Chapter 1559: Nanhuang Chanyi
A woman's beauty lies not only in her appearance, but also in her form and spirit.
What manner of woman was Qianye Ying'er? Even if she concealed her features and hid her gaze, the divine aura naturally released from her body still carried a charm capable of dimming the very heavens.
The Crown Prince of the East Ruins, forty Jiazi in age, could be said to have seen countless women, and there were few who could still spark his interest… But never before had a woman, with merely a glimpse of her silhouette, caused his heart and soul to suddenly tremble.
The gloom and anger on his face vanished, replaced by a rapidly rising heat.
The person at his side, reading his expression, quickly said: "Two mid-stage Divine Kings, their aura unfamiliar—clearly not from the East Ruins. It's not strange that they come from outside the Dark Ruins Five Realms. Is the Young Lord interested?"
Dong Xueci's gaze remained locked on Qianye Ying'er, unwilling to look away. He said, "This woman is definitely a peerless beauty. It's just a pity that the man beside her is too obstructive."
As he muttered, he took a step forward. It seemed like a single step, but in an instant, he closed the distance and stood directly in front of Yun Che and Qianye Ying'er, smiling as he said: "A chance encounter—might I ask where the two of you are headed?"
Qianye Ying'er was suppressing her aura to match Yun Che's using the Reverse Abyss Stone, but her spiritual perception was extremely sharp. She had heard every word Dong Xueci said earlier, and now replied coldly: "The Central Ruins Battle."
Yun Che's expression was impassive… After all, the Fandi Shennü was still the Fandi Shennü. Even without revealing her face, she could still invite trouble.
"Oh? Indeed?" Dong Xueci's smile grew wider: "I am Dong Xueci of the East Ruins Sect, here to participate in the battle. Since fate has brought us together, I invite the two of you to accompany me. What do you say?"
As he spoke, his gaze never left Qianye Ying'er, filled with undisguised aggression… As the Crown Prince of the East Ruins, a figure who could swagger through the Dark Ruins Five Realms, if he set his sights on a woman, it could only be her good fortune. Why should he need to conceal it!
As for Yun Che, he didn't spare him even a half-glance, completely ignoring his existence.
He was very certain that within the Dark Ruins Five Realms, no one was unaware of the name "Dong Xueci" and the identity it symbolized.
Besides, the other party was only a mid-stage Divine King. They should know exactly who he was.
"No need." Qianye Ying'er replied coldly and prepared to leave.
Dong Xueci raised a hand, and an invisible energy field blocked Qianye Ying'er's path. The smile on his face turned sinister: "What if I insist on inviting you?"
Just as Dong Xueci's words fell, from the wind-swept sands to the south came a quiet yet exceedingly gentle woman's voice: "Years have passed, and the Crown Prince of the East Ruins has truly become more impressive. As your cultivation advances, have you completely discarded all shame?"
"…" Dong Xueci jerked his head to the side, his eyes narrowing sharply.
Out of the wind and sand, a group of people slowly approached—thirty to forty in number, all with extraordinary auras. At their lead was a woman clad in dazzling golden phoenix robes, a brocade belt at her waist, gold-embossed shoes on her feet, and a golden phoenix crown atop her head, hung with dense, long pearl tassels that completely concealed her face.
She walked slowly. With the gentle sway of the pearl tassels, glimpses of her dark brows, snow-white skin, bright eyes, and jade lips appeared and disappeared, as if one were gazing upon a celestial painting dancing in the wind.
That voice had come from this woman.
Yun Che's gaze shifted slightly, then lingered on her for a few breaths.
In the ever-dark Northern Divine Realm, her attire—and indeed her very presence—was far too dazzling. And the golden patterns embroidered on her phoenix robes… were unmistakably phoenix patterns!
But they were slightly different from the Phoenix and Ice Phoenix he knew.
"I was wondering who it was—so it's Princess Chanyi! Oh, no, no…" Dong Xueci grinned widely: "Now I should address you as Her Highness the Nanhuang Crown Princess."
Qianye Ying'er glanced at the woman and transmitted to Yun Che: "Nanhuang Chanyi, daughter of the South Ruins Realm King. They say she is the number one beauty in the Dark Ruins Five Realms."
She noticed that Yun Che's gaze had briefly paused on Nanhuang Chanyi, and she said in a low voice: "What? Thinking of capturing her for some fun?"
Yun Che: "…"
Nanhuang Chanyi ignored the mockery in Dong Xueci's words and said to Yun Che and Qianye Ying'er: "Please leave. Private fights are prohibited during the Central Ruins Battle, and the Crown Prince of the East Ruins won't be willing to throw away all of the East Ruins Sect's face here. Go on your way."
To anyone's eyes, Nanhuang Chanyi was stepping in to save them from the imminent crisis… Once targeted by the Crown Prince of the East Ruins, there were very few in the entire Dark Ruins Five Realms who could rescue them. And for someone of her noble status to speak up for unrelated people—perhaps only Nanhuang Chanyi would do so.
Yun Che did not move… Since he didn't move, naturally, Qianye Ying'er didn't either.
No thanks, no departure. Their silence surprised and frowned everyone.
Dong Xueci was taken aback, then burst into wild laughter: "Hahahaha! Nanhuang Chanyi, it seems they don't appreciate your kindness at all! No wonder—you're deliberately spoiling a good thing, so why would they be 'grateful'? What, is it only permissible for you, Nanhuang Chanyi, to lick the toes of Beihan Chu, but not for other women to accept the olive branch I extend?"
"How dare you!"
A roar erupted from behind Nanhuang Chanyi. A man stepped forward, his face grim, his fists clenched, glaring at Dong Xueci.
He too was clad in gold robes embroidered with phoenix patterns, exuding an air of nobility. His profound energy aura was far above Nanhuang Chanyi's—also at the Peak Divine King realm. Yet, he had been standing behind Nanhuang Chanyi the entire time.
"Oh?" Looking at the man who had suddenly stepped forward, Dong Xueci's expression grew playful: "Tsk tsk, isn't this the former Crown Prince of the Nanhuang Divine Kingdom? Oh no—now you're not even a useless crown prince. Without the title of Crown Prince, you've become a complete waste! Hahahaha!"
This man was none other than the former Nanhuang Crown Prince, Nanhuang Ji. One month ago, after receiving news about Beihan Chu, the Nanhuang Divine Lord hastily deposed him as Crown Prince and appointed Nanhuang Chanyi as Crown Princess… But he seemed to bear no resentment, obediently taking his place behind Nanhuang Chanyi.
Nanhuang Chanyi's delicate brows furrowed slightly beneath her pearl tassels. Nanhuang Ji, however, flew into a rage: "Dong Xueci! You… are… asking… for death!"
"Asking for death?" Dong Xueci sneered dismissively: "A mere defeated opponent—you think you're worthy to say those words to me?"
"You!" Nanhuang Ji grew even angrier, a dark light flashing in his eyes.
"Big Brother," Nanhuang Chanyi reached out a hand: "Private fights are prohibited during the Central Ruins Battle. They are but the vulgar words of a vulgar man—why trouble yourself with anger?"
"…" Nanhuang Ji gritted his teeth hard and forcibly suppressed his profound energy.
Dong Xueci's strength and talent in the profound way were extremely high; otherwise, he wouldn't have been chosen as the Crown Prince of the East Ruins. His nature was also exceptionally arrogant and dissolute—a fact known throughout the Dark Ruins Five Realms. But even as a member of a Realm King's bloodline, Dong Xueci had never been this insolent before… Yet now, every word was laced with sarcasm and insult. Nanhuang Chanyi understood the reason all too well.
Dong Xueci shot a mocking smile at Nanhuang Ji, then turned his gaze to Nanhuang Chanyi, his smile dark and sinister: "Nanhuang Chanyi, let me remind you of something. Don't think that just because you've latched onto Beihan Chu's toes, you can soar to the heavens."
"Back then, Beihan Chu came with heavy gifts in person to propose marriage to the Nanhuang Divine Kingdom. Not only was he refused, he didn't even get to see your face. For a man, what greater humiliation is there?"
"Now, Beihan Chu has been chosen by the Nine Radiance Heavenly Palace and become a personal disciple of the Hidden Sword Venerable. The Hidden Sword Venerable himself once said that Beihan Chu would surely become the Palace Master of a palace in the future. With such status and future prospects, you, Nanhuang Chanyi, are no longer worthy of him. Yet he still seems to think of you constantly… Do you truly believe this is because Beihan Chu's feelings haven't changed?"
"Heh!" Dong Xueci let out a cold laugh: "Men understand men best. This act of his is nothing but unwillingness! The humiliation he suffered back then, he will repay to you a hundredfold. Dao companions? No, no—at best, you'll only be a toy beneath his crotch!"
"As for your Nanhuang Divine Kingdom surpassing our East Ruins Sect—that's a fool's dream!"
Dong Xueci's insults grew harsher with each word. Clearly, while his words were full of contempt and mockery, deep down, he harbored resentment and unwillingness.
"Dong… Xue… ci…" Nanhuang Ji trembled all over, almost exploding with rage.
But Nanhuang Chanyi, on the other hand, showed no anger at all. The light, ethereal aura around her barely rippled. She said faintly and calmly: "Crown Prince of the East Ruins, a wise man always leaves himself a way out, no matter the situation. Do take care of yourself."
"Big Brother, let's go."
Without paying any further attention to anyone, Nanhuang Chanyi turned and left. That golden phoenix silhouette was dreamlike and enchanting amidst the wind and sand.
"Hmph!" All his punches had hit nothing but cotton. He had not sensed the slightest anger or humiliation from Nanhuang Chanyi—only a faint scorn. Dong Xueci was extremely displeased, and said coldly: "In every past Central Ruins Battle, your South Ruins Realm, even including your foreign reinforcements, couldn't even gather ten tenth-rank Divine Kings. Last time, you even scraped together two eighth-rank Divine Kings to fill the numbers. Not only did you disgrace yourselves, you lowered the entire standard of the Central Ruins Battle. You're an embarrassment to the entire Dark Ruins Five Realms!"
"Don't be even more pathetic this time than last time!"
Nanhuang Chanyi did not respond. Her figure receded into the distance.
"Let's go," Qianye Ying'er said.
Yun Che turned. As he took a step, he said coldly: "So this is what the so-called Crown Prince of the East Ruins amounts to. Looks like the East Ruins Sect has no future either."
Although Yun Che's words were low, they were clear enough to reach the ears of Dong Xueci, as well as the departing Nanhuang Chanyi and her party. Their bodies all paused simultaneously.
Dong Xueci slowly turned around, neither angry nor annoyed. Instead, a faint smile curled at the corner of his mouth: "Say that again."
"Your Highness, Crown Prince of the East Ruins." Nanhuang Chanyi's clear, gentle voice came through the wind and sand: "Do not forget the consequences of private fighting during the Central Ruins Battle."
Dong Xueci's eyes narrowed into thin slits as he swept his gaze across Yun Che's back, firmly memorizing his and Qianye Ying'er's auras. Then he smiled. "Very well."
"Let's go." Dong Xueci indeed did not strike at Yun Che: "Father King is probably getting impatient. This is the first time someone has dared to defy our East Ruins Sect. I wonder how Father King will react when he learns of this. Who knows—he might be so enraged that he personally goes to the Eastern Domain to kill that arrogant brat called Yun Che."
Just then, a voice transmission from Nanhuang Chanyi simultaneously reached Yun Che's and Qianye Ying'er's ears: "The Crown Prince of the East Ruins is narrow-minded. You should not have spoken to offend him like that. Leave this place soon, or else after the Central Ruins Battle, he will surely make a move against you."
"Where to?" Qianye Ying'er asked.
"To the East Ruins Sect's side," Yun Che said. "Since we've agreed, we should keep our promise."
"Is that so?" Qianye Ying'er shot him a sidelong glance, but suddenly asked a different question: "What do you think of Nanhuang Chanyi?"
"Unfathomable," Yun Che said flatly.
"…!?" This answer made Qianye Ying'er pause in shock. The meaning contained in those two words could be big or small, but in her opinion, such a description should not apply to Nanhuang Chanyi.
"Why?" Qianye Ying'er asked.
"I don't know," Yun Che replied.
"…"