Awakening of the Ancient: Rise of the Fallen

"Third Brother, are you really trying to find allies? It wouldn't be good if you dragged Miss Yan's clan down with you. Don't be petty," The First Prince said to Xu Ming.

"What dragging the clan down or finding allies? I'm just sitting here talking to my future wife. I don't understand where you get that strange idea from," Xu Ming replied casually.

"Oh? Then you should mind if I ask...." The Third Prince again started talking, but Xu Ming again cut him off.

"Anyway,  how was your trip here? You didn't face any problems, did you?" Xu Ming asked Yu Yan.

Even though he said that he wasn't looking for allies, he knew that he couldn't let Yu Yan go with the first prince. If there was any person here, they might be willing to become his ally; then it would be Yu Yan. 

He needed an ally since he couldn't escape the troubles of participation. All he could do was take part and win, but to win, he needed a knowledgeable ally. The only choice he had was Yu Yan, who was not only the granddaughter of a top clan in the kingdom, but she was also the daughter of the Sect master. She was really powerful and knowledgeable.

"Suit yourself," The First Prince calmly collected himself as he left that table and went up to the next powerful clan with a casual expression on his face. The Second Prince was on the move as well.

"You don't need to care about any problems we might have faced or not faced," Yu Yan let out as she rolled her eyes.

Xu Ming knew that it was going to be tough to convince her, but he needed to do it.

It was at that moment, Valeria started whispering in his ears.

"She is your fiance. Use that to convince her. Get into the flirting mode and make her accept. I'm sure you can do it. Just do as I say," Valeria whispered in Xu Ming's ears and started explaining he needed to do.

"Why wouldn't I care? I'm your husband, after all. If I don't care, then who will?" Xu Ming let out a confused expression on his face.

" You're not my..." Yu Yan was about to say that Xu Ming was not going to be her husband, but she stopped herself as she remembered that she was defeated, and she had lost her rights. She must marry Xu Ming now whenever he wanted.

"Why should I trust you?" Yu Yan asked Xu Ming as she looked in his eyes, trying to find a shred of a lie.

"Because I do what I say. I did tell you that I won't let you break off the engagement, that's what I did. I told you that I would defeat you, that's what I did. Similarly, I promise you that I will get the crown, and I fully intend to keep that promise. All I'm asking from you is a little bit of faith in your husband," Xu Ming said as he kept his gaze matched with her gaze without taking his eyes off for even a second.

Yu Yan looked at the earnest expression of Xu Ming for a long time before she shook her head.

"I'm not going to help you. To keep our clan's dignity, I won't support other princes either. Our clan will stay out of the battle for the crown. It would be best if you were looking for other allies," Yu Yan said before she stopped looking at him.

"But..." Xu Ming was saying something, but he saw that Yu Yan didn't even try to hear his words as she started talking to the middle-aged man. 

Xu Ming felt upset as well as annoyed at her response. He still kindly stood up and left the table.

He looked all around the hall, but he noticed that whenever his gaze met someone, that person instantly started looking elsewhere as if they didn't want to be seen by him.

"I guess there's no other option. You might just need to go solo on this. If even that girl is not willing to help you, then I doubt anyone else would be able to," Valeria said to Xu Ming as she sighed.

Xu Ming also nodded his head as he felt the same thing. He turned back and walked back to his seat. Yu Yan glanced at his back as he was walking away but only for an instant. 

Xu Ming sat on his seat beside the Fourth Prince. 

"What happened, big brother? Are you not going to go talk to them like the others?" The Fourth Prince asked Xu Ming.

"Not really. I'll go alone to this Trial and win alone. That would be more epic. Don't you think so?" Xu Ming smiled as he rubbed the Fourth Prince's head.

"That would be really epic. Yes. I heard that it's a tough event and if you win it alone, then you will be really famous. I believe that brother can do it," The Fourth Prince said as he smiled innocently.

'The Royal Family still has bonds like this. It's contrary to what I believed. Then I'll do exactly that and make you proud," Xu Ming replied.

Two more hours passed away before the introduction ceremony was over, and all the Princes came back. 

After the introduction ceremony, the feast began.  All the dishes were made by the royal chefs using the most expensive ingredients that were available in the kingdom. The Servants served the dishes to everyone here. 

After everyone finished eating, it was time to leave. The king announced some other minor details about the first part of the Battle for the Crown as well.

He announced the place it would take place. The first part of the trial was said to take place in the City of Death.