Princess Liu Yunyao replied with effortless grace, "As a woman, I’ve no interest in the brutish affairs of men. Keeping a pet suits me just fine!"

At that moment, she slipped back into the demeanor befitting a princess, trading barbs with her brothers as effortlessly as ever.

"Excellent! Women should stick to women’s business—no need to meddle in men’s affairs. Bloodshed isn’t for you. Wouldn’t want you getting hurt," Prince Liu Yunheng remarked, his words laced with veiled meaning.

"Thank you for the advice, Fourth Brother. I’ll take my leave now to focus on my cultivation. Do carry on with your important matters."

Without another word, Yunyao turned and walked away, refusing to engage further.

The princes exchanged bewildered glances.

"Has the girl had a change of heart lately?"

In truth, Yunyao simply wanted to return quickly—to spend more time with Ye Liuyun. Ever since meeting him, her thirst for power had waned considerably.

Both the Fourth Prince, Liu Yunheng, and the Sixth Prince, Liu Yunfei, had been closely monitoring Yunyao’s recent activities. They knew she spent most of her time in secluded cultivation. Yet, neither believed she had truly abandoned her ambitions. Instead, they suspected she was biding her time, preparing some grand scheme.

But with Yunyao remaining inactive, they had no choice but to turn their focus inward, tightening their grip on power and expanding their own influence.

After the princes dispersed, a regal figure clad in royal robes and a crown approached, accompanied by an elder dressed in ministerial attire. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"The demon lion has been chosen by the princess. It seems fate has spoken," the elder murmured to the man beside him.

The king, Liu Qianzhong of the Willow Forest Kingdom, carried himself with an imposing air despite his age. His sharp eyes exuded authority. By his side stood Grand Tutor Lin Qiwen, the only high-ranking official in the court without any cultivation prowess.

Though Lin Qiwen lacked martial strength, he was renowned as a master diviner, skilled in the art of astrology. His predictions were said to be uncannily accurate.

Even King Liu Qianzhong held him in the highest regard, bestowing upon him the title of Grand Tutor. No faction in the kingdom dared cross him.

According to his speculation, Liu Yunyao was the future successor to the Willow Forest Dynasty.

This time, during the beast selection, Liu Qianzhong and Lin Qiwen were well aware of the demon lion’s origins. They deliberately mixed it in with the other beasts to see who would choose this special creature.

"Before Yunyao picked the demon lion, she seemed to have her eyes on that rhinoceros," Liu Qianzhong recalled carefully, sensing that Liu Yunyao hadn’t initially intended to select the demon lion.

He had observed keenly and believed it was Ye Liuyun who had prompted her to make that choice.

"Have someone investigate that guard by her side."

"Yes!" Lin Qiwen acknowledged the order.

Upon returning to her private residence, Liu Yunyao immediately led Ye Liuyun straight into her inner chambers, even dismissing all her maids. The attendants were utterly shocked, especially Hongling, who hurriedly questioned the princess, fearing she might have been controlled by someone else.

"I’m fine. He’s Liuyun in disguise," Liu Yunyao reassured Hongling.

"Liuyun? Mr. Ye?" Only then did Hongling realize.

"That’s right!"

"Already calling him ’Liuyun’ so soon?" Hongling teased her playfully. "Will the consort be staying here tonight? There’s plenty of time, you know!"

Liu Yunyao’s cheeks flushed crimson at her words.

"How should I know if he plans to stay? Just bring some wine and food later!" she ordered, shooing Hongling away.

Deep down, she was eager for Ye Liuyun to stay, but her heart raced with nervousness all the same.

Upon entering her chamber, Ye Liuyun finally dropped his disguise and released the magical lion onto the table.

"Speak. Where do you come from?" Ye Liuyun demanded bluntly.

The lion, looking thoroughly aggrieved, began its tale. "I am the son of the Beast King from the Planet of Magical Beasts. My father was ambushed by humans and, before his death, sealed his true essence within me. Unfortunately, the other beasts fought for the throne and exposed me, leading to my capture.

"But your king knew my origins. He intended to use me as a test for his princes—to see who would choose me. He believed whoever did would one day command the magical beasts and stand a better chance of inheriting the throne."

Liu Yunyao gaped in astonishment at the talking beast. Though she had encountered demonic creatures before, neither the Nine-Headed Demon Dragon nor the Vespera had ever revealed their true forms in her presence. A speaking, ferocious beast was still something she hadn’t quite adjusted to.

"Oh! So that’s why your father was watching during the selection," Ye Liuyun remarked casually. He had noticed Liu Qianzhong and Lin Qiwen observing from a separate room but hadn’t paid it much mind.

After gathering the necessary information, Ye Liuyun used the Slaving Seal to learn the coordinates and details of the Planet of Magical Beasts. The planet teemed with powerful creatures, and he decided to claim it for himself, tasking his avatar with expanding his spatial realm.

"Is this a Devil Beast?" Liu Yunyao asked Ye Liuyun, puzzled.

"You’re the Devil Beast! I’m a magical beast!" the lion snapped back, baring its teeth.

Liu Yunyao couldn’t help but laugh at its indignant retort. But in an instant, Ye Liuyun backhanded the lion, sending it tumbling head over heels.

"Watch your tone. She’s my woman. From now on, you’ll follow and protect her. If anything happens to her, I’ll skin you alive.

"As for your Planet of Magical Beasts, I’ll soon claim it for my avatar’s spatial realm. You won’t lack cultivation resources there.

"For now, go to the spatial world to train. My avatar can also help you break a few seals to accelerate your progress."

"You hit me that hard? How was I supposed to know she’s your woman?" the lion whined, rubbing its face with a paw like a scolded kitten. The sight only made Liu Yunyao stifle another laugh.

Ye Liuyun fixed the beast with a stern glare. "I’m not using the Slaving Seal to fully control you—you should know better. Stop playing dumb, or I’ll turn you into nothing more than a puppet."

"Alright, you’re the boss! I surrender, okay?" The little demon lion raised its paws and plopped down on the ground in a mock surrender pose.

Without further ado, Ye Liuyun promptly stowed the creature away.

"I’ll first help it break through to the Celestial Realm before handing it over to you. But this demon lion is no ordinary beast—it’s cunning as they come. It also has a unique talent for sniffing out crystal veins and other energy-rich deposits."

Ye Liuyun leaned closer to Liu Yunyao, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret. "On top of that, its spatial abilities are extraordinary. Anywhere its eyes can see, it can physically reach. With this little troublemaker by your side, you’ll never run short of divine crystals. Honestly, I suspect it’s a master thief in the making!"

"It has *that* many talents?" Liu Yunyao’s eyes sparkled with delight. "But it’s just so adorable—I can’t help it!" She was utterly enchanted by its fluffy exterior, completely overlooking its devious potential.

Ye Liuyun shook his head with a wry smile. "This creature’s intelligence is off the charts. Once it grows up, it’ll be downright crafty. After I give it to you, you’ll need to keep a tight leash on it." His tone carried a note of warning, though his eyes twinkled with amusement.