Immortal Emperor Gouchen spoke with great emotion, but Xiao Hua knew that this was merely an emperor's artifice. He had wanted to retort sharply, yet seeing that Immortal Emperor Gouchen seemed willing to yield somewhat, he followed his words instead. "This Xiao can understand some of Your Majesty's hardships! Merely managing a Creation Sect gives this Xiao a splitting headache, let alone Your Majesty governing the entire Cangxian Continent!"
"Therefore..." Immortal Emperor Gouchen nodded. "Lightning Master Xiao, you must also show consideration for me. At Lingyun Hall, I gave the Nangong Family the very same answer! They may marry the Ninth Princess, certainly! But they must first show me their strength and rely upon their own ability to rescue the Ninth Princess! Now, apart from the Nangong Family, the Dongfang Noble House, Ximen Noble House, and Beiming Noble House have all formally requested marriages with my other three princesses as well! Hehe, do you think I do not understand what they are thinking? Do they not all seek the Method of Five Qi Towards the Origin? Still, the Four Great Families are indeed places to which I may entrust my four princesses. By setting a difficult challenge for the Nangong Family, I also let the other three families see that my princesses... cannot simply be married off at will! I... would rather bear a curse upon my name, let others and my family see me as a cold-blooded man, than find anyone unworthy for my princesses to entrust their hearts to!! And Xin Xin... all the more so!!!"
At this point, golden light rose from the golden throne beneath Immortal Emperor Gouchen. A phantom had already shot into the sky, and his final words drifted back. "I have said all there is to say. If Lightning Master Xiao does not