Chapter 61: Breaking Ties with Divine Firmament, Treasures of the Returning Cloud Secret Realm!

Upon hearing that familiar voice, Nalan Yanran sprang to her feet as if struck by lightning.

Yet, as realization dawned, her initially excited expression instantly faded.

Her voice, when she spoke, was drained to the very limit of vitality: "What... what did he leave behind as his final words?"

"He said he isn't dead. He said all of this was a plan he and Her Majesty concocted together, and once he finishes Her Majesty's mission, he will return."

"If you don't believe me, you can ask Her Majesty!"

Hearing this, Nalan Yanran's pupils abruptly constricted.

The listless expression on her face underwent a drastic transformation in an instant.

With an incredulous tilt of her head, she looked toward Shenxiao, her voice trembling: "Master, is everything Tiga said true?"

Shenxiao remained silent.

At that moment, she deeply doubted whether she had been completely blind back then, ever choosing Nalan Yanran to be her disciple.

Shenxiao stood right before the girl's eyes, yet this silly girl couldn't even recognize him, and had actually come to ask her instead.

This left Shenxiao in silence for a long, lingering moment.

Only then did she nod with a helpless expression: "Yes, you little fool."

"Master~"

Upon confirming that Shen-Lang was still alive, Nalan Yanran immediately reverted to the behavior of a spoiled child, fluttering around Shenxiao.

Seeing this, Shenxiao waved her hand dismissively: "Alright, go consolidate your cultivation. I have some matters to discuss with this... Tiga."

"Understood, Master!"

Watching Nalan Yanran bound away with a face full of joy, Shenxiao let out a lingering sigh.

"This disciple of mine is practically a lost cause."

"Shen-Lang, you had better treat her well in the future, or I will be the first one to never forgive you!"

Hearing Shenxiao's suggestive words, Shen-Lang raised an eyebrow.

"Is Her Majesty planning to bestow a marriage?"

Shenxiao nodded: "You must have seen her feelings for you. It is entirely fitting to grant her hand in marriage to you."

"And you? Do you not mind?"

When these words left his mouth, Shen-Lang's expression was utterly serious.

Naturally, Shenxiao could discern what Shen-Lang was truly asking.

However, if the words of the Heavenly Mystery Elder were false, and the destined True Emperor did not exist at all, marrying Shen-Lang and living a life of serving a husband and raising children would not be entirely unacceptable—so long as Shen-Lang could aid her in taking her revenge.

Yet, the destined True Emperor had appeared in Guiyun City, had appeared within the Great Qin Empire!

Because of this, she could not allow herself to bear any blemish that might cause the True Emperor to disdain her.

Therefore, after a silence lasting several seconds, Shenxiao ultimately resolved to lay her cards on the table with Shen-Lang.

"I am the sovereign, and you are a subject. We are unsuited for one another!"

Heh.

Discerning the resolute indifference in Shenxiao's gaze, Shen-Lang smiled.

He had never expected that after toying with human nature his entire life, he would receive a lesson from Shenxiao today.

Understanding that there was likely no future between himself and Shenxiao, Shen-Lang immediately cupped his hands in a formal salute toward her:

"Today, this subject has truly witnessed Her Majesty's methods!"

"Rest assured, from this day onward, you are the sovereign and I am the subject. I guarantee there will never be another overstepping of boundaries!"

"You..."

Observing Shen-Lang's earnest and cold demeanor, Shenxiao's heart suddenly experienced a pang of fright.

She felt as though she had just cast aside the most precious thing in the world.

Yet, recalling her burning vengeance, Shenxiao hardened her heart and pressed on: "That is for the best!"

Having spoken those words, feeling a sense of guilt toward Shen-Lang, she produced a medicinal pill and held it out.

"I am not the kind of person who slaughters the donkey the moment it finishes grinding the mill. Your contributions are all remembered by me!"

"This Heavenly Dragon Qi-Gathering Pill enhances a cultivator's comprehension upon consumption, and it is bestowed upon you!"

"I hope you will continue to exert yourself henceforth, and completely purge the malignant tumor of the Eight Kings from the common folk of our Great Qin!"

"My gratitude to Her Majesty for the bestowal!"

Shen-Lang took the pill with an indifferent expression, then turned and walked away directly.

Watching the departing figure of Shen-Lang, Shenxiao's heart suffered yet another sudden ache.

Unable to help herself, she murmured in a low whisper: "Shadow, did I do something wrong?"

Witnessing the desolate and lost expression that had surfaced on Shenxiao's face, Shadow was filled with profound shock.

It seemed she had never imagined that Shenxiao would actually develop romantic feelings for Shen-Lang.

Yet, remembering the burden of their vengeance, Shadow issued a stern and unyielding reminder: "Your Majesty, you are the one chosen by the heavens. Outstanding though Shen-Lang may be, he is still unworthy of you."

"Only the True Dragon Emperor is your true and proper match."

"And only with the True Dragon Emperor can you return to the Haotian Divine Realm and restore the prestige of the Divine Clan!"

Hearing Shadow's words, Shenxiao's mind flashed back to the night the city fell, recalling the sight of her parents covered in blood.

Gradually, the lingering apprehension in her expression was supplanted by icy detachment.

"You are right. Only the True Dragon Emperor is worthy of me!"

"Transmit my command: summon He Xiufei to see me. It is time to set Shen-Lang's plan into motion!"

...

At the same time.

Having departed from the City Lord's Mansion, Shen-Lang radiated an aura of intense hostility.

Walking beside him, Er Gouzi wore an expression of pure curiosity. "Well now, why is your temper burning so fiercely, kid? Could it be that your wife has cuckolded you?!"

"Get lost, you old bastard!"

Shen-Lang abruptly raised his foot and kicked Er Gouzi squarely in the waist.

Yet, the next instant, a wave of excruciating pain surged upward from his foot straight to the crown of his head.

It forced Shen-Lang to cry out in astonishment: "What the hell? Why are you so hard?"

"This Divine Lord is a real man, how could I not be hard?" Er Gouzi raised his head with an air of absolute arrogance.

Shen-Lang looked at his contemptible, swaggering appearance.

He could not help but sigh inwardly at how deeply this fellow had concealed his true capabilities.

With a physical body as formidable as his own, kicking Er Gouzi had actually resulted in injuring himself.

This prompted Shen-Lang to ask directly: "Doggy, tell me the truth, what is your actual cultivation level?"

"What on earth are you scheming by coming to Great Qin?"

"And why were you intentionally locked away by the Zhou family?"

Hearing this rapid-fire series of questions from Shen-Lang, Er Gouzi felt a considerable degree of inward astonishment.

It seemed he had not expected Shen-Lang to genuinely perceive that something was amiss with his cultivation.

However, as a seasoned veteran of the pugilistic world, Er Gouzi was hardly foolish enough to make a confession.

Instead, he feigned incomprehension entirely: "What are you babbling about? I don't understand a single word!"

"You..."

Seeing that Er Gouzi refused to speak, Shen-Lang opened his mouth, but ultimately chose not to press the matter further.

After all, everyone harbored secrets.

Without sufficient strength, blindly prying would only yield counterproductive results.

Much like his relationship with Shenxiao:

If his cultivation had surpassed Shenxiao's, how could Shenxiao have ever dared to go back on her word?

Reflecting upon this, Shen-Lang sighed and said: "Fine, if you won't talk, you won't talk. Daddy is taking you to the pleasure quarters to listen to some tunes!"

"Listening to tunes can wait. Shouldn't you, kid, divvy up some dividends first?"

Watching Er Gouzi's titanium-alloy dog eyes gleam with a persistent, covetous light, Shen-Lang raised an eyebrow: "What dividends?!"

"You take me for a blind fool, kid? You looted every single spirit stone belonging to the Zhou family; if you don't share the spoils, that wouldn't be very honorable of you!"

Faced with Er Gouzi's righteous indignation, Shen-Lang smiled playfully: "What are you talking about? How come I don't understand a word?"

Seeing that Shen-Lang had also begun to play the fool and feign ignorance, Er Gouzi grew somewhat anxious.

"If you dare to swallow everything alone, this Lord dog will spread the news that there is a Emperor's Heart Stone hidden within the Guiyun City secret realm, leaving you with nothing for your trouble! Do you believe me or not?"

Hearing this, Shen-Lang started in surprise: "You're saying there is a secret realm in Guiyun City?"