Chapter 390: The Death Light of the Kunlun Mirror

The Kunlun Mirror’s Death Light – Li Che had been capturing it ever since the days of the Thousand-Year Peach Orchard.

Even now in the Millennial Peach Orchard, he still couldn’t capture a full moon disc – only a half-moon disc of Kunlun Death Light had formed.

Li Che wasn’t even sure if using this Kunlun Death Light to ripen the Millennial Paotao would work.

But he’d try ripening it first; if it fell short—

He would simply attempt to capture more. After all, the choice to leave the Peach Grove was in his hands, meaning he could stay there as long as he wished.

Of course, Li Che wouldn’t linger too long, even though this place was an excellent training ground.

Not only was the divine aura potent here, but the overwhelming energy of Heaven and Earth surpassed even the training chamber in the Imperial Watch Tower, and in some ways, outclassed any spot in Divine Capital.

Divine Capital, with its countless Bizarre Temples, was a genuine paradise abundant with divine power; yet its magnificence still paled in comparison to that of the Millennial Peach Orchard.

“If I can’t ripen it this time—then I’ll come back next time—”

Li Che’s mud pellet at his brow trembled as the Cosmic Chessboard’s web unfurled. A shimmering, illusory light cascaded down, bathing the green paotao.

For Li Che, who wielded the Feilei Chess Piece, failing to ripen it now simply meant another chance next time.

Since he had already been here, returning wouldn’t be a challenge.

Even though this place lay within the Western Queen Mother Bizarre Temple – a forbidden section of the Sanqing Bizarre Temple –

the Feilei Chess Piece, as an offshoot of Dao Fruit power and arguably a conceptual force, led the way!

When he first entered the Peach Orchard, stepping into the Thousand-Year Peach Orchard, Li Che was discreet, making no dramatic moves.

After all, since the Peach Orchard was nestled within the forbidden confines of a Sanqing-level Bizarre Temple, discretion was paramount.

However, as the Heroes’ Contest went on, Li Che managed to complete his conquest while hiding his martial cultivation.

By the time he reached the Nine-Thousand-Year Paotao Garden and the Millennial Peach Orchard, Li Che began to get a bit brazen.

Of course, his greatest assurance came from the Chess Sage Dao Fruit acquired after his four-stage transcendence.

The shielding aura of the Cosmic Chessboard grew even stronger. Coupled with the illusory dreamscape of the Dream Celestial, its concealment was peerless, perfectly obscuring the scene glimpsed by the Tianhe Ruyi Hairpin.

It was with this confidence that Li Che managed to pluck the entire batch of Nine-Thousand-Year Paotao—even the Millennial ones.

In fact, he only harvested three Nine-Thousand-Year Paotaos in the Dream Celestial’s illusion, as required for ascending through the Millennial Peach Orchard.

As for the other two, by then Li Che had already ascended the orchard; who would even know where they went?

Gurgling, Li Che’s eyes flickered as he sensed the light of the Cosmic Chessboard being slowly absorbed by the green paotao, which swelled at a visibly rapid pace.

Suddenly his eyes brightened: “It works!”

With that, Li Che stopped holding back on the Kunlun Death Light and began channeling every bit of it into the paotao—forcing it to ripen, and then ripen even more!

This trip to the Millennial Peach Orchard had, in fact, been well worth it.

Not to mention the newly acquired Four-Yu Divine Weapon, the Ju Xian Flag; although it was just the Yellow Flag among the Eight Ju Xian Banners representing the mysteries of Heaven and Earth.

After all, it was still a component of the Sanqing Divine Weapon set.

It granted Li Che the chance to eventually assemble the complete Sanqing Divine Weapons, and more importantly, it drew in the Unsullied Heart Dao Fruit.

Moreover, the confidence from the Feilei Chess Piece allowed Li Che to inspect the Millennial Peach Orchard’s allure and determine what was attracting the Unsullied Heart Dao Fruit.

If it turned out to be a trap, he could always use the Feilei Chess Piece to escape.

That’s why ever since stepping into the Millennial Peach Orchard, his palm had clutched the Feilei Chess Piece.

Time passed slowly, second by second.

Within the Cosmic Chessboard, the Kunlun Death Light was being gradually drawn out, like a ball of yarn shrinking as you roll it into a tight bundle.

With a sudden rumble, Li Che’s eyes snapped open.

Glancing at the barren Kunlun Death Light on the Cosmic Chessboard, his eyes winced with a trace of pain.

The final beam had stopped transmitting—because it was enough.

The ripening effect on the Millennial paotao might be somewhat diminished, but it was still far better than leaving it unripened for Li Che to harvest.

On the massive, swollen paotao of the Millennial Peach Tree, a heady aroma coalesced into thick, intertwined tendrils.

A mere glance was enough to captivate Li Che’s mind.

“It’s done!”

Li Che couldn’t help but feel a surge of joy.

After so much effort, at last it had ripened!

In an instant, the Heaven and Earth Soul returned to the mud pellet at his brow. As Li Che sat in meditation, his body, continuously transforming from devouring the Nine-Thousand-Year Dragon Blood Paotao, gradually revived. The moment he stood up, even the air seemed to tremble, rippling with undulations.

The soft ground beneath him appeared to cave in instantly.

Li Che’s jet-black hair whipped wildly as his spine transformed in an instant into something resembling a mighty dragon piercing the heavens, exuding a terrifying vitality and power!

With his arms spread wide, every inch of perfectly toned muscle shimmered—each twisted fiber radiating an awe-inspiring golden Pure Martial aura!

Having reached a 92% Pure Martial transformation, it meant that Li Che’s body was now closer than ever to the innate Pure Martial form!

The Cosmic Chessboard, now shrunken and hovering above Li Che’s head, while lacking the probing power of the Tianhe Ruyi Hairpin in the Millennial Peach Orchard, still provided a shield of aura and perception when Li Che activated his martial prowess.

As his toes touched down, even the air seemed to constrain and burst forth.

In an explosive burst, clad in a black robe billowing like a flash of lightning, he launched toward the ripened Millennial paotao.

Li Che employed his martial arts to harvest the paotao, a tactic borne out of caution against the guardian beast of this Millennial paotao.

The guardian beast of the Nine-Thousand-Year Paotao had already reached its pinnacle, and that of the Millennial paotao—

should very well be at the top tier!

Boom!!

As expected.

The moment Li Che reached out for the paotao, an overwhelming, savage aura suddenly erupted—like a volcano on the brink of explosion or a just-awakened demon king!

A colossal, white-furred giant ape emerged, its eyes flashing with a bewildered yet furious glare, as if awakened from a deep slumber by the sudden maturity of the paotao.

Stirred by the paotao’s abrupt ripening, its anger stemmed from someone daring to pluck its prized fruit!

“Die!”

A fierce, chaotic aura surged, with light streams ravaging like raging wildfire!

The white ape lifted its massive body like a soaring dragon and slammed its enormous fist down on Li Che. The very air beneath that fist was obliterated in an instant by pure, terrifying force!

Li Che cast a quick glance and his heart tensed – indeed, there was a guardian beast!

And it had unquestionably reached the top tier!

Li Che recalled his time at the Divine Sect Mountain Gate, spending days with Elder Fang Han Shu reading, chatting, and cultivating.

Elder Fang had once explained the mysteries deep within the Bizarre Temple.

While top-tier divine experts were rare in the mortal realm, in the depths of the Bizarre Temple they were not uncommon.

The Bizarre Temple itself, a mysterious place capable of shielding cultivators from the calamities of the mortal realm, housed not only the Temple Spirit of the Bizarre Temple but also various mutated guardian corpses, guardian beasts, demons, and more born from the corruption of divine essence.

And besides these—

there were even the indigenous creatures of the Bizarre Temple!

The Bizarre Temple’s native beings!

The first time Li Che heard this, his eyes shrank in shock, and his heart pounded in terror.

Elder Fang, with a smile, explained that the Bizarre Temple was a world that truly existed – perhaps even a realm superior to the mortal world.

Now, witnessing the white ape guarding the paotao display top-tier power only deepened Li Che’s conviction.

Li Che’s face hardened as his Pure Martial aura surged. In his spine, seven Qimen Divine Seeds roared into action, dazzling like stars scattered across the night sky!

Dragon Elephant Furnace!

Gripping his fist wide, he threw a punch.

A massive hearth, inscribed with a dragon-elephant motif and forged with his life’s blood, materialized.

It unleashed a fearsome power as it clashed with the white ape guarding the paotao!

Their fists collided with such ferocity that violent gusts shook the entire Peach Grove; brilliant flashes erupted like a furnace’s blaze, illuminating the Heavenly Dome!

The white ape was utterly stunned – it let out a piercing cry, leaned back, and was propelled hundreds of feet away, bouncing to land atop the farthest Millennial Peach Tree. Its body trembled as each strand of its fur stood on end.

As a top-tier demon king in the Bizarre Temple, its knack for sensing danger was extraordinary.

This human who dared pluck his paotao posed a massive threat!

He was incredibly powerful!

Since he was so formidable, it decided to spare this audacious human for now!

The white ape let out a resounding “Ooh ooh”, then leaped upward, dissolving into a flash of white light that merged with the enclosing eerie mist of the Peach Orchard before vanishing.

Li Che ascended, his golden hair cascading down like a cape. His muscles bulged with incredible definition as he radiated pure strength, his eyes trailing streams of golden mist.

Observing the white ape’s retreat after their clash, Li Che fell silent for a moment.

He didn’t pursue it – his only objective was to harvest the paotao. He wasn’t about to engage a top-tier demon king in a fight.

Striding as if airborne, the air beneath him surged.

With his fingers splayed, he reached out to pluck the Millennial paotao.

A sharp thud resounded.

The fully ripened paotao landed in his hand, its intoxicating peach fragrance nearly softening one’s very bones.

Li Che’s pores seemed to open up as he fervently absorbed the essence of the paotao, causing his aura and blood to boil uncontrollably.

“What a treasure!”

“A peerless wonder of the Sanqing realm – the Millennial paotao!”

Li Che’s breathing quickened noticeably.

Having just devoured a Nine-Thousand-Year paotao, he wasn’t in a condition to show off further.

With two fingers brought together like a sword slicing through the air, he opened his Qiankun Space and hurled the paotao straight into it.

Whoosh—the Millennial paotao was safely stored away.

The entire cosmos seemed to hush, and the Peach Grove fell into profound silence.

Only the rustling of the peach tree leaves amid the breeze could be heard!

“Everything… is over.”

Li Che’s golden aura gradually retracted into his meridians as he refined the energy of the Nine-Thousand-Year paotao. The ever-expanding golden aura pool continued its slow transformation.

He landed gracefully; in an instant, a ring of golden flames burned around him, purging the area clean.

The aura subsided completely; the golden glow faded, and his blood pulsed in calm equilibrium.

Li Che clasped his hands within his sleeves, his eyes opening and closing as he gazed through the gaps between the peach leaves, caught in the glimmer of Kunlun Mirror light.

Add a few cicada chirps, and this Peach Orchard transformed into an unexpected vacation paradise.

“There might be Peach Orchards from even higher years, but only the truly ancient gods could savor those,” Li Che mused as he shook his head.

He did not dwell on whether there were Two-Thousand or Three-Thousand-Year Peach Orchards.

That was beyond his reach.

Lifting his head, he sensed the last remnant of Kunlun light within his Cosmic Chessboard.

Suddenly, Li Che smiled faintly.

It was as if the Kunlun Mirror’s radiance had scorched a half-moon section right on the Cosmic Chessboard.

With a single thought, the Kunlun light started to surge in, filling the half-moon disc completely.

“Since I’ve carved out the half-moon disc, that’s the limit of my captured Kunlun Death Light. To push beyond, I must capture the first ray of Death Light from the Kunlun Mirror again.”

Li Che pondered this thoughtfully.

In the next moment, a smile played at the corner of his lips.

The Heaven and Earth Soul soared from the Cosmic Chessboard, drawing near to the Qiankun Haori Kunlun Mirror.

Unlike the Ju Xian Flag, this Qiankun Haori Kunlun Mirror was a genuine Sanqing Divine Weapon – and its grade wasn’t even at the lower level!

Not being able to claim this Sanqing Divine Weapon left Li Che with a twinge of regret.

But with this excursion to the Millennial Peach Orchard, Li Che’s haul was more than ample.

A man must learn to be content.

As for the Kunlun Mirror…—

He’d come back another time.

Once the half-moon disc on the Cosmic Chessboard was fully saturated with light,

Li Che’s jet-black hair whipped about as he surveyed the entire Millennial Peach Grove, leaving behind a Feilei Chess Piece.

Then, his mind stirred as if grasping the divine essence of the Temple Spirit from the Western Queen Mother’s temple.

In an instant, his form twisted like a spiral and vanished.

His departure caused not even a ripple throughout the Peach Grove.

A gentle breeze, soft and calm.

Heavy clouds loomed high above, with occasional flickers of electric currents. Spring thunder brewed, rolling ominously.

With a clamor of thunder, spring lightning crisscrossed the sky like branches.

Both Divine Capital Second City and Third City

remained as bustling as ever,

even if a drizzle the size of beans couldn’t dampen the fervor of these martial cultivators.

Li Bansheng had entered the Millennial Peach Orchard!

Not even the Tianhe Ruyi Hairpin, controlled by the Empress, could penetrate the secrets of the Millennial Peach Orchard. How could the numerous martial cultivators not be curious what benefits Li Bansheng had reaped from that legendary orchard?

Would a Millennial paotao be plucked by Li Bansheng, one wonders?

After all, three days ago, when Li Bansheng entered the Millennial Peach Orchard, the Empress had declared,

“When the paotaos are unripe, there will be none to pluck.”

Yet three days later, Li Che had not emerged—and that made many wear a look of concern.

For as long as Li Che remained inside, the Peach Festival continued unabated.

At the Jade Plaza, banquet tables were arranged in neat rows as the clan heads, heroes, and young dragons of various Divine Sects sat to feast on the sumptuous dishes prepared by the Great Jing Court.

Since the contest dragged on, the Great Jing Court had to keep serving lavish banquets.

XiXi was overjoyed—this was, by far, the happiest period of her six-year life. There was no worry beyond eating, eating, and more eating.

In XiXi’s world, Father had become the leader of the heroes, and all she needed to do was wait for his return.

Day after day, with new culinary delights, XiXi’s small belly ballooned round and round.

Her little face growing a bit chubbier.

Clutching a braised big pig’s trotter—sourced from a mythical spirit pig with succulent, exquisite meat—XiXi devoured three or four of them daily.

“Eat slowly; no one’s competing with you,”

Zhang Ya said gently, her eyes kind as she placed her own portion of the pig’s trotter onto XiXi’s plate.

“Husband—why haven’t you come back yet? It’s been three days. You’ve been in that Millennial Peach Orchard for three days now. Aren’t you in any danger?” she asked with worry.

Zhang Ya’s concern grew.

Ever since XiXi and Li Che had become the dual champions of the Peach Festival, Zhang Ya had been ecstatic.

But as three days passed, that joy slowly gave way to worry over her husband’s prolonged absence. Lü Taibai, his silver hair flowing and white robe billowing, joined the True Martial Divine Sect’s leader Shi Jian in drinking.

“Xiao Ya, rest assured. The Empress said that when the paotaos in the Millennial Peach Orchard are unripe, Li Che won’t dare to pluck them and thus won’t encounter the guardian spirit beasts. The guardian of the Millennial Peach Orchard should be of the top-tier. If Li Che were to face one, there’d be trouble. But since none appear,

no other troubles will befall him.” Lü Taibai said with a warm smile.

The Qianyuan Divine Sect had in fact emerged as the biggest winner of this Peach Festival.

As the sect leader, how could Lü Taibai not be jubilant? How could he not revel in song and drink?

As for Li Che’s safety, those who knew him well and had witnessed his formidable divine prowess had no further concerns.

Buzzing—

Suddenly,

On the Jade Plaza, a sinuous, dragon-like aura of divine power appeared unexpectedly.

At that moment, both inside and outside Divine Capital’s Second and Third Cities, everything fell silent.

The chattering martial cultivators became utterly mute, then exchanged troubled glances and heavy breaths.

“He’s back!”

“Li Bansheng has returned from the Millennial Peach Orchard!”

“The king returns, our champion returns!”

Cheers erupted that shook the heavens.

Everyone present was filled with anticipation.

After all, Li Che’s performance in the Heroes’ Contest had won over everyone!

Taking on three foes single-handedly, he had slain three heroes of the Purple Mansion Divine Sect, including the notorious Zhang Xuanlei.

Later, he crushed Yuguanyin and subdued Goldmane, winning a bet that made Goldmane submit in awe!

For the martial cultivators of the Great Jing realm, seeing Goldmane bow in submission was the most exhilarating spectacle!

Divine power intertwined, gradually coalescing into Li Che’s figure.

With his inky hair flying and his ornate black robe rustling melodiously, his gentle and elegant countenance shone forth.

Li Che brushed off the frost and debris from his body, then clasped his hands within his sleeves.

Having not preemptively scouted the outside through the Feilei Chess Piece on XiXi, he slowly raised his head.

Countless awed and excited gazes converged, colliding with his own.

Whether from within Divine Capital’s Second City, Third City, or from among the martial cultivators on the city walls of Third City, all eyes were fixed on the slender, dark-robed figure.

In many minds, the past three days—sweeping like a storm through every street and alley—had heralded the legendary exploits of Li Che, the Divine Condor Half-Saint and champion of the New Heroes’ Contest.

A grassroots fighter from a small town, who left home with his family, traversed from his humble origins to the Capital and then to Daocheng, an honest and hardworking Divine Condor Master!

He had created a grassroots underdog legend!

Passion, excitement, adoration—all these bursts of emotion erupted like fireworks.

“Li Bansheng!!!”

“Li Bansheng!!!”

“Our champion!”

The cheers roared like a tidal wave, shaking the earth!

At the sound, Li Che’s face softened into a gentle smile. He clasped his fists in greeting toward the martial cultivators shouting his name.

“Father!”

A piercing cry of joy and exultation rang out.

Turning his head, Li Che saw XiXi, who had just swallowed a whole pig’s trotter, spring from behind a banquet table. With wide, determined eyes, she bolted forward, and then, like a speeding cannonball, rushed straight into his arms.

Li Che laughed heartily, a tender glow in his eyes.

Raising a hand, he gently swept her into a hug.

“Father, you’re finally back!”

“I missed you so much, I nearly wilted like a flower!”

XiXi wrapped her arm around Li Che’s neck affectionately, using the words he had taught her.

“Father, I am the champion of the Young Dragon Contest!”

With bright eyes, she boasted.

“Father, you are the champion of the Heroes’ Contest!”

“Our father-daughter duo is truly unstoppable!”

XiXi beamed with pride, standing with her hands on her waist, her little belly proudly out.

Li Che chuckled and patted her gently on the belly.

“You’ve eaten so much these three days; you’ve put on a lot of weight.”

XiXi immediately frowned, “Girls’ tummies can’t be patted!”

Li Che burst into even louder laughter.

Zhang Ya emerged from the main banquet area, her little steps betraying her lingering worry. But her face soon broke into a broad, radiant smile as she called out, “Husband!”

Li Che, ignoring the surrounding stares, gathered his wife and daughter close.

Home was where family warmth and completeness reigned—

a life so divine that many could only dream of such an immortal existence!

Thunder rumbled in the spring, and the rain fell thickly.

Even the spring rain seemed to soften in that moment.

Then suddenly,

the raucous martial cultivators fell silent one by one,

as a slender figure draped in purple appeared—a representative of the Zi Yi Dian Temple, the one overseeing the Peach Festival.

Eunuch Lian, now present before Li Che’s family, wore a kindly, respectful smile and bowed deeply.

“Champions, please come with me. His Majesty and the Empress will soon bestow your rewards,” he said.

Zhang Ya smoothed out the wrinkles on Li Che’s robes before returning to the main banquet area of Qianyuan Divine Sect.

Li Che had intended to bring Zhang Ya along to see the Emperor and Empress,

but she refused, so he did not press the issue.

Nodding to Lü Taibai, Li Che led XiXi as they trailed behind Eunuch Lian, up to the far end of the Jade Plaza where the main dais stood under the city tower of Divine Capital Second City.

Atop the dais, the Emperor, clad in a vibrant yellow robe, sat regally.

The Empress, majestic and dignified, looked at Li Che with eyes that held myriad emotions.

Li Che noticed many familiar gazes from nearby: from the eldest, second, and third princes, as well as the eyes of Ji Mo Li, National Teacher Xie Yunshen, and Lu Chi.

Li Che, holding XiXi’s hand, strode forward with dignified assurance.

“I am Li Che, accompanied by my daughter Li Nuǎnxi. We greet Your Majesty and the Empress.”

Standing upright, Li Che clasped his fists and announced.

“How dare you! How can you not kneel upon seeing the Great Jing Emperor?” roared the Third Prince from the dais’ side.

No sooner had Li Che spoken than a tense hush fell;

the atmosphere grew inexplicably ominous as spring rain turned brutal.

Outside Divine Capital Third City, many martial cultivators’ expressions shifted abruptly.

Li Che merely shot a cool glance at the Third Prince,

but said nothing further.

Then the Emperor waved dismissively, “No matter – the champions of the Heroes’ Contest and the Young Dragon Contest are both our pride, defenders of Great Jing’s honor. Such heroes need not kneel before me.”

The Third Prince’s face paled in fear as he quickly clasped his fists in apology and withdrew.

The Second Prince, Lu Hengyi, chuckled and remarked, “Brother, you should learn from Father’s magnanimity.”

High upon the dais,

the Emperor’s visage, veiled by divine aura and blood energy, was indistinct, but his piercing eyes bore a weight like collapsing mountains.

They fixed on Li Che and XiXi.

For the first time, XiXi appeared fearful, clinging to Li Che’s leg, her hand grasping at his robe—like a bashful little maid, a far cry from the ruthless champion of the Young Dragon Contest.

“Excellent,”

the Emperor smiled and continued, “Champions of the Peach Festival – a duo unparalleled in the world!”

He picked up a Wolf-Hair Brush, inscribed his decree on a scroll at the table before handing it to the Empress.

Since the Peach Festival was hosted by the Empress, it was she who naturally delivered the praise and awards.

The Empress took the scroll, rose gracefully, and with a radiant phoenix crown, her voice like a peal of a phoenix’s cry resonated throughout Divine Capital Second and Third Cities.

“To Li Che, the top hero of Qianyuan Divine Sect, for overpowering the champions of all major sects, for saving Great Jing from calamity by defeating the forces from the Western Lands of Buddhism, and for etching the name of the Heroes’ Champion into Great Jing’s legacy!

We bestow upon you: one lower-tier Sanqing Divine Crystal, two upper-tier Four-Yu Divine Crystals, one upper-tier Dragon-Tiger Celestial Pill, and one Four-Yu Divine Weapon from the Imperial Watch’s arsenal.”

“We also grant you a third-rank official position in the Great Jing Court, to serve as a minister, making you one of Great Jing’s backbone, and the authority to be selected as a third-rank Imperial Envoy of Lingnan Path to quell disasters in the Bizarre Temple and safeguard peace!”

The Empress’ resounding voice echoed.

In that moment, the expressions of everyone present subtly changed.

Back in the main banquet area of Qianyuan Divine Sect, Lü Taibai’s smile suddenly vanished as he slammed his cup down on the table!

Li Che, holding XiXi’s hand, stood at the Jade Plaza with a slight frown.

XiXi, still puzzled, looked on as if she did not understand the situation.

The Empress paused, a look of temporary confusion crossing her eyes as she processed the Emperor’s award decree—

but she quickly composed herself and resumed reciting the decree.

“And to Li Nuǎnxi, the first young dragon of Qianyuan Divine Sect, whose innate talent and purple aura pierce the heavens – for upholding the name of Great Jing’s Young Dragons and for an auspicious future ahead,” she announced, “we bestow upon her: ten lower-tier Four-Yu Divine Crystals, one lower-tier Dragon-Tiger Imperial Pill, and one lower-tier Four-Yu Divine Weapon crafted by the Imperial Watch Factory!”

At this point, the Empress’s eyes suddenly narrowed with surprise and a hint of panic.

She glanced towards the Emperor, only to see him sitting upright on the dais, his yellow robe billowing, his face hidden behind divine aura and blood energy.

Was His Majesty doing this deliberately?!

Or—

She looked towards the Lotus Pavilion banquet area and saw National Teacher Xie Yunshen, casually seated and smiling.

Was his recommendation at work?

But the Emperor was not one to be easily swayed—

How had this old man managed to convince the Emperor to set these rules? Or was this all part of a plot against Qianyuan Divine Sect?

The Empress’s mind swirled with myriad thoughts, but at this moment she simply recited:

Glancing down at little XiXi timidly clinging to Li Che’s leg,

she pursed her red lips.

“We also grant you the position of deputy head of the Western Queen Mother Bizarre Temple, with a proposed engagement,”

“the future consort of the reigning Crown Prince. Once he is designated and the deputy matures, the marriage shall be formalized so that she may one day preside over the Peach Festival as the exemplar of a nation.”

With those words spoken,

crackling sounds and the rumble of thunder filled the vast heavens!

Spring thunder roiled!

The entire Jade Plaza fell mute.

Inside and outside Divine Capital Second and Third Cities, everyone was stunned and bewildered.

Was the future consort pre-appointed by decree?!

Choosing the future Empress of the Peach Festival before the Crown Prince had even been named?!

Such a colossal favor!

But the question was—would she accept?

At that thought, everyone’s gaze instinctively fixed on the center of the Jade Plaza.

There stood the slender figure in a black robe, bathed in spring rain.

Li Che walked hand in hand with XiXi.

In an instant, his expression darkened.