Chapter 206: From Now On, I Am Yours
Chapter 206: From Now On, I Am Yours
An official, with a piece of vegetable still dangling from his face, stared at Zhong Shan in bewilderment. Water turning into fire? And even blowing up the Great Deer Palace like this?
Not only that one official, but all the officials were fixated on Zhong Shan. They were struggling to comprehend the simplicity of Zhong Shan's actions. It was so simple, incredibly simple, that any Nascent Soul stage cultivator—or even a Golden Core stage practitioner skilled in lightning techniques—could accomplish it. Water turning into fire? It was perplexing. If only Zhong Shan could do it, it wouldn't cause so much inner conflict, but it seemed like everyone could potentially do it. Was it really that easy to break the laws of nature?
On the opposite side, Crown Prince Han Jue had lost interest in Nian Youyou. Although he still felt a bit reluctant, he wasn't the type to be infatuated with women to the detriment of his duties. Being able to let go of attachments was essential for a crown prince of an imperial dynasty. If that weren't the case, with so many princes in the Great Bright Imperial Dynasty, why were only a few chosen as crown princes? Glancing at Zhong Shan with a hint of surprise, a faint smile formed on Han Jue's lips.
Ah Da and Ah Er were now in deep admiration of Zhong Shan. The way Zhong Shan had nonchalantly set fire to the Great Deer Palace had elevated his image even higher in their eyes.
Princess Qian You's eyes sparkled with excitement. This teacher was truly magical, so amazing!
The Great Deer King, seated at the main table, looked up at the massive hole in the roof with a flash of anger in his eyes. Lowering his gaze, he saw Zhong Shan still calmly eating dragon liver, and a fleeting look of coldness crossed his face.
"Princess Qian You, your Mr. Zhong Shan is indeed very knowledgeable," the Great Deer King said to Princess Qian You, jealousy evident in his voice. He forced himself to believe that Zhong Shan had learned this from somewhere else, as it couldn't possibly have been his own invention.
Seeing the Great Deer King's reaction, Princess Qian You nodded and smiled, "Yes, this is an ancient technique that Zhong Shan found in an old book. I never thought it would come in handy today."
"An old book? No wonder," the Great Deer King nodded slightly, his eyes narrowing. Clearly, he was very angry but had nowhere to vent his frustration.
Standing in the center of the hall, Nian Youyou stared at the burnt painting with wonder in her eyes. Water had turned into fire? No, even more amazing was that after the fire burned, it turned back into water. The fire burned, and then it was just water again. Water into fire, and fire into water?
If Zhong Shan knew what Nian Youyou was thinking, his jaw would have dropped. Yes, oxygen and hydrogen burn and leave only water, but for Nian Youyou to see this molecular process with her naked eyes? How was that possible? What was her cultivation level? Did she have eyes like high-powered microscopes?
As if hearing the conversation behind her, Nian Youyou quickly turned her attention away from the burnt painting and looked at Zhong Shan. Under the envious gazes of everyone, she walked over to Zhong Shan.
"Master, from now on, I am yours!" Nian Youyou bowed slightly to Zhong Shan and then obediently stood behind him, looking every bit like a loyal servant.
Master? Even the way Nian Youyou spoke seemed to carry an enormous seductive power. The curious gazes of the officials turned into jealousy and envy.
Seeing the fleeting smile on Nian Youyou's face, Zhong Shan knew she had done it on purpose.
With the palace in ruins, the Great Deer King had risen from his seat. He looked at Nian Youyou addressing Zhong Shan as "Master," and his eyes were filled with jealousy.
"My lord!" At this moment, a guard suddenly rushed into the hall.
"What is it?" The Great Deer King, already angry, snapped.
"Someone just reported that there's a thief in the Great Deer Palace!" the guard whispered.
"What?" The Great Deer King's face showed a hint of panic.
It seemed as if the Great Deer King suddenly remembered something important. He glanced at Princess Qian You and then said, "Princess Qian You, Crown Prince Han Jue, please wait a moment. I will return shortly."
"Okay," Princess Qian You replied, and Crown Prince Han Jue nodded in agreement.
With that, the Great Deer King hurriedly dashed out of the hall, clearly in a rush.
Now, the once grand hall was left in a state of disarray. Officials, looking rather bedraggled, were strewn about, along with the two factions of Crown Prince Han Jue and Princess Qian You.
"Let's go. I'll wait for the Great Deer King in the square. We can't stay in this hall any longer," Princess Qian You suddenly said with a smile.
"Very well," Crown Prince Han Jue agreed with a nod.
Princess Qian You led the group out of the hall. Nian Youyou followed closely behind Zhong Shan, so closely that she almost seemed to cling to his coattails. The officials watched this scene with a sense of deep regret, envying Zhong Shan even more. It was as if a beautiful flower had been given to a pig.
Crown Prince Han Jue smiled slightly, showing the grace befitting a prince. Only his two subordinates, Left Minister and Right Minister, had a flash of jealousy in their eyes.
Princess Qian You and Crown Prince Han Jue exited the damaged Great Deer Palace, and everyone else followed, quickly moving to the square.
Princess Qian You, along with Ah Da and Ah Er, went straight to the edge of the floating island, gazing in all directions at the scenery. Zhong Shan noticed that Ah Er's eyes were especially focused, as if he didn't want to miss a single detail.
While waiting, Nian Youyou continued to gaze at Zhong Shan with her large, sparkling eyes, so much so that the officials waiting nearby were nearly melting from her gaze. Zhong Shan, however, seemed oblivious, like a piece of wood, not noticing anything.
After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the Great Deer King flew over from a distant side hall, a look of relief on his face.
"Princess Qian You, Crown Prince Han Jue, I apologize for today. I never expected the banquet to turn out so badly," the Great Deer King said immediately.
"No problem," Princess Qian You replied, shaking her head.
"No, I found today to be quite fulfilling," Crown Prince Han Jue said with a smile.
"I'm sorry for the poor hospitality. I hope to invite you both again another day," the Great Deer King continued, making it clear that today's banquet was over.
"Alright," Crown Prince Han Jue agreed directly with a nod.
"Great Deer King, I have a request," Princess Qian You suddenly said.
"Oh?" The Great Deer King looked at her curiously.
"In the Sky City, within the Heavenly Prison, there are some former officials from our Da Luo Dynasty. I would like to visit the prison. I hope the Great Deer King can make this convenient for me," Princess Qian You said earnestly.
Frowning, the Great Deer King looked at Princess Qian You for a moment before finally smiling and saying, "Alright, I'll inform the guards."
"Thank you," Princess Qian You nodded.
Zhong Shan furrowed his brow slightly but didn't ask any questions.
Afterward, the Great Deer King escorted them to the edge of the red light barrier outside the Great Deer Palace. He watched as Princess Qian You and Crown Prince Han Jue flew away with their respective entourages. Once they were out of sight, the Great Deer King's smiling face turned cold, and with a flick of his sleeve, he turned back towards the palace.
Throughout the journey back, Zhong Shan and his group didn't say much. When they reached the square in front of the Western Courtyard Palace, Princess Qian You finally turned to Zhong Shan with a smile and said, "Sir, congratulations on winning a beauty!"
At this moment, Nian Youyou lowered her head, looking shy and delicate, making her appear even more endearing.
Zhong Shan's expression remained neutral as he walked behind Princess Qian You. His previously smiling face suddenly became stern.
"Ah Da, Ah Er, seize her!" Zhong Shan commanded sharply.
zhongshan's sharp command made his gaze pierce through Nian Youyou, who trembled with fear and disbelief. Even Ah Da and Ah Er hesitated for a moment. Seize her? Seize whom? Seize Nian Youyou? What did Sir want to do?
"Why haven't you seized her yet?" Princess Qian You suddenly spoke up.
"Yes," Ah Da and Ah Er immediately responded.
Then, in a flash, they each left behind a residual image and rushed towards Nian Youyou.
"Boom~" "Boom~"
Nian Youyou suddenly transformed into a handful of sand and mist.
"Master, you have a cruel heart!" Nian Youyou's figure reappeared in mid-air, her face showing extreme resentment.
"Nian Youyou, who are you exactly? Why do you know me?" Zhong Shan looked coldly at the Nian Youyou formed by fine sand particles.
"Haha, Zhong Shan, how interesting! It turns out you are truly extraordinary. Interesting, interesting!" Nian Youyou's expression changed suddenly. She appeared like a wanton enchantress, exuding an arrogant and wild aura.
The change in temperament was too abrupt. How could there be such a person? Temperament is the hardest thing to change. How could she change so quickly?
Ah Da and Ah Er swiftly ascended into the sky, ready to grab her, but Nian Youyou's figure flickered in mid-air, suddenly splitting into two Nian Youyous.
Two Nian Youyous? Ah Da and Ah Er were taken aback, then each went after one of them.
"Boom~" "Boom~"
The golden sand exploded, and Nian Youyou disappeared again.
"Haha, Zhong Shan, I'll come back to find you!" A mocking laughter suddenly came from the distant sky.
Looking in the direction of the sound, a streak of golden sand quickly flew past in the distance.
Ah Da and Ah Er wanted to chase after her again.
"No need to chase." Princess Qian You frowned.
Ah Da and Ah Er immediately flew back to Princess Qian You's side.
"Princess," the two of them frowned and called out.
"You won't catch up to her. She's a descendant of immortals, and this is her inherited ability," Princess Qian You frowned slightly.
"Yes," Ah Da and Ah Er had to give up.
Meanwhile, Zhong Shan frowned as he looked into the distance. Nian Youyou? Nian Youyou? Who exactly was she?
"Sir, do you know the origins of this woman?" Princess Qian You looked at Zhong Shan.
"I don't know, but I'm certain she's not just a spirit from a painting. Descendant of immortals? I'm puzzled," Zhong Shan thought with furrowed brows.
"Since you're not familiar, let it be. It seems this woman has some grievances with you, but nothing major," Princess Qian You analyzed, looking at the distant disappeared golden sand.
"Okay," Zhong Shan nodded, but he couldn't help but still feel puzzled. He had just arrived in the Divine Land, so why would someone know him?
"Sir, in fact, when we came to the Sky City this time, the Emperor gave me a secret edict," Princess Qian You suddenly looked at Zhong Shan.
Zhong Shan glanced at Princess Qian You. Although he had guessed it earlier, he still asked with confusion, "Oh?"
"Hehe, I think Sir must have already figured it out. Because this secret edict is quite special, only I know about it, and even Ah Da, Ah Er, Gulin, and Shuijing don't know." Princess Qian You said.
Obviously, before they set off from the City of No Return, Zhong Shan's loyalty in Princess Qian You's heart was not as high as Ah Da and Ah Er's.
"What does the Princess mean by this?" Zhong Shan frowned.
"I want to inform Sir that I hope you can help me brainstorm, and at the same time inform Gulin and Shuijing as well," Princess Qian You looked at Zhong Shan directly.
"Then let's wait for them to come back," Zhong Shan nodded.