C9 Princess

The golden glow emanating from behind Lin Xi intensified.

"That's enough for today."

Loong Yuv's voice echoed within her. After guiding Lin Xi, she retreated to rest, now contentedly munching on Spirit Stones within Lin Xi's spiritual realm.

Lin Xi exhaled deeply as the golden sword on her back transformed into a streak of light and merged back into her body. Opening her eyes, she savored the transformation her Spirit Martial Stage cultivation had wrought upon her.

"Ah! You scoundrel! Why aren't you wearing any clothes?"

Lin Xi jumped at the unexpected voice, surprised to find someone else present. Turning towards the source, she saw a girl at the cave entrance, her eyes covered, too shy to look at Lin Xi.

Lin Xi then remembered she was completely bare; her clothes had been incinerated by the flames of the Flowing Bright Fire Spirit Elephant. She hastily retrieved a set of clothes from her Storage Ring and quickly dressed herself.

"Are you dressed yet?" The girl at the cave's mouth hadn't left and inquired through her fingers.

Lin Xi was taken aback, her curiosity piqued about the girl's identity.

"Yes, I'm dressed now." Once properly attired, Lin Xi approached the cave entrance and recognized the girl as the one she had seen at the city's eastern gate.

Ye Yuen peeked through her fingers, and upon verifying that Lin Xi was indeed clothed, she finally lowered her hand.

Ye Yuen was petite, standing just over 1.6 meters tall in a pink dress, her round cheeks flushed. Whether from embarrassment or from having glimpsed Lin Xi's body was unclear.

She fixed Lin Xi with a stern gaze and accused, "Are you some kind of pervert, practicing cultivation in the cave without any clothes?"

Embarrassed, Lin Xi retorted, "You're the pervert, not me. I had my reasons."

Unfamiliar with the girl before him, Lin Xi had no intention of lingering. He continued speaking as he stepped out of the cave.

Seeing Lin Xi's dismissive attitude, Ye Yuen felt a flare of irritation.

"Hey, where do you think you're going? I'm speaking to you. How can you be so dismissive?"

Lin Xi abruptly halted, turned around, and said, "First of all, little girl, I don't know you, so I owe you no explanations. Secondly, I'm quite busy. Goodbye."

With that, she resumed her walk.

Ye Yuen's anger flared even more. It was the first time anyone had dared to speak to her in such a manner. Yet, the girl's expression of anger was so unlike her usual demeanor when upset within the palace walls.

"Wait, you're Lin Xi. I know who you are."

Lin Xi did not respond.

Ye Yuen refrained from pursuing her further, stopping in her tracks to watch Lin Xi's retreating figure. After a while, she finally spoke up, "Jiang Yimeng is dead!"

At those words, Lin Xi came to a standstill. She did not turn around. Lin Xi had previously observed how other nobles treated this young girl and had his suspicions.

But he hadn't expected the girl to suddenly show up before him.

"It was Jiang Yan who killed her."

Ye Yuen added.

Upon hearing this, Lin Xi turned to face Ye Yuen and slowly said, "You must be the current princess, correct?"

Ye Yuen let out a small laugh and nodded, "I am Ye Yuen. Lin Xi, you were once engaged to me."

Lin Xi was taken aback by this revelation.

He had surmised that she might be the dynasty's princess, but he could never have imagined that this princess would have such a connection to him.

Ye Yuen, observing Lin Xi's thunderstruck expression, couldn't help but chuckle, "Hey, what's the matter? Are you dissatisfied with me? Why such a reluctant look?"

However, Lin Xi quickly reconsidered. Since she had already met Jiang Yan, why would she come to see him alone? Shouldn't she have brought others to apprehend him?

Lin Xi dared not linger, "Princess, you and I have no ties anymore. I have pressing matters to attend to and cannot stay."

With that, she took to the skies with a single leap. Having reached the Spirit Martial Stage, Lin Xi was adept at aerial flight.

She soared off in a particular direction.

Yet, Lin Xi's assumptions were too naive. It wasn't long before Ye Yuen reappeared at his side.

Ye Yuen had clearly reached the Spirit Martial Stage at the very least.

"Why are you running? Relax, I have no intention of dragging you back."

Lin Xi continued on her way in silence, prompting Ye Yuen to speak up again, "I've sent word that the Lin family is safe, and I've also kept the fact that you killed Su Ziyu under wraps."

At this, Lin Xi paused midair, turning to Ye Yuen with a puzzled expression. "Is that true?"

"As a princess, why would I deceive you?"

Lin Xi couldn't fathom why the girl would lie to her. However, the notion that the royal family might seek vengeance against the Lin family was quickly dismissed. If the actions of Su Ziyu and Jiang Yan were sanctioned by the royals, then only a fool would employ such individuals for their schemes. And if the royal family truly had grievances with the Lin family, there would be no need for such convoluted tactics.

"I'll give you the benefit of the doubt for now, but I need to understand your motives."

With a smile, Ye Yuen responded, "Because you're my betrothed."

Lin Xi was taken aback, "Princess, your mother has already annulled our engagement. We no longer have that connection."

"That was my mother's choice, not mine."

It dawned on Lin Xi that this young woman must be quite the handful within the palace walls.

Deciding not to engage in further debate, Lin Xi pressed on, having located her brother Lin Zhengyi and preparing to rendezvous with him. Ye Yuen followed quietly behind.

Before long, Lin Xi and Ye Yuen reached a vast hill and came to a halt. On the ground before them was a massive cave, apparently a natural mine.

Lin Zhengyi was waiting at the cave's entrance.

"Mr. Lin Xi," he called out, rushing toward Lin Xi as he descended from the sky. "Brother, are you injured?"

Lin Xi gave Lin Zhengyi's shoulder a reassuring pat. "I'm fine. Did you manage your breakthrough?"

"Absolutely," Lin Zhengyi replied with pride, but his attention quickly turned to the girl beside Lin Xi. "Brother, who is she?"

Ye Yuen interjected with a smile, "I'm your future sister-in-law."

Lin Xi hadn't expected the princess to be so brazen.

Upon hearing this, Lin Zhengyi's face lit up with excitement. "Ah, hello, sister-in-law. My name is Lin Zhengyi."

"Hello, I'm Ye Yuen. Are you a good boy?" Ye Yuen asked, her face breaking into a mischievous smile.

Lin Xi was at a loss for words. She was about to retort when Loong Yuv, residing within her, suddenly spoke up, "Kid, there's something inside. Check it out."

Lin Xi had already sensed a strong Spiritual Force within the cave, faint and seemingly intentionally hidden.

"Is it dangerous?"

"Not for you," came the reply.

Lin Xi blinked. "So, it's not dangerous for me, but it is for them, right?"

"Just take a look," Loong Yuv urged.

Lin Xi then briefed the pair on the situation. Lin Zhengyi declared he wasn't afraid of danger and was ready to proceed.

Ye Yuen, on the other hand, seemed to agree but her attitude was starkly different. "Lin Xi, you seem to underestimate me."

"I'm in the late stages of the Spirit Martial Stage, unlike you, a newbie who's barely stepped into it!" she declared.

Lin Xi gave a wry smile. "Okay, Your Highness, let's head in then."