So What If He's in the Saint Realm? I'm Not Afraid of the Saint Realm!

Wasn't a marriage alliance just a way to lean on another Lineage's prestige?

That was why Chu Ruoyan worked hard at her cultivation every day, reaching her current level: the middle stage of the Void-Insight Realm.

Among her peers throughout the Imperial Capital, that was considered a fairly high cultivation level.

Among her suitors, three stood out.

One was Liu Hao, a scion of the nobility at the late stage of the Void-Breaking Realm, a realm above the Void-Insight Realm. He had the highest cultivation of all her suitors, and his Lineage had considerable influence.

Another was Xiao Ming, a scion of a fallen aristocratic Lineage at the Mid Void-Breaking Realm. Though he was only at the Mid Void-Breaking Realm, his combat prowess was immense. Even Liu Hao might not be his match. Challenging opponents above his level was as routine to him as an everyday meal.

The last was Wu Qi, a scion of a wealthy Lineage from elsewhere, at the early stage of the Void-Breaking Realm. Supposedly, his Lineage's ancestor was in the Heavenly Abyss Realm-though that was only his own claim.

All three had reached the Void-Breaking Realm at a young age, making them top young cultivators even in the Imperial Capital.

After encountering Chu Ruoyan by chance, all three had become obsessed with her as though bewitched. They could also be called her most devoted lapdogs.

Chu Ruoyan's lukewarm attitude toward them, in particular, drove them utterly wild.

At the Imperial Capital's various gatherings, and in the trials and secret realms nearby, the three were always vying to outshine each other, trying every way they could to win Chu Ruoyan's heart.

Over the past few years, they had come to blows over Chu Ruoyan more than a few times.

Today, while Chu Ruoyan was cultivating at the Chu Lineage's training grounds, a maid rushed over to tell her that His Majesty had summoned her.

At that moment, the entire Chu Lineage erupted with excitement. Even the eyes of their dying ancestor grew noticeably clearer, while the head of the Chu Lineage was already running around in excitement.

They knew the new emperor had no consorts. If Chu Ruoyan caught his eye, the Chu Lineage's position in the Imperial Capital would be secure!

They might even surpass the first-rate aristocratic Lineages and become a supreme Lineage in the Imperial Capital!

Quite a few members of the Chu Lineage saw auspicious blue smoke rising from their ancestral graves!

At that moment, inside the Chu Lineage's training grounds.

"You all heard that, didn't you?"

Chu Ruoyan addressed the three lapdogs beside her.

Those three were her shadows. Wherever Chu Ruoyan went, they followed.

When Liu Hao, the noble scion, heard that the emperor had summoned Chu Ruoyan, his heart lurched. Then he said, "Look, it's getting late. My mother is still waiting at home for me to eat dinner. I'll be off."

With that, Liu Hao left the Chu Lineage at the speed of light.

He moved even faster than the last time a Demon Beast had chased him.

This was no laughing matter. As a scion of the nobility, he depended on the imperial clan for his livelihood. How could he dare offend the reigning emperor, Li Chen?

Besides, he had heard that this emperor possessed terrifying strength and might have reached a legendary realm.

If his father found out, wouldn't he beat him to death on the spot?

Wu Qi, the wealthy scion from elsewhere, changed colors like a traffic light. Not long after Liu Hao fled, he gritted his teeth and said, "My Lineage's ancestor asked me to buy a few things in the Imperial Capital. I'll deliver them to him first. Farewell, everyone."

Wu Qi ran off no slower than Liu Hao, as though terrified someone might catch him.

Finally, Chu Ruoyan looked at Xiao Ming. She wanted to see what excuse he would come up with.

To her surprise, the corners of Xiao Ming's lips lifted slightly. He showed no intention of leaving and instead said, "Ruo Yan, my feelings for you are sincere. Don't worry. I'll find a way."

His words eased the pain in Chu Ruoyan's heart, and her affection for Xiao Ming grew considerably.

At a time like this, Xiao Ming truly acted like a man.

At least compared with the other two, he had real backbone.

Chu Ruoyan sighed and replied, "But what could you possibly do?"

She had actually spent a long time with Xiao Ming and the other two, and she knew how outstanding they were.

It was hardly possible that she felt nothing for them. She had kept refusing them because she wanted to prove herself through her own efforts, not through marriage.

But Liu Hao and Wu Qi's actions had truly chilled her heart.

Now, Chu Ruoyan was thinking that if Xiao Ming wanted to take her away and flee somewhere far away, she would not hesitate.

She had no desire to stay in that cold, lifeless harem as one of the emperor's three thousand beauties.

Seeing the sorrow in Chu Ruoyan's eyes, Xiao Ming thumped his chest and said with a burning gaze, "Give me seven days. When the time comes, I'll definitely take you away!"

"But I heard His Majesty is in the Saint Realm."

"So what if he's in the Saint Realm? I'm not afraid of the Saint Realm."

His words gave Chu Ruoyan hope. Did Xiao Ming have a way to deal with someone in the Saint Realm? Or perhaps a way to take her away?

The Imperial Capital was heavily guarded. Leaving was no simple matter, especially now that His Majesty had summoned her.

Chu Ruoyan had always sensed something strange about Xiao Ming, because he frequently challenged those above his level and displayed strength far beyond his peers.

Girls were, after all, drawn to strength.

Besides, Xiao Ming had a mysterious master. To this day, Chu Ruoyan still did not know who that master was.

Perhaps this mysterious master was the source of Xiao Ming's confidence.

Seven days it was, then. Chu Ruoyan said nothing more and turned to leave, preparing to change clothes before meeting His Majesty.

Perhaps His Majesty had some other business with her. He had never said he would definitely take her as a consort.

Still, Chu Ruoyan had no fondness for His Majesty and even felt some aversion toward him.

After Chu Ruoyan left, Xiao Ming quietly departed from the Chu Lineage and found a deserted street. He began feeding a little spiritual energy into his necklace, seemingly trying to activate something.

"Master, have your injuries improved?"

There was a hint of urgency in Xiao Ming's voice. Some time ago, he had fought a Demon Beast to claim a spiritual treasure born of heaven and earth.

His own cultivation had certainly not been enough. Only by relying on the Saint Remnant Soul within his necklace had he barely managed to defeat that powerful Demon Beast.

Since then, the Saint Remnant Soul had been resting inside the necklace.

Xiao Ming should not have disturbed his master, but the situation was urgent now. He could not afford to worry about that.

"I already know what happened. Do not fret, my disciple."

An aged voice soon came from the necklace, echoing in his mind.

"That worthless emperor is nothing but a puppet. He's not worthy of Ruo Yan at all! Ruo Yan and I truly love each other!"

"I support your decision. That girl's constitution is special and will benefit your future cultivation. Since you truly love each other, simply seize her."

Those words brimmed with domineering confidence, as though he had returned to the days when he fought for supremacy over the world.

Joy surged through Xiao Ming's heart, and he hurriedly asked the Saint Remnant Soul what he should do.

In the Saint Remnant Soul's view, the emperor was very young. He probably also carried an existence like him and was merely using its aura to frighten people. It was no trouble at all.

Given seven days to recover, he could help Xiao Ming snatch away his beloved.

Once they left the Imperial Capital, the heavens would be high and the emperor far away. Who could interfere with them?

Those were precisely the words Xiao Ming had been waiting for. He did not expect to kill the emperor. As long as his master could help him snatch Chu Ruoyan away, that would be enough!

With that thought, Xiao Ming began planning an escape route, preparing to flee far away.

At that moment, a graceful figure entered the Imperial Study where Li Chen was.