It's been two months since Zhu Furong entered the Sunlight Sect. Things have gone quite smoothly with few hiccups here and there.

Surprisingly Hao Bo, the direct disciple of Elder Ma Wei of Artifacts and Array Pavilion, who threatened Zhu Furong for disrespecting him at the market by buying the monster core and blood essence with extravagant price, didn't look for trouble with Zhu Furong. On the contrary he tried his best to make friends with Zhu Furong. Even going as far as warning his juniors to not mess with Zhu Furong.

This surprised Zhu Furong, but upon further investigation, the cause was revealed. It was nothing special, everything was cleared from just a few words of Hao Bo. "I am the direct disciple of Elder Ma Wei. Everyone in the Bayang continent knows who is the best master in Artifacts refining." Hao Bo pulled out a Saber with a prideful look and showed Zhu Furong.

"Look at this saber, have you ever seen a saber so sharp?" He slashed the saber in the air. "It can chop Rank 6 spiritual beasts like butter. Hehe." He rested the saber on his shoulder while patting Zhu Furong's shoulder with a grin.

"Even though you are not in the Artifacts and Array Pavilion, I can still help you get something like this saber from my master. Oh, you won't even need my help. Hehe." He slapped Zhu Furong's back vigorously. "Haha all you need to do is become the direct disciple of Elder Ma Li in your pavilion." "With your talent you can surely do it can't you?" "I heard Elder Ma was impressed by you during the sect trials? What are you waiting for, this is your chance to make it big."

With a proud look he said. "The twin brothers, Ma Li and Ma Wei are the best teachers you can find in our continent. Heck! I will even say, on this whole planet!"

He slapped his own chest. "Look at me, even though I am in the Artifacts and Array Pavilion, my Cultivation has already reached the peak of Foundation Establishment rank at just the age of 20."

Everyone who heard his bootlicking and shameless boasting, spat secretly. Some who were not scared of offending Hao Bo even sneered at him.

Everyone thought the same thing at the moment. 'Humph! What's so special about reaching peak Foundation Establishment rank at 20 years of age? That's just average. Even if you are from Artifacts and Array Pavilion it's nothing special. The real deal starts at Core Formation rank. Form a golden core then we'll talk.'

Hao Bo shamelessly ignored them all. But still jeered at them. "Humph! Being talented in Cultivation and being talented in teaching someone are two different things. The one who is talented in Cultivating isn't necessarily also good at teaching others." He glanced at everyone. "Even though Elder Ma Wei is not good at Cultivation but look at me, he gave his everything for his disciple. Where will you find such a good teacher?"

Such touching speech, people should be clapping and shedding tears right now but here no one even blinked their eyes. Everyone stared at Hao Bo with still eyes.

A good-looking guy suddenly stepped forward from a corner. "Humph! Peak of Foundation Establishment rank but the foundation is weak. Shameless boasting." He remarked.

"Who." Hao Bo frowned and looked towards the direction of the voice.

"What? Wanna fight!" The good-looking guy threatened.

"Lin Kai!" Hao Bo shouted.

Lin Kai stood with his nose raised.

"Humph! Bastard! I will see you later." Hao Bo grunted.

"Hehe, why later? Why not see me now?" Lin Kai mocked.

"Humph!" Hao Bo didn't answer.

"Fuck! Ruining the mood." Hao Bao cussed.

"Junior Brother, I will see you later. I have some work to do." Saying this Hao Bo started to leave.

"Take care Senior Brother Hao." Zhu Furong politely saluted.

The show has ended. Everyone went their own ways. Though Zhu Furong felt a slight killing intent from behind. He turned back only to see Lin Kai smirking at him.

Confused, he scratched his head. "What did I do to him? Why show killing intent?"

"Maybe he is tired of living. Why not help him?" Zhu Xingzuo giggled.

Zhu Furong walked towards his room, shaking his head slightly. "Hah... Waste of time."

Far away walking, Hao Bo suddenly stopped. "Shit! I forgot to hear the reply from Junior Brother, if he would accept Elder Ma Li as his disciple or not. That fucking bastard Lin Kai..." He gnashed his teeth and went towards the Artifacts and Array Pavilion.

...

Two months have passed since Zhu Furong joined the Sunlight Sect. It's the season of fall and Zhu Furong's eleventh birthday.

Even though the person himself doesn't care and maybe doesn't even remember his own birthday, some people won't forget.

One of these people is obviously none other than Elder Sister Zhu Ling and our little princess Ming Lan.

On the day of Zhu Furong's birthday, nine-year-old Ming Lan cheerfully arrived at the Zhu manor, only to leave with a head hung down. She couldn't find the person she wanted to see so much.

It has been quite a few months since she last met Zhu Furong and no one had told her about the things that happened in the Zhu manor leading to the departure of Zhu Furong to the battle field to the west.

Ming Lan came to know all this after getting back home today. Second Prince Ming Zen had no choice but to explain everything to his little sister.

But unfortunately it only made things worse. Now it made Ming Lan worry about Zhu Furong's safety and she shed tears day and night wanting to meet him.

In Second Prince Ming Zen's room...

"I can understand your engagement to the young lady of Zhu family, since it was a promise between your father, the Emperor and his sworn brother Zhu Shi, Zhu Ling's father, but why do I have to sacrifice even my only daughter to that family. So hateful." The Empress expressed her anger and displeasure to Ming Zen.

"My Little Flower, she doesn't even eat her food on time and keeps crying from time to time." The Empress's eyes turned moist. "Just for a waste boy who doesn't even have the bloodline of the Zhu Family. That bastard Zhu Bohai, I will kill him." Clink!... The Empress broke the glass of wine she was holding in her hands.

"Ah mother!" Prince Ming Zen cried in alarm.

The Empress raised her hand. "What are you getting all flustered for, stop acting. Do you really think something like this can hurt me?"

She took several deep breaths. "She is only nine right now. Hope she forgets that bastard by the time she turns into an adult, else I will have to make her forget. I will never allow my girl to marry a waste who can't even Cultivate. I would rather kill him with my own hands than make my daughter ruin her future." The Empress raged.

"Er..." Ming Zen scratched his cheek not knowing what to say.

The Empress suddenly looked at Ming Zen with inquiry. "That little rat is at the western fort isn't he?" Cruelty flickered in her eyes.

"Mother!" Prince Ming Zen yelped.

"You can't." He spoke with a serious face.

"Humph! That depends." The Empress sneered.

She suddenly got an idea.

"Hehe, It depends on if you accept my arrangements or not?" She raised her brow.

Second Prince Ming Zen suddenly made a beautiful smile. He gently spoke. "Never gonna happen." He then turned around, ready to leave.

"You, why does no one listen to me? Just what spell did that witch cast on you to not even care about your mother?" The Empress yelled from behind.

Prince Ming Zen stopped. He turned back. "Ah, Who told you that I don't care about you? I care for my mother a lot, that's why I'm telling you, Zhu Ling is the best daughter-in-law you may ever ask for."

The Empress made a dissatisfied face. "No way! How can you compare a woman from the lower realms to a woman from the upper realms? The difference is day and night. Zhu Ling is never going to be a good choice for you! Your blind faith in her will harm you someday, I hope you can see the truth sooner."

"Love has nothing to do with realms. It's all about the heart. She is mine and I am hers." Second Prince Ming Zen spoke with a calm gentle tone with a slight smile on his face.

"Aargh! That's why I am asking you, what kind of spell did that little witch cast on you that you can't even see what's good and what is bad for you, sigh!" The Empress seemed lost and disappointed.

"You are asking me this?" Prince Ming Zen asked with surprise.

"Honor, prestige, position, you should only care about those in front of strangers, not in front of family."

"You, mother, who was from the upper realm married a man in the lower realm just for love. You even forsake the right to go back to the upper realm for the rest of your life. And you are telling me to betray the woman I love?" "This is quite ridiculous as well as astounding." Ming Zen questioned.

The Empress blushed with shame. "When did I say to betray her? I only asked you to not take her as your first wife and marry the daughter of the Elder as your first wife. You can just take Zhu Ling as your concubine can't you?" The Empress reasoned.

"If that isn't betrayal then what is? I promised Zhu Ling to love her from all of my heart and protect her all of my life. And now you want me to make a laughing stock out of her? So nice of you mother." Ming Zen jeered.

"Moreover, you yourself never let father take any more wives or concubines. For an Emperor these are privileges, are ways to show his power and influence."

"Father never complained, he stayed faithful to you, the woman he loves with all his heart. And you, mother, are asking your own son to do something so against his conscience?" Ming Zen questioned with rage.

"You... How can you talk to your mother like this? You-" The Empress stood up from the chair pointing her finger.

Ming Zen raised his hand forward. "You just want to use me to ease up your relationship with the sect don't you?" "Look for someone else." "I am not your only son right?" Ming Zen remarked.

"Yes, but out of my 7 sons you are the most talented. And without a talent on your level I can't garner the attention of the ancestors of the sect." The Empress came out clear.

"Well, in easy words, you want to sell your son to the sect." The Second Prince gave a calm smile. "No thanks. Look for someone else."

"I would die for my family, I would die for my loved ones, but I don't give a shit about others." Ming Zen brushed his hand.

"But they are our family Ming Zen." The Empress begged with moist eyes.

"The family which discarded my mother just because she followed her heart? A family which regards their honor more than their people? A family I have never even seen the face of?" "Again no thanks!" Ming Zen looked out the window. "This Ming Dynasty is more of a family to me than those nobodies."

The Empress opened her mouth to refute but stopped. She hung her head and sighed.

Prince Ming Zen looked at his mother, but couldn't say anything to console her. He too sighed and turned to leave.

"If I can't expect any help from you, I will... Even if I have to use my daughter..." The Empress murmured, biting her lips and shed a few drops of tears.

"Er..." The prince raised his head towards the ceiling and let out a heavy breath. "Don't act like a hypocrite , will you?" The Prince taunted in a low voice.

The Empress's lips twitched. She made an awkward face.

…

This mother and son duo are serious or joking, even I can't tell.

A family bonded with love, even though they have to share the hardships and their desires with their family, they can't ignore the fact that they love each other and care for each other. They may curse at each other, but next moment they will hug each other tightly.

That's the type of family this Ming family is. The Royal Family of the Ming Dynasty.

The Empress wants to act cruel, she wants to fulfill her wishes, but she can't bring herself to hurt the feelings of her loved ones. She can only convey her feelings this way at this moment.

…

Ming Zen took a step forward towards the door. "Mother, you said I am the most genius person you have ever seen in the world of Cultivation right?" Ming Zen asked.

"Core Formation rank at the age of 15, and a black core which can only be heard about in legends. I dare to say, there is no one like my child. You are a heavenly genius." The Empress declared proudly.

Prince Ming Zen didn't turn back, but from his body language it could be seen that he was touched by his mother's words.

"Thanks." He showed his gratitude to his mother and slowly walked to the door. But suddenly he stopped.

"Mother." He called without turning back.

"Yes." The Empress answered with a gentle smile.

"This heavenly genius will shave his head, if you can convince your daughter to not marry Zhu Furong." Saying this he left.

"Ah!" The Empress stood there with an open mouth.

'Given how persistent and overbearing your daughter is, it will be a miracle if you can convince her.' Ming Zen though while walking towards Ming Lan's room.

"Oof! That's another headache, how won't I know how hard it is to change my daughter's mind when it's set on something or someone. She totally went after her father, she does what she wants." The Empress massaged her temples with frustration leaving Ming Zen's room with her maids.

On the other side Second Prince Ming Zen walked to the yard of his little sister's residence. Just like other royal kids Princess Ming Lan also has her own private residence with a yard, pool and garden. There are thousands of beautiful flowers blooming in her garden just like the Million Flowers House. There are little koi fishes swimming in her garden. There are no tall trees but some ten feet ones which are bearing fruits.

Ming Zen entered the yard only to find his sister begging Zhu Ling to take her to the western fort or to call back Zhu Furong one time.

Zhu Ling on the other hand is trying everything in her power to coax the little girl and teaching her some other worldly things at the same time... Er... Well she is teaching her the ways of a domineering wife and how to keep her husband in check.

A very necessary knowledge to have as a wife. Probably.

Prince Ming Zen couldn't do anything in this matter. He has tried to intercept them before with considerable reasons and facts but only to end up being beaten up by the two devils.

Fingers were raised on his loyalty and devotion making Prince Ming Zen to never try this again.

'Women are scary...' A belief, Ming Zen will never forget in his whole life.

But looking at her sister right now, her small, cute face smeared with tears and snot, Prince Ming Zen couldn't help but feel sympathy.

He could help but make a sacrifice with a face full of hesitation. Well, at least it cooled down the situation for quite some time.

From the next day onwards, Princess Ming Lan could be seen in her garden playing with a small, white, fluffy fur ball. Upon closer look, one would realize that it's not some inanimate object but a living creature. It's a small tiger cub.

The day before, at the garden...

"It's a mutated Black Tiger cub. A mature Black Tiger is a Rank 6 spiritual beast, but-but this small mutated cub is already a Rank 6 spiritual beast." Ming Zen explained with a how to explain face after handing over a small white tiger cub to his depressed little sister. 

He pulled the tiger cub out of nowhere. Zhu Ling didn't ask to be considerate and Ming Lan didn't care, getting something interesting in her hands.

"Who cares? It's so cute." Zhu Ling snatched the cub from Ming Lan's hand and cuddled with it.

The small tiger cub is about a foot in size from tail to head. Have no stripes on his body whatsoever and have beautiful purple eyes. So cute.

"Ah Sister-in-law, return it. My Fluffy." Ming Lan jumped towards Zhu Ling to take the tiger cub back.

"Ah, what a nice name, fluffy-fluff, so fluffy, Fluffy. Just a little bit more Sister-in-law, let me cuddle with it just a bit more." Zhu Lin begged like a kid to a kid.

Ming Zen couldn't help but drool at how cute his woman looked. Though drooling is all a gentleman can do.

"Er... Little Sister you should form a Spiritual Bond with it." Ming Zen suggested.

Zhu Ling frowned upon hearing this. "Ming Zen, forming a spiritual bond with a spiritual beast is quite important. A bond will stay with you for your entire life, isn't it too haste to form a bond with a mutant beast from the lower realm? Is it strong? Didn't you say there are better beasts in the upper realm?"

"I did say that, but this is a special case. I can't go into much detail right now." Ming Zen pointed with his eyes here and there, saying there are ears everywhere. He whispered to Zhu Ling. "Just believe me that this is quite a powerful beast. If trained well it won't lose to those divine beasts of the legends." Ming Zen recommended.

Ming Zen sent a divine sense message to Zhu Ling. "It has the bloodline of White Tiger inside it."

After hearing this, all of Zhu Ling's doubts were cleared.

"When will I get one?" Zhu Ling asked cheekily.

Ming Zen instantly put his hands up in the air in surrender. "Let me find a tree where I can pluck one from."

Zhu Ling rolled her eyes. "Humph! She twisted her nose.

After that Ming Lan formed a Spiritual Bond with the white tiger cub who is named Fluffy. Also, Fluffy is a female.

Having Fluffy by her side, Ming Lan's mood recovered quite a bit. Though she is still worried about Zhu Furong, now she at least listened to the others.

Helpless, Little Princess could only prepare presents for Zhu Furong and pass it to Ming Zen to hold on to it.