merely an act.

In her father's eyes, no one mattered more than the Phoenix Ancient Kingdom.

"Very well!"

"Then I shall go below and dress for the occasion."

Huang Ruoxi left the deck in a daze, her bright eyes, once like crystal gemstones, dimming until their luster faded.

To think I have always been nothing more than a puppet on strings. Why is fate so unjust?

But Huang Ruoxi understood that she had no right to resist.

Within the Eternal Ye Lineage's main hall.

Ye Junlin's white robes flowed gracefully, making him look like an immortal above the mortal dust. His face was as flawless as polished jade, his eyes dazzling as stars.

Below him, the elders from the Lineage's main branch and its various divisions, including the Alchemy Hall, Artifact Refining Hall, Treasury Hall, and Secret Realm Hall, all bowed respectfully.

"Greetings, Lineage Head!"

"Rise."

Ye Junlin swept his gaze over them, carrying a razor-sharp presence like that of a sword immortal. None below dared move.

They had not expected their Lineage Head to return so quickly.

The Blood Sea Forbidden Zone was a Life Forbidden Zone, home to numerous dark powerhouses and Extraterrestrial Demons.

Could it be... that the Lineage Head had pacified it in fewer than ten days?

Ye Junlin said calmly, "Your guesses are correct. I have already pacified the Blood Sea Forbidden Zone!"

"From this day forth, the Blood Sea Forbidden Zone no longer exists!"

At those words, the Eternal Ye Lineage's elders were left tongue-tied, unable to believe what they had heard.

They were not shocked that Ye Junlin had pacified a Life Forbidden Zone, but that he had done so in a mere ten days.

Not even half a month!

Had a Divine Emperor's power already reached such heights?

Since ancient times, the Life Forbidden Zones had been malignant tumors upon the Eternal Immortal Domain. There were nine in total.

The various powers of the Eternal Immortal Domain had launched numerous campaigns against them, all ending in failure.

Among those powers were immortal forces such as supreme sacred lands and undying great sects.

Yet the Life Forbidden Zones... had endured through the ages.

But with a single declaration, Ye Junlin had accomplished in just ten days what even the combined might of the great Immortal Forces could not.

"Anyone who dares lay a hand on my child naturally deserves utter annihilation!"

Afterward, the Third and Fourth Elders of the Ye Lineage's main branch explained to Ye Junlin what Ye Tian had done during his absence.

"What? He learned a Peerless Sword Technique with a single glance! And casually refined dirt into a Heaven-Grade Pill that had Return to the Origin!"

"Hahaha! As expected of my son! A tiger father does not sire a dog!"

"So what if he has only a Mortal Physique? My son's comprehension can astound the world!"

"My son Ye Tian has the makings of a Divine Emperor!"

Ye Junlin was overjoyed. It had been a long time since he had laughed so heartily.

Though his son's physique and innate talent were ordinary, his comprehension was extraordinary.

The other elders were equally excited.

Their Eternal Ye Lineage truly produced one gifted descendant after another.

They had practically gathered every pinnacle talent of the Eternal Immortal Domain's younger generation!

Just then, someone entered the hall to report, "Lineage Head, the sovereign of the Phoenix Ancient Kingdom requests an audience!"

"He has also brought a peerless beauty whose looks could topple cities and kingdoms. She seems to be the Phoenix Ancient Kingdom's Eldest Princess, who possesses Phoenix True Blood."

"Hm? How strange. Why has the Phoenix Ancient Kingdom come to our Eternal Ye Lineage?"

"Fifth Elder, you are far too innocent. Our Divine Emperor's son was born only ten days ago, and they have already brought their Eldest Princess here. Think with your knees, and you'll figure out what the Phoenix Ancient Kingdom wants!"

"Uh, the Divine Emperor's son is only ten days old at most, and he's already getting an arranged marriage?!"

The elders below broke into lively discussion, exchanging remarks.

They privately marveled at how shrewdly the Phoenix Ancient Kingdom had worked its abacus.

Seated above them, Ye Junlin wore a faint smile, his eyes flickering with a brief gleam as unknown thoughts crossed his mind.

The elders assumed the Divine Emperor had seen through the Phoenix Ancient Kingdom's little scheme and was laughing inwardly.

In truth, Ye Junlin was thinking, Haha! My son is certainly charming. He's only ten days old, and someone has already come to propose marriage.

At this rate, once Tian grows up, it won't be long before he spreads the branches and leaves of our family line.

Then he said in a serious tone, "Ahem. Hurry and invite the Phoenix Sovereign to the reception hall. I will be there shortly!"

"Third Elder, sorry for the trouble, but please bring Tian here."