Chapter 404 - 101

Chapter 101: False Affection and True FeelingsIn the Star Luo Imperial Palace, the Xu Jiujiu's reception room was not as luxurious as the outside world imagined; instead, it was elegant and exquisite, with a faint aroma of incense filling the air.Xu Jiujiu had changed out of her battle robes and was wearing casual clothes, which made her look less heroic than on the arena, and more graceful and noble, befitting an imperial Xu Jiujiu.She personally poured a cup of clear tea for Dai Youheng, her movements elegant."Youheng, today's match was very exciting." Xu Jiujiu spoke directly, her eyes still full of admiration. "Especially that final strike that broke through my Star Protection; the decisiveness of your will and the Cohesion of your power far exceeded my understanding of the Spirit Ancestor Realm. I am thoroughly convinced of my defeat."Dai Youheng bowed slightly. "Your Highness is too kind; it was merely luck. Your Highness's Star Protection also left me in awe, truly worthy of being called the strongest defensive Spirit Ability that isolates attributes.""It was not luck." Xu Jiujiu shook her head. She gazed at Dai Youheng, her eyes filled with genuine curiosity. "The improvement in strength can be attributed to the Immortal Herb encounter, but your combat awareness, your grasp of opportunities, and especially that unheard-of and exquisite saber technique, could not have been achieved overnight. I truly want to know how you transformed so completely in such a short time? If not for your unchanged face, Spirit, and spirit rings and Spirit Abilities, I would have doubted you were yourself."It's here!Dai Youheng thought to himself. He had long anticipated such suspicion, but on his face, he appropriately showed a trace of reminiscence, a trace of emotion, and a trace of deeply moving affection, exquisitely acted.He lowered his eyes slightly, then raised them, looking intently at Xu Jiujiu, his voice deep and magnetic. "Your Highness, all of this, in fact, is because of you.""Because of me?" Xu Jiujiu's slender eyebrows raised slightly."Yes." Dai Youheng's tone became incredibly serious, even carrying a hint of performative piety. "Back then, right at the entrance of this Xu Jiujiu's residence, when I was defeated by your three palms and collapsed on the ground, it was the most pathetic and also the most sober moment of my life. The immense gap and sense of humiliation almost drowned me, but at that moment, I had only one thought."He paused, his gaze growing more fervent. "I cannot continue like this. I cannot forever be a good-for-nothing who doesn't even qualify to be near you. I must become stronger, strong enough to be worthy of standing by your side, even if only to watch your back from afar, I must stand tall!""Pain breeds reflection, and only through breaking can one rebuild. Perhaps Heaven took pity on me; in that extreme pain and unwillingness, my mind became clear, and the prototype of that saber technique naturally emerged. I poured all my regret, all my longing, all my unwillingness into the saber technique." He looked at Xu Jiujiu, his eyes focused. "Your Highness, what is the core will you felt from this saber technique of mine?"Xu Jiujiu was slightly startled by his'sincere outpouring' and sudden question. She subconsciously recalled the domineering and resolute saber light on the arena and mused, "Unwavering advance—a kind of unwavering advance that discards all retreat routes and severs all hesitation!""Yes, unwavering advance!" Dai Youheng's voice suddenly rose, full of infectious power. "Just as I once, and still, deeply love you! I discard all distracting thoughts, I can face any powerful enemy, I can advance unwaveringly, until death. It is this will that gave birth to this saber technique!"These words were spoken with such sincerity and force, combined with his superb acting and indeed earth-shattering transformation, that Xu Jiujiu couldn't help but believe him. She looked at the young man's fervent eyes and listened to his undisguised 'confession,' and her heart couldn't help but tremble slightly.Over the years, she knew better than anyone how deeply infatuated Dai Youheng was with her. Those clumsy gifts,those unwavering greetings, those moments of ecstasy or despair because of a word from her, had long become a well-known'sight' in Star Luo City.She could doubt White Tiger Duke's loyalty, she could doubt anyone's promises, but she would never doubt Dai Youheng's love for her; this was almost a fact ingrained in everyone's perception.Although she had long decided to abandon love and regard her marriage as a bargaining chip to consolidate the Star Luo Empire.But if the person she were to marry in the future was someone who truly loved and adored her, and whose own abilities were outstanding enough to earn her genuine admiration.This seemed far better than marrying a completely unfamiliar political ally. She had looked down on the old Dai Youheng, but the current Dai Youheng was steady, powerful, and ambitious. Although he hadn't yet made her heart flutter, he was enough to earn her high regard and admiration.Just as Xu Jiujiu's emotions stirred—"Hmph!" a very soft, very cold, and distinctly displeased snort abruptly exploded in the deepest part of Dai Youheng's consciousness, causing his mental sea to ripple slightly.Naturally, it came from Snow Empress. Although she knew Dai Youheng was acting, hearing him say such "deeply affectionate" words to another woman still made the Monarch of the Extreme North uncontrollably irritated and displeased, and she subconsciously vented it.Dai Youheng's smile remained unchanged, as if he hadn't noticed anything, but his fingers holding the teacup tightened almost imperceptibly. Fortunately, only he could hear the sound.Xu Jiujiu, of course, was unaware. She calmly composed herself, and her face regained its usual serene, faint smile. She clapped her hands lightly and said to the door, "Grandma Nebula Douluo, please bring the item in."The door opened silently, and Nebula Douluo, Man Yi, walked in holding an exquisitely crafted jade box. She placed it directly on the coffee table in front of Dai Youheng, then stood silently behind Xu Jiujiu.The jade box opened, and a pure dark energy fluctuation permeated the air. Inside, a skull Spirit Bone, black as ink yet shimmering with a deep luster, lay quietly.Dai Youheng's face appropriately showed a hint of surprise. "Your Highness, isn't this the 50,000-year Dark Dominion Skull Bone? Didn't you say you would wait until I won the championship?"Xu Jiujiu smiled slightly, interrupting him. "That was merely a means to motivate you. What I hoped to see was you demonstrating sufficient value. And through these matches, you have proven yourself without reservation.""If it were a championship prize, it would need to be distributed by your team leader, and with intense internal competition at Shrek, it might not ultimately fall into your hands. But now, this is a gift I am giving you in my personal capacity."Her eyes held anticipation. "I hope you do not disappoint my expectations, Youheng."Dai Youheng looked at the excellent quality dark-attribute skull bone before him, quickly weighing his options. This was indeed something he currently needed. Although he wouldn't absorb it himself, it would be invaluable for cultivating subordinates in the future or as a resource for exchange.Xu Jiujiu's action not only showed favor but also represented an investment and a binding tie.He reached out, solemnly closed the jade box, and put it away. Then he looked up at Xu Jiujiu. "Thank you for your generous gift, Your Highness. Youheng will not fail your expectations."After accepting the Spirit Bone, the atmosphere in the room seemed to ease further. Dai Youheng struck while the iron was hot and said, "Your Highness, after this Grand Competition concludes, Youheng has a presumptuous request and hopes Your Highness can do me a small favor."Xu Jiujiu was in a good mood now. "Oh? What favor? Speak freely.""I wish to ask Your Highness to help me leave Shrek Academy," Dai Youheng said, his words astonishing.Xu Jiujiu was indeed stunned, her delicate brows furrowing slightly. "Leave Shrek? Why? With your performance in this Grand Competition, entering the inner court is almost a certainty, and becoming one of the true Shrek Seven Devils and gaining fame across the continent is not difficult. It has the best teachers and resources on the continent."Dai Youheng shook his head, a hint of sarcasm and sobriety in his smile. "Can I really learn more by entering the inner court? Shrek's inner court indeed has many geniuses, but to be honest, those geniuses could make a name for themselves in any power. And what do I have to bear by staying there? Mandatory Guardian Corps missions, constantly rushing to various places to eradicate dangerous Evil Soul Masters."His voice deepened. "You've also seen, this time, merely eradicating a Spirit King-level Evil Soul Master, with the 98-ranked Elder Xuan personally leading the team, what was the result? More than half of the main team members were casualties. The names on Shrek's Memorial Stele increase every year, a higher casualty rate than many battlefields. Performing missions with them carries immense risk and is not what I desire. In contrast, working alone might be more efficient and safer."He paused, then looked at Xu Jiujiu, his eyes growing profound. "More importantly, precisely because I demonstrated my value in the Grand Competition, if I were to propose graduating now, the high-ranking officials of Shrek, out of their appreciation for talent, might try every means to retain me, even exerting pressure. But if Your Highness, on behalf of the Star Luo Imperial Family, were to summon me back to serve the country, the situation would be entirely different.""Shrek has always prided itself on neutrality. If they forcibly obstruct a noble scion of Star Luo who wishes to return to serve his country, and the news spreads, what would nobles and geniuses from other countries think? Would they still feel secure sending their children to Shrek? Shrek cannot bear that consequence." Dai Youheng analyzed clearly and incisively. "In this way, they can only let me go."Xu Jiujiu listened to his analysis, her eyes sparkling with admiration. She hadn't expected Dai Youheng to possess such profound foresight and political wisdom. This was certainly not something a lovesick youth who only knew how to Cultivate and romance could have conceived.However, Dai Youheng hadn't finished speaking. He suddenly changed the subject, the sharpness and calmness on his face instantly melting away, replaced by a somewhat shy and expectant smile. He looked at Xu Jiujiu, his voice softening, as if all the previous calculations were merely a prelude to this moment."Of course, most importantly, this way, after returning to the country, I can legitimately spend every day with Your Highness."He said the last sentence with exceptional tenderness, his gaze focused and deeply affectionate, his acting nothing short of perfect.Xu Jiujiu was caught off guard, her pretty face flushing slightly from his sudden directness, and her heart actually skipped half a beat.She instinctively avoided his overly fervent gaze and chided him softly, "Hmph, I should have guessed! This is your true motive, isn't it? All that talk about risks and calculations, it all boils down to finding an excuse to stick by my side. If you just needed a reason to return to the country, wouldn't it be more legitimate to ask your father, White Tiger Duke, to intervene?"Despite her words, the slight upturn of her lips and the fleeting smile in her eyes betrayed that she wasn't truly angry; rather, she felt a sense of pleasure at being flattered.Dai Youheng merely smiled without speaking, his gaze still firmly fixed on her.Xu Jiujiu picked up her teacup, took a light sip, concealing her slightly flushed cheeks. She then put down the teacup, regaining her regal bearing, and declared, "Very well, seeing your excellent performance today and your loyalty, this Xu Jiujiu will help you with this small favor. After the Grand Competition, I will have Grandma Nebula Douluo personally lead people to accompany you to Shrek to handle your graduation matters.""Thank you, Your Highness!" Dai Youheng's face showed genuine joy.However, in the deepest recesses of his consciousness, Snow Empress's cold, utterly disdainful muttering exploded again, this time even clearer and full of gritted-teeth resentment. "Pah! You scumbag! Full of lies! Exploiting emotions! Disgusting! He-tui!"These modern slang terms for complaining were something Snow Empress had only recently learned from Youheng, yet she used them so vividly the first time.