Chapter 769 - 758: Zhou Cang

"That’s it?"

"Not just that, Father."

Huang Yueying blushed:

"The Prince is so handsome, and he even held me in front of everyone. Growing up, besides my parents, he’s the only one who has held me. We’ve already shared an intimate moment. So many people saw it. Father, do you think I should marry the Prince?"

"Absurd."

Huang Chengyan glared at Huang Yueying:

"Just because of that, do you think the Prince will marry you?"

"It doesn’t matter if he doesn’t marry me."

Huang Yueying, catching on, smiled and moved forward to hold Huang Chengyan’s arm, shaking it as she spoke:

"Father, why don’t you give it a try. The Prince has rarely come down to the mortal world, and if I miss this chance, it’ll be missed forever. Your daughter seldom falls for someone. Just grant my wish this once."

"Is this love at first sight, being smitten at the first meeting?"

Huang Chengyan sighed.

There’s no reasoning with love at first sight.

Just like love itself.

Is there reasoning with it?

Although Huang Chengyan thought it was unreasonable and absurd, at Huang Yueying’s pleadings, he still tidied up his appearance and attire, and immediately set out for the Prince’s Mansion.

Whether Ding Ling has returned or not.

It would be best to visit him as soon as possible.

After all, a ’Living Immortal’ from the Upper Realm has returned; how could Huang Chengyan be content without meeting him?

Even just to satisfy his own curiosity, Huang Chengyan would certainly go visit, and now with Huang Yueying’s excuse, it was like water flowing naturally into a channel.

...

...

Ding Ling saw Huang Yueying in a daze; with his expertise in the Observing People Skill, he instantly saw through what was on her mind and couldn’t help but shake his head. With one step, he vanished into the vast crowd in an instant.

Ding Ling was aware of his own charm.

So seeing Huang Yueying’s demeanor wasn’t surprising.

Because nowadays, once he appears in public during the day, the screams are especially enthusiastic, particularly from the female players who scream as if tearing the sky open, whether they’re natives or players alike.

Pursuers and those trying to get close to him were countless.

If this was seven or eight years ago, before he got the cheats, being treated this way would have certainly made Ding Ling flustered, blushing, and shy.

But now, whether in appearance, physique, or mental state, he’s undergone profound transformations.

He is still himself.

But no longer who he used to be.

He’s become more mature, skilled, brave, and versatile.

He wouldn’t feel secretly pleased just because a pretty girl likes him, nor would he consider taking her in.

He’s long past that stage.

Everyone grows up.

And over the past seven years, Ding Ling has seemingly pressed the fast-forward button!

His rate of growth is like that of a Ghost God.

Hence, he chose to stay away once knowing a pretty girl fancied him; in the past, he wouldn’t have managed that, much like the first time he met Zhen Jiang, where wild thoughts filled his mind and developed a strong liking and even thought of marrying her because of his long single life.

But now, he certainly wouldn’t think so much.

Times change!

The world is not what it used to be!

Ding Ling’s state of mind had flipped too many times already.

Yet, even so, when truly facing a reunion with close relatives like Diao Chan, Ding Ling’s Heart Lake would still stir with waves.

In one stride, he arrived at the front of the Prince’s Mansion.

The Gatekeepers were unfamiliar with him.

Ding Ling stepped forward, initially being reproached with "The Prince’s Mansion is a restricted area; no outsiders are allowed!"

But when borrowing the lantern light at the entrance to clearly see Ding Ling’s face, the two couldn’t help but freeze, and then were collectively stunned, stammering as they asked:

"Could... Could it really be the Prince?!"

"Indeed."

Ding Ling did not pretend nor conceal anything, smiling slightly as he said:

"Won’t you open the door?"

"Are... are you really the Prince?"

They first instinctually knelt but quickly scrutinized Ding Ling with suspicion:

"Two years ago, the Prince supposedly returned once, but it turned out to be someone impersonating him—nearly costing the Queen her life. Are you not another impersonator?"

They soberly drew their swords, staring at Ding Ling with eyes as sharp as knives:

"Unless we can properly inspect you. Otherwise, we won’t let you pass!"

"You both are good."

Ding Ling gazed approvingly at the two and said:

"Once I meet with the Queen, everything will be clarified. Stay here for now."

With those words.

In one leap, Ding Ling vanished from sight.

The marvel of his movement and the speed of his departure.

The two Gatekeepers didn’t notice any irregularity, nor see how Ding Ling disappeared at all.

They froze at first, then a chill climbed through them, looking at each other with wide-eyed shock and horror clearly visible on their faces:

"Zhou Cang, do you think, could... could this really be the Prince?!"

It was a well-built man with remarkable features who asked first.

"You’re overthinking it."

Zhou Cang, a robust man with a dark complexion and crimson lips, iron beard, and silver teeth, glanced around and then towards the deeper parts of the Prince’s Mansion:

"The Prince has Ascended who knows how many years ago. How could he suddenly return with no hint or whisper? It’s too strange."

"That’s true. Although we are in this Lower Realm, we often hear from the Alien visitors about the Prince’s deeds in the Upper Realm. Because of this, the Queens can focus on their cultivation, waiting to ascend and reunite with the Prince. If the Prince had descended, the Alien visitors would be first to know and would definitely sell this information to our Prince’s Mansion. But now? There’s no sign or word from the Aliens! It seems this person might just be another impersonator!"

"If that’s the case, shouldn’t we immediately notify the Queens?"

...

Zhou Cang and the other quickly reached understanding; one went to report to the inner residence of the Prince’s Mansion, while the other continued guarding the entrance.

Meanwhile, Ding Ling had already stepped into the depths of the Prince’s Mansion’s inner courtyard, arriving behind Diao Chan.

He hadn’t seen Diao Chan for several years.

Her ability had already reached the level of the Celestial Human Realm in this realm; every move bore the blessing of Celestial Might, formidable to the extent ordinary warriors could hardly look at her directly.

Her great strength aside from the dedicated guidance from experts like Wang Yue and Tong Yuan, was also due to the resource-rich Prince’s Mansion. Without such resources, no matter her talent, she wouldn’t have reached this level.

At this moment, Diao Chan was gazing at the full moon in the sky, her expression somewhat dazed and bewildered, lost in thoughts. After a long moment, she sighed faintly, stood tall, and turned around.

In that turn.

She froze.

Because standing in front of her was someone she yearned for day and night!

"The... the Prince?!"