Wu Tian was still amusing the little one, testing her intelligence with a riddle—whether the green crab or the red crab ran faster—when Yang Ziwei happened to arrive with his men. Yang Ziwei also heard the question and said with a serious expression, "Sir, this question is quite challenging. Without seeing the two crabs with our own eyes, it’s hard to tell which runs faster."
The thirty-five Array Masters following Yang Ziwei nodded in agreement. It was indeed a difficult question; who could possibly know which one was faster?
Wu Tian just smiled without saying a word.
The little one spoke up, "Of course, it’s the green crab. The red crab is already cooked, so how can it run?"
Yang Ziwei was taken aback, feeling utterly embarrassed. The thirty-five Array Masters were embarrassed right along with him.
Wu Tian offered them a way to save face, asking, "What brings you all here today?"
"We came to visit you, of course," Yang Ziwei replied, sitting down next to Wu Tian. Recently, the Dog Clan had been causing an uproar across the nations, with Xiuyuan Country being the sole exception. Yang Ziwei had his sources and had found out this was due to a direct order from the Great Heavenly King of Dogs himself. He was shocked, never expecting Wu Tian to possess such influence. This made him say with some restraint, "I was truly worried about you, sir."
"There’s no need to worry," Wu Tian said lightly.
"Yes," Yang Ziwei nodded.
Their exchange was exactly like a conversation between someone of high status and a subordinate. However, to the astonishment of the onlookers from the surrounding nations, the one in the higher position appeared to be Wu Tian. The esteemed Yang Ziwei, President of the Array Master Guild, was the subordinate? The shock left many at a loss for words.
Wu Tian? Who exactly is he? His background is untraceable; could he be from a great domain or a Divine Country? many couldn’t help but speculate.
Bai Xiangqian was also stunned. Should I help Xiao Shimin? he hesitated. The women of the Fan Sect felt the same, their conviction wavering.
At that moment, a voice rang out, "Master Li the Fortune Teller has arrived!"
An attendant was seen helping an old man approach. The elder was carrying a staff and a flag, the latter bearing the four bold, powerful words: "Three Divinations a Day."
"It’s him!" Bai Xiangqian exclaimed, jumping to his feet in surprise. In the Demon King Domain, he was a king. Each of the domain’s sixteen nations treated Master Li with the utmost respect.
"It’s him! I’ve heard of him. His predictions are never wrong."
"Why would such a prominent figure come here? And for whom?"
This time, as everyone speculated, they failed to guess it was because of Wu Tian, the man who had once made Master Li concede defeat. That news hadn’t yet spread to the Tianlong Domain. Besides, even if it had, they wouldn’t have known the man’s name was Wu Tian. The various kings exchanged puzzled glances, wondering why Master Li had come.
The Empress of Tianlong Country nudged Xiao Shimin. "After our son the Prince passed away, I invited Master Li many times, but he always refused. His presence today must mean he was moved by our sincerity."
"Indeed, that must be it." I can’t possibly be slapped in the face again this time, can I? Xiao Shimin thought. Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward with what he believed to be a confident, powerful stride. Arriving before Master Li, he bowed and said, "Master Li, your presence truly fills my heart with joy. I will be sure to host you properly later."
Master Li simply shook his head slightly. "I am not here for you."
As soon as the words were spoken, Xiao Shimin felt as if he had been struck across the face once more. The onlookers exchanged glances while the princes and princesses from other nations struggled to suppress their laughter.
Xiao Shimin’s brows furrowed slightly, but he didn’t dare act out of line. After all, Master Li was from the Shen Xiang Sect, an organization he and his Three-Star Power could not afford to offend.
"Then may I ask, Master Li, what brings you here? Is it for my Empress? Or for Brother Bai Xiangqian? Or perhaps..."
"None of them," Master Li shook his head and cut straight to the chase. "I am here for a remarkable person within your Tianlong Domain."
"A remarkable person?" Xiao Shimin’s brows knitted together tightly. A remarkable person in the Tianlong Domain? How do I not know about this? An idea struck him, and he whispered, "Could it be that my royal father isn’t dead? Back then, my royal father knew his lifespan was nearing its end, but his cultivation talent was insufficient, so he went out in search of immortal herbs. Could he have found them?"
"No, your father is long dead," Master Li said, glancing at Xiao Shimin and shaking his head.
Xiao Shimin felt as though he had been slapped yet again.
Not wanting to waste any more words on him, Master Li turned to the crowd, cupped his hands, and asked, "I would like to inquire if anyone in this Tianlong Domain recognizes a Mr. Wu Tian?"
At these words, Xiao Shimin’s face stiffened as if he had been punched hard, and his body trembled. The Empress, who was sipping tea, was so shocked she spat it out with a PFFT!, drenching the face of a young minister of Tianlong Country. The kings from the surrounding nations fell into a stunned silence.
How could this be? Master Li, how do you know Wu Tian? Having regained his senses, Xiao Shimin still couldn’t believe it, wondering if he had misheard.
"Mr. Wu Tian is right here." Yang Ziwei, however, recognized Master Li, recalling a time he had consulted him on where the Guild should be built.
Master Li followed the voice and saw Yang Ziwei with Wu Tian. His face lit up with delight as he urged his attendant, "Quick, quick, quick! Help me over there! What if there’s no spot left next to Mr. Wu Tian? Hurry, hurry, hurry!"
This scene caused even greater astonishment. How could this be? Just what is the background of this Wu Tian?
Bai Xiangqian and the women of the Fan Sect now knew for certain that Xiao Shimin was a trap. Fortunately, they had discovered this fact in time. This was a trap they would not fall into.
The Empress of Tianlong Country also came to her senses. Seeing the high-ranking minister before her splattered with tea, she quickly took out a silk handkerchief and began to wipe his face. This minister was Xiao Shimin’s illegitimate son, a fact the king had shared with her. As the Empress cleaned his face, the young man was enveloped in her fragrance, which stirred a reaction in his chaste body. The Empress noticed this as well and quickly pulled the handkerchief away.
"Mother... Mother Empress, I... I will... serve you well in the future," the introverted young man stammered, mustering his courage to whisper the words.
The Empress was taken aback. Xiao Shimin’s health is already failing. After he dies, this young man will certainly be the next monarch of Tianlong Country. The Empress was loath to give up her life of luxury.
"You may serve me," she said quietly, "but you must not let a word of this get out. Otherwise, how will I live?"
"Yes, yes, of course," the young man immediately replied.
Their conversation was quiet, but they were still overheard by Wu Tian, Yang Ziwei, Master Li, Bai Xiangqian, the women of the Fan Sect, and a few of the kings with decent cultivation. They never expected to witness such a good show before the main event had even begun. They looked again at Xiao Shimin. Although he was the ruler of the Three-Star Power Tianlong Country, his Spiritual Sense cultivation was lacking. Above his head, love was a light that glowed so green it shone, and he was utterly unaware.