CHAPTER (07)

CHAPTER (07)

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[ Star Chariot ]

[ Skies of the Scorching Sun Dukedom ]

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In the boundless sky of the Scorching Sun Dukedom, a magnificent flying boat soared gracefully.

The vessel, stretching a thousand feet in length, cut through the air with a powerful swiftness.

It was pulled by a colossal scaled beast, its massive wings stirring the atmosphere with each beat.

On the deck stood a graceful woman, her presence radiating serene authority.

She wore an ocean-blue Hanfu with a faint white hue, its delicate floral embroidery flowing around her like a gentle breeze.

Her long hair tumbled down to her waist, shimmering as though touched by starlight.

Her star-shaped eyes surveyed the horizon with a blend of beauty and inner strength that could even move the hearts of the most devoted Buddhist monks.

She was Long Minxue, the eldest daughter of Duke Long Chensheng, blessed with the Heavenly Void Star Physique—a rare treasure body that appeared only once every millennium.

She gazed at the horizon, a genuine, radiant smile spread across her face, reflecting her joy at nearing home.

By her side stood Protector Jin, her loyal guardian. Though her face was hidden behind a black mask, her presence was both commanding and comforting.

She was clad in the white robes of the Star Temple, she radiated the powerful aura of the late stage Void Refining realm.

Jin's respect for Minxue showed in every gesture; after all, if everything went well, Minxue would be the next owner of the Celestial Star Temple.

At this moment, Minxue spoke with impatience and eagerness. "Aunt Jin, how much longer until we reach Sun City? I can hardly contain my excitement."

Jin, with a reassuring tone, replied, "We'll arrive by nightfall. We've crossed the Mystic Sea already; the rest of the journey should be smooth and quick."

Minxue's brow furrowed with concern. "I need to get back urgently. I've heard my father has arranged a marriage for Yulan, and I need to discuss it with him. It's a matter of great importance."

Long Minxue had always struggled with a streak of bad luck and was considered a late bloomer.

By the time her sister was born, she was already two hundred years old and had only reached the Gold Core Realm, lacking any exceptional talent.

This lack of distinction led to her engagement with Ye Tian, a match arranged by her ancestors, which she deeply resented.

However, everything changed when Long Yulan was born.

Stars seemed to shimmer around her, and at just two hundred years old, she awakened the Heavenly Void Star Physique, it was an unexpected and fortuitous event that brought immense joy to the Long family.

For Minxue, Long Yulan became a symbol of fortune and happiness.

Since childhood, Yulan had always followed Minxue around, holding the hem of her clothes and offering a sweet smile whenever Minxue felt down.

Their close bond, coupled with Yulan's unwavering support, made it difficult for Minxue to leave her sister behind when she joined the Star Temple.

In just thirteen years, Minxue advanced to the late stage of the Nascent Soul Realm. All these factors contributed to her deep sense of protectiveness towards her little sister.

Jin's tone was calm and comforting.

"Saintess, don't be too anxious. The Duke's decisions are made with great care. He loves his daughters deeply, and while traditions play a role, he wouldn't choose someone unworthy for Yulan."

Minxue said with an awkward laugh,

"Love, if he had truly cared for me, he wouldn't have betrothed me to Ye Tian. I loathe that despicable man with all my heart. I can't let my sister end up in the same situation. I need to see if my little brother-in-law is even worthy of Yulan before anything else."

A few days ago, Minxue received a letter from her fiancé, Ye Tian, describing one of Yulan's spouse - a man she'd never met. Ye Tian painted him as respectable and made it clear that the man was stronger and worthy of trust.

Given her own disdain for Ye Tian, Minxue was immediately skeptical.

She didn't trust his words, but the fact that he spoke so highly of this man made her think he must be truly vile.

Others might ignore it, but she had seen Ye Tian's lustful eyes toward her mother.

Guardian Jin spoke calmly, trying to prevent the saintess from doing something rash. "Saintess, you haven't met him yet. He might actually be worthy of Little Yulan."

Minxue's eyes grew resolute. "Maybe, but I've lost faith in my father's judgment. I need to see for myself."

Jin's smile was warm and supportive. "If it comes down to it, I'm here for you, Saintess. Whether it's confronting the Duke or killing Ye Tian, you won't have to face it alone. I'll stand by your side."

Minxue's laughter was light and filled with relief. "Oh, Aunt Jin, do you really think I'm that heartless?"

Jin chuckled softly. "Saintess is benevolent."

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[ Meanwhile, Volcanic Mountain Range ]

[ Western side of Sun City, Scorching Sun Dukedom ]

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For thousands of miles, the landscape stretched as a sea of red mountains, with some occasional bursts of liquified fire erupting from their peaks.

The terrain was harsh, with only a few gnarled trees breaking up the relentless expanse of rock.

Scattered throughout were tombs and caves, each a potential treasure trove or a deadly trap.

This fierce environment was a heaven for body cultivators, who sought to temper their bodies in the extreme heat and lava.

It was a place where danger and opportunity walked side by side.

Deep within one of these mountains, surrounded by a moat of boiling lava, a young man sat cross-legged on a protruding rock.

His eyes were sharp, and his black hair crackled with traces of lightning.

A dark, satisfied smile curled on his lips, making his already menacing aura even more intense.

"Zhu Qing, did you really think you could escape after glaring at me with killing intent? Do I, Ye Tian, seem that easy to you?"

His voice echoed through the cavern, dripping with contempt.

"Now that I've reached the Gold Core realm, I can't wait to see how arrogant you'll be when we meet again."

This young man was Ye Tian.

The remnants of his recent Thunder tribulations crackled around him, showcasing his newfound power. Having reached the Gold Core realm, Ye Tian radiated an overwhelming confidence.

The sensation of having the skies within his grasp was profoundly satisfying.

"My father once mentioned a cave left by a Sage realm cultivator in this range,"

Ye Tian muttered to himself,

"I dismissed it as a myth, a fanciful tale. But now, seeing it with my own eyes, I realize how right he was. He believed in me, even when I didn't deserve it."

He paused, his gaze softening as he thought of his father.

"Rest in peace, Father. I'll make sure to avenge you. My stepmother will pay dearly for her betrayals. I'll make her pregnant so I can complete the work you left unfinished...ekekek....Hahah! Hahah!"

Earlier that day, Duke Long Chen had humiliated Ye Tian, leaving him seething with anger and frustration.

Fueled by a fierce desire to strengthen himself and reclaim his honor, Ye Tian ventured into the volcanic mountains, which were exceptionally suited for body cultivation.

By chance, he inadvertently activated an ancient formation, and in that moment, he feared his end was near.

The formation was an array of runes and intense qi energies, a deadly trap set by an ancient figure to guard his treasures.

Anyone else would have been torn apart by its lethal defenses, but Ye Tian's powerful physique, the Heavenly Turtle Elephant Body, allowed him to endure.

Perhaps because the cave mansion left by the ancient figure was too old, its power soon waned.

What remained was a hidden chamber containing invaluable cultivation techniques and a pendant filled with spirit qi, which seemed to contain life itself.

Spirit qi, the pure essence of heaven and earth, was a treasure often left by Sage Realm cultivators. As they approached death, they would condense their remaining energy into artifacts, leaving a legacy for future generations or disciples.

Ye Tian, despite his lower cultivation level, absorbed the spirit qi, solidifying his foundation in the Gold Core realm. Although the effect wasn't as profound as it could have been due to his lesser qualification, he still felt noticeably stronger than before.

Ye Tian's eyes gleamed with a cold determination.

"I've already sent a letter to Minxue. Given her disdain for me, she's likely come to loathe Zhu Qing by now. If I can defeat him and a few others, I'll rise through the ranks."

"And once Minxue sees my newfound power, she'll have no choice but to bend to my will. By then, not only will I have the eldest lady as my wife, but I might even have the chance to make Yulan's belly swell."

The long family's ranking system was a brutal arena designed to forge the strongest through relentless competition. Despite his potential, Ye Tian was at the bottom due to a lack of support and favoritism within the long family.

"Don't blame me for my ruthlessness, Zhu Qing. The law of the world is clear: two tigers can't share the same mountain. One of us will fall, and it won't be me."

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[Long Yulan's Courtyard]

[Duke's Castle, Sun City]

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Oblivious to the trouble ahead, Zhu Qing returned to the Duke's Castle and spent a peaceful evening with his fiancée. They sat by the pond, feeding the fish. The soft glow of the setting sun warmed their faces as they shared smiles and simple joy.

Long Yulan, known for her fiery demeanor, was surprisingly shy, with a soft pink flush on her cheeks. She admired Zhu Qing's resilience, especially after his recent loss.

His rare smiles were precious and brightened her day.

Determined to see him smile more often, she vowed to take extra care of her future husband, shielding him from harm and undesirable chaos, including troublesome girls.

Zhu Qing gazed at her with a soft, admiring smile. "Yulan, you've become even more beautiful. Is it because your heart is so full of love and strength that it shines through? Or is it from the kiss we shared yesterday? If it's the latter, how about we set up regular times to enjoy more kisses?"

Long Yulan's cheeks flushed a deeper shade of red at his words. She nervously shifted her foot in the pond, sending ripples across the water.

"Ugh... you're so embarrassing. I didn't expect you to be so…"

Zhu Qing leaned in closer, his eyes glowing with admiration. He knew from past experience that Long Yulan was always touched by genuine praise, and he spoke from the heart.

"My fiancée is truly remarkable, she is beautiful, dazzling, graceful, and captivating. She's not only charming and radiant but also elegant, enchanting, and utterly irresistible. I want everyone to see just how extraordinary she is, so they realize what a gem they've missed."

Long Yulan's face grew even redder, her frustration bubbling beneath her shyness. "Stop it... stop it. I'm not that special, and I'd rather die than be with someone else. Besides, there are plenty of beautiful women in the world."

Zhu Qing, undeterred, gently brushed his hand against hers. "But to me, the most beautiful woman in the world is you, whom I love dearly and want to build a future with…"

Long Yulan, now thoroughly embarrassed, placed her other hand over his mouth to silence him. "Brother Zhu, stop it. Or I'll ignore you completely. And if you love me so much, why did you dirty my cheeks the other day?"

Zhu Qing was momentarily taken aback. "Oh, so my kisses made your cheeks dirty? I must have misunderstood."

"No!" Long Yulan protested, with frustration. "That's not what I meant. I just didn't expect you to…"

Zhu Qing's expression grew serious as he shifted the conversation. "By the way, have you found out anything about the Soulbinding Devil Crystal?"

Long Yulan's expression turned thoughtful. "I spoke with my father about it, but he wasn't sure. He mentioned it might be in the Duke's treasury, but he couldn't guarantee it. I told him clearly that if Brother Zhu Qing didn't get what he wanted, I'd stop talking with him for two weeks."

Zhu Qing chuckled, finding her determination adorable, but sighed with a hint of frustration.

"I see. It seems we're still at a standstill."

Long Yulan quickly added, "There's something else I wanted to mention. My eldest sister is coming home after a long time. She's quite... temperamental, so please try to be on your best behavior."

Zhu Qing stepped closer, his hand still resting gently on her cheek. He looked deeply into her eyes, his expression tender.

"Of course. To truly be worthy of you, I need to make a good impression on your family. Aunt Ruyue has always been kind to me, and I know it's a long road from being a son-in-law to becoming a true part of the family."

Long Yulan's eyes sparkled with affection as she gazed at him.

"Brother Zhu Qing... you."

At that moment, Zhu Qing felt a tender urge and leaned in to press his lips to her left cheek. Having now claimed both of her cheeks, he felt a quiet satisfaction.

Before Long Yulan could punch him, Zhu Qing's form began to blur and then vanished, leaving only a faint trace of his presence behind. Long Yulan's smile bloomed with a mix of annoyance and affection.

"Stupid Zhu Qing, can't you wait until we're married? And who told you to dirty my cheeks again?"

She didn't waste a second, heading to her room and flopping onto her bed, burying her face in a pillow as she let out a relieved sigh. Despite her lingering resentment, the joy of seeing Zhu Qing so lively made her heart swell.

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To Be Continued…