Princess Luoxin

Compared with the overbearing Yan Yun from earlier, he had now become humble, as if he were a completely different person.

"Little friend Xing Luo, don't worry. I absolutely won't let you come out at a loss. I'm not like certain people who don't show even the slightest appreciation."

Yan Yun's words were pointed. As soon as Liu Li heard them, he flew into a rage and was about to confront Yan Yun.

Li Xingluo stopped Liu Li before he could explode and agreed to Yan Yun's request. Yan Yun was overjoyed and scampered off to make preparations.

Liu Li seethed with resentment. "Brother Li, why did you agree to help him? He's a despicable little man. Who knows what he might do once he gets what he wants?"

"Do what, exactly?"

Liu Li didn't hold anything back. He told Li Xingluo about the vile things Yan Yun had done in the past, and expressed his contempt for the likes of him.

After hearing it, Li Xingluo drew in a sharp breath. The Yan Yun Liu Li described certainly fit the man's character.

When Xiao Yi Xian heard about these things, she also strongly opposed Li Xingluo refining pills for Yan Yun.

Li Xingluo, however, didn't take it to heart. Instead, he remained determined to refine the Breakthrough Pill for Yan Yun. Seeing that Xiao Yi Xian and Liu Li were confused, he offered no explanation, only letting a strange smile curl his lips—a sight that sent a chill down Liu Li's spine.

The auction ended, and Li Xingluo received the Nine Nether Underworld Art. He handed it to Xiao Yi Xian at once.

Liu Ya thanked him repeatedly, and Liu Yuntian even said he would arrange a banquet to show his appreciation.

It wasn't until dusk that Liu Ya and the others finally left. Looking back toward Xiao Yi Xian's room, Li Xingluo saw that she didn't seem to have finished studying the art.

Li Xingluo turned and returned to his room, when he suddenly sensed an unfamiliar energy nearby.

On alert, Li Xingluo surveyed his surroundings. The aura was drawing closer. With a flick of his hand, he sent a red bolt like a nail toward a pillar in the corridor outside the window.

Was no one there? Had he imagined it? Just as Li Xingluo began to doubt himself, a voice, cold as the underworld, rang out.

"I never expected you to be so young, yet so keen-eyed. Your powers of observation are truly impressive."

Cold sweat beaded on Li Xingluo's forehead. The intruder's cultivation was far above his own. Without his extraordinary spiritual power, he likely wouldn't have detected the man so easily.

"Who are you, sir? Would you care to show yourself?"

Li Xingluo warily watched every place where someone might be hiding.

A figure emerged from behind the pillar that had just been struck by his Dou Qi, and the man gave him an eerie smile.

Seeing who it was, Li Xingluo instinctively gathered a ball of Dou Qi in his hand and furrowed his brows.

"It's you!"

The newcomer was the man who had stood beside Princess Luoxin at the auction. He had somehow arrived without a sound at the lodgings Aus Auction House had temporarily arranged for its guests.

There was no doubt that this man was powerful. At the same time, Li Xingluo couldn't help worrying about Aus Auction House's security.

"Sir, there's no need to be tense. I didn't come here to make things difficult for you."

"Then what did you come for?" Li Xingluo still didn't let his guard down. Until he was certain the man meant no harm, he wouldn't lower it.

Seeing that Li Xingluo remained on guard, the man wasn't displeased. If anything, he thought more highly of him.

"Her Highness the princess sent this old man to invite you for a conversation."

"Her Highness the princess?"

"Yes. The person who bid against you today was Her Highness Princess Luoxin of the Chuyun Empire."

The man made no attempt to conceal his purpose for coming.

Li Xingluo was perplexed. They had met only once—no, they hadn't even seen each other's faces clearly. What was this Princess Luoxin thinking?

"Rest assured, sir. Her Highness the princess has no intention of making things difficult for you. She simply wishes to speak with you. Nothing more."

Li Xingluo could clearly feel the man's aura growing stronger. The force he exuded was steadily spreading, as if to say: if you won't go willingly, I'll drag you there.

Seeing that the man meant no harm, Li Xingluo withdrew his Dou Qi, and his own aura faded with it.

"Fine. I'll go with you."

Li Xingluo left a message carved into the desk, then followed the man and disappeared into the night.

After finishing her cultivation, Xiao Yi Xian stepped out to check on things and found Li Xingluo's door ajar. She knocked gently, but saw only darkness inside.

She cautiously pushed the door open and searched the room, but found no one. Then she spotted the message Li Xingluo had left on the desk. After reading it, Xiao Yi Xian furrowed her brows and gazed anxiously out the window.

"May I ask your name, sir?"

"You may call me Elder Mo."

Elder Mo led the way, and Li Xingluo followed close behind. He had no idea how many streets and alleys they had passed through.

At last, Elder Mo stopped outside a corridor beside a three-story building.

The two guards outside the room were highly alert. They immediately called out, "Who is it?"

"It's me!" Elder Mo's deep voice rang out, and the two guards promptly bowed in respect.

"Is Her Highness the princess inside?"

"In reply, sir, Her Highness the princess has been waiting here for some time."

A clear, powerful voice sounded from within. "Teacher, come in!"

Elder Mo pushed open the door and motioned for Li Xingluo to follow. Li Xingluo tried to commit the location to memory. Still, as the future ruler of the empire, shouldn't the princess be living in the imperial palace?

Elder Mo stepped into the room. A woman dressed in splendid garments embroidered with patterns unique to the imperial family rose to greet him.

"Teacher—"

Elder Mo gave a slight nod. Princess Luoxin turned her head toward Li Xingluo, who stood behind him.

Surprise showed in her eyes, and she turned to Elder Mo with a questioning look.

Elder Mo smiled faintly and stepped aside, revealing Li Xingluo to Princess Luoxin.

"Don't doubt it. He's the one who bid against you today. His name is Li Xingluo."

"Li Xingluo? What a fine name. I never expected the person my teacher thinks so highly of to be so young."

Li Xingluo finally understood why Princess Luoxin had been so shocked when she first saw him. She'd taken him for a decrepit old man. If Elder Mo hadn't suddenly appeared, Li Xingluo might have had time to disguise himself; then he wouldn't have had to meet the princess in his true appearance.

"Your Highness flatters me!"

Princess Luoxin gestured for Li Xingluo to sit, then invited him to take a seat nearby.

She clapped her hands, and the maids laid out a table laden with food. After dismissing them, Princess Luoxin—whom Li Xingluo had assumed would be haughty and aloof—personally filled a cup of wine for him.

Li Xingluo could suddenly understand why Princess Luoxin had been chosen as the Chuyun Empire's next ruler. She certainly knew how to win people over.

Princess Luoxin lifted her cup to toast Li Xingluo. With no choice, he raised his own cup in return.

Princess Luoxin tipped her head back and drained her cup in one bold gulp, but Li Xingluo showed no intention of drinking. He merely turned the cup in his hand.

"What? Afraid I've poisoned it?"

"Your Highness must be joking. I was just wondering why you invited me here."

Princess Luoxin smiled, her manner brisk and bold yet still graceful. She was also quite lovely, with the makings of a beauty.

"I did invite you here because I have a favor to ask."

Li Xingluo set down his cup. Seeing Princess Luoxin speak so plainly, he found her refreshingly sincere. He also felt a little more at ease.

"Your Highness, please go ahead. If it's within my power, I may be able to help."

Elder Mo nodded slightly to Princess Luoxin. She rose once more and bowed to Li Xingluo.

Li Xingluo was startled. He hurried to his feet and reached out as if to support Princess Luoxin by the arms, but then thought better of it and could only stop awkwardly with his hands suspended in midair.