Chapter 156: Two Invitation Letters

"Why avoid this person?" Yun Che asked, his brow furrowed, though he had already vaguely guessed the reason.

"During the last Azure Wind Ranking Tournament, Princess Cang Yue personally attended to watch. I don't need to elaborate on her beauty and grace; even at her young age, dressed in a magnificent robe of flowing colors and a purple-gold phoenix crown, she was the most stunning person there, enchanting countless young elites from various sects and powers. Among them was Fen Juecheng."

"After the last Azure Wind Ranking Tournament, Fen Juecheng didn't immediately return to Burning Heaven Clan. Instead, he went directly to Azure Wind Imperial City to meet the Emperor and propose marriage to Princess Cang Yue. At that time, the Emperor didn't agree, but he also didn't outright refuse, instead subtly declining by saying Princess Cang Yue was still too young. In truth, the Emperor was already tempted. After all, Fen Juecheng was the young master of the Burning Heaven Clan and highly likely to become its next head. If Princess Cang Yue married him, she would be the future Clan Head's wife, a status that would subtly surpass even that of the empress in the imperial family. It was undoubtedly an excellent prospect. The struggle between the Crown Prince and the Third Prince could absolutely not harm her, and it would even provide the imperial family with an additional layer of protection from the Burning Heaven Clan. Since Princess Cang Yue was a daughter and would marry out, there was no need to worry about the Burning Heaven Clan infiltrating the imperial family."

"Fen Juecheng readily accepted the Emperor's attitude and swore that he would marry Princess Cang Yue in this lifetime."

"However, not long after, news reached the Emperor that Third Prince Cang Shuo was leveraging the Burning Heaven Clan's influence, which enraged the Emperor. The Burning Heaven Clan's willingness to 'assist' Third Prince Cang Shuo was partly due to their ambition for political power, and partly because of Fen Juecheng's obsession with Princess Cang Yue. After that, the Third Prince became exceptionally kind to Princess Cang Yue, urging her strongly whenever they met to marry Fen Juecheng, so she could enjoy a lifetime of glory and respect, far surpassing that of an imperial princess. Fen Juecheng also frequently entered and exited the palace under various pretexts, meeting Princess Cang Yue through Cang Shuo's arrangements and constantly trying to win her favor and express his feelings."

Yun Che's chest rose and fell slightly, and he remained silent.

"The Burning Heaven Clan's power is so immense that the imperial family absolutely dares not offend them. With the Emperor gravely ill and the imperial family in turmoil, Princess Cang Yue similarly dares not anger Fen Juecheng. She can only politely decline but not firmly reject him. She knows Fen Juecheng's character: outwardly gentle and refined, possessing a grand demeanor, but in reality, he is extremely cunning and ruthless, resorting to any means to achieve his goals. Some of his hidden actions are utterly deplorable. If her forceful rejection made Fen Juecheng lose all patience, there's no telling what he might do."

"So, to escape Fen Juecheng's harassment and to fulfill one of her father's regrets, she left the Imperial City and traveled to various profound academies throughout the empire..." Yun Che said slowly, his expression bland. Only he knew what he was thinking internally.

"That's right." Qin Wuyou nodded and said gravely, "Yun Che, I don't know how you feel after hearing all this. I've lived in the Imperial City since childhood, and I often saw Princess Cang Yue when she was very young. Back then, she was like a carefree angel. After her mother's death, the burdens and responsibilities she carried grew heavier and heavier, and almost all her ease and joy left her. You cannot imagine how much sorrow, hardship, and exhaustion she bears. You and Princess Cang Yue are now very close, enjoying her beauty, elegance, and nobility, enjoying her genuine concern and meticulous care for you... When she first chose you, it was indeed only to fulfill her father's wish, driven by what could be called a 'purpose.' But now, I can see that she has developed true feelings for you; otherwise, she wouldn't have personally brought you even a sound transmission jade. You enjoy everything she gives you, but have you ever thought about bearing the burdens she carries on her shoulders and in her heart... or do you even possess such sincerity, courage, and awareness?"

Yun Che did not reply.

"As I said before, if you lack such courage and awareness, then actively distance yourself from Princess Cang Yue. The gap in your statuses is immense. If others discover that feelings have developed between you two, Fen Juecheng alone could easily have you disappear without a trace. Although distancing yourself from her would hurt her, I would rather you make that choice, for her sake and for your own. I know your personality somewhat; given your self-respect, I believe it's almost impossible for you to make such a choice, that you wouldn't back down even if you had to grit your teeth... But you are too insignificant right now. You cannot help Princess Cang Yue, nor can you share her burdens. Instead, you've added another layer of emotional concern for her. If you risk great danger to sustain this relationship, that might be called boldness, but it is certainly not bravery. For you to distance yourself from Princess Cang Yue now, in my eyes, would be true courage and sincerity."

Yun Che remained silent.

Qin Wuyou turned, patted Yun Che's shoulder, and said, "I've said what needed to be said. Think carefully about what choice you'll make. Princess Cang Yue has always been afraid to tell you her identity, fearing you'd be drawn into this... On the other hand, it's also because you are too insignificant. If you truly had sufficient strength, I believe she would have told you everything long ago. What she needs most is a shoulder to lean on. But you... at least for now, and within the next ten years, you simply cannot give her such a shoulder. Instead, to some extent, you will become a burden and another emotional entanglement for her."

"I've placed the Golden Scale Dragon Transformation Pellet on the table. If you successfully refine it, your profound strength will directly advance to the third level of the True Profound Realm... Anyway, sigh, think it over carefully."

Qin Wuyou departed with heavy steps. Yun Che did not see him off, remaining rooted to the spot, lost in thought for a long time.

Qin Wuyou's words struck Yun Che's heart like a series of heavy hammers.

He had previously believed Lan Xueruo must have a distinguished identity, but he was also entirely confident that his current self was worthy of her... Or perhaps, with his solitary pride, he had never considered that there would be someone he wasn't worthy of. But now, he learned with shock that Lan Xueruo was actually the legendary Princess Cang Yue, and she was entangled in the turmoil of the Azure Wind Imperial Family, with immense pressure from the Burning Heaven Clan behind it all...

His victory over an inner palace disciple, despite being of a higher rank, was indeed impressive, and he felt quite pleased with himself. However, this impressiveness was limited to the Azure Wind Profound Palace, and only to the younger generation under twenty. In the circles Lan Xueruo was involved in, his level of strength was utterly negligible.

Qin Wuyou was right. Lan Xueruo needed a shoulder to lean on, but someone as insignificant as he couldn't provide that; he would only become an emotional burden.

Another part of Qin Wuyou's speech was even more correct... He enjoyed Lan Xueruo's beauty and gentleness, her constant care and attention, and even the sense of conquest from gradually capturing her heart. Yet, he had never truly shared any of her burdens.

"This is a world where strength is respected. Without sufficient strength, one has no right to talk about dignity, much less the ability to protect those they wish to protect... Grandfather and Aunt are waiting for me to return. I have no ability to share the burdens Xueruo carries... I've merely defeated a minor ninth-level True Profound practitioner, yet I'm arrogantly complacent here. How ridiculous... utterly ridiculous."

Yun Che slowly clenched his fists, closed his eyes, and his body trembled slightly. After a long time, he let out a deep breath, picked up the Golden Scale Dragon Transformation Pellet Qin Wuyou had placed on the table, his gaze sharpening, and directly threw it into his mouth.

As the Golden Scale Dragon Transformation Pellet entered his body, Yun Che immediately felt surging currents of energy erupting from his chest and abdomen, spreading throughout his blood vessels and meridians. A portion rushed directly to his head, causing a momentary dizziness.

What potent medicinal power...

Yun Che was slightly startled. He immediately sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, calmed his mind, and began to circulate the Great Way of the Buddha. Such was the advanced nature of the Great Way of the Buddha profound art that within just four or five breaths, the swirling heat throughout his body gradually subsided. The untamed medicinal power became warm and gentle, integrating into his entire being without much guidance. The profound energy within his profound veins began to churn and slowly expand...

Sunset, then sunrise.

Yun Che's meditation lasted a full day and night. When he had completely absorbed the medicinal power of the Golden Scale Dragon Transformation Pellet and opened his eyes, it was already noon the next day. The profound energy fluctuations in his profound veins had fully stabilized, becoming even denser than the day before... He had successfully advanced to the third level of the True Profound Realm three hours prior.

While leveling up using pills might not be as stable, it is undoubtedly the fastest method. However, pills with such astonishing effects as the Golden Scale Dragon Transformation Pellet are rare in the world, almost impossible to find even for a fortune. Furthermore, due to their excessively strong and potent properties, there is a certain risk involved in consuming them.

Having sat for a day and a night, and still bearing injuries, Yun Che was famished. Just as he was about to leave, the door was unceremoniously pushed open by the ever-forgetful Qin Wuyou.

"Instructor Qin." Yun Che immediately went to greet him, then noticed Qin Wuyou's grim expression and quickly asked, "What happened?"

"Something I expected," Qin Wuyou sighed, then pulled out two letters. "These are two invitations. One is from Crown Prince Cang Lin, inviting you to his thirty-third birthday banquet at the Crown Prince's Mansion ten days from now, at noon. The other is from Third Prince Cang Shuo, inviting you to a beast-fighting competition personally organized by him. The time... is also ten days from now, at noon."