If it continued to grow unchecked, the Heavenly Dragon Dynasty might one day rival the Yun Family itself.
When that time came, a mountain could not hold two tigers. An unpredictable struggle would erupt between the two great powers.
The sole reason they coexisted peacefully now was simple: the Heavenly Dragon Dynasty possessed no Venerable Realm experts.
Once a Venerable appeared within their ranks, the Seven Great Forces of the Immortal Realm would become eight.
Why hadn't the Yun Family crushed the Heavenly Dragon Dynasty already? Because the Dynasty was formidable in every way save its top-tier cultivators. If internal chaos erupted, other powers would circle like vultures.
Even if the Yun Family maintained its position afterward, the damage would be catastrophic.
A classic case of the tail threatening to wag the dog.
The cost simply wasn't worth it.
So the Yun Family adopted a different strategy: support the Third Prince, Li Luo, install him as the new Emperor, then have him marry into the Yun Family.
This would defuse the mounting tension between the two powers—at least temporarily.
Did the current Emperor of the Heavenly Dragon Dynasty recognize the Yun Family's scheme? Of course he did.
He simply chose not to interfere, letting events unfold naturally.
If his third son seized the throne, marrying into the Yun Family was acceptable. But if another son took the imperial seat, the future would be left to fate itself.
Why such confidence?
Because the Emperor commanded legions of elite soldiers and peerless generals. Even in direct confrontation with the Yun Family, he would not flinch.
Ye Qian immediately deduced that Li Luo wasn't here for him, but for Yun Xi.
After all, he had no dealings with the Heavenly Dragon Dynasty. They could easily have chosen not to send a congratulatory gift without consequence.
It was understandable. No one would fault the Heavenly Dragon Dynasty for such a minor slight, and the Ye Clan wouldn't annihilate an entire dynasty over the absence of a gift.
If they obliterated powers for failing to send presents, countless forces would vanish overnight.
Ye Qian nodded slightly, a faint smile gracing his lips.
"The Third Prince of the Heavenly Dragon Dynasty?
I didn't expect you to grace us with your presence. Welcome to our Ye Family's land."
His tone carried barely concealed amusement.
"I feel quite at ease knowing someone of your... stature is attending to my dear cousin."
Li Luo felt a wave of relief wash over him—then immediately wanted to cough up blood when the full weight of Ye Qian's mocking words registered. The arrogance, the condescension wrapped in courtesy.
Still, he wasn't stupid enough to show even a flicker of disagreement or annoyance before the Young Master.
Instead, he displayed a grateful smile and executed a deep bow. If Ye Qian hadn't heard his earlier boast, he'd dodged a catastrophe.
The Ye Family, renowned as the strongest power in the Immortal Domain, didn't earn that title through empty words.
Once, a powerful force nearly equal to the Seven Great Forces provoked the Ye Family. That force was massacred overnight—every last member.
By dawn, corpses lay arranged in neat rows across their territory. Men, women, children, dogs—none were spared.
The scene was beyond tragic. Witnesses stood frozen in horror. So many dead in a single night—it defied comprehension.
And that massacre was merely the tip of the iceberg the Ye Family revealed, not the full depth of their power.
No one knew how terrifying the Ye Family truly was. No one dared test them.
Because every individual, every power that dared offend the Ye Family had vanished without exception.
Evaporated. Erased. As if they'd never existed at all.
This was why Li Luo had fallen silent moments ago, why he'd acted like a mute servant, like a cicada frozen in winter.
He understood one absolute truth: he could not offend Ye Qian over this. If he brought the Ye Clan's wrath down upon the Heavenly Dragon Dynasty, the consequences would be unbearable.
He still intended to become Emperor. How could he stand by and watch the Dynasty crumble because of his arrogance?
Though Yun Xi had heard Li Luo's earlier boast, she chose not to inform Ye Qian.
Regardless of circumstances, Li Luo had come as her guest. If something went wrong, explaining it to her family would prove difficult.
So Yun Xi concealed the matter, saying nothing to Ye Qian.
Li Luo glanced at Yun Xi with genuine appreciation. Her generosity in not revealing his arrogant words was a mercy he didn't deserve.
Otherwise, he'd be unable to eat or sleep in peace for months.
He quickly cupped his hands, bowing respectfully.
"This prince greets Young Master Ye. Hearing of you pales before meeting you in person.
I've long admired your reputation—it's truly an honor and my good fortune to stand before you.
Your lands inspire nothing short of awe. I can only express my deepest gratitude for welcoming me here."
Li Luo bore no trace of the audacious fool he'd been moments earlier. He was meek, subservient, practically glowing with pleasure at being acknowledged by Ye Qian.
The speed of his transformation was faster than flipping a page—truly astonishing.
Unveiled disdain flickered in Yun Xi's eyes.
This Li Luo only dared speak ill behind people's backs. Face to face, he wouldn't dare utter a sound.
Typical petty behavior. How could such a man ever win her favor?
Ye Qian glanced up at the sun hanging overhead.
"Cousin, have the flying ship increase its speed.
Mother is already arranging the welcome banquet—we shouldn't keep her waiting.
She's impatient to see her beloved niece."
Upon hearing that her aunt was preparing the banquet, Yun Xi knew they couldn't delay an elder.
She nodded, tilting her head slightly.
"As you command, Cousin."
She snapped her fingers. The ship's crew snapped to attention.
"Increase sailing speed. We must reach the Ye Family estate before noon."
At Yun Xi's order, the flying ship surged forward, its leisurely pace transforming into swift flight.
Of course, this speed still lagged behind the qilin carriage, which practically warped space itself.
Ye Qian called out to the Four Qilin beside him.
"Pull the carriage over. No need to keep running outside."
Receiving the command, the Four Qilin swiftly pulled the luxurious carriage onto the flying ship's deck, landing at the vessel's bow.
Fortunately, the flying ship was massive enough to accommodate a qilin carriage without difficulty.
Yun Xi studied the Four Qilin, each representing a different elemental attribute, and envy flickered in her eyes.
"Ye Qian, it seems you've trained these Four Qilin remarkably well.
I heard from Aunt that they've all reached the King Realm now..."
These were four qilin, each commanding a distinct attribute.
Though they'd only achieved the King Realm individually, their years together had forged an unbreakable bond. Their combined attacks reached far beyond their individual strength—not additive, but multiplicative.
Noticing the envy in his cousin's eyes, Ye Qian naturally reached out and took Yun Xi's jade-smooth hand, pulling her toward the Four Qilin.
Yun Xi glanced down at the large hand enveloping hers. She showed no intention of refusing. If anything, happiness bloomed across her features.
They'd known each other for years, had even lived together during childhood.
Holding hands with her younger cousin felt natural to Yun Xi, not uncomfortable. Warmth spread through her chest.
Regardless of how much he'd physically changed, Ye Qian remained the same person from their childhood—unchanged at his core.
This scene ignited fury in Li Luo, who stood watching nearby.
He'd pursued Yun Xi relentlessly, yet couldn't earn even a smile from her.
But Ye Qian arrived and immediately took Yun Xi's hand.
More importantly, Yun Xi didn't resist in the slightest. She was utterly compliant.
The comparison was devastating. The gap between them was a chasm. Li Luo was utterly, completely defeated.