Some People Are Not Worth a Flower

"It's just a few flowers, isn't it? What's the big deal?" Jason Xiao said. "Qilin Divine Lord Soren, you'd better make her let Jenna go, and fast!"

"It's just a consort, isn't it? What's the big deal?" Soren Lann replied, "Second Prince, you'd best not worry about her. High God Quentin is searching for you everywhere—says it's time for your demonic-qi cleansing!"

"You—" Jason Xiao was furious, but since he needed treatment and Soren Lann was, after all, the Qilin Divine Lord, he swallowed his anger and forced a smile. "Divine Lord, you really do joke. How can people and flowers be compared?"

Soren Lann smiled as well and said, "Depends on the situation. Some people aren't even worth a flower."

"Ah! Your Highness! Save me!" Jenna Summers wailed, sobbing.

Lucy Luan finally let go of her, then bowed to Soren Lann. "Greetings, Divine Lord."

"Senior Sister, no need to bow to me," Soren Lann said, helping her up. "I ran into a Shouldn't-Have Bird on my way out today, you know? They just squawk 'Shouldn't!' 'Shouldn't!' at everyone. They say if you see one, you'll run into something you really shouldn't! And wouldn't you know—it came true... The one who shouldn't be bowing is bowing to me, and the one who should be bowing isn't!"

Lucy glanced at Jason Xiao and Jenna Summers and gave a faint, reserved smile.

Jason Xiao took a deep breath, gave Soren Lann a perfunctory bow, and said, "I'll take my leave!"

Soren Lann nodded.

Jenna Summers clutched her hand, her face twisted with pain. "Qilin Divine Lord Soren, you really do treat Lucy Luan just as well as ever! But I wonder—do you even dare to marry her?"

Soren Lann looked at her but said nothing.

"Ha! Nothing to say now?" Jenna Summers sneered. "Funny, isn't it—how the most sought-after Divine Lady suddenly has no takers! Lucy Luan, maybe you should lower your standards. If you can't find anyone, just settle for a Demon Beast or some half-sentient little妖. Otherwise, I'm afraid you'll never get married!"

"My Lady Consort, you sure do worry about a lot!" Soren Lann said. "If I were you, I'd worry less about others and more about myself. Try to have a healthy heir soon."

"You—"

"Enough! Let's go!" Jason Xiao cut her off and dragged her down the mountain.

"Second Prince!" Soren Lann called out again.

Jason Xiao turned back.

"Just a word of advice: these Elder Mountains of the Spirit Alliance—there may not be any Spirit Barriers, but you'd better not go wandering. If someone's brewing poison and you happen to inhale the fumes, well... dying like that would be awfully unjust, don't you think?"

Jason Xiao didn't answer and strode away.

Lucy Luan let out a sigh and shook her head. "Divine Lord, what brings you here?"

"Ryan and Luna aren’t around, so I worried you’d be bored," Soren Lann said. "So I made time to keep you company!"

Lucy looked at him. "Divine Lord, you’re the ruler of the Lumina Realm now—your schedule must be packed—"

"Nothing is more important than you!" Soren Lann interrupted.

Lucy was silent for a moment. "You shouldn’t come looking for me anymore."

Soren Lann blinked. "Why?"

"You know why. I’m Bianca Whitefan’s daughter. Anyone who gets too close to me ends up the target of gossip."

"Let them talk!" Soren Lann said. "I don’t care in the slightest!"

"I’m worried the Qilin Queen Dowager will be concerned for you," Lucy added.

"Impossible! Don’t let your mind wander," Soren Lann said. "Come on, let’s go inside. Tell me—what elixir are you refining?"

Lucy was about to answer when her Messenger Charm lit up.

It was Sean Shaw.