"So, why are we heading to the Sunflower Dew Nation before going to Asgard?" – Chu Yuechan asked curiously, gazing out the carriage window, watching the tall towers and ornate passages of the Imperial Capital beginning to appear on the horizon.
Three days had passed since the journey began, spent moving from one city to another, tasting local delicacies, enjoying breathtaking landscapes, and occasionally encountering repeated assassination attempts from some ambitious princes or vengeful foes — attempts that always ended with the same result: the silent death of the assassins and continued tranquility inside the carriage.
"Do you remember the Healing Banquet of the Blue Wind Emperor two years ago?" – Xichen asked, sitting across from her inside the carriage, one arm cradling Xue'er, who was sleeping in his lap.
Yuechan nodded, her gaze following his.
"That day, I received an invitation to attend the Golden Child Ceremony in the Sunflower Dew Nation. It seems the ceremony will take place sometime this month, though I don't know the exact date."
"Golden Child Ceremony?" – Yuechan repeated the words thoughtfully before continuing in a calm voice – "I remember now… It's that annual event held to select the nation's top talents in fields like music, martial training, academics, and even politics… under the personal supervision of Emperor Yang Huaiyu."
Xichen nodded slightly: "Correct. And it's said the rewards this year will be grander than usual, marking fifteen years since Yang Huaiyu ascended the throne."
Then he added with a light, sarcastic tone:
"Besides, I think it's a good time for some amusement. We're in no rush to reach Asgard."
But what he didn't say outright was the deeper truth behind his visit...
[A/N: The Sunflower Dew Nation is the same as the Tianxiang Empire from Otherworldly Evil Monarch]
The truth was that he didn't really care about the Sunflower Dew Nation itself, but he was going there to deal with Jun Moxie. He recalled that the other party only possessed a mere 200 Fortune Value, and even if he found some opportunities and increased his Fortune Value, it wouldn't be a problem. Xichen intended to deal with him completely before heading to Asgard, as he wanted to obtain another Heavenly Treasure Chest to see if he could get something good that would help him strengthen himself.
"As I recall, the Sunflower Dew Nation has something called the Great Masters, and they seem extremely powerful. The weakest among them is at the peak of the Throne level, and the strongest is said to be at the peak of the Overlord level" – Yuechan said, recalling the roster of the Great Masters, who were infamous because even the Imperial Family feared provoking them easily.
"Just a bunch of old geezers who refuse to die." – Xichen said indifferently, gently running his fingers through the hair of the sleeping Xue'er in his lap, his tone utterly devoid of the respect such names were supposedly due.
"…" – Zhuqing gazed at Xichen, boundless satisfaction and pride shining in her beautiful purple eyes. Clearly, she was overjoyed at her son's transformation from a hesitant child who disliked trouble into a strong, dependable man unafraid of challenges.
"I don't understand why you show them such deep respect when you're no weaker than any of them" – Zhuyun said puzzled, staring at Yuechan, who was at the 10th level of the Emperor Profound Realm, half a step away from the Tyrant Profound Realm.
"Although I don't consider myself weak, I know there's always someone stronger" – Yuechan shook her head lightly. Living in Xichen's palace and witnessing the true power of the continent's strongest empire had broadened her horizons; she no longer saw the Emperor Profound Realm as mighty as before — it was merely cannon fodder in the Divine Phoenix Empire.
"That's a good realization to have, but…" – Zhuyun nodded approvingly at Yuechan's words, knowing that many arrogant people never understood such a simple truth and brought ruin upon themselves – "You are still young, in your thirties, and your talent is top-notch. So sooner or later, you'll stand at the peak of this continent on your own."
"And if you stay close to this rascal, you'll be able to surpass the limits of this planet's power and ascend to a greater world" – Zhuyun added, pinching Xichen's cheek affectionately.
Xichen smiled faintly, tilting his head slightly, accepting Zhuyun's pinch without protest — he even seemed accustomed to her spontaneous displays of affection.
"Hah, so you're calling me a rascal again?" – he said teasingly, gently adjusting Xue'er's blanket.
Zhuyun laughed softly, then said:
"If I live another thousand years, I might stop… but until then, you'll always be that boy who hid behind doors whenever a stranger appeared in the palace."
"Anyone would be scared when suddenly seeing an old man who looks like a monster in their home" – Xichen objected with slight indignation. Even now, he would still be frightened if a monstrous old man suddenly appeared out of nowhere trying to smile kindly at him.
In young Xichen's eyes, that was a man-eating grin, not a kind uncle's smile. The fact that he hadn't wet his pants was an achievement he was still proud of today — an achievement he might boast about for the next thousand years.
"Who dares block this young master's path!!" – Suddenly, a greasy, arrogant voice rang out from outside the carriage, and everyone felt the vehicle come to a halt.
...
To get more chapters please visit my p@treon :
[email protected]/Akasaki_Ryujin
For support :
https://ko-fi.com/akasaki_ryujin
_
Note: A new chapter will be released every 300 Power Stones.