Night Talk

"650 Gold Soul Coin, 1:50 odds. By rights, you should give me 32,500 Gold Soul Coin."

Murong Ci tapped the table, looking at the staff member with a "beaming smile."

The staff member was stunned. In all his eight lifetimes, he had never seen such odds. A newcomer had earned thirty thousand Gold Soul Coin on their first day at the Great Soul Arena!

As the three of them left, the staff member muttered "lunatic" under his breath. Huo Wu heard him and glared, causing him to shudder and snap his mouth shut in a hurry.

[500 Gold Soul Coin was her entire life savings. She bet it all on you just like that. Where do you think she got the confidence?]

The system clicked its tongue twice, revealing a hint of envy?

That night, the three of them went to the best restaurant in Heaven Dou City.

The meal cost 300 Gold Soul Coin, not even a fraction of their winnings. Even though Huo Wushuang felt a bit of a pinch, he was too embarrassed to say anything.

After three rounds of drinks and five courses of food, the three of them chatted away, feeling quite satisfied.

Though there were three of them, it was really just Huo Wu and Murong Ci talking; Huo Wushuang had no desire to be a third wheel.

"A-Ci, why is your third soul skill called Hundred Years in an Instant?"

"It's a domain-type skill. While only an instant passes in the outside world, the enemies within the domain truly experience a hundred years, though their actual physical age does not increase."

"How terrifying... yet how romantic..."

"Romantic? Why do you say that?"

"If we were trapped inside together, wouldn't that mean we'd be together forever?"

As soon as these words left her lips, not only Murong Ci, but the idle Huo Wushuang beside them froze as well.

Murong Ci didn't answer her; he simply downed a mouthful of wine.

It tasted salty.

But he still pretended to be indifferent.

"It's not that simple. Every second of those hundred years is filled with mental and physical agony."

Huo Wu shivered. "That's too scary. Never use it on me in the future."

"Alright. Let's head back. We'll come again tomorrow night."

For the next seven days, Murong Ci and Huo Wu appeared at the Great Soul Arena of Heaven Dou City right on time.

But no matter who they faced, the outcome was a foregone conclusion, and no battle lasted longer than five seconds.

The name "Yongzhen" had become synonymous with the Great Soul Arena of Heaven Dou City. Gamblers bet frantically on Murong Ci, but the odds had long since dropped to 1:1.01. There was no real money to be made, yet people flocked to place bets every single day.

The name "Yongzhen" had even spread to surrounding cities, and challengers arrived in an endless stream every night.

However, Murong Ci had promised to only accept two matches a day, because he had plenty of time to spend with his girlfriend at night...

On the seventh night, Murong Ci and Huo Wu walked out of the restaurant still holding hands, fingers interlaced, never to be separated again.

Suddenly, the two were blocked by a hooded figure.

The man was tall and thin, his voice raspy: "The Young Master wishes to see you."

He handed a gold-embossed invitation to Murong Ci, the seal stamped with a Swan Emblem.

As Murong Ci took it, his fingertips brushed the paper, sensing a faint but high-quality light-attribute aura.

[Light attribute detected, extracting. Host's light-attribute affinity increased by 1%.]

The system prompt sounded, and the corner of Murong Ci's mouth curled up.

"Tell your Young Master," Murong Ci said, tucking the invitation into his robe, "tomorrow night at eight, at the Moon-Gazing Tea House in Heaven Dou City. My treat."

After Murong Ci finished speaking, he pulled Huo Wu away. The man in black was slightly taken aback; he didn't pursue, but let out a soft sigh of "interesting" before departing.

"A-Ci, I can't see through that person. Who is he?"

[Target: Snake Lance Douluo She Long, a level 93 power attack system Title Douluo. He is interested in the host. The threat is low, but caution is advised.]

"I don't know him, but he should be quite strong."

Murong Ci said this and opened the envelope. Inside were only four characters.

"Long admired your name."

The signature was Xue Qinghe.

Huo Wu's eyes went wide when she saw the name Xue Qinghe. "A-Ci, the Crown Prince wants to see you! You're amazing."

Murong Ci ruffled her hair. Ever since that night, Huo Wu seemed like a different person.

Her usual domineering and coquettish nature seemed useless against Murong Ci; on the contrary, this side of her was the most charming.

Of course, only to him.

"The Crown Prince sent a letter; he must have seen something in me worth utilizing. I cannot be careless."

Murong Ci tucked the letter away and led Huo Wu back by the hand.

"I won't be able to accompany you tomorrow; have Brother Wushuang go with you instead."

"But I'll miss you."

"Then let's look at each other to our hearts' content tonight."

"Then I won't be polite!"

Moon-Gazing Tea House, a relatively quiet tea house in Heaven Dou City, is most famous for its small pavilion. One can drink tea while gazing at the moon, hence the name Moon-Gazing.

The first floor has a space dedicated to storytellers; the gentleman is well-read and speaks with a silver tongue, attracting many commoners to the tea house and boosting its reputation.

As soon as Murong Ci stepped through the door, a man dressed in moon-white robes was already sitting there pouring tea.

It was none other than Xue Qinghe.

"Brother Murong? Please, sit."

Xue Qinghe gestured to the chair beside him, his tone gentle.

"You are too kind, Your Highness. I am just curious, why did you summon me here today?"

"Naturally, it is because I have long admired your reputation and wish to make a friend."

Xue Qinghe smiled, a flash of golden light flickering in his eyes and vanishing in an instant.

[Real-time monitoring is now active for the host. A faint aura of light-attribute energy has been detected, and there is someone in the shadows. Proceed with caution.]

"Does Your Highness not trust me?"

"Why would Brother Murong say such a thing?"

"Does our friend in the shadows not care for a cup of tea?"

Xue Qinghe gave an imperceptible wave of his hand, a signal for the man in black to retreat.

[Target has moved to a distance. Host is safe.]

"He is my personal guard. It is truly remarkable that Brother Murong could sense him."

"Your Highness, let's skip the pleasantries. Why did you want me here?"

"Brother Murong is a straightforward man." Xue Qinghe set down his cup and rested his clasped fingers on the table.

"Then I will not beat around the bush. You achieved seven consecutive victories at the Great Soul Arena, with a soul ring configuration of two purple and one black. You crushed a level 39 opponent while only at level 31, winning every battle over seven days. The Heaven Dou Empire cannot turn a blind eye to such a genius."

"Oh? Does Your Highness wish to recruit me?"

"I do have that intention, but I respect Brother Murong's wishes. There is no rush, no rush at all."

Xue Qinghe leaned in close. "It is just that Brother Murong's martial soul is quite strange, and your soul ring configuration is equally bizarre. Can you tell me why?"

Murong Ci stood up, walked to the small pavilion, and gazed at the moon. "Yongzhen. It encompasses all things. I possess every elemental attribute, and my perception of the surrounding elements is slightly stronger than the average person's."

Murong Ci paused before continuing, "I fear that Your Highness's martial soul is more than just a swan, isn't it?"

Xue Qinghe fell silent for a moment before slowly standing up, the moonlight casting a unique luster upon him.

[Shadow figure detected returning. Host, please prepare to respond.]

"...I bet he won't kill me."

"Brother Murong has a sharp eye, but those who know too much often do not live long."

"Your Highness won't kill me either; otherwise, you wouldn't have invited me to this Moon-Gazing Tea House. You would have simply had your guard kill me directly."

Xue Qinghe stared at him for a moment, then smiled and turned his head away.

"Interesting. You are more interesting than I imagined. I hope you bring me more surprises next time we meet."

"I am honored by your regard, Crown Prince. I am deeply grateful."

Murong Ci left the small pavilion, stopped at the doorway, and glanced back at the moonlight.

"May I be like the star and you like the moon, night after night shining brightly together."

Xue Qinghe was slightly stunned, not understanding the meaning.

"Oh? Brother Murong is also a poet? I humbly ask for your guidance; I would like to hear the meaning."

"I hope that you and I may reflect one another like the stars and the moon, accompanying each other forever. Farewell, Crown Prince."

Murong Ci walked away, leaving Xue Qinghe standing there in a daze.

"May I be like the star... you like the moon... night after night shining brightly together... what a beautiful sentiment..."

[Why were you actively flirting? The other person's heart rate is already at 110.]

"I think mine is at 110 too."

[About the same.]