"Get your ass back here! Don't even think about going out there and making a disgrace of yourself!"
Some good-for-nothing scions had seen Princess Qingyun's breathtaking beauty in portraits and wanted a slice of the pie, too.
Even if they couldn't get a taste, surely there was no harm in looking.
With that thought, they hurried to sign up, only to be sent packing by their factions' higher-ups.
Within the Heavenly Mechanism Sacred Land, the Heavenly Mechanism Elder gazed into the distance, his eyes sharp but shadowed by a trace of gloom.
Stroking the little girl's head, he said kindly, "Ling'er, do you still remember what I told you two years ago?"
"I remember, Master."
The little girl's voice was clear and innocent, like a silver bell, untainted by the dust of the mortal world.
"On the surface, Princess Qingyun is seeking a husband, or perhaps the Qingyun Ancient Kingdom is sparing no expense, opening the Imperial Secret Realm as bait. Behind it all... there truly is a great secret."
"There are forbidden beings within the Imperial Secret Realm as well, and they are about to awaken. For many prodigies... this journey will lead to their deaths."
"Don't worry, Master. I'll protect myself, and I'll protect Ye Tian, too."
"Silly Ling'er, does that boy need your protection? With him protecting you, I can rest easy."
Afterward, more news spread.
The Great Brahma Buddha Son of Great Brahma Buddhism actually rode aboard the Buddha Pagoda with a Buddhist Elder to join in the excitement.
But this also drew criticism from the world. This was a tournament to find a husband—what was a little bald donkey like him going there for?
Then the Changqing Daoist, the Tai Bai Daoist, Li Tianyun, the Holy Son of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, as well