Junior sister, keep forbear for a while, I almost become invincible as soon!

Strong talent and formidable power are certainly important, but if one is recognized by the Heavenly Fortune Tao, it can almost negate the efforts of more than eighty percent of people.

It's colloquially called, "Heaven forcefully spoon-feeding you."

Therefore, destiny is the opening stage of a person's great Fate Energy.

The Tianxuan Saintess came from afar, wishing to take Princess Zi Ji as her disciple. However, she saw a darkness within Princess Zi Ji and began to doubt whether she was truly the one prophesied by destiny.

Or perhaps, was destiny mistaken?

Liu Changqing had also seen Princess Zi Ji on the day he entered the imperial city, but he had chosen not to reveal himself, preferring to observe from the shadows.

It was only later, when Princess Zi Ji reached Luo City, that he emerged and spoke those words, not expecting her to reject him.

He did not ask why.

Neither did the Tianxuan Saintess. Both knew very well that there was a serious problem within Princess Zi Ji. To succeed in recruiting her was fate; to fail was also fate.

After returning to the Martial God Academy, Liu Changqing reported these matters to his teacher.

The elder pondered for a long while and asked only one question, "Did you see it?"

At that moment, Liu Changqing began to doubt himself—no, he began to doubt the Heavenly Fortune Tao. Does the existence of destiny necessarily mean it's good? Could it be a bad outcome instead, like the existence of demon cultivators?

"I saw a mist, a ghostly face like a curse. Her fate is ominous," Liu Changqing said gravely.

"But it's undeniable that her talent is strong, correct?" the elder asked.

"Yes!" Liu Changqing affirmed. "But her cultivation is destined to encounter problems. If she doesn't enter the Martial God Academy, her only other option is a Holy Land."

The elder smiled without commenting.

In the cultivation world, cultivators were innumerable. The saying 'there's always someone better, and always a higher heaven' was not merely a proverb but a reality.

Similarly, on the Heaven Martial continent, who knew how many terrifying experts were hidden, or even ancient factions.

The elder couldn't agree with Liu Changqing's statement that her only options were the Martial God Academy or a Holy Land. The one thing he was certain of was: "She will always find a way."

Whether right or wrong.

「After a long while...」

The elder spoke again, "Princess Zi Ji publicly rejected you. Do you hate her? Hate her for causing you to lose all face?"

Liu Changqing answered, "A little."

After all, he was the foremost prodigy of the Martial God Academy, renowned throughout the land. Yet, his personal attempt to recruit a young girl had been rejected.

Although he had lost face, Liu Changqing nevertheless remained calm, possessing the poise expected of a genius.

"The person behind Princess Zi Ji, the one the outside world is talking about—have you investigated thoroughly?" the elder looked at him.

"No!" Mentioning this, Liu Changqing's expression grew solemn. "Disciple can confirm that person is only a powerful cultivator at the Realm of Divine King. He activated a Sacred Soldier to block the Sword Array of five seniors from Chong Tower, which was impressive."

"So? Have you taken a side yet?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Changqing's heart jolted. Were all of Teacher's words today leading up to this final question?

He answered truthfully, "I aspire to the path of invincibility. Worldly struggles have nothing to do with me."

The elder smiled. "Good. You haven't disappointed me." After a pause, he added, "Princess Zi Ji's journey is a major event. It also signifies the official start of internal strife within the Great Zhou Dynasty. You should focus on your cultivation during this time!"

"Yes!"

"You may leave."

"Teacher, this game of chess..."

"Leave!"

"I was about to win!" Liu Changqing said, his face darkening.

"Get out!"

...

「On a sunny and breezy day.」

The current dean of the Martial God Academy lost a game of chess and, once again acting like a sore loser, threw his disciple Liu Changqing out.

Liu Changqing cursed him hundreds of times in his heart.

An hour later, a young man rushed up to him, panting, "Brother Liu, Princess Zi Ji has arrived."

Liu Changqing was startled.

"She's accompanied by two men and a woman..." the young man added.

The Martial God Academy was vast, with countless courtyards.

A young woman led Chen Pingping and his group into one such courtyard.

Outside the gate, many young people stopped, extremely curious. What did Princess Zi Ji look like? She had refused both the Martial God Academy and the Saintess, only to finally agree to a stranger.

Not much time passed.

Liu Changqing strode over.

News of Princess Zi Ji's arrival had also spread throughout the academy, sparking widespread discussion and excitement.

"Brother Liu!" Chen Pingping stood up.

"I'm a bit curious," Liu Changqing said, looking at him. "Aren't you afraid of death?"

Princess Zi Ji's identity was very sensitive. Many within the Great Zhou Dynasty wanted her dead. Yet here you were, an unidentified man who had whisked away Zi Ji and even dared to appear with her so openly.

How is that different from seeking death?

Chen Pingping smiled. "Why should I be afraid?"

Liu Changqing was suddenly taken aback. He stared at Chen Pingping intently for a long moment before speaking, "You're not from the Central Continent, are you?"

"Nan Zhanbu Province," he replied.

"That place?" Liu Changqing frowned. "It's rumored that Nan Zhanbu Province has long been in decline, its Spirit Qi depleted, its Tao lost, and its legacies nearly severed. I never imagined it could still produce someone like you, Brother Chen. Remarkable."

His tone was even, devoid of contempt, merely stating a commonly accepted fact.

Chen Pingping laughed. "No matter how barren a land may be, there will always be those unwilling to accept their fate who strive to emerge. They know this world is vast."

"Indeed, this world is truly vast." Liu Changqing's eyes sparkled. "I have another question. What is your Sect?"

This question was likely on the minds of everyone in the entire Great Zhou Dynasty. What kind of power was the Sect behind Chen Pingping? For Princess Zi Ji to agree to join it was truly astounding.

Chen Pingping smiled. "It's just a dilapidated Sect. I was ordered to come and recruit Princess Zi Ji."

"Ordered?"

"Yes!"

"So, she has no idea about the Sect behind you, correct?"

"You could understand it that way."

"Is there some hidden story here?"

"Many years ago, my master traveled here and met Princess Zi Ji's mother. They later became acquainted. At that time, Zi Ji's mother was pregnant with her. Therefore, my master boldly decided to take the unborn Zi Ji, while she was still in her mother's womb, under his wing..."

So that's how it is!

Liu Changqing suddenly understood. No wonder Princess Zi Ji had refused both the Martial God Academy and the Saintess; there was a hidden reason.

Princess Zi Ji chose Chen Pingping not because of his Sect, but because of an agreement between her mother and Chen Pingping's master.

That made sense.

With this explanation, all of Liu Changqing's doubts were instantly cleared.

Nearby, Zhou Huaian also showed a look of sudden comprehension.

However...

Liu Changqing frowned deeply. "Brother Chen, you came today for Princess Zi Ji, right?"

The way he so readily answered all my questions, he must be here to ask for something.

Chen Pingping nodded. "Indeed. It's about the issue within Princess Zi Ji."

Hearing this, Liu Changqing's expression darkened, and his gaze sharpened. "I'm afraid I might not be of help!"