"Miss Tang, and this one is…?"
A silver-eyed youth spoke up.
He came from the Azure Jade Realm, a famed prodigy there. By the age of 20, he had already reached the sixth stage of Martial Emperor.
In ancient times, mighty figures had placed powerful restrictions over the Wasteland Realm, leaving behind only a single Heavenly Gate as its entrance and exit.
That gate was guarded.
To enter the Wasteland Realm, one needed certain connections and had to pay a heavy price.
Normally, he would never have come here.
But Tang Yun'er's status was too noble.
If he could win her favor, the cost of entering the Wasteland Realm was nothing.
For that reason, he and several other prodigies from the Azure Jade Realm had descended here.
"This is a little brother I met in the Wasteland Realm. To me, he's no different than my real brother," Tang Yun'er explained. "He is the sixth prince of the Great Zhou Dynasty, but has been repeatedly persecuted by the Crown Prince Yang Cheng, reduced to this state."
"This Crown Prince of Great Zhou is truly hateful!"
"To harm Miss Tang's brother is the same as harming our brother."
The Azure Jade Realm prodigies echoed one after another.
"I knew of this matter before, but I gave Yang Cheng a chance, and did not act," Tang Yun'er said coldly. "Now, I've decided I will no longer tolerate it."
The silver-eyed youth's gaze brightened.
This was the perfect chance to earn her favor.
"Miss Tang, that Crown Prince of Great Zhou can only throw his weight around here in the Wasteland Realm. If we make a move, he won't even dare breathe."
"Exactly!"
"Since he has displeased Miss Tang, his crime deserves death."
"These so-called geniuses of the Wasteland are nothing but frogs in a well."
The other prodigies spoke over one another.
The Wasteland Realm, in their eyes, was just a trivial speck, not even worth noticing.
To them, placing the entire Wasteland Realm inside the Azure Jade Realm would make it nothing more than a tiny dot.
Tang Yun'er nodded slightly.
She knew they were trying to please her, but she was happy to give them the chance.
When she formed connections, she too was expanding her network and influence.
"Little brother, your body is weak. For now, rest here under the Southern Guardian Prince's care. I'll personally go to Fengtian City of Great Zhou and seek justice for you."
Tang Yun'er's tone was firm.
"How can that be…"
Yang Xiu tried to object.
But Tang Yun'er cut him off with a wave. "You're still so stubborn. Last time, you said the same thing, and because I didn't step in, you nearly died. This time, no matter what, I will not sit idly by."
"If Miss Tang is going to Fengtian City, then we'll accompany her," the silver-eyed youth declared eagerly. "I'd like to see how that Yang Cheng will weep and beg by the end."
"Tomorrow, I depart," Tang Yun'er said decisively.
With that, she led Yang Xiu into the Southern Guardian Prince's residence.
She wanted to personally make sure he was settled and treated with full respect.
Only after arranging everything did she finally breathe in relief.
"Miss."
At last, the old crone at her side spoke. "Though the Wasteland Realm is the ancestral land of the Tang clan, it's still barren and backward. You cannot remain here for long. In a few days at most, you'll need to return to the Divine Realm.
Young Master Yang Xiu is not without talent, but… he is not someone from your world."
"Aunt Yuan, you're overthinking it."
Tang Yun'er shook her head. "He's still so young. I only see him as a younger brother."
"Besides, I trust my own judgment. From him, I sense a great destiny. His future will be limitless."
Aunt Yuan's eyes flickered. "Miss, you mean…"
Tang Yun'er said slowly, "Do you really think it's mere coincidence that he appeared when I was in danger, and again I found him when his life was on the line?"
"This is no accident. This is fate's design."
Aunt Yuan's expression turned solemn. "Young Master Yang Xiu… is the Heaven's Mandate Son of the Wasteland Realm!"
Not every world had destiny.
Normally, small and fragile worlds could never give rise to such a will of heaven.
Only those vast and powerful worlds could give rise to Heaven's Will, and only then could a Heaven's Mandate Son appear.
The Wasteland Realm was an exception.
In ancient times, because of the influence of a mighty being, Heaven's Will was born here.
That was why the Heaven's Mandate Son of the Wasteland Realm could not be underestimated.
"This is just my guess," Tang Yun'er said. "In any case, I will definitely go to Fengtian City."
Fengtian City.
Yang Cheng had already returned.
Yun Jinghuai had also brought the experts of the four great sects back to Fengtian City.
Some officials supported this move, but most opposed it, full of worry that this would really trigger the four great sects to join forces and attack Great Zhou.
"Today should be the day Zheng Guanbao meets his fiancée, right?"
Yang Cheng suddenly remembered.
Conflicts over marriage alliances were a common cliché, but in great clans, they were all too real.
Every major clan arranged marriages, and problems were bound to arise.
He still recalled that this matter had been Zheng Guanbao's greatest humiliation.
Last time, he had known of it but had been powerless to act.
This time was different.
Yang Cheng decided to personally visit the Zheng clan.
The Zheng clan's estate was full of guests.
Zheng Guanbao stood nervously among the crowd.
"So this is the Zheng family boy? His looks aren't bad."
"Looks won't change the fact his martial talent is mediocre."
"With such weak talent, how could he possibly deserve the jewel of the New Moon Chamber of Commerce?"
As people whispered, a new group arrived.
At the front were three figures—Chairman Zhou Fuhai of the New Moon Chamber, the young master Zhou Wangli, and the jewel herself, Zhou Niantang.
The arranged marriage was supposed to be between Zhou Niantang and Zheng Guanbao.
Zhou Niantang wore a flowing purple gown. Her skin was fair as snow, her face exquisitely delicate. At just 13, she already carried a striking beauty.
But people's eyes quickly shifted.
Behind her, half a step back, stood a youth whose bearing outshone even Zhou Wangli's.
Gasps spread through the crowd.
"Isn't that Zheng Guanxing from the Zheng family's main branch?"
"Zheng Guanxing is nothing like Zheng Guanbao. He's the main family's number one prodigy, already a Martial King at 15!"
Whispers buzzed.
The Zheng family in the capital was only a branch.
Their true main clan was in Yuezhou.
"Guanbao."
Zheng Degong, the patriarch of the capital branch, gestured for Zheng Guanbao to step forward.
Trying to suppress his nerves, Zheng Guanbao bowed to Zhou Fuhai. "This nephew, Zheng Guanbao, greets his future father-in-law."
"Father-in-law? Hardly."
Zhou Fuhai waved dismissively.
Zheng Guanbao froze, confused.
Zhou Fuhai turned toward his daughter. "Niantang, you say it."
Zhou Niantang's cold gaze swept across Zheng Guanbao. Then she spoke. "Everyone, my heart already belongs elsewhere. The engagement with Zheng Guanbao no longer counts."
"What?!"
Gasps erupted all around.
Zheng Degong's face darkened. "Brother Zhou, the marriage between our families was set by the elders!"
"The elders only said the Zheng and Zhou families must form a marriage alliance. They never said it had to be with him."
Zhou Fuhai's tone was calm. "My daughter and Zheng Guanxing are in love. Therefore, we've decided she will marry him."
Zheng Degong forced a smile. "Honored guests, next month Niantang and Guanxing will be formally engaged. We invite you all to Longzhou for the celebration banquet."