"Ahem...
That won't be necessary.
I have no need for concubines or servant girls."
Looking at the Third Princess's blazingly intense gaze, Ye Yunfei felt somewhat speechless. He shook his head.
"Young Hero!
I only wish to follow by your side. Whatever the capacity, I am willing.
Could it be... Is it because this humble woman's appearance is too ugly, my demeanor too common, that you, Young Hero, look down on me?"
The Third Princess grew anxious. She knelt and scurried forward a few steps to catch up to Ye Yunfei, her voice pleading.
As she spoke, she deliberately straightened her back, attempting to draw Ye Yunfei's attention. Her tone was teary and deeply resentful.
"You're overthinking it.
I cultivate within the walls of Hudao Academy, my heart devoted to the martial path, a path that demands tranquility.
So, following me would be unsuitable.
Let it rest at that."
Ye Yunfei shook his head and did not linger. He directly activated the flying vessel.
Swoosh!
The vessel soared into the sky and vanished into the distance in an instant.
"So many words, but in the end, you still think I'm beneath you!"
Her beautiful eyes fixed on the direction the vessel had disappeared, the Third Princess felt aggrieved to the extreme.
As a princess of the Ten Thousand Beasts Empire, her status was one of unparalleled nobility and prominence.
Within the empire, countless men regarded her as a goddess, pining for her day and night yet unable to even touch the hem of her skirt.
Now, she had proactively offered herself to a man, as a slave, as a servant... and actually got rejected!
How could this not wound her pride?
"Third Sister, there's no need for sorrow.
That Young Hero is a dragon among men, utterly devoted to the martial way, his aspirations vast and distant. How could such a brilliant and outstanding talent possibly linger over romantic entanglements?"
Prince Zhenshou stepped forward to console her.
"Hmph!
The next time we meet, I will make you see me in a whole new light!"
Gazing towards the direction Ye Yunfei had left, the Third Princess clenched her pearly teeth and spoke each word deliberately.
Her mind couldn't help but recall that dim, cramped cell in Black Wind Stronghold. When she was imprisoned within that narrow iron cage, at her most helpless and desperate moment, a young man had descended into that dungeon as if a Heavenly God.
And then, that young man had carried her away, freeing her from the dungeon she so feared!
Finally, he brought her home!
"One day, you will accept me!"
Her beautiful eyes fixed on where Ye Yunfei had vanished, the Third Princess felt for a moment a tangled mess of infatuation, resentment, and yearning...
"Haha, this father supports you.
That Young Master Ye, at such a tender age, possesses such monstrous strength; his future is truly limitless!
I have a feeling that one day, he will undoubtedly become a figure of great renown across the entire Tianxuan Continent.
Daughter, if you can grasp hold of Young Master Ye, in the future, you will certainly have the chance to stand by his side and look down upon the entire Tianxuan Continent!"
The Emperor encouraged her.
"And you, in the future, if the opportunity arises, spare no cost in befriending Young Master Ye!"
The Emperor looked towards Prince Zhenshou.
"I understand."
Prince Zhenshou hurriedly replied.
What the Emperor didn't know was that Prince Zhenshou had long since become Ye Yunfei's slave.
A few days later, Ye Yunfei finally returned to Hudao Academy.
At that moment.
Within the new student region.
In a small courtyard.
Aiyo! Aiyo!
Cries of pain rang out one after another.
Inside the courtyard, over a dozen older disciples had Wu Heishan surrounded, kicking and punching him.
By this point, Wu Heishan's face was a bruised mess, blood dripping everywhere, his body covered in wounds.
"You just wait! My Old Master will come back and get revenge for me!"
Facing a dozen older disciples, Wu Heishan was no match at all, barely able to defend himself.
"Haha, you're still counting on that kid Ye Yunfei coming back to get revenge for you?
Keep dreaming.
Right about now, that kid Ye Yunfei might already be dead.
He'll never have the chance to return to Hudao Academy!"
A burly older disciple, his face full of mockery, sneered.
"That's bullshit you're spouting!
My Old Master is wise, divine, and martially powerful! There's nothing he can't do!
What kind of great storm hasn't he weathered before?
Even if you lot all die out, my Old Master will still be alive and kicking!"
Wu Heishan glared at them defiantly.
"How dare you talk back!
You truly don't know your place!
Hit him! Hit him good and hard!"
That older disciple flared up in anger, roaring viciously.
"Stop!
That's enough! Why do you keep coming here to bully Wu Heishan!"
Suddenly, Yuan Dayong and Xiao Hui rushed into the courtyard. They positioned themselves in front of Wu Heishan and shouted.
"It's you two again. Scram if you want to live!
Yuan Xiaohui, don't push your luck.
If it weren't for the fact that you're Elder Dongfang's disciple, we'd beat you up too!"
The burly older disciple pointed at Xiao Hui.
"Wu Heishan hasn't offended you! Why do you keep coming to beat him up!"
Xiao Hui yelled.
"Hehe... It's his own fault for being so close to that Ye Yunfei.
Ye Yunfei offended our Xiao Sect, so naturally, we're going to take it out on him."
That older disciple sneered coldly.
"Brother Wu, are you alright?"
Yuan Dayong stepped forward to support Wu Heishan.
"Of course I'm not alright.
How about letting them beat you up a bit and see how it feels?"
Already bruised and battered, blood dripping all over, Wu Heishan spoke with exasperation.
"Brother Wu, rest assured, I'll protect you!"
Yuan Dayong stood in front of Wu Heishan.
"Someone! Beat this one up too!"
The older disciple pointed at Yuan Dayong and shouted.
Immediately, several disciples rushed forward, ready to act.
They hesitated about laying hands on Xiao Hui because she was Elder Dongfang's disciple, but they had no such qualms about Yuan Dayong.
"Who dares hit my brother!"
Xiao Hui charged forward and positioned herself in front of Yuan Dayong.
Thus, Yuan Dayong stood before Wu Heishan, and Xiao Hui stood before Yuan Dayong.
"Yuan Xiaohui, if you don't get out of the way, we'll hit you too!"
The burly older disciple threatened.
"If your Xiao Sect has any backbone, aim it at Ye Yunfei.
Always taking your anger out on the weaker ones, what kind of hero is that!"
Yuan Xiaohui raged.
"Hehe... If Ye Yunfei were here, we would naturally take it out on him!
It's just that Ye Yunfei isn't here, so we have to take it out on you all instead.
Blame this on Ye Yunfei's head; he's the one who implicated you."
That older disciple chuckled coldly.
The moment this older disciple finished speaking.
Suddenly.
"I'm here. If you want to take your anger out on me, come then."
A calm voice drifted in.
Then, a young man, hands clasped behind his back, strolled into the courtyard.
"Old Master!"
"Brother Ye!"
"Ye Yunfei!"
Wu Heishan, Yuan Dayong, and Yuan Xiaohui—all three of them were instantly electrified with excitement, their eyes fixed on the young man who had walked in. They exclaimed in unison.
"Old Master! You're finally back, Sir!
I can escape this sea of suffering!"
Especially Wu Heishan; he seemed on the verge of crying tears of joy.
"How is this possible!
Ye Yunfei, you're actually back alive!"
Those older disciples of the Xiao Sect, however, gazed at Ye Yunfei with a mixture of terror and disbelief.
This was because, within the Xiao Sect, rumors circulated: the Xiao Sect's higher-ups had paid a hefty price, hiring experts within the academy to hunt down Ye Yunfei while he was out on his mission.
Most members of the Xiao Sect believed that Ye Yunfei had no chance of returning to Hudao Academy alive!
That's why, during this period, quite a few members of the Xiao Sect had found excuses to come bully Wu Heishan, venting their anger towards Ye Yunfei on him.
Who would have thought... Now, Ye Yunfei was actually back alive!