# Chapter 1857: Human Hearts Are Hard to Guess
The Fourteenth Prince stood with his hands behind his back, with delicate features and an imposing bearing, yet he did not appear aggressive. Instead, a smile that felt like a spring breeze hung on his face.
Walking to the side of Old Mother Qushan, the Fourteenth Prince clasped his hands and bowed politely, saying, "Greetings, Senior Qushan."
With Old Mother Qushan and the Fourteenth Prince leading the charge, the other cultivators who coveted the cultivation resources of Nine Bends Heavenly Star also stepped forward one after another to challenge the Heavenly Beginning Civilization.
"The Heavenly Beginning Civilization has monopolized Nine Bends Heavenly Star and refuses to let outsiders enter. This proves that there must be extraordinary opportunities on the planet."
"We also have a heart that seeks the Dao. The Fairy should not shut us out."
"Such a massive planet must contain endless resources. Isn't the Heavenly Beginning Civilization afraid of choking to death?"
...
Even Lion Green Divine Son and Imperial Ancestor Crown Prince fell silent at this moment, their eyes flickering with strange light.
Although the two were pursuing the Heavenly Beginning Fairy, they also harbored other motives. From beginning to end, they placed sacred path cultivation first. They could see that in the short time since arriving in the Kunlun Realm, the Heavenly Beginning Fairy's cultivation had advanced at an astonishing pace, reaching an unbelievable level.
To say it had nothing to do with Nine Bends Heavenly Star—they absolutely did not believe it.
If they could enter Nine Bends Heavenly Star, perhaps they could both seize supreme opportunities and win the beauty's heart.
Everyone's abacus was rattling loudly, all wanting to claim all the benefits for themselves.
"Who dares to break into Nine Bends Heavenly Star today?"
The Butcher pulled out his large chopping knife and held it in his hand. Immediately, a large amount of wind force gathered in the space between heaven and earth. To be precise, it was not wind, but streaks of sharp blade qi.
The Butcher's cultivation was even above the Fool's.
With just one move—the "Blade Rising Stance"—he caused space to tremble lightly.
"Hmph!"
Old Mother Qushan merely spat out a single "hmph" sound, but to the cultivators on the island, it was like a thunderclap. No one knew how many cultivators were shaken dizzy, their brains aching severely.
As for the Butcher, who was the target of the attack, his body retreated more than ten steps. His face turned extremely pale, and blood flowed from both ears.
Even so, the Butcher showed no fear. He circulated his sacred qi, wanting to attack Old Mother Qushan.
"Stop."
The Heavenly Beginning Fairy shouted softly.
"Heavenly Maiden Dianxia, we cultivators of the Heavenly Beginning Civilization fear no enemy."
Including the Butcher and the Fool, the eight elders of the Heavenly Beginning Civilization spoke in unison.
The Heavenly Beginning Fairy stopped them, fixed her gaze on Old Mother Qushan, and said, "Since everyone insists on entering Nine Bends Heavenly Star to cultivate, Luo Ji cannot continue to block you. However, after you go, do not be disappointed."
Having said this, the Heavenly Beginning Fairy turned and flew back to Nine Bends Heavenly Star.
Li Miaohan's eyes turned cold. "Despicable! Usually, these fellows act like lovesick fools, sticking close to Master and trying to please her in every way. But when the critical moment comes, they still prioritize their own interests."
Zhang Ruochen smiled and said, "Don't be so angry. On the surface, the Fairy appears to be compromising with them. But who's to say she isn't using wolves to drive away tigers? Their entry into Nine Bends Heavenly Star may not be a good thing. They might regret it later."
The cultivators on the island were overjoyed, scrambling to fly toward Nine Bends Heavenly Star.
The Imperial Ancestor Crown Prince, before the Heavenly Beginning Fairy flew into Nine Bends Heavenly Star, raised his voice and said, "The Heavenly Beginning Fairy allowing everyone to enter Nine Bends Heavenly Star to obtain supreme fortune together shows the Fairy's broad-mindedness. If anyone dares to cause trouble on Nine Bends Heavenly Star, do not blame this Crown Prince for being rude to them."
As he said this, the Imperial Ancestor Crown Prince shot a meaningful glance at the Fourteenth Prince.
The Fourteenth Prince smiled slightly and bowed, "Elder Brother."
The Imperial Ancestor Crown Prince snorted lightly, flicked his sleeve, transformed into a beam of golden light, and soared away from the island.
Zhang Ruochen and Li Miaohan returned to Nine Bends Heavenly Star together to pay a visit to the Heavenly Beginning Fairy.
The Imperial Ancestor Crown Prince, Lion Green Divine Son, and several other transcendent proud sons of heaven were all waiting outside the Heavenly Beginning Fairy's cultivation cave, but they were all blocked by the Fool and the Butcher.
The Imperial Ancestor Crown Prince's expression was solemn. "Fairy, Old Mother Qushan's cultivation is profound and her sacred arts are powerful. Earlier, we had no choice but to compromise."
Rarely, Lion Green Divine Son did not contend with the Imperial Ancestor Crown Prince. "This Divine Son is not afraid of Old Mother Qushan either. However, if the two sides fight, it will definitely be mutual destruction. If Blood Bee Shura King is hiding nearby, he can reap the benefits. If the situation develops to that point, it will only be more disadvantageous for us."
The Imperial Ancestor Crown Prince followed closely, saying, "Letting Old Mother Qushan and the others enter Nine Bends Heavenly Star may not be entirely bad. If Blood Bee Shura King dares to come, Old Mother Qushan will definitely act, even if only for the merit points."
There was no response from the cave.
The Butcher's expression was unfriendly. "I'm holding back a belly full of anger right now. If you dare to disturb the Fairy's cultivation here again, don't blame me for being rude to you."
Li Miaohan and Zhang Ruochen walked over.
Zhang Ruochen said, "Everyone has come to Nine Bends Heavenly Star. Aren't you here to seek opportunities on the planet? Why are you wasting time here?"
The proud sons of heaven outside the cave all darkened their expressions.
If it had been anyone else who dared to speak such sarcastic words, they would probably have already turned into a pile of bloody mud.
But, with Zhang Ruochen's current identity as Li Miaohan's elder brother, even if only to show their grace before the Heavenly Beginning Fairy, they had to restrain themselves.
Moreover, Old Mother Qushan had given Zhang Ruochen a very high evaluation. The Imperial Ancestor Crown Prince and the others did not dare to act rashly.
Zhang Ruochen said, "I wish to see the Heavenly Maiden alone."
The anger on the Butcher's face subsided a little. He nodded lightly, opened the stone door of the cave, and let Zhang Ruochen enter.
Li Miaohan originally wanted to follow him in, but when she reached the stone door, she heard Zhang Ruochen's voice transmit back: "Little Sister, wait for me outside."
Li Miaohan showed a puzzled expression and looked toward the Fool beside her.
The Fool smiled at her and said, "Miss Miaohan, please wait outside for a moment. It seems that your elder brother and the Heavenly Maiden have important matters to discuss."
The stone door closed again.
The Fool was actually willing to let Zhang Ruochen meet with Master alone. This showed that her previous thoughts were definitely wrong. Zhang Ruochen was not simply pursuing Master, and moreover, Master and Zhang Ruochen had likely known each other for a long time.
Li Miaohan was not stupid; on the contrary, she was very intelligent.
Precisely because she was intelligent, she found this matter very abnormal.
Of course, Li Miaohan did not think that her pure and chaste Master would have a romantic relationship with Zhang Ruochen. She only guessed whether Master had already formed an alliance with Zhang Ruochen.
"Who exactly is he? How can he meet the Fairy alone?"
"Is he Miss Miaohan's elder brother? But why have I never seen him before?"
"It seems this person has a very unusual relationship with the Fairy. No wonder no matter how we pursue her, the Fairy won't give us a second glance. It seems someone got to the moon first from the nearby pavilion."
...
The proud sons of heaven outside the cave could not calm down. Many showed indignant expressions.
Entering the cave, Zhang Ruochen heard the soft sound of flowing water.
A seven-colored sacred spring, displaying colors of purple, white, blue, black, cyan, red, and gold, trickled along. The seven-colored water mist that rose up made the cultivation cave quite dreamlike.
The Heavenly Beginning Fairy stood by the sacred spring, graceful and elegant, with black hair like a waterfall and a slender figure. She was as beautiful as a breathtaking painting.
She wore no veil, nor was she protected by sacred light. Zhang Ruochen could clearly see an almost flawless side profile—soft contours, curved eyelashes, skin as lustrous as ice crystal sacred jade, with particles of light scattering from it.
"Do you find it laughable?" the Heavenly Beginning Fairy said.
Zhang Ruochen knew what she was referring to. "Not laughable. After all, everyone has selfish motives. Besides, I don't believe you would be angry, depressed, or furious because of their choices."
The Heavenly Beginning Fairy's beautiful eyes finally fixed on Zhang Ruochen, a smile appearing on her face. "Zhang Ruochen! Zhang Ruochen! We've only met a few times. Do you really understand me?"
Zhang Ruochen said, "To save your ancestor, you could sacrifice yourself. For the continuation of the Heavenly Beginning Civilization, you could compromise with people you despise. To repay a favor, you could face powerful enemies head-on. For someone like you, I think romantic feelings cannot affect you. Your heart is stronger than many men's. The Imperial Ancestor Crown Prince and the others may not even be in your eyes."
The Heavenly Beginning Fairy was silent for a long time before saying, "What you see is only one side."
Zhang Ruochen frowned. Had he said something wrong?
"What you see is only a person's strong side. You haven't seen a person's weak side." The Heavenly Beginning Fairy wanted very much to say this, but she did not say it.
For some reason, the Heavenly Beginning Fairy did not want Zhang Ruochen to see her vulnerable side.
The Heavenly Beginning Fairy said, "What important matter do you have?"
"Shen Ya has come to Luo Water," Zhang Ruochen said.
The Heavenly Beginning Fairy's eyes deepened. She paced slowly, muttering to herself, "It seems my choice was not wrong. I should indeed let them all enter Nine Bends Heavenly Star."
The Heavenly Beginning Fairy seemed to think of something. She suddenly raised her head and said, "You should be staying in the Eastern Domain Sacred City. Master Shen Ya hates you even more. If he finds out you've come to Luo Water, he will spare no effort to kill you first."
Zhang Ruochen said, "You should know that I came because of you."
The Heavenly Beginning Fairy turned around, her back to Zhang Ruochen. Her eyes blinked twice. "What do you mean?"
"Exactly what the words say."
Zhang Ruochen said, "Someone once told me that if a woman is willing to risk her life to help me, it wouldn't just be to repay a favor. If this woman is in danger, how could I stand by and do nothing?"
Having said this, Zhang Ruochen walked toward the cave entrance.
"He... what does he mean?"
The Heavenly Beginning Fairy bit her lip lightly, her heart slightly disturbed.
Watching Zhang Ruochen's gradually receding figure, the Heavenly Beginning Fairy found that this fellow was indeed somewhat different from the Imperial Ancestor Crown Prince and the others.
...
(First chapter posted. Second chapter tomorrow at noon.)
(This chapter ends)