Chapter 138: Going After the Ex-Fiancée! Lin Qi’an Invites Zhao Yunji
Everything Li Xuan was doing, Lin Qi’an observed clearly with his Heavenly Fated Villain Divine Eyes.
Trying to pursue Zhao Yunji? How laughable.
As the most aloof goddess of the Canglan Dao Domain, Zhao Yunji was known for setting her sights higher than anyone. People said she could never fall in love with any man, no matter how outstanding he was.
Her heart was devoted solely to the Dao; if anything, she would spend her future with the Way itself.
Yet Li Xuan, oblivious, was trying to court her. To make things more interesting, Zhao Yunji already had another Destined Child fawning over her—Ye Yun. If these two crossed paths, it would be quite a show.
…
For the past few days, Zhao Yunji had stayed within her residence, occasionally wandering around or sitting in her garden, seemingly lost in thought. The maidservants couldn’t help but notice her unusual behavior.
“What’s going on with the princess these days? She seems so restless.”
“I don’t know… Usually, when the princess cultivates, she can go half a month without eating or drinking. But lately, she seems like a different person!”
“I have a theory! Do you think it’s because of the Prince’s arrival?”
“Shh! Don’t say such things carelessly, or you’ll lose your head!”
“But wasn’t the Prince once engaged to the princess? Even if the engagement is annulled, it seems her unease began when he arrived.”
“That actually makes sense…”
From her pavilion, Zhao Yunji heard every word the maids whispered, given her cultivation level. Her face turned bright red, and she couldn’t help but bury it in her arms, feeling utterly embarrassed.
Ever since she had last seen Zhao Qingmeng and witnessed her rapid improvement in cultivation, Zhao Yunji had been shaken. All of it was because of Lin Qi’an.
Moreover, Lin Qi’an had mastery over the same lightning techniques that she practiced. If only she could be closer to him, she might gain everything she desired… But all of these possibilities vanished with the annulment of their engagement.
When her father, the Sword Emperor, arrived in Tai’an City, she harbored a faint hope that the engagement set by their elders might still be salvaged.
However, he didn’t mention it, not once. To her frustration, Lin Qi’an immediately went to Zhao Qingmeng’s side and even stayed at her residence. Unbearable!
‘Fine,’ she thought to herself. ‘Even if you come to see me in person, I’ll ignore you.’
“Your Highness!” A maid approached, interrupting her thoughts.
Zhao Yunji straightened herself, asking calmly, “What is it?”
“The Prince requests an audience!”
“Lin Qi’an?!” A flash of joy crossed her heart, but Zhao Yunji replied coolly, “Invite him in.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
She quickly adjusted her attire and hair, restoring her usual dignified appearance. Soon enough, Lin Qi’an was led over by the maids.
“What brings the Prince to see me?” Zhao Yunji asked, her tone neutral.
“It’s been some time, and I see Your Highness’s cultivation has improved quite a bit,” Lin Qi’an replied with a smile.
“You as well.” Zhao Yunji could sense that Lin Qi’an’s realm was in the early Celestial Realm.
But how strong was he truly? Only the heavens knew. Among the younger generation, he was undoubtedly the hardest to measure, shrouded in mysteries.
“Oh, nothing in particular. I just thought to visit. Our battle during the Great Hunt was probably the most exhilarating fight I’ve had.” By mentioning the hunt, Lin Qi’an deliberately tried to stir up Zhao Yunji’s memories.
And it worked.
“Speaking of that, I still appreciate your help back then. May I ask where you learned such refined lightning techniques?” Zhao Yunji inquired.
“Lightning techniques? It was a stroke of luck. During the Great Hunt, I stumbled upon an ancient cave and unexpectedly received the inheritance of the Thunder Emperor.”
“The Thunder Emperor!” The name made Zhao Yunji’s eyes widen with shock. Among the countless lightning sects in the world, the strongest lineage of lightning cultivation was undoubtedly that of the Thunder Emperor, who had ascended to the rank of Great Emperor with his mastery of lightning techniques.
Lin Qi’an actually held the Thunder Emperor’s legacy… Zhao Yunji swallowed, a wave of regret surging through her heart. If he were still her fiancé, perhaps she, too, could have had the chance to study the Thunder Emperor’s techniques.
’What a pity!’
“Why, Your Highness, are you interested?” Lin Qi’an asked with a hint of amusement.
“Yes!” she replied promptly, surprised at her own enthusiasm.
“As a fellow lightning cultivator, we could study the techniques together and make progress as one,” Lin Qi’an suggested.
“Really?!” Zhao Yunji’s face lit up with delight.
“Here’s the plan. Tomorrow, I’ll send someone to bring you to a location where we can study the technique’s together. Make sure to dress inconspicuously.”
“Alright!” With a smile, Lin Qi’an said, “Then I shall take my leave.”
His words weren’t directed solely at Zhao Yunji; he knew they were being overheard by Ye Yun, who had been lurking in the shadows.
Ye Yun had always viewed Zhao Yunji as his prized possession, intolerant of any competition. When he saw Lin Qi’an visiting her, he hid nearby to eavesdrop. Lin Qi’an, fully aware of Ye Yun’s presence, had planned everything.
The person coming to meet Zhao Yunji tomorrow? That would be Li Xuan!
Li Xuan was eager to win Zhao Yunji’s favor, armed with ancient lightning techniques he’d obtained from his master. Now, with Li Xuan and Ye Yun on a collision course, the real fun would soon begin.
…
The next day, Li Xuan arrived as planned, wearing freshly laundered clothes and having even taken the time to tidy his hair, all in hopes of making a good impression on Zhao Yunji.
“Lin Qi’an, watch closely as I win over your ex-fiancée.”
Meanwhile, Ye Yun, stationed as a guard outside Zhao Yunji’s residence, was on high alert. Determined to disrupt any interaction between the Prince and the princess, he resolved to allow no one through.
When he saw a man approaching the residence, he immediately grew suspicious.
“You again!” To his surprise, it was none other than his recent opponent, Li Xuan.
“Well, if it isn’t the defeated weakling,” Li Xuan sneered. “Step aside—I’m not in the mood to fight today. I have more important matters to attend to.”
“If you want to see the princess, you’ll have to get past me first!” Ye Yun responded coldly, instantly offended at being called weak.
“I’ve brought ancient lightning scriptures to share with the princess. Now move aside!”
“Studying lightning techniques?” A glint of murderous intent flashed in Ye Yun’s eyes.
Was this man sent by Lin Qi’an? If so, he had to die.
“Fine. The princess is away from the residence. Follow me,” Ye Yun said, pretending to lead him to Zhao Yunji while actually guiding him to the city’s combat arena.
“Why did you bring me here?” Li Xuan demanded, suspicious.
“Fight me again. Defeat me, and I’ll let you see the princess!”
“Another round? You really think you can win?”
It was noon, a time when Ye Yun’s strength, bolstered by his Great Yang Heavenly Emperor Technique, was at its peak. Intent on defending the princess, he readied himself for a full-force battle.
The two clashed once more, their duel causing tremors that shook the arena, drawing a massive crowd of spectators. Were it not for the protective barrier around the ring, the surrounding area would have been reduced to rubble.
In the end, it was another hard-fought battle that left both parties severely injured. Ye Yun managed to gain a narrow victory, but he was left bloodied and exhausted, while Li Xuan’s condition was even worse—his body charred and scorched.
“You’ve actually gotten stronger!”
“Enough talk! You lost—now get out of here. Acting as Lin Qi’an’s errand boy… what a waste.”
“Who are you calling Lin Qi’an’s errand boy?”
“Aren’t you?”
A silence fell between them as they both began to piece things together.
They had been played.
“That damned Lin Qi’an… he set this up to make fools of us!”
“You idiot! Out of my way!”
The two raced back to Zhao Yunji’s residence as fast as they could, but by the time they arrived, she was already gone.
Zhao Yunji had been quietly escorted away by Lin Qi’an.
“Damn it, search everywhere!”
Ding! Destined Children Li Xuan and Ye Yun both suffered severe injuries. Destiny values decreased by 200 each.
Seeing this notification, Lin Qi’an smiled to himself. His plan had worked perfectly! Thanks to their lack of intelligence, his scheme had succeeded with ease.
Currently, he and Zhao Yunji had arrived at the secluded Tiannu Lake on the western side of the city. Dressed in plain clothes and without any attendants, they had gone unnoticed by the crowds.
“Why… why did you bring me here?” Zhao Yunji asked, her voice soft and tinged with a hint of shyness, her beautiful face faintly flushed.
“To study lightning techniques together, of course. Let’s board one of the boats—no one will disturb us there.”
The lake was dotted with small boats, mostly carrying couples enjoying the tranquil surroundings.
Zhao Yunji didn’t respond but quietly followed Lin Qi’an onto one of the boats.