Chapter 155: Two Invitations
"Why do you need to avoid this person?" Although he already had a vague guess, Yun Che still furrowed his brows and asked.
"At the last Cang Feng Ranking Battle, Princess Cang Yue personally attended to watch. I don't need to elaborate on Princess Cang Yue's appearance and grace; at that time, the princess wore a splendid rosy dress and a purple-gold phoenix crown. Though she was still young, her beauty captivated the entire audience, causing countless young talents from various sects to fall head over heels for her. Among them was Fen Juecheng."
"After the last Cang Feng Ranking Battle ended, Fen Juecheng did not immediately return to Fen Tian Gate. Instead, he went straight to the Cangfeng Imperial City, sought an audience with the emperor, and proposed marriage to the emperor, asking to wed Princess Cang Yue... At that time, the emperor did not agree, but he also did not outright refuse. He tactfully put it off, citing Princess Cang Yue's young age. In truth, the emperor was already tempted at the time. After all, Fen Juecheng was the young master of Fen Tian Gate, highly likely to succeed as its gatekeeper in the future. If Princess Cang Yue married him, she would become the future lady of Fen Tian Gate, a status even loftier than that of the imperial empress. It would undoubtedly be an excellent match, and the conflict between the Crown Prince and the Third Prince would never be able to harm her. Moreover, it would provide the imperial clan with an additional layer of protection from Fen Tian Gate... After all, Princess Cang Yue was a daughter who would marry out, so there was no need to worry about Fen Tian Gate infiltrating the imperial clan through her."
"The emperor's attitude was readily accepted by Fen Juecheng, who vowed to marry Princess Cang Yue in this life."
"But not long after, news reached the emperor's ears that the Third Prince, Cang Shuo, was leveraging the power of Fen Tian Gate, which infuriated the emperor. Fen Tian Gate's willingness to 'assist' the Third Prince, Cang Shuo, stemmed partly from their ambition for political control over the realm, and partly from Fen Juecheng's infatuation with Princess Cang Yue, which was a significant factor. After that, the Third Prince treated Princess Cang Yue exceptionally well. Every time he saw her, he strongly urged her to marry Fen Juecheng, promising her a lifetime of glory and honor, a status far surpassing that of an imperial princess. Fen Juecheng also frequently entered and exited the imperial palace under various pretexts, arranged by the Third Prince to meet Princess Cang Yue, showing her kindness and revealing his feelings."
Yun Che's chest rose and fell slightly, but he remained silent.
"Fen Tian Gate's power is immense, and the imperial clan dared not offend them. The emperor was gravely ill, the imperial clan was in turmoil, and Princess Cang Yue also dared not provoke Fen Juecheng. She could only stall and avoid giving a firm refusal. She knew something of Fen Juecheng's character: outwardly refined and courteous, with an air of noble bearing, but in truth he was deeply calculating and would stop at nothing to achieve his goals. Some of his covert actions were even horrifyingly cruel. If her strong refusal made him lose all patience, no one could predict what he might do."
"So, to shake off Fen Juecheng's persistent pursuit and to fulfill one of her father's regrets, she left the imperial city and traveled to the various Profound Palaces of the empire..." Yun Che said slowly, his expression calm. Only he knew what he was thinking inside.
"That's right." Qin Wushang nodded solemnly and said, "Yun Che, I don't know what you think after hearing all this. I have lived in the imperial city since childhood and often saw Princess Cang Yue when she was very young. She was like a carefree angel back then. After her mother passed away, the burdens she carried and bore became heavier and heavier. Almost all ease and happiness left her. You cannot imagine how much sorrow, hardship, and exhaustion she has endured inside. Now that you are so close to Princess Cang Yue, you enjoy her beauty, her elegance, her noble grace, and her genuine care and meticulous attention... When she first chose you, it was indeed only to fulfill her father's wish, with something that could be called an 'ulterior motive' toward you. But now, I can see that she has developed true feelings for you. Otherwise, she wouldn't have personally delivered something like a sound transmission jade to you. You enjoy everything she gives you, but have you ever thought about bearing the burdens she carries on her shoulders and in her heart? Or do you have the sincerity, courage, and resolve to do so?"
Yun Che did not answer.
"As I said before, if you lack that courage and resolve, then take the initiative to distance yourself from Princess Cang Yue. The gap in status between you two is like heaven and earth. If others learn that feelings have developed between you, even Fen Juecheng alone could easily make you vanish without a trace. Though distancing yourself will hurt her, I actually hope you make that choice—for her sake and for your own. I also know something of your personality. With your pride, I believe it's almost impossible for you to make such a choice. Even gritting your teeth, you won't back down... But right now, you are too insignificant. You cannot help Princess Cang Yue or share her burdens. Instead, you add another emotional tie. If you risk great danger to sustain this relationship, it might be called courage, but it is definitely not bravery... In my eyes, truly distancing yourself from Princess Cang Yue would be the real bravery and sincerity."
Yun Che: "..."
Qin Wushang turned around, patted Yun Che on the shoulder, and said, "I've said all that needs to be said. Think carefully about what choice to make. Princess Cang Yue has always been afraid to tell you her identity, partly out of fear of dragging you into this... and partly because you are too insignificant. If you were truly strong enough, she would have told you everything long ago. What she needs most is a shoulder to lean on. But you... at least for now, at least for ten years, you simply cannot provide such a shoulder. Instead, to some extent, you will become her burden and another emotional tether."
"I've placed the Golden Scale Dragon Transformation Pill on the table. If you successfully refine it, it will be enough to elevate your profound strength directly to the third level of the True Xuan Realm... In any case, ah, think it over well."
Qin Wushang left with heavy steps. Yun Che did not see him out. He stood there, lost in thought for a long time.
Qin Wushang's words struck Yun Che's heart like heavy hammers.
He had previously believed that Lan Xueruo must have a prominent background, but he was fully confident that he was now worthy of her... Or perhaps, with his solitary pride, he had never considered that there might be someone he couldn't match. But now, in shock, he learned that Lan Xueruo was actually the legendary Princess Cang Yue, and she had been drawn into the turmoil of the Cangfeng imperial clan, with the immense pressure of Fen Tian Gate looming behind her...
He had defeated an inner disciple beyond his level, which indeed made him look impressive, and he had even felt smug about it. But this kind of prestige was limited to the Cangfeng Mystic Palace, limited to the younger generation under twenty years old. In the circle Lan Xueruo was caught up in, his level of strength was pitifully insignificant and unworthy of mention.
What Qin Wushang said was right—Lan Xueruo needed a shoulder to lean on, but someone as insignificant as him could not provide it. Instead, he would only become an emotional burden.
And another thing Qin Wushang said was equally true... He had enjoyed Lan Xueruo's beauty and gentleness, her constant care and attention, and even the sense of conquest as he gradually captured her heart—yet he had never truly shared any of her burdens.
"This is a world where strength reigns supreme. Without sufficient strength, you have no right to speak of dignity, let alone the ability to protect those you want to protect... Grandfather and Little Aunt are waiting for me to return. The burdens Xue'er carries, I have no power to share... I only defeated a mere True Xuan ninth-level opponent, yet I've been feeling proud and complacent here. How laughable... utterly laughable."
Yun Che slowly clenched his fists, closed his eyes, and his body trembled slightly. After a long time, he let out a long breath, picked up the Golden Scale Dragon Transformation Pill that Qin Wushang had left on the table, focused his gaze, and threw it into his mouth.
As the Golden Scale Dragon Transformation Pill entered his body, Yun Che immediately felt vigorous streams of energy surging from his chest and abdomen outward, flowing through his blood vessels and meridians. Part of it rushed directly to his head, causing momentary dizziness and blurriness before his eyes.
Such powerful medicinal force...
Yun Che was slightly startled inwardly. He immediately sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, calmed his mind, and activated the Great Dao Pagoda Art. The Great Dao Pagoda Art was an extremely advanced profound art. In just four or five breaths, the surging heat throughout his body gradually subsided. The unruly medicinal energy became warm and gentle, merging into his entire body with little guidance needed. The profound energy in his profound veins began to roll and churn, slowly expanding...
Sunset followed sunrise.
Yun Che remained in meditation for an entire day and night. By the time he had fully absorbed the power of the Golden Scale Dragon Transformation Pill and opened his eyes, it was already noon the next day. The fluctuations of profound energy in his profound veins had completely stabilized, becoming thicker than the day before... Three hours ago, he had already successfully advanced to the third level of the True Xuan Realm.
Using pills to level up, though it might make the foundation less stable, was undoubtedly the fastest method. However, pills with such astonishing effects as the Golden Scale Dragon Transformation Pill were extremely rare in the world, hard to come by even for ten thousand gold coins, and due to their excessively strong and intense medicinal properties, swallowing them also carried certain risks.
Having sat for a day and a night, still bearing injuries, Yun Che was now ravenously hungry. He was about to go out when the door was pushed open by Qin Wushang, who had apparently forgotten to knock.
"Qin Tutor," Yun Che immediately greeted him, then noticed that Qin Wushang's expression was not good. He quickly asked, "What happened?"
"Exactly what I expected." Qin Wushang sighed, then produced two letters: "These are two invitations. One is from Crown Prince Cang Lin, inviting you to his thirty-third birthday banquet at the Crown Prince's residence at noon ten days from now. The other is from the Third Prince, Cang Shuo, inviting you to a Beast Fighting Tournament personally supervised by him—also at noon ten days from now."
[PS1: Every time I review the text, I often find that I've typed 'Ling Chen' instead of 'Yun Che' (this is a common new book syndrome). Although I usually catch it, I can't guarantee there won't be any slip-ups. So if you ever see the name 'Ling Chen' appear one day, please flood the book reviews, tieba, WeChat, and Weibo!]
[PS2: My woman has ordered me to go to sleep before midnight from now on...]