Humanity and Fierce Beasts, Meeting (1)

"Don't be so nervous. Though I am a soul beast, I am not unreasonable. What happened before is already in the past, and I cannot be bothered to bring it up again..."

After a pause, the Snow Empress's lips curved ever so slightly. She chuckled, and her voice grew somewhat gentler.

"Unless something unexpected happens, we may remain by Shu Yan's side from now on, protecting him while also properly disciplining him..."

Holding Shu Yan's hand, Xu Jiujiu suppressed her wildly pounding heart beneath his encouraging gaze. She forced a somewhat pale smile before speaking softly with difficulty, "What Senior says is right. Jiujiu was rude."

The Snow Empress said nothing further and simply led the Ice Empress forward with elegant steps.

As she passed Shu Yan and Xu Jiujiu, the Ice Empress stuck out her tongue, then made a provocative face at Shu Yan while covertly sizing Xu Jiujiu up.

The Ice Empress's gaze made Xu Jiujiu's back turn cold. Just as she was about to speak again, the Ice Empress's voice suddenly rang out.

"Don't be so tense. Xue'er and I are actually quite easy to talk to. Besides, this is still your humans' territory. Shu Yan and we have chosen the same path. Unless you take the initiative to betray us, I think we should get along quite happily..."

After taking only two steps forward, the Ice Empress seemed to remember something. She turned around and added, "Oh, I should add one more thing. Most of the time, we soul beasts are far more trustworthy than you humans."

Xu Jiujiu did not know how to respond. She merely followed Shu Yan deeper into the imperial palace by instinct, and only snapped back to herself after stepping through an enormous palace gate.

Looking at the Ice Empress, who was curiously surveying her surroundings, and the calm, composed Snow Empress beside her, Xu Jiujiu could not help tightening her grip on Shu Yan's hand. Then she said softly, "A Yan, I..."

Shu Yan looked ahead and let out a soft sigh before comforting her. "Don't think too much about it. Rest assured, the Snow Empress and Ice Empress have spent quite some time with me, so I understand their personalities well enough. You do not need to worry about Your Majesty's safety. The three of us swore a great oath concerning our lives and souls. No one will suddenly betray the others."

"Besides... even if they wanted to make a move, there are probably no experts in the entire Star Luo Empire capable of stopping the two of them. Don't overthink it. I guarantee with my life that nothing will happen..."

Xu Jiujiu's expression was complicated, but in the end, she still nodded gently.

Yes, just as Shu Yan had said, the Snow Empress alone was enough to look down upon the world. In the present age, it would be difficult to find anyone capable of matching her, let alone when she was accompanied by the Ice Empress, who possessed an equally formidable Fierce Reputation in the Extreme North Land. Such a combination was not something the Star Luo Empire could contend against in a short time.

With complicated feelings, the group passed through one palace gate after another before finally entering a magnificent, resplendent hall.

The moment he entered the hall, Shu Yan spotted several old acquaintances. The ruddy-faced elder standing first on the left below the main seat was none other than his old acquaintance, the Shattered Star Douluo. On the right stood two elders with vastly different temperaments, both of whom Shu Yan knew fairly well. They were Giant Strength Douluo Cheng Gang and Heavenly Fiend Douluo Huang Jinxu, two among the Star Luo Empire's many guardian Titled Douluo.

The instant the four of them stepped into the hall, Nebula Douluo also appeared. A faint oppressive atmosphere hung over the hall, created by the intertwined auras of the many powerful experts. On the main seat, Xu Jiawei, who had been resting with his eyes closed, slowly opened them. Their gazes met in the air, and an invisible clash had already quietly begun.

The next moment, Xu Jiawei rose from the main seat. He looked like a man in his mid-thirties, with time having left few obvious marks upon him. His features remained imposing and handsome. Having occupied the position of emperor for so long, he carried an incomparable air of nobility. A single glance from him was enough to convey boundless majesty and dominance.

Yet unexpectedly, Xu Jiawei was exceptionally calm at this moment. A warm and refined smile appeared on his face, and his aura was peaceful. He spread his arms slightly and said, "Welcome, honored guests who have traveled from afar in the Extreme North Land, to the Star Luo Empire. I am Xu Jiawei, the current emperor of the Star Luo Empire. On behalf of myself and the four consecrators, I extend a grand welcome to our two guests."

As he spoke, the four guardian Titled Douluo, including the Shattered Star Douluo, all bowed slightly toward the Snow Empress and Ice Empress. The black-robed figures standing on either side also made a unified gesture inviting them inside. Watching this, Shu Yan could not help praising his Imperial Brother-in-law's courage and formidable mental fortitude inwardly.

Even the Ice Empress, who had always been unruly at the Snow Empress's side, could not help becoming more serious in such a setting. Following Shu Yan and Xu Jiujiu into the hall, the two women sat down at low tables less than five meters from Xu Jiawei under the attentive guidance of the black-robed figures. Xu Jiawei waved his hand, and the four Titled Douluo took their seats in turn. The black-robed figures tactfully and swiftly withdrew from the hall. The next moment, a golden Soul Power barrier rose outside the hall, cutting off all external perception.

Xu Jiawei also slowly took his seat. The smile on his dignified face remained unchanged as he lightly raised the wine cup before him and addressed the Ice Snow Two Emperors. "Please do not misunderstand. This is only to guard against those with ulterior motives spying upon this place. There is no ill intent."

The Snow Empress's gaze swept across every stranger in the hall. Though she did not think the barrier would be of any use, she still gave a soft hum in response.

Xu Jiawei was not surprised by the Snow Empress's cold attitude. His gaze shifted to Shu Yan, carrying a trace of emotion, before he spoke again. "A Yan has grown up as well. I still remember how you were only a thin, frail little boy back then. Yet now, you have become such a fine young man. Time truly passes quickly..."

Shu Yan chuckled softly. "It has been nearly a year since we last met, yet Your Majesty's bearing remains unchanged."

Xu Jiawei chuckled as well. He waved his hand and said, "There is no need to call me Your Majesty. I told you long ago that we are family. Just as Jiujiu does, you may call me Imperial Brother. There are no outsiders here. Are you still concerned with such tedious formalities...?"

Shu Yan laughed helplessly before saying softly, "Imperial Brother..."

Only then did Xu Jiawei smile in satisfaction. He casually chatted for a few more sentences, even bringing up Shu Yan and Xu Jiujiu's marriage afterward. This made Xu Jiujiu, who had been tense and worried, blush despite herself before she lowered her head somewhat shyly.

The Snow Empress and Ice Empress watched this quietly. Both of them understood that this was merely a warm-up before the real show began. The most important matter, and the reason everyone was gathered here today, had been saved as the main event. Now that the atmosphere had been sufficiently warmed up, the true show was about to begin...

PS: Only eleven more investments until we reach one hundred!!! (Cough, cough) ()