Many people looked at Ye Futian with shock. Who was he talking to? Was someone secretly helping Ye Futian?
Minister Hua frowned as well. He looked into the sky but there were no changes. The strong men before Ye Futian were confused as well. Was this guy scaring them? Did he think he could still live?
Looking up, Ye Futian saw that nothing was happening but he still didn’t doubt anything. He believed his gut feeling and judgment. Would his godfather not come out if he didn’t die?
Rustles sounded and vines snaked towards Ye Futian. It was the Lock of a Thousand Vines at the Dharma rank. It covered the sky and was much stronger than his own spell.
Ye Futian’s wings flashed, dodging like a streak of gold lightning. However, the terribly thick vines hurled at him. With a smack, he was hit and fell directly toward the ground. Not only was the opponent at the Dharma rank, he was also at an extremely high plane. How could Ye Futian fight against him?
“No…” Hua Jieyu cried. She and Nandou Wenyin, behind her, tried to go forward but were blocked by all the strong fighters.
“You’ll regret this.” Eyes filled with tears, Hua Jieyu glared at the Nandou clan resolutely.
“Jieyu, we don’t want to do this either.” The Nandou members sighed inwardly, thinking of how much of a b*stard Minister Hua was. He made them do the dirty work.
Ye Futian climbed up but a demon charged at him. With a boom, he was forced down again. Even though his physical body was strong, he still spat out blood instantly.
The rustles sounded again. The Lock of a Thousand Vines wrapped around Ye Futian, rolling him up. At the same time in another direction, a terrifying spiritual storm surrounded Hua Jieyu. Her long black hair flew in the wind and her clothes fluttered. Her Spiritual Qi was released and slowly solidified.
Ye Futian was immobilized in the air. The dagger-like thorns were aimed at him. There seemed to be only one path waiting for him.
“Stop,” a frigid voice said.
“Jieyu, no!” someone cried. Many looked over and saw the same wood elemental Spiritual Qi gather into a wooden thorn. Controlling them, Hua Jieyu stabbed it into her heart. Blood stained her clothing instantly. The attendees of the banquet had already stood up. When they saw this, their hearts clenched. This beautiful girl was so resolute.
The Nandou clan looked at Hua Jieyu, their insides twisting. She had just been made the Crown Princess and their clan had found a shred of their glory from yesteryear. If Hua Jieyu died, everything would fall apart.
“I will die.” Hua Jieyu stared at the strong fighter who had captured Ye Futian. The dagger-like thorn moved in her body but she didn’t seem to feel anything. She just let the blood stream out.
The Nandou member was forced to set Ye Futian down. Now, Ye Futian was dazed. His heart twisted painfully as if the dagger was stabbed into his own heart.
Hua Jieyu started walking toward Ye Futian, step by step. The Nandou clan tried to stop her but Hua Jieyu glared at them. “Get out.” Seeing the blade still buried in her heart, the Nandou clan trembled inwardly. No one stopped her.
Ye Futian, also shaking, walked toward Hua Jieyu. The two lovers walked toward each other step by step as if no one could stop them.
Hua Jieyu gazed at Ye Futian. Her eyes no longer had any sadness or pain. Now, they were brilliant as if she was at her most beautiful age, blooming with the most perfect smile. But seeing this beauty, Ye Futian only felt pain.
“Idiot, why did you do this?” Ye Futian’s trembling body walked to Hua Jieyu. He reached out and wiped away her tears.
The dagger in her heart transformed into Spiritual Qi and disappeared. She gazed at Ye Futian and smiled. “You’re an idiot too.” With that, she leaned against Ye Futian’s body lightly. “You still haven’t hugged me like a bride,” she said gently.
Hearing her voice, tears pricked at Ye Futian’s eyes. He murmured, “I’ll do it now like you’re my bride.” He lifted Hua Jieyu bridal-style. She smiled so brightly. “If I really die, I want to die in your arms.” Her voice was still gentle.
“Okay.” Ye Futian nodded. Hua Jieyu smiled and closed her eyes. Embraced by him so quietly was soothing.
Ye Futian looked at the serene beauty in his arms with extremely gentle eyes. Then, the moment he raised his head, his eyes turned red. “Why?!” he roared at the heavens. Everyone thought he was roaring at fate. Seeing the two figures, many felt it was tragic. They were only 17 and loved each other so much they would rather die than surrender to fate.
Nandou Wenyin’s tears rolled down without stop, like a kite with a broken string. Her heart hurt but she didn’t disturb Ye Futian and Hua Jieyu. Nandou Wenshan was in pain too but he couldn’t change anything. He was powerless and he had a family.
Ye Futian looked at Nandou Tai and asked coldly, “Are you satisfied?”
Nandou Tai was chilled. He had underestimated Ye Futian’s determination, as well as Hua Jieyu’s. However, not everything in the world could be predicted. If he could turn back time, he would make the same decision. As the leader of the Nandou clan, everything was done in the best interest of the clan. He didn’t regret it but he was still sad. There was no more hope for a Crown Princess. Their most successful younger member would be lost forever.
“Since they want to die, just let them,” Minister Hua said coldly. He saw Hua Jieyu’s attitude and it was not only him. Everyone here had seen it. Despite being Crown Princess, she wanted to be with Ye Futian even in death. Therefore, there was no reason to bring her to the Imperial City.
Nandou Tai gazed at Ye Futian and Hua Jieyu. Decisiveness flashed past his eyes. He knew that things could never be fixed from the moment Hua Jieyu stabbed herself.
“If I were you, I would object,” Yi Xiang said coolly, retreating to Ye Futian’s side. “Even if Hua Jieyu becomes empress, do you think the Luo Royalty will allow the Nandou clan to rise? You see a chance for timely help but dream of returning to your past glory without any sacrifices. All you can do is dream. No wonder the Nandou clan is falling. Nandou Tai, you have no boldness at all.”
Ignoring him, Nandou Tai walked forward and ordered coldly, “Kill.”
With that utterance, every member of the Nandou clan shook inwardly. This time, not only Ye Futian would be killed. It also included Hua Jieyu, the most talented woman of their clan. Their hope had been on her so their feelings now went without saying.
At this time, there was a long cry in the sky. Everyone looked up and saw a beast had appeared. It was a crane, diving downward. An elder clad in white sat atop the crane. He was covered in white and extremely old. He sat peacefully on the crane until it landed in within the Nandou clan.
Seeing the old man, Ye Futian was shocked. “Grandmaster,” he called out, “why are you here?”
“While in the School of the Emperor Star, I heard some sounds and was worried so I came to take a look. I didn’t expect it to be like this. I came too late.” Seeing how Ye Futian and Hua Jieyu were now, he was sad. Back in the day, his disciple Hua Fengliu had gone through something similar. Now, his two grand-disciples were the same.
“Grandmaster.” Hua Jieyu opened her eyes. Seeing the elder, her eyes reddened. He was so old and yet had come personally because he was worried.
“Senior, long time no see,” Minister Hua said, squinting at the elder.
Elder Qin looked at him and sighed. “Do you have to make such a big deal over two youngsters?”
“Senior, this is the emperor’s order,” Minister Hua said. “What is the meaning behind your arrival?”
“To take them away, of course,” Elder Qin said calmly.
Minister Hua scoffed. “Senior, you couldn’t win against me before. Why do you think you can take them away today?”
Elder Qin, Minister Hua, and the headmaster of the School of the Emperor Star all had the same master. Elder Qin was the eldest but Minister Hua was the most talented. That was why he could become minister and be trusted by Emperor Luo.
“Yes, you are more talented than I but you are obsessed with power,” Elder Qin said. “Every gain comes with a loss. Since you pursue power, your cultivation will take a blow.”
“Senior, would you like to try? At your age, you should be resting peacefully. I think it would be better if you don’t try.” Minister Hua stepped forward. Elder Qin didn’t like to compete with others and Minister Hua didn’t like that. Before, he had invited Elder Qin to come out of his hermit lifestyle but was rejected. If he had been willing to ally with Yan Shao, Donghai Academy would have long been controlled by the School of the Emperor Star. That was why Minister Hua never liked this senior, even though he had higher status and always stayed in the school. But if he still didn’t know his place today, Minister Hua would kill him without any concern.
“Come,” Elder Qin said. Ye Futian knew he was speaking to him. Holding Hua Jieyu, he jumped onto the crane.
“Wenyin.” Elder Qin gazed at Nandou Wenyin. Her body flashed and she was on the crane as well, beside Ye Futian and Hua Jieyu. Glowing, Yi Xiang hovered in the sky beside the crane.
Minister Hua waved his hand. Instantly, headmaster Yan Shao and vice headmaster Han Mo of the School of the Emperor Star all moved, surrounding the crane. Nandou Tai moved as well. Today, there was no way back. He couldn’t let Ye Futian and the others leave alive.
“Futian,” Elder Qin said slowly, sitting atop the crane, “I will teach you one last song today.”