Chapter 57

  The storm of Aether finally calmed.

  The last of the Myrthan ships vanished through their ruptured wormholes, leaving the sky torn and trembling with residual energy. The Saints—four beings who had nearly torn the heavens apart moments ago—now floated in eerie silence, each collecting their share of the scattered essence.

  One by one, their auras faded from the sky.

  The Verdant Arbiter was the first to vanish, dissolving into a rain of emerald motes. The Umbral Sovereign followed, folding into his own shadow and disappearing into the horizon. The Roc gave a final shriek—half triumphant, half irritated—and disappeared in a flash of golden lightning, leaving arcs of divine thunder dancing across the clouds.

  At last, only Mr Turtle remained.

  ---

  He descended slowly, his massive shell shimmering before contracting, until he appeared once again in his smaller humanoid guise—a calm, middle-aged man with sharp, amused eyes that somehow carried the weight of mountains.

  All the sect masters, including Zhou Yanyue, immediately bowed low.

  “We thank the Heaven’s Forguard Saint.”

  Mr Turtle gave an exaggerated sigh, rubbing his temple.

  “I told you lot already—just ‘Turtle Saint’ is fine.”

  Zhou Yanyue offered a serene smile.

  “Forgive us, senior. But the title of Heaven’s Forguard befits your grace and station. We dare not call you anything lesser.”

  “Heh.” Mr Turtle clicked his tongue. “And I dare say Heaven itself doesn’t give a damn about titles.”

  ---

  He turned his gaze toward Han Wuqing, his tone shifting.

  “You’ve done well.”

  Han Wuqing blinked in surprise.

  “Senior?”

  “That Dao you’re walking—interesting, very interesting.” Mr Turtle’s eyes gleamed. “You’re grasping something most never even glimpse. Like a man who spended several lifetimes on it. Keep going, and you might just step into our ranks sooner than you think.”

  The other sect masters froze.

  Even Zhou Yanyue’s composed expression flickered.

  To be acknowledged by a Saint—much less told he might become one—was beyond rare.

  Every one of them was already thinking the same thing: We need to stay on Han Wuqing’s good side.

  Han Wuqing gave a respectful bow, though his fingers twitched slightly.

  “Your words honor me, senior. I shall remember them.”

  [Does he know?] he thought, his expression unreadable.

  Mr Turtle smiled faintly, that knowing kind of smile that said everything and nothing.

  Han Wuqing stiffened almost imperceptibly.

  He knows…

  ---

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  Mr Turtle began to leave, but paused mid-step.

  “Ah, before I go—one more thing.”

  His gaze drifted across the gathered crowd before landing on Adam and the Princess standing a short distance apart.

  He smiled in that infuriating, knowing way again.

  “A little early, perhaps… but congratulations. Consider this a blessing from me.”

  The Princess blinked, then composed herself and smiled graciously.

  “This junior thanks the Saint for his blessing.”

  Adam stared at him, utterly lost.

  “Wait, wait—what do you mean by that? Mr Turtle? What are you congratulating us for?”

  Mr Turtle only waved a hand dismissively, the corner of his mouth quirking upward.

  “You’ll understand eventually.”

  And with that, he dissolved into light—vanishing as if he had never been there.

  ---

  Adam stood there, still pointing at the empty air.

  “Understand what exactly?!”

  The Princess turned away with a faint, mysterious smile.

  Zhou Yanyue, watching the two of them, couldn’t help but hide her amusement behind a delicate cough.

  Han Wuqing simply sighed, muttering under his breath.

  “He hasn’t changed at all…”

  The arena was finally calm.

  After all the chaos, the roaring battles, and the divine presence of Saints, the day’s events had come to a surreal end.

  Adam stood beside his sectmates as the results were announced.

  He received both his own prize and the forfeited ones—Granitsa’s Subspace Cube and the Everflame Womb Crystal.

  Without hesitation, he handed the crystal to Xiaoyan.

  “You earned this more than I did.”

  Xiaoyan’s eyes widened, gratitude flickering behind his stoic face.

  Meanwhile, Mu Qing Li gave Adam a disgusted side-eye.

  “You’re impossible, you know that?”

  And Li Fan sighed, patting Adam’s shoulder.

  “My condolences, brother. You’ve become a legend… just not in the way most people dream of.”

  “...Thanks, I guess?”

  ---

  Before he could sneak off, a royal messenger approached.

  “Disciple Adam of the Grand Harmony Sect. The royal pavilion requests your presence.”

  Adam froze. “Why do I suddenly feel like this is going to be bad?”

  Still, he went.

  ---

  The pavilion was quieter than usual, a soft fragrance of incense filling the air.

  Seated there were Princess Lyne, Prince Sigurd, Zhou Yanyue, Han Wuqing, and Grand Elder Guo.

  Zhou Yanyue gestured toward the empty space beside the Princess.

  “Sit.”

  Adam looked from Zhou Yanyue to the Princess, then to the others.

  “...This feels like a trap.”

  “Sit,” Zhou Yanyue repeated, with the kind of tone that meant it wasn’t a suggestion.

  Adam reluctantly took his seat beside the Princess, who pretended not to notice how tense he was.

  ---

  Zhou Yanyue crossed her legs elegantly.

  “Quite the display you made earlier.”

  Adam knew at this point there was no going back.

  He leaned into his role—the shameless man.

  “Thank you for the compliment.”

  Prince Sigurd chuckled under his breath.

  Even Grand Elder Guo couldn’t suppress a smile.

  ---

  Zhou Yanyue folded her hands together.

  “Now, why do you think we’ve gathered you here?”

  Adam scratched his head.

  “To punish me for... I don’t know... publicly disrespecting the Princess or something?”

  Zhou Yanyue’s lips curled.

  “No punishment. In fact, what you did was... entertaining. And, surprisingly, beneficial.”

  She glanced toward Han Wuqing.

  “He doesn’t seem to realize it yet. Why don’t you tell him?”

  ---

  Han Wuqing’s calm gaze met Adam’s.

  “You’re quite infamous now. Did it never cross your mind that your... antics might reflect on our sect’s reputation?”

  Adam blinked.

  “Honestly? No. Not really.”

  Han Wuqing sighed, rubbing his forehead.

  “You’re going to be punished either way—but before that... congratulations. To both of you.”

  He nodded toward the Princess.

  Adam looked between them, confused.

  “Wait—why are you congratulating us like we just... got married or something?”

  Prince Sigurd burst into laughter.

  “Man, you’re spot on.”

  Adam froze.

  “...WHAT?!”

  ---

  Han Wuqing cleared his throat.

  “Zhou Yanyue came to me with an offer. You and Princess Lyne Seigfried are to be married. It’s part of an agreement allowing her to join our sect.”

  Adam’s jaw dropped.

  “Why can’t she just join normally?! She’s a royal! I’m—me!”

  Prince Sigurd leaned back with a wry smile.

  “Palace politics, my friend. They can get... complicated.”

  Han Wuqing nodded in agreement.

  “They also provided us with a generous supply of spirit stones. And according to the contract, whatever she does afterward is entirely her responsibility.”

  Adam stared blankly.

  “...So I’m basically collateral in a royal funding deal?”

  No one answered.

  ---

  The Princess, calm and poised, sipped her tea without looking at him.

  “You could at least try to act honored.”

  Adam muttered under his breath.

  “I’d rather fight a Saint.”

  Zhou Yanyue smiled faintly.

  “Oh, don’t worry. You’ll get used to it.”

  Adam’s mouth twitched.

  “Do I seriously have no say in my own matter?”

  Han Wuqing crossed his arms, perfectly calm.

  “You should have thought about that before your little... display. Consider this your punishment.”

  Adam glanced toward Elder Guo for help, but the old man simply looked away, pretending to study the ceiling.

  “Elder Guo—really?”

  No answer. Just more ceiling appreciation.

  Adam sighed, rubbing his temples.

  “I mean, what’s wrong with all of you? Me, married to her? It’ll look like the Princess is getting married off to a pervert! What are people going to think?”

  Princess Lyne arched a brow, clearly amused.

  “I thought you didn’t care what others think. Weren’t you the one declaring yourself shameless for the world to hear? Or was that just talk?”

  Adam straightened, defensive.

  “Oh no, I’m definitely shameless. But come on—don’t you people care about your own reputations?”

  Zhou Yanyue waved her hand dismissively.

  “Don’t worry about it.”

  Han Wuqing turned to Lyne, his tone deadpan.

  “And I trust I won’t have to deal with any idiotic stunts from your side, Your Highness.”

  Zhou Yanyue smirked.

  “Careful, Fellow Daoist Han. You’re still speaking to royalty.”

  Han Wuqing gave a faint, knowing smile.

  “If I’d accepted your offer years ago, I’d be her uncle by now.”

  The Prince and Princess both froze, eyes wide, turning sharply toward Zhou Yanyue.

  Lyne blinked, then smirked.

  “And here I thought those were just rumors. Well, I understand, Aunt Yanyue. It must get lonely sometimes.”

  Zhou Yanyue’s composure cracked for the briefest moment—a small flush rising to her cheeks.

  “Niece, your teasing won’t work.”

  She cleared her throat and recomposed herself with regal grace.

  “Anyway—welcome to the family, nephew-in-law.”

  Adam stared at her blankly, then slowly nodded.

  “...Thanks.”

  He closed his eyes, his outward expression serene.

  Inside his mind. He was screaming internally.