I, the lazy prince, am the darling of the ladies of destiny.

Lu Cangqiong and Lu Yang's expressions changed again, and they instantly understood the huge difference between them.

If it were merely a matter of submitting to the Lü family, it would not be honorable for a top-tier dynasty like the Fire Kingdom in the Central Plains, but it could perhaps be understood as a form of strategic alliance or dependence.

But if she were to submit to Lü Xuan personally... that would mean that the future empress of the Fire Kingdom would serve a foreign youth as her master!

You could even say that.

Once the Fire Kingdom submits to Lü Xuan, then in the eyes of outsiders, that future empress will be nothing more than Lü Xuan's maid!

Let's not even talk about whether Zhu Yue, who can be considered a favored daughter of heaven, would agree.

Such behavior is an utter disgrace to any lineage, a trampling of the dignity of a top-tier lineage!

"As for the methods," Old Yu shook his wine gourd, "whether it's swindling or using force to suppress, it's all up to his own abilities."

"During this process, the Lü family must not provide him with any overt assistance."

"Furthermore," Old Yu added, "he needs to use this opportunity to obtain one of the two spots to enter the 'Central Continent Tower of Babel' from the Fire Kingdom. And inside the Tower of Babel, he must at least reach the ninth floor."

"Of course, it doesn't matter if he can't complete it. Things that depend on fate cannot be forced."

Old Yu concluded calmly, "If this succeeds, your Lü family will only lose one elixir of immortality. But if Lü Xuanzhen can actually do it... it will be an immeasurable blessing for him."

After saying that, he waved his hand, indicating that the two could leave.

"Don't ask about the deeper reasons; even if you do, I won't tell you. Go."

"Yes, senior." Lu Cangqiong and Lu Yang suppressed the doubts and shock churning in their hearts, bowed respectfully, and slowly withdrew from the ancestral hall.

The heavy palace doors closed silently behind us.

Silence returned to the ancestral hall.

Only Old Yu sat alone on the main seat, which symbolized the supreme power of the Lü family, slowly drinking his wine.

His cloudy gaze fell on the young master of the Lü family, who was sighing and worrying about how to "survive" in his courtyard, gazing at the night sky.

"Lü Xuan, oh Lü Xuan..."

"Are you the unexpected 'variable' that stumbled into this deadly game...?"

"Or... am I waiting for that glimmer of 'life' that spans countless ages?"

"The Fire Kingdom's destined 'annihilation'... how will you, this anomaly outside of fate, stir up the storm?"

In the empty ancestral hall, only a long sigh remained, which dissipated with the wind.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The Fire Kingdom, one of the hundred great dynasties of the Northern Central Continent, ranks among the top ten super dynasties. It boasts a profound history, vast territory, and long-standing tradition.

Unlike the four border regions of the North, Southeast, Northwest, and East, which are guarded by ancient families with Dao Ancestors, such as the Lü, Ye, Yun, and Lin families, the power structure of the Central Plains is more complex.

Dynasties, sects, and academies stand side by side, checking and balancing each other, and no single Dao Ancestor-level power has been able to dominate for long on the surface.

However, Zhongzhou is hailed as a "land of hope" and a "cradle of geniuses".

This is because the Four Symbols Academy, a prestigious institution of higher learning renowned throughout the Northern Region and even the surrounding areas, is located here.

The name of the academy dates back to ten thousand years ago.

At that time, only four ancient kingdoms remained in Zhongzhou: Fire, Water, Wind, and Earth, collectively known as the Four Symbols, and they all revered the Four Symbols Academy as a sacred place.

Later, the Central Plains experienced turmoil, and the ancient kingdoms split and evolved, forming the current situation of a hundred kingdoms contending for power. However, the transcendent status of the Four Symbols Academy has never been shaken.

Within the academy, one's background and status are irrelevant; only talent and ability matter.

Skills, resources, and opportunities—everything must be earned through one's own efforts.

At this moment, a magnificent carriage pulled by four crimson-bodied, scale-covered mythical beasts known as "Fire Cloud Steeds" was traveling smoothly on the official road leading to the heart of the Central Plains.

The carriage had a spacious interior, was elegantly decorated, and isolated it from the noise and dust of the outside world.

Lu Xuan leaned back on the soft velvet cushion, playing with a warm jade slip in his hand, which contained detailed information about the Fire Kingdom and the Central Plains.

He appeared to be browsing information, but his mind was already elsewhere.

Out of the corner of his eye, he couldn't help but glance at the woman in red sitting opposite him, who seemed a little reserved.

The woman wore a fiery red feather dress, perfectly tailored, which outlined her stunningly graceful curves.

Her long, straight legs were crossed and placed diagonally, her skin dazzlingly white under the glow of the pearls in the carriage.

She was extremely beautiful, with a natural allure and charm. Her long, black hair cascaded over her shoulders, and a touch of cinnabar between her brows added to her beauty and mystery.

From any perspective, she is a demon capable of bringing disaster to the country and its people.

Princess Zhu Yue of the Fire Kingdom is also the de facto heir to the throne, accepted by the entire Fire Kingdom.

Most importantly… Lü Xuan’s gaze subtly swept over a certain spot, and he secretly sighed inwardly: Indeed, a woman whose head is bowed so low that her toes are invisible is a peerless beauty. The ancients were truly wise.

"Ahem," Lü Xuan cleared his throat, trying to break the slightly tense atmosphere in the carriage, "Miss Zhu, there's no need to be so reserved. I'm not going to eat you."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yue unconsciously tightened her folded hands, which were clasped on her knees, until her fingertips turned slightly white.

She raised her eyelids, and a complex and unfathomable emotion flashed quickly across her charming phoenix eyes—wariness, curiosity, and a touch of helplessness.

After a moment of silence, she softly replied, "Yes, Young Master Lü."

The voice was clear and melodious, yet carried a distinct sense of detachment.

Lu Xuan sighed inwardly. You're afraid of me? I'm more afraid of you!

Goodness, the original story never gave the villain "Lu Xuan" such an exciting mission!

The very first thing they do is get in touch with a "woman of destiny," the kind who's destined to become an empress!

That's right. In the original novel, Princess Zhu Yue was not part of Xiao Dong's or Lin Yan's harem, but rather belonged to the third Chosen One.

Chu Kuangge, the "Shura" who returned alive from the forbidden zone of life in the Central Plains, carrying ancient secrets and a heaven-defying inheritance!

According to the original plot, Chu Kuangge will meet Zhu Yue at the Four Symbols Academy, and experience a series of hero-saves-the-damsel-in-distress, joint adventures, and life-and-death experiences.

He eventually won the heart of this proud princess and, with the help of the Fire Kingdom, stirred up trouble in the Central Plains.

But now, with a flap of his butterfly wings, his mission has directly become: to make this "daughter of destiny" who will belong to Chu Kuangge in the future willingly submit to him?

Lu Xuan recalled the scene before he left the Lu family, when his father, Lu Yang, called him into a secret room alone and gave him instructions.

The first task: to make Zhu Yue submit to Lü Xuan himself, rather than the Lü family.

The second task: Obtain one of the two slots held by the Fire Kingdom to enter the "Central Continent Tower of Babel" and reach at least the ninth floor.

Compared to the first and second missions... Lu Xuan felt a chill run down his spine.

To make a proud and arrogant "woman of destiny" destined to become an empress submit? That's practically suicide!

Even more outrageous, his grandfather, Lü Cangqiong, later privately approached him, patted him on the shoulder, and added with a wink, "Xuan'er, it's perfectly normal for a real man to have three wives and four concubines."

"I think that Zhu family girl is quite nice. She has a good figure, a pretty face, and a big butt... cough cough, anyway, if she's really hard to persuade, we could find an opportunity to knock her out and bring her back as a wife!"

"Once the deed is done, everything is negotiable!"

Lu Xuan almost choked on his words.

Listen to this! Does this sound like something a domineering ancestor who once suppressed an era and whose fists subdued the five great Dao Ancestors should say?

Do people really become more and more unserious as they get older? But why is my own father so rigid and serious?

Father Lü Yang's warning was concise and cold: "If you fail to complete the mission, you don't need to return to the Lü family."

"I will cripple your cultivation, find you a remote mountain village, and let you live out your remaining days as an ordinary villager."

Lu Xuan had no doubt that his heartless father was absolutely capable of doing such a thing.

"Enough, enough," Lü Xuan shook off his chaotic thoughts, his heart hardening, "The more debts I have, the less I worry; the more lice I have, the less they itch."

"We've already offended two chosen ones, Xiao Dong and Lin Yan, so what difference does it make if we add Chu Kuangge to the mix?"

"If the Chosen One can take in Zhu Yue, why can't I, Lü Xuan,?"