22: No, I disagree.

He had already sent The Two Elders of Xuanming out to search for a long time, but they had found no clues whatsoever.

Unexpectedly, she suddenly returned today.

How could this not make him happy? However, upon hearing the report from The Two Elders of Xuanming, Prince Ruyang's face turned ugly again.

Because his precious daughter had actually returned with a man.

Moreover, judging by their intimate actions, he was very likely her sweetheart.

Could it be that the flower he had painstakingly nurtured for eighteen years was about to be taken away, pot and all?

"Min Min, you are too reckless. Sneaking out without a word, do you know how dangerous that is? Do you know how worried your father was?" Prince Ruyang said sternly.

"Oh, Father, didn't I return safe and sound?"

"Besides, with my strength, who could possibly harm me?" Zhao Min said with a smile.

"You... it's all my fault for spoiling you. Forget it, let's not talk about that. Where is that boy who came back with you?" Prince Ruyang said coldly.

"Oh, him? Duan Lang was delayed by some matters. He'll be back very soon," Zhao Min said with a smile.

"What? Little sister? What did you call him? Duan Lang? What is that boy's status? How could he possibly be worthy of your status as a Princess?" Wang Baobao said angrily.

"Big brother, when it comes to status, he is actually worthy."

"Duan Lang is the Prince of Zhennan of Dali. In terms of status and position, he is on the same level as Father."

"Moreover, the Duan Family established their Kingdom through martial prowess. Although it's a small border Kingdom, it should not be underestimated," Zhao Min said.

"No, little sister, have you gone mad? That Duan Zhengchun may be the Prince of Zhennan of Dali, but he already has a Princess Consort. And you're still with him? Do you intend to become his concubine?" Wang Baobao suddenly stood up, looking at his sister in shock.

"I know about that."

"But, big brother, don't worry. Duan Lang won't treat me poorly because of it."

"If he dares to treat me poorly, I won't let him off," Zhao Min said proudly.

"Nonsense! How can you treat marriage as a child's game?"

"Min Min, you are too willful. Do you know the consequences of doing this?" Prince Ruyang angrily slammed the table and stood up, his face livid as he looked at his daughter.

"Oh, Father, you know me. Once I've set my mind on something, no one can dissuade me."

"Especially when it comes to my lifelong matter, I naturally want to find someone I like and who likes me."

"Don't even think about using me to curry favor with those court ministers," Zhao Min said.

"You... are you trying to anger me to death?" Prince Ruyang trembled with rage, his raised hand finally falling.

In the end, he still couldn't bear to hit his precious daughter.

"No, I disagree," Wang Baobao said coldly.

"Big brother, my affairs are my own to decide. You have no say," Zhao Min said firmly.

"Enough! Let's not talk about this anymore. We'll discuss it after that Duan Zhengchun arrives," Prince Ruyang said, his face so gloomy it seemed water could drip from it.

He also wanted to see if this Duan Zhengchun, Prince of Zhennan of Dali, was truly a playboy.

Although he was displeased that his daughter had found a sweetheart on her trip, he still understood his daughter's judgment and Heart-Nature very well.

His daughter had high standards; she didn't even take a liking to the sons and grandsons of Princes and nobles.

How could she take a fancy to a useless Prince like Duan Zhengchun?

Rumors outside said Duan Zhengchun was a playboy, spending all his time in brothels and pleasure quarters. Moreover, his martial arts talent was also extremely poor.

The Dali Duan Clan established their Kingdom through martial prowess. As a direct descendant of the Duan Family, he, Duan Zhengchun, was only a Second-rate Martial Artist.

Although this surpassed many people, in a place like the Nine Provinces Continent, there were far too many Second-rate Martial Artists.

To become his daughter's husband, one must have both status and strength.

If he was just a useless Prince, then there was no way he would let them be together.

"Father, once you meet Duan Lang, you'll change your opinion of him," Zhao Min said proudly.

"Hmph, that Duan Zhengchun is a useless Prince. The Dali Duan Clan established their Kingdom through martial prowess. He is a Prince and a direct descendant of Dali."

"Forget being a Grandmaster-level Master; at the very least, he should be an Innate Martial Artist, right?"

"But him? He's already reached the age of twenty, yet he's still just a Second-rate Martial Artist. It's embarrassing to even mention," Wang Baobao said angrily.

"Big brother, have you investigated him?" Zhao Min looked at her brother in surprise.

Duan Lang's Breakthrough to the Innate Realm had only happened in the last couple of days. How did her big brother know?

Since when were the Ruyang Princes Manor's intelligence networks so efficient?

"Is an investigation even needed? Duan Zhengchun's reputation has long spread throughout the major Imperial Dynasties."

"You actually fancy him? What about him is worthy of your affection?" Wang Baobao said angrily.

Clearly, Wang Baobao did not catch the implication in Zhao Min's words.

However, Prince Ruyang sensed something amiss in her words.

"Wait... Min Min, what did you mean by what you just said?"

"Could it be that Duan Zhengchun is already a Xiantian Realm Martial Artist?" Prince Ruyang asked with a frown.

"That's right, Father. I'm telling you, you've all been deceived."

"Duan Lang is no useless person. His martial arts talent is terrifyingly high."

"He's the strongest I've ever seen. When I met him, he was only a Second-rate Martial Artist at the Middle Stage."

"Now, Duan Lang is already a Xiantian Realm Master. I believe breaking through to Grandmaster is just a matter of time," Zhao Min said proudly.

At this, even Wang Baobao's expression became uncertain and suspicious.

Wasn't this just a case of 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder'?

The Duan Zhengchun he knew was a martial arts waste, still just a Second-rate Martial Artist at the age of twenty.

True Geniuses at that age were all Xiantian Realm Masters; some had even reached Grandmaster.

And now his little sister was saying Duan Zhengchun had broken through a major Realm in a short time, going from a second-rate Middle Stage Martial Artist to a Xiantian Realm Master?

Had that kid taken some kind of pill?

Suddenly, Wang Baobao noticed something was off.

He actually couldn't see through his little sister's strength anymore.

His little sister was previously a Second-rate Martial Artist at the Early Stage.

Although he wasn't as skilled in martial arts as his sister, he had also recently stepped into the level of a Second-rate Martial Artist.

He could previously discern his sister's strength, but now, after such a short time, he actually couldn't see through his little sister's strength anymore.

"Little sister, have you had a Breakthrough?" Wang Baobao suddenly asked hesitantly.

"Hehe... Big brother, you just noticed?" Zhao Min said proudly.

"Min Min, have you really broken through to the Late Stage of a Second-rate Martial Artist?" Prince Ruyang looked at his daughter in surprise.

"Father, what are you talking about? What Late Stage of a Second-rate Martial Artist?" Zhao Min pouted.

"What do you mean? Min Min, haven't you had a Breakthrough?" Prince Ruyang frowned.

"I did have a Breakthrough. But I'm not at the Late Stage of a Second-rate Martial Artist," Zhao Min said.

"What? You had a Breakthrough? Not at the Late Stage? Then is it the Peak Stage?" Prince Ruyang's small eyes widened.

"Hehe... Father, you're wrong again."

"I am now an Innate Martial Artist," Zhao Min said proudly.