Unfortunately, even if they know this secret, what use is it? The mark is on someone else’s body, and it’s not like the primitive Beast World where one’s clothes leave nothing to the imagination; how can you see it when someone is clothed?

Besides, people like Bi Yu are surely aware of the risks of exposing the mark and will go to great lengths to conceal it, making it not so easy to be discovered.

"Any lies and disguises cannot hide before the ’Eye of Peeping’!" Tian Xi casually plucked a strand of hair, which instantly transformed into a magnificent feather.

It was a blue and brown feather, covered in golden patterns that converged into a lifelike "eye" near the rounded end of the feather.

The eye was so vivid it seemed to be truly observing you, leaving no place for secrets to hide within one’s heart, sending chills down the spine.

Tian Xi looked at everyone’s astonished expressions and smiled smugly, "Hehe~ This feather is infused with my origin power, and it contains a superpower called ’Eye of Peeping’, which can see through disguises and reveal the truth... I’ll give it to you, sister-in-law. I believe you can definitely use it!"

Shen Tang found it amazing, "Have you always had this ability?"

Tian Xi shook her head, "Not exactly, this superpower is extremely rare and powerful. I only unexpectedly awakened it after my bloodline breakthrough to the Tenth Rank a while ago. It should be the bloodline power from my father’s side."

Tian Xi is of mixed heritage between the Golden Feathered Roc and the Spiritual Sparrow Clan.

Nowadays, the Spiritual Sparrow Clan has become an already declining Ancient Clan, with few members and generally low strength, but Tian Xi is clearly the lucky one, with extremely high talent!

Before fully awakening the ’Eye of Peeping’, she vaguely felt different from others since childhood, sometimes even hearing others’ thoughts.

Because of this ability, she could get along with anyone and always avoid danger.

Shen Tang was even more amazed after listening.

She remembered that there was a particularly rare and precious superpower called ’Mind Reading Technique’. Tian Xi’s superpower seemed similar, and it was truly impressive.

"Thank you, I do really need it." Shen Tang accepted the feather.

"No need to thank me, sister-in-law. I owe a lot to you this time, it’s just a small token of my appreciation."

Later, the topic shifted to the issue of the heir.

Originally, the competition rule was that whoever successfully awakened their bloodline would become the heir.

Unexpectedly, both of the Highnesses awakened, and both broke through to the Tenth Rank. It was an unfortunate event turned fortunate, completely exceeding everyone’s expectations.

Following past conventions, both Tian Chen and Tian Xi were excellent heirs, but with two tigers on the same mountain, one must be chosen.

The Sky King looked at the two children and suggested, "Do you want to have another competition?"

Tian Chen, however, spoke first, "I admit defeat, let the throne go to my third sister."

The Sky King was surprised, "Are you really willing to admit defeat just like that? Not going to fight for it anymore?"

Tian Chen looked indifferent, "I want to fight for it, but losing is losing! My third sister and I had a bet before, and I can’t go back on my word and bully her!"

The competition was one thing, but on the other hand, Tian Chen truly admired this sister.

He could see that Tian Xi’s talent surpassed his, making her more suitable to be the King.

This outcome, he acknowledges!

The matter of the heir was thus settled smoothly.

The Sky King formally drafted a decree, establishing the Third Princess, Tian Xi, as the heir to the throne.

Tian Xi invited Shen Tang to attend her enthronement ceremony.

Shen Tang, of course, gladly agreed.

This matter was thus settled, though naturally, there were those who were happy and others who were sad.

Tian Xi went to the Ritual Officer to prepare for the ceremony, only to run into someone hastily approaching.

"Xi’er."

Xing Ye tried to take her hand, but she dodged it.

Tian Xi looked at the tall and handsome young man before her, pursed her lips, and spoke coldly, "I’ve told you not to seek me out, yet you still come."

If it were before, Tian Xi might really have ended up marrying Xing Ye, but now as the next Sky King, it’s impossible to marry into another tribe, and the two are doomed to have no outcome.

They were destined but not fated to be together, and it has to end here.

Xing Ye felt very sad, wanting to say something, but the words wouldn’t come out.

Tian Xi just looked at him with disappointment, said nothing in the end, and turned to leave.

Xing Ye hesitated for a moment, clenched his fists, but followed along anyway.

...

It was late at night.

The dark blue sky was dotted with stars, and the clear, cold moonlight spilled down.

The Imperial Palace was built on a floating city-state, situated at a higher elevation, making the moon appear larger and rounder, and the starry sky even more dazzling. Occasionally, shooting stars could be seen streaking across, as beautiful as a painting.

The night view here was very beautiful. Lu Xiao took Shen Tang to a pavilion, the highest point of the entire Imperial Palace, which offered the best view.

The two lay side by side on the rooftop, nestled together, whispering warm words. Even the most mundane of trivial matters seemed serene and peaceful at this moment, allowing one to completely relax.

Over the years, Shen Tang had been mentally tense, and she greatly enjoyed this rare leisure.

The beautiful night, the cool evening breeze, and her partner’s gentle breathing and voice by her ear gradually relaxed her tense body.

"Tangtang, if you’re sleepy, just lean on me and sleep," Lu Xiao said softly.

Shen Tang shifted her body, leaned into his embrace, closed her eyes, but didn’t fall asleep.

Her mind was filled with thoughts again, "... Do you think those Deputies will stage a comeback?"

"In the short term, they probably won’t make any big moves," Lu Xiao gently combed through her long hair with his fingers, his voice in the night like a cello being slowly played, melodious and deep, "We’ve fought with them so many times, destroyed all major strongholds, countless Deputies have died or been injured, and I reckon they’re quite weakened internally."

Shen Tang mused, "The Yunding Empire is an important battlefield. They must have wagered all their remaining forces this time. The number of Deputies is limited, so they likely won’t launch a large-scale counterattack in the short term, but they can still send people through the Star Gate."

Lu Xiao nodded, "Yes, the key now is to find the location of the Star Gate. If we can completely destroy or seal the Star Gate, we can cut off teleportation between both sides."

Unfortunately, they still haven’t found where the Star Gate is.

Shen Tang initially thought the Star Gate might be in the sea area, but Jia Lan used the power of the Divine Hall and the Jialouluo to search for such a long time and found nothing. The Star Gate is probably hidden in a more concealed place.

Lu Xiao rubbed her head, "Don’t think too much, you need rest, the Monarch deserves a break too."

"Mm!" Shen Tang cast away her worries, lying in his embrace, continuing to enjoy this rare leisure.

Lu Xiao lowered his head and kissed her forehead, "Rest for a while, if the Female Master can’t sleep, shall I tell you some stories?"

Shen Tang lazily nodded, gently murmuring "Mm."

Lu Xiao then began to gently narrate, starting with bedtime stories and leading all the way to the recent history of the Empire.

"..." Shen Tang’s eyelids gradually grew heavy, a drowsy feeling arose in her body.

By the latter half of the night, the wind turned a bit cooler, and Lu Xiao planned to take her back to the palace to rest.

On the way back, they accidentally passed a small grove, from which faint sounds emerged.

"Who’s there?" Shen Tang jolted awake, thinking it was an assassin sneaking in, she immediately looked over.

The next second, her eyes widened, astonishment stretching across her face as if she’d stumbled upon a shocking secret.

Shen Tang swore she really wasn’t looking on purpose; she had merely glanced out of curiosity. Blame it on her eyesight and hearing being too good after entering the Primordial Beast Tier. Even from hundreds of meters away, she could clearly see a man and a woman in the grove passionately kissing, getting more and more intense.

And they were acquaintances!

Her face suddenly turned red.

The scene was too stimulating; she froze for a moment, forgetting to react.

Until darkness fell before her eyes.

Lu Xiao reached out to cover her eyes, helplessly saying, "Don’t look, it’s not nice to watch."

Don’t look, and don’t listen.

How could she look at other males...

Lu Xiao was a man of propriety and had no intention of disturbing them, holding her just as they were about to leave.

Shen Tang, however, held onto his hand, peeking over again, her face slightly flushed as she whispered, "That’s your sister... I didn’t expect Xing Ye and her..."

They thought the two had broken up but didn’t expect them to still be entangled, not sure whether to call it true love or a doomed affair!

Even without looking that way, they could still hear the occasional tantalizing sounds, making her face even redder. She felt awkward and at a loss, while an indescribable feeling also arose inside her due to those sounds.

Looking at the tall and handsome man in front of her, Shen Tang couldn’t help but swallow, feeling a flame ignite within her.

Under the moonlight, Lu Xiao’s bluish-gray eyes appeared deeper. He remained calm and composed, as if he heard nothing, but his voice was hoarse, "Third sister is already an adult; let her follow her heart, no need for us to intervene in such matters."

Shen Tang nodded awkwardly, "That’s true, disturbing them right now wouldn’t be appropriate..."

She suddenly didn’t know what to say, gulped, and hesitated to speak.

But the desire inside her grew stronger, she looked up at him, her cheeks blushing, her eyes filled with shyness, "Ah Xiao..."

Lu Xiao took a deep breath, tightly hugging her against him, his hot breath brushing against her ear, "Let’s go back first..."

Before Shen Tang could respond, Lu Xiao already picked her up in his arms, swiftly heading back to the palace.

As soon as they entered the room and closed the door, Lu Xiao pressed her against the wall, lowering his head to eagerly capture her lips!