A Bold Entrance into the Prince's Residence

"In the north there is a peerless beauty, independent and unmatched. One glance topples a city, a second glance topples a kingdom. Do they not know that beauty can topple cities and kingdoms? Such a rarity is hard to find again."

The several women in the hall were all graceful and exquisite, gifted with the spiritual essence of heaven and earth—peerless beauties of the Southern Wastes. Although Sun Miao, the Prince Li of the Tianluo Kingdom, had seen countless beautiful women in his time, even he felt a stir at this moment. The realm was a painting, and beautiful women were poetry. He loved the realm, but he loved beautiful women even more.

For several days now, the lord of Heavenly Emperor City, Liu Daoming, had not come to see him. It seemed he did not even regard this prince as worthy of notice, which secretly infuriated Sun Miao. Only now, seeing the many Southern Wastes beauties shining together, did a different thought cross his mind. If he could gather all the women in the hall into his princely residence, what a blessing of many wives that would be! His heart stirred, but he sighed soundlessly.

What sort of women were these? They were the elite descendants of major powers—powers that were by no means confined to Heavenly Emperor City alone. The entire vast Southern Wastes, stretching ten thousand miles, was their domain. The Southern Wastes were an ancient land steeped in legend. The people here did not submit to the Tianluo Kingdom. Although the empire was powerful, its reach was too long to control this place.

The uncrowned kings of the Southern Wastes were the families of these young people. To some extent, these youths were equals to him, the Prince Li. Even if he used every possible means, securing one or two of these women would be his limit. To gather all the top beauties of the Southern Wastes into his princely residence—that was truly like a dream. Not even the emperor of the empire could do such a thing!

Everyone sat down again. Sun Miao asked Yan Qingcheng, "Qingcheng, do you know a man named Xiao Chen?"

His familiar address and calm tone made several people in the hall sense something.

Hai Yunxue's lips curled into a faint smile. That way, she could be somewhat relieved. If this young prince made major promises to her family and tried his utmost to win them over, she might face great trouble. As a child of a major family, some matters required following family arrangements, especially for women.

Zhuge Ming, who looked dissipated in wine and women, frowned slightly. Who did not like a beauty that could topple a kingdom? As a man, he naturally had his own thoughts, especially when it came to a true power like the Undying Sect. An alliance with them would be a great help. But he thought it over and decided to let it go. After all, this was a prince of a kingdom. If he wanted to expand northward in the future, he would still need Sun Miao's assistance. The Southern Wastes did not have only Yan Qingcheng as a beauty; there were several other top women in the hall with powerful backgrounds.

The men and women all briefly showed different expressions.

Yan Qingcheng thought Sun Miao had learned of the events on Dragon Island. She had once been captured by Xiao Chen—a matter that filled her with shame and anger every time she recalled it. Now, being asked about it before so many people, she felt her cheeks burn.

Indeed, two or three people present knew some information about Dragon Island; after all, they were core descendants of major powers and had access to many secrets. But not everyone knew. Seeing her expression, they all found it strange and sensed there was a "story."

"That person's cultivation is not bad, and he is not one to suffer losses willingly," Yan Qingcheng said. This remark left the assembled young elites momentarily puzzled; they could not discern her meaning or why she spoke thus.

"The Southern Wastes are a land of hidden dragons and crouching tigers. Today, this Xiao Chen abused my personal guards," Sun Miao said calmly, yet everyone present could feel his anger. Perhaps it was Yan Qingcheng's initial reaction that made the young prince even more displeased.

"There are also a few talented youths in my residence, quite knowledgeable about the path of cultivation. They followed me to the Southern Wastes to see the extraordinary skills of the masters here. I was thinking of having them compete with this Xiao Chen. What do you all think?"

Sun Miao was a prince of the Tianluo Kingdom. To hold such a high position at his age, he was no ordinary man. His words displayed his assertiveness and conveyed certain information to the Southern Wastes. At the same time, his final question carried a tone of consultation, inquiring whether these people had ties to Xiao Chen, so as to avoid collateral damage.

"Hehe, of course! I look forward to this battle!" Kanasi said with a harmless, innocent smile. Everyone found it a bit exasperating. Why had the Mande family sent this little girl? She was clearly not the one in charge among the younger generation present. Perhaps only she could "talk nonsense" purely based on personal preference.

Zhuge Ming showed a faint smile. "Perhaps this is a good idea..."

Several others nodded without saying anything, but they had already given their consent. Their goals were different. Let Xiao Chen provoke this prince—what harm was there? Xiao Chen surely had a major power backing him, and they would be happy to see such a thing unfold.

Hai Yunxue smiled as she watched it all, saying nothing.

Yan Qingcheng frowned. She wanted to say something, but seeing everyone's attitude, she thought for a moment and chose not to express her opinion.

Sun Miao carefully observed everyone's expressions, understanding everything. He smiled calmly and said, "In that case, I will have someone summon this Xiao Chen."

He had many conjectures. Whether this fellow named Xiao Chen was sent by Lord Liu Daoming or not, he had to be squeezed. After all, it was an indisputable fact that his personal guards had been abused.

Having cultivated in low profile at home for a few days, Xiao Chen had now attracted unexpected trouble. He was in a foul mood today and, before he knew it, had come to the Beast-Fighting Street again.

The three skeletons, Keke, and the Little Defiant Dragon had all stayed behind and not followed him.

The unheard-of fighting beasts always brought a sense of novelty. Xiao Chen kept estimating the combat potential of the small, powerful young beasts, imagining what level they might reach when fully grown.

But at that moment, someone ruined his mood again. It was the Prince Li's men, asking him to make a trip.

Knowing he was not to be trifled with, the personal guards who came this time did not act arrogant, but their sense of superiority was unmistakable. Xiao Chen found this deeply irritating. He refused outright. Was a prince so了不起? This was not the Tianluo Kingdom; this was Heavenly Emperor City. What could the prince do to him?

"I'm not going. No time!"

The guards were dumbfounded. This guy's arrogance soared to the heavens! Was this the same person who called himself low-key? He did not care at all about the prince's face—truly outrageous and arrogant to the extreme!

"Brother, please come with us. Our prince truly wishes to meet you."

"Is this how you invite people? The first time you came to cause trouble, the second time you sent men to seize me. Even a clay figurine has a temper!"

"Those earlier incidents were all misunderstandings. Please don't take offense, brother." For these personal guards to speak so politely was already an exception. Normally, these men were accustomed to arrogance in the Tianluo Kingdom and would never humble themselves like this.

"I really don't have time." Xiao Chen truly did not want to go. If he went to their territory, he would likely be at a disadvantage if a fight broke out.

With that, Xiao Chen turned and left.

"What's so great about him? Just a thug who can fight. If a few of our commanders came in person, let's see if he could still be so arrogant," someone muttered quietly.

Xiao Chen grew furious. These guys really needed a beating.

"You better stay far away from me. Don't let me set eyes on you again."

Among the guards, the petty officer was embarrassed and angry, but he tried to maintain a smile. However, the arrogant soldiers behind him were extremely displeased, grumbling resentfully.

"I've seen arrogance, but never such arrogance."

"Truly the manners of barbaric lands."

"The prince is being overly cautious. Why bother summoning him for a duel? Just send a few commanders to beat him crippled and drag him back for another match."

"It seems some commanders really will have to make a move on the street."

Your mother's! Xiao Chen was infuriated. He had understood now: that Prince Li had sent for him to have him duel someone—to call him to the residence, have some underlings fight him, while the prince and a bunch of honored guests watched from the side, drinking.

Like a monkey being put on show? Did he, Xiao Chen, look like someone to be toyed with?

Clang, clatter, bang!

A thorough beating! Xiao Chen knocked down all ten of the prince's arrogant soldiers, then ruthlessly stomped on them again and again. Broken arms and legs were inevitable. The bustling street fell into chaos, and a crowd gathered to watch.

"Isn't this the guy who won the Mande family's precious little girl as his follower last time?"

"This fellow is something else! He actually gave the Prince Li's personal guards a sound thrashing."

"What background does this guy have? He's making such a commotion."

"What a delight! It's so satisfying to watch."

When the dozen wounded personal guards limped back, Sun Miao nearly kicked over the table. This was too much of an affront—three times now, his personal guards had been beaten back by this fellow. Who the hell did he think he was? Damn it, his arrogance was sky-high! This was intolerable!

"Your Highness, let me go seize him for you!" A young man of twenty-seven or twenty-eight standing behind Sun Miao stepped forward. He was ordinary-looking but exuded a sharp, fierce aura.

"Good, Wang Xichuan, go and bring him to me." Sun Miao paused, then frowned as if remembering something. "Liu Haibo, go with him."

Having lost face repeatedly before his guests today, he was already furious. But he had learned that this thug seemed not so easy to deal with, so he sent two newly recruited young experts together.

At that moment, Xiao Chen had already met up with Hai Yuntian. The Primordial Beast-Fighting Palace had a very extensive information network, and Hai Yuntian had already received some news. He found Xiao Chen and understood what had happened.

He frowned. "This man is very overbearing. I don't like him. He actually tried to make a move on my sister. I really want to teach him a lesson."

From Hai Yuntian, Xiao Chen learned everything about the prince. After thinking for a moment, he said, "If they come to invite me again, I'll go and see what he can do to me."

"Mm, I'll go contact a few of the wastrel sons at the city lord's mansion and see if I can get one of them to come out. Let the city lord's son go head-to-head with that overbearing prince."

Hearing this, Xiao Chen immediately smiled.

"It might not succeed. Those wastrels are no idiots—none of them are easy to deal with. They'll likely try to fish in troubled waters." Hai Yuntian thought for a moment, then bade Xiao Chen farewell and left.

Wang Xichuan had just led his men out when he spotted Xiao Chen walking along the street in their direction.

How infuriating! This fellow was deliberately loitering nearby, waiting to pick a fight?! At that thought, he and Liu Haibo quickly approached.

"Are you Xiao Chen?"

"It's me. I heard your prince insists on seeing me, so I'll go see him."

"Hmph, the prince is not someone just anyone can meet whenever they please." Wang Xichuan clearly intended to start a fight on the street.

Who did you think you were, talking to me in that tone? If your prince hadn't sent men to disturb me and invite me time and again, would I really have come? Xiao Chen completely ignored him and walked forward.

"Did you not hear what I said?!" Wang Xichuan shouted from behind.

"Who the hell are you? What you say means squat!" Because of the several incidents that had occurred today, Xiao Chen was already filled with anger, so his words were crude.

He did not even turn his head, ignoring the man as he continued forward.

Wang Xichuan was about to charge at him, his fury boiling over. This thug was too arrogant, daring to speak to him, the deputy commander of the Prince Li's personal guard, like this. Truly a man from barbaric lands!

But Liu Haibo grabbed him and said, "This fellow is going to the prince's residence anyway. There's no need to start a fight now. Once he's inside, let him be thoroughly humiliated in front of the many guests—that will be an even greater insult to him."

"Right!" Wang Xichuan ground his teeth.

The group walked resentfully toward the prince's residence.

The so-called prince's residence was a property Sun Miao had acquired in Heavenly Emperor City. Because the city was so famous, all the highest-ranking nobles from the north and west maintained estates here.

The prince's residence was vast, with a very refined layout. It featured both western-style castle architecture and eastern-style pavilions and terraces. Halls and towers stretched in a continuous line, blending Chinese and Western styles, with contrasting garden aesthetics that felt fresh and novel.

Fountains sprayed water. Beneath arched stone bridges, water rippled and golden carp flicked their tails. Strange rocks were piled up, fine trees were lush and green, and exotic flowers and rare plants were everywhere.

Wang Xichuan and Xiao Chen entered the prince's residence together. Both sides were extremely heated, and there was no conversation along the way.

Xiao Chen did not even wait for an announcement. He pushed past the guards and barged into the hall where Sun Miao was feasting his guests.

Inside the hall, a thick golden-thread carpet covered the floor. The honored guests each had their own low table and sat cross-legged. Sun Miao, as host, sat in the center of the hall. On both sides, a total of ten guests were seated.

When he saw the pure, beautiful woman Hai Yunxue, Xiao Chen was visibly startled. He knew that this fair-skinned, stunningly beautiful woman must be Hai Yuntian's sister. Then he saw the peerlessly beautiful Yan Qingcheng. He swept his gaze across the hall, and finally, without any restraint, sat down beside the blue-haired girl, Kanasi.

"Little follower, you've been negligent. Why haven't you come to my residence to report for duty these past few days?"

Seeing Xiao Chen sit beside her, Kanasi had already frowned. Now, hearing these words, her pretty face flushed red, and she said angrily, "You... you scoundrel! I'll settle accounts with you later!"

Arrogant—utterly arrogant! This fellow had barged in like this, sat down with a swagger, and didn't even acknowledge the Prince Li sitting in the center of the hall. Zhuge Ming, Hai Yunxue, Yan Qingcheng, and the others had varied expressions. Everyone knew the show was about to begin.