Inside a bedchamber in the Vermilion Bird Ancient Kingdom.
The Vermilion Bird Ruler lay on his couch, surrounded by a group of Vermilion Bird Ancient Kingdom's alchemists and imperial physicians.
But none of them had a solution for the Vermilion Bird Ruler's illness.
The Vermilion Bird Ruler's illness was caused several years ago when he, along with the Azure Dragon Ruler, went to explore a secret realm. He was injured by a Nine Fiends Snake Demon, an ancient remnant beast comparable to a Saint-level expert.
Even Saints found it difficult to resist the venom of the Nine Fiends Snake Demon.
Let alone the Vermilion Bird Ruler, who was a Quasi-Saint.
"Sigh, what should we do now? The Imperial Daughter went to the Jun family, not only did she fail to obtain an Immortal Divine Herb, but she was also humiliated."
"What can we do? We can't possibly go looking for trouble with the Jun family, can we? Isn't that courting death?"
The group of alchemists, imperial physicians, and ministers of the Vermilion Bird Ancient Kingdom all shook their heads and sighed.
They couldn't afford to provoke an ancient aristocratic family.
Therefore, even after hearing that Bai Yu'er was humiliated and forced to kneel, the Vermilion Bird Ancient Kingdom had no intention of settling scores.
Hearing this, the Vermilion Bird Ruler on the couch coughed even more, his face ashen.
However, just then, a guard rushed in from outside the door and hurriedly said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, a distinguished guest has arrived at our Vermilion Bird Ancient Kingdom and requests an audience with Your Majesty!"
Upon hearing this, a minister immediately flicked his sleeve and angrily shouted, "You blind fool! Can't you see His Majesty the Ruler's current physical condition? You still want to disturb His Majesty!"
Just as the minister's voice fell, a delicate female voice came from the entrance of the hall.
"The Vermilion Bird Ruler shouldn't be critically ill yet, right? Since that's the case, why can't he be seen?"
"Courting death! Who is it!?" Anger surged on the minister's face.
"How dare you shout at my young miss! Insolent!"
An elderly figure appeared, flicked her sleeve, and the majestic cultivation of a Quasi-Saint erupted.
Pfft!
That minister immediately spat out a mouthful of blood, his figure sent flying backwards!
Inside the grand hall, everyone from the Vermilion Bird Ancient Kingdom froze instantly, their legs trembling, utterly terrified!
Quasi-Saint aura!
Even the most powerful ruler of the Vermilion Bird Ancient Kingdom was only at the Quasi-Saint cultivation level!
Everyone looked over with trembling gazes.
They saw an old woman in hemp clothes walking in with an indifferent expression.
Behind her was a beautiful woman dressed in palace attire.
Golden long hair cascaded down, silky smooth, her snow-white face like jade, stunningly beautiful.
It was precisely Jun Linglong and Granny Hua.
"It's the noble lady of the Jun family..." Waves of shock surged in the hearts of some ministers.
Jun Linglong was quite famous in the outside world, so they recognized her at a glance.
And the minister who had reprimanded them earlier now had blood flowing from the corner of his mouth, his eyes filled with terror,瘫倒 (collapsed) on the ground, unable to get up.
"Cough, cough... I didn't expect the Jun family's noble lady to come. Are you here to condemn us?"
On the couch, the Vermilion Bird Ruler struggled to sit up, his face showing exhaustion.
A short while ago, news had spread that Bai Yu'er had offended the Jun family's Divine Son and was kneeling long outside his bedchamber.
And now, people from the Jun family had arrived.
If not to condemn, then for what purpose?
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone from the Vermilion Bird Ancient Kingdom in the grand hall began to tremble, their teeth chattering, their hearts filled with fear.
If the Jun family wanted to obliterate the Vermilion Bird Ancient Kingdom, it really wouldn't take much effort.
The Vermilion Bird Ruler had also resigned himself to his fate, so he appeared relatively calm.
"Is my family's Divine Son some great demon lord who annihilates entire clans at a whim? You should be grateful for the Divine Son's benevolence," Jun Linglong covered her mouth and said with a faint smile.
"Hmm?" The Vermilion Bird Ruler and the others all looked bewildered.
Could it be that the Jun family wasn't here to condemn them?
Jun Linglong took a step forward, her jade-like hand sweeping over her void ring.
Instantly, purple mist surged, and medicinal fragrance filled the air. A medicinal herb shaped like a Qilin appeared before everyone's eyes.
"That's... an Immortal Divine Herb!"
Everyone from the Vermilion Bird Ancient Kingdom stared wide-eyed, almost unable to breathe.
The Vermilion Bird Ruler also looked somewhat aghast.
The appearance of every Immortal Divine Herb would cause a stir in the Desolate Heaven Immortal Realm.
And now, for Jun Linglong to so easily take out an Immortal Divine Herb shocked them, as if country bumpkins had seen a mountain of gold.
Granny Hua, at the side, saw the reactions of the Vermilion Bird Ancient Kingdom's people, and a hint of disdain couldn't help but appear in her old eyes.
"Vermilion Bird Ruler, you now have two choices. Submit to Lord Divine Son, and you can obtain the Immortal Divine Herb."
"Disagree, then you are on your own." Jun Linglong's tone was faint.
In front of Jun Xiaoyao, her attitude was humble.
But now, facing outsiders, she had regained the demeanor of a Jun family noble lady.
"This..." The expressions of all the Vermilion Bird Ancient Kingdom ministers changed.
They understood the meaning behind Jun Linglong's words.
It was to submit to the Jun family's Divine Son, not to submit to the Jun family.
The difference between the two was significant.
If it were submitting to the ancient Jun family, it wouldn't be entirely unacceptable for the Vermilion Bird Ancient Kingdom.
After all, there were many top-tier orthodoxies affiliated with the Jun family.
But if it was only submitting to Jun Xiaoyao alone.
For a top-tier orthodoxy, that would be somewhat dishonorable.
"Unwilling? Do you know what an honor it is to be able to submit to Lord Divine Son?" Jun Linglong raised her shapely eyebrows, her expression turning slightly cold.
A look of struggle flashed in the Vermilion Bird Ruler's eyes. Finally, he sighed and said, "This Emperor agrees. Please thank the Jun family's Divine Son for me. I only hope he will not make things difficult for Yu'er."
Having reached this point, did the Vermilion Bird Ruler have any other choice?
"Rest assured, Lord Divine Son is only lightly punishing Bai Yu'er. He will not do anything to her," Jun Linglong said faintly.
She handed the Qilin Immortal Divine Herb to the Vermilion Bird Ruler.
The Vermilion Bird Ruler took the Immortal Divine Herb, his hands trembling slightly.
After all, who would want to die if they could live?
Especially the ruler of a kingdom.
"Cultivate well. This Immortal Divine Herb will not only heal your injuries but should also allow you to advance further. This way, you will be more useful to Lord Divine Son," Jun Linglong admonished.
Hearing Jun Linglong's words, all the ministers were speechless.
Wasn't this blatantly treating the Vermilion Bird Ruler as a tool, a subordinate?
"This Emperor understands." The Vermilion Bird Ruler nodded. He showed no dissatisfaction; instead, excitement appeared in his eyes.
Above Quasi-Saint was Saint.
Relying on this Qilin Immortal Divine Herb, perhaps he could truly break through and rise again, advancing to the Saint Realm.
"Remember, this is a boon bestowed upon you by Lord Divine Son. If you dare to have the slightest dissent..." Jun Linglong's tone was extremely cold.
She was adept at using the carrot and stick approach.
"Naturally. From now on, Lord Divine Son will be the true master of our Vermilion Bird Ancient Kingdom," the Vermilion Bird Ruler said respectfully.
Offending the Jun family's Divine Son was equivalent to offending the Jun family.
Although their Vermilion Bird Ancient Kingdom was a first-rate power, in front of the Jun family, they were merely a slightly larger ant.
"It's good that you understand." Jun Linglong and Granny Hua turned and left.
The Vermilion Bird Ancient Kingdom had thoroughly submitted to Jun Xiaoyao, becoming his affiliated power.
Several months passed. Inside the Heavenly Emperor Palace, Jun Xiaoyao stood up, a faint smile on his lips.
"It's about time. That Bai Yu'er has also kneeled for a year. It's time to subdue her."
And at the same time, within the territory of the Azure Dragon Ancient Kingdom, a flood dragon carriage suddenly soared into the sky, speeding towards the Jun family's direction.
The person inside the carriage was none other than the Eldest Prince of the Azure Dragon Ancient Kingdom, Xiao Chen.
"That move has been mastered. It's time to bring Yu'er back."
"And that Jun family Divine Son, if I challenge him and defeat him, I will surely become famous throughout the Desolate Heaven Immortal Realm. The Jun family couldn't possibly lower themselves to make things difficult for a junior like me."
A confident smile appeared at the corners of Xiao Chen's lips.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained (lit. How can you catch tiger cubs without entering the tiger's lair?).
He, Xiao Chen, alone, would charge into the Jun family, rescue the beauty into his arms, trample the Jun family's Divine Son underfoot, and his fame would spread in all directions.
Weren't the Mandate of Heaven's protagonists in those biographical novels all like this?
Thinking of such a scene, Xiao Chen felt a surge of hot blood, becoming somewhat impatient.
(End of this chapter)