Chapter 135: Embracing Zhao Qingmeng, Shattering the Confidence of the Destined Child
Lin Qi’an’s first entry into Tai’an City caused an overwhelming sensation!
The Nine-Headed Beast pulling the chariot felt immensely proud. Under normal circumstances, seeing this many cultivators would mean it would be hunted by all. But now, as it served the Beiyang Prince, it was the object of reverence!
And as if that wasn’t enough, it could sometimes enjoy a few spirit pills when idle, making its life thoroughly enjoyable. Even if Lin Qi’an ordered it to leave, it would stubbornly refuse—there was no way it was going anywhere!
The chariot sliced through the sky, quickly crossing the Outer City and entering the Inner City, where most cultivators and nobility resided. Suddenly, several people blocked its path.
“Forgive my interruption, Your Highness! I am Wang Li, a direct disciple of Yuxu Mountain, requesting guidance from the Prince!”
“Liu Miao of the Eastern Sea Pavilion, humbly asking for a lesson!”
“Jiang Xiu from Xuanwu Gate, requesting guidance from the Prince!”
These people were prodigies from various sects, each hoping to challenge Lin Qi’an. Winning would make them famous, while even a loss would allow them to brag to their peers.
It was a win-win situation and an opportunity to bask in Lin Qi’an’s fame. Soon, the challengers multiplied from dozens to hundreds, filling the entire airspace around the chariot.
“Your Highness, more people are gathering. What should we do?” Ran Yuwei asked, lifting the curtain with a worried expression.
Declining their challenges might seem dismissive, especially since sparring was part of the grand millennium ceremony. Yet accepting them all would be too much trouble.
Su Xueni smiled and suggested, “Your Highness, perhaps you could address it this way…”
“Good idea.”
Stepping out of the chariot, Lin Qi’an declared loudly, “If you wish to challenge me, go ahead! Set up your own ring, and the final victor will earn the right to challenge me.”
This solution saved him from countless fights while keeping the crowd’s spirits high—an efficient and fair approach.
“The Prince wants us to fight amongst ourselves first?”
“Makes sense. Not just anyone should have the privilege of challenging him!”
“Let’s set up a ring! Whoever wins will get to face the Prince!”
The gathered prodigies quickly agreed, realizing they needed strength to earn the spotlight. Soon, stages were set up across the city as challengers began sparring, drawing even more spectators. The festive atmosphere of the grand ceremony was truly building up.
Lin Qi’an descended to the ground, as flying was prohibited within the Imperial City. Here resided nobility, powerful cultivators, and members of the royal family, all of whom held extraordinary status.
“Well, Tai’an City is lively enough. You are all dismissed—go and enjoy yourselves,” Lin Qi’an ordered his guards.
Keeping them close would only attract too much attention, hindering his enjoyment of the festivities.
“Yes, Your Highness!”
“Let’s go! Time to explore the city! I heard there’s an entertainment quarter in the Imperial City. Let’s go check it out together!”
The guards were equally excited, eager to unwind after their duties.
“Aunt You, don’t you have old friends in Tai’an City? No need to follow me—go visit them,” Lin Qi’an said.
Having ample ways to protect himself, he no longer required a bodyguard, especially since no one would dare act recklessly within Tai’an’s borders.
“As you wish.”
Once everyone was dismissed, Lin Qi’an was left with only Su Xueni, Ran Yuwei, and Zi Lianyou—his three maidservants. With fewer people, it was easier to move around while still having attendants for his needs.
“What a lively scene…”
“Yes! This is the grand millennium ceremony, even livelier than the great hunt!”
While the maidservants were excited by the festivities, Lin Qi’an’s focus had already shifted to two individuals he identified as Destined Children.
Destined Child: Ye Yun
– Treasure: Great Yang Sword
– Destiny Value: 900 (Gold)
– Destiny Core: Great Yang Heavenly Emperor Technique, Golden Crow Divine Fire
– Current Killing Reward: None
Ye Yun’s destiny value had increased since the grand hunt, proving his growth in strength. Moreover, he had acquired a new destiny core: the “Golden Crow Divine Fire.” Lin Qi’an was delighted—whatever belonged to Ye Yun would soon be his.
Just by its name, the Golden Crow Divine Fire seemed to rival the Nine Yang Divine Fire. When the two flames merged, their combined power would be extraordinary. It seemed he’d have to find a way to weaken Ye Yun’s destiny and eliminate him.
The second Destined Child was someone new.
Destined Child: Li Xuan
– Treasure: North Star Desolate Sacred Blade
– Destiny Value: 1200 (Gold)
– Destiny Core: Disciple of a Great Emperor
– Current Killing Reward: None
Though his destiny was high, Li Xuan’s core wasn’t something Lin Qi’an desired. If Li Xuan became a nuisance, he could dispose of him without hesitation. With two great Destined Children gathered here, it seemed this grand ceremony wouldn’t be dull—at least there would be some entertainment!
Just as they reached the gates of the Imperial City…
“Brother Lin!” A girl in a frost-colored dress flew toward him, her delicate and adorable face unmistakable—it was none other than Zhao Qingmeng!
The princess herself had come to welcome the Beiyang Prince. Before the cultivators around them could react, the esteemed princess rushed straight into Lin Qi’an’s arms, embracing him affectionately in public.
“My heavens, is the Prince interested in the younger princess?”
“But wasn’t he engaged to the elder princess?”
“And the elder princess is supposed to be the most beautiful!”
“Maybe the Prince has a unique taste!”
“Ahem, if I were him, I’d want both!”
As Lin Qi’an held Zhao Qingmeng, his Heavenly Fated Villain Divine Eyes came into play, revealing all her details in an instant.
Name: Zhao Qingmeng
Age: 19
Height: 158 cm
Weight: 41 kg
Realm: First Layer, Transcendent
Cultivation Technique: Jade Maiden Sutra of the Heavenly Emperor
Divine Abilities: …
Measurements: …
Health Status: Healthy, last menstrual cycle…
He could see everything, even details as private as her last menstrual cycle! The absurdity of it was beyond belief—just a touch, and he saw it all.
As the two embraced lovingly, indulging in their affection, a figure in the distance arrived—Li Xuan. When he saw this scene, his anger erupted, veins bulging in fury.
That was his fiancée! And yet she ignored him to embrace another man! It was unforgivable—like a pair of shameless lovers!
However, he wasn’t foolish enough to attack recklessly. Judging by the crowd’s whispers, he knew that man was none other than the Beiyang Prince. Acting rashly would be unwise.
“Lin Qi’an! That woman is my fiancée! Let go of her!” His shout was an outlier amid the murmurs of admiration, immediately silencing the crowd.
“What’s with this guy? Did he just claim the princess is his fiancée?”
“Who’s this country bumpkin? Is he looking for death?”
“Daring to compete with the Beiyang Prince for a woman? Even the Crown Prince wouldn’t dare. Who gave him the courage?”
Whispers of surprise and ridicule filled the air. Lin Qi’an turned his gaze toward this new Destined Child—this was the disciple of a Great Emperor.
“Brother Lin, I don’t even know him! He must be delusional!” Zhao Qingmeng exclaimed in disgust, finding him utterly repulsive. The very sight of him made her stomach turn; she had never encountered such an obnoxious person.
Li Xuan’s goal was to provoke Lin Qi’an into making the first move, but he could never have expected that Lin Qi’an would merely glance at him with indifference, then look away as if he were nothing more than street trash.
“We haven’t found a place to stay yet.”
“You can stay at my residence, Brother Lin!” Zhao Qingmeng suggested excitedly.
“Good idea. Let’s go,” Lin Qi’an replied.
Following Zhao Qingmeng, Lin Qi’an passed right by Li Xuan amidst the gathering crowd.
“!!!”
He’s ignoring me? Outrageous! I am invincible among the younger generation! If he dared to face me head-on, I’d crush him in an instant!
“Lin Qi’an! Do you dare to fight me?”
“If you lose, you’ll back off! She is my fiancée! Lin Qi’an, stop!” Li Xuan’s roars echoed behind them, drawing the attention of everyone around.
But Lin Qi’an didn’t spare him a single glance. In that moment, Li Xuan seemed like nothing more than a street clown, no matter how loudly he shouted. To acknowledge him would sully Lin Qi’an’s gaze.
Humiliation—absolute and thorough. With a furious stomp, cracks splintered across the ground beneath Li Xuan.
“Haha, he’s mad now!”
“Shout all you want; His Highness the Prince still won’t care.”
“Hey, do you make keys? Two taels of silver for one?”
(TL: Idk if this is an idiom or not.)
“At that price? No way he can afford it!”
“Want to challenge the Prince? Sure, go win in the arena first. Only the final victor gets
a shot.”
Arena? Hearing this, Li Xuan grabbed the speaker by the collar, demanding fiercely, “What’s going on?”
“T-the Prince… said that the final winner in the arena could earn the right to challenge him. Now, let me go!”
“Arena, huh?” Li Xuan’s lips curled into a twisted smile. Without hesitation, he stormed off.
If there was even the slightest chance to challenge Lin Qi’an, he would take it. Daring to touch his fiancée? He would make Lin Qi’an pay—and he wouldn’t stop until he’d claimed every one of Lin Qi’an’s maidservants as his own!