Fu Lingchuan was the actual ruler of New Xia. This country had struggled to establish independence from Wei’s grasp, finding just a glimmer of hope. Could she thrust those millions of people back into the abyss of chaos and disorder?

She could also return to New Xia with the Ji artifact, but with just herself alone, without power, influence, or troops, who would take her seriously?

Ahem, of course, most importantly, Feng Miaojun still hadn’t gauged the depth of Fu Lingchuan’s cultivation. The Cloud power she could borrow was ultimately limited. Dealing with one person was no problem, but if it came to a life-or-death battle with Fu Lingchuan, this fellow would certainly have more tricks up his sleeve. The Merman King was a centuries-old monster, and even his furious full-power attack could only wound Fu Lingchuan but not take his life. Fu Lingchuan’s abilities were evident.

Kill him? The odds weren’t in her favor.

Besides, if she fled and Yun Ya withdrew his power, would he be willing to lend her that much spiritual energy again? What if he reclaimed it halfway through…

So, there was still one path left: cooperate with Fu Lingchuan.

This was the option she hated most, but…

“First, I determine my marriage. I will only marry the man I wish to marry. No one shall use any method or means to directly or indirectly coerce me.”

Fu Lingchuan had expected her to demand power first, but never anticipated this requirement, and couldn’t help being startled.

Having witnessed Princess Hanye’s tragedy, Feng Miaojun had long determined never to make herself a sacrifice for a political marriage. She was adept at catching subtle clues and having observed the fake Princess Changle on the ship for some time, she knew the girl had feelings for Fu Lingchuan. One was the future Queen, and one was the future State Preceptor—weren’t they a match made in heaven?

If Fu Lingchuan married the New Xia Queen, his position in the country would certainly be further consolidated. With such obvious benefits, why wouldn’t he do it? Why instead maintain such careful distance, as if fearing to give others cause for gossip?

For an ambitious man like Fu Lingchuan, he must have more appropriate, more advantageous arrangements for Princess Changle’s marriage, which was why he passed up this delicious morsel.

For him, there was nothing that couldn’t be used as a bargaining chip. If Feng Miaojun took on the identity of the New Xia Queen, would he arrange her fate the same way?

This was something she absolutely could not allow!

Feng Miaojun watched his expression: “What’s wrong? Is the first condition already impossible?”

Fu Lingchuan hesitated slightly, then told the truth: “Changle… King Yan wants his nineteenth son to marry her.”

Just as expected! Feng Miaojun smiled coldly: “Already engaged?” No wonder the fake Princess Changle, with her beauty, had lived well in the cesspool of Yan’s capital these past years. It seems King Yan wouldn’t allow anyone to touch his future daughter-in-law.

“There was a verbal agreement, which has been brought up again recently.”

“She liked you so much, yet you would push her to someone else?” In her heart, she felt the girl deserved better.

“I didn’t hide it from her, and she didn’t object.” Fu Lingchuan pressed his lips together, looking directly into her eyes. “She’s already dead, no need to mention it further. If you don’t wish to marry, then we’ll decline.”

She observed his expression to confirm if he was trying to deceive her: “Can you decline?”

“Even if we can’t, we must.” Fu Lingchuan’s sword-like eyebrows raised slightly, revealing a hint of pride. “You are the Queen of New Xia, you need not obey anyone’s orders.”

Such bold words. Feng Miaojun smiled, knowing things surely weren’t that simple, but she had her calculations, so she continued with her next condition: “Also, I want one drop of Golden Branch Jade Dew.”

“What?” This was another condition beyond Fu Lingchuan’s expectations. “What do you want that for?”

“That’s my business.” Feng Miaojun was unapologetic. “I see you’re quite close with Lord Yangshan. This year’s Golden Branch Jade Dew from Luofu Fishing was mostly taken by him. Can you get one drop for me?”

“Golden Branch Jade Dew…” Fu Lingchuan dragged out his words, his expression somewhat strange. “Though this item is not cheap, with your status as New Xia’s Queen, getting one drop shouldn’t be a problem.”

Her heart beat faster for a couple of beats, but she maintained her composure: “Can you, or can’t you?”

“I can!”

“Swear it.” Feng Miaojun was equally straightforward. “Promise to fulfill these two conditions, and the sooner the better. Then I’ll become New Xia’s Queen.”

Fu Lingchuan was somewhat surprised. He had expected Feng Miaojun to raise some fantastical difficulties, and he’d prepared to negotiate on the spot.

What she asked wasn’t too much—it was too little. And precisely because it was too little, it wasn’t easy to fulfill.

He made a fierce, venomous oath. Feng Miaojun listened to every word, then made him repeatedly re-examine it several times until his oath left no room for twists or loopholes that she could detect. Only then did she turn back to the blue stone platform and retrieve the imperial seal.

Oaths were like contracts, and she knew how to guard against future problems.

Fu Lingchuan wiped his sweat. This Princess Changle’s meticulous nature was truly formidable—at least in the final oath he swore, even he couldn’t find exploitable loopholes.

The liquid gold creature, White Board, seized the opportunity to slip under the hem of her clothes, unnoticed by anyone.

It was the one who had pulled out the Sumeru needle from the mustard seed formation, breaking that flawless disguise.

Fu Lingchuan then raised the Soul-Nurturing Wood: “After Luofu becomes a sacrificial vessel, I request Your Majesty to appoint me as New Xia’s State Preceptor!”

“No problem.” Feng Miaojun smiled. “A pleasure working with you.”

Within New Xia, there probably wasn’t a more suitable candidate for State Preceptor than Fu Lingchuan, was there? “By the way,” she suddenly stopped. “Do you have the Demon Magic Secret Technique?”

“Yes.”

“Hand it over.” She beckoned to him with her finger. “I want to see it.”

Keeping it wouldn’t be of much use to him, and besides, he had already examined its contents. Fu Lingchuan thought for a moment, then handed the Demon Magic Secret Scroll to her.

Two hours quickly passed.

Under the sea tribe’s arrangements, the most intelligent beings on the island had taken shelter inside the conch shell. During the upcoming sixteen trials of heavenly lightning, this would be everyone’s haven. Those exposed outside who hadn’t managed to enter Luofu’s lower city were instantly incinerated by the lightning.

Two hours was enough time for the Feng family’s merchant ship to sail far away, beyond the reach of the lightning’s aftermath. Feng Miaojun could finally set her mind at ease.

Throughout history, this situation has been quite extraordinary. Never before had a newly appointed monarch and State Preceptor remained inside a magical artifact undergoing a trial.

During these two hours, the New Xia people constantly protected Feng Miaojun, fearing the mermen might break their promise and sneak in to assassinate her. She wasn’t a weak woman, and after experiencing such a series of major events, she didn’t need rest. She only inquired about Lord Yangshan’s whereabouts.

“He’s already left by ship,” Fu Lingchuan informed her. “Most nobles chose to leave Luofu Island immediately after the explosion in the lower city.”

Feng Miaojun sighed lightly, feeling somewhat regretful, but then asked: “Where did Lord Yangshan go? Back to Yan’s capital?”

As they spoke, the entire lower city trembled, and as time passed, the shaking grew increasingly violent, until finally, people could barely walk steadily.

This was because the entire Luofu Island was undergoing the heavenly lightning trial. The further along it progressed, the more fierce the lightning became.

“Yes.”

“Then we’ll go to Yan’s capital too.”