“The Holy Son of the Imperial Throne Sacred Ground?” Xu Zimo was momentarily stunned, then chuckled lightly. “Xiang Kunlun, huh.”
“I didn’t really care,” Qin Shuang said, pouting. “Quick, try the food and see if it tastes good.”
After washing up, Xu Zimo glanced at the breakfast. Unlike the medicinal meals before, today’s breakfast was simple.
Just a bowl of plain porridge, a few steamed buns, and a plate of stir-fried vegetables.
“You made this?” Xu Zimo asked casually as he sat down.
“What are you thinking?” Qin Shuang instantly blushed.
Watching Xu Zimo eat, she asked expectantly, “How does it taste?”
“Pretty good,” Xu Zimo smiled.
“Really?” Qin Shuang smiled, revealing a small dimple on her left cheek, and nodded with satisfaction.
“Where is Xiang Kunlun?” Xu Zimo asked.
“In the main hall,” Qin Shuang replied with a puzzled look.
“Why are you so interested in him?”
“Maybe I’m the one he’s looking for,” Xu Zimo laughed.
“What? You know him?” Qin Shuang asked in surprise.
“Take me to the front hall. After all, he’s searching so hard,” Xu Zimo smiled.
“Why does your tone sound so strange?” Qin Shuang asked.
“Sarcasm,” Xu Zimo laughed.
After breakfast, Xu Zimo and Qin Shuang left the courtyard and headed toward the Qin Clan’s main hall.
“When we get there, don’t say anything inappropriate,” Qin Shuang warned.
“Even though we’re not afraid of ordinary imperial lineages, the Imperial Throne Sacred Ground has produced three Grand Emperors. They’re not to be underestimated. Even my father doesn’t dare offend them.”
They walked along a stone-paved forest path, and halfway there, they ran into Steward Long, who was leading a middle-aged man and a young man toward them.
Seeing the young man, Qin Shuang instinctively avoided his gaze.
“What’s wrong?” Xu Zimo asked, noticing something was off.
As he finished speaking, the young man saw them as well. His eyes lit up and he called out, “Shuang’er.”
Qin Shuang didn’t respond. Instead, she grabbed Xu Zimo’s arm and hid behind him.
“Who are you?” the young man frowned and asked Xu Zimo.
“Shouldn’t you introduce yourself before asking others?” Xu Zimo said calmly.
The young man frowned at him and replied, “I am Qin Fusu, Holy Son of Supreme Crown.”
“Let’s go, ignore him,” Qin Shuang tugged on Xu Zimo’s arm and whispered.
“I’m Xu Zimo, just a rogue cultivator,” Xu Zimo said, waving his hand as he led Qin Shuang away.
The young man seemed about to say something but was stopped by the middle-aged man behind him.
“Fusu, don’t be rude.”
…
After the two walked away, Qin Shuang finally let go of Xu Zimo’s hand.
“Why were you so nervous just now?” Xu Zimo asked.
“You probably know already, I was betrothed to Qin Fusu since childhood. My father originally wanted to form an alliance with Supreme Crown,” Qin Shuang said.
“But after my constitution was discovered, Supreme Crown publicly broke off the engagement.”
“I see. Qin Fusu still seems to like you,” Xu Zimo smiled.
“Yeah right...” Qin Shuang snorted and said no more.
While chatting, the two arrived at the front hall.
A guard in blue stood outside.
When he saw them, he quickly greeted, “Miss, Young Master.”
“Where’s my father?” Qin Shuang asked, a little shy after hearing the title.
“The master is entertaining guests inside. Miss should wait a moment,” the guard replied.
Xu Zimo wasn’t in a hurry and took Qin Shuang to sit in a nearby pavilion.
He laid on the bench, resting his head on Qin Shuang’s lap.
He could feel her whole body stiffen.
Neither of them spoke. The wind rustled the withered leaves of the courtyard trees and then vanished.
On the other side, Steward Long approached with Qin Fusu and the middle-aged man.
Seeing Xu Zimo resting on Qin Shuang’s lap, Qin Fusu’s eyes turned red with rage.
“You bastard, you’re courting death,” the sound of his sword rang out as the blade at his waist trembled.
“Holy Son Fusu, this is Crown City. You should restrain yourself,” Steward Long said.
“Elder Qin Shang, don’t say I didn’t show you respect.”
The middle-aged man beside them smiled and patted Qin Fusu’s shoulder, suppressing his aura.
“Fusu, don’t forget why we’re here.”
As they were speaking, Qin Feng came out of the hall with a young man and an old man.
The young man wore a purple robe and exuded a powerful aura.
His sharply carved features were strikingly handsome.
The old man beside him was unfathomable, his aura like an endless ocean that pulled everything around into stillness.
“City Lord Qin, thank you for handling this matter,” Xiang Kunlun said respectfully.
Qin Feng’s expression was slightly uneasy, but he still nodded.
Then he turned and saw Qin Fusu and Elder Qin Shang.
“Holy Son, Elder Qin Shang, what brings you to my Qin residence?” Qin Feng asked coldly.
He was still bitter that they were involved in the broken engagement with his daughter, even though he knew her condition was the cause.
“Uncle, we’re here to discuss my engagement to Shuang’er,” Qin Fusu said quickly.
“Engagement? Holy Son, you must be joking,” Qin Feng sneered. “You have no ties to the Qin Clan anymore. What engagement?”
“Uncle, I know you’re angry. I was short-sighted before, but now I’ve searched far and wide and found a way to treat Shuang’er’s condition,” Qin Fusu said urgently.
“What method?” Qin Feng’s eyes lit up, his expression changing as he quickly asked.
“Shuang’er’s physique is of extreme yin. To cure it, we must use an item of extreme yang,” Qin Fusu explained.
“Our current yang-based items are too weak. They can only suppress the Underworld Ice Physique, not cure it. To completely heal her, we need the most powerful yang item.”
“And what’s that?” Qin Feng asked.
“One of the Five Spirit Orbs, the Nirvana-Fire Pearl,” Qin Fusu said, enunciating clearly.
“The Nirvana Flame within the Nirvana-Fire Pearl can not only cure the Underworld Ice but also transform the body and give Shuang’er a new life.”
“Are you serious?” Qin Feng took a deep breath, visibly excited.
“Absolutely. This constitution was recorded even during the Legendary Era,” Qin Fusu nodded.
“And do you know where the Nirvana-Fire Pearl is now?” Qin Feng asked.
“Well...” Qin Fusu hesitated, then said, “We’re still searching. The Five Spirit Orbs aren’t easy to find.”
“Fine. Whoever finds the Nirvana-Fire Pearl will become Shuang’er’s future husband and inherit my position as City Lord of Crown City,” Qin Feng declared firmly.
“Father, I won’t marry anyone,” Qin Shuang suddenly shouted from the side after hearing this.
At that moment, everyone finally noticed Xu Zimo and Qin Shuang sitting in the nearby pavilion.