30: The Cat Substitutes for the Prince
A few days later.
After the morning court session.
Cao Nie had just exited the Golden Luan Hall.
When he saw Left Prime Minister Wang Feng approach him.
"Cao Nie, you wait. The matter of you sending me out of Great Xia last time isn't over. If His Majesty protects you, I'll go to the Empress and report you. Let's see if you'll die or not."
Wang Feng uttered his harsh words, intending to leave.
Cao Nie slapped him hard across the face. Wang Feng screamed and his head sent his body flying out of Great Xia Immortal City.
The surrounding officials scattered as if avoiding a plague.
Upon returning to the Cao Family.
First Elder Cao Jian came to find him.
"Cao Family Head, we have news of Xiao Bei."
Cao Nie led Cao Jian to the pavilion in the courtyard and sat down.
"Tell me in detail."
Cao Jian organized his thoughts and then said, "Cao Family Head, didn't you ask us to pay attention to the Lingxiao Immortal Dynasty and the Tianyan Immortal Dynasty? Not long ago, it was rumored that the Ninth Princess of the Lingxiao Immortal Dynasty was looking for a husband. We investigated and found that the husband this Ninth Princess was looking for was precisely Xiao Bei."
"Are you sure there was no mistake in the investigation?"
"No mistake, it's Xiao Bei. We had someone get a portrait from Lingxiao Immortal City, and it's identical to Xiao Bei."
A slight smile played on Cao Nie's lips. That princess happened to meet the system's requirements, and she was also a Daughter of Fortune. He had to make a trip: "When are they getting married?"
"Cao Family Head, in ten days."
Cao Nie estimated the distance between Great Xia and Spiritual Firmament. By tearing through space, he could arrive tomorrow, leaving plenty of time to prepare.
"Where is the Second Elder? Have him accompany Cao Family Head on this trip."
Upon hearing Cao Nie's command, Cao An quickly came over without delay.
Cao Nie directly tore through space and took Cao An towards the Lingxiao Immortal Dynasty.
As it was the princess recruiting a husband, only forces within the Lingxiao Immortal Dynasty were invited.
The next day.
The two arrived at the Ninth Princess's Residence in Lingxiao Immortal City.
After secretly entering the residence, they killed two guards, disguised themselves as them, and stayed in the Ninth Princess's Residence.
The art of disguise belonged to Cao An, a Heaven-tier high-grade skill that Cao An had cultivated to perfection.
Thanks to the Divine Demon Main Seal, Cao Nie also knew it.
After he used it, not even an Asking Dao Realm cultivator would be able to discover him.
The two stayed until Xiao Bei's wedding day, thoroughly familiarizing themselves with the entire Ninth Princess's Residence.
The strongest individual in the entire residence was a guard captain at Po Wang Realm fifth layer, arranged by the Lingxiao Emperor to protect the Ninth Princess Lingxi.
To avoid exposure, Cao Nie and Cao An did not go to the wedding venue. They were responsible for ensuring the safety of the Ninth Princess's bedchamber.
The Ninth Princess was the Lingxiao Emperor's most beloved princess. During the day, many powerful individuals would come to celebrate, even the Lingxiao Emperor himself.
At that time, there would be no shortage of Gui Xu Realm experts.
To be on the safe side, the two decided to act at night.
Night soon arrived.
From a distance.
Cao Nie and Cao An saw Xiao Bei leading Lingxi.
The two, their eyes hazy with drink, entered the bridal chamber.
Cao Nie and Cao An exchanged glances and cautiously walked towards the Ninth Princess's bedchamber.
As for the other guards, they were simply ignored.
One was a Gui Xu Realm third-layer expert, the other a Po Wang Realm ninth-layer expert. Whom would they fear in this Ninth Princess's Residence?
All those powerful individuals from the daytime had left; now, this place was their domain.
As soon as they approached the bedchamber, they heard the two inside talking.
"Brother Xiao Bei, in half a month, Imperial Father will open the Lingxiao Secret Realm. You must be prepared then."
"Lingxiao Secret Realm?"
"The Lingxiao Secret Realm is the foundation of our Lingxiao Immortal Dynasty. It contains a Spiritual Firmament Immortal Pool, and Imperial Father arranges for people to enter and cultivate there every hundred years."
"Lingxi, you'll go in too, right?"
"Of course. Brother Xiao Bei, you are currently at half-step Penetrating Void Realm. After coming out of there, you will definitely become a true Penetrating Void Realm expert."
"Thank you, Lingxi. If it weren't for you, I might still be suffering in the Cao Family."
"Brother Xiao Bei, you're being too formal. We are husband and wife now, it's only right for me to save you."
"Lingxi, let's drink the nuptial wine."
"Wait a moment, Brother Xiao Bei, I'll go change my clothes."
After sensing Lingxi leave inside.
Cao Nie tore through space and appeared beside Xiao Bei with Cao An.
Xiao Bei gazed at the slender figure reflected behind the distant curtain, somewhat entranced.
He didn't even notice Cao Nie and Cao An's appearance immediately.
By the time he reacted, it was already too late.
Cao Nie pointed a finger at Xiao Bei's forehead.
Instantly sealing his primordial spirit, cultivation, and his four senses and five consciousnesses.
Xiao Bei tried to call out, but found he couldn't make a sound. He looked at Cao Nie and Cao An with a terrified expression.
Why had these two scoundrels come here while he was getting married?
"Brother Xiao Bei, I'm here." A graceful figure emerged from behind the curtain.
Xiao Bei was overjoyed, he was saved.
Cao Nie quickly waved his hand at Cao An.
Cao An swiftly grabbed Xiao Bei and went under the bed.
Tearing through space was too late. Cao Nie used his disguise art to transform into Xiao Bei's appearance, and suppressed his cultivation to half-step Penetrating Void Realm.
After a glance to confirm there would be no problem under the bed.
Only then did he look towards the direction from which the footsteps came.
With just one glance, Cao Nie was stunned.
Lingxi lightly undid her robes, a crimson veil swaying with the breeze.
The gauze dress was as thin as a cicada's wing, and her fair skin was faintly visible through the opening and closing of the skirt.
"Husband." Her vermilion lips parted slightly, and her slender jade fingers lifted the hem of her gauze dress.
A purple embroidered bellyband was faintly visible, with golden threads forming twin lotuses shimmering in the candlelight.
She lightly tapped her toes, turning and dancing with the grace of a startled swan.
As her gauze dress fluttered, her fair skin and jade-like bones were fully revealed.
Under the bed, Xiao Bei's eyes widened as he stared at the face identical to his own.
He could already guess what was going to happen next.
Lingxi danced to Cao Nie's front, her hands hooking around Cao Nie's neck, almost pressing her entire body against his.
"Brother Xiao Bei, do you like it? I specially prepared it for you, you know."
Lingxi's voice carried a hint of softness, and Cao Nie's body stiffened.
[Detected Daughter of Fortune Lingxi. Please make one of the following choices:]
[Choice One: Push Lingxi away, reveal your true identity, and release Xiao Bei. Reward: Ten green hats.]
[Choice Two: Slap Lingxi across the face, shout: 'Bitch, you're ruining my Dao heart!' then stab her to death with a sword. Reward: Despotic Sword Manual, a Desolate-tier high-grade cultivation method.]
[Choice Three: Conquer Lingxi. Reward: Life Gate True Fire.]
The Despotic Sword Manual, a cultivation method that severs all emotions and desires.
To cultivate it to grand completion, one needs to sever all worldly attachments and extinguish all warmth with loved ones.
Such a sword manual is better left alone.
After the Life Gate True Fire is fused, one's energy will be inexhaustible.
"System, I choose three."
[Life Gate True Fire has been fused.]
"Brother Xiao Bei, let's drink the nuptial wine first."
Lingxi's voice was softer than before, subtly revealing a hint of shyness.
She lightly stepped forward, walked to the table, and with trembling delicate hands, picked up two cups of wine, then turned and offered one.
"Brother Xiao Bei, please."
Cao Nie took the wine cup. The nuptial wine went down his throat, and the cup clattered to the ground.