Although Song Miaoyu had been branded by Jun Xiaoyao, from the very beginning, they were in a cooperative relationship.
Even though Heavenly Dao oaths were useless to Jun Xiaoyao, and he wouldn't face any problems if he didn't keep his promise, he wouldn't deceive Song Miaoyu on this point.
Hearing Jun Xiaoyao's words, Song Miaoyu's expression paused slightly.
"Next, I can directly remove your brand and set you free," Jun Xiaoyao said.
"Wait... wait a moment," Song Miaoyu suddenly said, her head slightly bowed, not looking at Jun Xiaoyao.
"What is it?"
"Miaoyu feels that, just like this, perhaps it's still... not bad," Song Miaoyu said, gathering her courage.
For a woman to proactively say such a thing requires courage.
After all, from a man's perspective, this was already an extreme form of devotion, willing to stay by Jun Xiaoyao's side even as a servant.
For a woman, this was demeaning her status.
Song Miaoyu didn't know why; logically, she wasn't a woman who liked to depend on anyone.
But Jun Xiaoyao's protectiveness made Song Miaoyu feel an unprecedented sense of security.
And although it was a master-servant relationship, Jun Xiaoyao didn't truly treat her as a lowly servant.
At most, he just asked her to provide some blood from her Ten Thousand Medicines Treasure Body.
Moreover, in her eyes, Jun Xiaoyao was very good to his own people.
Even if Song Miaoyu regained her freedom now, she would have nowhere to go.
In short, Song Miaoyu found many legitimate reasons for herself, but she didn't explicitly state that she really liked the feeling of being by Jun Xiaoyao's side.
Jun Xiaoyao didn't dwell on it either.
Since the shy girl didn't mind and wanted to stay, Jun Xiaoyao couldn't possibly drive her away.
And Song Miaoyu was indeed very capable and valuable, and her Ten Thousand Medicines Treasure Body was even rarer.
"Alright, if you want to stay, then stay, but if you ever want freedom, just tell me directly," Jun Xiaoyao said with a slight smile.
Song Miaoyu nodded obediently.
This man, who had given her freedom, invisibly placed another layer of shackles on her.
These shackles made it impossible for her to ever leave.
As the saying goes, 'one encounter with Xiaoyao, a lifetime of mistakes'.
...
The Realm Heart Land thus concluded.
And the various news from it swept across the entire Realm Within a Realm like a storm.
The Three Emperors suffered heavy losses.
The Human Emperor Heir was humiliated again.
A Prodigy from the Xuanyuan Clan appeared.
Another Earth Emperor Successor emerged.
Saint Li's wife was humiliated and severely beaten.
No matter which piece of news it was, it was enough to cause an uproar.
Of course, the sole protagonist among them was naturally Jun Xiaoyao.
His performance was too outstanding.
He could be described as fearless, uninhibited, and lawless.
This couldn't help but remind everyone of past events.
Back then, the First Immortal among the Yun Clan Five Immortals caused a huge stir in the Realm Within a Realm, humiliating the Three Emperors.
Now, the Yun Clan Young Master has humiliated the Three Emperors again.
It was like a family tradition of humiliation.
However, just as various news about the Realm Heart Land was flying around, an even more explosive piece of news spread.
That was, from who knows where, a massive number of recording stones circulated.
And among them, there was actually an explosive video.
One of the protagonists of the video was none other than Saint Li's son, Li Heng!
As for the content...
Some people who saw it had subtle, indescribable expressions.
"I didn't expect Saint Li's son to actually... cough, have guts."
"What guts? He's long lost his guts, alright? I heard that Li Heng suffered a Dao rule injury and can't recover."
"In other words, Saint Li's son won't have any more sons."
A massive number of recording stones spread in all directions, not only completely ruining Li Heng's reputation but also implicating Yin Yurong, the Yin Family, Saint Li, and even the Heavenly Emperor Pavilion.
This was simply an unerasable stain.
At this moment, in a grand hall within the Heavenly Emperor Pavilion, Saint Li sat on the high seat.
His face seemed to be shrouded in mist, incredibly blurry, and his aura was profound, like a deep Universe.
Below, Yin Yurong, Li Heng, and Li Xianyao stood there.
Saint Li held a recording stone in his hand, not saying a word.
But the more he remained silent, the more cold sweat trickled down Li Heng's back.
A heavy pressure almost suffocated Li Heng.
At this time, Yin Yurong cried out mournfully, "You must uphold justice for us mother and son! That Yun Clan Emperor Clan boy is truly too hateful!"
Saint Li still said nothing.
The recording stone in his hand silently dissipated, turning into dust.
Then, Saint Li finally spoke.
"Li Heng, you've become famous, haven't you?"
Saint Li's tone was so calm that it made one's heart uneasy.
Li Heng said with a bitter taste in his mouth, "Father, this..."
And the next moment!
Boom!
Saint Li flicked his sleeve.
Pfft!
Li Heng's body flew backward, his face flushed red, having been slapped, and blood flowed freely.
"What are you doing? Why did you hit Heng'er?" Yin Yurong exclaimed.
"A good-for-nothing who causes more trouble than he solves!" Saint Li's tone was cold.
Li Heng was simply an incompetent fool.
"If you want to blame someone, blame that Yun Clan Emperor Clan boy, why blame Heng'er?"
"And this wretched girl, she's siding with outsiders! I even suspect if it was she who instigated that Yun Clan Emperor Clan boy to attack Heng'er!" Yin Yurong turned herspearhead towards Li Xianyao.
"I didn't do such a thing..." Li Xianyao said.
It was clearly Li Heng who had provoked Jun Xiaoyao first, yet now Yin Yurong was slandering her.
"Enough! You disgraceful things, you two mother and son have completely shamed me!" Saint Li roared coldly.
Yin Yurong dared not say anything more and left directly with the disheveled Li Heng.
Then, Saint Li's gaze turned to Li Xianyao.
Li Xianyao then opened her lips and said, "Father, this is what happened."
She calmly explained to Saint Li that Li Heng had been the one to provoke first.
After listening, Saint Li's expression remained unchanged.
He said indifferently, "Immortal Yao, Li Heng may be incompetent, or he may have been in the wrong first, but... he is my son."
Even when beating a dog, one must consider its owner.
The implication was that no matter how incompetent or disappointing Li Heng was, he was still Saint Li's son.
Jun Xiaoyao's blatant humiliation of Yin Yurong and Li Heng was, in turn, humiliating Saint Li.
"I should have no Karma or enmity with this child, yet he targeted me like this," Saint Li's tone was very indifferent, with a hint of coldness.
Given his status and strength, even Jun Xiaoyao was merely a junior in his eyes and not worth his attention.
However, Jun Xiaoyao's provocative behavior indeed made a cold killing intent arise in Saint Li's heart.
"Father, this might be a misunderstanding..." Li Xianyao said.
She didn't want Saint Li and Jun Xiaoyao to have any conflict.
"Immortal Yao, what do you feel about that Yun Clan Young Master?" Saint Li suddenly asked.
From his blurry face shrouded in mist, two beams of light seemed to directly gaze at Li Xianyao.
Li Xianyao lowered her eyes slightly, then said, "He's... just an ordinary friend."
Li Xianyao had never told Saint Li the secret from her dream.
Naturally, she couldn't reveal her true feelings.
Saint Li merely took a deep look at Li Xianyao, then said, "No matter what, Immortal Yao, you must understand your mission."
"You are the Heavenly Emperor Pavilion's Young Si Ming, the future wife of the Heavenly Emperor Successor, the Heavenly Empress of the Realm Sea."
"This will never change, do you understand?" Saint Li said sternly.
"Immortal Yao... understands," Li Xianyao replied, lowering her head, her jade hands clenched tightly.