My cultivation disguise has been exposed by Xiao Sizi.

Looking at Old Li's domineering appearance.

Li Chen's anxiety was largely relieved.

It must be said that Li Shimin possessed an almost blind, invincible confidence in his strategic vision and overall perspective.

And this kind of confidence is precisely the nourishment that the Golden Dragon of the Great Tang Dynasty's fortune loves most.

"However, speaking of this incomplete law..."

Li Shimin lay back in his chair, unable to help but frown.

A deep sense of doubt and inquiry flashed in those dragon eyes.

"I have examined all the ancient jade slips in the royal treasury, but I still cannot find out what changes occurred in this world several thousand years ago."

"Why did the perfectly sound laws of Heaven suddenly shatter?"

Why has such a terrible break occurred on the path of cultivation?

"Why were those ancient, powerful beings who once held sway over the winds and rains forced to create small worlds to hide and eke out a living, like stray dogs?"

Li Shimin sighed.

"This is simply an unsolved mystery in the world of cultivation."

Li Chen rested his hands behind his head, looking at the dappled shadows of the trees.

Involuntarily, the image of that dilapidated bronze door, silent for countless epochs, deep beneath the Green Wood Realm, appeared in his mind.

And, that night, the terrifying heartbeat that pierced through the endless void.

"Who knows?"

Li Chen casually echoed, his tone tinged with a hint of teasing.

"Perhaps, in ancient times, a supreme demon emerged who was bored and wanted to destroy the world. He accidentally shattered the Heavenly Dao."

Upon hearing this speculation...

Li Shimin immediately scoffed, his face full of disdain.

"absurd."

The Tang emperor waved his hand with great certainty.

"What is a demon? A demon is someone who will stop at nothing to seize resources and pursue power."

"By shattering the laws of nature and destroying the homes on which everyone depends for survival, what benefit can he possibly gain?"

"If such a person really exists, then he definitely wouldn't be considered a great demon."

Li Shimin snorted and gave an extremely down-to-earth and very fair evaluation.

"That's just a complete idiot with a screw loose."

"Achoo—!!!"

The moment Li Shimin uttered the curse "big idiot"...

The Tang emperor suddenly felt an uncontrollable tingling and itching sensation deep in his nasal cavity.

He suddenly sat up straight and let out a loud, earth-shattering sneeze!

That sneeze was incredibly powerful and dramatic.

A violent stream of air instantly erupted from his mouth and nose, transforming into a visible storm of spiritual energy.

He flipped the white jade tea table in front of him and sent it flying.

The glass cup on the coffee table fell to the ground and shattered.

Even the two palace maids fanning the wind were blown back several steps by the gust of air, their faces pale.

"Buzz..."

The golden dragon of fortune hovering above the Taiji Palace seemed to sense the emperor's unusual behavior.

It lowered its massive dragon head and glanced in the direction of the Imperial Garden with a puzzled look.

Li Shimin rubbed his red nose, completely bewildered.

"That's strange."

Li Shimin looked like he'd seen a ghost, muttering under his breath.

"I have already relied on the dynasty's fortune to force myself to reach the Void Refinement stage. I already have a great physique that is immune to heat and cold and free from all diseases."

"How could I possibly sneeze without any warning?"

Li Shimin looked around suspiciously.

A murderous glint flashed in his eyes.

"Could it be... some rebellious and treacherous official, secretly plotting against me?"

Li Chen, lying next to him, silently rolled his eyes.

He looked at Old Li, who had a look of utter disbelief on his face.

He thought to himself: You just pointed at God and thoroughly cursed that forbidden being who might have destroyed the ancient era into a complete idiot.

If you weren't struck dead on the spot by a bolt of divine lightning from the heavens, it's already a testament to the great fortune of the Tang Dynasty, with the golden dragon protecting its master!

A sneeze is absolutely the mildest warning of the law of cause and effect.

Of course, Li Chen didn't say this out loud.

He didn't want to shatter Old Li's inexplicably confident and invincible mindset.

……

Time flies.

The prosperity of Chang'an City cycled endlessly with the rising and setting of the sun and moon.

These past few days have been a significant period for two prominent figures in the Tang Dynasty.

It felt like an eternity.

Since that "clash of the century" that was like Mars colliding with Earth happened at the Royal Martial Arts Arena.

Fang Yi'ai, a thug who cultivates his body, and Gao Yang, a proud princess.

They were completely plunged into a bizarre state of cold war.

Calling it the Cold War is not entirely accurate.

More accurately, they were both frantically trying to avoid each other.

Inside the Body Cultivation Camp.

Fang Yi'ai, shirtless, was frantically pounding his fists on the sandbag made of ten-thousand-year-old black iron in front of him.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Each punch landed with a piercing sonic boom.

But as soon as he closes his eyes...

The image of that day in mid-air will involuntarily come to mind.

Those panicked phoenix eyes, and those soft, warm red lips with a faint scent of rouge.

"Damn it!"

Fang Yi'ai let out a low growl of frustration.

My mind is in turmoil.

The speed and power of his punches have completely lost their former precision.

Meanwhile, inside the princess's residence.

Princess Gaoyang locked herself in her boudoir and washed her face with basin after basin of icy well water.

He tried to cool down his burning hot cheeks.

But the face reflected in the bronze mirror was still as red as a ripe apple.

"What should I do... how am I supposed to face anyone after this?!"

Princess Gaoyang let out a painful wail and buried herself in the soft brocade quilt.

However, the gears of fate never stop turning because of an individual's embarrassment.

That evening.

Inside the most luxurious Zuixianlou restaurant in Chang'an.

A local gathering, organized by the sons of noble families and daughters of prominent clans, is in full swing.

As the top social circle in Chang'an.

Fang Yi'ai and Princess Gaoyang were naturally among those invited.

Both of them originally wanted to find an excuse to decline.

But those unsuspecting friends were just too enthusiastic and forcibly dragged them out of their respective residences.

Zuixianlou, the largest private room in the Tianzi class.

The sounds of string and wind instruments filled the air, and fine wines and delicacies were laid out on long tables.

The moment Fang Yi'ai was pushed and shoved into the private room by several sons of military officers.

His previously indifferent eyes suddenly narrowed.

Because, at first glance, he saw the familiar figure sitting to the left of the main seat, wearing a fiery red silk dress.

Princess Gaoyang.

At the same time.

Princess Gaoyang, who was idly toying with her wine cup, also looked up.

Eyes facing each other.

The air seemed to have been sucked out in that instant.

The noise and music inside the private room.

It faded away instantly in their ears.

All that remained was the other person's face, which was rapidly turning red with panic.