Chapter 982

Inside Emperor Miaozhang's Imperial Palace.

Xu Jin followed etiquette, performing the rites of a junior to meet Emperor Miaozhang, and simultaneously presented the gift list.

The gift list had been slightly increased in quantity based on the one Master gave him, so it should be very appropriate.

It was mainly because it involved the relationships and standing of Master's generation, which is why he asked Master.

When he was in the Tongxuan Battle Zone, Xu Jin's worst-case plan was to cause a scene and then walk away.

But the Thousand Star Battle Zone is different.

Master, Master's wife, Senior Brother, Second Senior Brother, and others all have close relationships with Xu Jin and have given him rare warmth, so Xu Jin had to be more considerate in his actions.

At Emperor Miaozhang's level, she does not care about the value of this kind of gift list from Xu Jin.

What matters is the sentiment and respect.

After chatting for a few moments and letting Ning Yuchan introduce the disciples under her command to Xu Jin, she began to inquire about Xu Jin's cultivation progress.

"To have raised your cultivation base to the peak of Star-Governing True Person in just over ten years, this talent and aptitude are truly formidable; it is indeed worthy of my Yuchan.

How is your actual combat record?" Emperor Miaozhang asked.

"Reporting to Senior, I have slain True Persons in actual combat."

"Then your combat ability is even better. Have you ever slain a mid-tier True Person?" Emperor Miaozhang asked.

"I have."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Miaozhang nodded in satisfaction, but then glanced at her third disciple, Li Ziyun, and said, "There is one thing I will tell you in advance, so you don't harbor any grudges in your heart."

"Please speak freely, Senior."

"We cultivators do not care for worldly rules.

We only seek what is in our hearts.

Therefore, my third disciple has been quite fond of Yuchan and has pursued her quite a bit in the past, as you just saw." Emperor Miaozhang said.

"I noticed."

Xu Jin nodded slightly, but his expression sank.

Knowing full well that Ning Yuchan is his wife and still pursuing her—although it is said that cultivators only seek to follow their own hearts, this had gone too far. Xu Jin had already made up his mind that if there were an opportunity, he would teach him a lesson or two.

"Xu Jin, I know you are unhappy, but I have one more thing to say. We cultivators only seek to follow our hearts, but I have one requirement here.

Regardless of other people's disciples, my disciples must be willing if they are to love or kill each other!

Therefore, I know my little third one likes Yuchan, but Yuchan has never shown him any favor.

This is because Yuchan is unwilling!

Little Third and Yuchan are both my disciples, so I do not interfere.

I do not stop them, nor do I play matchmaker; this is their freedom.

Little Third likes Yuchan, and I cannot control that; Yuchan refuses him every time, and I support that, for that is her freedom.

Do you know why I went to the trouble of explaining so much to you?" Emperor Miaozhang asked suddenly.

With Emperor Miaozhang saying this, Xu Jin's expression eased slightly; it was a reasonable point after all.

"This junior does not know, please enlighten me, Senior," Xu Jin said.

"Yuchan has deep feelings for you, yet my Little Third is obsessed with Yuchan. I do not know what your temperament is like, and I feared Yuchan might suffer grievances with you, so I went to the trouble of explaining it to you.

I hope you can understand my intentions," Emperor Miaozhang said.

"This junior understands. Please rest assured, Senior; I believe in Yuchan, and Yuchan believes in me," Xu Jin said, cupping his hands.

"It is good that you understand."

Emperor Miaozhang nodded, "Then, what follows is a matter between you juniors! I repeat: it is Little Third's freedom to like Yuchan, and it is Yuchan's freedom to refuse.

As long as no base methods are used, and nothing violates worldly rites and laws, I, as their Master, will not interfere."

"Understood!"

Xu Jin truly understood.

Emperor Miaozhang had said so much, but it was actually just setting the stage.

Creating an opportunity for her third disciple, Li Ziyun.

As long as the methods are fair and open, anything is acceptable.

For example, tarnishing Xu Jin's image, demonstrating his own power, and so on.

Sure enough, just as Emperor Miaozhang finished speaking, Li Ziyun immediately stepped forward and said, "Brother Xu, I heard Yuchan say before that you slay enemies across major realms as easily as cutting leeks! I have heard Yuchan speak countless times of your brilliant and martial feats of overcoming the strong while being weak.

I am untalented, but I would like to ask Brother Xu for some pointers."

"Senior Brother Li, my husband's cultivation base is only at the Star-Governing True Person level; even if you win, it would be an unfair victory!

Moreover, my husband and I have long since pledged our lives to each other.

Even if you defeat my husband, it would only make me resent you and ruin the bond between us as fellow disciples!

I ask Senior Brother Li to think thrice," Ning Yuchan said immediately.

Xu Jin glanced at Emperor Miaozhang, his brow furrowing, and he directly sent a starlight message to Emperor Fenghua.

Someone is pursuing his own wife right in front of him; it would be inexcusable not to give him a few slaps.

But as to how hard he could beat him, he had to ask Master.

"Junior Sister, do not be anxious.

It is not that I am using my cultivation base to suppress others!

How about this: I will ask Master to seal my cultivation base to the level of a Star-Governing True Person, and at the same time, I will not use any True Person killing weapons; I am willing to have a fair fight with Brother Xu!" Li Ziyun said.

"Senior Brother Li, why must you do this!

My husband and I have feelings stronger than gold; even if you win, I will not change my mind in the slightest. Please withdraw quickly, lest you damage our bond as fellow disciples.

Otherwise, if you dare to humiliate my husband in the slightest today, I will surely fight you to the death!" As Ning Yuchan angrily scolded, a dark golden hammer-shaped treasure suddenly appeared and crashed onto the ground, with killing intent overflowing!

Hearing this, Li Ziyun's face and eyes were full of pain and regret.

At this moment, in front of his Master and so many fellow disciples, and even in front of Xu Jin, having said such resolute words, he knew he truly had no chance left!

However, he truly liked Ning Yuchan.

Although with his status and position, as long as he let the word out, countless beauties would drown him.

But precisely because he had reached this status, position, and cultivation, ordinary, mediocre women could no longer catch his eye.

Ning Yuchan's temperament, spirit, and will fascinated him.

But at this very moment, he had completely lost his chance.

It was not a case of love turning into hate; he was not that fragile.

But he was even more curious about Xu Jin!

Now, he just wanted to fight Xu Jin to see the gap between them.

Or perhaps, to prove himself to some extent.

"Brother Xu, my cultivation base is sealed to the peak of Star-Governing True Person; do you dare to fight me!" Li Ziyun challenged!

Xu Jin did not speak, but he was actually happy.

Ning Yuchan used to be carefree and always called him by his name, but now, in front of this outsider, in order to defend him, she kept calling him "husband" and even brought up "feelings stronger than gold." In front of everyone, this sentiment gave Xu Jin only one feeling.

Awesome!

"Why wouldn't I dare!"

Xu Jin responded on the spot.

Ning Yuchan turned her head sharply, her beautiful eyes fixed on Xu Jin, as if asking a question.

Xu Jin gently patted the back of Ning Yuchan's hand, signaling her to be at ease.

A look of doubt appeared in Ning Yuchan's eyes, but she chose to trust him.

Because before this, Xu Jin had never let her down.

"Brother Li, I will fight you, but you do not need to seal your cultivation base," Xu Jin said directly.

Originally, Xu Jin quite disliked this Li Ziyun, but hearing this fellow take the initiative to propose sealing his cultivation base when issuing the challenge, he considered it fair and open, and his impression improved slightly.

"Not seal it?"

Li Ziyun was stunned, "Brother Xu, are you sure? I am an eight-tribulation peak True Person, and you are a peak Star-Governing True Person; this gap—you aren't joking with me!"