I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, So I’ll Max Out My Defense

“Nonsense, Luanyu! A reckless lunatic who dares to speak of ascending to the Upper Realm, and even has the audacity to spout such wild words?”

“Do you even know what the pinnacle is, huh?”

“Clearly a heartless and faithless person, yet you spout such bold claims in front of this golden palace. Such shamelessness! Guards, drag this insolent boy away and behead him!”

The Tortoise Prime Minister beside them could no longer restrain himself, flying into a rage with a face full of fury and murderous intent. With a wave of his large hand, he ordered the Golden Armored Guards outside the palace to seize Li Xiaobai.

The Old Dragon King’s expression also changed. He didn’t expect the other party to be so disrespectful. To marry his granddaughter was something countless young talents of the Immortal Spirit Continent dreamt of. Why did Li Xiaobai seem to be pushing it away?

However, before he and the Golden Armored Guards had time to act, Long Xue spoke up first.

“So, are you saying that if the young master reaches the pinnacle, you will start to harbor romantic feelings?”

“That’s the logic. However, time flies and youth will never return. I believe the princess’s feelings for me are merely a novelty for now. In the future, you will surely meet your true destined one.”

Li Xiaobai nodded as he spoke.

“This lady can wait. I will prove that my feelings are not a mere whim. Over the years, only the young master has successfully reached the seventh floor of the Linglong Pagoda and your actions and style differ greatly from the pedantic air of ordinary cultivators. I believe that the young master will definitely become a most extraordinary figure in the future!”

Long Xue’s eyes were determined as she spoke word by word.

Upon hearing this, civil and military officials alike were stunned. The young princess was actually making such an active pursuit, and the man seemed to have little attachment to her. What has become of the world?

For a moment, they felt they no longer understood the younger generation.

“Young Princess, this man is clearly perfunctory towards you. Better to let this old minister end it with a single stroke to save trouble!”

The Tortoise Prime Minister’s eyes flashed with cold light, as the volcano in his heart was on the verge of erupting.

“Enough! Li Xiaobai, since I have captured you, it is absolutely impossible to simply let you go. Today, I shall test your character to see if you are worthy of my Xue’er!”

“Come, bring Gui Xuan into the palace!”

The Old Dragon King shouted angrily, putting a stop to the argument in the hall.

Outside the palace, a figure walked slowly. He was a young man with a handsome face and a touch of elegance, but his eyes were somber, the sockets deep, and his visage unnaturally sickly.

With just one glance, Li Xiaobai could almost certainly conclude that this man’s condition was due to excessive indulgence.

“Your servant Gui Xuan pays his respects to the great king!”

Gui Xuan walked slowly up before the palace and knelt down to pay his respects, knowing it was not easy to see the Old Dragon King on ordinary days.

“Hmm, good. I assume the Tortoise Prime Minister has informed you of everything. What do you think, are you confident?”

The Old Dragon King said with a faint smile, his eyes full of concern for the younger cultivators.

“Replying to the great king, your servant will do his utmost to win Princess Xue’er’s favor!”

Gui Xuan’s face was resolute, his eyes full of provocation as he looked at Li Xiaobai, “Li Xiaobai, Princess Xue’er and I grew up together, childhood sweethearts. And you, an outsider, actually dare to compete with me for Princess Xue’er’s heart, it’s a sheer joke!”

“Today, before the entire court of civil and military officials, we shall use the King’s Formation to test our true characters. Let Princess Xue’er see who truly has a sincere heart. Do you dare accept the challenge?”

Li Xiaobai almost burst into laughter at the indignation of this young man before him. Such righteous and deep emotions from someone with such an indulgent face were totally unconvincing.

“Haha, I just love the look of frustration on your face when you can’t defeat me. I am alone in this world and had no intention of getting involved in Princess Xue’er’s marriage. But what can I do if I’m handsome and she’s hopelessly in love with me? Annoying, isn’t it?”

Li Xiaobai raised an eyebrow and look at the young man before him with a faint smile.

“Li Xiaobai, you’re courting death!”

“I, Gui Xuan, will never coexist with you!”

“I beg the King to activate the Formation immediately. Today, I must distinguish myself from this scoundrel!”

Fire blazed in Gui Xuan’s eyes, his inner universe on the verge of exploding. Li Xiaobai’s words were too infuriating, breaking through his defenses.

He couldn’t understand why Long Xue would be so devoted to a human lad she had only met a few times, but it didn’t matter. As long as he crushed his opponent today, he believed Long Xue would surely see who was truly the most suitable to be her husband!

“To be young is to express one’s thoughts without reservations. Today, I shall see whether the prodigy of the Sea Clan surpasses all, or if the human cultivators have better tricks up their sleeves!”

The Old Dragon King chuckled lightly, his hands weaving the Formation in the void. With the flow of Taoist rhyme, the entire Imperial Palace trembled, and strands of golden light began to rise from beneath everyone’s feet.

Li Xiaobai sensed the scene before him shifting; everything in the palace gradually became foggy and obscured. He knew this was the effect of the Formation. His System’s attribute panel showed no changes, indicating that the Formation posed no threat.

“This Formation seems somewhat similar to the Buddhist Sect’s one in the Western Desert— entering into an Illusionary Realm and undergoing trials. I just wonder what kind of Illusionary Realm the Old Dragon King has prepared.”

For this type of test, Li Xiaobai felt it was a pure waste of time. Did a cultivator as pure, kind, and handsome as himself really need to be tested like this?

If he couldn’t win against someone so obviously overindulgent, then he would have no face to show.

“Hmph, Li Xiaobai, this is an environmental test derived from a corner of the Dragon Palace’s Sect Protection Array. Whoever finds themselves in it will be unable to distinguish illusion from reality. Are you scared now?”

“Inside this realm, I will grind you down bit by bit, letting you know the consequences of coveting the little princess!”

Gui Xuan’s whisper reached his ears, and it was clear he was furious.

At this moment, before they had officially entered the Illusionary Realm, he cast aside his disguise and spoke with venom.

“Hehe, did you just find a woman before coming here? How was it?”

Li Xiaobai chuckled lightly, asking with interest.

“You… how did you know?”

Gui Xuan was taken aback. He hadn’t let anyone know about it, and the woman had been dealt with immediately afterward.

“Hehe, I can see your eyes are lifeless, your eye sockets sunken, and as you walk, there’s a noticeable weakness in your legs. It’s clear to anyone with eyes. Not just me, but the civil and military officials, the Old Dragon King, and even Lady Long have noticed. They just kept quiet out of consideration for your dignity.”

Li Xiaobai said indifferently.