Within a chamber of the Vermilion Bird Ancient Country.
The Vermilion Bird Sovereign lay upon the bed, surrounded by numerous alchemists and imperial physicians of the Vermilion Bird Ancient Country.
Yet, none of them could cure the Vermilion Bird Sovereign's illness.
The Sovereign's illness stemmed from a few years ago when he, alongside the Cyan Dragon Monarch, explored a secret realm and was injured by an ancient relic species demon beast, the Nine Demons Snake Demon, whose strength rivaled that of a saint.
The venom of the Nine Demons Snake Demon is something even a saint finds hard to resist.
Let alone the Vermilion Bird Sovereign, who is a quasi-saint.
"Alas, what can be done now? The Princess went to the Jun Family not only to return without the immortality medicine but also got humiliated."
"What can we do? We can't possibly go and confront the Jun Family; that would be akin to courting death."
The alchemists, physicians, and ministers of the Vermilion Bird Ancient Country all shook their heads and sighed.
They dared not provoke an ancient desolate family.
So even upon hearing that Bai Yu'Er was humiliated and forced to kneel, the Vermilion Bird Ancient Country had no intention of seeking retribution.
The Vermilion Bird Sovereign on the bed coughed at these words, a look of desolation upon his face.
However, at that moment, a guard hurriedly rushed in and announced, "Report to Your Majesty, a distinguished guest has arrived at our Vermilion Bird Ancient Country, wishing to meet Your Majesty!"
Upon hearing this, one of the ministers immediately flicked his sleeves and shouted in anger, "You blind fool, do you not see the Sovereign's current state, yet you disturb him?"
Just as the minister finished speaking, a gentle female voice emerged at the entrance of the hall.
"Isn't the Vermilion Bird Sovereign not yet terminally ill? If so, why can't he see guests?"
"Courting death, who dares!?" The minister's face turned with rage.
"How dare you shout at my lady, such insolence!"
An elderly figure appeared, with a flick of the sleeve, a commanding aura of quasi-saint cultivation burst forth.
With a cough!
The minister immediately spewed fresh blood, his body flying backward!
Within the hall, all the members of the Vermilion Bird Ancient Country froze, their legs trembling in sheer terror!
The aura of a quasi-saint!
Even the most powerful sovereign of the Vermilion Bird Ancient Country only had a quasi-saint cultivation at best!
Their gazes trembled as they looked on.
They saw an old woman in plain clothes entering, her expression detached.
Behind her was a beautiful lady clad in palace attire.
Golden hair flowed down her shoulders, her strands silky smooth, her snow-white face as jade, breathtakingly beautiful.
They were none other than Jun Linglong and Granny Hua.
"It's a noble lady from the Jun Family…" Some ministers felt waves of shock in their hearts.
Jun Linglong was quite renowned in the outside world, thus recognized by them at a glance.
The minister who previously shouted was now bleeding from the corner of his mouth, filled with fear, collapsed on the ground, unable to get up.
"Cough, cough… Who would've thought it is a noble lady from the Jun Family. Have you come to hold us accountable?"
The Vermilion Bird Sovereign on the bed managed to rise with difficulty, his face showing fatigue.
Recently, news spread that Bai Yu'Er had offended the Jun Family's Divine Son, kneeling for long outside the chamber.
Now the Jun Family had arrived.
If not to question, then for what?
These words caused everyone in the great hall of the Vermilion Bird Ancient Country to tremble, filled with fear.
For the Jun Family to obliterate the Vermilion Bird Ancient Country would require minimal effort.
The Vermilion Bird Sovereign resigned himself to fate, thus remaining composed.
"Is our Divine Son the kind of great demon who destroys families at will? You should be grateful for the Divine Son's mercy." Jun Linglong covered her mouth with a smile, her tone gentle.
"Hmm?" The Vermilion Bird Sovereign and others were bewildered.
Could it be that the Jun Family was not here to place blame?
Jun Linglong stepped forward, her jade hand brushing over the void ring.
Suddenly, purple light surged, medicinal fragrance spread, and a herb resembling a Qilin appeared before everyone's eyes.
"That's… the immortality medicine!"
All members of the Vermilion Bird Ancient Country widened their eyes, almost unable to breathe.
The Vermilion Bird Sovereign was also somewhat astonished.
Every emergence of an immortality herb causes great waves in the Desolate Celestial Immortal Realm.
And now, Jun Linglong so effortlessly produced an immortality medicine, shocking them as if hillbillies had discovered a mountain of gold.
Granny Hua beside them witnessed the Vermilion Bird Ancient Country's reaction, a hint of disdain flickering in her old eyes.
"Vermilion Bird Sovereign, you have two choices: pledge allegiance to Lord Divine Son and obtain the immortality medicine."
"If you refuse, then you are on your own." Jun Linglong's tone was indifferent.
Before Jun Xiaoyao, her demeanor was humble.
But now faced with outsiders, she exuded the aura of a noble lady from the Jun Family.
"This…" The ministers of the Vermilion Bird Ancient Country all changed expressions.
They discerned the implication in Jun Linglong's words.
It was allegiance to the Jun Family's Divine Son, not directly to the Jun Family.
This difference was significant.
Submitting to the Desolate Ancient Royal Family might not be unacceptable for the Vermilion Bird Ancient Country.
After all, many top-level Daoist lineages were affiliated with the Jun Family.
But submission to just Jun Xiaoyao alone.
For a top-level Daoist lineage, it might be somewhat dishonorable.
"Unwilling? Do you realize what an honor it is to pledge allegiance to Lord Divine Son?" Jun Linglong raised an eyebrow, her face slightly cold.
The Vermilion Bird Sovereign's eyes showed a hint of struggle, but finally, he sighed softly, "I agree and express my gratitude to the Jun Family Divine Son, only hoping he won't trouble Yu'Er."
What choice did the Vermilion Bird Sovereign have at this point?
"Rest assured, Lord Divine Son has only lightly disciplined Bai Yu'Er; he will not do anything severe to her." Jun Linglong spoke calmly.
She handed over the Qilin Immortality Elixir to the Vermilion Bird Sovereign.
The Vermilion Bird Sovereign received the immortality elixir, his hands trembling slightly.
Who would choose death if they could live?
Especially a sovereign of a country.
"Enhance your cultivation well; this immortal herb will not only heal your injuries but might even help you advance further, increasing your utility to Lord Divine Son." Jun Linglong advised.
Hearing Jun Linglong's words, the ministers were speechless.
This was obviously treating the Vermilion Bird Sovereign as a tool and subordinate.
"I understand." The Vermilion Bird Sovereign nodded, showing no dissatisfaction, instead displaying excitement.
Beyond a quasi-saint is a saint.
With the help of this Qilin Immortality Elixir, he might indeed break through to the Saint Realm.
"Remember, this is a blessing from Lord Divine Son. If you dare harbor any disloyalty…" Jun Linglong's tone turned extremely cold.
The carrot-and-stick approach, she wielded it expertly.
"Naturally, henceforth, Lord Divine Son will be the true master of our Vermilion Bird Ancient Country." The Vermilion Bird Sovereign expressed respectfully.
To offend the Jun Family's Divine Son was to offend the Jun Family itself.
Though the Vermilion Bird Ancient Country was a first-class influence, it was merely a slightly larger ant before the Jun Family.
"Good to understand." Jun Linglong and Granny Hua turned and departed.
The Vermilion Bird Ancient Country had fully submitted to Jun Xiaoyao, becoming his vassal force.
In due time, once Bai Yu'Er was properly managed, Jun Xiaoyao could better control the Vermilion Bird Ancient Country.
Months passed, in the Celestial Emperor Palace, Jun Xiaoyao rose with a faint smile.
"It's about time; Bai Yu'Er has knelt for a year; it's time to educate and subdue her."
At the same time, within the Cyan Dragon Ancient Country, a Jiao Dragon Chariot soared into the sky, heading towards the Jun Family's direction.
The one inside the chariot was indeed the Eldest Prince of the Cyan Dragon Ancient Country, Xiao Chen.
"That move is complete; it's time to retrieve Yu'Er."
"And the Jun Family's Divine Son, if I challenge him and defeat him, surely my name would shake the Desolate Celestial Immortal Realm, and the Jun Family would not lower their dignity to trouble a junior like me."
Xiao Chen's lips curled into a confident smile.
No venture into the tiger's den, no capture of the tiger cub.
He, Xiao Chen, would single-handedly storm the Jun Family, rescue the beauty into his embrace, and trample the Jun Family's Divine Son, renowned across the land.
Isn't that how the heavenly destiny protagonists in those biographical novels all do it?
Thinking about such a scene, Xiao Chen felt a surge of hot blood, almost impatiently eager.