Chapter 77: Wu Mingyue Returns to Court, Xiao Chen

“Who are these so-called top figures? Jun Xiaoyao is so malicious, cunning, and cold-hearted—does he even deserve it?”

As Xiao Chen walked along, he had heard countless rumors about Jun Xiaoyao, darkening his expression and prompting him to curse under his breath.

Beside him, Wu Mingyue remained silent, as if burdened by thoughts.

She had gradually realized that Xiao Chen was not as perfect as she had imagined.

Xiao Chen’s ruthless strike against Jun Wanjie made her feel as if she were seeing a stranger.

And now, his face was filled with hatred, yet his heart was brimming with jealousy.

Of course, Wu Mingyue would not distance herself from Xiao Chen over these reasons.

After all, Xiao Chen still had many virtues—he was resolute, unyielding, and treated her well.

Xiao Chen noticed Wu Mingyue seemed troubled and assumed she was worried about returning to court; he asked, “Mingyue, is there truly no way out?”

Wu Mingyue shook her head slightly and said, “I suspect my guardian has already arrived.”

As she spoke, a distant figure—a palace-robed old woman—stepped through the void and landed before Wu Mingyue.

“A Saint…” Xiao Chen’s spirit tensed.

That aura of pressure was unmistakably that of a Saint.

The palace-robed old woman bowed slightly upon seeing Wu Mingyue and said, “Princess, you’ve made me search far and wide.”

“Guimama, you’ve come after all,” Wu Mingyue sighed, unsurprised.

“Princess, you’ve had your fun—now it’s time to return.” Guimama said.

“Hah, and then what? Marry that arrogant, prideful, harem-filled Champion Marquis?” Wu Mingyue sneered.

“Not necessarily. Only the most outstanding men deserve you, Princess.”

“This time, the Divine Dynasty will host a grand banquet, inviting young elites from all factions of the Vast Heaven Immortal Realm to choose your future Imperial Son-in-Law.”

“Also, I’ve heard Jun Clan’s Divine Son has arrived. Have you had any dealings with him? If it’s him, he might be a good choice,” Guimama suggested with a smile.

Hearing this, Wu Mingyue’s expression grew slightly unnatural.

“Dealing” with him?

She had already become Jun Xiaoyao’s female slave.

But this secret was known only to her and Jun Xiaoyao.

Xiao Chen, upon hearing this, exploded.

Why did Guimama have to mention Jun Xiaoyao? It was like walking straight into Xiao Chen’s crosshairs.

“Hmph. Does Jun Xiaoyao deserve even one of Mingyue’s fingers?” Xiao Chen snapped coldly.

“Hm? Where did this brat come from, daring to speak to me this way?” Guimama frowned, releasing a Saintly aura.

Xiao Chen was no Jun Xiaoyao—he could not withstand a Saint’s pressure.

He immediately spat blood and was flung backward.

Wu Mingyue paled and shouted, “Guimama, stop at once!”

“Princess, who is this boy?” Guimama asked.

“He is the Crown Prince of the Azure Dragon Ancient Kingdom,” Wu Mingyue replied.

“Oh? So he’s just a prince from a minor kingdom,” Guimama said, her expression flat, bordering on contempt.

As a Saint of the Panwu Divine Dynasty, she had every right to look down on him.

“This old witch…” Xiao Chen rose, wiping blood from his lips, his face icy as he thought bitterly.

“Xiao Chen, I’m sorry—are you alright?” Wu Mingyue asked.

Seeing this, Guimama spoke coolly: “Princess, remember your station. A prince from such a minor kingdom is unworthy to stand beside you.”

“Your husband must be a prodigy of immense background and extraordinary power—like Jun Clan’s Divine Son.”

“Enough, Guimama. I’ll go with you,” Wu Mingyue ordered her to cease.

She had seen the dark, terrifying expression on Xiao Chen’s face.

“Princess, please,” Guimama said indifferently, no longer bothering with Xiao Chen, a mere nobody.

Wu Mingyue followed her away.

Xiao Chen clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white, and he roared, “Don’t you dare look down on me! On the day Mingyue chooses her Imperial Son-in-Law, I, Xiao Chen, will personally storm the Divine Dynasty’s imperial palace!”

“Hah. A presumptuous ant,” Guimama scoffed, taking Wu Mingyue away without another glance.

Wu Mingyue turned back, lips slightly parted.

Seeing Xiao Chen’s resolute face, the cruel truth remained unspoken.

If she told him now—that she had become Jun Xiaoyao’s slave—

Wouldn’t he explode right there?

“Sigh… I can only take it one step at a time. Maybe someday, I’ll find a chance to make Jun Xiaoyao remove my slave seal,” Wu Mingyue sighed inwardly.

Xiao Chen watched Wu Mingyue walk away step by step, his fists clenched so tightly blood dripped slowly from between his fingers.

“Ancestor, now that we’ve lost the Dragon Bone, what do we do?” Xiao Chen asked inwardly.

Without the Dragon Bone, his Azure Sky Dragon Transformation could not advance further—his cultivation could not grow.

Then how would he compete for her hand?

With his head?

“Sigh… Jun Clan’s Divine Son is truly terrifying…” Qinglong Shiren sighed.

He had never seen a young man so powerful and so calculating.

Compared to him, Xiao Chen, though talented, was utterly insignificant.

“Ancestor, I must grow stronger. I will marry Mingyue and become the Panwu Divine Dynasty’s Imperial Son-in-Law—or I’ll never be able to defeat Jun Xiaoyao,” Xiao Chen gritted his teeth inwardly.

He wasn’t foolish.

He had already envisioned a possible path to success.

“Then there’s only one last option,” Qinglong Shiren sighed.

“Ancestor, speak! If there’s even a sliver of hope, I won’t give up!” Xiao Chen’s eyes lit up urgently.

“Do you know where my Azure Sky Dragon Transformation originated?” Qinglong Shiren suddenly asked.

“Please, Ancestor, enlighten me,” Xiao Chen said.

“This cultivation method was obtained by accident when I entered an ancient lair. Within that lair, a primordial ancient monster from the Ancestral Dragon Nest may be sealed.” Qinglong Shiren said.

“Ancestral Dragon Nest… ancient monster?” Xiao Chen’s eyes widened in shock.

Some prodigies, for various reasons, sealed themselves within immortal or divine sources during their era, waiting for a future age when the path to Dao might open again.

Such prodigies are called ancient monsters—each one terrifying beyond measure, capable of dominating their entire age.

Those sealed for several eons were manageable—the gap with contemporary prodigies wasn’t too vast.

But ancient monsters sealed for dozens, even hundreds of eons? That was terrifying—beyond all reason.

“That ancient lair is extremely hidden—perhaps even the Ancestral Dragon Nest doesn’t know of it,” Qinglong Shiren said.

“Then, Ancestor, you mean the opportunity is…” Xiao Chen said.

“The ancient monster sealed within that lair must have an astonishing origin. Within it, you may find the Supreme Blood of the Azure Dragon lineage.”

“With that Supreme Blood, your Azure Sky Dragon Transformation still has a chance to reach completion,” Qinglong Shiren explained.

“Then I’ll go to that ancient lair,” Xiao Chen clenched his fists, thrilled.

“But be careful—if you awaken that ancient monster, the entire Immortal Realm may tremble.”

“No young prodigy in the Immortal Realm may be able to defeat that ancient monster,” Qinglong Shiren’s tone grew solemn.

The awakening of an ancient monster was no small matter.

It could crush the contemporary prodigies, leaving none to challenge it.

Yet at this moment, Xiao Chen did not hear the warning.

All he wanted was the Supreme Blood of the Azure Dragon lineage—to grow stronger, then storm the Panwu Divine Dynasty for Mingyue.

As for the consequences of awakening the ancient monster? What did that matter to him?