Chapter 255: Accepting the Crown Prince’s Request

Chapter 255: Chapter 255: Accepting the Crown Prince’s Request

"Three and a half years ago, when you and Yan Ying first met, you were nothing more than an ant at the Heartbeat Realm. In just that short time, your Cultivation has reached the Divine Separation Realm. After arriving in the Central Domain, you forced your way onto the Talent List and surged to the eleventh spot. I must say, your talent is almost unprecedented."

Chu Fan looked at Long Jingyao and said nothing.

Long Jingyao continued, "Moreover, in these past three and a half years, you forged alliances and laid plans with ease, managing to annihilate a great power like the Red Blood Mansion, which held sway over half the Cultivation Realm in the Eastern Domain. You even pushed for the unification of the Eastern Domain, and you actually succeeded. I must say, your accomplishments have truly made me see you in an entirely new light."

"You are too kind, Your Highness," Chu Fan said, cupping his fist.

’I had no choice,’ Chu Fan added to himself.

"That time at the Duke’s Mansion in He Yi State City, I wanted to recruit you. While your ability was certainly a factor, my true purpose was for you to help my two children."

"Your Highness, if it’s to help Yan Ying, I will of course do everything in my power. But as for your offer of recruitment... I’m used to a free and unrestrained life. I don’t like being tied down," Chu Fan said hastily.

"From what I’ve learned about you recently, I’m well aware of the kind of person you are. And this time, you are truly the only one who can help me. No, who can help Yan Ying. As for her Profound Yin Body... I have exhausted all the wealth in the world, and all I’ve managed to do is extend her life by another six months. However, the Hua Xu Secret Realm offers a glimmer of hope."

"A glimmer of hope in the Hua Xu Secret Realm?"

"You’ve likely heard things about the Hua Xu Secret Realm. Yan Ying does have the Profound Yin Body, but as a Cultivator, you should also know it’s one of the most superior physiques for Cultivation. The Hua Xu Secret Realm holds not only endless opportunities but also countless Heavenly and Earthly Treasures. You might find a single fruit, and eating it could raise your Cultivation by one or two entire Great Realms. Beyond that, there are many High Tier Cultivation Techniques and Martial Techniques, and even supreme treasures. Of course, finding any of these depends on one’s fortune. If Yan Ying can find a Cultivation Technique suited for her Profound Yin Body within the Secret Realm, she’ll be able to live a long life. Her future accomplishments would be anything but small."

’This is his glimmer of hope?’

’But aren’t the odds for that glimmer of hope a little too slim?’

’For an ordinary person, just finding a High Tier Cultivation Technique or Martial Technique would be an encounter of incredible fortune. And he expects to find a Cultivation Technique specifically for the Profound Yin Body? Isn’t that like finding a needle in a haystack?’

"Furthermore, there is a place within the Secret Realm called the Pool of Life. I’ve heard stories of someone reaching it once. They witnessed another person get devoured by a beast, leaving nothing but a skeleton behind. But after the skeleton fell into the pool, flesh grew back on the bones, and the person came back to life."

"If Yan Ying can’t find a suitable Cultivation Technique, finding the Pool of Life would also work," Long Jingyao said.

"So, Your Highness’s intention is for me to accompany the Princess and the Imperial Grandson into the Secret Realm? But entering requires swearing a Celestial Dao Oath, and that’s the primary reason I cannot agree. Besides, the Hua Xu Court has numerous masters. This task is not something only I can do."

"Your experiences over the past three and a half years all point to one thing: you are blessed by great fortune. You have superior talent and a strategic mind. That, combined with your luck, makes you the only logical choice."

"As for the Celestial Dao Oath, I can make an exception for you. Furthermore, I can give you all three of the entry slots at my disposal. Ye Xiaohan is the descendant of a disgraced official, is he not? And what about Wei Mian, ranked fourteenth on the Talent List? His Yin Yang Dual Soul Body has reached its absolute limit at the Divinity Separation Realm Peak, and he desperately needs a Yin Yang Dao Fruit, correct? I promise you, you can bring both of them into the Secret Realm. Moreover, if Ye Xiaohan swears a Celestial Dao Oath of loyalty to the Long Family, I can exonerate his ancestor."

Chu Fan had to admit, he was truly tempted.

At the same time, he was utterly horrified. ’Since arriving in the Central Domain, my every word and deed have likely been under the Crown Prince’s surveillance.’

’The intelligence network under the Crown Prince’s control is truly terrifying.’

’Fortunately, this Crown Prince holds no malice toward me.’

’This "blessed by great fortune" nonsense... isn’t it all because of the Hua Xu Empire’s Emperor’s Jade Pendant I carry?’

’As a Princess of the Hua Xu Empire and the Crown Prince’s daughter, Yan Ying had seen the Emperor’s Jade Pendant before. She even recognized it as a vital treasure of the Hua Xu Empire’s Royal Family, the Long Family, yet she never tried to scheme or force me to give it back.’

’How could I not be touched by that display of friendship?’

’If Yan Ying had told the Crown Prince that I possessed the Jade Pendant, wouldn’t I have been beheaded long ago?’

’If I enter the Secret Realm carrying the fortune of the entire Central Domain, perhaps I really could find a great opportunity. Perhaps I could actually help Yan Ying find a Cultivation Technique for her Profound Yin Body!’

’Besides, my main objection—having to swear the Celestial Dao Oath—has been resolved. I can even bring Ye Xiaohan and Wei Mian with me into the Secret Realm. I’d be a fool not to go.’

Seeing that he had convinced Chu Fan, a smile flickered in Long Jingyao’s eyes.

Long Jingyao clapped Chu Fan on the shoulder again, though this time without any force.

"I knew I wasn’t wrong about you. On the sixth day of the sixth month, you, Yan Ying, and Yinwen should arrive in the Capital City two days early. I will explain the details of the Hua Xu Secret Realm to you then. That should save you a lot of trouble and prevent you from going in blind."

"Alright," Chu Fan agreed.

When he returned to the courtyard, it had already been cleaned up. Yan Ying was sitting in a wicker chair, apparently waiting for him.

Xiaoya stood beside her. The door to Leng Yingxue’s bedroom remained shut, and the light inside was out. It was impossible to tell if she was meditating or asleep.

"Y-you’re back? What did the Crown Prince say to you?" Yan Ying asked cautiously, standing up as she saw Chu Fan return.

"His Highness has decreed our marriage. He said I must marry you," Chu Fan said, teasing her.

It was just a joke. His nerves had been stretched taut while he was with the Crown Prince, and he was trying to lighten the mood. At the same time, he was a little annoyed that Yan Ying had hidden her identity from him for so long.

The moment he finished speaking, however, Yan Ying’s face instantly flushed red.

And from Leng Yingxue’s room came the sound of something crashing to the floor.

"Nonsense! Why would he ever say something like that to you?" Yan Ying retorted, snapping out of it with a flustered annoyance.

"Marriages are arranged by one’s parents. As your father, isn’t it perfectly normal for him to choose your husband?" Chu Fan continued to jest.

"Y-you already know?" Yan Ying stammered.

"Yes," Chu Fan said with a nod. "I’ve already promised His Highness, the Crown Prince, that on the sixth day of the sixth month, I’ll accompany you and the Imperial Grandson into the Hua Xu Secret Realm to help you find a Cultivation Technique for your Profound Yin Body."

"Really? But entering the Hua Xu Secret Realm requires a Celestial Dao Oath..." Yan Ying’s initial delight quickly faded into dejection.

"His Highness has already given his word. He said I don’t need to swear the oath."

Yan Ying was overjoyed. "He’s finally done something to make me happy," she said. "With you by my side in the Secret Realm... it doesn’t matter if we find the Cultivation Technique or not. Even if I can’t escape my fate, just being able to face the dangers of the Secret Realm with you in my final moments... there’s nothing I’d rather do."