Hearing Tang Yuanye's words, Wang Ruoxie frowned slightly and said, "Bestowed with the imperial surname, abandoning one's own surname?"
Although he had no feelings for the Wang Family and never really considered himself a true member, the surname Wang had always been his surname. How could he abandon it?
Moreover, he wouldn't stay in the imperial family forever, so he didn't care about so-called status or identity.
"Being bestowed with the imperial surname doesn't mean you have to abandon your original surname. It's an honor and also represents your qualification to become a true member of the imperial family."
Tang Yuanye explained, "However, if you wish to have enough say in the imperial family in the future, you must integrate yourself into it, and changing your surname to the imperial one is necessary."
"Father, with my cultivation power, I should probably forget it."
At this point, Tang Ying also spoke up.
Currently, she was only at the Late Stage of the Divine Monarch Realm. Although in the Great Qian Holy Dynasty, such cultivation power was enough to be considered a true powerhouse, in this Cyan Dragon Divine Domain, it was nothing.
Especially in a big clan like the imperial family, even the most ordinary external clan members were far beyond her reach, let alone the followers of these direct-line young masters and misses.
She feared that even with the same cultivation, she would not be a match.
"I won't participate either."
Xiao Ningyue also spoke, "I am not used to being someone else's follower."
"In that case, I won't participate either."
Wang Ruoxie smiled and said.
Although he originally intended to use the status of being Di Yun and Di Jin's follower to explore information about the Profound Lady, since Xiao Ningyue and Tang Ying both chose to give up, he naturally wouldn't go alone to the direct line.
"You guys... sigh, never mind, since you are all unwilling, then let it be."
Tang Yuanye did not expect Wang Ruoxie, Xiao Ningyue, and Tang Ying to all choose to give up this rare opportunity and sighed softly, saying.
He naturally understood that the reason the three were unwilling to participate in the assessment was that they did not want to abandon their surnames.
However, he also knew that even if he persuaded further, the three would not change their minds, so he said no more.
"Now, you may begin."
Di Yun scanned the crowd and said, "You may challenge any of the followers behind me. As long as you can defeat them, you can become followers of me and Sister Jing."
"Of course, rest assured, they will suppress their cultivation to a level comparable to yours, and they will not use the powerful Divine Artifacts I have granted them, so you do have a chance to win."
As his words fell, many couldn't wait to start the challenge.
These people, in order to perform well, almost all employed every means possible, unleashing their power to the fullest, not only to defeat their opponent but also to show Di Yun and Di Jin their strengths.
However, those followers of Di Yun and Di Jin, despite suppressing their cultivation to the same level as theirs, still possessed incredibly formidable power.
Moreover, to avoid losing face in front of Di Yun and Di Jin, they, too, gave it their all.
So, after hundreds of battles, no one managed to win and earn the qualification to become followers of Di Yun and Di Jin.
"It seems I was right before, your Azure God Branch indeed has no one left."
Di Jin, with a mocking look, said to Di Hua, "However, it's not surprising. Since the fall of the Azure God Ancestor, your Azure God Branch has been declining day by day. Before long, even the status of one of the six major branches might be taken by other branches."
Hearing Di Jin's words, although Di Hua's face was quite unpleasant, he did not dare to refute.
"Young Master Hua, it's our incompetence."
The foreign clan members who failed their challenge, all with shameful expressions, said to Di Hua.
"It's not your fault. Those who can become followers of Young Master Yun and Miss Jing naturally have strength far beyond ordinary people. Even with identical cultivation, they're not something you can contend with."
Di Hua shook his head with a pained expression and said.
"Why didn't you challenge?"
At this point, Di Jin's gaze fell on Wang Ruoxie and the others, and she asked.
"Our cultivation is too low, knowing ourselves to be no match, so we gave up."
Wang Ruoxie smiled faintly and replied.
"I and Brother Yun both said we would have them suppress their cultivation to a level comparable to yours."
Di Jin seemed unwilling to let them go so easily and continued, "You're using low cultivation as an excuse now, could it be because you look down on me and Brother Yun and are unwilling to become our followers?"
As she said this, her gaze stayed mostly on Xiao Ningyue.
"In our imperial family, having good looks is useless. Without sufficiently strong cultivation power, it even brings trouble upon oneself."
Though Di Jin didn't name names, everyone knew she was speaking to Xiao Ningyue.
For they could all see that Xiao Ningyue's beauty was indeed peerless, slightly outshining Di Jin.
They could even hear a hint of jealousy in Di Jin's words.
Wang Ruoxie and the others exchanged a glance. How could they not see that the reason Di Jin targeted them was due to Xiao Ningyue's beauty overshadowing her?
"Beauty is inherent, something no one can change. As for strength, I dare say I lose to no one of the same rank."
Xiao Ningyue smiled indifferently and said.
"You dare to talk back!"
Hearing Xiao Ningyue's words, Di Jin's face darkened, and she said coldly.
"Not talking back, just being honest."
Xiao Ningyue replied unyieldingly.
"Ignorant girl, give her a slap."
To Di Jin, Xiao Ningyue's words were clearly mocking her appearance, inferior to the other. She immediately shouted coldly.
As Di Jin's words ended, a figure flashed out from behind her and, in an instant, was before Xiao Ningyue, then without the slightest hesitation, swung a slap directly.
Seeing this, those around showed looks of sympathy. Such a stunning beauty was about to be slapped in public; it was truly humiliating.
But no one dared to step forward to stop it, not even Di Hua dared to speak up.
Just as the person's palm was about to harshly slap Xiao Ningyue's beautiful face, suddenly, a figure appeared before Xiao Ningyue.
The next moment, everyone was shocked to see that person's palm was tightly held by Wang Ruoxie, unable to advance any further.
"You seek death?"
The person's eyes fixed firmly on Wang Ruoxie and said coldly.
"You're the one seeking death."
A glint of cold light flashed in Wang Ruoxie's eyes as he spoke.
This guy wanted to slap Xiao Ningyue, how could he not be furious?
"Thinking of playing hero to save the beauty, don't you see if you have the capability? With cultivation merely at the First Layer of the Divine King Realm, you dare act, you're simply courting death."
Di Jin coldly smirked at Wang Ruoxie and said.
