Xu Jiujiu and Huo Xiaohei: Aha, Let's Make a Deal!

Inside the towering, solemn hall of the Star Luo Imperial Palace, a giant Monopoly Board hung in midair, blotting out the sky. Streams of light stretched across the hall, leaving the guards too intimidated to breathe.

Xu Jiawei stared up blankly, utterly dumbfounded. His composure shattered.

The imperial capital's grand hall, a solemn place where emperors discussed affairs of state, had somehow become the site of a childish board game.

"How... how are we supposed to play this?!"

Huo Xiaohei seemed to realize only then how excessive the spectacle was. He scratched the back of his head, gave an awkward smile, and feigned innocence.

"Oops, my mistake. The scene got a little out of hand~"

He snapped his fingers.

Hum—

The enormous board covering the palace instantly compressed, shrank, and took shape. In the blink of an eye, it became an exquisite miniature board no bigger than a palm and landed neatly on the jade table in the hall.

What had looked like a world-ending fantasy spectacle became a tabletop game.

"There. Now we can start." Huo Xiaohei raised an eyebrow and chuckled, his tone easygoing.

Xu Jiawei's mouth twitched uncontrollably. He was absolutely certain:

That bastard did it on purpose! He was clearly trying to scare me!

If Huo Xiaohei had known, he would probably have protested at the top of his lungs: Your Honor, I swear I wasn't messing with him! My Elation Authority comes with its own special effects. They just look a little ridiculous—I really wasn't trying to prank anyone!

Huo Xiaohei was about to start the game when a graceful figure stepped into the hall.

The young woman wore a silver-white royal brocade dress. Slender and poised, with gentle yet dignified features, she was Xu Jiujiu, princess of the Star Luo Empire and captain of