Each of the nine dragon maidens possesses extraordinary abilities.

Seeing the proxy was like seeing the Holy Emperor himself. Now she finally had a concrete image of him. Thinking of this image in her heart, she fell into a deep sleep while holding the doll.

Upon entering the sect leader's cave, Lu Yueyuan confirmed that the illusion he had created had not been seen through by Ming Huaiwei, and then proceeded to the depths of the cave.

The Holy Emperor finally had a moment to speak: "Why are you so harsh on Arrogance? Is it to protect her? You actually have such a kind heart, even though you killed her so many times in the timeline."

“We were enemies before, but now we’re allies. The situation is different,” Lu Yueyuan replied coldly. “I just want her to understand the seriousness of this matter. It’s because she’s too hasty in dealing with problems, loyal enough but not smart enough, that’s why I always treat her like a dog and kick her to death.”

"Hehehe, I really want to tell her about all the things you did on the timeline, and see what happens."

“They’ll most likely hate me,” Lu Yueyuan said. “Please don’t do something so brainless just for fun.”

"Okay, see how obedient I am."

"That would be best. After the ceremony, we'll prepare to hunt down Ming Huaiwei. You'll have your fun then. The childhood sweethearts turning against each other should be quite a spectacle. Until then, please be patient," Lu Yueyuan said.

"Okay, but I have to warn you, things might not go so smoothly for you. I can detect you jumping around on the timeline so many times, and others certainly can too. Maybe someone is already trying to stop you."

Lu Yueyuan nodded: "Possibly. Wei Daidan's sudden return is a sign of that."

"You are my representative, and I can protect you from fate and karma, but I cannot guarantee your arrogance," the Holy Emperor said.

“I understand, but I’m prepared,” Lu Yueyuan said. “I’ll do my best, and then deal with whatever comes my way.”

"Then you can start preparing now, the soldiers and the water are coming." The Holy Emperor's voice suddenly became ethereal.

In Yunmeng Prefecture, one of the Nine Provinces, a masked man stood below the steps in a grand hall.

“My lord, this is our sincerity,” the man said. “You don’t need to do anything; you just need to return to the Jiuyi Sect to attend the ceremony.”

"Is that so?" A pair of eyes lit up in the darkness on the steps. "And what about the big plan that's being prepared now?"

“Once you’ve attended the ceremony, you can return. We’ve sensed a destiny shift there, and your presence is the only way to erase that shift,” the man said. “While you’re away, our people will be preparing a grand plan.”

"Can you withstand the energy of the earth's veins?" the female voice above sneered.

“I can’t hold on any longer, so I need you to come back as soon as possible,” the man said. “To show our sincerity, my lord has already promised to add a little more to the powers that were previously agreed upon.”

"very good."

The figure above stood up.

"I don't know what the point is of you wanting me to go back to attend that boring ceremony."

"But since you've agreed, I, Ji Cheng, will go."

Chapter 29: Love-struck

Ming Huaiwei was trying on clothes for herself. She felt that everything was arranged perfectly, as if even God was looking out for her.

The grand ceremony is in two days. These days, Yun Gui and Yun Hai have been preparing this and that according to her instructions. Just the clothes alone have exhausted them.

"Why don't we talk to him about it before the ceremony?" Ming Huaiwei muttered to himself.

Is this something that can be said? Yun Gui and Yun Hai looked at each other in dismay. Although they knew that Ming Huaiwei would act recklessly, they did not expect her to act this recklessly. Her current muttering to herself made it seem as if she did not take the rules of the guardians seriously at all.

"You'd better not say that," Yun Gui had to pour cold water on her feelings.

Ming Huaiwei acted as if she hadn't heard anything. She was fickle, and Yun Gui knew this. In front of Lu Yueyuan, she would only mumble and agree, but when she was alone, she would fall into love-struck mode.

“He’s so outstanding, but I’m not bad either. I’m even better than him now, right?” Ming Huaiwei said again.

These words were chillingly cold, and Yun Gui broke out in a cold sweat. Logically speaking, those who protect the bloodlines are among the strongest on the entire continent. They don't need to comprehend the Dao or undergo arduous cultivation; their bloodline development alone is enough to rival other top experts. Ming Huaiwei is now a true powerhouse; Lu Yueyuan is clearly far superior.

But she's always insecure, which is why she needs to boost her own morale.

“You are better than him.” Yun Gui couldn’t bear to see her protector like this, so she encouraged her.

Ming Huai turned around slightly, her dazzling blue radiance imbued with ethereal beauty. What a stunning girl, so otherworldly, no man could resist her. Yet, something else lurked in her eyes, and it was this very glimmer that drove her irrational and insane.

"Is that what you think?" Ming Huaiwei asked her.

"Yes," Yun Gui nodded in reply.

“That’s right, that’s right. I am the strong one now. He has to look up to me.” As she said this, the indescribable look in her eyes magnified, and the shadow behind her revealed the shape of a dragon.

“He has to come and look up to me, he has to break the law for me,” Ming Huaiwei rambled on.

"Breaking the rules, breaking the rules."

"Why shouldn't he do something?"

"Lu Yueyuan Lu Yueyuan Lu Yueyuan Lu Yueyuan Lu Yueyuan......."

He's gone mad again. Yun Gui and Yun Hai exchanged a glance and decided to leave, leaving Ming Huaiwei here to continue his madness.

But Ming Huaiwei didn't think so. She hoped to see something, like love.

Love is a form of proof, Ming Huaiwei was certain of this, because if it cannot be proven, then love itself does not exist. Just like Ming Huaiwei, she also needed proof. In order to become Daoist partners with Lu Yueyuan, she did not hesitate to break the taboo and fight against the curse of her bloodline itself. This was her proof.

Both men killed their wives to prove their faith, to understand the principles of heaven, and to sever human desires. But Ming Huaiwei insisted on doing the opposite, believing that love was the greatest path.

"I have something to tell you, let's meet." Just then, Lu Yueyuan sent her a message.

He rarely took the initiative to contact her, let alone ask her to meet. The grand ceremony was just around the corner; he should focus on his cultivation and figure out a way to make a good impression at the ceremony.

But now he's actually asking her to meet up.

Love requires two people to prove it together. She also wants to be led by the hand, and she also wants to be the one in the sunlight, not a cold, damp stone in the corner.

They met and walked along the tree-lined path, starting from the cave and circling the mountain. The sun was setting, its sunlight as red as blood.

“We’ve known each other for many years,” Lu Yueyuan suddenly said.

Ming Huai paused for a moment, then nodded. Yes, they had known each other for many years, ever since she was a little stone. Over the years, the little stone had grown into a big stone, changed, but he remained the same.

"Mmm, mmm..." She lowered her head, the blood-red sunlight turning her face orange-red.

“You have always supported me. From the past to the present, you are the only person I trust.”

Ming Huaiwei felt like she was dreaming, and she kept saying "hmm" more often.

They walked like that, and Ming Huaiwei's hand had already come off his clothes. She wanted to hold his hand, but she lost the courage.

"Your bloodline can give you everything." Many years ago, when she entered Huai Zai's lineage, that voice said, "You can gain many things: strength, status, honor, wealth, lifespan... but you cannot gain love."

Ming Huaiwei asked Him, "Why?"

Her heart was so determined that she was determined to win Lu Yueyuan's love in this life.

He said, “You have the blood of a dragon, and love is very painful for you.” His words were sincere, as if he were thinking of Min Huaiwei’s best interests.

Ming Huaiwei said, "I can abide by all those rules, but not this one."

The voice sighed. Even ancient beings can't handle someone obsessed with love. Love truly is a versatile word; it can restore a demon to the right path, and it can also cause a powerful being to go mad.

Ming Huaiwei said, "I will break the rules, I will not abide by them. I want what you give me, but I also want this."

The voice said, "Extremely greedy, but this also proves the purity of your bloodline."

Ming Huai was slightly taken aback: "Is that so?"

"Yes, but you're spineless," He said. "If you like something, take it; if it disobeys, force it to obey. That's what a dragon is. You possess that bloodline and the strength to match it. Why don't you want to do that?"

Ming Huaiwei remained silent.

He got angry: "You're like a rabbit, kicking your legs a couple of times when you're desperate, and that's considered rebelling. Damn, you really are the most spineless of the nine, you should learn from your sisters!!"

Ming Huaiwei remained silent, continuing his lecture: "Greed is not wrong. Whether you want to break the rules or follow the rules, that's fine. But you can't treat yourself like a dog."

Ming Huaiwei remained silent; she simply refused to speak here.

"You're a fucking dragon, not a dog!!"

That voice roared in my memory one last time.

Yes, she's a dragon, not a dog. Why should she cling to Lu Yueyuan's sleeve? She's stronger than him. What kind of sect leader is he? Without the previous sect leader, what is he? She can do whatever she wants.

She has now loosened her grip on her clothes, and her hand is close to her other hand. What should she do? Shake hands with it?

She had never dared to dream of such a thing. Her saliva had dried up, her throat was so dry it felt like it was on fire, and a fire was burning inside it. She trembled with nervousness, and that fire became the setting sun, a blood-red expanse.

But in the end, that hand took hers.

She didn't react in time, staring blankly as she looked up. Lu Yueyuan was still the same, unchanged.

“I want to hold your hand,” Lu Yueyuan said. “By the way, after the ceremony, let’s go out and have some fun. Let’s find a place nearby, just the two of us.”

The blood-red sunset also fell on him, making his cheeks look as if they were bleeding.

Chapter 30: You actually tricked me?

The fairy boat roared and sped through the air.

The sky broke through the clouds, roaring and stirring up air currents, but when it reached Qingzhou, the immortal ship was trapped in a large formation.

The formation was extremely mysterious; even the immortal ship couldn't break through it for a time.

"My lord, the immortal ship has been trapped in the great formation," the subordinate reported.

Ji Cheng walked out slowly, scanning the array with his divine sense: "This array looks somewhat familiar."

She slightly raised her head, her short, silver-white hair like a sword blade, a tiny jade sword pendant tied to her left braid, and she wore a silver-white dragon scale soft armor. With just one glance, she could see through the weakness of the great formation.

"Qingzhou Langya? How did you manage to get your immortal ship here?" Ji Cheng said, his eyebrows furrowing.

"Sir, it's confirmed. This great formation connects to space and has altered the spatial orbit," the subordinate reported.

What's going on?

Ji Cheng said she could sense someone approaching. She reached out and flicked her wrist, and the entire formation collapsed.

As I tried to wipe it, cracks appeared in the sky, and pieces fell down, revealing the true sky, which was filled with people, like a dark cloud.

"Young friend, since you've come, why not speak frankly and clear things up? Why be in such a hurry to leave?"

Just as the violent energy was about to surge into the crowd, a hand suddenly stopped it.

Then the owner of that hand stepped out from the crowd.

She wore a faded blue cotton long gown, the collar loosely open, revealing a worn gray undergarment underneath. A pen was clipped to the lapel.

Recluse Hermit.

She was the one who forced Ji Chengshuo to back down back then, and from then on she became famous.

The same scene seems to be playing out again, with Ji Chengshuo breaking into Qingzhou and the reclusive scholar joining the battle at Langya's invitation.

But unlike last time, Ji Cheng said he had no intention of fighting at all.

"I went to the wrong place," she said. "You don't need to be so nervous."

“Young friend,” the recluse said with a smile, “that’s not a good reason.”

In short, tensions are running high.

"You want to fight me?"

Ji Cheng raised his head slightly and sneered, "Are you sure?"

The recluse smiled and shook his head, saying, "I don't want to. You have already reached the state of oneness with the Tao. My little skills are nothing more than showing off my limited abilities in front of an expert."

Ji Cheng said, "In that case, farewell."

“But…” the hermit raised his hand, “I still want you to stay for two more days.”

Ji Cheng said he would throw a punch with his backhand.

This punch shook the heavens and earth, and the black clouds formed by the disciples immediately dispersed, leaving only the reclusive hermit.

"Welcome to visit me, my friend," the recluse chuckled. "Let's play cards."

Rumble.

The clouds formed a special space, with tables and chairs placed there. Suddenly, two people appeared in this space and sat facing each other.

Damn it, it's that trick again. Ji Cheng's face turned green.

"One trick is all you need?" Ji Cheng asked. "You're not planning to change your tactics, are you?"

The reclusive hermit shrugged: "You can solve it."

The art of magic, inquired about etiquette in Qingzhou.

This was the secret that allowed the reclusive hermit to force Ji Chengshuo to leave.