Chapter 64: Whose Heartbeat Skipped a Beat?

"You will each answer the questions I pose separately."

"No copying, no eavesdropping. I will decide for myself—"

"Who truly belongs to my heart."

—Perfectly avoiding the battle, and still able to arbitrarily decide the result.

On the side, Xue Yao gave a thumbs up, laughing until she swayed back and forth:

"Master, this is brilliant! You can trick whoever you want now."

Su Xiaoxiao lifted her chin, humming smugly: "Of course, who do you think I am?"

She immediately turned to look at Lin Chen: "Set up a barrier, a soundproof one."

"My questions must be one-on-one; I can't let them hear."

Lin Chen had been drinking fruit tea, but when asked this, her expression was slightly troubled.

"This… I can't. I have an agreement with Mr. Zhuge."

Su Xiaoxiao tilted her head: "What agreement?"

Lin Chen whispered: "It's that my talent is shallow, and I cannot shoulder major court responsibilities. That's how I avoided attending the morning court every day."

"Oh, so that's the principle!"

Lin Chen continued to explain: "Mr. Zhuge and I agreed—Cultivate, identity, background, all hidden. Otherwise, who would dare teach me?"

Su Xiaoxiao bit her lip and turned to wink at Xue Yao: "Yao-Yao, save the day."

Xue Yao had been enjoying the spectacle, and hearing the request for help, she clapped her hands:

"Alright!"

She raised her hand and waved it gently. The aura of the Saint Realm Perfection rippled out like water. An invisible light barrier descended like moonlight, instantly enveloping Su Xiaoxiao and Crown Prince Li Chongjun, completely cutting off sound and aura from the outside.

—The barrier was formed.

Zhao Yan's eyelids twitched violently, his gaze fixed intently on Xue Yao, his face shocked: "This, what Cultivate is this? I can't perceive her aura at all?"

Tian Xuan stared wide-eyed from the side, muttering softly: "Impossible… I clearly remember that when she entered the Void Gate with us, she was just a little girl, only at the Soul Transformation Stage…"

"She is now at the Saint Realm Perfection. Judging by her aura, she must have absorbed the purest Dao Origin, thus achieving a leap-like Breakthrough without a Bottleneck."

In the center of the Void Realm arena, the white-haired elder said calmly.

Zhao Yan and Tian Xuan looked at each other, their expressions completely shattered.

Zhao Yan clenched his fists: "She is actually already at the Saint Realm Perfection?!"

Tian Xuan swallowed hard, unable to accept it: "It's only been a few years? We've been Cultivate to death in the Void Realm for these years, and yet we were still left behind by our youngest Junior Sister by who knows how many streets?"

The two were so shocked that their facial expression management completely failed, almost breaking down on the spot.

At this moment, Xue Yao waved at them with an innocent and lively face: "Keep working hard, hehe."

Zhao Yan: "…"

Tian Xuan: "…"

—They felt like they were just background characters.

Not far away, Divine Son Liu Xuanning looked up at the sky, looking hopeless: "I thought acting could save my life, but it turns out you are all relying on background and bloodline to crush others… I am unworthy."

Inside the barrier, the aura was isolated, and the world was silent.

Su Xiaoxiao sat lazily behind a small desk, her right leg crossed over her left, her delicate white hand supporting her chin, looking at the person in front of her with a smile.

Crown Prince Li Chongjun stood straight, his posture like a jade pine.

He was extremely handsome, with heroic brows, deep features, a sharp nose, and a tall, graceful figure, like a Young Master who had stepped out of a painting.

But at this moment, he held his hands down somewhat nervously, his gaze falling on Su Xiaoxiao's face, not daring to look for too long, yet unable to resist looking.

—He liked her; everyone knew it. Even with the status of Crown Prince, he was willing to bow before her.

Su Xiaoxiao seemed not to notice his nervousness at all and hummed softly: "Are you ready?"

"I'm going to ask questions now."

Crown Prince Li Chongjun's eyes flickered, his expression solemn: "Please, Fairy, ask away."

She smiled: "First question, very simple."

"If I and your mother both fell into the water—"

"Who would you save first?"

Crown Prince Li Chongjun froze for a moment, then pursed his lips and said seriously: "My mother, the Consort, taught me benevolence, righteousness, and etiquette from a young age. If she were here to hear this question, she would also tell me to save you."

"Therefore, I will save you."

Su Xiaoxiao raised an eyebrow: "Are you not afraid of your mother's Life Qi?"

Crown Prince Li Chongjun said softly: "Compared to her scolding, I fear your disappointment more."

…

People outside couldn't hear the content, only see the changes in their expressions.

Emperor Li Xian looked at his son's upright and serious expression, and his original disdain and suspicion quietly changed.

He originally thought this Su Xiaoxiao was just a woman good at manipulating men, but now seeing his son with such sincere feelings he had never shown before, his heart felt inexplicably complicated.

Lin Chen chewed on a fruit while muttering softly: "See, this is called being love-struck; no one can stop it."

Xue Yao held her face: "It's quite sweet."

…

Inside the barrier, Su Xiaoxiao chuckled: "Second question."

"If you married me, but I ran off with another man, what would you do?"

Crown Prince Li Chongjun's breathing paused slightly. After a while, he said softly: "Then I would chase after you."

"Kill him?"

He shook his head: "No."

"It would be to carry you back."

Su Xiaoxiao blinked: "What if I don't want to come back?"

Crown Prince Li Chongjun took a deep breath: "Then I would stay by your side and keep waiting."

"Until the moment you are willing to turn back."

She looked into his eyes. She had originally thought he would say some harsh words typical of royal men, but she didn't expect such a wronged yet affectionate look.

For a moment, her heart skipped a beat.

…

Outside, Emperor Li Xian gripped the dragon desk tightly. He hadn't been optimistic about his son's feelings, but at this moment, he was suddenly moved.

"This brat…"

"Actually… learned to be affectionate."

…

Su Xiaoxiao bit her lip, her face still wearing a playful smile, but her voice was softer:

"Third question… If one day, I die, what would you do?"

Crown Prince Li Chongjun's face turned pale instantly.

He almost instinctively stepped forward: "You will not die!"

Su Xiaoxiao was stunned.

Crown Prince Li Chongjun's voice lowered: "I will protect you, protect you for a lifetime."

"If that day truly comes—I will be buried with you."

…

Outside, the fruit in Lin Chen's hand almost fell to the ground.

Xue Yao blinked for a long time, muttering: "Crazy, he's crazy, right?"

Emperor Li Xian pursed his lips tightly, his gaze deep, and remained silent for a long time.

…

Inside the barrier.

Su Xiaoxiao looked at him. At some point, her eyes were no longer as playful and frivolous as they were at the beginning.

She slowly sat up straight, a trace of seriousness appearing in her eyes.

"Last question."

"Are you willing… to only marry me for your whole life?"

Crown Prince Li Chongjun's eyes were firm as never before.

"I am willing."

Su Xiaoxiao smiled lightly, extended her index finger, and tapped his forehead:

"Good, then go back and wait for the result."

…

Crown Prince Li Chongjun slowly exited the barrier, his back straight, but his footsteps were as light as a feather landing.

On that handsome face, there was a satisfaction and tenderness never seen before.

He didn't know if he could win the final choice—

But he knew that today, his heart had been completely given away.

The whole audience was silent, waiting for the answer Su Xiaoxiao would give.

And at this moment, her eyes had slowly looked towards—Zhao Yan.