Xu Jiujiu calmly responded to her attendant's concern, the ripples in her eyes vanishing as quickly as they appeared.
The Douluo Continent was full of extraordinary individuals and reclusive Sects, so encountering a few outside the Ming Dou Great Forest was hardly surprising.
While Xu Jiujiu remained unconcerned, her attendant, Zhu Wen, was not reassured. She cast a scrutinizing gaze at Xu Tianxi and the two others who were eating heartily, her brow gradually furrowing.
She was an attendant personally chosen for Xu Jiujiu by the Star Luo Emperor, Xu Jiawei. Hailing from the Netherworld Spirit Cat Zhu family, she was a voluptuous beauty with slightly thin lips, skilled at observing subtle cues to detect danger. Her sole objective for this journey was to ensure Xu Jiujiu's absolute safety.
In this desolate wilderness, two Soul Sages or stronger individuals accompanying a young man for a meal indicated that the young man's status was undoubtedly high, warranting vigilance.
Remembering the crucial objective of their current trip, Zhu Wen's lips subtly moved as she transmitted a sound-line message to the team leader from Star Luo Royal Academy.
"Old Mo, that masked young man in the corner is worth noting. I believe he's an unknown variable. If we ignore him, it could affect His Highness's and their actions."
Old Mo's eyes flickered upon hearing this. He calmly led his group of students to the most spacious seats available, deep in thought.
After pondering for a moment, Old Mo looked at a slender young man among Star Luo Royal Academy's seven-person team and transmitted:
"Xiaojie, those three masked individuals eating in the northeast corner of the inn are unusual. Go and probe that young man's background. If possible, invite him to eat with us."
"Yes, Master."
Chen Xiaojie, who had been chatting with his companions, perked up at his master's message. He exchanged a few jokes with his classmates, then rose and walked directly towards Xu Tianxi and the other two.
Seeing that Chen Xiaojie, one of the top three cultivators among them, was going, Zhu Wen showed a satisfied smile.
As the previously whispering individuals had guessed, their team was indeed formed by Star Luo Royal Academy for the All-Continent Soul Master Competition two years later. The team members possessed considerable strength, and even the Star Luo Emperor, Xu Jiawei, thought highly of them.
The team already had two Soul Kings, and Chen Xiaojie was a Quasi Soul King. Their current outing was to help him acquire a suitable Soul Ring to advance to Soul King, and then to complete an important team assessment: eradicate a deranged Evil Soul Master assassin group to hone their teamwork.
She was here to help the princess establish absolute authority within the team, documenting Xu Jiujiu's brave leadership to build her reputation and wise image.
This mission was personally handpicked by His Majesty; no mistakes could be tolerated!
At the table in the northeast corner.
Feeling a sharp, eagle-like gaze fall upon him, Xu Tianxi, whose senses were keen, immediately raised an eyebrow, feeling confused.
He was being so low-key, so why was someone still seeking him out?
The Spiritual Power fluctuations of the newcomer weren't weak, barely reaching the level of some 'useless' Soul Kings.
Hopefully, they weren't here to cause trouble. Otherwise, if they dared to provoke him, even with ten lives, he'd find a chance to eliminate them later, conveniently framing it on Evil Soul Masters and Soul Beasts.
Chen Xiaojie quickly approached. Xu Tianxi acted as if he hadn't noticed, using his knife and fork to pick up a piece of braised rabbit meat, elegantly placing it in his mouth to chew.
This century-old Soft Bone Rabbit was quite good.
Since Xu Tianxi showed no reaction, Yue Lao and Zhi Sen certainly wouldn't let a mere Quasi Soul King interrupt their meal. If a conflict arose, they would simply kill him.
Chen Xiaojie cleared his throat twice, unable to help himself, and spoke up, as Xu Tianxi and the two others had shown no reaction to his arrival.
"Ahem, my friend, I've walked right up to you. Aren't you going to greet me?"
According to his master, the other party's cultivation should be at the Soul Ancestorlevel. Such experts could precisely grasp any disturbance within dozens of square meters around them. Since he hadn't deliberately hidden his footsteps, he must have noticed his arrival.
But he seemed uninterested in him, more focused on his dinner.
"Sorry, I was eating. Didn't notice you for a moment."
Xu Tianxi, still cutting the century-old Soft Bone Rabbit, quickly looked up, then back down, staring at his moving knife and fork as he spoke:
"I don't know what you want with me, but I suggest you wait until I finish eating. Then, whether it's for tea and chat or a fight, I'll do my best to oblige."
"Brother, I'm here to..." Chen Xiaojie's lips moved, about to say he wanted to invite the other party to eat with them.
Xu Tianxi directly interrupted him, staring at him as he continued:
"But if you make me unable to enjoy this meal, then I'll have no choice but to consider you someone looking for trouble. In that case, I'll be in a very bad mood, and the two seniors next to me won't be happy either."
"You don't want to get beaten black and blue, do you? So please wait a moment. After all, we were here first, and I don't eat slowly. I won't make you wait long."
With that, Xu Tianxi put another piece of rabbit leg meat into his mouth, took a sip from a bottled spring water, and completely ignored Chen Xiaojie.
There was no need to entertain uninvited guests. He hadn't invited these people to chat with him. They could go wherever they pleased.
Seeing this, Chen Xiaojie's expression soured. As the son of a Star Luo Empire Marquis and a young genius, few people had ever dared to speak to him in such a tone since childhood.
This guy's attitude was not just nonchalant, but even somewhat contemptuous, as if he didn't care about him at all.
Someone as talented and noble as Princess Jiujiu always greeted people with a smile, yet this unknown genius was putting on airs? Wasn't that a bit much?
However, the other party was right about one thing: he couldn't defeat his two elders. So he smoothed down his chest to calm himself and extended the invitation in as calm a tone as possible:
"Brother, I came here to invite you to eat with me and my companions. We young people can chat and build some camaraderie. Could you do me this favor?"
Xu Tianxi stopped his knife and fork, looked up at Chen Xiaojie, and frowned:
"We don't know each other, so what's there to gather for? You should be able to tell from our appearance that we don't like lively scenes. It seems you're perhaps forcing the issue a bit?"
Were these people from Star Luo Royal Academy simply lacking in discernment, or what? He had already changed into a discreet outfit and was eating in a secluded spot, yet they still sought him out?
Could it be because he had casually glanced at Xu Jiujiu?
But even the Star Luo Royal Family couldn't be this overbearing, could they? If a princess couldn't be looked at, why did she even go out? Why be an auctioneer?
"I know you don't like it, but I was sent by my masters to invite you. So, sir, you must stop using your knife and fork now."
Chen Xiaojie's rigid voice carried a hint of coldness. Yellow lightning flickered in his eyes, and Soul Power surged around him, controlling a Soul Power pressure that bore down on Xu Tianxi.
As one of the top three cultivators of his generation at Star Luo Royal Academy, Chen Xiaojie possessed a proud spirit, thanks to his exceptional lightning-attributed Martial Soul.
With his Quasi Soul King cultivation, he rarely encountered a Soul Ancestorwho could stand against him, unless they were a master from Shrek Academy!
Enveloped by Chen Xiaojie's Soul Power oppressive aura, Xu Tianxi subtly signaled to the two Soul Sages, then waved his hand to dispel the aura, rising with a sigh and saying helplessly:
"So, after all that, you're still here to cause trouble. Why bother pretending earlier? Wouldn't it have been simpler to just say you wanted to fight?"
Causing trouble is one thing, but he's only a Quasi Soul King? If he were a Soul King, I might take him seriously, but a Quasi Soul King acting so arrogant!
The Soul Power oppressive aura he released is like a child's compared to Senior Martial Uncle's; it's like comparing clouds and mud.
With his Soul Power oppressive aura broken, Chen Xiaojie knew his opponent was no pushover. As he unleashed his Martial Soul and Soul Rings, he angrily retorted:
"I didn't intend to fight you, but you're showing me too much disrespect! I've invited you repeatedly, yet you completely disregard my good intentions!"
Xu Tianxi looked at him with astonishment, seriously wondering if the opponent's head had been kissed by a donkey's hoof.
"You want me to leave, so I should leave? Who do you think you are? You think too highly of yourself, don't you? And are your so-called good intentions worth so much? If you want to fight, then fight; my elders won't interfere. If not, then get lost!"
At his words, the entire inn immediately fell silent.
Whether it was the diners, the busy innkeeper, or the eight-person team from Star Luo Royal Academy, everyone was stunned for a moment by Xu Tianxi's declaration, including Chen Xiaojie himself.
They were geniuses from Star Luo Royal Academy, all from wealthy and noble backgrounds. This town was even a military base of the Star Luo Empire. Who dared to speak so arrogantly to these chosen ones?
Looking back through history, this was likely a very rare scene.
At the Star Luo Royal Academy's table, Xu Jiujiu was the first to snap out of it, her face rippling with emotion.
"What's going on? Could we have really encountered a successor from some hidden Sect or hidden family?"