Master, I Want to Steal the Bride! Heaven-Destined Protagonist Wang Guan

Li Junhua abruptly turned, dropped to one knee before Su Linxian, and spoke in a deep voice.

"Master! Your subordinate requests permission to visit the Blazing Extreme Dao Domain!"

Su Linxian said mildly, "What for?"

Li Junhua raised his head, flames burning in his golden pupils, and enunciated every word. "To steal the bride!"

"Pfft."

Yu Yao burst out laughing.

She planted both hands on her hips, her golden slit pupils curving into crescents as she looked Li Junhua up and down.

"You're only in the Dengxian Realm right now. A stray dog belonging to the Ancient Saint Clan could sneeze and kill you. Still think you're who you used to be?"

"By the time your cultivation amounts to anything, her children will probably be as old as you."

Li Junhua's face alternated between green and white, but he could not argue.

His cultivation really was too weak now. In a higher-tier Dao Domain like the Blazing Extreme Dao Domain, someone in the Dengxian Realm did not even qualify as cannon fodder.

Su Linxian's eyes flickered as he considered it for a moment.

"Then let's go take a look."

Since Ming Qingshu was a Heaven-Destined Heroine, perhaps the Heaven-Destined Protagonist was there.

It would be a good opportunity to hurry and gather three million villain points to purchase Dao-Origin Return Flow.

Li Junhua snapped his head up, his eyes filled with gratitude and even his voice trembling.

"Thank you, Master!!!"

King-Sealing City, Blazing Extreme Dao Domain.

The city was even more magnificent than Su Linxian had imagined.

Its walls towered over ten thousand zhang high, cast entirely from an emperor-grade ore with a crimson sheen. Dense formation inscriptions covered their surfaces, each exuding an aura at least at the Fengwang Realm.

People streamed through the gates, cultivators thick as woven threads. Even the weakest were around the Supreme Realm, and Quasi-Emperor auras swept through the crowds from time to time.

King-Sealing City had been named after the King-Sealing Trial. An Ancient King-Sealing Platform stood here, and supposedly, anyone who left their name upon it would receive insights into the Fengwang Realm. Thus, prodigies and extraordinary geniuses from all the major powers arrived in an endless stream, eager to try their skills.

"This is great!"

Yu Yao let herself run wild the moment they entered the city.

She pulled Ming Qingshu all over the streets, finding everything she saw novel.

She bought out half a counter at a jewelry shop and crouched before a sugar-figurine stall for half an incense stick's worth of time, insisting that the vendor make her a dragon—and it had to be golden.

Dragged everywhere by her, Ming Qingshu followed with a wry smile.

"It certainly is lively."

Su Linxian walked behind them at an unhurried pace.

His gaze swept both sides of the street. The city was decked out with lanterns and decorations, red silk and festive lanterns everywhere, as though some major event was about to take place.

While Yu Yao was busy choosing things, Ming Qingshu secretly glanced back at Su Linxian.

She had already learned that this senior was named Su Linxian and was just over two hundred years old.

When she had learned his age, she had been stunned for quite some time. A young man barely over two hundred, accompanied by a little girl who could casually slap a Supreme Realm cultivator to death.

After hesitating several times, she finally could not resist asking quietly.

"Senior... what is your current cultivation?"

Su Linxian turned his head to glance at her and said mildly, "Great Emperor."

Ming Qingshu stopped walking, her entire body frozen in place.

She opened her mouth, then swallowed whatever she had been about to say.

"Please don't joke, Senior."

A Great Emperor? A Great Emperor barely over two hundred years old?

How was that possible?

Su Linxian paid no attention to her reaction.

His gaze landed at the end of the street, where a large crowd had gathered, apparently around some spectacle. He approached and casually stopped a passerby.

The passerby was hurrying along and looked thoroughly irritated at being stopped. Just as he was about to curse, Su Linxian drew a supreme-grade spirit stone from his sleeve and flicked it over.

"Don't bother me. Can't you see..."

The passerby's expression instantly transformed. His smile became warmer than a spring breeze as he caught the spirit stone with both hands and bent at the waist.

"My lord!"

"Young master, what can I do for you?"

Su Linxian asked, "What's going on with the You Family of the Ancient Saint Clan?"

The passerby leaned closer and lowered his voice, a trace of excitement at sharing gossip in his tone. "You may not know, young master, but the patriarch of the You Family of the Ancient Saint Clan is getting married! His bride is Ming Suwen, the Ming Family's divine maiden from forty thousand years ago. She was quite the figure back then. They say her beauty eclipsed the whole world, and countless prodigies fell for her. The You Family patriarch is a devoted lover himself. He searched for her for forty thousand years, and now that he's finally found her, he intends to marry her in grand style."

Li Junhua clenched his fists and spoke through gritted teeth.

"You call that devotion? That's taking her by force!"

The passerby paused, a note of lament entering his voice. "Ah, if you ask me, a melon twisted off its vine by force won't be sweet. Ming Suwen fled back then precisely because she was being forced into marriage. Now that she's been captured and brought back to marry him, how could she possibly look pleased..."

Halfway through, he suddenly remembered something and abruptly shut his mouth. This was You Family territory, and their informants filled the city. If someone with ulterior motives overheard an ordinary passerby like him saying such things, even ten lives would not be enough to lose.

He gave an awkward smile, cupped his hands toward Su Linxian, then turned and vanished into the crowd.

Su Linxian narrowed his eyes.

Just then, a cold shout suddenly rang out from the street ahead.

"The You Family's young master is coming through! Get out of the way!"

A commotion erupted up ahead.

An ornate war chariot drawn by three demonic beasts came racing from the end of the street.

The three beasts were all Quasi-Emperor Realm Scarlet Flame Mad Lions. Flames wreathed their bodies, and the earth shook as they ran. The driver was a burly man at peak Quasi-Emperor, wielding a long whip blazing with scarlet flames, which he lashed viciously at the crowds on either side.

Wherever the whip passed, cultivators scrambled aside. Those too slow to dodge were struck by its tip, their flesh splitting open as they screamed and collapsed.

The crowd retreated to either side like an ebbing tide.

Yu Yao remained where she stood, still holding a half-eaten sugar dragon, her golden slit pupils narrowing.

"Little kitties?"

"Trying to act tough in front of your Granny Yu?"

The three Scarlet Flame Mad Lions charged closer, then suddenly slammed to a halt.

Looking at the tiny golden figure before them, the flames covering their bodies instantly went out. Their limbs weakened, and they prostrated themselves, not even daring to lift their heads.

That fear came from deep within their bloodlines: the instinctive submission of lesser demonic beasts to a higher dragon!

"Roar..."

"Scarlet Flame Mad Lions!"

The driver frowned and jerked the reins, glaring at Yu Yao as she blocked the middle of the road, then barked fiercely.

"Little brat!"

"Do you know who's inside? Get out of the way!"

Yu Yao grinned. "I won't. What are you going to do about it?"

A young voice came from within the chariot, lazy and indifferent.

"Who is it?"

The driver bowed. "Young master, it's a little girl who doesn't know what's good for her, blocking the road."

The chariot curtain did not stir.

The young voice sounded again, its tone as casual as though discussing something utterly trivial.

"My father's wedding is approaching, so killing would be inappropriate. Cripple her cultivation and limbs, then tell her to get lost."

The driver grinned viciously and jumped down from the chariot.

He unleashed his Fengwang Realm aura without restraint.

He strode toward Yu Yao, his clenched fists cracking.

"Little girl, did you hear that? Will you do it yourself, or shall I?"

Yu Yao tilted her head, watching the approaching burly man with her golden slit pupils. Suddenly, her eyes curved, and she gave him a sweet smile.

Then she glared at him.

A terrifying pressure poured from those golden slit pupils and fell upon the driver with unerring precision.

Bang!

The burly man's smile froze on his face. His pupils abruptly dilated, and blood spurted from all seven orifices at once.

His body swayed, every trace of life extinguished.

The crowd erupted!

Everyone stared dumbfounded at the peak Quasi-Emperor driver who had fallen dead, then looked at the little girl munching on her sugar dragon.

"What just happened?!"

"A peak Fengwang cultivator died because a little girl looked at him?"

"Yu Yao, what happened?"

At that moment, Su Linxian and the others approached from behind.

Yu Yao withdrew her gaze, bit into her sugar dragon, and spoke indistinctly.

"Master, this guy started it!"

"He wanted to cripple my limbs and cultivation!"

"I see." Su Linxian nodded, unconcerned.

He spoke mildly.

"Tell whoever's inside to get down here."

Yu Yao said, "Understood, Master."

"Hey, you inside! Did you hear that? My master told you to get down here!"

Inside the chariot.

The curtain lifted, and a figure emerged.

He was a young man with delicate, feminine features, dressed in snow-white robes. His features were impossibly refined, yet carried a sinister air.

"You dare kill a driver of my You Family? You truly have a death wish."

You Ning lowered his head to look at the fallen driver and frowned. His gaze returned to Yu Yao before finally shifting to Su Linxian's face.

His pupils contracted slightly.

The white-robed young man before him had an extraordinary bearing. Standing there, he was like a deep pool whose depths could not be fathomed.

The little girl's methods just now had been even stranger. Suppressing his alarm and uncertainty, he spoke in a deep voice.

"May I ask who you are?"

[Ding! Detected a person connected to a Heaven-Destined Protagonist!]

Su Linxian glanced at him, and a system panel silently appeared.

[Name: You Ning]

[Title: Second son of the You Family]

[Physique: None]

[Realm: Fengwang Realm, third level]

[Age: 28]

A person connected to a Heaven-Destined Protagonist?

It seemed there really was a Heaven-Destined Protagonist in King-Sealing City.

Before Su Linxian could speak, Yu Yao puffed out her little chest beside him and declared proudly.

"My master? He's from the Su Family, an Emperor Clan!"

What?!

Someone from an Emperor Clan?!

At those words, everyone present sucked in a breath of cold air.

You Ning's pupils contracted sharply.

An Emperor Clan was an existence several major tiers above even the Ancient Saint Clan to which the You Family belonged!

Someone like that was simply beyond the You Family's ability to offend.

You Ning's back instantly stiffened, and the sinister look on his face vanished completely. He hurried forward and respectfully cupped his hands in greeting.

"So you're from an Emperor Clan! Young master, please forgive our earlier offense!"

He glanced back at the corpse on the ground, his tone utterly unconcerned. "The driver had eyes but failed to see. If he's dead, so be it. Please don't take it to heart, young master. Could you also be here to attend my father's wedding? If so, your presence would truly bring glory to our humble home!"

Someone who could swagger through King-Sealing City naturally had a discerning eye.

He understood better than anyone what an Emperor Clan meant.

The You Family ranked among the best within the Ancient Saint Clan, but before the Ten Great Emperor Clans, they were not even qualified to carry their shoes!

"Mm."

This background really was useful.

Su Linxian inclined his head slightly.

"I came to take a look."

You Ning was even more delighted.

Unbothered by his coldness, he stepped aside and personally led the three deeper into the city.

"Young Master Su!"

"Please come visit the You Family estate. You've traveled far, so allow us to show you the hospitality of the hosts!"

Li Junhua snorted coldly beside them.

"Hmph. The You Family is as overbearing as ever."

Displeased inwardly, You Ning turned to look and asked.

"Young Master Su... these people are...?"

Yu Yao said, "We're all Master's subordinates!"

So they were his subordinates...

You Ning grinned and did not bother arguing with Li Junhua.

Along the way, he gave an endless stream of introductions to King-Sealing City. He kept his posture humble and measured his words just right, coming across as warm without being so fawning that it grated on the nerves.

Su Linxian occasionally answered, but mostly just listened.

Yu Yao followed behind him, her golden, slit-pupiled eyes roaming everywhere. Everything she saw seemed new and fascinating.

Ming Qingshu brought up the rear with her head lowered, stiff from head to toe and taking every step with utmost care.

They made their way to the very center of King-Sealing City, where an enormous estate rose from the ground.

The You Family estate.

There was no telling how many miles it covered. From outside, all they could see was a sprawling sea of halls and upturned eaves, layer upon layer stretching beyond sight.

The estate's main gate stood over a hundred zhang tall. A massive plaque hung above it, each stroke of the character "You" coiled like dragons and serpents, radiating an ancient, weighty pressure. Two rows of guards stood solemnly at the entrance, every one of them at the quasi-emperor realm, their armor gleaming and their killing intent restrained.

Quite the grand display!

"Young Master Su, we've arrived!"

You Ning led the three of them through the main gate and deeper inside along a long, jade-paved path.

The estate was far larger inside than it appeared from outside. Pavilions and towers stood in an artful arrangement, with spirit springs and ornamental rockeries dotted among them. Every corner revealed the deep foundations of an Ancient Saint Clan. On the training grounds flanking the path, many young cultivators were sparring. Sword Qi swept in every direction, divine abilities collided, and cheers rose one after another.

"These are all prodigies from various factions, here to take part in the King-Sealing Trial," You Ning explained casually. "My father's wedding happens to fall on the same day as the King-Sealing Trial, so the city has been especially lively these past few days."

Su Linxian glanced at the young people sparring. Most were between the supreme realm and the quasi-emperor realm. The occasional few at the saint realm already stood out from the crowd.

He did not spot any Heaven-Destined Protagonists, though.

Yu Yao's eyes were already glued to the tables laden with spirit fruit on either side of the path.

The You Family was exceptionally attentive to its guests. Every few steps stood a long table piled high with all kinds of rare spirit fruit and spirit wine, free for visitors to help themselves.

Yu Yao did not stand on ceremony. She grabbed a handful of Purple Jade Grapes in her left hand and clutched several Gold-Pattern Vermilion Fruits in her right. Her little mouth bulged with food, and her golden, slit-pupiled eyes narrowed into contented crescents.

"These people's auras... they're all so powerful."

I can't see through a single one of them!

Ming Qingshu stood half a step behind Su Linxian, not knowing what to do with her hands or feet.

She was merely a cultivator from the Ziwei Domain, and her cultivation was not high.

Standing among so many prodigies and monstrous talents, she felt uncomfortable from head to toe.

You Ning led them through several courtyards until they arrived before an exceptionally magnificent hall.

Quite a few people had already gathered inside, standing in small groups and chatting. Their auras were clearly stronger than those of the cultivators sparring outside.

[Ding!]

[Heaven-Destined Protagonist detected!]

"Oh?"

Found one?

Su Linxian looked up.

At the banquet opposite him, a young man in purple robes was studying him.

[Name: Wang Guan]

[Title: Heaven-Destined Protagonist]

[Physique: Ming King Divine Body]

[Cultivation: Jijie realm, first level]

[Age: 24]

[Treasures: Heavenly Secrets Scroll, Bright Sea Map, nine-leaf grass...]

[Great Daos mastered: Nine Nether Great Dao · extreme-rank, Vajra Great Dao · upper-rank, Crimson Fall Great Dao · upper-rank...]

[Heaven-Destined Points: 300000]

One extreme-rank great dao and two upper-rank great daos?

That was rare indeed.

He needed quite a few great daos to break through to the god emperor realm.

Upper-rank great daos were manageable, but anything at the extreme rank, or on the level of order divine laws, could only be obtained through a heaven-defying opportunity.

Su Linxian narrowed his eyes slightly and fixed his gaze on him.

"Please wait a moment, Young Master Su." You Ning hurried forward toward Wang Guan and the others.

Beside Wang Guan stood another young man with handsome features, dressed in purple robes patterned with clouds. An archaic jade pendant hung at his waist, and his bearing was utterly unlike that of the other prodigies. As he stood among the crowd, those around him seemed to regard him as their leader, speaking to him with a measure of deference.

"Brother Yun Qian! Brother Wang Guan!" You Ning cupped his hands with a smile. "Come, come, let me introduce you to an honored guest."