Protect Our Patriarch

……

"Seventh Brother, I'm on the patrol boat," Wang Ansong's profound energy resonated from his sea of energy, his voice ringing out clearly. "You came just in time. We've captured two spies inciting rebellion among the people. One of them even pretended to be your fiancée. Haha, everyone knows our Seventh Sister-in-law is Princess Yiluo."

Pretending to be a fiancée?

Wu Xue'ning was dumbfounded, her cheeks flushed red, looking utterly confused. When did I ever pretend to be Anye's fiancée?

"Is there such a thing? When did I get another fiancée?" Wang Anye's surprised voice came through. "Wait a moment, I'll come aboard to take a look."

Oh no, this is so embarrassing!

Wu Xue'ning stomped her foot in frustration.

This time, accompanying His Majesty in disguise as a rogue cultivator, she naturally couldn't use her true "immortal beauty" appearance. Under the meticulous "renovation" by the Emperor Ancestor, she had transformed from an ethereal "little fairy" into an ordinary "plain Jane."

Not to mention, after causing a stir on the Wang's Clan territory with the Ancestor, she was caught as a spy.

She was still wearing handcuffs, looking so disheveled. How could she let Anye see her like this? If he saw her, what image would she have left in front of him?

"Grandpa Yao... please help," Wu Xue'ning pleaded with a hopeful voice transmission.

Sigh~

Old Yao sighed deeply in his heart.

Xue'ning, this child, is falling deeper and deeper.

But, you can only blame Anye for being too outstanding.

Not to mention a young girl like Xue'ning, even Old Yao, who has seen countless young talents over the centuries, had to admit that Wang Anye was exceptional in appearance, talent, and demeanor, leaving nothing to be criticized.

Most importantly, Anye had a special aura that naturally made people have a good impression of him.

Forget it, let His Majesty deal with this headache himself.

With that, he casually pointed a finger, and a gentle yet powerful profound energy surged forth.

In the next moment, the black iron handcuffs on Wu Xue'ning's hands shattered into powder, scattering away.

Simultaneously, he lightly stomped his foot, causing Patrol Boat No. 003 to shake violently, making all the soldiers on board lose their balance.

What kind of terrifying existence is a Divine Realm cultivator? They possess the mighty power to overturn seas and rivers.

The number of Divine Realm cultivators in the entire Great Qian is not many, each one being a pillar of the nation. If he wished, he could easily destroy this patrol boat with a flick of a finger, killing everyone on board.

However, these were Wang's Clan's people and property, and Old Yao wasn't here to cause trouble for them, so he naturally wouldn't engage in wanton destruction or killing.

The opportunity has come!

Wu Xue'ning's eyes lit up, and the profound energy within her, already at the Celestial Realm, surged forth, transforming into a stream of light as she shot out of the porthole with a "whoosh."

Of course, she wouldn't kill indiscriminately. All she wanted was to leave quickly and avoid meeting Wang Anye.

"Enchantress, you dare to escape?!" Wang Ansong roared in anger and surprise, "Seventh Brother, don't let that enchantress get away!"

At this moment, Wang Zongkun was mostly submerged in the water, with Wang Anye standing on his back, preparing to calm him down before boarding the ship to catch up with his brother. Unexpectedly, such a change occurred.

Immediately.

He frowned slightly and said, "Ansong, don't worry. She won't escape."

With that, he bowed slightly to Wang Zongkun beneath him, "Uncle Grandpa, please stop her for me."

"Awuu~~"

Wang Zongkun let out a long, whistle-like cry.

He had naturally noticed the female cultivator who suddenly appeared. Hearing Wang Anye's words, confirming she was an enemy, he naturally wouldn't hold back.

He loved catching bad people~

In an instant.

The power of space spread out from him as the center, and within a radius of several miles, everything in the air slowed down and then gradually solidified.

The rippling water, the wind blowing across the water's surface, the dragonfly about to take flight from a blade of grass, the petals drifting down by the riverbank... everything froze in space, as if time itself had stopped at that moment.

In mid-flight, Wu Xue'ning's figure halted, and she was instantly frozen in space like everything else around her, unable to move.

At first glance, it was as if she had become a specially crafted piece of art.

Space Confinement!

One of the most iconic minor divine abilities of the space element.

As a naturally born celestial beast, Wang Zongkun's aptitude was comparable to that of a human's innate dao body. Now, at the sixth stage, he had long mastered great divine abilities and had developed various miraculous uses. Space Confinement, a minor divine ability, was naturally at his fingertips.

Moreover, as a celestial beast, his physical strength was far superior to that of human cultivators of the same level, and the energy he could store within was vast. Even when using energy-consuming great divine abilities, he could sustain them for a long time. When it came to minor divine abilities, he hardly needed to worry about running out of energy.

In a real fight, even a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator might not be his match.

This is bad!

Wu Xue'ning's expression changed, immediately sensing trouble.

If it were only Wang Anye, she would still have a good chance of escaping. After all, she was a great prodigy herself, with formidable strength, and her speed when fully utilizing her escape techniques was unparalleled.

However, she never expected that the Dragon Whale beneath Wang Anye's feet would possess the extremely rare space element divine ability, capable of directly immobilizing her!

A miscalculation!

However, she didn't panic. Instead, she made a decisive move, summoning her Divine Spirit Artifact longsword—"Peerless Snow."

This Divine Spirit Artifact longsword was a gift from her Ancestor Grandpa before she went to the Holy Land for study. It was the same sword from the treasury, which had just begun to develop intelligence and could only cry "wah wah."

Of course, like Wu Xue'ning, this Divine Spirit Artifact longsword was also disguised, making it difficult to recognize as the same sword without careful examination.

As "Peerless Snow" appeared, its powerful aura exploded, loosening the space confinement around Wu Xue'ning slightly.

A Divine Spirit Artifact is, after all, a Divine Spirit Artifact. Even if its intelligence is not strong, the boost it provides to one's strength is significant.

Wang Zongkun's space confinement was indeed powerful, but he was not yet at the seventh stage, so the power of his divine ability was slightly reduced. Otherwise, even with a Divine Spirit Artifact in hand, it wouldn't have been so easily affected.

Wu Xue'ning seized the opportunity and swiftly slipped away with her movement technique.

However, before she could celebrate, Wang Anye made his move.

"Clang!"

A crisp sword cry echoed.

The Divine Spirit Artifact longsword "Years" was unsheathed, caught by Wang Anye with a casual grasp, and slashed forward in mid-air.

In an instant.

A majestic sword light swept across the heavens and earth.

The entire sky seemed to collapse at that moment, vast and overwhelming, like mountains upon mountains, or waves upon waves, rolling down with an indescribable, terrifying might.

"Boom!"

Wu Xue'ning was directly struck by the sword, falling into the water with a huge splash, almost plunging into the river mud.

She, Little Commandery Princess Xue'ning, was actually struck by Anye!

Wu Xue'ning had never been so embarrassed and aggrieved in her life. For a moment, tears flowed uncontrollably, merging with the clear river water.

But now was not the time for sorrow. Even if she were to die, she couldn't let Anye recognize her as Wu Xue'ning. Otherwise, how could she ever face him again?

She was, after all, a great prodigy at the Celestial Realm, with extraordinary cultivation and strength. Her profound energy surged in the water, propelling her forward like a mermaid as she fled.

"Awush awush~~"

Wang Zongkun became even more excited upon seeing this.

That human girl actually wanted to race him in swimming?

How interesting.

With a "thud," he submerged into the water with Wang Anye, like a "giant whale" diving into a water channel, causing waves to crash against the riverbanks.

With a flick of his tail, he shot forward with a "boom," like a massive ship setting sail.

In just a few breaths, he caught up with Wu Xue'ning, swimming happily beside her, making awush awush sounds through the water, as if mocking her.

Wu Xue'ning almost fainted from anger.

What kind of monstrous Dragon Whale did Wang Anye raise? How could it be so abnormal?

Meanwhile, Wang Zongkun's reckless swimming caused undercurrents to surge, making Wu Xue'ning dizzy and leaving her on the verge of tears.

She regretted it!

If she had known, she wouldn't have followed her Ancestor Grandpa on this incognito visit. Who would have thought that this trip would bring such bad luck?

At this moment.

Wang Anye, who had been waiting for an opportunity, suddenly leaped from Wang Zongkun's back. Moving nimbly through the water, he grabbed Wu Xue'ning's leg.

Wu Xue'ning was startled and quickly turned to sweep her leg across, the speed and force causing a wave to rise underwater.

"Goodness."

Wang Anye's expression turned serious.

Which faction did this spy come from? Not only was she powerful, but she was also quite fierce. Facing his capture, she dared to repeatedly resist.

Did she really think he, Seventh Young Master Wang Anye, was a pushover?

Immediately.

Wang Anye countered without hesitation, engaging in an underwater struggle with Wu Xue'ning.

Neither of them had water-based bloodlines, so their sword techniques and minor divine abilities were greatly affected underwater, requiring them to get closer to attack. Their ages and cultivation levels were similar, resulting in a closely matched battle.

Wang Zongkun watched with interest, cheering Wang Anye on with awush awush sounds. Go Anye, catch that enchantress, and your Grandpa Kun will reward you handsomely.

The two of them, one trying to escape and the other trying to catch, soon found themselves in a predicament.

Unknowingly, they had become completely entangled.

Wu Xue'ning was momentarily stunned, realizing the situation was bad. She was a dignified royal princess, and now Anye had taken advantage of her. What should she do?

Wang Anye, on the other hand, didn't see any problem with it.

In his view, he was just capturing an enchantress fugitive. In the heat of battle, who cared about such things?

His great-grandfather Wang Shouzhe had taught him never to underestimate any enemy, especially not to show mercy just because the enemy was a woman.

Seeing her suddenly dazed, he naturally took the opportunity to lock her joints with his hands and feet, then skillfully tied her up with a beast-binding rope from his Boundless Treasure Ring.

The Wang's Clan had a tradition of autumn and winter hunting, held every three years. As a direct descendant of the Wang's Clan, Wang Anye participated almost every time. He was skilled in hunting, and when capturing live prey to bring back, tying them securely was essential, so he was quite adept at it.

After tying her up.

Wang Anye brought her to the shore, shaking off the water from his body and clothes with a burst of profound energy, instantly becoming clean and tidy.

This was a little trick he had learned from years of fish herding and dealing with water.

"Your 'mud dog shakes water' technique is quite good," Wu Xue'ning said, seeing that she hadn't escaped and knowing she couldn't avoid it, she decided to go all out.

Especially being tied up like this by Wang Anye, she couldn't help but feel angry.

"You enchantress..." Wang Anye's words were cut short, his expression freezing.

After swimming and fighting, the makeup on Wu Xue'ning's face had washed away, revealing a clear and stunningly beautiful face.

"You, you, you, you're Xue'ning..." Wang Anye's handsome and sunny face was filled with shock. "How could it be you? How did you end up here?"

Over the decades, Wu Xue'ning had spent half her time studying in the Holy Land and the other half in Guilong City.

As a young clan leader, Wang Anye occasionally visited the Holy Land or went to Guilong City for business. Although they didn't meet often, they had opportunities to catch up every few years.

They were not unfamiliar with each other's adult appearances.

"Before asking questions, could you untie your beast-binding rope?" Wu Xue'ning shot him a fierce glare.

Today, her face was truly lost.

"My apologies, my apologies." Wang Anye quickly bowed and helped Wu Xue'ning untie the rope.

Throughout the process, he was extremely cautious, avoiding any contact with her body, displaying a courteous and respectful demeanor.

Such behavior only fueled Wu Xue'ning's resentment.

Earlier, in the water, he had grabbed and hugged her, taking all sorts of liberties. But now, he was acting like a perfect gentleman, as if he intended to deny everything.

Feeling utterly displeased, Wu Xue'ning's anger surged, and she looked at Wang Anye "fiercely" and said, "Wang Anye, I ask you, how do you plan to handle what just happened?"

"Well..." Wang Anye pondered seriously and said, "Xue'ning, you are a dignified royal princess, and you wouldn't cause trouble in my Wang's Clan territory. There must be some misunderstanding. I'll explain it to my twelfth brother, and for now, I won't arrest you."

What does he mean by "for now"? Does he plan to arrest her later? And is this the question she asked?

Wu Xue'ning almost fainted from anger.

At this moment, Wang Zongkun had somehow swum to the shore, his massive fish head resting on the riverbank, watching them argue with great interest.

His gossip-loving heart was burning with curiosity.

That girl turned out to be a great beauty, and it seemed like she had a lot of entanglements with Anye. What was their relationship?

"Wang Anye, don't play dumb!" Wu Xue'ning realized she couldn't let him dodge the issue, so she asked directly, "I'm asking about what happened at the riverbed when you grabbed, hugged, and kissed me. How do you plan to handle that?"

She had come to a realization. If she didn't take the initiative now, in a few years, once Wang Anye and Yiluo got married, she would have no chance. In a few more years, they might even have a bunch of kids.

"Wait!" A drop of cold sweat slid down Wang Anye's forehead as he recalled, "During the fight, there was grabbing and hugging, but where did the kissing come from?"

"Wang Anye, I ask you, have you ever kissed me in your life?" Wu Xue'ning stared at him with starry eyes, her gaze intense.

"Well... there was a time, but we were young, and it was..." Wang Anye began to explain, but Wu Xue'ning interrupted him.

"So there was."

"What?!" Wang Zongkun, who was watching, widened his eyes in surprise, suddenly becoming more interested.

Our Anye is something, isn't he? Not even married yet, and he's already kissed a girl.

"Well... Xue'ning, it was all a misunderstanding," Wang Anye said helplessly. "Why are you bringing this up?"

"Wang Anye, I'm a dignified little princess. Once I reach the Purple Mansion Realm, I'll be a legitimate princess of the Great Qian," Wu Xue'ning huffed. "Having been hugged, kissed, and grabbed by you, how can I have any face to marry?"

"She's right, she can't marry, can't marry." The gossip-loving Kun nodded repeatedly, siding with Little Commandery Princess Xue'ning. His tail slapped the water, making a loud noise, indicating that if needed, he could testify that Wang Anye had indeed grabbed, hugged, and tied her up.

Wang Anye glared at Wang Zongkun, annoyed. What are you meddling for? He took a deep breath and bowed to Wu Xue'ning, "This is indeed Anye's fault. I don't know what to do to make you forgive me."

"Forgive?" Wu Xue'ning's expression turned serious. "This isn't child's play. What about forgiveness? Think about it, what am I? I'm a great prodigy princess. Even if I marry a Lingxu seed from a first-grade family of the Immortal Dynasty, it wouldn't disgrace them, right?"

"Awush awush, not a disgrace, not a disgrace." The gossip-loving Kun slapped the river water, joining in the commotion.

Wang Anye wiped the sweat from his forehead, agreeing, not a disgrace, not a disgrace.

"But with my ruined reputation, how can I face anyone?" Wu Xue'ning's cheeks flushed, speaking with determination. "I can't marry someone and then cuckold them, can I? I can't do that."

Goodness!

Even "ruined reputation" came up.

Wang Anye's forehead was drenched in sweat, apologetically saying, "Little Commandery Princess Xue'ning, but I already have a marriage contract with Yiluo, I'm afraid..."

"That's fine," Wu Xue'ning raised her delicate eyebrows. "Since Young Master Anye doesn't want to take responsibility, let's just say Xue'ning is unlucky. At most, I'll never marry in my life, and you won't have any psychological burden. I won't pester you."

"Scumbag, scumbag, a scumbag who denies everything after taking advantage~ awush~ awooo~ slap slap slap" The gossip-loving Kun became excited, his huge eyes glaring at Wang Anye. Anye, oh Anye, even though you're my grandson, this time, Grandpa Kun sides with my granddaughter-in-law Xue'ning.

"This... I'll ask my great-grandfather's opinion." Wang Anye, inexperienced in matters of the heart, was at a loss, his forehead drenched in sweat. Forget it, I'll go home and ask my great-grandfather how to handle this. He seems to be more experienced in matters of the heart.

"Anye, don't worry, I won't force you." Wu Xue'ning suddenly clung to his arm, gently wiping his sweat with a handkerchief, her voice tender and meticulous. "Even if your great-grandfather disagrees, I won't have any regrets."

"Xue'ning, this isn't right..." Wang Anye nervously struggled.

"We've already been through so much... Anye, do you despise me?"

"No, I don't despise you, not at all."

Not far away, Patrol Boat No. 003 approached for support, with Wang Ansong standing at the bow, initially worried about his Seventh Brother.

But suddenly, he saw this scene and was shocked, thinking, no way? Was that enchantress... no, woman really Seventh Brother's fiancée?

Oh no, oh no, I captured Seventh Brother's fiancée earlier. He won't be mad, will he?

Meanwhile, Old Yao's eye twitched, his mouth agape in surprise. Did they just hit it off? Xue'ning's speed is really something...

Forget it, forget it, what does this have to do with a eunuch like me?

If anyone's going to have a headache, it's His Majesty.

……

At the same time.

In the Spirit Tree Valley where Lixian's true form resided, the place was teeming with life and spiritual energy, each breath filling one's lungs with immortal aura.

"Shouzhe, does this valley have a name?" Emperor Longchang asked, hands behind his back, surveying the scene with satisfaction.

Wang Shouzhe was taken aback, "Your Majesty, you want to live here?"

"Shouzhe, listen to yourself. I'm here to tutor Xian'er in her studies, so naturally, it's convenient to live nearby," Emperor Longchang said matter-of-factly, then pondered, "Since I'm staying here to tutor Xian'er, let's call this place 'Stay Immortal Valley.'"

Wang Shouzhe's mouth twitched, but he dutifully bowed, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for bestowing the name."

"Oh, Shouzhe, this elegant residence of yours is quite nice. Though the spiritual wood used isn't the finest, its rustic charm suits my taste," Emperor Longchang said with satisfaction again. "I've lived in luxury all my life, so staying in this forest cabin is truly a unique experience."

"I'll name it 'Stay Immortal Residence.' What do you think, Shouzhe?"

Great!

Even my secluded cultivation hut has been taken over, and you've even named it.

You've traveled all the way to the Wang's Clan, freeloading here and there. I hope you brought enough imperial pension?

Wang Shouzhe's mind was filled with grumbling. And Your Majesty, when you name something, it's always about immortals and staying immortal. Did you have some youthful worries or something?

Seeing Wang Shouzhe's expression, Emperor Longchang felt a surge of satisfaction. Shouzhe, oh Shouzhe, you finally have your day.

……