Xu Jiujiu's expression froze, her mind went blank, and her emotions surged violently. She wished she could turn into a quail and escape from everything before her.
Before today, she had never felt such intense fear when facing a young genius.
The person before her didn't feel like a young genius; he felt like an elder who had experienced the vicissitudes of life, his eyes holding the weariness of seeing through worldly affairs. Even her brother, the Star Luo Emperor Xu Jiawei, had never given her such a feeling.
Clearly sensing his presence, Xu Jiujiu burst into tears and sobbed softly, "You shouldn't have told me so much. Who are you? When did Shrek's Inner Courtyard produce such a terrifying figure like you? I've met the White Tiger Duke's eldest son, Dai Yueheng. Whether it's his aura or his state of mind, he's far inferior to you in every aspect..."
Xu Tianxi smiled mysteriously and said calmly, "Who I am is not important. My existence is not within the Inner Courtyard's sequence. You won't find me, and you don't need to bother looking. Just like we at Shrek rarely investigate how many Titled Douluo are hidden in your Hall of Worship."
"You don't seriously think that an academy that has stood on the continent for ten thousand years would let you discover all its secrets so easily, do you, Your Highness the Princess?"
"However, Dai Yueheng is quite a character, barely catching my eye. Among the next generation of the Shrek Seven Devils, besides Dean Yan's star disciple Ma Xiaotao, he is the leader. If you can defeat him, you might be able to catch up to my pace. After all, by age, you are younger than him."
Xu Jiujiu's voice suddenly rose by eight octaves, "Are you trying to instigate conflict between our Imperial Family and the White Tiger Duke's Mansion!"
Xu Tianxi shrugged helplessly, shook his head, and sighed, "Here we go again, Your Highness the Princess. You're always so dishonest. A Soul Master should act like a Soul Master. You need the courage to face your inner self to truly become strong, to advance bravely and reach the peak. Don't tell me that your Xu Family and the Dai Family are as close as one family, or that your brother and Dai Hao are like sworn brothers. That's just laughable. The Dai Family, the former imperial family, has held military power for over four thousand years. The threat is self-evident. Unless you are all useless, you should have found a way to deal with them long ago."
"If you don't even dare to contend with a mere White Tiger Duke's Mansion, then you certainly don't have the guts to contend with us at Shrek. Truly hopeless."
With that, Xu Tianxi pushed aside the graceful Xu Jiujiu and was about to walk out of the room.
As expected, it was Xu Jiujiu who called out to Xu Tianxi this time, her voice filled with unparalleled determination. "In the Pan-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament two years from now, I will definitely lead our academy's team to have a great battle with your Shrek!"
"Oh? I hope it'll be interesting then," Xu Tianxi replied with his usual nonchalant tone.
Xu Jiujiu fell silent for a moment, her confused eyes gradually becoming firm. She gritted her teeth and said, "I want to thank you for letting me recognize the true side of this world, and for teaching me how to cultivate with my heart. You are the teacher I respect the most, and also the enemy I hate the most in my life!"
"Heh heh, then I should thank Your Highness the Princess for her recognition," Xu Tianxi said with a faint smile.
"You are the most astonishing genius I have ever met. If I could recruit you to our Star Luo Empire, I would pay any price, including myself; but I know this is impossible. You have your ideals, and you are destined not to look upon us."
Xu Jiujiu pursed her lips and spoke sincerely. She had thought a lot last night. If she were from Shrek, she might also feel that protecting the continent was the noblest ideal and look down on the Three Great Empires. However, she was the Princess of the Star Luo Empire, which destined her to stand from the Star Luo Empire's perspective!
"Therefore, you must be very careful. You must not let me, your student whom you personally forced out, find an opportunity to tear off the mask from your face, otherwise, I don't know what methods I will use against you!" Xu Jiujiu said coldly, her face ashen.
"Save these words until you reach the Soul King level of cultivation. Otherwise, every word you speak is enough for me to kill you three times."
"As for your schemes with those idiots in the Inner Courtyard, I'll be watching."
Xu Tianxi stopped lingering no longer. He tapped his foot and ascended into the air. Shrek, Shrek, I hope you'll like the gift I've meticulously prepared for you.
"Just you wait. In two years, I will definitely show you my transformation! I will definitely deal with those Inner Courtyard disciples you look down on!" In the courtyard, Xu Jiujiu gritted her white teeth, staring in the direction the man had disappeared, making the greatest resolution. Within two years, she wanted to cultivate to become a Soul Emperor! She wanted her Star Crown Martial Soul to display its most dazzling and brilliant radiance on the competition stage! She wanted to let that person know that she was not to be trifled with! If I can't beat that bastard, can't I still beat ordinary Inner Courtyard disciples? That guy also said that most Inner Courtyard disciples aren't much stronger than Huang Xingyun and the others.
"I don't know how powerful you are, but you can't be stronger than Dean Yan's personal disciple, Ma Xiaotao, right? I will definitely get to experience your abilities then!" A golden light lit up on Xu Jiujiu's forehead. It was a rhombus-shaped golden gem that emitted a brilliant golden light. It detached from her forehead, floated upwards slowly, and extended into a magnificent crown, settling on her head and casting a radiant golden glow as brilliant as stars. Two yellow and two purple soul rings rose. Xu Jiujiu looked at her Star Crown Martial Soul with immense affection, her eyes burning with passionate fighting spirit. Our Xu Family is not like the Xue Family of the Dou Ling Empire. The quality of the Star Crown Martial Soul surpasses most top-tier martial souls. As long as I'm willing to fight with all my might, coupled with the resources of the Star Luo Empire, cultivating to become a Soul Emperor within two years is not impossible!
"Your Highness, has that person left? What should we do now?" Mo Lao's voice came from outside the door. Mo Lao, along with Huang Xingyun and others, ascended the steps and cautiously asked Xu Jiujiu about the situation. Seeing Xu Jiujiu's soul power surging, they guessed that the Inner Courtyard disciple had done something insulting again, enraging the Princess to the point of madness. They really hoped not to run into her while she was in such a state. That lawless madman, who could even force a princess to kneel and kill people, was probably capable of anything.
"He's gone. There's no need to pay attention to him anymore." Xu Jiujiu turned around calmly, revealing a beautiful face devoid of any expression. "Our mission for this trip has failed. Pack up and return to the imperial capital with Xiaojie."
"You will accompany me to see Imperial Brother and report last night's events to him exactly as they happened, asking him to decide. Don't be afraid of angering Imperial Brother. I killed the person, and I will bear all the responsibility."
The purpose of coming here was twofold: first, to help Chen Xiaojie hunt for his fifth ring, and second, to eliminate the "Abomination Demon Soul" assassin group. Now, both of these objectives have been declared impossible.
Chen Xiaojie was too severely injured and was sent to the Western Legion's local hospital for treatment overnight. It's estimated he'll need several months to recover. Absorbing a soul ring is a crucial matter, and he must be in optimal condition.
As for the "Abomination Demon Soul" assassin group?
Xu Jiujiu stated that she didn't know the assassin group's capabilities, but anyone targeted by that ferocious god would be fortunate to leave behind even a few mementos; it meant the god was merciful.
One could curse that god as a bastard, but one could not doubt his strength or his murderous intent. When it came to eliminating Evil Soul Masters, Xu Jiujiu believed that guy was absolutely sincere.
"Yes, I will obey Princess's command."
Mo Lao, Huang Xingyun, and the others breathed a sigh of relief, their faces filled with gratitude. Their gazes towards Xu Jiujiu held deep reverence.
The six teachers and students from Star Luo Royal Academy exchanged glances, their eyes resolute. They knelt on one knee before Xu Jiujiu, placing their right hands over their chests as a sign of absolute submission.
"Princess's grace is like a second life to us. From this day forward, we will only obey Princess's commands!"
If Princess Jiujiu hadn't stepped forward last night, even if that madman disdained to kill them, their fate would have been incomparably tragic.
They had no way to repay the life-saving grace other than offering their utmost loyalty.
They had learned their skills to seek a bright future. Serving a royal princess was not shameful; it was the best path.
A ripple of emotion flashed through Xu Jiujiu's beautiful eyes, vanishing as quickly as it appeared. She nodded gently, "Get up, let's go back."
To gain the absolute loyalty of these individuals made her sacrifices last night feel somewhat worthwhile.
They couldn't confront that person, but they could still be useful against the other members of Shrek. Moreover, they had the potential to impact Titled Douluo ranks, making them worthy of her requesting resources for them from her Imperial Brother.
One day, she would become a Titled Douluo, a Super Douluo, and even strive to break through the limits of humanity!
Even if it means flying into a flame like a moth, I must try to unmask you, I definitely will!
Xu Jiujiu led everyone out of the empty inn, a frenzied light flashing in her beautiful eyes.