Chapter 123: The Face of an Emperor

Late at night, after finishing dinner, Zhao Ming and the others went to sleep. However, Zhao Wuji and the other elders remained vigilant. After all, in the Star Dou Forest, unexpected events could occur at any time. As senior experts, it was their responsibility to ensure the safety of the younger ones.

Xiao Wu and the girls shared a large tent, spacious enough for three people. But just as Xiao Wu was about to enter the tent with Ning Rongrong and the others, Zhao Ming domineeringly pulled her away.

Tonight was destined to be a sleepless night.

"Old man, what do you think?" In a dark corner, Elder Snake and Elder Dragon leaned against a large tree, whispering.

"That child is indeed impressive. Not only is his strength notable, but his face also astonishes me," Elder Dragon said slowly, frowning. Years ago, he had studied some ancient divination arts and could read a person's facial features.

"What do you mean by that?" Elder Snake was startled. She knew well about her husband's skills. Over the years, relying on his face-reading abilities, their Beast Clan had gradually cultivated an outstanding younger generation. Making a name for themselves in the spirit world couldn't have been achieved by their cultivation alone.

Could it be that Zhao Ming's face indicated misfortune, perhaps an early demise?

If that were the case, no matter how talented Zhao Ming was, she would never consider him for her granddaughter.

After all, if Zhao Ming really had the appearance of one doomed to an early death, his potential value would be minimal. A genius who couldn't grow into a powerhouse was nothing but a regretful memory.

"So, Zhao Ming has the face of one destined for an early death? What a pity," Elder Snake sighed.

"What nonsense are you spouting? Zhao Ming isn't destined for an early death." Elder Dragon glared at Elder Snake, clearly displeased. Such an excellent face being mistaken for an ill-fated one annoyed him.

"Then what is it? Stop beating around the bush and tell me already," Elder Snake urged, her eyes wide.

"An imperial face." Elder Dragon took a deep breath before slowly uttering the words. As he spoke, his body trembled, revealing his inner turmoil.

"An imperial face? Does that mean Zhao Ming could become an emperor in the future?" Elder Snake's heart surged with emotion as she listened. She understood well what those words implied.

The continent's situation had been stable for many years. The power structure of the two great empires and the Spirit Hall was firmly established, impossible to change.

Now, Zhao Ming possessed the face of an emperor, indicating he had the potential to establish a nation of his own. Whether it meant overthrowing the two great empires or founding a new power, it would inevitably lead to a struggle for interests.

It seemed the continent might face chaos.

"Whether Zhao Ming will succeed or not is still uncertain. Having an imperial face doesn't guarantee he'll become an emperor; the future holds too many variables. Even our own faces continue to change. However, Zhao Ming's face does indicate he has the potential to become an emperor," Elder Dragon shook his head.

"Then, old man, could you check again to see if Zhao Ming really doesn't have the fate of an early death?" Elder Snake asked anxiously. With Zhao Ming's talent, if he could grow, the future would undoubtedly be promising.

"I'd love to check again, but I can't see through it, nor do I dare to look further." Elder Dragon sighed, his voice tinged with bitterness.

He briefly released his aura, fully revealing his rank as a Soul Douluo, but Elder Snake exclaimed in shock.

"Old man, what's wrong? It seems your cultivation has regressed?"

"I've fallen back to the basic level of eighty spirit power. If I hadn't already possessed this spirit ring, my cultivation might have regressed to the level of a Soul Sage," Elder Dragon explained as he retracted his aura.

"How could this happen? Who did this?" Elder Snake's expression turned icy.

"Who else? It was that boy, Zhao Ming." Elder Dragon said with frustration.

"Zhao Ming? How?"

"His face is very unusual. When I read it, I faced a severe backlash. This divination technique of mine is an act against the heavens; peering into destiny comes with a price." Elder Dragon's expression was solemn. The secret art he used was something he had found in an ancient ruin. Due to his martial soul being imbued with dragon energy, he wielded it with ease. However, reading a person's face was to glimpse destiny, and it came with consequences.

"The backlash was that severe? Even when you read a Titled Douluo's face, it wasn't like this!" Elder Snake exclaimed.

"That boy is extraordinary. No matter how the tides of fate shift in the future, he will likely be at the center of it."

"So, what do you suggest?"

"Draw him in with all our might." After a moment of contemplation, Elder Dragon said earnestly, "It seems he has some interest in Yiran. It's just a matter of whether Yiran feels the same. If they could be together, it would be beneficial for both the family and herself."

"Don't worry, old man. I think Yiran does have some feelings for Zhao Ming, but she's just too shy to express them. I'll go talk to her now; she should still be awake." Elder Snake smiled, feeling a surge of excitement.

She hadn't expected Zhao Ming to surprise her even after she thought she had already overestimated him.

With his astonishing talent, impressive strength, gentle nature, and a favorable face, even if Yiran didn't like him now, she would find a way to make her like him.

With that thought, Elder Snake headed toward Meng Yiran's tent.

At that moment, Meng Yiran was lying on her bed, unable to sleep. Every time she closed her eyes, Zhao Ming's figure appeared in her mind. She kept replaying his words from earlier, wondering if they held any deeper meaning.

Suddenly, the tent flap was pulled open, startling Meng Yiran.

"Grandmother, why are you here?"

"What? Am I not allowed? I was the one who used to cradle you to sleep when you were young, and now you're turning me away?" Elder Snake teased with a smile.

"Of course not." Meng Yiran playfully stuck out her tongue and shifted to the side, making room for her grandmother.

"Grandmother, is there something you need?" Meng Yiran asked curiously. It had been years since she had been this close with her grandmother.

"If I don't come, I might not even know when my precious granddaughter gets whisked away." Elder Snake laughed.

"Grandmother, what are you talking about? I have no feelings for Zhao Ming!" Meng Yiran quickly responded, startled by her grandmother's words.

"I didn't even mention his name, but you brought him up. Are you sure there's nothing?" Elder Snake said with amusement.

"Grandmother, you're teasing me. Your words were clearly hinting at him." Meng Yiran's face flushed as she pouted.

"Alright, alright. I won't tease you anymore. I just want to know—what do you think of Zhao Ming?"

"Hmm? My impression? He's strong, very talented, and seems kind. But he's also a bit of a flirt and sometimes too forward," Meng Yiran said softly, recalling her interactions with Zhao Ming over the past day.

"Do you like him?" Elder Snake smiled.

"How could I? We've only known each other for a day. Besides, he already has several girlfriends. How could I like him? Grandmother, you don't need to worry about this." Meng Yiran felt embarrassed and quickly explained.

Seeing her granddaughter's reaction, Elder Snake smiled but remained silent.

She knew Meng Yiran had feelings for Zhao Ming.

But these feelings were currently suppressed due to various pressures and hadn't been fully expressed.

Since she was here, she intended to break that barrier.

"Yiran, I want you to be with Zhao Ming. What do you think?" Elder Snake said, holding her granddaughter's hand sincerely.

"Grandmother, what are you saying?" Meng Yiran was stunned, seeing the serious expression on her grandmother's face.

"In terms of strength and talent, Zhao Ming is the best choice for a grandson-in-law in your grandfather's and my eyes. We don't have many years left; our only wish is to see you find the person you truly love." Elder Snake coughed lightly, showing signs of her age.

"Grandmother, don't say that. You and Grandfather are still healthy," Meng Yiran said quickly.

"I'm fine, but your grandfather... he's not." Elder Snake sighed.

"What happened to Grandfather?" Meng Yiran's face turned pale as she asked anxiously.

"Your grandfather faced divine retribution years ago for reading someone's face. His health has been declining ever since, and even his cultivation has dropped to the eighty-level mark." Elder Snake smiled faintly, feeling a warmth seeing her granddaughter's concern. But for the sake of the family and her granddaughter's happiness, she chose to deceive her.

"How could this happen?" Meng Yiran's face turned ashen, her brown eyes filling with tears.

"Who knows. Your grandfather may not have much time left. His last wish is to see you and Zhao Ming together." Elder Snake sighed, continuing her ploy.

Meng Yiran, seeing her grandmother's heavy expression, knew she wouldn't lie to her. Her grandmother had never deceived her, let alone about something like this.

So, her grandfather was really...

"Don't worry, Grandmother. I will bring Zhao Ming into our family."

[•———•——•———•]

𝙥𝗮𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣(.)𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧

✨ • 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝟲𝟬+ 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.