"Hua Ling, were you looking for me?"
Hua Ling smiled faintly, then said, "Yes. After you buy some suitable clothes, come with me to meet my family."
"Princess, if you continue acting arrogantly inside my family's clothing store, you'd better leave… Especially if you're intimidating others by relying on your father's authority," Hua Ling continued.
The girl who had fallen earlier clenched her jaw. Although she was shocked to learn the identity of the shabby-looking man before her, she also knew that the Phoenix Empire had already collapsed. Therefore, Hua Ling had no reason to treat a trash prince who couldn't cultivate with any respect.
"Fine, I'll leave… But I hope Hua Ling can remain this arrogant when my father eventually takes action!"
Hua Ling merely nodded indifferently. She didn't care and immediately led Xiao Chen into her family's clothing store.
Meanwhile, Xiao Chen received a warning from his master. The Star Soul Spirit sensed that Hua Ling's cultivation realm was quite high—she could be considered a genius comparable to Xiao Chen himself.
'Master, she and I were betrothed by my father… Don't worry, I know she is the proud disciple of the Cloud Sword Sect.'
'Cloud Sword Sect? You'd better be careful. This isn't just a simple threat. The fact that she suddenly invited you to a family meeting means they must have already planned something concerning you…'
Xiao Chen nodded. Then Hua Ling said, "Xiao Chen, choose whatever clothes you want. You don't need to pay. After changing, meet me on the third floor. After that, we'll head to the Hua Clan."
"Yes," Xiao Chen replied briefly and chose his clothes.
Ten minutes later, after finding several suitable outfits, he stored them away and changed into new clothes.
When he met Hua Ling on the third floor, an old man who had been with her exited the room. As he passed by Xiao Chen, the old man spoke softly, "Trash like you wants to marry Princess Ling? How naïve…"
Xiao Chen remained silent and continued walking toward Hua Ling, who was now looking at him with a cold, mocking gaze.
"You injured Han Feng?"
"Yes. So what?"
"How could trash like you possibly injure him? Isn't that strange?"
"Are you only trying to humiliate me? I've already heard enough insults like these, so I don't care anymore."
Hua Ling's gaze sharpened. She felt that Xiao Chen's temperament had changed from before, as if he were hiding something from her.
"Hahaha! In any case, Han Leng is not a threat to me… Now let's return to the Hua Clan."
Xiao Chen simply nodded. Soon after, the two of them exited the clothing store, greeted by dozens of Hua Clan members.
"Get into the carriage. The outside world is very dangerous—especially since you've offended Han Leng!"
Following Hua Ling's instructions, Xiao Chen entered the horse-drawn carriage prepared by the Hua Clan. After they left Gu Qi City, a Hua Clan member guarding the carriage whispered quietly.
"Do you know why the princess personally came to pick him up? It's because she wants to settle something."
"Settle what? Don't gossip. If the princess hears this, your life will be in danger!"
"Aishh, you really are dense… The princess wants to cancel her engagement with Xiao Chen…"
Xiao Chen's eyes widened. Although he had already guessed Hua Ling's purpose in coming for him, he still tried to suppress his anger. The marriage arranged by his father—how could it be canceled so casually?
'Chen'er… If that's true, perhaps she believes you can't do anything to make her happy. With her high cultivation, she has surely become an important figure in the Cloud Sword Sect. It would be better if you simply agree…'
'Master, I understand… But this engagement carries my father's hopes. How can it be canceled just like that?!'
'My disciple, the choice is yours…'
After traveling for a while while suppressing his anger, the carriage suddenly came to a stop. All the Hua Clan members guarding Xiao Chen immediately became alert.
"Princess, be careful! This is an ambush?!"
Hua Ling only smiled faintly and said, "Only frogs trapped at the bottom of a well would dare offend me… Let's see how many lives they have."
"Proooook! Proooook!"
Han Leng, along with ten middle-aged men, emerged from behind the trees. Not only Han Leng—Gu Yan, the City Lord of Gu City, also appeared from another direction.
"Princess Hua Ling is indeed famous for her arrogance… She doesn't even bother to respect elders like us."
"Han Leng, Gu Yan… What do you want?"
Gu Yan approached Han Leng, and Han Leng said, "I want Xiao Chen's life."
"And I want your life—and to bed you, you slut!" Gu Yan added viciously.
Hua Ling's expression turned cold and emotionless. She stepped down from her horse, and an icy voice filled with terrifying killing intent erupted from her body.
"Kill Xiao Chen? Bed me? Give up those thoughts. Otherwise, if you've already prepared your coffins, I won't hold back!"
"Swuuuuuuuuush!"
A blue sword appeared in her hand, instantly igniting greed in Gu Yan's eyes.
"The Cloud Sword Sect really treats you well… Even a terrifying weapon like the Sky Sword is in your hands. Today, I'll gain tremendous fortune—hahaha!" Gu Yan released his own killing aura.
Though dense, his aura was still insufficient to instill fear in Hua Ling. She herself was a girl who thirsted for blood.
"All of you, protect Xiao Chen. Do not let him be injured—let alone killed!"
"Swuuuuuuuuush!"
Moving swiftly, Hua Ling charged directly at the dozens of men behind Han Leng. Xiao Chen immediately attempted to leave the carriage, but the Hua Clan members stopped him.
"Why are you coming out? Do you want to become a burden to the princess?!"
"Tch!" Xiao Chen clicked his tongue in annoyance, but his master also advised him.
'Chen'er, just watch and study her sword techniques. If she becomes your opponent in the future, this may help you identify her weaknesses.'
Hua Ling danced gracefully with her sword. In just one minute of battle, she easily killed five of Han Leng's subordinates. This infuriated Han Leng!
"Gu Yan, it seems your information was wrong… Can you explain the deaths of my clan members?!"
"Brother Leng, even if she's strong, she can't possibly defeat the two of us together. Your subordinates were simply foolish—how can you blame me?"
"If that's the case, face her! If there are any more casualties, I'll destroy your city with a single order!"
Gu Yan smiled. He dashed forward and attacked Hua Ling bare-handed. In an instant, black mist enveloped his arms.
"Nguuuuuuuuuung!"
"Y–You?!"
"Is the princess truly that surprised?"