The famous prince of the ghost palace

The Temple of Shadows:

Helian Weiwei raised her eyebrows, recognizing the familiar figure from her memories. He was the extraordinary individual of the War Dragon Empire, the first martial arts prodigy to break through the tenth order of martial qi a decade ago—the renowned third prince of the dynasty with an immense future ahead. However, a tragic fire in the palace extinguished his martial energy, marking the Ghost Festival of the lunar calendar's seventh month as the day he gained the title "Ghost Temple."

Since then, he secluded himself within the palace, like a lethargic spirit, never stepping foot outside. People yearned to approach him, knowing that those guided by him would swiftly advance their martial qi and progress to the next level. Yet, beneath their longing lay a deep fear that deterred them from getting close.

"Duh!"

"Da..."

The deliberate sound of footsteps drew closer, calm and rhythmic.

Helian Weiwei observed Helian Mei beside her, who let out a disdainful snort.

When she lifted her gaze, a slender man emerged at the end of the riverbank. His face bore a pallid complexion, exuding a jade-like temperament. Without uttering a word, his quiet nobility overwhelmed everyone present.

His intricately designed shirt epitomized elegance, every detail reaching the pinnacle of refinement. The billowing sleeves cascaded like a gentle breeze as he walked.

As he approached and came to a halt, the vibrant red garments starkly contrasted against his fair neck. His phoenix eyes, concealed beneath the mask, emitted a cold and dazzling glare, as if seeking to suppress all brightness.

Perhaps, it wasn't just his eyes.

The ascetic aura emanating from his entire being was impossible to ignore.

Ever since his arrival, everything surrounding him paled and ceased to exist.

"Wei Chen wasn't aware of Your Highness's arrival; my apologies for not welcoming you earlier." Helian Guangyao stepped forward, displaying impatience as he hastily bowed.

The women from the family, standing by his side, also offered their greetings with lowered heads, occasionally glancing at Baili Jia Jue. Their eyes contained a mix of shyness and curiosity.

Unsure of how long he had been present or how much he had overheard, Helian Guangyao attempted to speak again: "Your Highness..."

"What does the exterior of the main temple look like?" Baili Jia Jue disregarded Helian Guangyao, leisurely surveying everyone present before uttering a casual question.

His voice possessed a frigid emptiness, fine and low like a musical instrument, but failed to conceal the intermittent hints of danger.

Confusion swept across the faces of those present as they exchanged glances, struggling to comprehend the meaning behind his words.

A momentary silence hung in the air.

Helian Guangyao reluctantly rose to defuse the situation: "Your Highness, please forgive me. We have a considerable number of people here. How about we continue this discussion in the study?"

Baili Jia Jue elegantly played with the silver knife in his hand. "Why inquire about the exterior of the main temple? Perhaps Lord Helian's hearing isn't as sharp as it used to be."

Everyone froze in their positions.

"How?" The silver knife pointed towards Helian Mei, her tear-stained face still damp.

Helian Mei trembled with fear and swiftly knelt on the ground, stammering, "Y-Your Highness, please... spare my life..."

Baili Jia Jue didn't spare her a glance, his indifferent gaze sweeping past the sinking fish and falling geese. Just as everyone thought he was departing...

Baili Jia Jue suddenly stopped in front of Helian Weiwei!

Standing under the sun, he raised his head, his dark pupils flat and rebellious, directly meeting Helian Weiwei's eyes. "What do you think?"

"Miss..." Aunt Mei anxiously tugged at Helian Weiwei's sleeve, afraid that her impulsive words would offend this formidable man.

Unperturbed, Helian Weiwei smiled faintly, raising an eyebrow. "Not bad, it's quite cozy to wear."

"Really?" Baili Jia Jue nonchalantly inquired, unexpectedly pinching Helian Weiwei's chin. He examined her dusky complexion, his voice carrying a dangerous undertone. "You're not bad."

The room erupted in commotion, especially Helian Jiao'er, who stood to the side. Her hands clenched tightly, eyes brimming with vicious jealousy.

Helian Weiwei arched her eyebrows. To be fair, the man before her exuded a charm that enticed women in his every movement and posture. However, the only question remained: his object of flirtation was her!

Unfazed, Helian Weiwei stood her ground, devoid of any timidity. She matched his actions, mimicking the man's posture while pinching his chin even more wickedly. With laziness in her voice, she retorted, "You still have some room for improvement." Damn it, this silver mask feels hard and cold in my hand. It's no fun at all. How does he manage to wear it all day? Either he's terribly unattractive or obsessed with cleanliness.

As she slandered him in her thoughts, her beautiful face remained unchanged, her fierce arrogance impervious to any external influence.

Aunt Mei, only just recovering from Baili Jia Jue's unexpected action, now grew irritated by her young mistress's audacity. What time is it? And she's still jesting around? Does she have any idea who stands before her?

Baili Jia Jue gazed at Helian Weiwei, his narrowed eyes gradually reducing to slits.

Suddenly, the mist shrouding the lake seemed to seep into his eyes, and an icy chill swept over, sending shivers down everyone's spines.

Within the shadows, countless attendants perspired profusely, overwhelmed by terror, not daring to even breathe. Unsure of their master's next move, they feared whether he intended to end Helian Weiwei's life or simply bathe the entire Protector Mansion in blood.

The former possibility was comprehensible; after all, a beautiful girl audaciously sought to climb into the master's dragon bed, unaware of her impending fate. Consequently, with a flick of his hand, he dispatched her straight to the military camp.

The latter...

Master, please remain composed. Regardless of the situation, this is still the Protector Mansion, the territory that the Helian family once governed!

If news reaches the emperor that you've provoked the Protector Mansion, he will seek our lives for his entertainment!