Xu Jiujiu

In the hotel room, Huo Yuhao met with Xu Jiawei again.

Huo Yuhao looked at the Star Luo Emperor in surprise. Meeting privately two days in a row seemed far too frequent.

"Pavilion Master Huo, after learning about your experiences, Jiujiu has always admired you greatly. She's long hoped to spend some time studying and exchanging ideas at Shrek Inner Court. Would that be convenient?"

"This is a small compensation from me personally for the trouble she'll cause the academy. I hope you'll give it some thought. As her older brother, I truly have no other choice. I can only trouble you, Pavilion Master."

As Xu Jiawei spoke, he handed Huo Yuhao a square Storage Soul Tool filled with rare metals and heavenly treasures with ice attributes.

Seeing the vast amount of resources it contained, Huo Yuhao finally understood Xu Jiawei's true intentions. His expression immediately turned serious as he prepared to sound out the emperor.

"Bringing your younger sister along to study for a while is naturally no problem. But does she intend to stay and take up a post at the academy, or will she only be staying for a short time?"

"Jiujiu has long found life in the imperial palace terribly dull. I'm afraid she won't want to return for the time being. In that case, I hope you'll take good care of my younger sister, Pavilion Master Huo."

After Xu Jiawei gave his answer, hinting at his meaning, he continued to sweeten the deal.

"There are also quite a few young people in the Star Crown Family who want to leave Star Luo City and travel abroad. If it's convenient in the future, Pavilion Master Huo, perhaps you could show them a thing or two."

Understanding his deeper meaning, Huo Yuhao realized that Xu Jiawei was preparing to bind himself to him completely. He no longer had any reason to refuse the chance to grow closer to Princess Jiujiu.

"When I met Princess Jiujiu last time, I could tell that she had exceptional talent as a Soul Master—more than enough to study in the Inner Court. If she stays on to take up a post in the future, she might even be able to lend me a hand. I should be the one thanking you."

"You're too kind, Pavilion Master. I won't disturb your rest any longer. As for negotiations with the Sun Moon Empire, we can discuss them after the auction in a few days."

Seeing that he and Huo Yuhao had reached an agreement, Xu Jiawei saw no reason to stay. He bid him farewell and left.

Mu En appeared just then, looking at Huo Yuhao with a grin as he teased him:

"You rascal, have you taken a liking to Princess Jiujiu? You agreed so readily—that's not like you at all."

Huo Yuhao could only helplessly open the Storage Soul Tool and show it to Mu En.

"Mu En, you're mistaken this time. The rare metals the Star Luo Emperor gave me are enough to fill more than an ordinary storage ring can hold."

"And these heavenly treasures would be enough to let an ordinary Soul Master with an ice attribute cultivate all the way to Titled Douluo. With this kind of support, if I still refused, Xu Jiawei would have to wonder whether I had some grudge against him."

Mu En was also stunned to see so many resources. The rare metals alone amounted to nearly a third of the Star Crown Family's accumulated wealth over the years.

"If you have the time, meet with that princess a few more times. Once she leaves with you, she'll probably find it very hard to return to Star Luo City."

Xu Jiujiu sat elegantly before a full-length mirror, combing her smooth golden hair.

Her bright, deep-blue eyes reflected her tall figure. Her skin was delicate and fair, and an elegant, aristocratic air surrounded her.

As her lustrous waist-length hair was gradually brushed into a neat ponytail, she rose slowly, dressed in a splendid golden gown.

Xu Jiujiu gazed at her own reflection—her bright eyes, pearly teeth, and finely sculpted face with its high nose bridge. Yet her brows furrowed, and she let out a soft sigh.

Manyi appeared beside her, watching her in puzzlement.

"If you don't want to go, just ask Xu Jiawei to turn him down. With me and the elders here, no one will force you. Why must you make things difficult for yourself, child?"

Xu Jiujiu parted her red lips and replied helplessly:

"It's not that I'm the only one who could do it. I'm just the most suitable. It's not that I dislike Huo Yuhao, either. Who wouldn't admire a legend?"

"It's just that I've had so little contact with him that we barely know each other. And after this journey, I'm afraid I won't be able to come back often. It's hard not to feel a little melancholy."

Manyi, who had always regarded Xu Jiujiu as her own granddaughter, was even more confused.

"Isn't Xu Yun another princess in the imperial family? Even if Xu Yun won't do, there are always other princesses."

"You're quite a bit older than Huo Yuhao, and no one can match the cultivation of the next Sea God Pavilion Master. Why does it have to be you?"

Xu Jiujiu knew that Manyi didn't truly fail to understand. She was simply deeply attached to her and couldn't bear to see her leave. So Xu Jiujiu could only explain slowly.

"Grandma Manyi, of all the princesses, I'm the closest to my elder brother. I'm also the one who most embodies the traits of the Star Crown Family."

"Besides, for someone like Huo Yuhao to agree at all is already a stroke of great luck. Have you ever heard of a Sea God Pavilion Master becoming close to an imperial princess?"

"My elder brother wouldn't feel at ease leaving such a delicate matter in someone else's hands. I'm the most suitable."

"After all, there are only five or six years between us. If I reach Titled Douluo someday, that age difference won't matter."

Hearing this, Manyi gently patted Xu Jiujiu's back. She sighed silently and fell quiet.

Xu Jiujiu then left the imperial palace, taking off the crown that symbolized her royal status and her glittering jade jewelry, and strolled through Star Luo City.

She followed a familiar street at an unhurried pace, looking at the buildings on either side as if she wanted to engrave them all in her memory.

But she had gone only two streets when she spotted a young man at the corner, his eyes as bright as starlight in the night sky.

Huo Yuhao leaned against a building at the street corner, his deep eyes fixed on Xu Jiujiu's somewhat lonely figure.

"Pavilion Master Huo, I didn't expect to run into you here." Xu Jiujiu looked at Huo Yuhao with a poised smile on her pretty face.

"This wasn't a chance encounter. I was waiting for you here."

"I'm curious what you really think. I can sense the relief and ease that came after a heavy burden was lifted, but I can also feel your doubts and confusion about the present."

Xu Jiujiu looked at Huo Yuhao in surprise, astonished that he could sense her emotions.

"I always keep my word. You don't need to feel so burdened. As long as the Star Luo Imperial Family cooperates sincerely, I won't go back on my promise."

"Likewise, if our cooperation becomes untenable, our personal relationship alone won't be enough to turn things around."

"If you don't want to do this, there's no need. I swear upon my Martial Soul that if you refuse, it won't affect our cooperation at all."

Under the evening sun, Huo Yuhao's expression was solemn and his gaze piercing. Xu Jiujiu's face relaxed, and a faint, unburdened smile appeared on her lips.