Xu Jiujiu

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

Huo Yuhao looked at the emperor of the Star Luo Empire with some curiosity; having private meetings two days in a row felt like a rather high frequency.

"Pavilion Master Huo, after learning of your experiences, Jiujiu has always held you in high regard. She has long hoped to go to the Shrek inner courtyard for an exchange and study period. I wonder if that might be convenient?"

"Inside this are my personal compensations for the trouble she will cause the academy. I hope Pavilion Master Huo can consider it. As her older brother, I truly have no other choice but to trouble you."

As he spoke, Xu Jiawei handed Huo Yuhao a square storage Soul Guidance Device filled with rare metals and ice-attribute natural treasures.

Looking at the massive quantity of resources within, Huo Yuhao finally understood Xu Jiawei's true intentions. His expression turned solemn as he prepared to probe the emperor's bottom line.

"Taking your sister to study for a period is naturally no problem. However, does she intend to stay and hold a position at the academy in the future, or is she merely staying for a short while?"

"Jiujiu has long found life within this palace to be quite dull. I fear she will not wish to return after this trip. In that case, I ask that Pavilion Master Huo take good care of my sister."

After Xu Jiawei's suggestive reply, he immediately upped the ante.

"There are also many young people within the Star Crown Family who wish to leave Star Luo City to travel and gain experience. If it is convenient for you in the future, Pavilion Master Huo, it would be good if you could take them along to broaden their horizons."

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

"When I met Princess Jiujiu last time, I could see that her talent as a soul master was exceptional, enough to enter the inner courtyard for study. If she stays to hold a position in the future, she might even be able to assist me. It is I who should be thanking you."

"You are too kind, Pavilion Master. I will not disturb your rest any further. We shall discuss the negotiations with the Sun Moon Empire after the auction concludes in a few days."

Seeing that he had reached an agreement with Huo Yuhao, Xu Jiawei did not intend to linger and took his leave.

Mu En manifested his form at this moment, looking at Huo Yuhao with a chuckle as he teased, "You brat, have you taken a liking to that Princess Jiujiu? You agreed so readily; it doesn't quite fit your personality."

Huo Yuhao opened the storage Soul Guidance Device with a helpless expression and showed it to Mu En.

"Elder Mu, you are mistaken this time. The amount of rare metals the Star Luo Emperor gave is enough to fill a standard storage ring to the brim."

"And these natural treasures—they are enough for a normal ice-attribute soul master to cultivate all the way to the Title Douluo level. With such support, if I didn't agree, Xu Jiawei would have started wondering if I held some grudge against him."

Mu En was also shocked to see such a vast amount of resources. These rare metals represented at least one-third of the Star Crown Family's accumulated wealth over the years.

"If you have time recently, meet with that princess a few more times. Once she leaves with you, I fear it will be very difficult for her to return to Star Luo City."

Xu Jiujiu sat gracefully before a floor-length mirror, brushing her smooth, golden hair.

Her bright, azure eyes reflected her tall, slender figure. Her skin was delicate and fair, and her entire being radiated an elegant, aristocratic aura.

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

Xu Jiujiu looked at her own exquisite face in the mirror—her bright eyes, white teeth, and high-bridged nose—but her willow-leaf brows furrowed slightly, and she let out a soft sigh.

Manyi manifested her form from the side, looking at her with confusion.

"If you don't like it, just go back and refuse Xu Jiawei. With me and the other elders here, no one will force you. Why must you insist on making things difficult for yourself, child?"

Xu Jiujiu parted her red lips and said with a touch of helplessness, "It isn't that I am the only choice, but I am the most suitable one. It isn't that I dislike Huo Yuhao; who doesn't hold some admiration for a legend?"

"It is just that my contact with him has been shallow, and we hardly know each other. Furthermore, after this trip, I fear it will be difficult to return often, so it is hard not to feel a sense of melancholy."

Manyi, who had always viewed Xu Jiujiu as her own granddaughter, was even more puzzled.

"Among the imperial princesses, isn't there Xu Yun? Even if Xu Yun isn't suitable, there are always other princesses."

"In terms of age, you are quite a bit older than Huo Yuhao. In terms of cultivation, who can compare to the next Sea God Pavilion Master? Why must it be you?"

Xu Jiujiu understood that Manyi was not truly ignorant, but simply felt deeply for her and could not bear to see her leave, so she began to explain slowly.

"Grandma Manyi, among all the princesses, only I have the closest relationship with my imperial brother, and only I possess the traits of the Star Crown Family to the highest degree."

"Moreover, for someone like Huo Yuhao, being able 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?"

"The balance of this relationship is something my brother wouldn't trust to anyone else; only I am the most suitable."

"The age gap between him and me is only five or six years, after all. If one day I achieve the Title Douluo rank, this age difference will be nothing."

Upon hearing this, Manyi gently patted Xu Jiujiu's back, sighed silently, and fell into a hush.

Xu Jiujiu walked out of the palace, removed the crown and the crystal-clear jewelry that symbolized her royal status, and strolled through Star Luo City.

Walking slowly along a familiar street, Xu Jiujiu examined the buildings on both sides, as if she wanted to commit them all to memory.

But after walking only two streets, she saw a young man at a corner whose eyes were as bright as the starlight in the night sky.

Huo Yuhao leaned against the building at the street corner, his deep eyes watching Xu Jiujiu's slightly lonely figure.

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

"It is no coincidence. I was simply waiting for you here."

"I am curious about what you are truly thinking. I felt the relief and ease in your emotions after a heavy burden was lifted, yet I also sensed doubt and confusion regarding the present."

Xu Jiujiu looked at Huo Yuhao in surprise, amazed that he could perceive her emotions.

"I am a man of my word. You need not carry such a heavy psychological burden. As long as the Star Luo Imperial Family cooperates in good faith, I will naturally not betray our trust."

"Likewise, if the cooperation between our two sides becomes unsustainable, it is not something that can be reversed by our private relationship alone."

"If your heart is not in it, this matter is unnecessary. I swear by my own martial soul: if you refuse this, it will not affect our cooperation in the slightest."

Looking at Huo Yuhao's serious expression and soul-stirring gaze under the evening sunset, Xu Jiujiu finally let out a relaxed, genuine smile.