Before the person even arrived, a faint fragrance already drifted through the air.
This woman gave off an aura of unmatched purity—like a divine being that could only be admired from afar, never defiled.
"An elder from Luofu Mountain."
Everyone present grew serious.
"Hua Jingyan of Luofu Mountain greets the Empress Dowager of Great Zhou, His Majesty the Emperor, and Her Majesty the Empress."
The woman's crimson lips parted lightly as she spoke.
Even the three most honored figures in Great Zhou didn't dare show the slightest neglect.
"Elder Hua, please take your seat," Empress Dowager Meng said politely.
Hua Jingyan smiled faintly, more radiant than blooming flowers, a hundred charms shining at once.
Some of the weaker-willed men couldn't help but lose themselves in a daze.
Yang Xiu had clearly prepared for this moment. His voice rang out with clarity, "I am Yang Xiu, Sixth Prince of Great Zhou. I welcome Elder Hua."
Noble Consort Zhuang stood up enthusiastically. "Elder Hua, I am a legitimate daughter of the Zhuang clan. This is my son."
She feared Hua Jingyan might not know her background.
In her mind, since the Zhuang clan had invited Hua Jingyan, then as long as she stated her identity, Hua Jingyan would surely choose Yang Xiu as her disciple.
Although Hua Jingyan appeared friendly, her gaze carried a natural loftiness. Deep down, she kept others at arm's length.
Yet she didn't even glance at Noble Consort Zhuang.
Her eyes swept around the hall before landing on Yang Cheng.
With graceful steps like a goddess descending, she walked up to Yang Cheng and gently asked, "Little prince, what's your name?"
Noble Consort Zhuang's smile froze.
She had gone out of her way to be warm, but Hua Jingyan ignored her and went straight to Yang Cheng.
To her, this was a humiliation.
Still, the other party's status was extraordinary, and she had come with an important purpose. Even though Noble Consort Zhuang was angry inside, she couldn't let it show.
"Elder Hua, this is my grandson, also the Crown Prince of Great Zhou, Yang Cheng," Empress Dowager Meng said. "You seem quite interested in him?"
Everyone else turned to look at Hua Jingyan, curious why she treated Yang Cheng differently.
Hua Jingyan gave a soft laugh. "To tell you the truth, I came to Great Zhou for two things. One, to establish the Four Symbols Formation. Two, to find the child of destiny predicted by Luofu Mountain. Someone fated to share deep ties with us."
"Elder Hua, are you saying Cheng'er is this child of destiny?" Emperor Qian Yuan couldn't help asking.
"The moment I saw the Crown Prince, I felt a strange sense of closeness. So yes, he is the child of destiny chosen by Luofu Mountain," Hua Jingyan said.
Noble Consort Zhuang's expression twisted.
She had brought Hua Jingyan here on behalf of the Zhuang clan, yet now Hua Jingyan was calling Yang Cheng the child of destiny?
Didn't that mean her Zhuang clan was handing over this blessing on a silver platter?
Yang Xiu's eyes burned with fury.
This was an elder of Luofu Mountain—one of the few forces strong enough to keep the other nations at bay with just a few thousand disciples.
Becoming her disciple would mean endless future prospects.
This was supposed to be his opportunity. How could Yang Cheng snatch it away right in front of him?
But Hua Jingyan paid no mind to their stares.
She looked at Yang Cheng again. "Yang Cheng, would you like to become my disciple? If you do, I will give you my full support. Luofu Mountain will stand behind you."
The crowd almost burst with envy.
This was like a pie falling straight from the heavens.
But Yang Cheng's scalp tingled.
[Danger! Danger! The demoness Hua Jingyan has appeared before the host. Spine-chilling alert!]
[Over four hundred years ago, host had already cultivated the Asura Demon Body and was destined for greatness.]
[But he caught Hua Jingyan's attention. She stole his primal essence and absorbed large amounts of his Asura source.]
[Though she seemed sacred on the surface, she secretly cultivated the Yin-Yang Six Desires Demonic Art, constantly demanding more from the host and draining his potential.]
[Host must do everything possible to sever this toxic relationship.]
[Note: The emotional entanglement is deep, and Hua Jingyan is extremely powerful. She won't let the host go easily. This mission is extremely difficult. A grace period of seven years is granted.]
[Mission Reward: Primal Golden Body.]
The system prompt reawakened memories from Yang Cheng's past life.
To his former self, Hua Jingyan had been someone who shaped much of his fate.
She was incredibly difficult to deal with.
On the surface, she was pure and adored by all.
But in private, she acted like a woman possessed by desire.
If not for his weak cultivation back then, he never would've gotten entangled with her.
This woman was truly dangerous.
Even without the system's warning, Yang Cheng wouldn't have anything to do with her in this life.
He immediately shook his head. "No."
"I knew you would agree… wait, what did you say?"
Hua Jingyan had been smiling, but her expression wavered for a second.
She couldn't imagine any reason why Yang Cheng would reject her.
She thought this would be a sure thing.
But now, she couldn't believe what she'd just heard—he actually refused her?
Everyone around widened their eyes.
He turned down a gift from the heavens?
"I don't want to be your disciple," Yang Cheng said.
A flicker of doubt flashed across Hua Jingyan's flawless face. "Why?"
"Elder Hua, my son already has an introductory teacher," Yun Liyue stepped in to shield Yang Cheng.
Hua Jingyan let out a light breath and smiled. "Ah, I see. That's not a problem. A person can have many teachers over a lifetime."
Teachers and masters were different.
People often had several teachers throughout their life.
Each teacher could have many students.
But a master and disciple shared a true inheritance bond.
Most would have only one master in their lifetime.
And masters chose disciples with extreme caution, because they had to take full responsibility for them and bear the karmic burden.
The more noble the bloodline, the later they chose a master. They wouldn't easily tie themselves to someone.
But Hua Jingyan was confident.
With her background and resources, as long as Yang Cheng became her disciple, it was only a matter of time before he pledged full loyalty and inherited her legacy.
Yun Liyue also showed a flicker of interest.
She also knew that if Yang Cheng took Hua Jingyan as his master, he'd gain immense benefits.
But Yang Cheng said, "I don't want to take you as my master."
Hua Jingyan frowned. "Yang Cheng, do you hold some grudge against me?"
"That's right," Yang Cheng replied. "You're way too ugly. I don't even want to look at you."
He knew perfectly well that in other people's eyes, Hua Jingyan had status, power, and looks. There was no reason to refuse her.
Even his father and mother would probably agree to it.
So, if he wanted to reject her, the only way was to make up a ridiculous excuse like this.
As soon as the words left his mouth, everyone around went stiff.
Hua Jingyan was a top-tier beauty. And yet the Crown Prince just said she was too ugly?
The smile on Hua Jingyan's face almost cracked.
"You little brat!" Yun Liyue was furious. She grabbed Yang Cheng and gave his butt a few quick smacks.
Yang Cheng sighed inwardly. 'Being three years old really means I have no rights.'
No matter how talented or famous he was, if he caused trouble, he still got a spanking.
After hitting him, Yun Liyue quickly turned to Hua Jingyan and apologized, "Elder Hua, he's just a child. Please don't take offense."
Hua Jingyan forced a smile.
Zhuang Wanrong, however, was delighted.
A kid was still just a kid.
Yang Cheng didn't even realize what a huge opportunity he had just thrown away.
Others also shook their heads. A three-year-old really didn't know beauty from dirt.
Hua Jingyan was stunning. Only Yang Cheng could bear to reject her.
"Elder Hua, my son is willing to be your disciple," Zhuang Wanrong eagerly offered.
Hua Jingyan turned to look at Yang Xiu.
Yang Xiu was indeed quite talented—she could tell.
If Yang Cheng weren't here, she probably would've picked Yang Xiu.
But comparison was cruel.
With someone like Yang Cheng in front of her, taking Yang Xiu instead just felt like lowering her standards.
"Your Majesty of Great Zhou, I was clearly too presumptuous today," Hua Jingyan said. "The Four Symbols Formation has been set. I'll take my leave now."
Emperor Qian Yuan looked disappointed.
He had also hoped Yang Cheng would become her disciple.
But after what Yang Cheng had said, he couldn't shamelessly try to keep her here.
Hua Jingyan's eyes held a flash of bitterness and faint irritation as she stared at Yang Cheng for a moment. Then she decisively turned and left.
She had her own pride.
With her status, countless people had begged to become her disciple.
There was no way she would lower herself to pursue someone who had already turned her down.
[Based on Hua Jingyan's emotional state, it is confirmed: she truly intends to leave and no longer harbors lust for the host.]
[Hiss! Host's method is remarkable—he truly severed all entanglements with Hua Jingyan.]
[Mission complete. Host may now claim the reward.]
Yang Cheng felt better than ever.
At last, he wouldn't have to get tangled up with that woman again.
He never believed she had real feelings for him anyway. Every time she came around, it was just to vent her lust.
Then she'd get dressed and pretend to be that untouchable, saintly goddess again.
Of course, in this life, he didn't think she had any desire for him either.
After all, he was still just a toddler.
This was pure preventative action. He had to stop her before she could latch onto him again when he grew up.
Honestly, he never understood why she came after him in his past life.
The only explanation he could think of was that his Asura Demon Body held a strange appeal to her.
After the banquet ended, Yang Cheng returned to Splendid Radiance Hall, expecting a scolding from Yun Liyue.
But instead, Yun Liyue hugged him and asked, "Were you angry that I hit you earlier?"
"How could I ever be mad at you?" Yang Cheng smiled.
Even though she had hit his butt, it hadn't hurt at all. She probably hadn't used any force.
"I did it to save face for Elder Hua. That way, she won't hold a grudge, and others won't gossip," Yun Liyue said. "But what I really want to tell you is, you did great. As the Crown Prince of Great Zhou, there's no need for you to compromise for anyone. If you don't like something, just say no."
"I knew you were the best, Mother." Yang Cheng chuckled.
That night.
"Primal Golden Body, fuse!"
In an instant, Yang Cheng felt his body transforming.
The process lasted three full hours.
Afterward, he clearly sensed how much stronger his body had become.
He tested it by forming a strand of true qi and slicing it toward his own arm. It left only a faint white mark.
Even though he hadn't used much force, it was enough to prove that normal weapons probably couldn't hurt him anymore.
As always, the system's rewards were insanely powerful.
The next day, Yang Cheng went to Autumn Water Courtyard.
"Chengcheng, did you miss your teacher?"
The moment she saw him, Cheng Junyi scooped him up.
Yang Cheng immediately felt the difference from hugging his mother.
His mother smelled clean and fresh.
Cheng Junyi, on the other hand, carried a soft, alluring fragrance.
To adult men, it might be dangerously tempting.
"Of course I missed you," Yang Cheng said.
Cheng Junyi beamed and gave him a big kiss on the cheek.
Then she looked at him seriously. "Chengcheng, why did you give the Taiji Sword Talisman to Tangtang? I'm not scolding you. I'm happy you care about her. But I hope you'll only give when it doesn't harm your own future."
Yesterday, when Tang Xingyu came back and showed her the Taiji Sword Talisman, Cheng Junyi had been absolutely shocked.
She had only sent Tang Xingyu into the Ancient Desolation Tower for a bit of training.
She never expected Tang Xingyu to come back with such a huge stroke of fortune.
Yang Cheng instantly understood what she meant.
She was worried that he had given Tang Xingyu his opportunity and been left with nothing.
"Don't worry, Teacher. I got another hidden sword talisman. It's definitely no weaker than the Taiyi Sword Talisman," Yang Cheng said with a grin.
Cheng Junyi studied him, trying to gauge if he was telling the truth.
Yang Cheng looked at her calmly.
After a moment, her brows relaxed. "I really didn't expect it. My little Chengcheng is such a lucky star."
"Some people call Yang Xiu the child of destiny. But compared to you? He's not even close."
Yang Xiu had the Taichu Sword Talisman and was called the child of destiny.
But Yang Cheng had the Taiji Sword Talisman, the Taiyi Sword Talisman, and now a hidden talisman too.
At that moment, even Cheng Junyi couldn't help but wonder—could Yang Cheng be the child of the Great Dao itself?