From his earliest memories, Li Luo had lived as heaven's chosen—the Third Prince of the Heavenly Dragon Dynasty, a man who could command nearly anything his heart desired.
One could say fortune had paved every step of his path, yet with Yun Xi, he had tasted every variety of bitterness imaginable.
He solved endless problems for her. He studied her preferences with scholarly dedication. Nothing in all his privileged years had prepared him for this.
With Yun Xi, Li Luo had endured countless rejections, each one a fresh humiliation.
Sometimes a single sentence from her lips would leave him utterly speechless, stripped of his princely composure.
Were she anyone else, Li Luo would have taught them a lesson without hesitation. But Yun Xi was different.
Now, watching the woman who would likely become his future wife stand intimately beside Ye Qian, their fingers interlaced, jealousy carved deep grooves into Li Luo's heart.
He even caught the ghost of a smile playing across Yun Xi's lips—an expression he had never once glimpsed in all their encounters.
In his mind, Yun Xi belonged to him, his future Empress, yet another man held her with such casual intimacy. The humiliation burned through him like poison.
His fists clenched white-knuckled at his sides. His mood turned grim.
But even drowning in fury, Li Luo dared not let it surface.
At least not before Ye Qian. To unleash his emotions here would invite catastrophe beyond measure.
The Heavenly Dragon Dynasty commanded respect throughout the realm, standing roughly equal to the Yun Family in power and influence.
The Ye Family, however, occupied an entirely different sphere. As the undisputed overlords of the Immortal Realm, their position had never wavered, never been challenged.
He dared not carelessly vent his anger at Ye Qian. If word of such disrespect reached the wrong ears, his imperial father would show no mercy.
He would be bound in chains and delivered personally to the Ye Family estate for whatever judgment they deemed appropriate.
This was no exaggeration—it was cold political reality.
He remained one of several contenders for the Dragon Throne, and if his elder brothers could exploit this opportunity to eliminate him from the succession, they would strike without hesitation or remorse.
Though humiliation coursed through his veins like molten iron, he could only stand helplessly, not daring to utter even a single syllable of protest.
Li Luo felt suffocated by his own impotence.
He wrenched his gaze away, desperate to release the pressure building behind his ribs, but found no acceptable target for his frustration.
Meanwhile, the Four Qilin seemed delighted by Ye Qian's approach with Yun Xi.
The Water Qilin possessed the gentlest temperament and most affectionate nature of the quartet.
It padded forward eagerly and nudged Ye Qian's side with its elegant head, clearly requesting attention.
Ye Qian understood the creature's desire immediately and reached out to stroke its scaled crown with practiced affection.
The Water Qilin's eyes brightened with pure joy, its tail swishing contentedly behind its powerful haunches.
"Cousin, you should try touching them as well. They're remarkably docile."
As he spoke, Ye Qian guided Yun Xi's hand toward the Water Qilin, gently placing her palm against its smooth head.
Woo~!
The Water Qilin squinted with obvious pleasure, clearly savoring Yun Xi's tentative touch.
Yun Xi had encountered the Four Qilin before, though they hadn't been particularly familiar at the time.
She simply hadn't expected that after so much time had passed, these magnificent beasts would still remember her presence.
The Wind Qilin approached Yun Xi's other side, patiently awaiting its turn for affection.
The Lightning Qilin and Fire Qilin, however, possessed far more volatile temperaments. Beyond Ye Qian himself, they permitted no one else to touch their heads.
Those two could be safely disregarded for now—they would tolerate no such liberties.
Ye Qian glanced back and observed Li Luo standing rigidly in place, fists clenched tight enough to crack bone. He could guess the situation easily enough.
This prince was undoubtedly pursuing Yun Xi, and witnessing such casual intimacy between them had ignited his jealous fury.
A mischievous smile curved Ye Qian's lips as he called out suddenly.
"Prince Li Luo, would you care to try?"
The voice snapped Li Luo from his brooding thoughts. He looked momentarily bewildered but nodded repeatedly, seizing the olive branch.
After approaching, Li Luo stood uncertainly, appearing somewhat lost and foolish in his hesitation.
"You can touch them. They're quite pleasant to stroke."
Ye Qian repeated the invitation with deceptive warmth.
Understanding finally dawned across Li Luo's features.
"Oh! Of course! Then I'll give it a try as well."
Li Luo moved toward the Fire Qilin, whose muscular form blazed with crimson flames that wreathed its body like living armor.
The roaring flames radiated majesty and projected an overwhelming sense of barely restrained power.
Gulp~!
Confronted by the Fire Qilin's imposing presence, Li Luo's throat worked nervously.
He extended his hand toward the creature's head, but the Fire Qilin offered him no courtesy whatsoever, stepping backward smoothly to evade his touch.
The blatant rejection struck Li Luo's dignity like a physical blow. Embarrassment flooded his features as he stood awkwardly frozen.
But surrender had never been his nature. He raised his hand again, this time reaching for the Lightning Qilin instead.
What he failed to realize was that the Lightning Qilin possessed an even more explosive temperament than its fire-wreathed companion.
Seeing the large hand reaching presumptuously toward its head, the Lightning Qilin's eyes flashed dangerously. Purple electricity crackled between the twin horns crowning its skull.
Before Li Luo's fingers even grazed its scales, a violet arc lashed out and struck him squarely.
Pain exploded through his hand.
Hiss~!
Li Luo gasped sharply, immediately jerking his arm back.
A black scorch mark now marred the back of his hand where the lightning had kissed his flesh, the injury unmistakable.
He hadn't expected this Lightning Qilin would prove so violently temperamental, attacking without the slightest warning or provocation.
He quickly retreated two steps, widening the distance between himself and the dangerous beast.
Ye Qian affected surprise, as though only now noticing the commotion.
"Prince Li Luo, did you not realize the Lightning Qilin and Fire Qilin both possess extremely volatile natures?
Their tempers run hot and unpredictable. Why would you insist on approaching them?
If you wish to interact with my pets, you should seek out the Water Qilin or Wind Qilin instead.
You absolutely must not attempt touching those two short-tempered creatures again."
Hearing these words, depression crashed over Li Luo like a wave.
Why didn't he mention this earlier?
He only offered this wisdom after the injury had already been inflicted—the intent was transparently deliberate.
In that moment, Li Luo understood that Ye Qian had been deliberately toying with him, setting him up for humiliation.
As for why the Young Master of the Ye Family had targeted him specifically, Li Luo remained uncertain.
What was clear, however, was that this powerful young lord harbored no fondness for him whatsoever.
He would need to exercise extreme caution going forward, ensuring he provided absolutely no handle that could be exploited. Otherwise, the consequences might prove catastrophic.
As for the loss he had just suffered, he could only swallow it silently like bitter medicine.
Forcing his lips into a pained smile, Li Luo spoke with stubborn politeness.
"I understand now. My knowledge was too shallow and incomplete.
Thank you for your guidance, Young Master."
He didn't question why Ye Qian had withheld the warning. He couldn't afford to blame Ye Qian for anything, and he certainly didn't dare.
Standing nearby, Yun Xi had clearly witnessed the entire performance. A wicked smile played across her lips, barely suppressed.
Her younger cousin had not merely grown more handsome and powerful, but more interesting as well.
Perhaps he truly has changed from the child I once remembered.