After a long while, Dugu Yan finally spoke, her tone somewhat resentful. "Tell me quickly, why haven't you come to see me all this time? Do you know how many days I've waited for you? Every time I asked someone to inquire, they said you were busy. Am I really that dispensable to you?" She sniffed, tears still clinging to her eyelashes.
Yu Tianheng frowned, reaching out to touch her but then stopping mid-air, his voice full of helplessness. " Yanyan, don't cry, let me explain. The reason I didn't see you this time is because I'm practicing the secret technique of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and at the crucial moment, the slightest carelessness could ruin everything. I dare not be distracted."
"What secret technique? Even I can't just stand by and watch anymore!"
Yu Tianheng raised his hand, and Thunder instantly surged from his palm. "This secret technique is a lightning art. It requires tempering the body with the power of Thunder during cultivation. You also know that my Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul has the ability to control lightning, so it won't cause too much damage during cultivation. However, if you stay by my side, you will easily be affected by the power of Thunder."
You are my love, you are my everything.
"I didn't want you to get hurt, that's why I didn't see you, do you understand?" Yu Tianheng gently cradled Dugu Yan's pretty face as he spoke tenderly.
"I know you come from a distinguished family, being the only granddaughter of Poison Douluo, Senior Dugu Bo. If I want to be with you, I must demonstrate my true abilities. Therefore, I am diligently cultivating, striving to achieve greater heights as soon as possible, gaining your grandfather's approval, and then we can be together forever..."
Upon hearing this, Dugu Yan was deeply moved, realizing that she had wronged Yu Tianheng. So she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her face against his chest.
Yu Tianheng patted Dugu Yan's back to comfort her.
After Dugu Yan calmed down, Yu Tianheng asked, " Yanyan, in three days, Crown Prince Xue Qinghe of the Heaven Dou Empire plans to hold a court banquet. I've also received an invitation, and I can bring a female companion. Would you like to go?"
Dugu Yan paused, looked up at Yu Tianheng, and smiled playfully, "What, afraid I'll get bored by myself?"
Despite this, a ripple stirred in her heart—she had lived among poisons in the Sunset Forest since childhood and had never set foot in such a magnificent setting as a court banquet. The gorgeous clothes, fine wine, songs and dances painted a hazy picture in her mind, and a secret expectation arose within her.
Furthermore, since it was Yu Tianheng who personally invited her, how could she possibly refuse?
"Then let's go."
"Alright." Yu Tianheng reached out and hooked Dugu Yan's chin. "Tomorrow I'll take you to Heaven Dou City to buy the dress you need for the banquet. With your looks, you'll definitely stun everyone."
The next morning.
Yu Tianheng arrived at Dugu Yan in a luxurious carriage. Dressed in a moon-white outfit, the jade pendant at his waist swayed slightly with his movements. "It's time to set off. The most famous Cloud Brocade Workshop in Heaven Dou City is about to open."
Dugu Yan climbed into the carriage and casually pulled open the curtain to look outside. "It's just buying a dress, why so early?" She complained, but unconsciously adjusted the silver hairpin at her temple.
When the carriage entered Heaven Dou City, the streets were already bustling. Yu Tianheng led Dugu Yan into an alley paved with bluestone slabs. At the end of the alley stood a vermilion gate, with the three golden characters " Cloud Brocade Workshop " on the plaque shining brightly in the sunlight.
Upon entering the shop, a dazzling array of silks immediately caught the eye. Seeing that Yu Tianheng possessed an extraordinary air and was accompanied by a woman, the shopkeeper knew that the visitor might be a wealthy young master or a nobleman. He immediately came forward and ordered his assistant to bring out the most luxurious fabrics. Peonies woven with gold thread and phoenixes embroidered with silver thread gleamed softly in the brocade box.
"How about this one?" Yu Tianheng picked up a bright red long dress, the hem of which was adorned with tiny pearls that rustled with his movements. Dugu Yan raised an eyebrow. "It's so red, it looks like you're going to a wedding." Though she expressed her disdain, her gaze lingered on the fabric for a few more seconds.
Yu Tianheng then picked up a moon-white long dress with pale blue datura embroidered on the cuffs. "This color suits you." Dugu Yan nodded and took it. "I'll take this one."
To be honest, she's not picky about the style of clothes; as long as they look decent, she's fine with them.
Yu Tianheng smiled helplessly and gestured for the waiter to bring it over.
The shop assistant quickly handed the clothes to Dugu Yan, Dugu Yan then went to the fitting room to try them on. Watching Dugu Yan go in and out of the fitting room, with her clothes fluttering in the wind, the shop assistant noticed that the usually aloof Dugu Yan now had a rare touch of coquettishness.
When Dugu Yan finally emerged wearing her new dress, the moon-white fabric accentuated her elegant beauty, leaving Yu Tianheng momentarily stunned.
"What are you looking at?" Dugu Yan glared at him, then turned to examine herself in the bronze mirror. The newly replaced jade hairpin in her hair swayed slightly with the movement. "This hairpin is too plain. Let's change to one with gemstones." There was a hint of excitement in her voice, while Yu Tianheng had already beckoned for the shop assistant to bring over more jewelry.
After much fuss, Dugu Yan finally finished selecting the items she needed. It has to be said that women seem to have a natural interest in shopping. Even a woman like Dugu Yan, who is focused on cultivation, can't stop picking things up. Fortunately, Yu Tianheng was very patient and waited patiently by her side. After she finished selecting the items, Yu Tianheng waved his hand and swiped his card to pay, spending several thousand Gold Soul Coin.
The two then returned to the academy by carriage.
Two days later, on the night of the same day, a court banquet hosted by Crown Prince Xue Qinghe of the Heaven Dou Empire at the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace officially began.
All the nobles who received the invitations set off for the event.
Yu Tianheng then led Dugu Yan, who was dressed in a moon-white dress and adorned with jewelry, to the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace in a luxurious carriage.
The carriage slowly drove into the Heaven Dou Imperial City.
Stepping through the gates of the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace is like entering a dreamlike art palace.
Dugu Yan opened the carriage window and peered out to watch.
Within the imperial city of the Heaven Dou Empire, there are countless palaces, magnificent in appearance, and arranged in a symmetrical layout. Tall columns are neatly arranged in front of the palaces, like loyal guards protecting this sacred palace.
The pristine white marble walls shimmered softly in the sunlight, their exquisite reliefs vividly depicting the glorious history and legends of the Heaven Dou Empire.
On the palace roof, towering spires and spires pierce the clouds, their golden decorations gleaming in the sunlight like dazzling stars.
Colorful glazed tiles are laid on the roof, forming various exquisite patterns. When sunlight shines through the glazed tiles and falls on the floor inside the palace, it creates patches of colorful light and shadow, like a dream.
Upon arriving at the palace where Crown Prince Xue Qinghe was holding a court banquet, everyone disembarked from their carriages, including Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan, who walked inside.
After checking the invitations, the guards let everyone in.
Upon entering the palace, the first thing that catches the eye is the spacious and bright hall. A huge crystal chandelier hangs from the ceiling, and the sparkling crystals refract dazzling light, illuminating the entire hall as if it were daytime.