The blade struck fiercely in front of Young Master Wan Xu, tearing a crack in his defense.
The Thunder Abyss Sword embedded into Young Master Wan Xu’s body, leaving a terrifying gash of a blood wound. In the next moment, Young Master Wan Xu was sent flying back, spewing out blood.
"The Great Emperor Defense Skill has been broken!"
Young Master Wan Xu looked utterly shocked.
He had been very confident in his defense, but now Ye Xuan’s sword had shattered his confidence.
"The outcome has been decided."
Emperor Yu smiled slightly, then turned to Nangong Yao beside him, "So, Yaoer have you made up your mind? You need to make a decision now. Think carefully."
Hearing this, Nangong Yao furrowed her brows even more.
"Since you can’t decide, let me make the decision."
A gleam of light flashed in Emperor Yu’s eyes, and the next moment, he waved his hand. A loud sound echoed from the sky, and purple array lines appeared two hundred meters above the ground.
As the purple array lines flickered, a staircase extended downward from the high platform.
Clad in golden robes, Emperor Yu and the other top experts of Fengtian City all stood on the high platform, looking down. Powerful auras covered the entire Heavenly Phoenix Garden.
Emperor Yu seemed to be in a good mood, staring at Ye Xuan below, saying, "In this world today, there are indeed so many geniuses, a thriving scene indeed. By the way, young man, what is your name?"
Ye Xuan did not reveal his real name. With Young Master Wan Xu and the Divine Palace people still here, he couldn’t openly reveal his identity to avoid unnecessary trouble.
"Ye Xuan, you are the final winner of this marriage proposal contest, and I have high hopes for you. When do you plan to marry Princess Nangong?"
A genius like Ye Xuan was bound to become a supreme powerhouse in the future, and Emperor Yu was naturally pleased to recruit Ye Xuan into his ranks as soon as possible.
"That depends on the Princess’s wishes."
Ye Xuan hadn’t intended to become the Prince Consort, but he wasn’t willing to see Nangong Yao marry someone else, especially since she wasn’t willing either. If Nangong Yao were willing, he might not intervene.
He was never one to force others.
Emperor Yu waved his hand, smiling, "In matters of marriage, parents have the final say. Yaoer has no objections, and since you don’t either, then the wedding day shall be set on..."
At that moment, Nangong Yao suddenly spoke. She stood up from her seat, gazing coldly at Ye Xuan, "I don’t want to marry anyone right now, sorry."
This statement caused a commotion in the entire Heavenly Phoenix Garden.
Was this marriage proposal contest a joke?
Initially defeated by Ye Xuan, Young Master Wan Xu was quite dejected, but now he seemed to revel in Ye Xuan’s misfortune. Winning only to be rejected in front of everyone was even more embarrassing.
Ye Xuan was also momentarily stunned, then touched his nose. Although he knew this would be the outcome, considering he was wearing a mask, the taste of being rejected was still quite unpleasant.
"Yaoer, don’t be foolish."
Emperor Yu’s expression darkened slightly; saying she didn’t want to marry now made him appear fickle-minded, losing credibility in such a public setting.
"Your Majesty, since the Princess doesn’t want to marry, let’s postpone the wedding and discuss it once the Princess has changed her mind."
Seeing the tension in the air, Ye Xuan cupped his hands and stepped forward to ease the situation.
Hearing this, Emperor Yu was about to retort, but after a glance at Nangong Yao’s determined expression, he shook his head and said, "In that case, we won’t set the wedding date today. However, Ye Xuan, you are henceforth the prospective Prince Consort of Fengtian City. We will discuss the wedding later."
Ye Xuan bowed, and when he looked up again, he saw that Nangong Yao had already left the venue with Princess Yu Yue.
"Seems I’m really not welcome here."
Ye Xuan smiled and shook his head.
After the events of the gathering concluded, others also began to leave in succession. The once bustling Heavenly Phoenix City quickly became quiet.
Ye Xuan rode the Heavenly Phoenix mount provided by Emperor Yu, flying towards the depths of Fengtian City.
By this time, Ye Xuan had taken off his mask. Now that everyone had left, there was no need to hide anymore.
"Kid, I’ll give you three months. Within three months, if you can impress the Princess, I’ll let you stay. If not, after three months, I’ll send you away. Staying here serves no purpose."
On the Heavenly Phoenix’s back, Emperor Yu eyed Ye Xuan and spoke blandly.
"I don’t need three months, one month is enough."
Ye Xuan appeared calm and collected.
Emperor Yu was momentarily surprised, then showed an intrigued expression, "Did I hear that right? You think you can manage it in one month?"
"If I can’t do it in a month, I won’t have the face to stay here. Don’t worry, I know my limits."
Ye Xuan responded calmly.
"Oh? Then I’ll have to really watch you. If you can accomplish this in one month, I’ll give you something nice as a reward."
Emperor Yu knew very well the nature of Nangong Yao; if she was unwilling, nothing could change her mind. Ye Xuan’s boldness in demanding a shorter time was rather refreshing and deserved encouragement.
Deep in Fengtian City, Ye Xuan was assigned an independent palace as his residence. Being a prospective Prince Consort and favored by Emperor Yu, the treatment was reasonably good here.
"I’ll start cultivating first and visit that little girl after a few days."
Having recently experienced a fierce battle, Ye Xuan had many insights still to digest, which could significantly aid in improving his strength.
Staying in his palace, Ye Xuan spent half a month immersed in cultivation.
At this moment, in another nearby splendid palace, two female figures appeared within.
"Nangong, are you really planning to marry that guy?" a slightly sharp female voice rang out, the speaker being Princess Yu Yue.
"Of course not. How could I marry someone I don’t know?" Nangong Yao shook her head.
"That’s good. That guy is no good. He hasn’t acted for half a month, surely planning some dirty trick. No matter what method he uses, don’t fall for it." Princess Yu Yue pondered for a moment and continued.
"Maybe he’s already given up."
Nangong Yao replied noncommittally.
At the same time, she envisioned someone in her mind’s eye—a person with a sword at the waist, dressed in white, possessing an incredibly elegant aura.
"Speaking of which, that masked man does resemble brother Ye Xuan a bit, but unfortunately, some things can’t be replaced by mere resemblance."
Nangong Yao sighed. Just then, a maid’s voice suddenly came from outside the main hall, "Princess, Mr. Ye requests to see you."
"Mr. Ye? Which Mr. Ye?" Princess Yu Yue asked.
"It’s Ye Xuan, the Prince Consort."
"That guy? Don’t see him!"
Princess Yu Yue raised her eyebrows and then looked at Nangong Yao, "See, I told you he wouldn’t give up easily. He’s definitely up to something crooked. It’s best not to meet him."