Inside the main hall of Wanghai Villa.
The long table was laden with a lavish spread of dishes, emitting an alluring aroma that made one's mouth water.
However, Lin Sheng's attention was not on the feast before him, but rather on a half-person-sized brocade box.
Inside the brocade box, a piece of meat about the size of two human heads was clearly visible.
Attached to it were two golden-yellow scales, each the size of a human head.
Just by this one glance, it was clear that the owner of this piece of flesh and blood was definitely an enormous creature.
"The Wanghai City Military Department killed a Heavy Yin King Python some time ago, and there were some remnants left, which I had transferred over. Is this piece enough for Your Excellency Lin Sheng?"
Lingyu Princess sat opposite Lin Sheng, a gentle smile on her face, and asked.
"It's enough. Thank you, Princess."
Lin Sheng withdrew his gaze, a smile also appearing on his face as he nodded.
He had to admit, having connections indeed made things extremely efficient.
Using Lingyu Princess to search for Yao Beast Materials was undoubtedly much more convenient than doing it himself.
"However, Your Excellency Lin Sheng, what do you need Yao Beast flesh and blood for?"
Lingyu Princess asked softly, a hint of curiosity in her eyes.
She was quite surprised that Lin Sheng wanted Yao Beast Materials.
After all, Yao Beast flesh and blood were mostly refined into various rare Medicinal Pills.
Could it be that Lin Sheng also knew Alchemy?
"This one has a Secret skill cultivation that has reached a critical juncture, requiring Yao Beast Materials to assist in the cultivation."
Lin Sheng explained with a smile.
He was not lying; using Yao Beast Materials was indeed for the cultivation of Heavenly Serpent Bone Exchange.
"Secret skill cultivation? No wonder. However, Secret Skills that require Yao Beast flesh and blood for cultivation are generally quite dangerous. After all, Yao Beast flesh and blood contain more or less residual Yao Beast wildness. Your Excellency Lin Sheng must be extra careful when cultivating."
Upon hearing this, Lingyu Princess nodded.
Indeed, the cultivation of some special Secret Skills would require Yao Beast Materials for assistance. As a member of the imperial family, her vision was naturally not comparable to ordinary people, and she understood the dangers involved, which was why she offered the reminder.
"Naturally. However, this Secret skill cultivation might still require other Yao Beast Materials. I will have to trouble the Princess again then."
Lin Sheng nodded, then spoke again.
This time, he primarily wanted to try out the Mimicry Talent with the Yao Beast flesh and blood.
As for which Yao Beast to refine, he still needed to identify and confirm.
"No problem. Between you and me, there's no need to be so polite. I have already sent a message back to the Imperial City, and I estimate that our matter will be settled soon."
Lingyu Princess smiled and nodded, her face inevitably flushing a little as she spoke the last part.
"That's good too."
Lin Sheng nodded, his expression calm.
Since he had already made a choice, there was nothing to hesitate about.
He had a good impression of Lingyu Princess before him.
Moreover, as a member of the Southern Qi imperial family, she would be of great help to him.
Although the progress was a bit fast, it didn't matter. He was inherently someone who disliked trouble, so settling it quickly was good.
The two chatted while dining.
"The scenery in Dongzhou is unique, and there are many stunning islands among them. One island named Butterfly Island has particularly beautiful scenery. Would Your Excellency Lin Sheng be willing to accompany Lingyu for a visit in a few days?"
Lingyu Princess poured a glass of fruit wine for Lin Sheng and said softly.
Although her cheeks were flushed, she still looked directly at Lin Sheng, showing a certain boldness.
Hearing this, Lin Sheng was momentarily stunned. After a brief silence, he looked at her expectant eyes and finally nodded in agreement.
"There's no problem with that."
"Then it's settled. I'll send a carriage to pick you up then."
Seeing him agree, Lingyu Princess's smile bloomed, and her heart was filled with joy.
Just as she was about to say something more, a maid walked quickly into the courtyard.
She whispered a few words into Lingyu Princess's ear.
Lingyu Princess frowned, then said,
"Tell her that this Princess is not available right now. Tell her to come another day."
"Yes, Princess."
The maid curtsied and then hurried away.
Watching the maid leave, Lingyu Princess withdrew her gaze and offered Lin Sheng an apologetic smile.
"Please don't mind it, Your Excellency Lin Sheng. After we finish our meal, would you be willing to have a spar with Lingyu?"
"Of course you can..."
At the same time, outside Wanghai Villa.
"My apologies, Young Master Mo Yun. The Princess is currently entertaining a guest and is not available to meet with you. Young Master, please come another day."
"Is that so? Then Moyunzi was presumptuous. I didn't realize the Princess's residence had a guest. In that case, another day will be fine. Please convey my regards to the Princess."
Hearing the maid's words, Moyunzi's signature gentle smile stiffened slightly, but quickly returned to normal, as he replied very gracefully.
After speaking, he turned and left.
However, as soon as he turned around, the smile on his face had vanished, replaced by an indescribable gloom.
Back in the carriage, he could no longer restrain himself and crushed the incense burner on the table.
"A guest!? This bitch, who in this Dongzhou can compare to me, Moyunzi, daring to give this Young Lord the cold shoulder!!"
His expression became twisted and sinister.
From Lingyu Princess, he felt an unprecedented sense of frustration. The feeling of wanting something but not being able to obtain it only twisted his heart further, intensifying his desire to possess her.
"Damn bitch, one day I will let you know this Young Lord's methods. By then, I will make you kneel and beg me."
His fists cracked, clearly seething with anger.
"Hai Zhanglao, I want to know who this bitch is entertaining!?"
He spoke coldly.
The silent old man in green robes heard this and did not reply, but his figure vanished directly from the carriage. In less than a cup of tea's time, he returned.
"It's that boy from Dark Star."
Hai Zhanglao said slowly.
Crack!
As his words fell, Moyunzi had already slammed his palm down, smashing the table, made of high-quality jade, into powder.
"This bitch, is she treating this Young Master as if he doesn't exist!? How dare she treat me like this for that boy."
His heart was filled with murderous intent. If he hadn't considered the potential trouble it might cause, he would have truly wanted to kill all these Dark Star people.
Seeing his Young Lord in such a state, Hai Zhanglao finally spoke.
"Young Lord, there's no need to be angry. That Lingyu Princess can only be yours in the end."
"The front lines of the war are intense. That Tang Zhong and Zhao Hongzhang have fought again, and I heard that this time Tang Zhong was more seriously injured. The Sect Master has already sent a letter to the Imperial City to propose marriage for you. I estimate there should be news soon."
At this, the anger on Moyunzi's face dissipated, replaced by a look of surprise.
"I didn't expect Master to have already made arrangements in advance. Then, Hai Zhanglao, will this time be successful!?"
Previously, the Sect Master of Sea King Sect had also proposed marriage to the imperial family, but Jing Emperor had politely refused.
So, he was not sure if it would succeed this time.
Hai Zhanglao, however, remained calm and said indifferently,
"Times have changed. Now, the Northern Yan army is pressing down, and the war is deadlocked. Southern Qi does not have the upper hand in the war. In such a situation, every force becomes crucial. Although our Sea King Sect's strength is not as great as the Military Department and the imperial family, we are still among the top ranks of the other major forces."
"Especially with the recent demise of the Tianluo Sect, which has had a significant impact on Southern Qi's overall strength. In this situation, if the Sect Master actively proposes marriage to the imperial family, the imperial family cannot easily refuse. So, it's highly probable that they will agree this time."
At this point, Hai Zhanglao's face showed a smile as he looked at Moyunzi.
"Young Lord, you are the future Sect Master of Sea King Sect. Moreover, this matter concerns the future grand plan of the Sect. The Sect Master will naturally help you resolve it."
"So that's how it is. I didn't expect Master's arrangements to be so cunning."
After hearing what the old man in green robes said, Moyunzi was overjoyed, a smile appearing on his face, which quickly turned a bit colder.
"This time, I want to see what that bitch Lingyu can do. Once she's in my hands, I'll definitely let her thoroughly experience this Young Lord's methods."
Thinking of Lingyu Princess's graceful figure and goddess-like face, his heart became fervent and twisted.
"Alright, Young Lord, now we just need to quietly wait for the reply. There's no need to stay in Wanghai City anymore. Why don't we return to the Sect first?"
Hai Zhanglao said at this moment.
"Alright, I'll go with your suggestion, Hai Zhanglao."
Moyunzi, in a good mood, no longer had any desire to continue lingering in Wanghai City.
Once the imperial family made their decision, he would make Lingyu Princess seek him out at the Sect herself.
Soon, the Red Flame Bull carriage had already driven out of Wanghai City and headed outwards.
However, just a few hundred li outside the city.
Inside the carriage, Hai Zhanglao seemed to sense something, and his figure flashed, disappearing from the carriage.
Moyunzi, who was embracing beautiful courtesans in the carriage and playing with them, did not pay attention to this, merely glancing before withdrawing his gaze.
The thought of being able to possess that bitch Lingyu filled his heart with an uncontrollable restlessness.
So, at this moment, all his energy was focused on the courtesans before him.
In just a few breaths, Hai Zhanglao had already returned.
However, this time, Hai Zhanglao, who usually had a calm and composed expression, had his brows furrowed, showing a hint of surprise.
"What's wrong, Hai Zhanglao!?"
Noticing Hai Zhanglao's return, Moyunzi asked with some confusion.
"The reply from the imperial family has arrived."
Hai Zhanglao said slowly.
"What!! It's already here? That's great! Did they agree?"
Hearing this, Moyunzi was first stunned, but then quickly overjoyed, and immediately asked.
Hai Zhanglao, however, was somewhat silent, not answering immediately.
Seeing this, Moyunzi frowned.
"What!? Could it be that the imperial family still refused?"
"That's not it. That old Jing Emperor agreed to the marriage proposal."
Hai Zhanglao shook his head slightly, then paused and continued,
"It's just that the intended bride is not Lingyu Princess."
"What!! Not Lingyu?"
Hearing this, Moyunzi's face immediately darkened.
"You'd better see for yourself, Young Lord."
Hai Zhanglao directly handed over the letter in his hand.
Taking the letter, Moyunzi glanced at it, then directly crushed it into pieces, his expression even more grim.
The letter stated that Lingyu Princess already had an engagement, so they arranged for Princess Changhu to marry him instead.
"This old man is clearly trying to fool our Sea King Sect!!"
His fists clenched, bones audibly cracking.
"Changing from a Princess to a Princess, it seems like an increase in status, but who doesn't know that Lingyu Princess's status is incomparable to that of an ordinary Princess? Moreover, this Princess Changhu is rumored to have low Bloodline potential and doesn't rank at all among the younger generation of the imperial family. That old Jing Emperor certainly plays a good game."
Moyunzi gnashed his teeth, furious that the imperial family would respond in such a way.
"That bitch Lingyu has been single for so many years, how could she suddenly have an engagement? Nonsense!"
Seeing his Young Lord in a fit of rage, Hai Zhanglao shook his head slightly and said slowly,
"According to the intelligence received from the imperial family's secret agents, Lingyu Princess indeed has an engagement."
"What did you say, Hai Zhanglao!?"
Moyunzi suddenly looked up, his eyes bloodshot.
He knew Hai Zhanglao wouldn't lie to him, so if he said it, then it was undoubtedly true.
Thinking of this, he narrowed his eyes and asked in a deep voice,
"Who is it!? Who dares to steal this Young Lord's woman!?"
Hai Zhanglao was silent for a moment before speaking.
"It's that Blazing Star Envoy from Dark Star named Lin Sheng."
"How is that possible!?"
Moyunzi's face showed an expression of disbelief. He had considered many potential rivals, but he had never thought of Lin Sheng.
"Is that Jing Emperor senile? Marrying Lingyu to that boy!?"
"This matter is basically confirmed, and Tang Zhong was also behind it, pushing for it."
"Tang Zhong!?"
Hearing that name, Moyunzi's expression changed.
Regarding that peerless Great Grandmaster who overshadowed all of Southern Qi, probably no one could take him lightly.
"Could it be that the boy named Lin Sheng has some connection with Tang Zhong?"
"That's not the case. Perhaps they want to fully draw Dark Star into Southern Qi's side."
Hai Zhanglao shook his head slightly. When he learned of this matter, he was equally surprised.
"But it doesn't matter anymore. With Tang Zhong's involvement, the plan will likely be difficult to implement smoothly."
"Impossible, how can we give up so easily?"
Moyunzi's expression, however, became calm at this moment, his face regaining its composure, but his eyes were filled with gloom, as if he was contemplating something. Soon, he spoke slowly,
"This matter concerns the grand plan of the Sect. Marrying that Princess Changhu will give us no opportunity to control the imperial family."
At this point, Moyunzi's gaze fell on Hai Zhanglao, his words carrying an indescribable sinister quality.
"Hai Zhanglao, isn't that bitch Lingyu in Wanghai City right now? Since the soft approach won't work, then let's just not have so many scruples..."
"Young Lord, you mean...?"
Hai Zhanglao was startled, looking at Moyunzi, his eyes flickering non-stop.
"What else could it be? Once the deed is done, I don't believe that bitch Lingyu can still escape my grasp."
Moyunzi said with a sinister grin.
He had developed an obsession with Lingyu Princess in his heart. If he didn't obtain her, it would likely affect his subsequent cultivation. So, no matter what, he couldn't let this opportunity pass.
"This..."
Hai Zhanglao's face showed hesitation.
He hadn't expected Moyunzi to have such a thought, but upon careful consideration, it was indeed a possible solution.
However, he couldn't make the decision himself. After thinking, he said,
"I will inform the Sect Master of this matter and see how he decides."