Chapter 143 - 140: Mo Qianqian, Here to Offer Congratulations

"Master Chu and Xian Ling’Er have arrived."

"I heard that in Black Demon Ridge that day, Master Chu acted as the main force against the Black Widow and suffered heavy injuries. It seems he was hurt badly and hasn’t fully recovered yet."

"The Black Widow is truly powerful. To be able to fight a Third-Grade Spirit Master and a group of experts to such a state while weakened... It’s hard to imagine how strong she is at her peak!"

"I heard the Black Widow was also heavily injured. However, if everyone hadn’t chosen to flee that day and instead fought her to the death, it’s hard to imagine what the consequences would have been."

"With such immense power, when it comes to a one-on-one fight, I’m afraid no one in the entire Great Xia Dynasty can defeat the Black Widow, right?"

"Have you noticed that Master Chu usually attends events with the royal family as their Chief Spirit Master? This time, he didn’t enter with the royals. There must be some ulterior motive behind this."

Amidst the crowd’s murmurs, Chu Yiming and Xian Ling’Er stepped into the Martial Arts Arena.

Naturally, the crowd speculated that Chu Yiming did not want to get involved in the struggle between the Ling Family and the royal family.

At the same time, the attendance of two top-tier existences like the Third-Grade Spirit Masters, Chu Yiming and Qiu Fengliang, was enough to show how grand and crucial the marriage alliance between the Ling Family and Tai Xuan Academy was.

"Welcome, Master Chu, Miss Ling’Er!" Patriarch Ling stepped forward, speaking to the two with great politeness.

Chu Yiming nodded and offered a customary greeting. "Congratulations to the Ling Family."

"Please come inside, you two!" Patriarch Ling ushered them into the VIP seats.

"The royal family’s Eldest Prince has arrived!"

Just then, another loud and clear announcement rang out. The Eldest Prince entered the arena, leading the Third Princess, the Fifth Princess, other members of the royal family, and over a hundred guards.

Seeing the royal entourage, the expressions of everyone present grew tense. When it came to the marriage alliance between the Ling Family and Tai Xuan Academy, the ones slapped in the face the hardest were none other than the royal family. Now that the royals had arrived, no one knew what would happen.

"The arrival of the Eldest Prince brings glorious light to our Ling Family!" Patriarch Ling called out loudly, maintaining a calm expression.

"The Ling Family is having a joyous occasion. I am here on behalf of my imperial father to ’congratulate’ you," the Eldest Prince replied, deliberately emphasizing the word "congratulate."

It was obvious that the crowd could hear the hidden meaning behind the Eldest Prince’s words. Congratulating on behalf of the Emperor was a clear indication that the Ling Family was not worthy of the Emperor’s personal attendance. However, upon hearing the Eldest Prince’s tone, the crowd felt a bit surprised. It seemed the royal family had no intention of openly tearing up all pretenses and going to war with the Ling Family just yet. Or perhaps, it simply wasn’t the right time to make a move.

"Hahaha, then please ’thank’ the Emperor on my behalf. Eldest Prince, everyone, please come inside," Patriarch Ling laughed heartily.

Facing the royal family, Patriarch Ling showed no signs of fear, though the Ling Family’s men all went on high alert.

"A joyous welcome to Tai Xuan Academy as they take their seats!"

At this moment, the master of ceremonies shouted in a noticeably different tone. Hearing this, the crowd was startled. The main characters had arrived!

Under everyone’s gaze, a massive procession of over a hundred people marched in grandly. Leading the group was an elderly woman dressed in a crimson elder’s robe. Her face was lined with age, yet she exuded an invisible, irresistible majesty. This elderly woman was none other than the Dean of Tai Xuan Academy, Mei Rong.

Walking beside her was Nangong Ling. Dressed in a red wedding gown with her hair adorned with elaborate ornaments, she walked with light, graceful steps that produced a pleasant, bell-like chiming in the air. Coupled with her peerlessly exquisite face and petite, delicate figure, she looked incredibly vibrant, adorable, and stunning. In an instant, she became the center of attention for everyone in the Martial Arts Arena.

"So beautiful!"

"Beautiful and cute. She’s simply the envy of everyone."

"No wonder Asura fell for Nangong Ling at first sight. If it were me, I’d like her too."

"Who do you think you are? Do you even deserve to like Nangong Ling?"

Various whispered discussions rose and fell continuously.

"Welcome, Dean Mei, and everyone else," Patriarch Ling stepped forward with a smile.

"Congratulations, Dean Mei!" Wanling Pavilion Master stood up and said.

"Congratulations, Dean Mei!" The others also shouted in unison.

Dean Mei didn’t say a word, merely giving a slight nod. Her gaze shifted to the Eldest Prince, who met her eyes along with his entourage. The crowd’s attention also focused on the two of them. With Tai Xuan Academy taking their seats, the wedding banquet was about to officially begin. The confrontation between the royal family, the Ling Family, and Tai Xuan Academy was likely about to begin as well.

However, to everyone’s surprise, they only saw the Eldest Prince smile and say, "Dean Mei, congratulations!"

The crowd was stunned. Was the royal family actually backing down? Were they ignoring Tai Xuan Academy’s interference in the Great Xia Dynasty and allowing the Ling Family to grow their power? That should be impossible. This was a direct slap to the royal family’s face! Was the royal family really not going to do anything? Or perhaps, their true moves were yet to come?

"Thank you, Eldest Prince. Please send my regards to Emperor Xia on my behalf," Dean Mei said, her voice slightly hoarse.

Dean Mei’s form of address was different from the others. While others referred to the Emperor as "Our Emperor," the Dean of Tai Xuan Academy called him "Emperor Xia." This wasn’t just the case now; it had always been so. It went to show that the two entities were fundamentally unrelated. Tai Xuan Academy did not fall under the jurisdiction of the Great Xia Dynasty.

"I thank Dean Mei on behalf of my imperial father," the Eldest Prince replied, the smile never leaving his face.

"Mo Qianqian is here to offer congratulations!"

Right at that moment, a voice reminiscent of roaring thunder echoed from outside. The sound rolled like a tempest, resounding throughout the entire Ling Family estate. Immediately after, the crowd saw a handsome young man dressed in black robes, his expression resolute and ice-cold. He strode boldly toward the Martial Arts Arena, carrying a coffin on his shoulder.

"Mo Qianqian!"

Upon seeing Mo Qianqian’s face, the expressions of everyone in the Ling Family hardened, and a thick, murderous intent instantly permeated the air. Everyone present was taken aback. Mo Qianqian had actually come to the Ling Family estate on the very day of their marriage alliance with Tai Xuan Academy?

Amidst the Asura Conglomerate’s group, Shi Muyao froze. Mo Qianqian had married Zhongli Xuan and even gotten her pregnant. She had already divorced Mo Qianqian, so they were technically no longer related. But no matter what, Mo Qianqian had helped her in the past. For him to walk right into the Ling Family estate now was no different from walking to his death. She wondered why he would come here just to throw his life away. At this moment, Shi Muyao’s feelings were somewhat complicated. She hated Mo Qianqian for betraying her, yet she also didn’t want him to die.

Beside her, the Yuling Sect Master furrowed his brows deeply.

"Heavens, he actually dared to come? And to barge in single-handedly, delivering a coffin to the Ling Family? Is he here to seek death?"

"Mo Qianqian tricked and killed the Lie Family’s Grand Elder at Black Demon Ridge, and heavily injured the Ling Family’s Grand Elder and others. Logically, he shouldn’t be this stupid. By entering the Ling Family estate now, there’s absolutely no way he can walk out alive."

"Perhaps he never planned on leaving alive."

"Is there a possibility that some factions are remaining quiet on the surface but secretly supporting Mo Qianqian?"

"It’s possible, but even so, he’s just cannon fodder and won’t escape death. Who would care about the life or death of a mere chess piece?"

Various discussions continued unabated. Some cursed Mo Qianqian for his stupidity, some speculated that the royal family was backing him behind the scenes, and others secretly supported him, hoping someone would cause a ruckus at the Ling Family.