Chapter 1456: Golden Crow

Qian Shang Yue held her wine cup and looked at the fellow with great interest.

“The Crown Prince of the Jinwu Clan. Isn’t that prestigious enough?” Xiao Yuan Huang said, tossing the half-eaten peach aside and grabbing another. He took a bite and tossed it away again.

“Indeed, quite prestigious,” Qian Shang Yue replied lightly, her expression growing even more coldly elegant and indifferent, as if she had little regard for the Jinwu Clan’s Crown Prince, no matter how noble he was.

“Jinwu Clan,” Ye Chen murmured softly. It was an extremely ancient race, claiming to be the sun birds. This clan had produced a great emperor, Jinwu Dadi, one of the 130 emperors of Xuan Huang.

Legend had it that in ancient times, there were ten suns in the sky, all transformed from Jinwu, scorching the earth into a wasteland and leaving people in misery. Many ancient races were driven to extinction because of this.

It wasn't until a great witch descendant from the Wu Clan appeared, shooting down nine of the suns, that only one Jinwu escaped and fled to the remote edges of the universe. This was why the Jinwu Clan and the Wu Clan became eternal enemies.

“Kid, this rival isn’t easy to handle. Don’t back down,” Xiao Yuan Huang poked Ye Chen.

“I know he’s not easy to handle, but what’s this about a rival?” Ye Chen asked, surprised.

“The Jinwu Clan’s Crown Prince is here for something big,” Xiao Yuan Huang spat out a peach pit. “I heard before I came that he’s here to propose marriage. He wants to marry our little peacock.”

“I see,” Ye Chen said meaningfully, then looked at Qian Shang Yue with a serious expression. She remained calm, quietly sipping her tea, her demeanor as coldly elegant and indifferent as ever.

Ye Chen understood this well. Her heart had already been given to Shen Xuan Feng in a past life. For any man in this world, no matter how extraordinary, it would be nearly impossible to open her heart again.

This was the way of a devoted woman. Once she committed to one person, she would never show a world-shaking smile to another. Even if time passed and the seas turned to fields, she would still wait on the other side of the stars for his return, preparing her bridal attire for him.

“It’s a good thing the Jinwu Crown Prince emerged from seclusion late, or he probably would have gone to the ancient ruins in Zhongzhou too,” Xiao Yuan Huang continued, unaware of Qian Shang Yue’s story. “If he had been there, it would have been even more chaotic. This era has too many prodigies, each one fiercely powerful.”

“What surprises me is Nan Di,” Ye Chen shifted his gaze from Qian Shang Yue and smiled slightly. “To suppress all you prodigies in the Nan Yu, Nan Di is truly strong. I’ve sparred with him a couple of times, but unfortunately, I still don’t know what his true form is.”

“His true form is Qilin, though few know it,” Qian Shang Yue chuckled lightly. “Just as Bei Sheng is a woman, it’s one of Xuan Huang’s great secrets. There’s no doubt about his power.”

“Qilin?” Ye Chen exclaimed in surprise, quite taken aback. Even with his immortal eyes, he hadn’t seen through it.

“Nan Di has gone into seclusion. When he emerges, he’ll surely be a Sheng Ren,” Qian Shang Yue set down her jade cup and sighed softly. “Many divine sons of Xuan Huang have also secluded themselves. The battles among the younger generation are transitioning from quasi-Sheng Ren level to Sheng Ren level. The path to Di Lu will be even more brutal.”

“I can already envision that bloody scene. It’s too cruel,” Ye Chen said with a laugh, shaking his head.

“I’ll fool around for a few more days, then I’ll go into seclusion too,” Xiao Yuan Huang scratched his ear and muttered. “Everyone’s advancing to Sheng Ren. I can’t fall behind.”

“Princess, the Sheng Zhu summons you to the great hall. A distinguished guest has arrived.” As the three spoke, an elderly voice came from outside the flower grove, ethereal and gentle. The speaker was a Da Sheng.

“Trouble the elder to tell Father that I’m in seclusion,” Qian Shang Yue replied casually.

“Don’t be willful. Even if you’re unwilling, it’s fine to meet him,” the elderly voice spoke again, kindly and soft. “The Jinwu Clan is a major race and values face highly. We mustn’t slight them.”

“I understand.” Qian Shang Yue took a deep breath. Though reluctant, she still stood up.

“How about I transform into your likeness and go mess with that Jinwu?” Xiao Yuan Huang grinned. “Don’t worry, I’ll handle this perfectly for you. Guaranteed satisfaction.”

“Eat your peaches,” Qian Shang Yue snapped irritably and stepped out of the flower grove.

“Tsk.” Xiao Yuan Huang shrugged it off and followed her out. But halfway, he turned back and grabbed Ye Chen, who was still sipping tea, pulling him along.

“You go if you want. I’m not interested,” Ye Chen said, trying to sit back down for more tea.

“Don’t be a killjoy,” Xiao Yuan Huang dragged Ye Chen out. “Go take a look at that guy. Remember his face. Once you advance to Sheng Ren, beat him every time you see him.”

Ye Chen’s mouth twitched. He wanted to go back, but Xiao Yuan Huang forcibly pulled him out of the flower grove. This guy loved chaos and was always eager for a fight, likely to cause trouble.

By now, a banquet had been set up in the Kongque Clan’s great hall, filled with people. The Kongque Clan’s Da Ming Wang wasn’t present, but the Sheng Zhu and many elders were there, making it quite grand.

At the banquet table sat three from the Jinwu Clan: two elders and a young man in golden robes.

The young man in golden robes was the Jinwu Crown Prince, truly a dragon among men with an aura that could swallow the eight wastelands. Though seated, he was like a dazzling sun, too bright to look at directly.

His bloodline was extremely powerful, accompanied by visions. His pair of radiant golden eyes were as deep as the starry sky, encompassing heaven and earth. His head of golden hair flowed like a golden waterfall, shimmering brilliantly.

The Kongque Clan’s Sheng Zhu was all smiles, very pleased with this prospective son-in-law. Whether in bloodline, cultivation, potential, talent, or backing, he matched the Kongque Clan perfectly.

Not just him, the elders present were equally enthusiastic.

Qian Shang Yue entered gracefully from outside the hall, drawing a flash in the Jinwu Crown Prince’s eyes. Even cultivators appreciated beauty, let alone the top beauty of the Nan Yu—she was more perfect than imagined.

Qian Shang Yue ignored his gaze completely, her expression indifferent with no emotional fluctuation. She walked straight up, bowed to the Sheng Zhu and the elders, then stood to the side.

“What a fine princess the Kongque Clan has!” A Jinwu Clan Da Sheng laughed, quite satisfied with Qian Shang Yue. She would make an ideal match for their Crown Prince—it was simply destined.

“You’re too kind, Jinwu Clan friend. The Kongque Clan is honored,” the Kongque Sheng Zhu smiled.

“Kongque Xianzi, I hope you’ve been well,” the Jinwu Crown Prince stood up, his voice warm and inviting like a spring breeze. His golden hair moved without wind, and every gesture exuded a king’s demeanor.

“I’ve been well,” Qian Shang Yue replied indifferently, her expression and heart unchanged.

Her coldness made a hint of displeasure flash in the Jinwu Crown Prince’s eyes. He was the exalted Jinwu Crown Prince—what status and nobility he held—when had he ever been treated so casually?

However, the more indifferent Qian Shang Yue was, the more excited he became. If she had smiled at him, it would have lost the thrill. He enjoyed conquest, especially conquering willful women.

“Since the princess is here, let’s discuss the marriage between our clans. The Kongque Clan won’t object, I assume,” the Jinwu Clan Da Sheng stroked his beard and chuckled. “This way, we can report back.”

“Forgive me, Jinwu Clan friend. This matter depends on my daughter.”

“Why won’t you let us in?” Before the Kongque Sheng Zhu could finish, he was interrupted by a racket from outside the hall, startling everyone. They all turned to look.

From afar, they saw a monkey and a figure in a black robe wearing a Gui Ming mask.

No need to guess—it was Ye Chen and Xiao Yuan Huang. They had followed Qian Shang Yue here, hoping to get a drink at the banquet, but two Kongque Clan elders blocked them outside.

Ye Chen didn’t mind much and had tried to leave several times, but Xiao Yuan Huang kept pulling him back. That guy was boastfully yelling, brandishing his Wu Jin iron staff, “Do you even know who I am? How dare you block my way? Are you asking for a beating?”

“This is Kongque Clan territory. No room for your arrogance,” the two Kongque elders snapped coldly.

“I said, stop causing trouble, okay?” Ye Chen stepped forward and pulled back Xiao Yuan Huang, who was about to explode. If they angered the Kongque Clan, the elders would definitely come out and beat them.

“You stay out of it. This is outrageous,” Xiao Yuan Huang cursed, spitting everywhere.

“Let them in,” the Kongque Sheng Zhu spoke up, rubbing his brow. If not for the Ape Emperor’s face, he would have personally dragged Xiao Yuan Huang out for a thrashing.

“Did you hear that? Your Sheng Zhu said so.” Xiao Yuan Huang swaggered in with his Wu Jin iron staff, wagging his tail at the two elders as he passed.

Ye Chen tried to leave, but Xiao Yuan Huang grabbed him again and dragged him into the hall.

“Oh, everyone’s here!” Xiao Yuan Huang was quite familiar, greeting everyone warmly, but all he got were dark, scowling faces, as black as charcoal.

The Kongque Clan’s elders were all glaring and stroking their beards, clearly not fond of this little ape pest. We’re discussing a marriage here—where did you pop up from? Are you here to stir trouble on purpose?

Ye Chen felt awkward. Though the elders were staring at Xiao Yuan Huang, he sensed a chill on his own back. He wanted to slip away, but Xiao Yuan Huang’s furry paw gripped him tightly.

“Big bird, you’ve gotten even handsomer,” Xiao Yuan Huang glanced around, his fiery golden eyes finally landing on the Jinwu Clan’s Crown Prince. “Oh, you’ve advanced to Sheng Ren. What a surprise.”

“Seems your skin’s itching again.” The Jinwu Crown Prince smirked, his eyes full of mocking amusement.

“Don’t mess around. If we were the same level, you might not beat me.” Xiao Yuan Huang pouted. “You’re just lucky. Wait till I become a Sheng Ren—I’ll be the first to pound you.”

“You’re far from it.” The Jinwu Crown Prince smiled smugly, his contempt blatant.

“Enough.” The Kongque Sheng Zhu coughed lightly and looked at the little ape with interest. “You’ve been making a racket. What’s your business? If there’s no good reason, don’t blame your uncle for teaching you a lesson.”

“Of course there’s business.” Xiao Yuan Huang smoothed his fur. “We’re here to propose marriage.”

“Propose marriage?” The Kongque Sheng Zhu was amused. “What, you’ve taken a liking to my Kongque too?”

“It’s not me. It’s him.” Xiao Yuan Huang scratched his ear and gestured toward Ye Chen standing nearby. “He’s the one who likes your Kongque. He wants to marry her.”