Chapter 5337 Divine Rankings
When Tang Wan-er saw Long Chen’s reaction, a warm expression appeared in her eyes. Long Chen instantly grasped the meaning behind these three words.
By claiming the position of Divine Daughter, Tang Wan-er gained the right to name her island. Typically, a divine son or daughter would use their own name, but she chose something different. Those three words carried all her longing and emotions, and Long Chen couldn’t help but be moved.
“Greetings, divine daughter.”
Just as Long Chen was staring at the three characters, Tang Wan-er’s eight divine retainers as well as 3,600 female disciples bowed toward her in unison. They were all lined up, awaiting her command.
“No need for such formalities,” Tang Wan-er smiled. “Everyone, this is Long Chen, my future husband.”
“Greetings, Long Chen,” the women said, sneaking glances at him while bowing.
They kept their heads low, seemingly too nervous to meet his eyes. Seeing this, Long Chen was a bit curious. Why were these women so shy? Were they too nervous?
Long Chen returned the greeting, and they slowly rose, but they still avoided his gaze.
“Come, let’s go to the Divine Daughter Hall. We’ll have a reception for my man,” Tang Wan-er said with a smile, leading Long Chen inside.
The island was vast, br.i.m.m.i.n.g with spiritual energy and strong natural laws. Birds sang, flowers bloomed, and rare beasts roamed freely. It was an enchanting place.
Tang Wan-er guided Long Chen, pointing out the beautiful sights as they walked. Behind them, the eight retainers and disciples followed at a distance, heads still down.
“What’s wrong with them?” Long Chen whispered.
Tang Wan-er smiled mysteriously. “Do you know why all my subordinates are women?”
Long Chen was baffled, but he quickly understood. Was she afraid of him getting jealous?
“I’m not so petty,” Long Chen replied with a wry smile.
“That’s part of it,” Tang Wan-er teased. “My eight retainers and 3,600 guards were personally chosen by me. They may not be the most powerful or talented, but their character is beyond reproach. And haven’t you noticed that they’re all quite beautiful?”
“What the—wait, you couldn’t possibly mean...” Long Chen’s eyes widened.
Tang Wan-er playfully hit him. “You scoundrel! What are you thinking?”
Seeing his astonished expression, Tang Wan-er realized that he was having bad-bad thoughts. He actually suspected that she started to like women.
“Then why?” asked Long Chen.
Tang Wan-er hesitated, her face turning red. Finally, she shyly muttered, “Don’t you like beautiful women? They’re all my trusted sisters. I’ve already told them... my husband is also...”
Long Chen was startled. Tang Wan-er blushed deeply, her voice quieter than a mosquito’s.
Tang Wan-er bit her lip before continuing, “Emperors have multiple wives and thousands of concubines. You’re not inferior to them. But you have to promise me not to stray outside, or I definitely won’t forgive you.”
Long Chen stared at Tang Wan-er, unable to believe the words that were coming out of her mouth.
Seeing her struggling to mask her sadness with a brave face, Long Chen felt a pang of guilt. “Silly girl...”
Just like that, Tang Wan-er’s defenses broke down, and she sobbed. “You’re always outside, picking new flowers. I can’t look after you. If that’s the case, why not stick to this family? At the very least... at the very least...”
“At the very least what?” Long Chen asked with a playful tone, trying to lighten the mood.
“At the very least, they’re all my people. I get the final say,” she replied, a hint of stubbornness in her voice.
Long Chen was speechless. She really was like a child in her thinking. How outrageous...
“Speak, how many more women have you fooled around with!?” Tang Wan-er demanded, wiping away her tears.
What does she mean “fooling around with?” That sounds too indecent, alright? I am innocent!
Knowing he had no way out, Long Chen obediently answered her.
When she learned that Long Chen had only been with Bai s.h.i.+s.h.i.+ in the immortal world—and that she had already met her—Tang Wan-er’s mood lightened, and she smiled. “You do have a bit of a conscience, I suppose.”
With that matter settled, Long Chen suggested strengthening her forces to secure her position in the upcoming compet.i.tions.
“No way. These women stuck by me even in tough times. How could I abandon them now? Besides, you’re here. You can help them grow stronger. The most important thing is that I trust them completely. I feel safe with them. You have your Dragonblood Legion, and I have my Hidden Dragon Legion. Tell me, would you ever abandon your brothers?” she asked solemnly.
“Of course not, but it’s not the same,” Long Chen replied.
“What’s not the same?” asked Tang Wan-er.
“Well... isn’t it a bit awkward?” Long Chen said, glancing at the women trailing behind them.
Tang Wan-er chuckled impishly. “What? Are you tempted?”
“Hey, what’s that supposed to mean?” Long Chen was speechless.
“If your heart were clear of guilt, why would it be awkward?” Tang Wan-er teased.
Long Chen found himself at a loss for words. How had he been outwitted by a child?
“Hehe, consider this a little test for you. I want to see how sincere you are,” Tang Wan-er giggled.
Long Chen felt a chill. Before he could respond, Tang Wan-er rea.s.sured him, “Don’t worry. They’re like sisters to me. We’ve been through life and death together. Now that I have trusted comrades, just treat them like your sisters. Isn’t it only right to help your sisters?”
Hearing that, Long Chen nodded. It seemed Tang Wan-er had found her own sense of responsibility. She had grown.
In the divine daughter hall, Tang Wan-er didn’t sit on the throne. Instead, she sat with everyone else. Roping in one of the women, she said, “Xiao Yue, tell Long Chen about the situation of the Hidden Dragon Legion.”
Xiao Yue was the youngest of her retainers, but her aura fluctuations were the strongest of them.
Contrary to the others, she kept her hair short and neat. While a bit shy at first, she quickly composed herself. She first cupped her fists to Tang Wan-er and then turned to Long Chen. “Senior apprentice-brother Long Chen, our Hidden Dragon Legion has eight retainers and 3.600 warriors. We’re split into four corps, with nine hundred members each...”
As Long Chen listened, he realized the Hidden Dragon Legion’s structure mirrored the Dragonblood Legion. The only difference was that while the Dragonblood Legion had four captains, Tang Wan-er’s legion had eight, with two captains in a corp.
These 3,600 warriors were all Heaven Saints, an impressive force by any standard.
However, according to Xiao Yue, their collective power lagged behind other groups. The divine rankings depended on overall strength, and as she spoke about them, the retainers’ expressions darkened with embarra.s.sment. They felt they were dragging Tang Wan-er down. If they lost this time, they wouldn’t know what to do.
“Don’t worry. With me here, you won’t lose,” Long Chen rea.s.sured them.