The elders of the Nine Saint Demon Gate were still frozen in shock when Li Qiye spoke calmly:
"Since we're done here, let your successor come out and meet me. In my eyes, no 'heaven‑defying genius' is worth making a fuss over."
Such words — from a thirteen‑year‑old boy — would have sounded like madness from any mouth but his. Yet his tone was so measured, so ordinary, that the elders found themselves speechless.
"Shuang'er, come and greet Young Lord Li."
At last, the Sunwheel Demon Emperor spoke, issuing his command.
### The Princess of Nine Saint
When the successor of the Nine Saint Demon Gate — LiShuangyan — stepped into the Heavenly Hall, light itself seemed to dim around her.
She was a vision that could stun heaven and earth alike.
Barely eighteen, with brows like distant mountains and eyes bright as the moon; her lips a delicate crimson and her skin untainted as snow.
Her beauty was cold as frost and proud as a winter blossom.
A white robe flowed about her like soft ice, radiating a chill no flame could melt.
Li Shuangyan — the name fit her perfectly.
She was the heir of the Nine Saint Demon Gate, celebrated as the number‑one beauty of the Ancient Ox Kingdom.
Her talent was equal to her fame: born with a RoyalPhysique, her Life Wheel of royal grade and a Life Palace of saint‑level — a HolyLifeFate.
Royal physique, royal wheel, holy life — all in one body.
Among the youth of the Central Domain, few could stand as her equal.
To refuse marriage to a disciple of the decayed Washing‑Dust Sect was, to anyone's eyes, a logical choice.
Li Qiye looked at her with indifference.
After millions of years of wandering the world and seeing beauty beyond measure, what was one more pretty face?
"Not bad," he said lightly.
Li Shuangyan's impression of him had been mildly favorable — until his next words struck like thunder.
"A wife you might make, but you still lack a little refinement. Your Holy Fate is respectable — I'm short of a sword attendant. Why don't you take the position?"
"You—!"
The entire hall shook. Li Shuangyan's face flushed scarlet, and every elder frowned.
She was their pride, their hope, the brightest heir in ten thousand years — and this boy had just asked her to serve as a maid.
It was nothing less than an insult to their whole sect.
Before their anger could ignite, Li Qiye continued unhurriedly:
"I won't force you. Think it over. If you wish, come find me at the Washing‑Dust Sect."
He spoke as if it were the most trivial matter in the world, then cast her a casual glance.
Li Shuangyan trembled with rage.
All her life she had been the heavens' darling — admired by saints, pursued by heroes.
To be called a "sword maid" by a child? Unthinkable!
He should have been a boy, immature and naïve — yet somehow he stood there like one who had lived a thousand lives.
"You are far too presumptuous!" one elder finally roared.
Their beloved princess reduced to a servant — how could they tolerate it?
Li Qiye didn't bother to listen.
"Opportunities are won, not given. The chance is yours; your fortune is your own."
With that, he turned and left the Heavenly Hall.
Li Shuangyan's hands shook with indignation.
Proud and frozen since childhood, she had never met such an insufferable youth.
And the worst part — he was only thirteen.
A child, yet the most infuriating one she had ever seen.
"Your Majesty, he has humiliated our Nine Saint Demon Gate beyond measure!" an elder exclaimed.
The Sunwheel Demon Emperor was silent for a long moment. Then he spoke softly:
"If he is a true dragon, he will soar to the nine heavens; if a divine phoenix, he will sweep the Eight Desolations. Whether dragon or phoenix — we shall wait and see."
Stillness fell over the hall.
### Return to the Guest Palace
When Li Qiye returned to his quarters, Nan Huairen rushed forward, eyes shining with curiosity.
"Senior Brother, how did the marriage talk go with the Princess?"
Even Mo the Protector turned to listen.
Given the sect's hospitality and honor, they assumed his visit had been for an engagement.
Li Qiye yawned lightly.
"Marriage? I never said I'd marry her. If she's willing, I might take her as a servant."
"A... servant!?"
Nan Huairen stammered, stunned.
Even Mo the Protector was struck silent.
The heir of Nine Saint, princess of the Ancient Ox Kingdom — a goddess desired across the realm — and Li Qiye had just called her a maid.
Mo finally muttered weakly:
"You... you must be confused, little one."
But even as he spoke, he felt no conviction. This boy was too unfathomable — a Protector like him no longer dared speak as a senior.
"It's just a woman," Li Qiye replied softly. "What's the fuss?"
In his eyes, Li Shuangyan had promise — yet compared to Immortal Empress Bingyu of the past, she was still lacking.
The two men fell silent.
Nan Huairen could only think: Thispersonnolongerbelongstocommonreason.
He was utterly beyond understanding.
In the days that followed, Li Qiye completed the blood‑bond with the Four Stone Guardians — the mission fulfilled.
He prepared to return to the Washing‑Dust Ancient Sect.
During those days, no elders appeared again, and Li Shuangyan did not show herself.
What she thought — he did not care.
### A Choice to Make
"When we return... how shall we report this?" Mo the Protector asked hesitantly.
Li Qiye looked at him with a relaxed smile.
"That depends on you — whether you're on my side, or the elders'."
The flat words carried hidden weight, and Mo's heart trembled.
He was no fool — one did not become a Protector without foresight.
When he met his disciple's eyes, he saw the same flash of realization.
Both understood: this was the moment to choose — to stay with the old order, or to side with Li Qiye.
For an Outer Hall Envoy and one of the twelve Protectors, the idea of pledging to a new disciple was absurd.
Yet something in that boy called to them.
Nan Huairen whispered, "Master..." — just one word that spoke volumes.
Mo's heart sank; he knew what his disciple intended.
Such a choice would risk everything — rank, status, life.
Slowly, he lifted his head, eyes firm.
"Say the word, and I will follow without hesitation."
He took a deep breath — perhaps he was mad.
A Protector swearing to a newly admitted disciple — and hiding it from the Six Grand Elders — was lunacy.
Madness? Perhaps.
But his instinct told him this thirteen‑year‑old was worth every risk.