Her expression changed drastically. She stared sharply in the direction the White Tiger had gone, then turned and ordered,
“The rest of you wait here. You, come with me.”
With that, she set off in the direction the White Tiger had departed.
This jade pendant had been gifted to her imperial mother during her childhood by an extraordinary master who claimed they shared a predestined affinity.
The master had said there was a strand of spiritual message inside, and if she ever encountered a cultivator, it would grow warm.
However, there was only one such opportunity...
Jiang Lu was currently petting the White Tiger.
My, oh my~
As expected of a White Tiger that had already awakened its spiritual awareness; its fur was so sleek and smooth from daily grooming.
It felt incredibly soft and comfortable to pet.
The White Tiger lay flat on its back on the ground, a silly look in its eyes. Where was the fierce beast from before?
The several spirit beasts inside her space: Ahhh! Σ(¯□¯||)
Master has never petted us like that!
It! A mere White Tiger from the mortal realm!
By what right?!
They refused to accept this!
They wanted to challenge it to a duel!
Suddenly, Jiang Lu’s hand paused, and she turned her head to look behind her.
Sensing the hand on its belly stop, the White Tiger was momentarily dazed. It turned its head and saw the Grand Princess and her entourage.
Jiang Lu was somewhat surprised to see the dense draconic qi surrounding the woman before her.
The other day, she had seen that the prince's draconic qi was already very dense, showing signs of a potential ruler who could claim the world.
But now, the woman before her possessed draconic qi that was even more potent.
Could this be the nature of a chaotic era?
There were no natural-born emperors destined by fate in this world. Only by defeating all rivals in the crucible of a chaotic era and pacifying the wars of all directions could one smelt the myriad illusory dragon shadows to forge the true fortune of a dragon, ultimately unifying the world and bringing peace to the people.
The draconic qi they carried merely represented their chance to contend for it.
And the woman before her...
The Grand Princess's gaze fell upon the scene ahead. Her steps halted abruptly, and her heart shuddered as she stared in a daze.
The woman wore a blue-and-white robe with wide sleeves, the fabric shimmering with a faint light. She knelt quietly on the ground, her features gentle and serene. A subtle, ethereal mist swirled around her, giving her a natural, immortal charm.
The once majestic and awe-inspiring White Tiger now lay submissively before her, exposing its belly. All its ferocity had vanished. Its massive head rested meekly between its paws as it snuggled quietly against the woman, allowing her to pet it at will, showing not a single trace of hostility.
The Grand Princess's pupils contracted slightly, and she unconsciously held her breath.
The White Tiger was a fierce beast, wild and untamable. Who in this world could make it bow down like this? They had witnessed its ferocity with their own eyes just moments ago, which was vastly different from its current state.
The woman before her possessed an ethereal aura and was clearly no ordinary mortal. Could she really be... a legendary immortal from beyond the mundane world?
At this thought, a wave of awe washed over her heart. She held her breath, not daring to step forward rashly and disturb them.
“Who are you?”
Jiang Lu’s lips parted slightly, her cool, clear voice instantly soothing the restlessness within the group.
Upon hearing this, the Grand Princess replied immediately, her tone carrying a hint of restraint.
“I am Gong Chenyue, the Grand Princess of the Great Qian Dynasty. May I ask who you... who you are, Lady?”
Hearing this, Jiang Lu stood up. The White Tiger scrambled to its feet as well, standing beside Jiang Lu and looking at them with a disdainful expression.
Hmph!
It knew these humans had ulterior motives, using it as an excuse to speak to the immortal. Did they really think they could compete with it for her favor?
In their dreams!
The Grand Princess?
Jiang Lu thought to herself, As expected. Since the current Emperor has not yet died and the draconic qi has not dissipated, only members of the imperial family would carry such an aura.
“You may call me Yaochen.”
Jiang Lu had been trying to think of a name, but the name “Yaochen” slipped out of her mouth automatically.
Yaochen...
“Lady Yao, or... Immortal Yaochen?”
The Grand Princess blurted out, then immediately felt annoyed at herself for losing her usual composure upon meeting an immortal.
“Either is fine.”
Jiang Lu was startled for a moment, then a gentle smile graced her lips.
Since she had already come here under the guise of a Goddess, she naturally had no fear of the world knowing of her existence.
Besides, no one here could possibly be her match anyway.
“Immortal, might I ask what brings you to this place?”
Gong Chenyue gathered her courage to ask further, seeing that Jiang Lu was not arrogant but rather approachable.
Jiang Lu rested her hand on the White Tiger, her voice carrying a distant, lingering tone.
“A chaotic era rises, disasters and anomalies appear, and evil spirits plague the mortal world. I have come to this realm under my master's orders to punish these evil spirits.”
Hearing this, the Grand Princess's eyes flashed.
She truly was an immortal! If she could get an immortal to side with her, wouldn't she also have a chance to contend for the throne?
Jiang Lu saw through her thoughts and shook her head slightly.
“I cannot involve myself too deeply in the karma of this world. Once the evil spirits are dealt with, I shall depart.”
She then changed the subject.
“However, I see that the Grand Princess possesses dense draconic qi, indicating you have the potential to claim the throne. If you have the ambition, you may very well contend for it. The rule of the world is not something only men can achieve.”
Jiang Lu thought of the unusual hexagram from her divination. Perhaps she shared a karmic bond with Gong Chenyue. Since anyone could strive for the throne in this era, women could naturally do so as well.
Gong Chenyue barely processed the rest of Jiang Lu's words; her mind was completely captured by the statement that she, too, could contend for that position.
Since an immortal had said so, it proved that she was indeed meant to sit upon the imperial throne.
She currently possessed both wealth and troops. With the immortal's words today, she refused to believe the followers and associates of the Duke's Manor would not support her.
Her imperial mother and maternal grandfather would surely have a way.
“May I ask where you are currently staying, Immortal? If you have no temporary lodging, why not accompany me to the imperial capital?”
Gong Chenyue took a step forward and spoke once more.
She looked at Jiang Lu with burning anticipation.
Jiang Lu pondered for a moment. A white spiritual light flashed in her hand as she gently swiped it across her eyes, a golden gleam flickering within her pupils.
She looked at Gong Chenyue.
The princess originally bore the countenance of an early death, yet there was a silver lining of survival.
Jiang Lu looked up at the sky. In the east, several stars were shrouded in haze. As she watched, the star on the very edge suddenly moved toward the center, its haze gradually dissipating.
Could she be the source of this silver lining?
Looking at the princess's past life, though she was of royal birth, she was humble and cared deeply for the common people. The fiefdom under her rule enjoyed simple customs and harmonious prosperity.
If she became the ruler, the people of this world—especially women—might lead much better lives.
In that case, she might as well go with her to see what that celestial anomaly truly signified.
Jiang Lu nodded.
“Very well. Perhaps the imperial capital holds what I seek.”
Seeing Jiang Lu agree, the White Tiger let out an anxious roar.
“Take me with you! Goddess, take me with you!”
Hearing its plea, Jiang Lu patted its head.
“You shall come along too.”
After all, it was the guardian divine beast in name; perhaps it would truly become one in the future.
“Roar!”
Overjoyed, the White Tiger leaned in toward Jiang Lu, who rubbed its head affectionately.
She then leapt onto its back and said to Gong Chenyue,
“Let's go.”
“Please follow me, Immortal.”
Gong Chenyue suppressed the excitement in her heart, eagerly leading Jiang Lu away.
Jiang Lu sat upon the White Tiger and patted its head, signaling it to follow.
The crowd breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing the Grand Princess return. However, when they saw the White Tiger behind her and the figure riding upon its back, their faces filled with utter disbelief.
Rate on N.U.
