Fang Jiuding's words made Lu Chen's heart tremble slightly.
Tianyu Academy truly was no ordinary place. Even its disciples had Nascent Soul-level existences. No wonder it could suppress the imperial clan.
"By the way, I heard that Lu Ran, who stole your bloodline, not only awakened a divine ability but also advanced to the third level of the Golden Core Realm. His martial cultivation has likewise reached the third realm."
"A few days ago, he even declared that he would deal with you. But after news of your tribulation spread, he went silent. You should watch out for that brat. Last time you left, Tianyu sent people from its hidden division to mess with you. You know how that ended—they couldn't find you!"
Lu Chen snorted coldly. They simply had not found him. Otherwise, he would definitely have taught them an unforgettable lesson.
"As for the prodigies from the other three nations, they haven't revealed much. But each of them has put forward a freakish monster, setting up arenas all over the capital for gambling battles."
"It has already been three days, and in ten days, they have not suffered a single defeat!"
Lu Chen raised a brow. "No one from Tianyu Academy has stepped forward?"
Fang Jiuding sneered. "The pressure is on the imperial clan, not them. They'd welcome it with open arms!"
Lu Chen rubbed his brow hard. "What kind of place is this for raising people?"
"You can say that again!" Fang Jiuding shrugged, then suddenly recalled something.
"Oh, right. There's one more matter that has the Great Yan imperial clan furious. Wolf Court wants a marriage alliance with them—they have set their sights on the Peerless Princess!"
"Ah... ah?" Lu Chen froze.
Though he had never met the Peerless Princess, her fame thundered in his ears like a storm.
She was Great Yan's Young Marshal, and also the sole heir of the imperial clan—the future queen of Great Yan!
Wolf Court actually wanted a marriage alliance. What the hell...
"Both Great Liang and Great Qi have agreed as well. The key is that Heavenly Dao Academy above has nodded in approval. The Great Yan imperial clan must be having a headache the size of a bucket."
Lu Chen's heart skipped a beat. "Heavenly Dao Academy? They sent people too?"
Fang Jiuding nodded. "They're the hosts and witnesses of this martial competition. I heard the first-place winner gets some kind of reward too. It seems quite grand!"
"Marrying the crown heir to Wolf Court—is this their rhythm for merging Great Yan into Wolf Court?"
Lu Chen muttered, then looked doubtfully at Old Ancestor Tianyan. "Is that really the case?"
Old Ancestor Tianyan smiled. "It's only talk. They're here to disgust Great Yan, or perhaps certain people want to use this to stir up some trouble!"
Lu Chen froze, asking in alarm, "Do you know something?"
Old Ancestor Tianyan waved a hand. "I'm old. I have no interest in such matters!"
Then his eyes lit up. "She's here!"
The three of them looked toward the mountain gate at the same time.
With a wave of Old Ancestor Tianyan's hand, a figure entered through the mountain gate and walked up along the stairs.
Lu Chen sprang to his feet, his expression excited as he lunged over like a gust of wind.
"Haha, Yun Niang, I missed you to death!"
As he spoke, he opened his arms and went in for a hug.
Yun Niang dodged.
Lu Chen dodged too, closing his arms around her and holding her tightly.
"Let go!" Yun Niang's defenses shattered. Her eyes trembled wildly, and Lu Chen could even feel her body shaking.
"Look at you, you're so excited you can barely stand. Did you rush over the moment you learned I was back? Is that it?"
Lu Chen stared straight into Yun Niang's eyes, as if he wanted to see through her completely.
Yun Niang's heart quivered violently beneath his gaze, and she felt as though she truly could no longer stand steadily.
She pleaded, "Can you let go? I have something important to tell you!"
Lu Chen tightened his arms, inhaled deeply through his nose, and put on an intoxicated expression. Before her knee could drive upward, he quickly released her and retreated three meters.
Fang Jiuding, Xiong Yao, and even Old Ancestor Tianyan were so shocked their eyes nearly fell to the ground.
Old Ancestor Tianyan in particular wore an expression strange beyond compare.
Of course, he knew about the history between the two of them, but...
So direct and unrestrained—this little bastard... how could he be this explosive?!
Yun Niang glanced at the three of them and nodded slightly before saying coldly, "Come with me!"
Lu Chen acted as if nothing had happened, grinning. "I knew you had something private to tell me!"
"Can you be serious for once? You're so annoying!"
"Ah! Ah?" Lu Chen froze. "No... no, seeing me annoys you?"
Yun Niang was so furious that she turned and kicked at empty air.
Seeing that she was almost crying from frustration, Lu Chen finally gave an awkward smile and followed her to a cliff.
Yun Niang looked at the clouds and mist rolling around the mountainside. "There are rumors outside that the heavenly tribulations of more than ten people were added onto you. Is that true?"
Lu Chen smiled. "It isn't a rumor."
"Are you sure?" Yun Niang turned to look at him.
Lu Chen shrugged.
Yun Niang took a deep breath. "I want to ask you for a favor!"
Lu Chen blinked. "Aren't you being too formal? With the relationship between us, why be polite? Just say it!"
"Cripple Di Kun, the Little Wolf King of Wolf Court, for me!"
Lu Chen's scalp went numb. "Did he see your true face?"
Yun Niang shook her head. "The Peerless Princess cannot marry him."
Lu Chen froze, asking in surprise, "You know the Peerless Princess?"
"I am her maid. If the princess marries Di Kun, I will have to accompany her as part of the bridal escort!"
Pfft!
Lu Chen spat outright, and his expression turned grave. "Whether I can cripple him is one thing, but even if I succeed, will the aftermath be impossible to clean up?"
"Don't worry about that. Once you take him out, the princess will make sure no one can say a word against you!"
"But what do I get out of it? After all, Yun Niang and I... fine, I agree!"
When Yun Niang looked over, Lu Chen's heart trembled.
That gaze was truly too heartbreaking.
"This is a whirlpool!" Yun Niang hesitated before speaking.
In truth, she was deeply conflicted as well.
She truly did not want Lu Chen to face those freakish monsters so soon, but she had no other choice.
Once this matter was settled, it would truly be over.
Lu Chen suddenly seized Yun Niang's hand and said in a deep voice:
"I don't care whether she's a princess or not, but if they want you to accompany her in marriage, then even if the Heavenly King himself comes, I'll drag him down from his horse!"
"A bunch of trash, setting their sights on women—what a disgrace!"
Yun Niang's mind trembled as she stammered, "Y-you... you agreed?"
"What do you think? How could I watch you accompany her in marriage? You're my little darling!"
"You..." Yun Niang was mortified. Suppressing her shyness, she stuffed an invitation into Lu Chen's hand.
"Three days from now, there will be a prodigies' banquet at Peerless Palace. I'm leaving!"
"Leaving? Where do you think you're going?" Lu Chen grabbed her from behind. "I searched for you in Yanbei for two months. Now that we've finally met..."
"I still have lots of things to do!" Yun Niang tried hard to pull her hand free.
Smack!
A heavy slap landed on her backside.
The sound was like a thunderclap, leaving the three people watching from afar charred outside and tender within.
Old Ancestor Tianyan nearly rolled off the roof.
"Junior Brother is incredible, but that taste... damn!" Fang Jiuding's face was full of admiration.
"What the hell do you know? Not judging by appearances—that's what true temperament is!" Xiong Yao rolled her eyes at Fang Jiuding.
Yun Niang had been slapped senseless. When she saw the three of them watching from afar, she wished she could crawl into a crack in the ground.
"You want to die?"
"It's because of you, alright? Who leaves right after using someone up?"
"You..." Yun Niang was furious.
Who had used whom, alright?
Yet Lu Chen still dragged her toward the rear mountain.
The two sat down side by side. Lu Chen forcefully pressed her head onto his shoulder and wrapped an arm around her waist.
Unable to resist, Yun Niang could only let him do as he pleased.
Her heart raced like a startled deer. She felt so dizzy that she did not even know what they were doing.
The immense stimulation left her unable to control herself.
Lu Chen's wildly unconstrained words and actions had dealt her a tremendous blow.
"Did you miss me?" Lu Chen suddenly asked.
"N-no!"
"Tell the truth!"
"N-no... maybe a tiny little bit!" Feeling Lu Chen's hand tighten around her waist, Yun Niang hurriedly said.
Lu Chen grinned. "I sure missed you a lot. I thought you were in Cangwu City, but after asking around, I found there was no one by your name!"
As he spoke, he reached out and gently removed Yun Niang's mask.
Before you continue