Chapter 380: Would You Be Willing to Be My Daughter

382. Chapter 375: Would you be willing to be my daughter, adding a line for the Emperor on the Book of Life and Death 【Seeking votes】

Clack clack—

Ten thousand zhang up in the sky, leaden clouds stacked, spring rain hazy, pattering drizzle.

After the great battle ended, the rain lost control, pouring incessantly, growing ever more mighty.

Shendu's Second City.

Above the pavilion erected on White Jade Square, the crows and sparrows were silent; one silhouette after another couldn't help casting glances toward the main seat of the banquet area.

There, two figures rose, and even the Emperor, clad in a bright yellow robe, stood up.

The atmosphere seemed, at this moment, to become somewhat stagnant.

Empress Fengchai trembled slightly, and in her beautiful eyes a hint of astonishment appeared, as she looked at the Emperor, whose visage was veiled with overwhelming divinity and vital energy.

"Let me handle it."

The Emperor spoke.

His tone was filled with unquestionable authority.

The airflow whistled, carrying a few shattered spring rain droplets, bringing a touch of cool vapor.

The Empress was somewhat surprised, because for this Peach Festival, to align with the Western Queen Mother's Guiyi Miao temple deity resonance, the awarding ceremony for the winner of the Young Dragon Contest was usually conducted by her, the Empress.

He did not expect that this time the Emperor would actually speak up, intending to intervene.

What kind of information does this convey?

The Empress's eyes flickered with lively light, pondering the Emperor's purpose, and, recalling his earlier question to her about the little girl Li Nuanxi, considered what about the little girl Li Nuanxi.

At that time, the Empress felt nothing noteworthy.

But now, it seems…

Could the Emperor perhaps have another motive?

The Empress's eyes flickered again, then she gave a faint smile, respectfully bowed, and said: "Since Your Majesty is so interested, then let Your Majesty proceed."

After finishing her words, the Empress stepped back a step, and handed the Emperor a peach that exuded an incredibly strong fragrance, as if a hurricane were sweeping it.

The Emperor seemed to let out a faint laugh, snapped his five fingers, and seized the peach in his hand.

Beside them, Lord Lian had already lowered his head; though surprised inside, he showed no sign.

He turned, leading the way ahead, his voice rose high into the heavens, tearing the airflow.

"We respectfully request Your Majesty to award the Peach to Li Nuanxi, the champion of the Young Dragon Contest—"

Crossing his hands before him, Lord Lian shouted.

The sound resonated, spreading across the entire pavilion like a shockwave, causing many onlookers to stare in surprise.

The heads of major sects, the strong figures of great families and noble houses, and even vassal princes summoned back to Shendu such as Ji Mo Li, and so on…

All displayed astonishment, seemingly not expecting the process to change.

"Why is Your Majesty personally awarding the peach… this does not follow protocol."

The head of the Tian Dan Divine Sect, Gu Changqing, couldn't help furrowing his brows.

In the Peach Festival's procedure, awarding the peach has always been the Empress's duty; the Emperor causing this is a disruption of the protocol, isn't it?

Resonating with the temple deity of the Western Queen Mother's Guiyi Miao at the Sanqing rank is not a good thing.

Originally, Gu Changqing was already quite surprised and uneasy about Li Nuanxi winning the champion, but he did not expect Emperor Dàjǐng to add another obstacle.

The Emperor personally awarding versus the Empress awarding presents a completely different front.

Not only these people, but also Crown Prince Lu Yousheng, Second Prince Lu Hengyi, and Third Prince Lu Leitong, all showed surprise.

They seemed able to sense, from the Emperor's demeanor, his appreciation for Li Nuanxi.

But Third Prince Lu Leitong's expression grew even more displeased.

Lu Leitong clenched his fist, hot breath puffing from his nostrils; after all, when Xixi previously defeated Zhang Yuanhu with a contrivance, he instantly recognized it as a scheme controlled by the Underworld's Horse Face.

In other words, Li Nuanxi has close ties with the Underworld!

And Lu Leitong's mother, Consort Ji Guifei, was killed by the Underworld!

This made Lu Leitong grind his teeth, even contemplating that after Li Nuanxi's defeat in the duel against Zhang Yuanlong, he would step forward to expose Li Nuanxi's collusion with the Underworld.

So that the Emperor would issue an order to arrest them.

Yet he did not expect that Zhang Yunlong would lose, and Li Nuanxi would claim the champion of the Peach Festival, even receiving the honor of the Emperor personally awarding the peach.

Lu Leitong felt some anger, wondering how the Emperor could do this!

Consort Ji Guifei died at the hands of the Underworld, and this Li Nuanxi has some shady dealings with the Underworld!

Lu Leitong clenched his fist, inhaled deeply, and looked at Han Suxi, who stood quietly behind him.

"Diao Temple, you say… should I step forward to expose it?"

"This Li Nuanxi clearly has a huge connection with the Underworld that killed my mother, should I step forward now?"

Lu Leitong asked earnestly.

For him, Han Suxi was his most important foundation now, also his greatest support in challenging the Crown Prince's position.

Han Suxi bowed slightly, a gentle smile on his face: "Your Highness, I think you'd better not step forward to expose."

Lu Leitong raised an eyebrow.

"If Your Highness were to speak out now, it would reflect poorly on Your Majesty and the Empress, even though you seek justice for Consort Ji's death…"

"But Consort Ji is already dead; if her death influences the Emperor's view of you, that would be an unrecoverable loss…"

Han Suxi's expression remained unchanged as he spoke calmly.

In any case, his meaning was clear: you must not jump out now.

"Your Highness, do you know the deeper significance of the Peach Festival?"

"Your Highness, do you know what the more important significance of the Peach Banquet is?"

Han Sixi asked.

Lu Litong took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and already understood Han Sixi's meaning.

His heart trembled slightly, and he also understood.

"I'm a bit excited, just because this girl displayed the methods of the Underworld to obtain the champion of the Chick Dragon Victory Assembly, and my mindset is a little unbalanced..."

"My mind-nature indeed ought to be tempered properly."

Lu Litong nodded.

Han Sixi smiled: "Your Highness, the Peach Banquet Victory Assembly... involves the resonance of temple gods between His Majesty and the Empress, and the Queen Mother of the West of the Three Pure Ones' rank and the Guiyi Miao."

"The impact is huge, so before Your Highness makes a decision, you ought to think it over carefully."

Lu Litong's heart shuddered violently, and a trace of lingering fear appeared in his eyes.

Li Nuanxi, this girl, can always settle things.

But the Peach Banquet Victory Assembly is extremely important; if it disturbs the emperor and empress's temple god resonance...

then the impact would truly be great!

the problems produced would be even more serious!

Even...

He, Lu Litong, would completely lose the qualification to contend for the crown prince position!

Cold sweat, I don't know when it had already soaked through Lu Litong's back.

Lu Litong also couldn't help but feel increasingly grateful to Han Sable Temple.

He, Lu Litong, really can't do without the Sable Temple.

……

……

Lotus Flower Pavilion, the main banquet area.

Lu Chi sat obediently, his eyes lifted, looking at the Xixi standing amidst the ruins, hands on hips, belly puffed out.

A smile couldn't help but appear on his face.

Indeed worthy of Xixi, no shame as Xixi the Great Emperor!

Even the Chick Dragon Victory Assembly cannot suppress you; indeed you stand at its peak!

Although Xixi won by relying on mechanisms and the power of the Third Prince Temple God, a victory is a victory!

Father Emperor even intends to personally bestow a flat peach upon Xixi!

Commoner National Teacher Xie Yunshen also watched this scene with a smile; seeing the emperor actually decide to personally grant Xixi a flat peach, the corners of his mouth grew even more richly smiling.

It seems……

His advice, His Majesty truly has taken it to heart.

……

……

The emperor received the flat peach, his bright yellow robes fluttering in the wind.

The empress bowed and stepped back; the attendant, head lowered, personally led the way ahead.

A low laugh seemed to echo; the emperor stepped forward, and in an instant, as if stepping down from a mountain peak, merely a moment, his bearing and aura underwent a tremendous change.

As if the splendid sun slowly descended upon the world, a supreme aura filled and surrounded, accompanied by an oppressive feeling of extreme terror.

As if the firmament collapsed downward, countless wind and waves wailed, wild howls unceasing, myriad acres of surf torn apart and scattered, the fierce raging like a true dragon constantly encircling his person.

The emperor stepped out step by step, his heavy footsteps echoing on the white jade stones beneath the canopy, as if a resonant sound rang on without cease.

Civil and military officials, the heads of various divine sects and other stronglings all felt a soul-shaking oppressive pressure.

In the ruins of the White Jade Plaza.

Li Che and Lu Taibai stood at the edge area, their brows involuntarily furrowed.

Even the two of them felt immense pressure, as if an invisible hand had tightly gripped his chest.

Li Che's heart jolted.

In his chest, each dao fruit felt at this moment as if facing an immense threat, continuously buzzing and colliding, jumping.

Boom—

Above the firmament, amidst the piled leaden clouds, it seemed as if rolling thunder boiled and surged!

The endless spring rain poured down, compared to mercilessly tearing apart, the rolling dark clouds, like rolling ink, densely unceasing!

The emperor walked step by step; the purple-clad sable temple bent its spine, low-browed and obediently walking ahead; this attendant's cultivation is absolutely not weak, that sudden strike revealed that Li Che realized this person absolutely possesses top-tier peak cultivation.

Terrifying will rose, as if perfectly merging with the will of heaven and earth; a single thought could change celestial phenomena!

The emperor, obviously possesses considerable cultivation!

And this cultivation can even trigger a reactive feedback from the dao fruits!

This emperor's cultivation is probably extremely strong!

Li Che's eyes narrowed slightly, staring at the emperor approaching slowly.

Lu Taibai's silver hair fluttered, eyes narrowed, transmitting via a thread-thin whisper: "Do you think the emperor's cultivation is not high?"

"'That would be a big mistake…… Don't underestimate the emperor's cultivation; however, exactly what level it is, nobody knows, because no one has seen the emperor act.'"

Lu Taibai looked at Li Che: "The Grand Supervisor's ranked Divine God Register and Heavenly Gate Pass have never listed the emperor; outsiders speculate that the Grand Supervisor, out of consideration for His Majesty's status and avoidance, has not included the emperor on the list……"

"'But some also think it's because the emperor's cultivation and strength exceed the list's range……'"

Li Che, hearing this, felt his heart slightly tighten.

"Divine tribulation?!"

Li Che transmitted a sound inquiry.

But…

Would a Divine Tribulation cultivator appearing in the mortal realm not be suppressed by the will of Heaven and Earth? Would it invite the Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations?

In that case, the emperor could hardly conceal his cultivation.

Unless, the emperor's cultivation is so low that he doesn't even qualify for the Divine Register and the Heavenly Gate.

But Li Che felt…

Being able to make the myriad Dao fruits in his chest throb violently, the emperor's cultivation is absolutely not simple.

Although Li Che harbored doubts, he did not continue sending voice transmissions to Lü Taibai.

Because in just a moment, the emperor was already enveloped by a mighty aura, as if completely merged with the will of Heaven and Earth, as if bearing the weight of Heaven and Earth, he walked slowly, the air seeming to solidify completely.

His bright yellow robes fluttered as the emperor, with one hand, grasped that peach whose fragrance overflowed, its divinity, essence, and spiritual energy surging wildly.

The divinity contained in that peach was truly exceedingly rich; besides divinity, it also possessed an immensely abundant spiritual essence!

Li Che's gaze fell upon that peach, and his Immaculate Heart Dao fruit throbbed violently, the booming sound suddenly drowning out the movements of his other Dao fruits.

【Nine-Thousand-Year Ginseng Fruit Peach】

The Star-Plucking Pupil allowed Li Che to instantly see the origin of this peach.

It is indeed a nine-thousand-year peach, not a fake.

Li Che's heart also heated up, for this is a peach that can extend a mortal's lifespan to a thousand years!

As long as Zhang Ya's cultivation does not break through to the Divine Tribulation realm, even if she becomes a Martial Saint and a Divine Embryo, she could rely on this nine-thousand-year peach's longevity property to live for a thousand years!

An intense, extreme temptation emanated from that peach, as if it caused greed to arise unbidden in one's heart.

Xixi's eyes were already blazingly bright, like two incandescent light bulbs, fixed on the peach in the emperor's hand.

The eunuch leading the way brought the emperor before Xixi, deeply bowing and performing the ceremonial salute.

The emperor had already arrived before Xixi.

Grasping the peach, the emperor's visage, entwined with qi and blood and divinity, was utterly indistinct, yet his two eyes shone with an incomparable brilliance.

He slightly lowered his head, his bright yellow robes fluttering in the wind, colliding with Xixi's sparkling bright eyes.

Time seemed to freeze at that moment.

Of course, Xixi's eyes instantly fell upon the peach, not giving the emperor another glance.

She couldn't help but drool.

For Xixi, to reluctantly give this peach to her mother was an enormous challenge!

This peach is truly too fragrant; its rich aroma made Xixi unable to control the stirring of her heart and her cravings.

Yet the emperor did not immediately hand the peach to Xixi.

His gaze fixed on Xixi.

As if he wanted to see through Xixi, to perceive all her foundations.

He stared at the prison-lotus divine mark on Xixi's brow, and the light in his eyes gradually brightened.

The spring rain dripped pattering down, striking the white jade plaza that had fallen into ruin, washing away the scorched black and decay.

The hissing white vapor rising up was like the immortal qi permeating a celestial palace.

"Hahahaha…"

The emperor suddenly burst into loud laughter, no one quite sure what he was laughing at; the gazes of all the powerful figures—civil and military officials, the Divine Sect sect master, and the mighty of the Shijia Zhuzu—all converged on the scene.

His brows furrowed, as if he didn't quite understand what the Dàjǐng emperor was up to.

"Good girl, what a clever and quick-witted girl."

"I am very fond."

The emperor burst into laughter.

Thereafter, he handed the nine-thousand-year ginseng fruit peach in his hand to Xixi; the peach was drawn by an invisible force, drifting down to hover before her.

Xixi, without hesitation, reached out with both hands and directly embraced the peach in her arms.

She took a deep sniff; the peach's intensely rich fragrance surged into her nose and mouth, turning her little face a flush of red, even giving her a dizzy, drunken sensation.

It seemed as if she might stagger while walking.

"Little girl, you've obtained this nine-thousand-year peach; aren't you going to eat it now?"

"It tastes sweet, juicy and refreshing; why don't you give it a try?"

The emperor's visage was hazy, yet his eyes were extraordinarily deep as he looked at Xixi and asked.

Xixi immediately clutched the peach tightly.

"This peach is for Mother! This peach can prolong life; Xixi must resist eating it, saving it for Mother—compared to letting Mother enjoy longevity, Xixi not eating the peach is nothing at all!"

Xixi clung to the peach, looking at the emperor, speaking with utmost vigilance.

As if fearing the emperor might regret and suddenly snatch the peach from her hand.

Upon hearing this, the emperor's eyes seemed to soften considerably at that moment, and he was somewhat stunned.

Unexpectedly, Xixi's acquisition of this peach was actually for her mother.

What a filial act this is!

Know that this is a nine-thousand-year ginseng fruit peach; eating just one allows a mortal to extend their lifespan by years.

As long as one does not break through to the Divine Tribulation realm, one can live for a thousand years!

What an immense temptation this is!

The emperor's gaze was somewhat hazy; he had so many offspring, so many princes and princesses, yet it seemed none of them would, for the sake of his longevity, exert their utmost to seize a peach.

Each prince and princess only seeks to seize the crown prince position early, to sit on the throne early, and hopes for his early death.

At this moment, the emperor couldn't help but feel a little envious of Zhang Ya and Li Che.

To be able to possess such an extraordinarily filial daughter!

The emperor extended his hand, intending to gently pat and rub Xixi's head.

But Xixi, keeping a clear distance, refused and dodged.

The emperor's outstretched hand froze in midair.

Lian Gonggong, seeing this, his complexion suddenly changed; the word "audacious" brewed in his mouth, ready to explode like a cannonball.

However, before he could speak, the emperor's raised palm stopped him, and the words got stuck in his throat, unable to be shouted.

Lian Gonggong placed both palms together and performed a deep bow.

"No problem."

The emperor waved his hand, and on his face—intertwined with qi and spirit, its true features indistinct—a faint, ambiguous smile appeared.

"What a filial maid…"

"If only I had such a filial maid."

The emperor said with a smile.

His words contained envy, though it was unclear whether there was a hidden meaning.

"Maid, shall I grant you a princess title and have you be my daughter?"

The emperor asked with a smiling glint.

His words finished.

In the distance, Li Che furrowed his brows, and Lu Taibai's eyes narrowed even further.

The atmosphere seemed to freeze at that moment.

However, Xixi kept shaking her head.

"Xixi has a father!"

"Xixi will only be the father's daughter!"

Xixi clutched the peach, her eyes resolute and steadfast!

The emperor heard this.

The surrounding air seemed instantly emptied, emitting a faint tremor.

Faintly, the emperor seemed to turn his head and glance at the dutiful Li Che.

"Very well, Li Ban Sheng truly has a fine daughter… I'm envious."

Then, he swung his bright golden robe—embroidered with the dragon of the four seas—splitting the air, and spun around sharply.

Lian Gonggong lowered his brows and nodded.

Xixi held the peach tightly.

Lu Taibai beside him let out a sigh of relief.

The emperor caused no trouble, which was a good thing for Lu Taibai.

When the emperor offered to make Xixi his daughter, Li Che was initially stunned, but after Xixi refused without hesitation, Li Che felt only warmth and delight.

Of course, Li Che also worried that after Xixi's refusal, the emperor might become angry and turn hostile on the spot.

As the sovereign of the Dàjǐng dynasty, overseeing the eleven Dao of Dàjǐng, a true figure whose word carries nine tripods, a supreme personage.

He alone bore the great national aura of the Dàjǐng court; such a figure is absolutely hard to deal with.

But the problem was not great; Li Che had even prepared to bring Xixi into Ink City.

Fortunately, the emperor did not turn hostile, as if he had only spoken a jest.

Li Che truly had not expected that the emperor would try to snatch a daughter from him!

It's not even his own daughter; what's the point of taking her?

Nevertheless, Li Che felt a slight heaviness and added a line to the Book of Life and Death.

The emperor strode forward, his terrifying aura shifting with his steps; the black clouds moved, and the mountain‑like pressure collapsed and dispersed.

The emperor returned to the main banquet table, expression unreadable, then swung his bright yellow sleeves embroidered with the dragon of the four seas and said gravely, "The Young Dragon Tournament ends, commence the new banquet!"

"Peach Festival continues!"

"Begin the Heroic Banquet!"

The emperor waved his hand grandly, his deep voice booming like thunder striking the world, resonating in every corner.

The next moment.

Lian Gonggong instantly straightened up and shouted, "New banquet!"

"Begin the Heroic Banquet—!!!"

The sound rang out, instantly like ancient weight atop a snow‑capped peak being struck repeatedly, the sound waves rippling outward, shattering the spring rain!

The atmosphere instantly heated up.

Inside the gates of Shendu's First City, eunuchs and maidservants carried new delicacies on plates, marching out in perfect order.

They replaced the assorted delicacies before each banquet guest with fresh, new delicacies.

Still with wine, dishes, and meat, the quality of the fare had risen a whole level.

An extremely rich aroma rose, weaving through the great pavilion of Shendu's Second City, making the crowded martial‑world guests at Shendu's Third City gates salivate and feel deep envy.

But these martial‑world guests all knew.

Participating in the Peach Festival was beyond their status; merely squeezing in to see the event was already extremely difficult.

"Gurgle gurgle..."

Various swallowing sounds echoed from inside and outside Shendu's Third City; the taverns there had already been booked, and at this time, the fine wine and dishes served were assumed to be the Peach Festival delicacies.

Xixi naturally saw the new dishes, and happily clasped the nine‑thousand‑year peach, rushing swiftly toward the main banquet area where the Dry Origin Divine Sect resided.

She returned to the main banquet area and, with joy like offering a treasure, handed the peach to Zhang Ya.

"Mother! Xixi did it! Xixi won this precious nine‑thousand‑year peach for you! If Mother eats it, you can extend your life by a thousand years! You can stay with Xixi and father forever!"

Xixi broke into a happy, radiant laugh.

Zhang Ya's eyes were already moist, she covered her mouth, feeling deeply moved, for she clearly understood how much effort Xixi had put in to win this peach for her.

How perilous and arduous it was to win this Peach Banquet.

"My good daughter."

Zhang Ya pressed her lips, spoke softly, placed the nine-thousand-year peach on the banquet table, embraced Xixi, and held her in her arms.

"Mother, don't cry, Xixi will strive to become strong, become very strong and sturdy, forever protecting Mother, and will also strive to protect Father! Of course, when Xixi needs to become stronger than Father!"

Xixi, held in Zhang Ya's arms, also mimicked an adult's gesture, lightly patting Zhang Ya's shoulder.

This made Zhang Ya unable to hold back a puff of laughter.

"Mother, hurry and eat this peach! This is Xixi's filial devotion to you!"

Xixi said excitedly.

However, it was stopped by Lü Taibai.

"This nine-thousand-year ginseng fruit peach is of extremely high rank, containing immense divine essence, vital energy, and spiritual aura; it cannot be casually swallowed."

"Given Zhang Ya's mortal body, she may not be able to refine it; before consuming this peach, she must make preparations, set up some formations to help her better refine the peach's vital energy and spiritual nature!"

Lü Taibai hurriedly said.

Upon hearing this, Xixi instantly felt a bit regretful, having thought she would soon see her mother gain a thousand years of longevity and immortality.

However, recklessly consuming heavenly treasures inherently carries great danger.

Xixi is no longer a complete novice ignorant of cultivation, so she did not resist.

Zhang Ya didn't mind; after putting away the peach, she began accompanying Xixi in tasting the second banquet.

The newly served dishes of the second banquet were of much higher quality overall than those of the first banquet.

But it's no surprise, after all, the second banquet is the Heroes' Contest.

The Peach Banquet is divided into two feasts.

They are the Dragonet Contest and the Heroes' Contest……

And among them, the Heroes' Contest is the one that attracts the most attention!

After all, the Dragonet Contest, put bluntly, is still a group of children fighting; even if these children's cultivation is extremely high, to the many cultivators watching, it remains children fighting.

But the Heroes' Contest is different.

Because, the great heroes are the mainstay forces of the divine sects and the Shijia Zhuzu!

Without becoming a Martial Saint, without condensing a divine fetus, one doesn't even qualify to participate in the Heroes' Contest.

The true heroes between the ages of fifteen and fifty can overwhelm a region, their bearing unmatched!

And now, everyone is curious about the rules of the Heroes' Contest.

They are also curious whether the Heroes' Contest's reward is likewise a nine-thousand-year ginseng fruit peach, just like the Dragonet Contest!

"Eat."

oCO

Li Che affectionately rubbed Xixi's head.

How could one not love such a daughter?

For Mother's longevity, she strives to fight and kill, yet she is only six years old.

Li Che is all too aware of Xixi's victory over Zhang Yunlong, that transformation after closing and opening her eyes.

That was the divine intent lingering in Xixi's soul from her future self being triggered.

You should know, triggering such divine intent carries enormous risk.

If the future Xixi harbors ill intent, there is even a possibility of her taking over Xixi's body, becoming a case of the magpie occupying the dove's nest!

But Xixi still made such a decision!

Li Che accompanied Xixi and his wife Zhang Ya, whose eyes were rimmed red, as they tasted the second banquet together.

The second banquet began, and the atmosphere became considerably more fervent.

Perhaps because the Dragonet Contest warmed up the crowd, thoroughly heating the venue.

However, the cost of this so-called warm-up is actually not small.

The first Dragonet of the Purple Mansion Divine Sect, Zhang Yuanlong, even paid with his life because of it!

Many, while savoring the delicious feast, had their minds wandering, curious about exactly how the Heroes' Contest rules work.

Whether it is the same as the Dragonet Contest?

The victor can obtain a peach of slightly lower age, then choose whether to offer it as a sacrifice, thereby deciding whether to continue to the next round!

The various heroes from the great divine sects, the Shijia Zhuzu, and feudal princes' descendants, however, found the delicious second banquet a delicacy, losing its taste.

Each one pondered the possible rules that might appear in the Heroes' Contest.

The Golden-haired Xuan from Wushen Mountain sat behind the banquet table, his eyes like two blazing white lamps, fixedly staring at Li Che, biting mouthfuls of roasted spirit beast meat, his gaze fiery.

The Golden-haired Xuan's fighting spirit soared; he had readied himself to utterly crush Li Che, bringing the wager between them to a close.

But after the Golden-haired Xuan carefully considered his wager with Li Che, he realized he seemed a bit like a foolish dog!

Because, the wager between Li Che and him, Li Che is essentially getting something for nothing!

If Li Che loses, he merely has to hand over the Golden Tai Sui.

But if the Golden-haired Xuan loses, he must, like the Golden Tai Sui, become a slave!

This damn……

Why, when Li Che loses, does he have no cost at all, just handing over a Golden Tai Sui?

Not even a trace of blood relation exists, nor any possibility of affecting Li Che's mindset.

And yet his Golden-haired Xuan……

I've sold myself!

Who says this Li Half-Saint is just a clueless blockhead who knows how to carve divine wood sculptures?!

Spring water pitter-pattered down.

Crack-crack!

Spring thunder rolled forth suddenly within the leaden clouds high above ten thousand zhang.

The sky gradually grew dark.

After one round of the Young Dragon Contest, it had lasted about half a day more, so the sky gradually grew dim.

But the banquet behind Shendu's second city was in full swing.

The senior eunuch lowered his brows, took small steps, hands clasped in front, and returned to the main banquet area where the emperor and empress were.

He looked toward the emperor and empress, as if asking whether they should announce the rules of the Heroic Contest.

The emperor turned his head to look at the empress: "Let the empress announce the rules of the Heroic Contest."

"My earlier arbitrary decision has muddled the details between the Flat Peach Contest and the temple god's resonance..."

"Then please help me tidy up the loose ends, Empress."

The emperor gave a light smile.

"Your Majesty overpraises; as the emperor of the Dàjǐng dynasty, how could I disrupt the Flat Peach Contest?"

"However, since Your Majesty wishes for me to come, then... thank you, Your Majesty."

The empress bowed and gave a snort-laugh.

Then, under the emperor's cold, stern gaze, she rose slowly, unbothered, dignified and splendid, clad in splendid robes, wearing a phoenix crown, her brows and eyes like a painting, her vermilion lips curling into a picture-perfect smile as if stepped out of a scroll.

Her gaze was gentle, the model of motherhood for the world.

Sweeping her gaze over the crowd, like a spring breeze, she drew everyone's attention.

The originally lively second banquet suddenly fell silent.

Shendu's second and third cities instantly became deathly silent.

Everyone's gaze gathered behind the empress.

The empress unfurled her wide sleeves, and instantly, like a phoenix spreading its wings, flowing golden light shone brightly, as if to reclaim the splendor the emperor had taken.

Everyone lowered their chopsticks, their eyes gleaming, as they looked at the empress, peerless in grace and splendor.

As if in an instant she attracted all gazes, even gathering the entire Flat Peach Contest's vigor into herself.

Everyone felt their hearts sink slightly.

"Esteemed officials, the Flat Peach Contest is already past its midpoint, the champion of the Young Dragon Contest has been decided; thus, after the second banquet's tasting, this session's Heroic Contest will have a highlight."

"I announce that this session's Heroic Contest officially begins!"

The empress's voice surged forth grandly, as if forming a sound-wave ripple.

Everyone drew a deep breath, held it, focused, and listened to the forthcoming rules.

"I will now personally announce the rules of the Heroic Contest..."

The empress's gaze swept over the entire crowd.

Then she gave a dignified smile.

"Heroes from under heaven gather in one hall, radiant and dazzling, vying for the flat peaches..."

"After discussing with His Majesty, we have set the rules."

"Having passed the preselection of the Heroic Contest and entered it, the heroes from the great divine sects and aristocratic families number a full one hundred."

"They will all activate a strand of the Queen Mother of the West's divinity on a flat peach branch..."

"Then they will enter the most mysterious part of the Three Purities-tier Queen Mother of the West's Queer Temple's Queer Gate... the interior of the Flat Peach Garden!"

"Heroes, in the first round you will enter the thousand-year Flat Peach Garden; obtaining five thousand-year flat peaches allows you to advance to the second round, the five-thousand-year Flat Peach Garden."

The empress's voice was grand and surging.

Although she is a woman, her voice is exceptionally clear, reaching everyone's ears.

The empress folded her wide sleeves before her.

She gave a dignified smile.

"Also, I would like to remind you of one thing."

"Heroes, within each round's Flat Peach Garden..."

"You may pick only one flat peach."