Princess Luoxin

Compared to the incredibly arrogant Yan Yun from before, he had now become humble, as if he were a completely different person.

"Little Friend Xingluo, rest assured, I will absolutely not let you suffer a loss. I am not like certain people who don't show any appreciation at all."

Yan Yun spoke with veiled sarcasm, and the moment Liu Li heard this, he flew into a rage, ready to confront Yan Yun.

Li Xingluo held back the about-to-explode Liu Li and agreed to Yan Yun's request. Yan Yun was overjoyed and scurried off to make preparations.

Resentment surged in Liu Li's heart: "Brother Li, why did you agree to him? He is nothing but a despicable villain. Who knows what else he might do once he gets what he wants."

"What else?"

Liu Li did not hold back and recounted the dirty deeds Yan Yun had committed in the past, expressing his utter contempt for such a person.

After hearing this, Li Xingluo drew a sharp breath; the Yan Yun described by Liu Li certainly fit his own impression of the man.

Upon hearing these stories, Xiao Yi Xian also strongly opposed Li Xingluo refining pills for Yan Yun.

Li Xingluo, however, was unfazed and remained firm in his decision to refine the Breakthrough Pill for Yan Yun. Seeing the confusion of Xiao Yi Xian and Liu Li, he offered no explanation, though a strange smirk at the corner of his mouth made Liu Li shiver.

The auction ended, and Li Xingluo obtained the Nine Nether Underworld Art, handing it to Xiao Yi Xian at the first opportunity.

Liu Ya was full of gratitude, and Liu Yuntian even insisted on arranging a banquet to thank Li Xingluo.

It was not until evening that Liu Ya and the others finally left. Looking back at Xiao Yi Xian's room, it seemed she had not yet finished her studies.

Li Xingluo turned and returned to his own room, suddenly sensing a different kind of energy in the surroundings.

Alert, Li Xingluo scanned his surroundings. The aura drew closer, and with a flick of his hand, he fired a red, nail-like projectile toward a pillar in the corridor outside the window.

Was there no one? Could his senses have been wrong? Just as Li Xingluo began to doubt himself, a ghostly voice rang out.

"I did not expect that not only are you young, but your keen powers of observation are truly admirable."

Cold sweat broke out on Li Xingluo's forehead. This person's cultivation was far above his own; if not for his extraordinary spiritual power, he would not have easily detected the other's presence.

"Who are you? Can you show yourself?"

Li Xingluo vigilantly observed every spot where someone might be hiding.

A figure emerged from behind the pillar that had just been struck by his Dou Qi, wearing a wicked smile.

Seeing the visitor, Li Xingluo instinctively gathered a ball of Dou Qi in his hand, his brows knitting slightly.

"It's you!"

The visitor was none other than the person who had been by Princess Luoxin's side at the auction house. To think this person could arrive at the temporary lodging provided by Aus Auction House without making a sound.

It had to be said that this person was very strong, and at the same time, Li Xingluo felt deep concern regarding the security system of Aus Auction House.

"You need not be nervous. I have not come here to make things difficult for you."

"Oh? Then what have you come for?" Li Xingluo did not relax his guard; he would not drop his vigilance until he was certain the other party truly held no malice.

Seeing Li Xingluo remain this way, the visitor was not displeased; instead, he held Li Xingluo in higher regard.

"Her Highness the Princess has sent this old man to invite you for a chat."

"Her Highness the Princess?"

"Indeed. The person who bid against you today is none other than Princess Luoxin of our Chuyun Empire."

The man made no attempt to hide his identity or the purpose of his visit.

Li Xingluo was deeply puzzled. They had only met once—no, he hadn't even seen her face clearly. What exactly was this Princess Luoxin thinking?

"Please rest assured, the Princess does not intend to trouble you; she simply wishes to have a conversation. Nothing more."

Li Xingluo could clearly feel the aura on the man growing more intense, the pressure radiating outward, heavily implying that if he did not go willingly, he would be taken by force.

Seeing that the visitor held no immediate malice, Li Xingluo withdrew his Dou Qi, and the aura around him dissipated.

"Fine, I will go with you."

Li Xingluo left a note carved into the table and vanished into the night with the man.

Having finished her cultivation and stepping out to check on things, Xiao Yi Xian found Li Xingluo's door ajar. She knocked gently, only to find the room pitch black inside.

Carefully pushing the door open and finding nothing after a search, she discovered the note Li Xingluo had left on the table. After reading it, Xiao Yi Xian's brows locked together, and she gazed out the window, filled with worry.

"May I ask the old gentleman's name?"

"You may call this old man Elder Mo."

Elder Mo led the way, and Li Xingluo followed closely behind, losing track of how many streets and alleys they had crossed.

Finally, Elder Mo stopped outside a three-story corridor.

The two guards outside the room were highly alert and immediately demanded, "Who goes there?"

"It is this old man!" As soon as Elder Mo's booming voice rang out, the two guards bowed respectfully.

"Is Her Highness the Princess inside?"

"Reporting to you, sir, Her Highness has been waiting here for some time."

A slightly commanding voice sounded from within: "Teacher, come in!"

Elder Mo pushed open the door and gestured for Li Xingluo to follow. Li Xingluo managed to memorize the location, but he couldn't help but wonder: as the future successor to the empire, why was she not staying in the Imperial Palace?

Elder Mo stepped into the room, and the woman dressed in gorgeous attire embroidered with the unique patterns of the imperial family rose to greet him.

"Teacher--"

Elder Mo nodded slightly, and Princess Luoxin tilted her head to look at Li Xingluo standing behind him.

Her eyes revealed her surprise as she cast a questioning glance toward Elder Mo.

Elder Mo smiled faintly and stepped aside, bringing Li Xingluo into full view of Princess Luoxin.

"Do not doubt it; he is the one who bid against you during the day, named Li Xingluo."

"Li Xingluo? A fine name. I never expected someone held in such high regard by Teacher to be so young."

Li Xingluo finally understood why Princess Luoxin had been so shocked at the sight of him. It seemed she had imagined him to be some decrepit old man. Had Elder Mo not appeared so suddenly, leaving Li Xingluo no time to disguise himself, he would not have had to meet this princess in his true form.

"Your Highness is too kind!"

Princess Luoxin gestured for him to take a seat, inviting Li Xingluo to sit to one side.

She clapped her hands, and maids laid out a table full of food before being dismissed.

Li Xingluo had expected the high-and-mighty Princess Luoxin to be aloof, yet she personally poured a full cup of wine for him.

Li Xingluo suddenly understood why she had been chosen as the next ruler of the Chuyun Empire; this ability to handle people was truly impressive.

Princess Luoxin raised her glass to toast Li Xingluo, and he had no choice but to lift his own in response.

Princess Luoxin tilted her head back and drained her cup in one go, looking quite spirited, yet Li Xingluo made no move to drink, merely turning the cup in his hand.

"What? Are you afraid that this Princess has poisoned it?"

"Your Highness jests. I am merely wondering why Your Highness would invite this humble one here."

Princess Luoxin pursed her lips and smiled; she was a natural beauty, and her bold, straightforward manner did not lack grace.

"This Princess has indeed invited you here because I have a favor to ask."

Li Xingluo set down his glass. Seeing Princess Luoxin speak so directly, without any pretense, he felt a bit more at ease.

"Please speak, Your Highness. As long as it is within this humble one's power, I am not opposed to helping."

Elder Mo nodded slightly to signal Princess Luoxin, and she rose once more, bowing low toward Li Xingluo.

This caught Li Xingluo off guard, and he scrambled to his feet. He reached out as if to support her arms, but feeling it was inappropriate, he could only leave his hands awkwardly suspended in mid-air.