"You're Jiujiu's brother, so I'll call you Xiao Ming. You want to host the tournament in Haiyuan City—I can help, but you must realize there are many complications," Xu Jiawei said, signaling the eager Skyhawk Douluo to let him handle it.
He turned to Lu Jingming, getting straight to the point.
Lu Jingming immediately guessed the underlying requests—Skyhawk Douluo's attitude, his reaction to Changli's martial soul, and the nature of his own martial soul.
He didn't answer immediately, instead looking to Changli—this kind of negotiation needed her expertise.
"Your Majesty, all the monetary profits from hosting the tournament can go to the empire. In addition, we can build ten air-and-space soul tool warships for the empire and share some soul tool technology. What do you think?" Changli's tone was calm, but her words made Xu Jiawei tremble.
The tournament profits were one thing, but ten soul tool warships and technology—that was the real prize.
He'd already heard of Haiyuan City's ability to build such ships.
The Sun Moon Empire had similar tech but focused more on flight devices. The three kingdoms of Douluo hadn't had anything like this before.
Star Luo had been buying up soul tools, especially those from Illustrious Virtue Hall and the Black Tower, hoping to reverse-engineer the technology.
Changli's offer was just what he needed.
Lu Jingming didn't care about these concessions.
The tournament's profits were just money—what Haiyuan City lacked least.
The warships, while good, were less useful in a world where most soul masters could fly themselves.
As for soul tool technology, it was just stuff Herta had discarded—important to others, but not to them.
What mattered most was the huge influx of people and the fame the tournament would bring to Haiyuan City.
For the past ten thousand years, only capitals had hosted the tournament; not even famed Shrek City had done so.
If Haiyuan City succeeded, it would become an object of endless curiosity, drawing people in droves and making the city ever more prosperous.
That was Lu Jingming's real goal—money was secondary. The simulated universe's income was more than enough for development.
He even planned to introduce a VIP system—users who paid more would enjoy richer features, and dazzling effects. He was sure it would be a gold mine.
With Xu Jiawei willing to help and Haiyuan City willing to share some benefits, the negotiation went smoothly.
"The empire will take only half the tournament profits, and I'll grant you thousands of square kilometers around Haiyuan City as new territory. But I have one request," Xu Jiawei concluded after detailed negotiations.
"Oh? Please tell me." Changli's lips curved in a faint smile—she'd already guessed what he'd ask for.
"I'd like Your Excellency Phoenix Douluo to condense a drop of Phoenix essence blood for Elder Ying, to help him break through." Xu Jiawei was direct.
Skyhawk Douluo also spoke up: "Regardless of whether it works, I'll owe you a great debt."
"Alright!" Changli agreed readily.
A single drop of essence blood would cost her some cultivation, but it would recover soon enough. In exchange for land and a favor from a potential level-98 Title Douluo, it was a bargain.
For her, replenishing what she lost was easy—whether with Lu Jingming's Black Abyss White Flower or Honkai energy.
Thus, the agreement was smoothly reached.
Lu Jingming was very satisfied—Haiyuan City had finally won the right to host the tournament.
Xu Jiawei was equally pleased—the deal had strengthened ties with Haiyuan City and given Skyhawk Douluo his chance.
If Xu Jiujiu and Lu Jingming could get even closer, all the better.
But Xu Jiawei knew feelings couldn't be rushed, especially since Lu Jingming was still young.
Still, he made some arrangements.
Changli began seclusion in the palace to condense the Phoenix blood and help Skyhawk Douluo break through.
Xu Jiujiu, at Xu Jiawei's special request, took Lu Jingming sightseeing around Star Luo City.
Skyhawk Douluo's breakthrough would take time, and Changli would need to recover after producing the blood.
So, Lu Jingming stayed in Star Luo City for a month.
With Changli's Phoenix blood and the help of Vermillion Fire, Skyhawk Douluo finally broke through to level 98, joining the ranks of Taotie Douluo and Body Douluo at the peak of the continent.
During that month, Lu Jingming and Xu Jiujiu's relationship progressed rapidly.
A breathtaking, noble princess showing such open affection, and Lu Jingming, far from being a monk, was more like an aggressive T-Rex.
If they'd kept their siblings act up any longer, it would have seemed odd.
…
A soft moan escaped Xu Jiujiu's lips as she clung tightly to Lu Jingming's neck, her body pressed against his warm chest. Their mouths met in a passionate embrace, tongues intertwining in a sensual dance. Lu Jingming's lips moved expertly against hers, his tongue exploring every inch of her mouth with fervent desire.
Her soft tongue was gently but dominantly sucked and nibbled by him; her breathing grew heavier. She could taste the sweetness of his mouth, feel the heat of his breath mingling with hers. Their tongues swirled and caressed, sending shivers down her spine.
Only when she felt she was about to suffocate did she instinctively push at his chest, and only then did Lu Jingming reluctantly let her go, their lips slowly parting. The kiss had been deep and all-consuming, leaving them both breathless and yearning for more.
A shimmering strand of saliva broke as they separated. Xu Jiujing gasped for breath, her pretty face flushed from lack of oxygen and the intensity of their passionate exchange. The lingering taste of him on her lips made her ache to dive back in for another intoxicating kiss.
She lightly pounded his chest, panting, "Are you trying to suffocate me?"
"Sorry, I was too caught up in the moment—but it just proves your charm!" Lu Jingming smiled charmingly, gently tucking her messy bangs behind her ear.
"You're such a sweet-talker. I really wonder how many girls you'll ruin in the future." Xu Jiujiu recalled their time together this month—she'd been the one to pursue him, but she hadn't expected him to be so skilled. In less than a month, he'd almost completely won her over. If she hadn't clung to her final line, he would have completely eaten her.
Lu Jingming's charm was undeniable—outstanding looks, unique temperament, great power, amazing talent, a formidable background, and a likable personality.
Because he so perfectly matched her ideal, she'd dared to pursue him.
After all, as a princess, she'd have to marry eventually—better to choose someone she truly liked, rather than be forced to accept a stranger.
Lu Jingming was, without a doubt, her best choice, so she pursued, and he responded.
Unknowingly, their boundaries had been gradually worn away.
This month, Xu Jiujiu had only barely preserved her final innocence.
If Lu Jingming were a bit older, even that might not have lasted—because at certain times, his overwhelming presence was impossible to resist.
PS: Fr, it's my first time reading DD2 fanfic with Princess Jiujiu as one of the heroines.