Chapter 102: The Third Prince

Seeing Tianqin Nü’s expression, many young male elites present felt as if their hearts had shattered.

Yet they had self-awareness enough to know Jun Xiaoyao was no one to provoke.

Jun Xiaoyao, watching Tianqin Nü’s softened demeanor, curled his lips into a faint smile.

The truth proved there was no such thing as a cold ice maiden.

Her coldness toward you was not due to personality, but simply because she looked down on you.

The Third Imperial Prince was precisely such a pitiful existence.

Though his status and position were high, in character, ability, and every other aspect, he failed to meet Tianqin Nü’s standards.

In contrast, Jun Xiaoyao appeared to Tianqin Nü as something divine.

His mysterious identity and terrifying strength aside.

Merely his peerless mastery of the qin alone was enough to win Tianqin Nü’s heart.

Unfortunately, Jun Xiaoyao had no interest in Tianqin Nü.

Yet to set a trap for the Third Imperial Prince, Jun Xiaoyao could only agree.

“Since Tianqin Nü extends such an invitation, I shall not refuse,” Jun Xiaoyao said gently.

Hearing Jun Xiaoyao’s acceptance, Tianqin Nü was overjoyed; her previously icy expression bloomed into a captivating smile.

This made the Third Imperial Prince so jealous he nearly developed red-eye disease.

He could not buy her smile with a thousand gold pieces, yet Jun Xiaoyao’s casual agreement made Tianqin Nü laugh sweetly.

“Young Master, please…” Tianqin Nü seemed eager, wanting to play the qin and discuss the Dao with Jun Xiaoyao.

Jun Xiaoyao nodded slightly, leaving with Qin Xuan and Tianqin Nü.

Leaving behind a group of sycophants, staring at each other, bewildered in the wind.

“Sigh, Third Imperial Prince, after all our struggles, we’ve merely made someone else’s wedding feast,” the Young Master of Wanbao Commerce said, approaching with a bitter laugh and a shake of his head.

“Can you truly accept letting that man lay claim to Tianqin Nü?” The Third Imperial Prince’s eyes darkened.

“I warn you only this: best not provoke that man,” said the Young Master of Wanbao Commerce.

“Oh? Do you know his identity?” The Third Imperial Prince’s gaze flickered.

“No, only an instinct,” said the Young Master of Wanbao Commerce.

He had met too many people; he developed instincts for who could be provoked and who could not.

“Can’t provoke him? Hmph, even if he’s an heir of an immortal sect, I am still a prince of the Panwu Divine Dynasty,” the Third Imperial Prince sneered, sweeping his sleeve and leaving.

“Sigh, those who ignore good advice suffer the consequences,” the Young Master of Wanbao Commerce silently shook his head.

He had a hunch the Third Imperial Prince was about to suffer great misfortune.

…

The Immortal Qiong Tower qin contest had now ended.

Yet it stirred considerable ripples.

For the first time, a young generation member had bested Tianqin Nü in qin art.

Feng Qingling, a noblewoman of Wanhuang Spirit Mountain, being crushed by a mysterious young master, shocked many.

In the imperial capital, countless cultivators in taverns and teahouses discussed this news.

“With the Princess Imperial choosing her imperial son-in-law, powerful prodigies are emerging everywhere.”

“Indeed, Feng Qingling of Wanhuang Spirit Mountain was a peerless force among the young generation, yet she was easily defeated.”

“Who knows what other freaks will appear next.”

“I look forward to the Jun family’s divine heir’s arrival—though I’ve heard no word of him coming yet.”

“Keep waiting. I believe the Jun family’s divine heir will not let the Marquis of the Crown remain arrogant.”

…

In the eastern district of the imperial capital, a secluded, elegant villa.

Faint qin melodies occasionally drifted out, intoxicating to the ear.

The moon had climbed past its zenith.

Jun Xiaoyao, clad in white robes, stepped out of the villa, followed by Tianqin Nü, reluctant to part.

“Young Master, it’s so late—won’t you rest inside the villa?” Tianqin Nü’s voice carried a hint of longing.

Inside the villa, she and Jun Xiaoyao had played the qin and discussed the Dao, comfortable and serene.

She had never felt such a sensation before.

“No, I have matters to attend to. Farewell,” Jun Xiaoyao said.

“Is that so? How regrettable. I hope we may meet again,” Tianqin Nü’s lovely face dimmed.

Jun Xiaoyao turned to leave, but Tianqin Nü called out to stop him.

“After such a long exchange, I still don’t know your name?” Tianqin Nü asked, her eyes gleaming.

“To attain immortality is easy; to live free is hard. Farewell,” Jun Xiaoyao departed.

“To attain immortality is easy; to live free is hard…”

Tianqin Nü murmured, then froze as if struck by lightning, her beautiful pupils widening.

“So… it was him…” Tianqin Nü drew a deep breath.

Joy, surprise, delight—emotions churned within her.

She had spent such a long time alone in conversation with such an exalted being.

On the other side, Jun Xiaoyao walked through empty space.

“I’ve lingered long enough—can that one still hold back?” Jun Xiaoyao’s gaze shifted.

He had not gone to play the qin with Tianqin Nü out of boredom.

Besides securing three hundred immortal sources, his primary goal was to set a trap for the Third Imperial Prince.

As Jun Xiaoyao pondered inwardly,

he suddenly noticed surrounding voices had vanished.

Even the lanterns of buildings around the imperial capital had gone dark.

Total darkness enveloped him; not even the chirps of insects or birds remained.

“Oh? You’ve come?” Jun Xiaoyao raised an eyebrow.

Clearly, he had been sealed within a barrier array.

At that moment, a shadow suddenly emerged behind Jun Xiaoyao, a crimson blade thrusting toward his back.

He cultivation realm: He Dao!

Jun Xiaoyao instantly sensed the man’s aura.

“Die!”

A hoarse voice issued from the shadow.

The crimson blade carried lethal sharpness.

“Blood Killing Sword Art—you’re an assassin of Youming Tian,” Jun Xiaoyao sidestepped, slamming a palm into the blade as he spoke.

Youming Tian was a notorious assassin organization in the Huangtian Immortal Realm.

For a sufficient price, they would kill anyone.

Even heirs of immortal sects were not spared.

“Foolish!”

Seeing Jun Xiaoyao block his blade with his bare hand, the assassin sneered.

His realm was already one level higher than Jun Xiaoyao’s, and he wielded a royal weapon, unleashing a supreme assassination sword technique.

Under such conditions, for Jun Xiaoyao to retaliate with his bare hand seemed utterly stupid in his eyes.

Yet the next moment, the Youming Tian assassin could no longer smile.

CLANG!

A sound like metal striking metal rang out.

Jun Xiaoyao shattered the royal weapon with his bare hand.

Moreover, his right arm surged with immortal aura, radiant light blazing.

Six Great Luo Immortal Bones simultaneously amplified his power.

One punch unleashed, causing the void to tremble, ripples spreading outward.

“How is this possible!” The assassin’s pupils constricted in horror.

PUFF!

Jun Xiaoyao’s punch turned the assassin into a bloody mist.

Blood rain fell like scattered petals.

Jun Xiaoyao’s expression remained icy; he glanced around and said calmly, “Come out. Why hide?”

“Heh, we underestimated this prey. Which immortal sect are you heir to?”

From the pitch-black night, four figures materialized.

Besides three black-robed assassins, there was also a blood-robed assassin.

The Youming Tian blood-robed assassin’s cultivation realm: Nirvana.