Ji Shiyou's meticulously prepared marriage proposal was interrupted by Ren Jian, who shamelessly tried to assert dominance.
This enraged Ji Shiyou. He swung his Zi Jin Hammer in a wide arc, aiming directly for Ren Jian's head.
The last time Ji Shiyou had sent Ren Jian flying, he had held back, striking Ren Jian's backside with the Zi Jin Hammer.
This time, aiming for the head, he clearly intended to end Ren Jian's life, leaving no room for mercy.
Fueled by his abilities, the Zi Jin Hammer whistled through the air, instantly descending towards Ren Jian's head.
But it missed. Ren Jian's body moved with the agility of a leopard, darting twenty feet away in an instant, the Zi Jin Hammer falling short.
"A fall teaches a lesson; one doesn't stumble in the same place twice.
I've been wary of you for ages. All you know is sneak attacks, you have no class, and you're utterly unworthy of Queen Mingyue.
Today, we'll settle this with a martial contest, a true battle of strength. Let's fight it out and determine a winner.
Whoever wins becomes the primary husband. Do you dare?
I want to prove that in terms of strength and wealth, I am Queen Mingyue's ideal match."
Ren Jian kicked off his slippers, transformed, and taunted Ji Shiyou.
"Afraid of you? Today, it's either you or me. One of us must die."
Ji Shiyou had lost all reason, blinded by Ren Jian's provocation. He completely disregarded Ren Jian's higher ability level and, brandishing his Zi Jin Hammer, charged forward.
"Enough! All of you, stop! Ren Jian, you've gone too far.
When did I ever agree to marry you? Ji Shiyou is my boyfriend.
He doesn't need to compete with anyone because he's the one I've chosen. You're unilaterally proposing a martial contest.
Fine, then let's have a spar. Let's see if you're worthy of marrying me. Do you have the confidence?
I thought you were just a bit boisterous, but now I see you're ungrateful and arrogant.
If I had known, I shouldn't have saved you. Letting you die would have saved me trouble.
However, since I did save you, it won't be for free. Just as Ji Shiyou said, a consultation fee is required.
Consider this oil your payment for the consultation, and I'll accept it.
Leave Yunmeng Mountain immediately, or don't blame me for being impolite!"
Watching the farce unfold, Mingyue felt impatient. She hadn't expected Ren Jian to be so persistent.
She didn't want Ji Shiyou to get overly angry over this nuisance, so she reached out and grabbed Ji Shiyou, her face cold as she spoke to Ren Jian.
Then, with a gesture, the hundreds of oil tanks on the ground vanished, absorbed into her spatial storage.
Seeing Mingyue fiercely protecting her husband, the previously agitated Ji Shiyou immediately calmed down, becoming as docile as a kitten.
With a wife like this, what more could a man ask for? His Mingyue was truly formidable.
He mused that he should tell Zhao Wumian these words again when the opportunity arose.
"Queen, you've wounded my heart. Is it wrong for me to like you?
Why must you be so blunt? A beautiful woman is sought by a gentleman.
You're unmarried, and I'm unattached. Why can't you give me a chance?"
Mingyue had made her stance clear, yet Ren Jian continued to stare at her, a look of provocation on his face. He acted like a jilted lover.
His sturdy body contorted into a pose of exaggerated distress, and he wailed dramatically into the air.
"Well said! A beautiful woman is sought by a gentleman. Why deny us admirers a chance?
Zhao Mou is here to join the fun today. I've come to Yunmeng Mountain specifically to propose marriage to City Lord Mingyue."
Just as Mingyue was about to take action and drive away the bothersome Ren Jian, a voice rang out.
Looking up, she saw Zhao Wumian, leading over a dozen ability users from Qinglong Base, walking towards them.
"Zhao Wumian, why are you interfering? This is our family matter. What business do you have as an outsider?"
Hearing that Zhao Wumian had come to Yunmeng Mountain to propose and also wanted to marry Mingyue, Ren Jian felt a surge of crisis.
He darted in front of Zhao Wumian, spreading his arms to block him.
"Your family matter? I just heard it. Mingyue has clearly rejected you.
If you align with me, you still have a chance. If you block me and prevent me from passing, you'll have no chance at all."
Zhao Wumian wasn't angered by Ren Jian's actions; he spoke with a gentle smile.
Ren Jian paused for a few seconds, seemingly considering it seriously, then stepped aside, clearing the path.
"Zhao Wumian, you also wish to marry me?"
Seeing Zhao Wumian appear, Mingyue exchanged a look with Ji Shiyou and asked.
Her expression was unreadable, a faint smile playing on her lips. Ji Shiyou, beside her, didn't erupt in anger as he had before.
"Yes. The last time at the trade fair, I met City Lord Mingyue for the first time. Zhao Mou was in awe of your divine presence and fell in love at first sight.
I had already asked Deputy City Lord Ji to convey my admiration. I wonder if Mingyue received my message.
You are a remarkable woman of the apocalypse, and Zhao Mou is a prominent figure in his own right. We are well-matched, a union destined by heaven.
If we were to form an alliance, Mingyue Base and Qinglong Base would become one, and we two would undoubtedly become the rulers of this apocalypse."
Compared to Ren Jian's unreasonable demands and tantrums, Zhao Wumian was polite and eloquent.
He spoke of personal admiration and base development, covering both micro and macro aspects, making the contrast stark.
"Hypocrite, pretentious show-off!"
Seeing Zhao Wumian's refined, courteous, and gentlemanly demeanor, Ren Jian cursed him inwardly.
"Mr. Zhao, since you've come to propose, have you brought betrothal gifts?
Remember, Ren Jian offered the entire fortune of Baihu Base. Can you offer me Qinglong Base?"
Mingyue didn't seem to object to Zhao Wumian's proposal and even inquired about the betrothal gifts with great interest, which deeply hurt Ren Jian.
Why was the treatment for the same matter so different?
He was met with threats of violence, while Zhao Wumian was treated with kindness. It was unfair.
The two were not so different. Both were rulers of their bases, and both had reached the maximum ability level of ten.
Why didn't he receive such treatment? Ren Jian looked dejected, as if he had suffered an immense injustice.
"I apologize, but Qinglong Base is not Zhao Mou's private property.
It belongs to all the people of Qinglong Base. Zhao Mou cannot give it away for his own personal desires."
After Zhao Wumian spoke, Ren Jian's eyebrows shot up. He knew Zhao Wumian couldn't compare to him.
A pretty boy with ill intentions, only good at talking his way through things, trying to get something for nothing. Mingyue would never agree.
"However, the betrothal gifts I've prepared are, in my opinion, no less valuable than Baihu Base, perhaps even more so."
Seeing the disdain on Ren Jian's face, Zhao Wumian smiled and continued.
"Bragging. I brought thousands of tons of oil. What can you possibly compare to that?"
Ren Jian scoffed at Zhao Wumian's words, believing he was boasting.
"I am curious and would like to see it."
Zhao Wumian and his subordinates were empty-handed, so the betrothal gifts must be stored in their spatial abilities. Mingyue showed great interest, wanting to see them.
"Of course. This was prepared specifically to give to you."
Seeing Mingyue's interest, Zhao Wumian smiled and extended his right hand.
A palm-sized golden palace appeared in his palm.
"I like this very much. Why don't we go up the mountain, Mr. Zhao, and you can introduce this treasure to me in detail?"
Upon seeing the palace appear, Mingyue's eyes widened, and she immediately invited Zhao Wumian up the mountain, into the endless sea of clouds.
Ren Jian was stunned, crying out in his heart, "Why?"