"Yes. He has no cultivation realm to speak of—his only skill is divination, and his predictions have always been accurate in the past. Even my father holds him in high regard, consulting him on major decisions." Liu Yunyao replied with visible concern.

"Don’t worry. He doesn’t seem hostile to me," Ye Liuyun reassured her. He hadn’t sensed any ill intent from Lin Qiwen—if anything, the man seemed uneasy.

As the two entered the grand hall, Lin Qiwen’s gaze lingered on Ye Liuyun before he finally acknowledged the princess.

"Your Highness, forgive this old man’s intrusion," Lin Qiwen said with a respectful bow.

"State Preceptor, you honor me with your presence. No need for formalities," Liu Yunyao replied courteously before cutting straight to the point. "I’ve brought the person you wished to see. What counsel do you have for us?"

Ye Liuyun, standing beside the princess, merely gave a slight nod in acknowledgment rather than offering a full bow. As her personal guard, formalities toward the State Preceptor weren’t strictly necessary.

From the moment Ye Liuyun entered, Lin Qiwen had been studying him closely. Despite his altered appearance and guard’s attire, the man’s innate poise and bearing were impossible to conceal.

Without pretense, Lin Qiwen stated his purpose: "When Your Highness selected your spirit beast, you heeded this guard’s advice. The king took notice and tasked me with investigating his background."

"After returning, I performed a divination. The results were startling—this man is no ordinary individual. His presence could bring great fortune to the Willow Forest Dynasty. But should we interfere with him, calamity will surely follow."

Liu Yunyao paled at his words. If what the State Preceptor said was true, he would undoubtedly report to her father. The king might then take action against Ye Liuyun, inviting disaster upon the dynasty.

She knew all too well that their kingdom stood no chance against Ye Liuyun’s power—the treasures he had given her alone were proof of that.

Uncertain of Lin Qiwen’s intentions, she hesitated, waiting for him to continue. But the old man fell silent, his gaze fixed on Ye Liuyun as if awaiting his response.

Seeing this, Ye Liuyun spoke plainly: "If you’ve already divined the truth, why trouble the princess? If you trust your own foresight, simply tell the king to pay me no further mind." 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"But if you doubt your own calculations, by all means, report to him. Then we’ll see whether meddling in my affairs truly brings ruin upon your dynasty."

Lin Qiwen showed no anger at the blunt words. Instead, he nodded slowly, as if in agreement.

"I share the same sentiment. For the sake of the dynasty’s fate, withholding certain truths from His Majesty is justifiable. Yet I can’t help but wonder—where do you hail from, what are your intentions, and how did you come to be by the princess’s side?"

The old advisor laid bare his thoughts and voiced his concerns, clearly seeking a candid conversation with Ye Liuyun.

Stepping forward without pretense, Ye Liuyun met Lin Qiwen’s gaze openly. "You needn’t worry, Elder. My presence here is solely to gather resources. I have no interest in entangling myself with the Willow Forest Dynasty.

"It was mere chance that I encountered the princess in distress and intervened. Her favor was earned, not sought. She is now my woman, and as such, I will ensure her safety and aid her in ascending the throne to fulfill her ambitions—nothing more.

"Nor do I plan to linger here. Whether Yunyao chooses to leave with me will be her decision. Should she stay, I will return often to see her."

Lin Qiwen absorbed Ye Liuyun’s words, pondering for a moment before pressing further. "And what if His Majesty refuses to pass the throne to the princess? Many still believe women inferior to men."

Ye Liuyun’s response was firm. "I care only for Yunyao’s choice. If she desires the throne, no one—not even the Willow Forest King—can stand in her way. If she wishes to abandon it and leave with me, I would not object."

"Are you suggesting you possess the power to annihilate the Willow Forest Dynasty?" Lin Qiwen pressed urgently.

"Not just your dynasty," Ye Liuyun replied without a trace of humility. "I could erase the entire Twin Dynasties Galaxy from existence. The vanished planets you speak of? Those were my doing. But I take only uninhabited worlds—I have no wish to harm the innocent."

He wanted them to understand his might, to deter any reckless defiance.

Lin Qiwen fell into deep silence. His suspicions had been confirmed—Ye Liuyun’s power was beyond their reckoning. To oppose him would be to invite the dynasty’s doom.

And not just their dynasty, but all the people of the Twin Dynasties Galaxy. The fact that Ye Liuyun had spared populated worlds proved he was no indiscriminate killer. Yet if provoked, he would strip this realm of its resources without hesitation, leaving behind only devastation—a cataclysm akin to the end of days.

With a heavy sigh, Lin Qiwen slowly gave his assurance. "I will conceal the truth of your presence from His Majesty."

Ye Liuyun nodded, offering no further words as he returned to the princess’s side.

"My gratitude, Grand Advisor," Liu Yunyao said, bowing her head in thanks.

The Imperial Preceptor could only shake his head helplessly. "You should be grateful he isn’t a bloodthirsty man! For a figure like him to take a liking to you, Princess, is truly a blessing. I hope Your Highness will always keep the people’s welfare in mind and bring prosperity to the realm."

With that, Lin Qiwen bowed deeply to the princess, so formally that Liu Yunyao had no choice but to rise and help him up.

Lin Qiwen understood all too well—Ye Liuyun cared nothing for their Liu-Lin Dynasty, nor even their entire binary-star system. His attitude toward the common people here depended entirely on Liu Yunyao. That was why he had to implore her to consider their well-being.

"Might I ask for your name, sir?" Lin Qiwen inquired of Ye Liuyun. For a diviner, knowing a name allowed for far more precise calculations of one’s fate.

Liu Yunyao immediately sent a mental message to Ye Liuyun, explaining the significance.

But Ye Liuyun showed no hesitation.

"Ye Liuyun," he answered plainly.

"My thanks! This old man shall take his leave now—forgive the intrusion." Without pressing further, Lin Qiwen excused himself and departed.

"You just gave him your name—aren’t you afraid he’ll divine your future?" Liu Yunyao asked anxiously once they were alone.

"And what if he does?" Ye Liuyun countered dismissively.

"Fine! You’re invincible, I get it." Liu Yunyao sighed in exasperation. Such was the arrogance of overwhelming power—even their Liu-Lin Dynasty could do nothing to restrain him.

Back in his quarters, Lin Qiwen retrieved his tortoise-shell divination tools, intending to peer into Ye Liuyun’s destiny. Yet the shells remained clenched in his palm, uncast.

"Even with his name... even if I divine something, the outcome cannot be changed. Worse, glimpsing such celestial secrets might invite divine retribution.

"This reading... is not to be made."