Nine Nether Dragon Emperor

After coming to his senses, even the usually taciturn Luo Ji couldn’t help but ask Ning Xuan, "Aren’t you afraid your family will beat you to death?"

Ning Xuan shot back with a look of astonishment. "It’s my own marriage; I should be the one to decide. Why would my family want to beat me to death?"

Luo Ji looked as if he had heard the most incredible thing. "You can actually decide on your own marriage?"

"Don’t tell me you can’t even decide on your own marriage?" Ning Xuan was equally surprised.

Luo Ji fell silent.

"It doesn’t matter. You’re not like me; I have too many who like me and too many I like. You go be the Emperor’s Son-in-Law; it’s the best of both worlds! Don’t worry, I’ll support you all the way!" Ning Xuan cheered him on.

"Who said I don’t... don’t have anyone..." Luo Ji subconsciously protested, his voice dwindling.

"If you had someone, you wouldn’t be attending this gathering. You’d be unfair to..." Ning Xuan blurted out but quickly clamped his mouth shut.

If nothing unexpected happened, I’d be participating too. One mustn’t be too hypocritical. Most importantly, if I say too much, I might stir this guy’s rebellious spirit. If he outright quits, it’s all over! Then I’d have to participate whether I wanted to or not.

"By the way, what name do you want to use? Ning Yang or Ning Xuan? Or do you want to pick a new one for yourself?" Ning Xuan asked, pulling out another blank invitation, ready to add a name for Luo Ji.

"I don’t... Whatever!" Luo Ji sighed, his enthusiasm completely gone. He walked away without another word.

Ning Xuan paused for a moment, then gave him the name Ji Xiaoluo. After carefully writing the name on the invitation, Ning Xuan quickly caught up.

When the two returned to the courtyard, Ning Xuan immediately pulled Cheng Dabao and ducked into the house. Occasionally, people came trying to claim the courtyard as their own, but without exception, Luo Ji dealt with them all.

Finally, a voice sounded from outside the courtyard. "The gathering is about to begin..."

Only then did Ning Xuan emerge with Cheng Dabao. They followed Luo Ji, led by armored soldiers, toward their destination.

「...」

Outside a magnificent palace, a swathe of red silk was visible from a great distance. It extended from the ground, up the stairs, and all the way to the main entrance. On both sides of the staircase stood tall, imposing armored soldiers, posted at regular intervals.

"Wow, it’s so imposing!" Cheng Dabao marveled beside Ning Xuan, her slender figure unconsciously leaning against him.

"What are you doing?!" Ning Xuan couldn’t help but whisper.

"My legs are a bit weak..."

Ning Xuan’s mouth twitched, and he couldn’t help but admonish her, "Behave yourself! Don’t embarrass the young master!"

Cheng Dabao glanced at Luo Ji up ahead and reluctantly mumbled an "Oh." Luo Ji, for his part, had an icy demeanor, seemingly indifferent to everything around him.

Upon reaching the entrance, the three of them presented their invitations. The attendant only opened Luo Ji’s before loudly proclaiming, "Ji Xiaoluo of Tianji has arrived!"

As Luo Ji stepped into the great hall, countless eyes immediately turned to him.

A hint of surprise showed in Ning Xuan’s eyes, for he saw familiar faces.

On the right side, toward the middle, sat You Ruo. A man beside her was eagerly trying to curry her favor. To that man’s right sat Shentu Yi. Behind the three of them, three more people stood in a line. They were also acquaintances: Chu Tian, Ye Yi, and Jiang Boya! Clearly, they, along with the unknown man, were representing Yao Guang.

You Ruo glanced in Ning Xuan’s direction but seemed not to see him, turning her head away instantly. Shentu Yi, however, looked like he was about to stand up but managed to restrain himself. As for Chu Tian, Ye Yi, and Jiang Boya, they stared brazenly at Ning Xuan. After all, few people would pay them any mind.

Suddenly, Ning Xuan felt a sharp pain in his Divine Soul. He was stunned, because he thought he saw Zang Wu.

No, it’s not Zang Wu, just someone who looks like him. But he actually has the aura of the Blood Groove Great Saint! Good heavens, even the Tianyang Realm has sent someone!

Ning Xuan glanced over from the corner of his eye, then immediately looked away.

A delicate-looking maiden led Luo Ji to a seat in the middle section on the left. Ning Xuan and Cheng Dabao followed. Ning Xuan’s gaze swept over the wooden nameplates placed before each seat, which were engraved with the representative Star Realm and each individual’s name.

For instance, the man seated next to You Ruo was named Wang Ao. The man who resembled Zang Wu also had a similar name: Zang Peng.

Then, in addition to Yuheng, Tian Quan, Tianxuan, and Tian Shu—the other four of the Big Dipper Seven Realms—Ning Xuan also saw nameplates for Tianzhu, Dali, and Gouchen. Among them, Tian Shu and Gouchen held the foremost positions on the left and right, respectively.

On the Tian Shu side sat a youth with rosy lips and pearly teeth who appeared to be only fifteen or sixteen years old. Opposite him, in the Gouchen seat, sat a girl in white, also around fifteen or sixteen. Neither of them showed any aura fluctuations, yet no one dared to overlook them. It wasn’t because they were seated at the very front; it was because everyone qualified to be here was a powerhouse. They could tell at a glance that these two had already achieved a state of introverted divine radiance.

Ning Xuan deliberately inspected the nameplates in front of them. The youth was named Zhao Guan, and the girl was Jiang Chan.

Astrological lore states that Gouchen is the star controlled by the Empress. But why would a young girl like her be here?

He subconsciously glanced at You Ruo again. They were the only two women among the seated guests. As for Cheng Dabao, her current status was the same as his: a servant. She didn’t count.

"Ning Xuan, Ning Xuan..."

A voice pulled Ning Xuan back to reality. He was somewhat astonished because the person calling him was Luo Ji.

"We still have an empty seat. You should sit down, too."

Hearing Luo Ji’s words, Ning Xuan felt an urge to kick the man into next week.

Damn it! Is he trying to get me killed?! I just wanted to lie low! With that one sentence, Luo Ji will definitely make me a target for everyone!

Just as he expected, when Luo Ji had first called his name, the assembled prodigies had merely glanced over before looking away. But as soon as Luo Ji invited him to sit, everyone’s gaze fell squarely upon him.

"My lord, you are always benevolent, but on an occasion like this, how could I dare to sit on equal footing with you?" Ning Xuan said with a placating smile, yet he saw that Luo Ji seemed to be insisting. He immediately pulled Cheng Dabao over, pushed her down into the seat, and said with a smile, "Dabao, you can take the seat."

Many of the prodigies shifted their gazes from Ning Xuan to Cheng Dabao.

However, You Ruo, and even Jiang Chan seated at the front on the opposite side, kept their beautiful eyes fixed on Ning Xuan, a curious light flashing within them.

From the other side of the hall, Zhao Guan glanced at Jiang Chan, then raised an eyebrow. He turned his head to look at Ning Xuan, and a flash of killing intent glinted in the depths of his eyes before vanishing.

You Ruo’s amused telepathic voice echoed in his mind. "Heh, someone had better be careful. You’ve been mistaken for a love rival."

Ning Xuan looked directly toward Wang Ao, who was seated beside her. Wang Ao caught his gaze and gave him an amicable smile.

Just then, an authoritative voice rang out:

"Master Shentu has arrived!"