Chapter 161: Ling Yun, Ling Jie
The Burning Soul Flower was a highly toxic substance with a miraculous and terrifying "soul-separating" effect. It was the only thing Yun Che could think of that could break the Soul-Devouring Life-Sharing Gu. However, the number of Burning Soul Flowers in existence was extremely scarce. The astonishing nature of its "soul-separating" ability was no less than the concealment of the Star Concealment Grass, and its rarity was just as extreme. Throughout the entire Tian Xuan Continent, there couldn't be more than ten of them.
"Burning Soul Flower... Burning Soul Flower..." Lan Xueruo repeated the name several times, firmly committing it to memory. Yun Che's simple four words, "hard to find in the world," showed just how difficult it would be to locate. But no matter how difficult, it was the only hope she had suddenly grasped: "I will mobilize all the power I can and immediately begin searching for the Burning Soul Flower. Our Cangfeng Imperial Clan rules the Cang Feng Empire. No matter how hard something is to find, we are sure to find it."
Yun Che knew this would be the result after he mentioned the Burning Soul Flower. He hesitated for a moment but ultimately did not stop her. After all, this matter concerned her father, the safety of the Cang Feng Empire's emperor.
Just then, the middle-aged eunuch hurried in, bowed his head, and announced: "Reporting to Your Majesty and the Azure Moon Princess. The young master of Tian Jian Villa, Ling Yun, requests an audience and is currently waiting in Cangyun Hall."
"Oh?" Cang Wanhe and Lan Xueruo were both surprised.
"Tian Jian Villa?" Yun Che's heart stirred... He had just heard Cang Wanhe's account of Tian Jian Villa's astonishing strength and backing, which had drastically changed his impression of them. Now, a member of Tian Jian Villa suddenly visiting stirred a wave of emotion within him.
"Could they have come to see Imperial Father? Or perhaps... the actions of the Xiao Sect and Fen Tian Gate have prompted them to act?" Lan Xueruo said softly.
"No!" Cang Wanhe slowly shook his head. "Unless I die, or the Xiao Sect and Fen Tian Gate openly interfere with the imperial government, Tian Jian Villa will not intervene. It's about time, too. Their visit should be to deliver an invitation. Yue'er, please receive them on my behalf... Yun Che, you seem interested. If you are curious about the people from Tian Jian Villa, go with Yue'er."
Lan Xueruo lightly nodded. "Yes, Imperial Father. Should I mention to the people from Tian Jian Villa that Gu Qiuhong placed a gu on you?"
Cang Wanhe was silent for a moment, then shook his head. "No! Do not mention this to anyone. Do not alert Gu Qiuhong either. Even if we confront him directly, he has countless ways to talk his way out. Moreover, Gu Qiuhong has a vast network of connections, and even the four great sects are very willing to do him favors. Though I am the emperor, I do not have the capital to openly break with him."
Lan Xueruo smiled bitterly and nodded. "I understand. After seeing off the guests from Tian Jian Villa, I will immediately send people to the Black Moon Merchant Guild. We must find the Burning Soul Flower, no matter the cost."
Yun Che followed Lan Xueruo to Cangyun Hall. Two people were already waiting inside. One looked to be around twenty years old, dressed in immaculate white robes, with a refined and elegant face. He stood quietly before a landscape painting hanging in the hall, seemingly appreciating its artistic conception. The other appeared to be only fifteen or sixteen, with features somewhat similar to the older young man, but still bearing traces of childishness. He wore the same white robes but lacked the older man's composure, pacing around the hall, looking this way and that, seemingly curious about everything in the imperial palace.
Hearing footsteps, the young man shifted his gaze from the painting. Seeing Lan Xueruo, a flicker of surprise passed through his eyes. He stepped forward, clasped his hands, and said, "Ling Yun of Tian Jian Villa greets the Azure Moon Princess."
At the same time, his gaze turned to Yun Che, offering him a polite smile.
As the young master of Tian Jian Villa, Ling Yun's status was by no means inferior to that of the imperial princess—if anything, it exceeded hers. Yet Yun Che saw not a trace of arrogance or pride in him. He bowed courteously before the Azure Moon Princess and even showed proper manners towards Yun Che, who was a seemingly "insignificant" figure behind her... This could perhaps be attributed to deliberate action, but Yun Che could see no impurity in his eyes—clear, transparent, and utterly untainted.
*This is a true gentleman, definitely not a useless fool like Xiao Kuangyun,* Yun Che silently praised.
"Brother Ling." Lan Xueruo returned the greeting with an elegant smile. "It's been a long time. I didn't expect you to come in person this time."
Ling Yun smiled. "It has been two years and six months since the last Cang Feng Ranking War, where I first glimpsed the Azure Moon Princess's grace. To come to the imperial palace today and once again behold your esteemed countenance is truly my good fortune..."
As Ling Yun was speaking, the boy accompanying him suddenly dashed forward, staring at Lan Xueruo with wide eyes and exclaiming, "So you're the legendary Azure Moon Princess? Wow! Big bro, this princess sister is even more beautiful than you said!"
"Xiao Jie, don't be rude!" Ling Yun immediately signaled the boy with his eyes, then spoke apologetically, "Princess, this is my younger brother, Ling Jie. He has just turned fifteen and a half—young and ignorant. He rarely leaves Tian Jian Villa, so he's not well-versed in etiquette. Please don't take offense."
Ling Yun's younger brother... meaning this boy was also the son of the Tian Jian Villa master. That status was naturally extraordinary. Just as Lan Xueruo was about to respond, Ling Jie grumbled discontentedly, "Hey, big bro! I'm almost sixteen already—I'm an adult! How am I young and ignorant? Princess sister is just super good-looking. I didn't say anything wrong!"
Lan Xueruo couldn't help but smile. Half teasingly, she said, "Little brother Ling Jie, thank you for the compliment. You're very cute too. When you grow up, you'll definitely attract lots of little sisters."
Lan Xueruo's voice was naturally gentle as water, and combined with her breathtaking beauty, it was enough to instantly captivate all kinds of "little brothers." Ling Jie had spent his childhood diligently practicing swordsmanship at Tian Jian Villa, rarely venturing outside. He had never encountered a girl as beautiful as Lan Xueruo, nor had anyone spoken to him so tenderly. He felt his heartbeat quicken, and his slightly immature face even flushed a little. Staring at her without blinking, he said, somewhat dazedly, "Princess sister, you're not only so beautiful, but your voice is also so nice... Ah, right! Princess sister, how about you marry me and be my wife?"
Both Ling Yun's and Yun Che's brows twitched slightly.
If it had been someone else—someone with a lecherous look and lascivious gaze saying such things—Yun Che wouldn't have cared who they were; he'd have slapped them right across the face. Flirting with his woman in front of him was something no man could tolerate. But Ling Jie's expression and eyes held not a trace of lewdness, only the purest, most innocent affection and longing of a naive young boy towards a beautiful girl who had touched his heart. This simplicity and straightforwardness, devoid of any pretense, made it impossible for Yun Che to feel any resentment or dislike towards him.
"Xiao Jie! Don't talk nonsense! That's very disrespectful to the princess. If you keep misbehaving, I won't bring you out next time." Ling Yun tugged Ling Jie's arm, a bit sternly, then smiled apologetically at Lan Xueruo. "Princess, Xiao Jie is still young and speaks recklessly. Please don't take offense."
"I'm not talking recklessly!" Ling Jie retorted, clearly unconvinced. "And how many times have I said it? I'm not young anymore! Stop treating me like a kid! I'm almost sixteen. Even Father said I can make my own decisions about everything. I want Princess Sister to be my wife—I'm serious about it! Mother specifically told me that if I meet a girl I like, I should say it out loud, or else someone else will snatch her away. And just now, Princess Sister said I'm cute—maybe she likes me too and will agree right away! Princess Sister, right?"
Yun Che's brow twitched again. This time, he couldn't stay calm. Stepping forward, he said, "Little brother Ling Jie, you'd better give up. Your princess sister will never agree to that."
"Ah? Why?" Ling Jie immediately turned his gaze to Yun Che, his eyes wide as saucers. Ling Yun also gave him a few extra glances, inwardly marveling at the mysterious, unfathomable aura about him. The fact that he could accompany the Azure Moon Princess was enough to prove his extraordinary nature.
"The reason is simple." Yun Che grinned slightly. "Because your princess sister already has a man."
Lan Xueruo's lips parted slightly, but she said nothing. Her head unconsciously lowered a bit, and a charming blush appeared on her face.
"Huh? She already has a man?" Ling Jie's eyes widened, and then he shouted in annoyance, "Who is it? Who stole my princess sister? I challenge him to a duel! Mother said that other things can be given up, but the woman you set your heart on must never be surrendered! Even if someone else takes her, you have to win her back in the most manly way! I've set my sights on Princess Sister, so I'll beat him and take her back!"
Yun Che shrugged indifferently, then stepped forward, took Lan Xueruo's hand, and said with a smile, "Far away on the horizon, close by in front of your eyes. It's me."
It was the first time Lan Xueruo had held hands with him in front of outsiders, and certainly the first time she had been so intimate with a man in front of others in her capacity as princess. Her initial instinct was to panic, but she did not pull her hand away. Instead, she let him hold it gently. Clearly, Yun Che had acted impulsively. Letting outsiders know about their relationship could only bring countless disadvantages, as it might alert Cang Lin and Cang Shuo, and invite assassination from Fen Juecheng.
She understood very well the reason behind Yun Che's impulsiveness. He was asserting his claim over her. Although she found it somewhat amusing that he was jealous of a half-grown boy, she also felt touched and enjoyed this almost domineering concern and protection.
Yun Che's action and Lan Xueruo's reaction immediately sparked surprise in Ling Yun's eyes. He knew very well that Fen Juecheng, the young master of Fen Tian Gate, was deeply infatuated with the Azure Moon Princess, and had even sworn before the Cang Feng emperor that he would marry none other than her in this life. If the Azure Moon Princess truly belonged to this man, it would undoubtedly provoke Fen Juecheng's jealousy, resentment, and murderous intent.
"You?" Ling Jie looked Yun Che up and down. Just as he was about to say he didn't believe it, he saw that Yun Che had taken the princess's hand. His eyes bulged as he jumped up like an enraged young tiger cub: "You... you... you... you actually dare to hold my princess sister's hand! You're not worthy of her at all! You're so weak, and you're not even as good-looking as me... I challenge you! I'll take back my princess sister!"
Yun Che grew angry as well. He could tolerate being called weak, but this little brat had the audacity to say he wasn't as good-looking as him? That was absolutely unacceptable! "Challenge? Hah! Do you think I'm afraid of a brat who hasn't even grown his hair out? Whatever you want to compete in, bring it on! I'll teach you a lesson and knock your teeth out!"
Hearing this, Ling Yun's gaze towards Yun Che became rather... complicated. In Yun Che's mind, Mo Li's voice came through, clearly filled with schadenfreude: "Are you sure you want to compete with him? Although this Ling Jie is much younger than you, his profound force cultivation has already reached the Spirit Xuan Realm, Level 3..."
Mo Li hadn't even finished when Yun Che was shocked. *Spirit Xuan Realm, Level 3? This fifteen-year-old kid's profound force cultivation is at Spirit Xuan Realm, Level 3? How is that possible?*
The top-ranked Fen Juechen on the Heavenly Xuan List within the Cangfeng Mystic Palace's inner palace was only at Spirit Xuan Realm, Level 2, and he was seventeen years old. The other two at the Spirit Xuan Realm were both over twenty. But this harmless-looking, slightly naive Ling Jie in front of him... was a fifteen-year-old at Spirit Xuan Realm, Level 3? A terrifying existence that could only be called a "freak."
"And that's not all!" Mo Li continued. "The profound art he cultivates is extremely overbearing, and the aura he unconsciously emits is incredibly sharp, far exceeding the scope of Spirit Xuan Realm, Level 3. This is enough to prove that not only is he at Spirit Xuan Realm, Level 3, he can also challenge opponents above his level. If you use all your trump cards, you might barely manage four or five exchanges against an ordinary Spirit Xuan Realm, Level 3. But against him... you're just asking to be humiliated!"
—————————————————
Star Soul Sword Saint: My name is Ling Jie.
Ling Jie: What a coincidence! My name is also Ling Jie.
Star Soul Sword Saint: I have an older brother named Ling Yun.
Ling Jie: What a coincidence! I also have an older brother named Ling Yun.
Star Soul Sword Saint: Damn! Who named you and your brother? Mine was Mars Gravity.
Ling Jie: Mine was also Mars Gravity.
Star Soul Sword Saint: ………That bastard even cut corners when naming characters! Unforgivable! I'm going to snitch to the boss!
Ling Jie: Yo! Who's your boss?
Star Soul Sword Saint: Listen well, my boss is the husband of the great Shengzi Guoguo, the awe-inspiring ruler of the six realms, the king of all gods, possessing an indestructible holy body! Do you have a boss?
Ling Jie: Not yet... But my future boss, Yun Che, will definitely unite the six realms too and be even more awesome than your boss!
Star Soul Sword Saint: What! You dare say he's more awesome than my boss? Looking for a beating!
Ling Jie: You think I'm scared? Take this!
Bang! Boom! Smack! Boom! Crack!…………
—————————————————
[Alright, I've finally squeezed out 3999 words, oh ho ho ho ho...]