Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Capital City, inside one of the rooms of an inn.

Chu Kuangren had just woken from his closed-door meditation. In just a few days, Chu Kuangren had achieved a preliminary mastery of the Gluttonous Devouring Technique based on the level of understanding he had in the Dao and the help he got from the Black Light Sage's corpse.

That technique was a very powerful one and would be of great use to Chu Kuangren. However, it could easily harm a person's karmic luck, so it had to be used with caution.

It was true.

Luck and merits existed in this world of cultivation. Based on this belief, numerous cultivators who possessed terrifying powers dared not go on a killing spree, for fear that their karma would incur debts and acc.u.mulate bad luck.

“You're finally awake, little fella. Did you make any progress?”

The Seventh Forefather's voice came from the void.

“Yeah, somewhat I guess,” Chu Kuangren replied gently.

“Good to hear. Listen, I have some news to tell you, kid. To be able to make Princess Linglong yours, you really are not short in terms of luck, looks, or prosperity.”

Chu Kuangre was just taking a drink of water when he heard what the Seventh Forefather told him, and he immediately spat it all out. His face was full of shock. “How did you know about this Seventh Forefather!”

“Not only me, kid. Even the Sect Leader and all the others know.”

“What's going on?”

Chu Kuangren hurriedly asked.

“The Sect Leader has agreed to an alliance between the Black Heaven Sect and the Royal Azure Dynasty two days ago. And you kid will soon be the Fiancé of the Royal Azure Dynasty's Eldest Princess.”

Chu Kuangren was dumbfounded.

What in the world had happened during the days that he underwent a closed-door meditation?

Only a few days had pa.s.sed and he was already sold off?

'How much was I sold off for?'

'Maybe split some of it with me?'

“No, wait. Seventh Forefather, why didn't you inform me earlier?”

“Her Royal Highness Princess Linglong has already given you her G.o.dly Essence. Now that the people from the lady's side are at your door, don't tell me you're thinking of backing them down?”

The Seventh Forefather teased.

“Princess Linglong and I did that for valid reasons. Besides, we were just trying to protect ourselves when we decided to do that. We have no feelings for each other at all. ”

“It's alright, kid. Relations.h.i.+ps can be nurtured and built up gradually. If you really are not fond of her, you can still settle that matter on paper when the time comes and when you're even more powerful.”

Chu Kuangren was speechless.

'How can I do this? That's too sc.u.mmy even for me!'

However, Chu Kuangren seemed to understand something else from the Seventh Forefather's words. “So we're letting me be under the Royal Azure Dynasty's protection.”

“Yeah, right on all accounts.”

“The first reason we agreed this was that an alliance with the Royal Azure Dynasty will benefit and serve to help both parties. Secondly, we did it because of you.”

“Listen, kid, your abilities and skills are just too talented and remarkable. Because of them, you will be a target for many others out there. Although the Black Heaven Sect's influence is large, we cannot a.s.sure you that your safety will be guaranteed all the time. To do this, we'll need the help of our allies too.”

“The Royal Azure Dynasty is a sage orthodoxy whose power is on par with the Black Heaven's Sect's. If we put you and Princess Linglong in a marriage arrangement, the Royal Azure Dynasty will no doubt be obliged to have you under their protection as well. All in all, both our sage orthodoxies will ensure your safety together.”

At the Seventh Forefather's words, Chu Kuangren went into deep thought.

He was not only grateful for how thoughtful the Black Heaven Sect was but by doing this, he would also be able to return what he owed to Princess Linglong for her help and sacrifice.

As of now, the marriage arrangement only had benefits and no repercussions for him.

“Fiancé? Now that's a first for me.”

Chu Kuangren said as he scratched his head.

“Oi kid, how many times do you want to be one huh?”

The Seventh Forefather replied unpleasantly.

As Chu Kuangren came out of his room, Lan Yu was already waiting outside.

“Master, I see you're finished with the closed-door cultivation.”

“Yeah.” Chu Kuangren laughed and nodded. He hesitated for a while before he told Lan Yu about his arranged marriage with Princess Linglong.

Lan Yu was stunned for a while with a bitter feeling in her heart. “I didn't expect Master to have such an arrangement with Princess Linglong. With this in mind, how shall I address her the next time we meet? Shall I call her Mistress?”

“There's no need for those worries. Another thing, Lan Yu. I have never regarded you as my slave nor servant.” Chu Kuangren spoke the last sentence in a serious manner.

When she heard that, Lan Yu's heart throbbed.

To someone like her, Chu Kuangren's existence was similar to that of a G.o.d, a creator so to speak, while she only saw herself as a servant that he had created.

There was a clear boundary between a servant and a G.o.d.

However, this G.o.d had been treating her with too much gentleness.

He was so gentle that a different feeling might arise within her from time to time, seemingly making her want to cross the imaginary boundary that she made herself.

“Brother Chu, there's someone here to see you.”

At that time, Li Xingchen shouted for him from below.

There was an old man with a tall hat behind him.

“Hey look, that's Magistrate Cao from the Royal Palace.”

“Word says that this guy is the confidant of the Royal Azure Dynasty King. He usually stays within the royal palace on normal occasions, so what brings him here today?”

“Moreover, he's looking for Chu Kuangren as well. That's weird.”

The cultivators in the inn were deep in discussions.

Chu Kuangren then brought Lan Yu downstairs with him.

“Master Chu, it's a pleasure to meet you today.” Upon seeing Chu Kuangren, Magistrate Cao immediately went up and bowed to him in front of everyone.

The crowd was instantly dumbstruck.

Magistrate Cao's position was quite extraordinary as he was in charge of the royal palace's internal affairs. Due to that, even the crown princes had to treat him with respect.

Now, a person like him was bowing down to Chu Kuangren.

On some level, it was a representation of the Royal Azure Dynasty King's will.

“It's my pleasure as well, Magistrate Cao.” Chu Kuangren chuckled as he casually checked that man's information using the Eye of Revelation. 'd.a.m.n, this fellow is an Honorable Realm cultivator.'

Indeed, people like him who were able to accompany the Royal Azure Dynasty King was no joke.

“Master Chu, his majesty has asked me to invite you for a visit to the royal palace.”

“Alright, I understand.”

Chu Kuangren nodded and he then took Lan Yu with him to visit the royal palace.

Further at the back of the royal palace's gardens.

The Royal Azure Dynasty King had already been prepared to welcome Chu Kuangren for a while now. Since he had only heard of Chu Kuangren, he was quite excited and intrigued to finally meet him.

Not long after.

Magistrate Cao led Chu Kuangren and Lan Yu into the gardens.

Seeing Chu Kuangren for the first time, even the Royal Azure Dynasty King, who was very knowledgeable and had seen many things, could not help but be surprised. He said as he marveled, “A fairy who's living among men.”

Donning a white robe and a jade crown on his head, the Royal Azure Dynasty King had an exceedingly handsome look for someone his age. He was like a piece of jade who possessed unparalleled beauty.

“Greetings, Your Majesty the Royal Azure Dynasty King.” Since this was his first time meeting His Majesty as well, Chu Kuangren could not help but be attracted to the sparkling imperial robe he wore.

“At ease. Come, take a seat.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Heh, you won't need to address me like that for long. After a few days, you'll have to address me as 'father' like Linglong does now.” The Royal Azure Dynasty King chuckled.

Chu Kuangren smiled and laughed, but he did not say much.

“I have asked you to visit this time because I wanted to meet you personally. Also, I wanted to inform you that I'll announce you as her fiancé to the public in two days.”

“Understood. I shall leave the necessary arrangements to Your Majesty.”

“Mhm, very well.”

The Royal Azure Dynasty King nodded and did not say another word after that.

However, that made Chu Kuangren even more uncomfortable as he did not know what to talk about. With the two of them sitting there together, the atmosphere suddenly became somewhat awkward.

“Her Majesty the Queen has arrived.” At that moment, a woman with a n.o.ble and graceful poise walked towards them slowly. Her appearance was quite similar to her daughter, Princess Linglong.

Chu Kuangren then stood up to greet her. “Greetings Your Royal Majesty Queen of the Royal Azure Dynasty.”

“Oh my, you must be Chu Kuangren, am I right? You do have the look of a heavenly being. No wonder my Linglong was completely charmed by you.”

“Your Majesty's praise is too generous. Seeing that Your Majesty the Queen is the mother of the whole nation, that to me is the true appearance of a heavenly being.”

“Oh, that's so sweet of you.”

The Royal Azure Queen was a very chatty person, having talked endlessly about topics ranging from astrology to geography while casually inserting some interesting anecdotes in between.

Besides, she was also quite perceptive to body language. The moment she noticed that Chu Kuangren was not able to continue with a certain topic or was uninterested in it, she would instantly change to another with grace and elegance.

From the moment she arrived, the atmosphere had suddenly become a lot warmer.

“Kuangren, do feel free to visit the royal palace when you're free.”

Before they left, the Royal Azure's Queen said reluctantly.

“I will, Your Majesty.”

Chu Kuangren was quite anxious at that time. That Queen was too good of a speaker, having spoken and talked for almost a whole day without any breaks between; even he felt unable to carry on with the conversation.