Before Qingyu's thought could fully form, a gust of wind lunged at him.
Qingyu was startled, his peak Hua Yuan realm spiritual energy about to erupt.
But he was a step too slow. Before the spiritual energy could burst from his body, a pair of furry paws had already landed on his shoulders.
Sensing a familiar presence, Qingyu breathed a huge sigh of relief and said, "Little Tiger, you scared me to death!"
The Wind Wing Phantom Tiger's eyes revealed a human-like smile. It licked Qingyu's face and neck with its rough tongue.
Qingyu's neck tickled from the licking. He hugged the tiger's head and excitedly exclaimed, "Little Tiger, you're here, but where are the Prince and Princess?"
The Wind Wing Phantom Tiger removed its paws from Qingyu and let out a low growl, looking back.
Qingyu was stunned. Since he didn't understand beast language, he couldn't comprehend the Wind Wing Phantom Tiger's meaning.
Just then, a figure appeared in Qingyu's line of sight.
Zi Linling, dressed in simple clothes, moved with the Phantom Dragon Step. She floated towards him as if traversing inches to cover miles.
Her white robes billowed, her immortal beauty extraordinary, her grace and elegance unrestrained.
Qingyu stared, his eyes fixed on her, completely overlooking Ye Lingyuan, who was a step behind.
Ye Lingyuan exuded a chilling aura and barked, "Qingyu!"
Qingyu shivered instantly, snapping back to reality.
When he saw Ye Lingyuan's ashen face, he felt like dying.
It was over, it was over!
He must have angered the Prince by staring so openly at the Princess.
What should he do? What should he do?
Just as he was at a loss for how to face Ye Lingyuan's wrath, a voice called out from within the cave dwelling of the divine beast White Tiger behind him.
"Qingyu, didn't you say the Prince would be here soon? Why isn't he here yet..."
As the voice faded, a handsome young man with an air of aloofness emerged from the White Tiger's cave.
The young man exuded an aura of unapproachability, bearing a slight resemblance to Ye Lingyuan.
Mu Qingyan stepped out of the cave and immediately saw the stunningly beautiful Zi Linling.
He was so taken aback that the rest of his sentence caught in his throat.
"Possessing unparalleled beauty, and relying on a face that can topple cities!"
A flicker of amazement crossed Mu Qingyan's eyes, and his heart began to race.
There is a feeling called love at first sight. Mu Qingyan was experiencing it now.
Zi Linling frowned.
Although Mu Qingyan's gaze was pure, being stared at like that made Zi Linling feel a trace of displeasure.
She said coldly, "Qingyu, who is this?"
Qingyu felt the displeasure in Zi Linling's tone and could only offer a wry smile inwardly, thinking, "Princess, you have no idea how beautiful you are!"
Then, he nudged the stunned Mu Qingyan beside him and said, "Princess, this is young master Mu Qingyan!"
Mu Qingyan came back to his senses from Qingyu's nudge.
When he heard Qingyu address Zi Linling as Princess, a pang of sorrow struck him.
So, he had been harboring unrequited feelings.
He chuckled awkwardly and clasped his hands in greeting, "Mu Qingyan greets the Princess!"
Zi Linling sidestepped his bow and said with a gentle smile, "Young Master Mu is too polite! Ye Lingyuan and I are friends, and I am not a Princess."
A spark of light flashed in Mu Qingyan's eyes.
But he immediately remembered Qingyu's address to Zi Linling just moments ago, and the light in his eyes quickly dimmed.
Having worked with Qingyu for so long, Mu Qingyan knew he was not one to speak carelessly.
Thus, he looked questioningly at Qingyu beside him.
Qingyu shook his head, gestured towards Ye Lingyuan behind Zi Linling, and formed a silent word with his lips.
Only two words: "Princess!" Su Dan Novel Network
Mu Qingyan felt a pang of bitterness, thinking, "As expected. Fortunately, I didn't overstep. It's a shame I was still too late. So be it! So be it!"
He clasped his hands again and said, "The Princess jokes!"
Ye Lingyuan, standing behind them, had first noticed the fleeting emotion in Mu Qingyan's eyes, and now, hearing Zi Linling so eagerly distancing herself from him, his expression grew even colder.
He stepped forward, blocking the gaze that Mu Qingyan was subtly casting upon Zi Linling. He then took Zi Linling's hand and said, "Qingyan, Lin'er will be the mistress of the冥王府 from now on!"
As Ye Lingyuan asserted his claim, a warning flashed in his eyes.
Mu Qingyan nodded and said, "Your Highness, rest assured, Qingyan knows what to do!"
Then, he turned to Qingyu and said, "Quickly go inside and tell Fatty and the others that the Prince and Princess have arrived!"
By saying this, he not only confirmed Zi Linling's status as Princess but also conveyed to Ye Lingyuan that he harbored no ulterior motives towards Zi Linling.
After all, one must not deceive a brother's wife!
"Yes! Your subordinate will go now!"
Qingyu, who was already worrying about how to escape Ye Lingyuan's anger,
Eagerly agreed when ordered by Mu Qingyan and hurried into the White Tiger's cave.
Ye Lingyuan was very pleased with Mu Qingyan's actions. The gloom vanished from his face, and he said with a gentle smile, "Qingyan, you've worked hard this time!"
Mu Qingyan smiled lightly, "Your Highness is too kind! I presume everything is arranged inside. Your Highness and Princess, please!"
With that, he stepped aside from the cave entrance, inviting Ye Lingyuan and Zi Linling to enter first.
Ye Lingyuan nodded, took Zi Linling's hand, and walked inside.
But before they had taken two steps, a plaintive voice called out from behind them, "Sister Zi, aren't you going to wait for Long'er?"
A hint of helplessness crossed Zi Linling's face.
She was sure that the little fellow Long'er's complaint was feigned.
She had seen it clearly on the journey. Long'er was trying to "compete for favor" with Ye Lingyuan, ugh...
Competing for favor!!
Zi Linling couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.
If she went back to comfort Long'er, Ye Lingyuan would definitely start giving her the cold shoulder. If she didn't go back, Long'er's tears would fall instantly.
She hesitated.
"Sister Zi!"
Long'er called out again, his voice full of grievance.
Zi Linling's heart softened, and she stopped her steps.
She turned back, smiled gently at Long'er, and said, "Long'er, be good. Little Tiger isn't feeling well. Can you take care of it?"
Although very unwilling, Long'er still nodded.
"Little Tiger, come here!"
The Wind Wing Phantom Tiger wagged its tail and vanished from its spot.
When it reappeared, it was at Zi Linling's feet.
However, fearing Ye Lingyuan, it kept a certain distance from Zi Linling.
Zi Linling stroked its tiger head and said, "Follow Long'er, listen carefully to that voice, and obey your heart. Remember!"
The Wind Wing Phantom Tiger nodded and ran to Long'er.
Mu Qingyan led the way, with Ye Lingyuan and Zi Linling following closely behind. Long'er and Little Tiger walked at the rear.
Soon, they reached the depths of the cave.
Before Zi Linling could observe her surroundings, she felt two hostile gazes fixed upon her.