(MC POV)
There was no question about it. This princess Bei was supposed to be Lian Li's other half had I not changed anything in this world.
From what I see now, she looks like the perfect example of a pure, innocent young girl. She had a round angular face and bright, brown eyes that seemed to be full of curiosity. Her black hair was tied in an elaborate ponytail adorned by a golden headpiece while her full, red lips the shade of crimson adorned her pretty face.
Indeed, she was definitely a beautiful young girl whose beauty would not lose to any of my female disciples.
Cai Hong is still cuter than her though, no competition there.
I got lost in my thoughts and unconsciously stared at the princess, which did not go unnoticed by my disciples.
"Master… Do you think she's pretty?" Lian Li asked, tugging at my sleeve.
"Hmm? I would say yes, she is quite beautiful by current society's standards," I answered without much thought.
Manami tilted her head, "Ara, ara? Does Master want to take her under your wing as well?"
"Oh that's right, the bout is to see who is qualified to train the princess right? Almost forgot about that."
"Kukuku~ If Master enters the bout, she will definitely become our sister~" Diao Chan giggled.
I smiled at them, shaking my head, "I don't think it's a good idea. I'm afraid my attention won't be sufficient for each of you once we restart our lessons again."
Eris tapped her chin with a finger, "I believe Master will do fine. All of us are doing ok right now, I think?"
"Perhaps. But no matter how talented she is, I will still need to take care of her alongside the rest of you. All of you are all I need."
I heard seven sharp intakes of breath before I got tackled by six girls from behind, their group hug almost pushing me to the ground.
"Woah… What's wrong girls?"
"Nothing~~ Master is truly the best~~" Lian Li sighed in contentment, rubbing her face on my back.
I plucked Manami's hand from my chest before she can continue her attempt at disrobing me, "Alright, calm down now. This is not the place nor time for this."
"Cai Hong wuvs Papa!"
I patted my loli dragon's head, "Papa loves you too. And all of you as well."
"Master, we will definitely help you purify this world!" Eris announced with a voice full of determination.
Kiyomi wrapped a tail around my arm, "Yes… Everyone will know of your power, Master."
Purify this world? Oh, she must be talking about pollution. Though I'm quite surprised they would know about such a concept when our current technology is still not harming the environment much.
Maybe they learnt it when they were with Elaria? That seems to be the most likely scenario.
And Kiyomi must be talking about helping me spread fame to the general public, I guess she is concerned that people will see her as a disciple of a nobody if others don't even know what my face looks like.
Truly, I can't ask for better disciples at this point.
"Alright, come on. The princess is nearing the gate. We'll need to follow them in after they open the gates for us."
That, and we're kind of making a scene too. Also Brendan looks a bit uncomfortable standing at the side. Does he want a hug too?
The girls released me after a few moments, looking especially satisfied for some reason.
I swiveled my head to look around us but luckily for me, it seemed like no one had noticed what just happened since everyone else was focused on the princess. Most of them commented about her beauty while a few were trying to gauge her cultivation potential.
Because our group was the closest to the gates, most likely because Sect Master Qing had the Sect occupy this area extremely early in the day, we will be the first group to enter the palace right behind the princess.
Just before the carriage disappeared past the gates, the princess looked towards our direction, giving us a slight nod and smile before her carriage disappeared from view behind the gates.
I wonder what that was all about?
Sect Master Qing stepped forward to follow behind the carriage and the rest of the Sect followed suit, us included of course.
The other Sects and participants followed after us, the gates wide enough to accommodate six grown men walking side by side through easily.
Past the two gates was the Royal Gardens where a large section had been set aside to host the bout. They were using a large circular stage where seats were arranged all around it, almost similar to the Sect Showcase Festival I participated not too long ago.
While the carriage went further towards the palace, we were directed by the guards to wait at the stage, our seating arrangements already predetermined.
I took up my spot beside Sect Master Qing with Cai Hong seated comfortably on my lap while my disciples stood directly behind me.
"It feels weird to sit here…" Sect Master Qing whispered.
"Well, you've barely been Sect Master for a few months," I pointed out.
"Indeed… I sent out a letter to all the other Sects to notify them about our Sect Master's passing, but I still got questions about Sect Master Long this morning from a few of them. They probably did not read my letter at all."
Not surprising, some people will just leave a mail they've received somewhere and not open it, saying they will read them later but never actually getting round to it.
I shrugged, "At least they know now."
Sect Master Qing chuckled, "Oh, they were all under the impression that the new Sect Master was you, Master Lin. Even after I tried to tell them, they thought I was joking and did not believe me. So don't be surprised if a few of them refer to you as our Sect Master, hahaha!"
Damn. Thanks but, no thanks. I definitely do not want even more responsibility on top of my disciples already. Not to mention the politics involved with such a position.
I am only here to see the princess and what unfolds today since I missed this in my first life and it might even shed some light on her situation.
We didn't have to wait long before the Royal Carriage came back again, this time with all of the princes on board accompanying their sister.
It seems like the king and the queen will arrive last, not sure if this is just their way to display their authority or something?
Leading the group was the crown prince who looked just like your typical handsome prince character. The midnight black hair, brown eyes and especially handsome features would guarantee him to draw eyes wherever he went.
The second prince also possessed the same features except he had a pair of glasses and seemed totally immersed in the book he was carrying with him, the man not even acknowledging the crowd before him.
The third prince was just as I remembered him from yesterday, except that he's wearing his more gaudy royal robes now of course.
Finally leading up the rear was the princess, nothing much to say about her that I haven't already.
While they were moving towards their seat, the third prince's eyes happened to glance towards my direction and he stopped in his tracks.
"YOU! How dare you show your face here!" He roared, pointing his finger at me.
God damn it...
