Chapter 512: Even an Ugly Daughter-in-Law Must Meet Her Clas
Qing, her connections are in the province. According to the teachers' speculations, perhaps one of the powerful figures within the provincial education department is a senior relative of hers! Moreov...Chapter 512: Even a Ugly Bride Must Face Her Schoolmates! (Calling for Monthly Votes~~)
The massive armies from the South Sea and North Sea were arrayed far away from the Western Sea Dragon Palace, their banners fluttering fiercely.
Looking out from the main gate of the Western Sea Dragon Palace, the densely packed soldiers resembled countless chess pieces stretching endlessly into the distance.
The repeated damages to the Western Sea Dragon Palace were no longer worth mentioning. With nearly 300,000 troops brought by both the South and North Seas, they actually intended to control all the sea areas within the jurisdiction of the Western Sea Dragon Palace. Though Huo Ren had driven back the eighth-order demon beasts with merit and treated the generals from the South and North Seas with detoxification pills, earning him two favors, he couldn’t compete in core interests with just his 50,000 Black-armored troops.
The Eastern Sea Dragon Palace was separated from the Western Sea by the Demon Ocean, making it impossible to intervene immediately even if they dispatched forces right now. By the time the Eastern Sea’s reinforcements arrived, the South and North Seas would have already completed their deployments.
According to Prince Three of the South Sea and Second Duke of the North Sea, as long as they controlled the Western Sea Dragon Palace, they could control all the sea areas within its jurisdiction.
This prince of the Western Sea was weak and had no resistance against both the South and North Seas.
Though the overall forces of the Western Sea Dragon Palace were still considerable, their elite units were depleted in battle with the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace, and many powerful乾坤-level elders had been lost. Now, the Western Sea Dragon Palace was a mere shell without its former strength.
"Since the South Sea and North Sea are neighboring to the Western Sea Dragon Palace, I think it should be up to our two domains to assist them," Second Duke of the North Sea said after some thought, addressing Huo Ren.
Huo Ren smiled faintly but remained silent.
Um... Sigh...
A series of waves crashed from the sea surface onto the seabed.
"Eastern Sea Dragon Palace! Left General Chen Rong, Right General Lu Yuantao, and Central General Hu Chunyi! Lead one million elite soldiers to aid the Western Sea!"
“Hah!”
The powerful troops of Tian Wan shouted in unison.
The mighty sounds pushed back the heavy waves by a layer.
The originally confident Prince Three of the South Sea and Second Duke of the North Sea exchanged glances, finally realizing their miscalculation.
The Eastern Sea Dragon Palace was actually sending out 500,000 troops!
Both the South and North Seas dared not send too many, only dispatching around 200,000 each. However, the Eastern Sea had dispatched an astounding 500,000 soldiers!
The strength of these 500,000 troops was evident from their imposing array and aura.
They looked at Huo Ren in surprise; they hadn’t expected such bravery from this young general of the Eastern Sea. The South and North Seas were indirectly coercing the Western Sea Dragon Palace under the pretext of resisting demon beasts, but the Eastern Sea was directly seizing territory!
"I see that there's nothing more to discuss. With my 500,000 elite soldiers from the East Sea, the stretch from Demon Sea to the West Sea Dragon Palace is as strong as gold, allowing the West Sea Dragon Palace to focus on its reconstruction work peacefully," said Hao Ren, glancing at Chancellor Xia and Elders Sun and Lu beside him. "Please stay here to discuss the details. I will head back with Ah Zi first."
Chancellor Xia, Elder Lu, and Elder Sun bowed deeply in a gesture of respect: “We respectfully see off General!”
"Liu Yi, you don't need to go back for now either," Hao Ren said calmly. "Stay here to be responsible for the safety around the West Sea Dragon Palace."
"Understood!" Liu Yi replied loudly.
Hao Ren left a detachment of elite troops near the West Sea Dragon Palace, the intention behind which was obvious.
The South and North Seas secretly admired the East Sea's strategy. However, against the undiminished million-strong army of the East Sea, their confidence wasn't too high either.
Seeing how badly off the West Sea Dragon Palace had become after offending the East Sea Dragon Palace, they didn’t want to end up like a second West Sea Dragon Palace.
"Ah Zi! Ah Zi!"
Zeng Yitao stood at the door and called out urgently again.
Zhao Yanzi didn't even look at him. She held onto Hao Ren's wrist tightly, and as Hao Ren controlled the River-and-Mountain Map, they flew out of the sea surface with a whoosh.
She had never liked Zeng Yitao to begin with, especially after his previous arrogance. Not to mention that the fierce battle between the West Sea invading the East Sea had exhausted her grandfather Zhao Haoran's lifespan; she was already being quite lenient not biting him out of hatred.
The River-and-Mountain Map flew out from the Western Dragon Palace and bypassed the Demon Sea’s edge, passing through the Southern Dragon Palace. The edges of the Demon Sea were filled with 8th-stage demons, while the center was full of countless Form Transformation Period demons and great demon kings. Hao Ren couldn't risk taking Zhao Yanzi there.
But to take a detour through the South Sea would inevitably lead to questioning by the Southern Dragon Palace; however, after identifying himself, the South Sea didn’t block them either. Just this roundabout route cost them quite some time, and it was already night when they returned to the Purple Bamboo Island.
Zhao Hongyu and Zhao Guang came out immediately upon seeing the River-and-Mountain Map returning.
"How's the situation" asked Zhao Guang upon noticing that on the map were only Hao Ren and Zhao Yanzi.
"The demons have retreated. The four generals are leading General Tian Wan's army to garrison the West Sea, while the two elders and chancellor are discussing details inside the West Sea Dragon Palace," replied Hao Ren.
“Hmm.” Zhao Guang nodded in approval. He realized that although the fall of the West Sea was a fact, it couldn’t be allowed for the South and North Seas to reap great benefits from this situation; by decisively dispatching 500,000 elite troops at such a distance, Hao Ren had already secured an advantage right from the start.
If the East Dragon Palace hesitated due to its conflict with the West Sea and only sent reinforcements later, all the benefits would have been snatched by the South and North Seas.
Zhao Guang carefully considered Hao Ren's strategy; it indeed had a touch of Zhao Haoran’s style.
"Uncle, Aunt, I still need to use this River-and-Mountain Map for a bit," said Hao Ren when he saw Zhao Guang lost in thought.
"Where are you going" Zhao Yanzi, who was standing behind Hao Ren, asked immediately.
"I'm going to watch a ball game. I'm in a hurry," Hao Ren said.
"Me too!" Zhao Yanzi said immediately.
"Why do you always have to follow me" Hao Ren looked at her with a hint of complaint.
"Who's following you I just want to watch the ball game too!" Zhao Yanzi retorted.
Seeing them arguing, Zhao Hongyu covered her mouth and laughed gently before waving tenderly, "Go ahead! Go ahead!"
"Then let me go first!" Hao Ren jumped into the palace, changed back to normal clothes, returned to the River and Mountain Scroll, drew a red glow, and hurried northward.
Zhao Yanzi quickly held onto Hao Ren's arm, "This speed is too fast!
The River and Mountain Scroll seems to be a treasure taken from the Nine Dragons Palace. Driving it is incredibly fast.
Hao Ren had already gained some experience by continuously using the River and Mountain Scroll. He tried flying with each of the five elemental spirits' energy, all yielding the same speed. But when he injected the chaotic spirit force synthesized from the Five Elements into the scroll, its speed suddenly doubled!
Indeed, treasures from the Nine Dragons Palace work best with Chaotic Power. Zhao Yanzi often rode her mother's River and Mountain Scroll but never at such a terrifying speed.
She stood behind Hao Ren, tightly hugging his waist, her whole body pressed against his back. At this speed and height, falling was no joke. Sometimes Hao Ren cared for her tenderly, but other times he completely ignored her.
The River and Mountain Scroll entered the land and quickly flew towards a large city.
"Slow down! Slow down!" Zhao Yanzi's hands were tightly gripping Hao Ren's waist as she couldn't help shouting.
This wasn't flying; it was like a plane crash!
"If I slow down, we'll miss it!" Hao Ren worried about his good friend Zhao Jiayin's basketball game. The importance of this to him was no less than advancing towards the Western Sea Dragon Palace.
Bang!
The River and Mountain Scroll landed on the ground before being instantly put away by Hao Ren.
Zhao Yanzi, upon touching solid ground again, nearly collapsed from her legs going weak. Holding onto Hao Ren, she suddenly realized that her chest was pressed against his back, her face flushed red as she hurriedly pushed him away.
"Let's go in!" Hao Ren grabbed her right hand and started running.
Zhao Yanzi hadn't even caught her breath when Hao Ren pulled her to run. She felt furious; how could he treat his fiancée like this!
The entrance of the Beijing Olympic Basketball Arena has ticket inspectors and security personnel, and it seems that the game has already started.
Hao Ren snaps his right fingers, and a red barrier immediately envelops him and Zhao Yanzǐ. Now he is becoming more adept at using barriers.
He drags Zhao Yanzǐ into the entrance, and the ticket inspectors and security personnel feel only a gust of wind pass by without seeing anyone.
Bang! After entering through the passage to the audience seats, Hao Ren releases the barrier. He thus manages to sneak in smoothly inside the arena.
This stadium is built according to the latest standards; it’s splendidly lit and fully seated. It feels like being at an NBA basketball championship game.
Hao Ren looks up at the screen showing the score: Jinghua University 36, Donghai University 26.
He uses Spirit Energy to rush in but still misses half of the game.
"Ren! Ren!" Zhou Liren, who is sitting on the stands licking an ice pop, suddenly spots Hao Ren and waves his hand frantically.
His voice is loud enough to drown out the noisy music inside the stadium, causing nearby spectators to look at him sideways.
Hao Ren hurriedly drags Zhao Yanzǐ over. Zhao Yanzǐ rolls her eyes; she almost gets worn out by Hao Ren's efforts.
On this row of stands, nearly all the boys from their class are present. Zhou Liren, who is chewing on an ice pop and sees that Hao Ren has dragged along a little girl instead of Xie Yujia, is somewhat surprised.
"I couldn't reach you by phone for two days, but at least you've come," Zhou Liren says as he sizes up Zhao Yanzǐ beside Hao Ren.
He feels that this little girl seems familiar somewhere, yet can’t confirm right away. She looks somewhat like the brash one from before, but today's appearance is more demure—yet not quite like it either. "Is she your cousin" Zhou Liren finally asks Hao Ren.
"My fiancée!" Zhao Yanzǐ throws a white eye at Zhou Liren and then pulls Hao Ren into the walkway on the stands.
Seeing Zhao Yanzǐ's fierce look, Zhou Liren quickly shrinks back. Nevertheless, he’s now sure that this girl is the one who came to the school before to post notices looking for Hao Ren!
"How's the situation" asks Hao Ren as he prepares to come down.
"It's bad; Zhao Jiayin's side is playing too disorderly and is being completely suppressed by Jinghua University. And Jiayin is a bit nervous too," Zhou Liren answers, "Today’s game will be nationally televised live."
While speaking, he glances at Zhao Yanzǐ beside Hao Ren.
Zhao Yanzǐ takes deep breaths, her small chest rising and falling in annoyance. Seeing Zhou Liren looking at her, she immediately shoots him a fierce look.
No good, no good! This girl claims to be Hao Ren’s fiancée; poor Hao Ren will have a hard time ahead. Wait, could it be that something happened between them That's why she’s dragging Hao Ren around and claiming herself as his fiancée…
A myriad of thoughts suddenly surge in Zhou Liren’s mind.d softly and walked over to stand beside her, looking at the pile of sweet potatoes. "So what about sweet potatoes"“Roasted sweet potatoes!” Zhao Yanzi’s eyes sparkled. Occasionally outside her school...