Most importantly, he didn't have that annoying overbearingness of other imperial Disciples, nor the submissive flattery of other noble children.
"Hardly a hero, just good luck," Liu Yuan took a sip of wine and replied casually.
"Good luck won't win a championship, and it certainly won't defeat that Xu Jiujiu in one move."
Xu Tianzhen curled her lips, clearly not believing Liu Yuan's humble words, and then asked with great interest, "Hey, Captain Liu Yuan, can you tell me about the finals? Those recordings are exciting to watch, but they definitely aren't as brilliant as hearing it from someone who was there."
Looking at the girl before him whose eyes were full of curiosity and who didn't put on any princess airs at all, Liu Yuan didn't find her disagreeable.
After all, who would reject a girl who was pretty, had a nice voice, and looked at you with eyes full of admiration?
Thus, over the following time, the two of them chatted back and forth.
Although it wasn't explicitly stated, whether it was the seating deliberately arranged by the Emperor or the suggestive gazes of the surrounding ministers, a clear signal was sent—
This was a blind date.
Xu Tianzhen was naturally well aware of this.
At first, she had a bit of a young girl's reserve and dissatisfaction at being arranged, but as the conversation deepened, that little bit of resistance in her heart had long since vanished into thin air.
As an imperial princess, she had been educated since childhood that interests were paramount.
Her marriage was destined to be a political sacrifice.
She had imagined her future husband countless times.
He had to have sky-high strength so he could protect her;
He had to have a handsome appearance so he would be pleasing to the eye;
He also had to have an extremely high status to match her identity.
And this Liu Yuan before her...
In terms of strength, he crushed Shrek's strongest Genius, Ma Xiaotao.
In terms of appearance, he was handsome and elegant with an extraordinary temperament.
In terms of status, he was the Duke of Divine Might, Exempt from bowing to the Monarch, and even her imperial brother Xu Tianran had to be somewhat wary of him.
This simply maxed out all her criteria for a spouse and even over-delivered on the task!
"Not only strong, but he's also quite witty when he talks, not like those blocks of wood who only know how to Cultivate," Xu Tianzhen thought to herself as she watched Liu Yuan's profile while he spoke eloquently.
"This marriage... this Princess approves!"
Thinking of this, Xu Tianzhen's cheeks flushed slightly, but her actions became even more proactive and enthusiastic.
She not only frequently poured wine for Liu Yuan but also covered her mouth and chuckled from time to time, and even proactively peeled a spirit fruit and handed it to Liu Yuan. That gentle and considerate little appearance made Xiao Hongchen's eyes nearly pop out in the distance.
"Is... is this still that unruly and headstrong Xu Tianzhen? Has she been possessed?" Xiao Hongchen poked Meng Hongchen beside him and whispered.
Meng Hongchen looked at the scene with a bit of jealousy and let out a light huff: "Men really are all pigs; they can't even walk straight when they see a princess."
Liu Yuan didn't think that much of it.
Although he noticed that Xu Tianzhen's enthusiasm was a bit excessive, most of his mental energy was currently calculating how to handle that malevolent blade and the matter of the Snow Empress after returning.
Regarding Xu Tianzhen, his current feeling was just that he "didn't dislike" her, considering her a decent friend.
As for marriage? That was still too far off.
The banquet continued until late at night.
Both host and guests were thoroughly entertained.
After politely declining the Emperor's suggestion to stay overnight in the palace, Liu Yuan left the imperial palace with a slight scent of alcohol, along with Jing Hongchen and the others.
As soon as he stepped out of the palace gates and the night wind blew, Liu Yuan's eyes instantly regained their clarity.
"Hall Master, wait a moment."
Liu Yuan called out to Jing Hongchen, who was about to board his carriage.
"Hmm? Xiao Yuan, is there something else?" Jing Hongchen stopped and looked at him with some confusion. Everyone had drunk quite a bit tonight, but he could see that Liu Yuan didn't seem to be intoxicated.
Liu Yuan looked left and right to confirm that no one was paying attention before taking out the spirit devouring fierce blade: "It's still the issue with this blade. I tried to refine it before, but I failed because the malevolence was too strong."
"So I would like to trouble the Hall Master to help me dispel the malevolence on it."
Jing Hongchen smiled and agreed; he naturally wouldn't refuse such a small matter.
Afterward, he departed directly after bidding Liu Yuan farewell.
Liu Yuan also headed home, but since he was now a Duke and had his own fief, he naturally wouldn't go back to the student dormitories.
So he headed straight for his own fief.
Meanwhile, on the far side...
Outside Shrek City.
Under the leadership of Xuan Zi, Ma Xiaotao and the others had finally returned to Shrek City.
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