The Little Peacock King had arrived—and he, too, intended to strike at the Heavenly Emperor heir. Joy lit the faces of every cultivator from the myriad races present. The Holy Prince was already nearly invincible. Now, with Prince Lu Ya wielding the Immortal-Slaying Flying Blade and the Little Peacock King armed with his tri-colored divine feathers, the Heavenly Emperor's heir was truly doomed this time. Anyone with even a moment to spare immediately rose, gathered a few fellow daoists, and boarded immortal skiffs bound for the Great Yan Continent.

Yao Yuezhi narrowed her eyes in thought. Whether it was the Holy Prince or Prince Lu Ya, both were supreme geniuses. Only if the Heavenly Emperor heir could deal with men like these did he stand any chance of one day resisting the Undying Celestial Phoenix Clan's Celestial Prince. Only then could he resolve the desperate crisis she herself would soon face. If he couldn't even overcome the Holy Prince and his allies, then he wasn't worth her anticipation at all.

"Cousin, my immortal vessel is an Extreme Dao weapon—its speed defies imagination. Come with me!"

The Little Peacock King appeared before Yao Yuezhi. He gazed at her delicate, willow-like figure, her gently arched brows, her warm and lovable air tinged with a fragile charm that stirred pity in the heart, and smiled invitingly.

His cousin was indeed beautiful. Yet the one who occupied the deepest corner of the Little Peacock King's heart remained his aunt. That was precisely why murderous intent toward Ye Chen burned so fiercely within him.

In his eyes, his aunt was a celestial goddess. The first time he saw her as a child, his heart had nearly stopped. He dared not even look directly at her, let alone entertain the slightest improper thought—he would tremble at the mere notion. All he wished was to spend his entire life protecting her.

But that Ye Chen had actually dared harbor wicked designs and publicly sullied his aunt's reputation before the entire world. He had to die. No other outcome was acceptable!

The Little Peacock King shot a glance at Yao Yuekong and sneered inwardly. This man had sold his own sister just to save his skin—and now he even dared sell their aunt? If not for their blood ties and his cousin watching, the Little Peacock King would have beaten the wretch senseless first.

Yao Yuezhi's eyes sparkled with delight. "Wow—an Extreme Dao flying vessel? Cousin, your status in the Peacock Clan really is extraordinary!"

Yet she quickly shook her head. "Thank you, cousin, but my brother suffered a crushing defeat last time. His cultivation became unstable and he's now enduring backlash. He must remain aboard our family's immortal skiff to recuperate while traveling, and I need to stay by his side to guard him. It wouldn't be convenient to go with you…"

Hearing this, the Little Peacock King nodded and cast another contemptuous glance at Yao Yuekong.

Only after the Little Peacock King departed did Yao Yuekong finally speak, both helpless and confused. "Why not go with him? It would've been easier!"

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Yao Yuezhi shook her head with a sweet, mischievous smile. "If he's going to attack Ye Chen and actually wins, fine. But if he loses and I'm seen arriving with him… it might ruin Ye Chen's impression of me."

Yao Yuekong felt utterly helpless. His little sister had clearly made up her mind: she intended to use Ye Chen as a shield against the arranged marriage. Stopping that marriage would enrage the Undying Celestial Phoenix clan. They never forgave slights and always sought revenge. Only a man of overwhelming strength could stand in their way.

Ye Chen might truly possess that strength. The problem was—however much Ye Chen loved women, no genius who had cultivated to his current level would throw everything away without counting the cost. No man would bear such terrifying consequences just for one woman.

In Yao Yuekong's eyes, his sister's plan was doomed to fetch water in a bamboo basket—nothing but air. Still, he spoke to her with grave seriousness. "Little sister, whatever you do, don't try to trick Ye Chen. That man is definitely a descendant of the Heavenly Emperor—he has countless hidden cards. If things go wrong, the consequences could be catastrophic…"

His sister was full of clever little schemes. But Yao Yuekong constantly worried those schemes would one day backfire and trap her instead.

This time, however, Yao Yuezhi actually listened. She nodded thoughtfully. Then, with a light flick of her sleeve, she summoned their immortal skiff and flew off toward Great Yan Continent alongside her brother.

…

Heavenly Evolution Holy Land.

Ye Chen lounged atop the Holy Son Peak, basking in the sun and counting the days. He wondered why the Holy Prince still hadn't shown up. He had waited so long he was starting to grow impatient. If this dragged on any longer, he might reach the peak of the Second Heaven—or even break through to the Third.

"Fellow Daoist Ye, I have something to discuss…" Luo Bingling appeared beside him at some point, her eyes sparkling. "I'm still two short…"

Ye Chen's head instantly began to throb at the sight of her. Ever since the day Luo Bingling had broken through her inner demons and he had given her that "tiny reward," she had become utterly addicted. Every time she swallowed, she would stare at him with those eager, expectant eyes…

It drove Ye Chen half mad with annoyance. In the end he had been forced to set a rule: for every ten times she "ate," he would give her one proper treat. Ever since, Luo Bingling came running over every single day to rack up her count.

What baffled Ye Chen even more was this: She threw herself at him so shamelessly and seemed to enjoy it so much—yet not once had she triggered a critical hit. Several times he had tested her by tossing in a few extra gifts, and still—always the base four-thousand-times return. The girl was simply absurd.

Today Ye Chen had no interest in sipping purple cherry juice. He was just about to find an excuse to send Luo Bingling away when Holy Master Feng Baiyu suddenly arrived. And he brought the good news Ye Chen had been waiting for.

"The Victorious Fighting Ape clan has sent word," Feng Baiyu said solemnly. "The Holy Prince wishes to fight you to the death in the Endless Sea. They have already begun setting up the battlefield. If you accept, the array will be raised under the witness of our Heavenly Evolution Holy Land.

"Once activated, no one above the Third Heaven may enter—not even Saint Kings. No outsider will be able to interfere. The Holy Prince will reach the Endless Sea in seven days. Will you accept the challenge?

"There's more. It won't be just the Holy Prince. Prince Lu Ya of the Golden Crow clan and the Little Peacock King both nurse killing intent toward you. They will likely join in—a battle of attrition."

Ye Chen's eyes instantly blazed with excitement. "Has the Holy Prince obtained the Stasis Secret?"

Feng Baiyu nodded.

A fierce grin split Ye Chen's face.

Finally.

Without the slightest hesitation, he nodded. "I accept."