Ou Yangming was dumbfounded, and his body shook when the wind blew.

'What logic is that? It was just a normal formality. When did I say I've been missing her a lot…

'But now that I think about it, it was only 2 days ago when I barged into Her Highness's carriage by mistake, right? Why did I say I haven't seen her for a long time when it has only been 2 days? I made it sound like I was very worried about her…'

Ou Yangming wanted very badly to slap himself. 'Why didn't I think with my brain before I spoke!'

He took a deep breath and changed the topic with a bitter smile. "Your Royal Highness, what other decree does His Majesty have?"

Wu Hanning answered sternly, "Father decreed that you stay in the capital before the Humans' disaster ends; you're not allowed to leave the city at all."

Ou Yangming's face changed, and his smile slowly disappeared. He soon looked so fierce that even his aura underwent a drastic change.

If he was a sword hidden in a scabbard before this, he was now a sharp sword, which had been pulled out of the scabbard and was unstoppable.

Wu Hanning tensed up and noted in a deep voice, "Ou Yangming, Father is doing this for your own good."

Ou Yangming responded proudly, "I'm grateful for His Majesty and Your Royal Highness, but… I'm not willing to be constrained here, so thanks but no thanks."

The princess's eyes gleamed as though she had a surge of emotions too.

"Are you still going to go back?"

"They're still waiting for me in Changlong County, so I must return!" Ou Yangming answered without any hesitation.

"Honestly, when Father gave the order, I knew you wouldn't agree to it no matter what." Wu Hanning slowly looked up and asked coldly, "Since you were reluctant from the start, why did you barge into my carriage that night?"

Ou Yangming was stunned, and his momentum reduced. He forced a smile and explained, "Didn't I say it was a misunderstanding…" He eventually lowered his voice because he knew the reason was quite far-fetched.

Wu Hanning sneered. "A misunderstanding? Who did you think I was?"

The young fellow was lost for words. As dumb as he could be, he could not mention Bai Shixue's name.

Nonetheless, Wu Hanning seemed to have figured it out long ago, so she asked, "Is Bai Shixue that much better than me?"

Ou Yangming gasped. For some reason, the young fellow felt like his action was inexcusable, but when he was faced with the princess's hostile look, he finally stomped his feet and said, "Your Highness, you really misunderstood the situation. I only have one person in my heart."

"You'd rather face the immense forest's disaster than stay in the capital because of her, am I right?"

This time, Ou Yangming no longer hesitated. He uttered loudly, "Yes!"

Wu Hanning's eyes were bright as she said, "Look."

The scarf on her face fell by a breeze.

Once the black scarf slid off her face, a beautiful and stunning face was revealed.

Ou Yangming's eyes lit up right away because he never imagined such a pretty face to exist in this world.

Apart from a rosy complexion, the princess had skin as smooth as silk and as moist as jade, making it look so tender that water would surface if it was pinched. Below her long and thin eyebrows, which were similar to crescents or willow leaves, big and shiny eyes were seen.

It would not be an exaggeration to describe those eyes with any language. Paired with the captivating face, she looked like a starry night, which was full of temptations, causing one to be deeply intoxicated.

Bai Shixue could easily attract attention because she possessed the Body of Charm, but Wu Hanning had an indescribable noble aura like a valley of orchids. Moreover, the princess's beauty was definitely flawless. Whether it was Ni Yinghong or Bai Shixue, they would lose their colors in front of Wu Hanning.

The capital's first beauty.

At this point, even Ou Yangming had to admit that Wu Hanning deserved the title even if she was not Her Royal Highness.

Ou Yangming twitched his mouth and slowly looked away without flinching at all though it was hard.

Wu Hanning looked gloomy and asked softly, "Can't you stay for me?"

Given that she was a proud person, being able to say that was her limit.

Ou Yangming took a deep breath and finally calmed his eager mind completely. He questioned, "Your Highness, we've only met a few times, so why are you doing this?"

"Because you're valued by the elder, and he hopes you'll go beyond Heaven with me!" Wu Hanning answered without any hesitation. Her eyes looked fervent as she continued, "Ever since I learnt there's a more powerful world out there, I swore I'd make my way out, and you'll be leaving with me!"

Ou Yangming was startled. He asked in shock while he looked at the unperturbed Wu Hanning, "Just because of that?"

"Yes. You're the most promising male candidate from this world to go beyond Heaven, and I'll do everything I can to strive for it!" Wu Hanning responded coldly.

The young fellow stammered as he had mixed feelings; he did not know if he should be happy or sad about it.

It turned out that Her Highness could not hold back anymore not because he was incredibly charming. The composed and far-sighted princess had only become unreserved after analyzing that he was the most suitable candidate.

In other words, if someone else had greater potential and was more likely to get out of this world, perhaps Wu Hanning would throw herself in that person's arms instead.

Wu Hanning remarked coldly as if she had perceived Ou Yangming's thoughts, "Ou Yangming, what nonsense are you thinking about? You might be shameless, but the Wu family isn't!"

"You're the one who's thinking about nonsense!" Ou Yangming almost could not catch his breath, and he glared hatefully at Wu Hanning. Nevertheless, he secretly felt better because the princess meant that she would not abandon the person she set her mind on even if there was a better option.

It was her promise, as well as the guarantee of the Wu family's reputation.

'But is there a more powerful candidate than me in this world to go beyond Heaven?'

Ou Yangming was suddenly reminded of the cultivator whom Zuoqiu Hongyuan admired and praised.

Although he had not met that person, he had a hunch that the person would probably be his strongest opponent in the future.

"Ou Yangming, can you?" Wu Hanning spoke gently.

Countless thoughts crossed Ou Yangming's mind at that instant. The young fellow, if he agreed, not only would he be blessed with the beautiful and lovely princess, but the imperial family would also spare no effort in making him qualified and competent enough to break through this world.

Despite that, it was not the imperial family that lingered in the depth of his mind, but his experiences in Changlong County.

Ou Yangming was adopted by Old Craftsman and began to learn smithing art.

He encountered the Ni family's siblings, got acquainted with them, became friends with them, and shared his thoughts with them. They came so far and walked every step together, leaving unerasable and irreplaceable memories in his heart.

Eventually, the faces of Old Craftsman and Ni Yinghong alternated in his mind and filled his heart, to the extent that there was no room for anyone else.

Unknowingly, a cheerful and warm smile was seen on Ou Yangming's face.

The instant the smile appeared, Wu Hanning was dejected because Ou Yangming's choice was already known.

Sure enough, Ou Yangming later looked up and apologized to her, "Your Highness, I'm sorry."

The young fellow felt extremely burdened before he expressed his regret, but he realized that he felt more relieved after saying sorry. It was as though his baggage were removed, and he could go to war without any worries.

Wu Hanning looked deeply at Ou Yangming. His bright eyes, which looked apologetic but was pure, seemed to have plucked her heartstrings at that moment.

She gently brushed her hand across her face to cover her pretty face with the black scarf again.

"Let's go back, lest we make them worried." Wu Hanning turned around. Before her voice was completely gone, she fluttered away, leaving her endless sorrows for Ou Yangming.

Ou Yangming took a deep breath. Regardless of the reason, Wu Hanning was willing to be with him, which was a normal man's desire.

That said, he had rejected the princess. It was impossible that he did not lament about it at all, but he did not regret his decision.

This was because deep down there was an incomparable graceful figure in his heart.

Whether it was Bai Shixue, who had the Body of Charm, or Wu Hanning, the princess and the capital's first beauty, they were nothing but passersby in his life.

Ou Yangming shook his head and flashed down the mountain. Before he was fully prepared, he figured that it was best not to provoke the imperial family.

Just as he left the mountain and was hurrying back to the capital, he was suddenly alerted. When the young fellow fixed his gaze in the distance, he vaguely noticed a figure and sensed a formidable aura.

It was Wu Hongliang, one of the Five Imperial Elders. The powerful Supreme Great Ancestor was following him from afar.

'He was protecting her but was also supervising us, wasn't he?'

All of a sudden, Ou Yangming could feel the imperial family's determination.

He stood on the spot and stared at Wu Hongliang with his fiery eyes. Even though they were far apart, their willpower seemed to have transcended space, and they were in a deadlock.

Similar to two quiet giants, neither of them was willing to take a step back.