Duke Mansion

The Zhu Family.

When Dai Huabin arrived, Zhu Lu was standing at the door waiting for him.

Standing beside her was a woman in her thirties, with a very well-maintained face, beautiful features, and a gentle yet shrewd demeanor.

She wore a light purple embroidered long dress, and her hair was simply tied up in a bun with two jade hairpins.

Zhu Lu's mother, Xu Xin.

He is also a member of the Xu Family of the Star Luo Imperial Family.

In order to win over the Zhu Family, Xu Jiawei specially arranged for Xu Xin, the legitimate daughter of a collateral branch of the royal family, to marry into the Zhu Family.

It was a political marriage, crystal clear.

"Huabin is here."

Xu Xin smiled and looked Dai Huabin up and down twice.

"Goodness, you've grown even taller in just six months. You've been gone so long without even sending a message to Lulu; she's been waiting for you at home so long she can't even eat properly."

Zhu Lu blushed. "Mother! I didn't!"

"Still saying you didn't?"

Xu Xin glanced at her daughter and said, "You've been home for less than a day, and you've been asking Huabin how many times he's coming to pick me up."

"Not that many!" Zhu Lu blushed and retorted.

"Fine, if you say no, then no."

Xu Xin's tone was full of sarcasm, "You've forgotten your mother now that you have a man."

Dai Huabin bowed respectfully and said, "Auntie, you flatter me. Lulu must miss you at home too."

Xu Xin looked at Dai Huabin, her smile fading, and she became serious:

"Huabin, treat her well."

"Don't worry, Auntie."

Xu Xin nodded and waved for the two to leave.

Zhu Lu followed Dai Huabin into the carriage, and only breathed a sigh of relief after she was settled.

It was already evening when we returned to the Duke Mansion.

Dinner was lavish as usual, with Zhu Ying adding several dishes that Ice Empress loved, such as braised pork ribs and braised pork knuckle.

Ice Empress paused for a moment while holding the bowl and chopsticks, and gave Zhu Ying a rare "hmm," a gesture of goodwill.

Zhu Ying was overjoyed and put another big piece on her plate.

After finishing his meal, Dai Huabin returned to the underground meditation room and sat down to meditate.

The level 45 Soul Power circulated smoothly through the meridians, much more smoothly than before.

The Soul Ring of the ten-thousand-year-old Ice Ridge Tiger had already been fully fused, and black Soul Power steadily swirled deep within its dantian.

I practiced all night.

The next morning, Dai Huabin was awakened by a knock on the door.

The steward of the Duke Mansion stood outside the door, holding a letter sealed with wax.

"Young Master, this is an urgent message from the Starlight Auction House in Star Luo City, specifically addressed to you."

Dai Huabin took the letter, opened it, and read it.

The letter contained only one line of text, written in neat and elegant handwriting, and was stamped with the exclusive purple-gold seal of Starlight Auction House at the end.

"Huabin: We have some new valuable items arriving at the auction. We cordially invite you to come to the city today for a chat. Jiujiu."

Dai Huabin turned the letter over and looked at it; it was gone.

So fast? We just met yesterday, and you've already sent a letter today. Xu Jiawei's efficiency is even higher than he expected.

"Bing'er."

"What?" Ice Empress replied.

"Xu Jiujiu wrote, asking me to come over today."

Ice Empress paused for two seconds. "Snow Empress?"

"Most likely."

Two seconds of silence followed. Then, Ice Empress's emotional fluctuations were clearly transmitted through the Blood Pact.

Nervous, expectant, and a little uneasy.

"I'll go with you." Ice Empress's tone left no room for negotiation.

"Alright, you stay in the Undead Semi-Plane. You can come out anytime if anything changes."

Dai Huabin went next door to call Zhu Lu.

"Lulu, Xu Jiujiu asked me to go to the Starlight Auction House today."

Zhu Lu had just washed her face, water droplets still clinging to her temples. "Want me to come with you?"

"No need, you can cultivate in the manor. Xu Jiujiu's situation might involve transactions with the royal family, and it would be inconvenient to have too many people around."

Zhu Lu nodded and didn't ask any further questions.

She knew perfectly well that Dai Huabin went to the auction because of the Ice Empress incident. The fewer people who knew about it, the better.

"Then come back soon."

"Um."

After leaving the Duke Mansion, Dai Huabin hired a soul-guided carriage and headed straight for Star Luo City.

Inside the train carriage, Ice Empress's consciousness kept lingering in his mind, causing his emotions to fluctuate wildly.

"Quiet down," Dai Huabin said to her in his mind. "If you get nervous, my heart will race too. How am I supposed to negotiate with Xu Jiujiu?"

"I am not nervous at all!"

"Your heartbeat is transmitted through the Blood Pact, it's incredibly fast."

Ice Empress's emotional fluctuations subsided abruptly, but then a hint of annoyance resurfaced.

Dai Huabin didn't say anything more.

He understood Ice Empress's feelings. Their best friend might be right in front of them soon; anyone would be uneasy in that situation.

Starlight Auction House.

Dai Huabin displayed the Duke Mansion emblem at the entrance, and the steward immediately led him into the VIP area.

Unlike last time, this time he was led not to an ordinary VIP room, but to a private room on the top floor of the auction house.

Two guards in black armor stood at the entrance, their Soul Power fluctuations no lower than level fifty.

Members of the royal family.

Dai Huabin knew that since Xu Jiujiu had sent a letter, it was most likely that Xu Jiawei had made the decision himself.

Push the door open and go inside.

The side room was small, but it was decorated with great care.

Exquisite tea and snacks were laid out on a rosewood square table, and a landscape painting of the Star Luo Empire hung on the wall.

The two people sat at the table.

Xu Jiujiu.

Today she wore a white, fitted long dress with gold patterns, and her long golden hair was tied into a ponytail with a jade ribbon, hanging down her back.

Her makeup was noticeably more refined than last time. Her lips were redder, her eyebrows were softer, and she wore a pair of tassel earrings that swayed gently as she turned her head.

Dai Huabin noticed these details as soon as he entered the room.

She's dressed up.

Sitting to the right was a man in his early thirties, dressed in a gray-blue casual robe with only a plain black belt around his waist and cloth shoes on his feet.

Emperor of the Star Luo Empire, Xu Jiawei.

"Greetings, Your Majesty, Princess Jiujiu." Dai Huabin clasped his hands in a salute.

No kneeling, no bowing, just a simple cupped-hands gesture.

In this extraordinary world, strength is the foundation of everything.

He is now a level 45 Soul Ancestor, backed by the White Tiger Duke Mansion and the Ice Empress.

There's no need to be humble!

Xu Jiawei looked at the boy in front of him.

He was 1.9 meters tall, with blond hair, blue eyes, and a handsome face.

He stood there, his demeanor neither arrogant nor overbearing, yet exuding a restrained sharpness.

Xu Jiawei was secretly surprised.

He had met Dai Huabin before.

At that time, Dai Hao brought his son to the palace to pay homage, his face full of arrogance, looking at everyone with sidelong glances.

The boy before me was completely different from the spoiled brat I remembered.

Calm, reserved, and when bowing, he is neither servile nor arrogant, and his manners are skillfully measured.

"It's only been three days since I last saw him."

Xu Jiawei sighed inwardly, but smiled amiably and gestured with his hand.

"Huabin, please sit down. Today is not a formal occasion, so there's no need to stand on ceremony."

Dai Huabin sat down.

Xu Jiujiu personally poured him a cup of tea, her movements natural and practiced. After pouring, she held it with both hands and pushed it in front of him.

"Huabin, today isn't a formal occasion, just call me Jiujiu Jiu."

Dai Huabin accepted the teacup and thanked him.

Xu Jiawei picked up his cup, took a sip, put it down, and spoke:

"Huabin, Jiujiu told me a lot about you when she returned to the palace yesterday. I know everything about the Immortal Herb."