After the elders discussed the matter with Zhao Guizhen,
they finally agreed unanimously to send the Holy Son, Zhao Yuhao, to the Tianyuan Holy Land to probe the truth of Chen Mu's strength under the pretext of offering congratulations.
Was it real, or had someone spun a monstrous lie, deceiving people and toying with their hearts in the palm of his hand?
"Remember, the Eastern Pole Holy Land and the Tianyuan Holy Land are currently under a truce. Do not act rashly!" Before Zhao Yuhao departed, Zhao Guizhen reminded him repeatedly.
He had watched Zhao Yuhao grow up.
Zhao Guizhen believed he knew Zhao Yuhao's temper very well, but he still could not help worrying.
The battle between the Eastern Pole Holy Land and the Tianyuan Holy Land a hundred years ago had utterly shattered his pride.
For the past century, Zhao Guizhen had avoided friction with the Tianyuan Holy Land, keeping his head down while building his strength.
He had hoped that one day they could wrestle with the Tianyuan Holy Land again, yet he always felt they were not quite ready and could never make up his mind.
When he heard that the Tianyuan Holy Land's future Holy Lord had awakened only low-grade yellow rank talent and become a useless cripple,
Zhao Guizhen had briefly believed that the Eastern Pole Holy Land's opportunity had arrived!
Never had he expected such a complete reversal in so little time.
A useless good-for-nothing had become an unrivaled genius!
Unless he properly verified the truth, Zhao Guizhen would find no peace eating or sleeping.
If Chen Mu truly was as monstrous as the rumors claimed, the Eastern Pole Holy Land would have to keep its head down as it was doing now for a long time to come.
Zhao Guizhen believed in fortune. If the rumors about Chen Mu were true, that proved the Great Dao Fortune still favored the Tianyuan Holy Land.
Defying heaven would be nothing short of courting death!
"This disciple will remember!" With that, Zhao Yuhao took his leave.
Carrying the token Zhao Guizhen had given him, he headed to the treasure pavilion to select congratulatory gifts.
Since he was going to offer congratulations, he certainly could not arrive empty-handed. He had to show appropriate sincerity.
After selecting several Heaven Rank weapons and suits of treasured armor, along with ten ninth-grade pills, a hundred eighth-grade pills, a thousand seventh-grade pills, and ten thousand sixth-grade pills, Zhao Yuhao felt that should suffice.
Just as Zhao Yuhao was about to depart, a woman's voice, alluring enough to melt his bones, came from behind him. "Senior Brother, wait!"
Zhao Yuhao turned to look. The newcomer was Zhao Yueling, the Saintess of the Eastern Pole Holy Land.
She was also the Holy Lord's daughter.
With both strength and background behind her, even Zhao Yuhao had to show her some deference. "What can I do for you, Junior Sister Yueling?"
"I heard from Father that you're planning to visit the Tianyuan Holy Land. Could you take me along?" Zhao Yueling asked directly, without beating around the bush.
"Well..." Zhao Yuhao looked troubled.
"You don't want to take me, Senior Brother?" With her hands behind her back, Zhao Yueling moved a few steps closer, widening her beautiful, watery eyes as she stared at him.
She looked as though she would burst into tears the very next second if Zhao Yuhao dared refuse.
"Of course I do, but this is an important matter, and the Holy Lord..."
Hearing that, Zhao Yueling interrupted him. "Father told me to ask you to decide. Besides, for something so important, wouldn't it be inappropriate for you to go alone?"
"One Saintess and one Holy Son going together—wouldn't that show more sincerity?"
Zhao Yueling clasped Zhao Yuhao's hand in both of hers and shook it gently, pleading in a sweet, coaxing voice. "Senior Brother, take me with you, please?"
"All right... but you must follow my arrangements throughout this trip." For one thing, Zhao Yuhao could not hold out against Zhao Yueling.
For another, he felt there was some sense in what she said.
Going alone would indeed make him seem isolated and weak.
"No problem! I'll do whatever you say, Senior Brother!" Zhao Yueling nodded rapidly like a chick pecking at rice, making her promise sound wonderfully agreeable.
Afterward, Zhao Yuhao found several gifted disciples from the Inner Court to accompany them.
They boarded a small Flying Boat, rose into the sky, and sped toward the Tianyuan Holy Land...
Aboard the Flying Boat.
Noticing Zhao Yuhao looking her way, Zhao Yueling smiled and asked, "Senior Brother, is there something dirty on my face?"
"No." Zhao Yuhao shook his head. "I just feel that ever since your trip to the Longevity Mountain Range, you've become... different."
"Have I? I don't think so. Haven't I always been like this? Or are you trying to compliment me on becoming prettier, Senior Brother?" Zhao Yueling's expression remained unchanged as she smiled with narrowed eyes.
Zhao Yuhao laughed. "You saw right through me."
"The wind is strong at night. Be careful not to catch a chill. Go inside and rest early."
"All right. Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother." She watched Zhao Yuhao turn and walk toward the cabin.
Zhao Yueling's smile turned cold in an instant. "..."
Before long, the horizon turned the pale white of a fish's belly.
Chen Mu opened his eyes and sat up in bed.
"Mmm... that was a good sleep!" He stretched lazily.
Immediately afterward, a knock came at the door.
"Young Master, I'm coming in." Ye Qingcheng pushed the door open and entered, carrying a basin of warm water for washing his face.
She helped Chen Mu dress, put on his shoes, and then washed his face clean.
The entire routine had long since become second nature to her.
"Young Master, breakfast is ready. You may eat whenever you wish."
"All right, I understand." Chen Mu walked into the courtyard, sat down at the stone table, and began enjoying his breakfast of assorted pastries and flower tea.
This simple life, as tranquil as still water, was exactly what he sought.
Just then, two Flying Boats arriving from different directions reached the Tianyuan Holy Land.
One came from the Great Wu Dynasty.
The other came from the Eastern Pole Holy Land.
Both parties were curious about why the other had come to the Tianyuan Holy Land.
Then Elder Mo stopped them both.
He was puzzled. The Great Wu Dynasty had only visited yesterday, so why had they returned?
Setting that aside, why had a Flying Boat from the Eastern Pole Holy Land appeared at the Tianyuan Holy Land?
A sweep of his divine sense revealed that the strongest among them was merely an Innate Martial Master. They did not seem to have come looking for trouble.
If they truly had come to cause trouble, Elder Mo could crush these people and their entire Flying Boat into dust with a single thought.
"Greetings, Elder. By His Majesty's command, we have brought the eldest princess here to discuss a marriage alliance with the Holy Lord." The old eunuch came to the bow and cupped his hands.
The Great Wu Dynasty? A marriage alliance? The eldest princess?!
Zhao Yuhao recognized the speaker. He was a favored figure at the side of Song Ao, emperor of the Great Wu Dynasty.
But what surprised Zhao Yuhao even more was that Song Ao would actually offer his most treasured daughter, the eldest princess renowned as the Great Wu Dynasty's foremost talented lady, to the Tianyuan Holy Land.
Could the rumors really be true?!
"A marriage alliance?"
After hearing this, Elder Mo chuckled softly. "The young master truly has remarkable luck in romance. First the Sky Sword Sect's Saintess, and now the Great Wu Dynasty's eldest princess, coming to our door of their own accord to seek a marriage alliance."
He then turned his gaze toward Zhao Yuhao and the others. "Why aren't you staying quietly in the Eastern Pole Holy Land? What have you come to our Tianyuan Holy Land for?"
"Senior, we have come by the Eastern Pole Holy Lord's command to congratulate the Tianyuan Holy Land's young master," Zhao Yuhao replied with cupped hands.
Facing an elder in the human immortal realm, he dared not hesitate.
Hearing that, the old eunuch could not help thinking, Even the Eastern Pole Holy Land has set aside its old and new grudges and traveled thousands of miles to offer congratulations. It seems the rumors really are true!
Before you continue