Sophie Shang Has Been Released

"So, Jun Lionhead and Chloe Zhu coming here as master and apprentice is just perfect! Heaven must be helping me!" Leon Young said with high spirits. "Give me at most half a year, and I'll definitely reach level eighteen!"

"Understood." The attendant nodded. "By the way, it's been ages since we saw Lord Gun. I wonder where he went?"

Leon Young frowned. "Send someone to look for him everywhere."

......

After Bianca Whiteshire was sent back to the Eastern Luo Empire, the royal family invited a bunch of Spiritual Alchemists to cure the Dragon Scales Curse on her face.

But ordinary Alchemists couldn't possibly cure her.

And the high-level Alchemists all knew she'd angered Crown Prince Evan Xiao, so none of them dared to treat her.

Watching their once stunning beauty turn into a monster, the Eastern Luo Emperor and Empress were worried sick.

They originally wanted to chop Chloe Zhu into pieces, but Bianca Whitefan (Shannon) persuaded them, saying the real issue was with Crown Prince Evan Xiao. If he relented, someone would surely cure Bianca Whiteshire.

Besides, Chloe Zhu was untouchable.

So, the Eastern Luo Empress went to Drake Abyss and, after much effort, managed to get an audience with the Celestial Empress.

Empress Wendy respectfully presented a dazzling pearl in both hands.

The Celestial Empress took it, puzzled. "Is this... a Tribulation Pearl?"

"It's a Tribulation Pearl forged from the divine essence of our Origin Dragon Clan. It can reduce the damage from lightning during a breakthrough," Empress Wendy explained. "Bianca Whiteshire, that silly child, started refining this pearl at age ten, using her own essence every year for a hundred years, just to offer it to Crown Prince Evan Xiao! Because of this, her cultivation and health have suffered greatly...

The Celestial Empress looked at the Tribulation Pearl in her hand, visibly moved. "This child really has heart."

Empress Wendy dabbed her tears with a handkerchief. "Bianca Whiteshire has adored Crown Prince Evan Xiao since she was little. All she's ever wanted is to marry him.

Back at Blaze Summit, she clashed with Chloe Zhu, but it was just childish jealousy. She never really meant to hurt her—just said a few scary things, that's all!

Who would've thought Crown Prince Evan Xiao would get so furious! Now not a single Alchemist dares treat Bianca Whiteshire. Please, Celestial Empress, for the sake of Bianca's devotion to the Crown Prince, save my poor girl!

"Wait, what are you talking about? I don't get it," the Celestial Empress asked. "Who is Chloe Zhu? And why did Evan get so mad over her?"

Empress Wendy was surprised. "So, you don't know her yet?"

The Celestial Empress shook her head.

"Well..." Empress Wendy hesitated, afraid of upsetting the Crown Prince.

"Go ahead and say it!" The Celestial Empress frowned.

Empress Wendy: "She's... a woman the Crown Prince met while traveling in disguise..."

......

Also in the hall with the Celestial Empress was Vivian Xiao.

After hearing Empress Wendy's story, Vivian Xiao went to find Sophie Shang, who had just been released.

"Is what you said true?" Sophie Shang's face darkened.

"Yeah." Vivian Xiao nodded. "Didn't my brother get hit with a Hex Worm? So how did he end up hurting several princesses over her?"

Sophie Shang took a deep breath. "Clearly... love hexes are truly mysterious. Impossible to break."

Vivian Xiao sighed and nodded.

"Princess, thank you for coming to tell me this personally."

Vivian Xiao took Sophie Shang's hand. "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be here anymore. In my heart, you'll always be my sister-in-law!"

Sophie Shang smiled.

But still, I wonder who put the Hex Worm on my brother... Sophie, do you know?

Sophie Shang shook her head. "I was locked up at the time—how could I possibly know?"