273: uninvited guest

You sat upright on the stone bench, your heart calm and ripple-free; you didn't even have the interest to comment on this princess's logic, which was so different from ordinary people.

"Leave the imperial lotus fruit behind," you said, pointing at the bamboo basket in her hand, your tone so flat it didn't have a single ripple. "You may leave now."

The moment the words fell—

Whoosh!

Qin Han's figure had already transformed into an afterimage.

In the next second,

it was hovering steadily in front of Sixteenth Princess Ji Fu, its two little paws clutching the bamboo basket filled with imperial lotus fruit with lightning speed.

It stared at the glowing fruit in the basket, its round eyes wide, a distinct "gurgle" sound coming from its throat, and clear drool almost dripping onto the basket.

Twelfth Prince Ji Changchu, standing to the side, watched the imperial lotus fruit instantly change owners, his heart bleeding—these fruits had been obtained only after Sixteenth Princess Ji Fu pestered their mother, the imperial concubine, relentlessly.

He never imagined that the mother who always doted on him most would hide such good things in her private treasury; even more unexpectedly, she had given them all to his younger sister, leaving none for him!

Although he felt sour inside, he was ultimately a bit more clear-headed than his sister, who had been spoiled to the point of not knowing the heights of the sky or the depths of the earth.

In his eyes, while the strength Qin Han displayed was shocking, it relied more on its incredible speed and strange armor-piercing ability—after all, Yang Kun had only recently reached the Foundation Establishment stage, and his defenses were weak, so he couldn't fully test its upper limits.

But on second thought—since Qin Han could block Venerable Zhiyuan's seemingly casual strike head-on, it was enough to show that its strength was at least not inferior to Venerable Zhiyuan's.

Therefore, he judged that Qin Han's strength might be infinitely close to Golden Core Perfection, but it had not necessarily reached the Nascent Soul level.

In fact, let alone these low-level Cultivators, even you didn't fully understand Qin Han's "accurate strength."

Judging from its past actions, its extreme speed was undoubtedly its most prominent racial talent—and in the cultivation world, many rare Spirit Beasts possessed unique innate Divine Abilities, so it was indeed difficult to determine its comprehensive combat power based on a single trait.

If it were truly only good at speed, then there were ways to deal with it:

For example, using a high-level trapping formation to restrict the space, then supplementing it with special methods, such as using poison, it might not be impossible to force it to sign a Spirit Pet contract—

This was likely the thought that Sixteenth Princess Ji Fu and other interested parties were secretly calculating.

Of course, in the eyes of different people, the assessments varied: there were already rumors in the streets firmly believing that Qin Han possessed the terrifying strength of a Nascent Soul level Yao Beast.

Only you knew most clearly that Qin Han's true background was far from being summarized by the two words "Nascent Soul"—

Because that trace of power flowing within its body, which even it didn't know how to use, had an essence that had already touched the level of the Dao rules.

This was a characteristic that could only be possessed by an existence whose life essence had leaped to the Spirit Transformation Realm—it was like a dormant volcano, with only a few hot springs gushing on the surface, but containing the great power to burn the heavens and boil the seas within.

It was only after you achieved your Breakthrough to the Spirit Transformation Realm that you faintly sensed such a power hidden within Qin Han.

Qin Han seemed to notice Twelfth Prince Ji Changchu's complex and mournful gaze. It held the basket of imperial lotus fruit, tilted its head to look at him for a while, and suddenly said with a grin:

"Hey, little guy. Why do you look... like your parents died?"

The moment the words fell—

Whoosh!

Its figure disappeared from the stone table without warning.

In the next second,

it was already hovering in the air less than a foot in front of Twelfth Prince Ji Changchu, its big, round eyes almost pressed against the other's face.

Twelfth Prince Ji Changchu was scared to the point of Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering by this sudden "face-to-face kill"—the miserable scene of Yang Kun's Dantian being instantly pierced and his intestines spilling all over the ground flashed crazily in his mind uncontrollably.

"Y-y-you... don't come over!!!"

His face went deathly pale, and he let out a shrill, distorted scream. He was like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, violently springing backward, almost landing on his bottom.

Sixteenth Princess Ji Fu was to the side with a face full of disdain: "Brother, you are way too cowardly!"

Then she looked at Qin Han with a grin: "Clumsy is so cute, how can you be afraid of it?"

As she spoke, she raised her hand, wanting to touch Qin Han's furry head.

Qin Han used its little paw to swat her hand away with a look of disdain: "Stinky woman, didn't I tell you already? We aren't a match!"

Sixteenth Princess Ji Fu immediately felt aggrieved, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Clumsy, one must be polite when acting as a person," you deliberately frowned and looked at Qin Han. "Your Auntie Sixteenth Princess Ji Fu kindly brought so many imperial lotus fruits to see you, how can you speak like that?"

Qin Han swished over to you, looking puzzled: "Daddy, didn't you say children shouldn't lie? I really smell a stinky scent on her!"

Sixteenth Princess Ji Fu was confused, raised her arm to sniff herself, and asked puzzledly: "Where? In order to come see you, I even specifically applied... applied Musk Spirit Fragrance!"

Hearing the words "Musk Spirit Fragrance," you looked at her speechlessly—this Musk Spirit Fragrance was the scent that Yao Beasts loved the most. Any Yao Beast found it irresistibly tempting, which is why people often used it to lure and capture Yao Beasts.

Who would ever apply this stuff to themselves?

Just at this moment,

a cold rebuke came from the doorway—

"This is becoming more and more outrageous!"

A tall woman with a curvaceous figure and a face as cold as frost walked in, followed by an old man with a deep Aura.

You had long since noticed these two—you had never seen them before. Most importantly, this woman was actually at the Early Nascent Soul Stage, and the old man was even at the Late Nascent Soul Stage.

Your heart stirred slightly: everyone said that there were only three Late Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators on the Shattered Star Continent, right? Where did this one pop out from?

Just as you were wondering, Sixteenth Princess Ji Fu had already cried out involuntarily: "Royal... Royal Elder Sister?! Why are you back?"

Her eyes, which were always filled with arrogance, were now wide open, her face full of disbelief. The Aura from just a moment ago instantly dissipated, leaving only shock and a trace of imperceptible fear.

Twelfth Prince Ji Changchu's reaction was even greater—he almost instantly shrank his neck, subconsciously took a small step back, and bowed while trembling: "G-greetings, Royal Elder Sister!"

So she was the Eldest Princess of the Tianyu Immortal Dynasty, and also the current Saintess of the Divine Dragon Cult—Ji Hui.

Ji Hui ignored her younger siblings' greetings and astonishment, her gaze falling straight onto you—as well as Qin Han, who was currently holding and gnawing on an imperial lotus fruit.

That gaze was calm and sharp, without too much emotion, yet it carried an innate dignity of someone who had long held a high position.

A moment later, she waved her hand at her younger siblings, her tone flat and unquestionable: "Why are you still standing here? Go back immediately. You are making a spectacle of yourselves."

Twelfth Prince Ji Changchu and Sixteenth Princess Ji Fu felt as if they had received a pardon—the two didn't dare say another word, couldn't care about etiquette, immediately lowered their heads, turned around, and slipped away as if fleeing.

In the courtyard, in an instant, only you, Qin Han, this uninvited Eldest Princess, and the old man standing silently behind her remained.