Chapter 1269: The Draconians' Founding Ceremony

Zhang Lie hesitated for a moment, then shook his head.

"I think we had better wait."

Zhang Lie wasn't unwilling to marry Li Qianlin, but he didn't know if he should.

He did like her very much, and had done so even in his past life. He wanted to make up for his past life's regrets, but he would have to leave the third realm sooner or later. Once he did so, what would happen to Li Qianlin?

Li Zongming sounded vexed. "How long are you going to make my daughter wait?"

Li Qianlin stood up. "That's enough, Father!"

Li Zongming turned to his daughter, closing his mouth.

Li Qianlin's face turned dark. "I'm tired, and I'll be leaving early."

Zhang Lie chased after him. "Qianlin, I don't mean to hurt you! It's simply that—"

Li Qianlin cut in. "That's enough. I know what you mean, and there's no need to explain. I really am tired, and I'd like to head back first."

The founding of the Zongming kingdom was supposed to be the most joyous day of his time with Li Qianlin, but Zhang Lie couldn't muster up any joy.

Ever since then, Li Qianlin had hid herself in her room, hiding from Zhang Lie and refusing to see him.

Zhang Lie was trying to restrain himself, but he had already kicked down her door twice, and Li Qianlin had had to get it replaced both times.

This time, Zhang Lie didn't have the courage to keep kicking down her door. He knocked a few times, but Li Qianlin didn't respond. Zhang Lie felt weak and helpless, even more so than he was when he faced the superior kings of antiquity.

Dong Mingxing sidled over. "Someone's made my Qianlin mad..."

Upon seeing a familiar face, Zhang Lie's face suddenly lightened up.

"It's been a while."

Dong Mingxing laughed. "How in the world did you end up angering Qianlin? Tell me everything frankly, and I'll see if I can help."

Zhang Lie was, for a moment, at a loss for words.

Dong Mingxing sighed. "I really don't understand the two of you. You love each other and think of each other daily, but why won't you take that last step? Forget it—leave for a few days for now. Qianlin's probably still angry, and she doesn't want to see you at the moment. Give her a few days' time for her to be in a better mood by the time you return.

"I certainly hope so."

Zhang Lie was very dejected, but he suddenly noticed the sharp glance Dong Mingxing was giving him.

Quickly understanding what it implied, he shouted into the room, "Qianlin, I'll be leaving for a few days for the draconians' founding ceremony!"

Dong Mingxing's eyes lit up. "The draconians' founding ceremony? I'd love to go!"

Zhang Lie seemed rather surprised. "You do?"

Dong Mingxing rolled her eyes. "Don't forget that I lived in the draconian world with Qianlin for some time, and I've made quite a few friends in the meantime. I get along pretty well with Sun Mengmeng and the others, too."

"I don't mind bringing you along, but what about Qianlin?"

Dong Mingxing shrugged. "Qianlin's issue isn't something that will be resolved so quickly. You'll have to wait for her anger to abate anyway, so why don't we head to the draconians' founding ceremony for now? Send me back later and I'll slowly persuade her to talk to you again."

Zhang Lie pretended to hesitate. "That wouldn't be good, would it? I'm afraid that, by that point, Qianlin would be mad at both of us."

Dong Mingxing clutched Zhang Lie's hand.

"What's wrong with it? After all, I was a guest in the draconian world for quite some time. It would be rude to miss the draconian kingdom's founding ceremony."

"That seems reasonable."

Dong Mingxing's voice carried into the room. "And wouldn't it be flattering for you to bring a beauty like me to the draconians' founding ceremony?"

Li Qianlin, clearly having overheard their conversation, slammed a palm on the wall.

Dong Mingxing and Zhang Lie glanced in the direction of the commotion, then smiled at each other. Both of them were trying to stifle their laughter.

Zhang Lie continued intentionally shouting to Li Qianlin, "The draconian sage has always cared for us humans, and the draconian world was where human hunters gathered. To repay the sage's assistance, I have to attend!"

Dong Mingxing feigned displeasure. "Is there a need to say so much? Let's set off. It looks like Qianlin doesn't want to attend—isn't it better if the two of us go together?"

"That's true. After all, Dong Mingxing, you look as beautiful as Qianlin. It wouldn't matter to me whether I were bringing you or her."

"Come on, let's go, let's go!" Dong Mingxing tugged Zhang Lie with her.

Zhang Lie shouted, "I'm leaving now, Qianlin! I'll bring Dong Mingxing back in a few days, and she can tell you all about the splendor of the draconians' founding ceremony then!"

Dong Mingxing and Zhang Lie strode forward rapidly, stomping hard on the ground so Li Qianlin could hear them.

Suddenly, the doors to Li Qianlin's room opened up. Li Qianlin walked out, her expression frosty.

Zhang Lie cried out, "Qianlin, you're willing to talk to me now?"

Li Qianlin's voice was arch. "Aren't you going to the draconian kingdom?"

Zhang Lie hurriedly called out, "Qianlin, listen to me! Without you, I don't actually want to attend the draconians' founding ceremony—"

Li Qianlin squeezed in between Dong Mingxing and Zhang Lie. She interjected, "Let's set off, then."

Zhang Lie didn't know how to react. After waiting for a moment, Li Qianlin whirled around. "If we're not setting off, I'm going back inside."

"We'll set off, immediately, right away!"

Zhang Lie shattered space and brought them to the draconian kingdom.

By then, the draconian kingdom had undergone a massive redecoration. The entire kingdom seemed to be festooned with lanterns; because of the influence of humanity, particularly Chinese culture, the decorations were largely Chinese in origin.

Zhang Lie and the two women went around sampling all sorts of snacks and food, but Dong Mingxing could sense the awkward atmosphere around the two of them.

She could still engage in conversation with Li Qianlin and Zhang Lie independently, and everyone liked to talk about food—but the moment the conversation changed to matters between them, tension descended.

Zhang Lie at least made overtures to discuss the conflict between them, but Li Qianlin refused to speak of the matter entirely.

In the end, Zhang Lie, ever prideful, dropped the matter after being rebuffed multiple times. Dong Mingxing, trapped between the fighting couple, found herself feeling very uncomfortable indeed.

After they all had fun touring the draconian kingdom and saw a group of people gathered by a field dancing, Dong Mingxing suggested, "Why don't we all go dance together?"

Zhang Lie shook his head. "Let's meet up with everyone first."

Zhang Lie closed his eyes and sensed the whereabouts of the members of Team Zenith via their auras.

Just then, the members of Team Zenith were dining together.

Dong Mingxing seemed elated to see them. "You're all here, too?"

Sun Mengmeng replied, "We're old acquaintances of the draconian sage, after all, and the draconian world has been the base for human hunters from the beginning. It's natural for us to be here, I hope."

The members of Team Zenith were well acquainted with Li Qianlin and Dong Mingxing, and they quickly started chatting in earnest.