Fellow Daoist, I gladly accept this heaven-defying opportunity.

"Xu Mofeng, let's first go to the Imperial Garden to see the exotic flowers, then to the Animal Park to play with the ferrets, have a feast at the Imperial Kitchen for lunch, and release river lanterns at Qingxin Pond in the evening..."

Ying Yunying counted on her fingers with great enthusiasm, just like a child who had finally met a friend and couldn't wait to take out all the treasures she had kept hidden for more than ten years to show off.

Xu Mofeng had to ask for a favor, so he had no choice but to accept his fate and become a "playmate." He would never go west if Ying Yunying said to go east.

As the group of people walked in a grand procession to the entrance of the Imperial Garden, they heard a noisy commotion coming from inside.

Ying Yunying's eyes lit up instantly. She grabbed Xu Mofeng's wrist and rushed inside, her voice filled with excitement: "Quick! Let's go see!"

Their posture was exactly like someone who enjoys watching a good show.

The two squeezed in following the sound and saw a group of people gathered in the center of the garden.

Leading the group was a handsome young man in a purple and gold robe, his chin held high, his face full of arrogance and provocation. Behind him followed a line of guards and attendants, making quite a grand display.

The man he blocked in the middle was a handsome young man also dressed in a purple and gold robe.

Although the robe looked luxurious, the edges were worn and old. He stood there alone, without any attendants, looking particularly dejected, especially considering he was only at the Foundation Establishment stage.

"Hey, isn't this the seventh brother?"

The noble-looking young man scoffed, his tone full of mockery, "It's been so many years, how dare you sneak back to the palace? Father Emperor punished you to guard the imperial mausoleum for eight years, that term doesn't seem to be over yet, does it?"

The handsome young man's face turned pale, but he still lowered his voice and replied, "Fifth Brother, something has happened at the Imperial Mausoleum. Your Majesty, I am about to enter the palace to report to the Emperor."

"How dare you call me Fifth Brother?"

The young man let out a cold snort, his eyes filled with malice. "A bastard of mixed blood dares to disobey the imperial decree and leave the imperial mausoleum without permission. Guards! Seize him and punish him according to the law!"

"Here you go!"

Two guards stepped forward in response, their auras of the eighth level of the Golden Core realm spreading out without reservation, their chilling killing intent directly approaching the handsome man.

The man's expression changed drastically, and he instinctively took a step back, his eyes filled with panic.

"not good!"

Ying Yunying's pretty face changed. She was about to explain to Xu Mofeng, but before she could finish speaking, a figure flashed beside her, and Xu Mofeng had already rushed out.

The two guards grinned maliciously as they attacked. Their cultivation level of the eighth stage of the Golden Core realm was as easy as crushing an ant when they were fighting a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Just as the handsome young man was about to have his shoulder shattered by a single blow, a white figure suddenly appeared out of thin air in front of him.

boom!boom!

Two muffled thuds exploded almost simultaneously. The two guards were sent flying like sandbags hit by a heavy hammer, screaming as they crashed into the flower bed next to them. Dust flew everywhere, and they couldn't get up for a long time, their fate unknown.

The handsome young man stood there, stunned.

When he came to his senses, he saw a handsome young man in a moon-white robe standing in front of him.

The young man stood calmly with his hands behind his back, seemingly enveloped in a faint halo, exuding an extraordinary air and captivating charm.

The arrogant young man's mocking expression froze instantly, then he flew into a rage: "Who are you? How dare you injure my man in public? Are you tired of living?"

The young man didn't even glance at him, turning to the still-dazed, handsome man, and asked calmly, "Seventh Prince, are you alright?"

"No...it's nothing."

The handsome young man blinked, his mind still reeling, and answered instinctively.

"It's good that you're alright."

Xu Mofeng nodded slightly, his tone casual, "Your Highness, please wait aside for a moment. This is a small matter, I can handle it."

"Oh...oh, okay."

The seventh prince, Ying Zhengying, retreated to the side in a daze, completely bewildered as to who this person was and why he was helping him.

He was completely bewildered. He clearly didn't know this outstanding young man at all, so why would the other party suddenly help him?

Just then, Ying Yunying ran over, panting, and called out to the handsome man, "Seventh Brother!"

He then turned to Xu Mofeng and introduced him: "This is my seventh brother, Ying Zhengying, and the one opposite him is my fifth brother, Ying Zhengwu."

Xu Mofeng understood. Judging from Ying Yunying's attitude, she must have a good relationship with this seventh prince.

Ying Zhengwu, sitting opposite him, had a livid face and shouted angrily, "Who exactly are you? How dare you interfere in the family affairs of my Jinliang royal family? Are you truly not afraid of death?"

Before Xu Mofeng could speak, Ying Yunying stepped forward to block his path, sneering, "Fifth Brother, you've got quite the nerve, daring to arrest people so casually in the Imperial Garden. Aren't you afraid I'll report you to Father and have you punished by being sent to the border as a warning?"

Ying Zhengwu's expression changed slightly. He was indeed somewhat wary of his most favored younger sister, but he couldn't swallow the humiliation of losing face in front of so many people. Pointing at Xu Mofeng, he said, "Ninth Sister, I can let bygones be bygones for what happened earlier, but this brat injured my guard in public. This debt cannot be left unpaid!"

"If you're so capable, send someone to take him down yourself."

Ying Yunying crossed her arms and said in a cold tone, "Don't blame me for not reminding you, this is Xu Mofeng, the Marquis of Dingfeng, personally conferred by the Emperor."

"The Marquis of Dingfeng?!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the surroundings fell silent, and everyone's expression changed.

Ying Zhengwu's pupils constricted sharply, and he exclaimed in shock, "You're Xu Mofeng?!"

The look in her eyes as she stared at Xu Mofeng instantly changed, a mixture of shock, surprise, and deep regret.

The Royal Secret Realm Trial had just ended not long ago, and who in the entire Jinliang Kingdom hadn't heard of Xu Mofeng's name?

The greatest genius in the Jin-Liang dynasty in a thousand years, an unprecedented eleventh-level Golden Core cultivator, defeated Zhou Bo, a fifth-grade Nascent Soul cultivator, despite his Golden Core cultivation level being significantly higher...

The extraordinary and astonishing achievements had long been known throughout the palace and beyond, to the point that people were tired of hearing about them.

Who wouldn't want to befriend such a rare and extraordinary person?

He was just talking to his subordinates yesterday about wanting to get to know them, and now he's run into them today, in such an awkward situation, which means he's indirectly offended them.

Ying Zhengwu was filled with remorse, his face turning pale and then flushed. In the end, he could only force a smile and cup his hands, saying, "So it is Marquis Dingfeng. I was very rude earlier, and I hope that Your Excellency will forgive me. I have other matters to attend to today, and I will prepare a small feast another day to apologize to Your Excellency."

After saying that, he quickly called his men and scrambled away, not even bothering with the guards on the ground.

Standing behind Xu Mofeng, Ying Zhengying's eyes lit up dramatically upon hearing the words "Marquis Dingfeng, Xu Mofeng." He stared intently at Xu Mofeng's back, muttering to himself, "Marquis Dingfeng... he is Marquis Dingfeng..."

His expression was filled with disbelief, longing, and admiration, as if he had seen a legendary figure.

Only after Ying Zhengwu and his group had slunk away did Xu Mofeng turn around.

Ying Zhengying immediately stepped forward and bowed deeply with great emotion: "Thank you very much, Marquis Dingfeng, for your help. I am deeply grateful."

"It was nothing, Your Highness, you needn't be so polite."

Xu Mofeng smiled and waved his hand.

Ying Yunying leaned closer, her face full of curiosity: "Hey, I didn't even have a chance to tell you, how did you know to help Seventh Brother?"

Xu Mofeng chuckled inwardly. Did he even need to say it?

It's obvious to anyone with eyes to see who is strong and who is weak, who is right and who is wrong.

Of course, what truly made him act without hesitation was what he saw: Ying Zhengying was surrounded by a dazzling golden light, like a small sun.

This is a truly golden opportunity!

Even if Ying Zhengwu were to make things difficult for him, or even if the Emperor of Jinliang were standing here to punish him, Xu Mofeng would rush forward to protect him without hesitation.

A golden opportunity! I've actually encountered another legendary golden opportunity!

Of course, these words couldn't be said openly. Xu Mofeng's mind raced, and his smile vanished instantly. He looked at Ying Zhengying with a serious expression and said solemnly, "His Highness the Seventh Prince possesses the aura of a dragon, and his nobility is beyond description. In times of crisis, he is naturally protected by the Mandate of Heaven. I merely happened to be there and benefited from His Highness's favor."

Ying Yunying's eyes widened in disbelief, her head tilted and her face full of suspicion: "Is it really that mysterious? I hang out with Seventh Brother every day, how come I haven't seen the slightest bit of dragon energy?"

Ying Zhengying, standing beside him, was struck dumb, his entire body stiffening. His face then turned a deep purplish-red, and his voice trembled like a leaf falling in the autumn wind: "Really...really? Marquis Dingfeng...does he really think I have this destiny?"

Xu Mofeng nodded slightly, his eyes clear, his tone filled with unwavering certainty: "Your Highness is currently a hidden dragon in the abyss, lacking only an opportunity. Before long, you will surely soar to the heavens and become famous throughout the world."

"A dragon lies hidden in the abyss... then soars into the sky..."

Ying Zhengying kept repeating those eight words to himself, his whole body trembling uncontrollably, feeling so happy he was about to faint.

Seeing this, Xu Mofeng added fuel to the fire without making a sound, and sighed, "When Heaven is about to place a great responsibility on a person, it will first test their will and strengthen their body. It is quite a coincidence that I was born into humble circumstances and have achieved my modest reputation today entirely through enduring mountains of corpses and seas of blood. The suffering Your Highness endures today will be the stepping stones to the top in the future."

"Heaven is about to bestow a great responsibility upon this person..."

Ying Zhengying murmured the same words over and over, his eyes instantly reddening. He rushed forward and grabbed Xu Mofeng's hand, his voice choked with emotion: "Marquis Dingfeng...you are truly my confidant!"

Xu Mofeng remained outwardly calm, but he understood perfectly well.

The bitterness in Ying's heart could probably fill three or five imperial tombs.

Although he was born with the title of a prince, his birth mother was just an ordinary palace maid, the product of the emperor's drunken misconduct. His background doomed him from the very beginning.

From childhood to adulthood, everyone in the palace could step on him, and apart from his younger sister Ying Yunying, no one ever gave him a second glance.

Even his own father, the Emperor of Jinliang, found him an eyesore and casually found a pretext to send him to guard the imperial tombs, which was no different from being exiled.

Despite being a prince, he lived a life worse than a favored eunuch.

Now, suddenly being praised to the heavens by Xu Mofeng, the "number one prodigy of the Jin and Liang dynasties in a thousand years," and even using top-notch terms like dragon aura and destiny to praise him, who wouldn't be so excited that they want to cry?