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n“Is the North Sea very big?” Xiao Ran asked.

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n“It’s even larger than you think. It’s even larger than our Great Xia. After all, no one has been to the depths of the North Sea. Exactly how big is it, till this day no one knows,” the Eldest Princess said.

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n“The ancestors of your Imperial Family have never been there either?”

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n“I think they have, but such information is top secret. Previously, I was always engrossed in practicing and honing my skills. Other than some necessary information, I do not get involved in the rest of the matters.”

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nShe looked at Xiao Ran.

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n“What will happen to me if you go to the North Sea?”

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n“You can cripple your skills,” Xiao Ran suggested.

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nThe Eldest Princess rolled her eyes and laughed at herself deprecatingly. She stroked her hair, making herself look more beautiful.

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nThe ripe, seductive scent was ever-so-charming.

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n“I’ve thought about that issue too, but now is not the time.”

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nShe seemed to be afraid that Xiao Ran would not believe her and explained patiently.

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n“If I didn’t have this level of skills evolution, believe it or not, I wouldn’t even see the sun the next day.”

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n“Can you still see the sun outside from inside here?” Xiao Ran retorted.

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nThe Eldest Princess was at a loss for words.

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n“The Imperial Family’s situation is complicated. No one is as simple as he appears. If there’s even the slightest possibility, I’d rather be born into an ordinary family, be an ordinary woman, do embroidery, and spend my life reading books in my spare time.”

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nXiao Ran clinked his cup with hers.

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nHe then drained his cup in one gulp.

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nThe Eldest Princess continued, “I’ve seen too much of the dark side. One thing I do understand is, if you want to live and protect the people around you, you have to be strong enough to make others fear you and not dare to provoke you.”

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n“What does this have to do with me?” Xiao Ran asked.

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nThe Eldest Princess paused.

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nHer beautiful eyes studied him as if in disbelief.

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nThe two of them had known each other for so long, and she had even told him so much.

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nSo all this talk was for nothing?

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n“I want you to help me!”

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n“I won’t get involved in your matters.” Xiao Ran refused outright.

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nHe rose from his chair.

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nThe Eldest Princess panicked and hurriedly followed.

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n“When are you going out?”

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nLooking at her, Xiao Ran pondered for a moment. Just as she had said, the two of them had known each other for so long. If he went out, the aftereffects of the forbidden technique would erupt and she would be in danger.

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n“I guarantee that the demonic aura won’t act up for seven days,” Xiao Ran said.

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nHe took a step toward her.

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nHe pressed his palm on the top of her head and injected a stream of purifying spiritual force into her body.

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nWith this purifying spiritual force, she would be safe and sound for seven days.

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nHe withdrew his palm.

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nHe then locked the cell door and left.

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nWhen he left, he also took the wine and peanuts he had bought.

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n“I just knew you wouldn’t leave me to die.” The Eldest Princess smiled sweetly.

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nWhen he arrived at the Deluge Dragon’s cell,

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nthe fellow was whining and grumbling. “Criminals have human rights too, right? Shouldn’t we be given some gifts to celebrate a big holiday?”

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nWhen he saw Xiao Ran walking over, his eyes widened in fear, his eyeballs almost popping out.

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nHe regretted his words inwardly and cursed his own mouth. He wanted to give himself two big slaps.

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n“Don’t take it seriously. I was just joking.”

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nXiao Ran opened the cell door and walked in.

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n“I took it seriously.”

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nHe placed the wine and peanuts in front of him.

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n“That’s it?” The Deluge Dragon was dumbfounded.

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nPow!

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nXiao Ran hit him on the head and knocked him flat onto the ground.

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n“Not satisfied?”

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nThe Deluge Dragon was very pragmatic. If he couldn’t win, he would just accept his fate obediently.

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n“As long as you bought it for me, I’m satisfied regardless of what it is.”

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nFacing Xiao Ran’s teasing playful gaze, he grabbed the wine pot and took a sip. It had been a long time since he had drunk wine and he had almost forgotten what wine tasted like. When he drank it, it felt like a knife was scraping against his heart. It was extremely satisfying.

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nHe took another sip, grabbed three to five peanuts, and tossed them into his mouth.

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n“Who would have thought? That I would spend this Lantern Festival in such an environment.”

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nXiao Ran asked, “You were born of the North Sea Dragon Tribe?”

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nThe Deluge Dragon stopped in his tracks. His expression changed, but he quickly regained his composure. He wanted to deny it, but he saw Xiao Ran raise his fist. Golden light filled the air, and a massive power surged out. It could hit him in the next second. He decided to be very obedient and answered, “Yes!”

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n“Tell me everything you know about the North Sea Dragon Tribe.”

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n“You want to help me get the Celestial Demon’s Dragon Pearl?”

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n“I’m afraid you’re thinking too much.” Xiao Ran said and gave him a kick.

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nThe Deluge Dragon told him everything he knew, including his birth.

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nAccording to his explanation,

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nthe North Sea Dragon Tribe was huge. They were one of the overlords of the North Sea.

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nHe was the illegitimate son of the previous patriarch of the North Sea Dragon Tribe and a white serpent. His status was improper and his identity was awkward.

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nLife had been a little easier when the old guy was alive.

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nWith his mysterious death and the new patriarch taking over, he was in a precarious position.

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nSomeone had his eye on the dragon tendon in his body and used a secret technique to forcefully extract it away. Just as they were about to take his life, his mother, before her death, transformed all the skills evolution of her entire life into a protective shield to embed in his body.

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nAt the critical moment, she saved his life and took him away from the North Sea.

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n“In that case, you don’t know the location of the North Sea Dragon Tribe either?” Xiao Ran asked with a frown.

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n“Yes.” The Deluge Dragon nodded.

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n“I’ve been in the Dragon Palace since I was born. I’ve never so much as taken half a step away from there.”

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n“Hurry up and eat,” Xiao Ran said.

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n“W-what are you doing?” The Deluge Dragon panicked.

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nHe quickly finished the wine and peanuts.

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nWith his eyes closed, he stretched out his right limb and asked opportunistically, “Can we postpone it for a day on account of the festival? Can we take it tomorrow?”

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n“What do you think?”

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n“Whatever you say.”

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nAfter waiting for a long time, Xiao Ran did not make a move. He opened his eyes and looked over, only to see Xiao Ran locking the cell door. He asked tentatively.

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n“Aren’t you going to take it?”

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n“It’s not appropriate to see blood today. Delay for a day,” Xiao Ran said.

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n“Thank you!” The Deluge Dragon gushed gratefully.

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nAfter Xiao Ran left, he finally recovered himself and shook his head.

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n“Why should I thank him?”

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nAfter dealing with the matters here,

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nXiao Ran was about to leave when the people from the palace arrived.

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nHe was accompanied by a big group of people. They caused quite a big commotion. The lieutenant and the others were all present.

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nXiao Ran had just arrived when the lieutenant signaled with his eye to him to stand at the side.

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nThe Imperial Palace representative read out the imperial edict. It was nothing more than today being the Lantern Festival, on account of old sentiments, His Majesty rewarded a bunch of festive gifts.

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nWhen he was done announcing,

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nthe Imperial Palace representative gave a few more instructions and quickly left with his men.

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nOnly Xiao Ran was left.

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n“He treats you quite well,” Xiao Ran teased.

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n“If you like these things, you can take them all,” the Eldest Princess said.

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n“The white lotus cake is quite good. I’ll take a few portions.” Xiao Ran did not stand on ceremony.

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nHe put away the ten boxes of white lotus cakes before leaving.

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nHe had not gone far after leaving the Celestial Dungeon,

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nwhen a Divine Sword Guard ran over and stopped in front of him.

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n“Brother Xiao, my Lord is looking for you.”

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n“Now?” Xiao Ran asked.

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n“Yes.”

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n“All right, I’ll go over now,” Xiao Ran agreed.

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nOnce at the headquarters of the Divine Sword Guards, Shen Yiming had been waiting for a long time.

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nSeeing that Xiao Ran had arrived, Shen Yiming complained, “F*ck! They’re all so restless during this festival. We’re having fun in the Drunken Immortals Court, but now our mood has been ruined.”

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