Qionghua Palace was a riot of colorful, blooming flowers.
The lowest Rank of plants cultivated here were all Sacred Medicine.
It could be said that even a pig, if placed in Qionghua Palace,
would become a master in a few years.
These palaces were themselves the most top-tier Blessed Lands in the entire Nine Heavens Immortal Domain.
However, Qionghua Palace was deserted.
No one was willing to approach it.
This was not because it was the residence of an Ancient Immortal Court Princess.
One must know that even a Princess's residence should have a few maids or servants.
But this Qionghua Palace was cold and desolate.
The reason was simple: it was related to the Ancient Immortal Court Princess's special Physique.
It was an extremely ominous Physique.
Because of this, even though the resident was the daughter of the Ancient Immortal Court Emperor,
ordinary people kept their distance.
There were even many rumors circulating in the Immortal Court concerning this Princess.
But today,
outside Qionghua Palace, a slender figure slowly walked over.
Golden long hair flowed freely, and a pair of silver eyes held a profound depth.
He looked extraordinarily distinguished.
Some Heavenly Soldiers and Generals in the distance, as well as other Immortals from the Immortal Court, showed a hint of surprise upon seeing him.
"Oh, it's Haotian Zhenjun! It seems he truly is devoted to the Princess."
"I heard a rumor that Emperor Lord intends to marry the Princess to Haotian Zhenjun."
"But Haotian Zhenjun is indeed the most outstanding person in our Immortal Court; everyone wants to marry him," a Fairy from the Immortal Court gushed with infatuation.
"What a pity, though. The Princess carries ill omens; anyone connected to her will suffer misfortune."
"I heard that the Princess's ill omens even affect the Immortal Court's Luck. If Emperor Lord hadn't been suppressing it, perhaps in the future, the Immortal Court…"
"Shh! You can't say such things carelessly!"
Some Immortals from the Immortal Court exchanged Divine Thoughts, whispering amongst themselves.
At this moment, Haotian Zhenjun had already entered Qionghua Palace.
Qionghua Palace usually forbade outsiders from entering.
And no one would court bad Luck by approaching it.
Haotian Zhenjun was the only one who could freely enter Qionghua Palace.
Inside Qionghua Palace, vibrant colors bloomed, beautiful and splendid.
No one would have thought that a young girl tainted by ill omens resided here.
After Haotian Zhenjun passed by the small bridge, flowing water, and rockery with green stones,
he saw a pavilion.
A young girl, propping her chin, leaned against the edge of the pavilion, doing nothing.
The young girl looked to be in the prime of her youth, sixteen years old.
Yet she possessed a face that could captivate all beings.
It was hard to imagine that a young girl carrying ill omens would possess a peerlessly beautiful face.
However, this face was difficult for outsiders to behold, and they even kept their distance.
One had to say, it was an irony.
And whether by coincidence or something else,
the young girl's face bore some resemblance to Ling Yuan's.
However, compared to Ling Yuan, she lacked a bit of noble aloofness and possessed more of a youthful, tender charm.
"Princess Yuan Che."
Haotian Zhenjun smiled slightly upon seeing the young girl.
"Haotian Zhenjun, you're here."
The young girl named Yuan Che's eyes lit up.
She was precisely the daughter of the Ancient Immortal Court Emperor, Princess Yuan Che.
Normally, she hardly ever saw anyone.
Aside from her father, Eastern Hua Emperor, who occasionally visited her to suppress the ill omens within her body,
the only person she could regularly see was Haotian Zhenjun.
Haotian Zhenjun indeed possessed extraordinary presence and dignified bearing, making him the dream of many women in the Immortal Court.
But Yuan Che only regarded him as a friend.
"I've come to visit Your Highness. How have you been recently?" Haotian Zhenjun smiled slightly, gentle and refined.
"Still the same, boring," Yuan Che said.
Since her birth, she had always stayed in Qionghua Palace.
If it were anyone else, they would probably have gone insane long ago.
To be honest, it was already good that Yuan Che hadn't gone mad.
"I've brought some trinkets for Your Highness."
Haotian Zhenjun smiled slightly and took out many rare treasures.
For example, a feathered robe woven from Divine Phoenix feathers.
For example, dazzling Nine Seas Luminous Pearls.
For example, a nebula bracelet strung from one hundred and eight stars.
These treasures, if given to any other woman, would make them incredibly happy and exceptionally joyful.
But Yuan Che merely offered a perfunctory smile and said, "Thank you."
She didn't really care about these treasures.
Haotian Zhenjun's smile faded slightly, and then he asked, "Then what does the Princess desire?"
Yuan Che's clear, moon-like eyes shifted, and she looked at Haotian Zhenjun, asking, "Can you help me cover so I can go out for a stroll?"
"Your Highness, that won't do. Your Physique is special, and it's not suitable for you to go out…" Haotian Zhenjun said.
"So you're not going to help me, are you?" Yuan Che pouted, her cheeks puffed out in anger.
"My apologies. Eastern Hua Emperor Lord will definitely find a way. It won't be long before Your Highness regains her freedom."
"Again with waiting! How long has this Princess already waited?!"
"I just want to go out for a stroll, I won't disturb anyone. Haotian, just tell me, will you help me or not?"
Yuan Che stared directly at Haotian Zhenjun.
A flicker of thought passed through Haotian Zhenjun's eyes.
If he didn't help, would his relationship with Yuan Che reach a stalemate?
After a moment of thought, Haotian Zhenjun said, "Then, Princess, can you promise not to disturb anyone and not to come into contact with anyone?"
Yuan Che's eyes lit up.
"Of course!"
"Alas, if Emperor Lord knew about this, I would certainly be punished." Haotian Zhenjun sighed.
"Haotian, thank you. You are my friend forever," Yuan Che looked at Haotian Zhenjun and said.
Afterward, Haotian Zhenjun casually provided a cover, allowing Yuan Che to sneak out.
Watching Yuan Che's retreating figure, Haotian Zhenjun's smile faded, revealing a profound look.
"Just a friend? That won't do…"
…
Yuan Che left Qionghua Palace.
This was her first time experiencing a feeling called freedom.
However, she also heeded Haotian Zhenjun's words and did not come into contact with anyone.
She also understood that apart from her father, Eastern Hua Emperor, and Haotian Zhenjun,
everyone else was probably both afraid and wary of her.
Because she carried ill omens.
Not only could it bring misfortune to people, but it could even bring misfortune to the Immortal Court itself.
"Why? Why can't I be like an ordinary girl…"
Yuan Che thought to herself.
Which young girl doesn't have a spring in her step?
In the prime of her youth, even Yuan Che would feel a stir in her heart.
She wanted to find someone with whom she could chat, confide in, and entrust her affections.
Haotian Zhenjun was indeed excellent and enough to make many women's hearts flutter, but Yuan Che simply didn't feel anything for him.
She only considered him a friend.
Yuan Che's thoughts drifted.
Unbeknownst to her, she arrived at a splendid peach forest.
The peach forest stretched for ten miles, exquisitely beautiful.
Yuan Che stared, slightly dazed.
"So beautiful…"
She couldn't help but murmur to herself.
In the Immortal Court, there was actually such a beautiful place.
Was this maintained by someone?
Just as Yuan Che was curious,
a clear, gentle voice began to recite a poem.
"In Peach Blossom Abode, by Peach Blossom Stream, lives a Peach Blossom Immortal."
"The Peach Blossom Immortal plants peach trees, and picks peach blossoms to sell for wine money."
"When sober, he sits before the flowers; when drunk, he sleeps beneath them."
"Half-sober, half-drunk, day after day; flowers fall and bloom, year after year…"