My exclusive card pool

Chapter 286 The Golden Apple Watered by Lies

The "Flying Monkey," like the most loyal yet most ferocious machine, unleashed a storm of claw strikes on Wang Xi's dragon wings for nearly a minute. Only when the summoning contract ended did it let out a reluctant screech and dissipate into the air as specks of golden light.

The clanging and clattering sounds abruptly stopped.

'It's finally over...'

Wang Xi slowly spread his dragon wings, shaking off the dust that had settled on them.

He returned to his normal human form and let out a soft sigh of relief: "What a thoroughly enjoyable battle."

To be honest, the "flying monkey" is indeed troublesome.

This also raised his opinion of the "sacred artifact".

With her "Golden Spirit Crown," Sybil was able to summon such a powerful monkey, which explains why she dared to speak so loudly.

In the distance, two orbs of light, one deep purple and one purple, flew from the spot where Ursula and Rice had vanished into thin air, and silently disappeared into the depths of Wang Xi's brow.

This surprised Wang Xi quite a bit.

Unexpectedly, two companies with ratings two stars lower than mine have produced high-quality lottery cards.

Could it be Teacher DaKa's pity?

Why didn't that awful reward and punishment system work this time?
Wang Xi didn't understand.

But this result is good too, at least he got to eat.

He walked to the spot where the two had disappeared, where only two smudges of sparks and charred edges remained on the ground, proving that they had once existed.

As his gaze swept across the room, Wang Xi keenly noticed a pair of glass slippers lying quietly beside a scorch mark—small, exquisite, crystal-clear high-heeled dance shoes, their surfaces shimmering with a restrained yet mysterious iridescent sheen.

Wang Xi bent down and picked it up.

Caius's intelligence report immediately came to mind:
"Glass Shoes (Sealed/Sacred Relic): A materialized product of a fragment of a certain rule, symbolizing purity, possession, love, and vibrant life. It contains extremely powerful mystical energy, but is highly exclusive; only its destined owner can successfully wear it. Furthermore, a grand blessing ceremony is required to truly gain its approval, break the seal, and release its power."

'It was here after all.'

Wang Xi understood.

'I never expected it to be a sealed "holy artifact," no wonder the Barn royal family valued it so much... though the description mentions that it has strong exclusivity?'

He took the dazzling dance shoes and turned back to Pearl's side.

The Little Mermaid was curled up beside a rock. When she saw Wang Xi approaching, she quickly stood up. Although she was still weak and trembling, her eyes were filled with gratitude.

She opened her mouth, but still couldn't make a sound. She could only anxiously gesture with her hands, pointing to the direction where Ursula had disappeared, then pointing to her own throat, and finally bowing deeply to Wang Xi.

Wang Xi shook his head, indicating that she didn't need to be so polite.

Then, he patiently tried to understand Pearl's account of what she had said through sign language and eye contact.

"Don't worry, Ursula and Rice are dead, no one can hurt you anymore."

Wang Xi smiled.

“It’s all over now, Your Highness Pearl. I will bring you back to the Kingdom of Barn safely, I promise.”

Pearl nodded vigorously, her gaze immediately drawn to the pair of glass ballet shoes in Wang Xi's hands, which refracted a dreamlike halo in the sunlight.

Her eyes were filled with longing, and a hint of unease.

Seeing Pearl's gaze, Wang Xi's heart stirred slightly.

He knelt down and said gently, "Your Highness, would you like to try on these shoes and see if they fit?"

A glimmer of hope instantly ignited in Pearl's eyes. Suppressing her excitement and the soreness in her ankle, she carefully lifted one slender, fair foot.

Wang Xi raised his hand to support the mermaid princess's foot, and under her blushing gaze, tried to slip on one of the "glass dancing shoes".

However, something strange happened.

The shoes looked to be the right size, but just as her toes were about to touch the upper, an invisible and powerful repulsive force suddenly arose.

hum-

It was as if there was an air barrier made of rules in the middle, and no matter how hard she tried or how she adjusted the angle, her feet could never really get into the shoes.

The feeling was like water droplets not being able to dissolve in oil, or the moon not being able to sink to the bottom of a lake—it stemmed from an inherent repulsion.

"?!"

Pearl's hope was instantly overwhelmed by terror, and her face turned deathly pale.

"Mmm...mmm."

Unable to wear the glass slippers that symbolize a marriage vow...

what does this mean?
it goes without saying.

If the Barn royal family knew that she had not only lost her singing voice, but also couldn't even match this crucial dowry... Pearl couldn't imagine the consequences!
Having just escaped the threat of death, she was once again plunged into immense panic and helplessness, her body swaying precariously.

Upon seeing this, Wang Xi thought to himself, "Just as I suspected."

'It seems that even though she traded her mermaid tail for legs, she wasn't the true owner of these sacred dancing shoes. Are these shoes... waiting for their destined Cinderella?'

He couldn't help but think of Godard.

The girl who was closely associated with the glass slipper in the original story.

Seeing the despair and terror in Pearl's eyes, Wang Xi pondered for a moment and then made a decision.

He put away the ballet shoes, gently supported Pearl's trembling shoulders, and said in a deep voice, "Your Highness Pearl, calm down."

The Little Mermaid raised her pale face and looked at him blankly.

Wang Xi said meaningfully:
“Listen to me, these glass dancing shoes have been secretly hidden by that cunning witch Ursula. We’ve tried everything to find them but haven’t been able to… Perhaps they’ve sunk to the depths of the sea, perhaps she’s moved them to some unknown corner, or perhaps she’s given them to the witch of the West… In short, they’re lost.”

Pearl was slightly taken aback.

Tears were still welling up in her eyes, but her gaze was filled with astonishment and confusion.

Wang Xi's voice was deep and clear, carrying a convincing magic: "Remember, Your Highness Pearl, only you and I know that you cannot wear the glass slippers. Ursula is dead, and Rice has turned to ashes. No one can prove that the slippers ever existed."

“As long as we stick to one story and insist that Ursula hid or destroyed the dancing shoes before she fled… then neither the Barn royal family nor the Kingdom of Atlan will know the truth about the disappearance of the dancing shoes.”

"You lost your precious voice due to the witch's persecution, which is already a misfortune. The Barn royal family will only cherish you more and will not blame you for it. The marriage will proceed smoothly, and this turmoil will subside."

Pearl paused for a few seconds, then her deep blue eyes, as dark as the ocean, gradually brightened.

She finally understood what Wang Xi meant—

This is to protect her!
To preserve this crucial marriage!
By using a white lie to cover up her "flaw" of not being able to wear dance shoes, and shifting the blame to the dead culprit, she can buy herself a space to survive in the Barn royal family!

Looking at the powerful, mysterious young man before her, who was also considerate of her, Pearl's eyes were filled with sincere admiration and gratitude, and she nodded repeatedly.

“Very good.” Wang Xi nodded.

Without further delay, he carefully put away the "glass dancing shoes" that were destined not to belong to Pearl. Then, he gently put one arm around Pearl's slender waist and whispered, "Hold on tight."

hum-

A burst of dazzling golden light erupted once more, enveloping the two like a giant cocoon of light. Wang Xi, carrying Pearl, transformed into a golden meteor that tore through the sky, speeding towards the Kingdom of Barn.

Just as he was about to take off, Wang Xi glanced sideways, his gaze sweeping in the direction Sybil had fled.

'Western witch...you got lucky you ran fast. I'll deal with you next time.'

However, there was one thing Wang Xi couldn't understand.

What did Sybil see in her last glance at him that made her look so terrified?
...

...

The atmosphere in the royal council chamber was somber.

King George III sat on the throne, while Queen Adele sat gracefully below him, her brows slightly furrowed, a hint of worry barely perceptible.

Red Queen Beth, White Queen Melania, and a host of noble ministers were all present.

Wang Xi stood tall and calmly recounted what had happened. The mermaid princess Pearl stood silently behind him, nervously clutching his clothes.

After a while.

As Wang Xi recounted his story, the crowd began to whisper among themselves, and George III's expression shifted several times.

"...Didn't you find the 'Glass Shoes'?"

King Barn frowned and pondered.

But soon, he sighed softly and said wistfully:
“Well, now that Ursula and Rice, the two culprits, have been brought to justice, and Prince Pearl has returned safely... this outcome isn’t too bad.”

King George III rose, a forced smile on his face, and strode down the steps of the throne to personally help Pearl to her feet.
"My child, I'm so sorry you've suffered."

He turned to Wang Xi, his tone solemn: "Your Excellency Gai, we owe you a great debt of gratitude this time... On behalf of the Barn royal family, I thank you for your help."

"Your Majesty is serious."

Wang Xi shook his head.

Queen Adele stepped forward, gently put her arm around Pearl's shoulder, and whispered a few words of comfort.

Snow White, sitting in the corner, remained expressionless, revealing neither joy nor anger.

Another moment passed.

Once the Little Mermaid had calmed down somewhat, George III announced to the public:

"Though the 'Glass Shoes' are lost, the alliance between Atlantis and Barn is unbreakable. Princess Pearl will become the Princess Consort of the Barn Royal Family, and the wedding will proceed as scheduled—the Royal Family will spare no effort to ensure that Princess Pearl feels the warmth of home in Barn."

His authoritative voice soothed Pearl's unease and made the royal family's stance clear to everyone.

Marriage alliances are a political cornerstone that cannot be shaken.

Upon hearing this, Beth secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

With Ursula and Rice, those two traitors, dead, Kai handled this huge mess perfectly, making amends for her mistakes and restoring her reputation and face.

Beth's gaze towards Wang Xi held a strange gleam beyond satisfaction and gratitude. After the banquet hall guests dispersed...

The Red Queen found an opportunity and pulled Wang Xi aside in a secluded spot in the corridor. Her tall frame leaned slightly forward, her red lips close to Wang Xi's ear:

"Thanks to you this time, Kai. Tell me, what kind of reward do you want? I... I'll grant you anything."

Wang Xi tilted his head back, a hint of amusement in his eyes:
"Any reward is acceptable?"

Beth's cheeks flushed instantly, her eyes darting around. But to maintain her dignity as a queen, she deliberately kept a straight face: "Hmm..."

After taking a deep breath, he added in a low voice:
"Even that... horseback riding... game you mentioned last time, that's not out of the question."

Looking at her feigned dignity yet blushing expression, Wang Xi couldn't help but curl his lips into a smile, his tone tinged with a hint of mischief: "So Your Majesty still remembers."

He raised his hand and said softly, "Come here."

The Red Queen glared at him, as if to say, "How dare you, as a subject, turn around and order me around?"
But Beth, looking at the young man's handsome face, ultimately softened. She glanced around to make sure no one was there before sighing and pressing her cheek closer.

Wang Xi gently brushed his fingertips across Beth's slightly flushed cheeks and whispered in her ear, "I'm really looking forward to this 'reward'."

Beth's breath hitched.

As she felt the touch of his fingertips and heard that magnetic voice, her heart began to race uncontrollably, and she couldn't help but lick her lips.

...

...

The wedding was in full swing.

A festive atmosphere gradually enveloped the Barn Palace.

This day, deep within the royal palace gardens.

Beside a quiet pond.

Princess Lucy sat listlessly by the pool, swinging her legs and absentmindedly fiddling with the small, exquisite golden apple pendant around her neck.

Her thoughts drifted far away, sometimes to the grand wedding, sometimes to Mr. Kai's gentle smile.

"Mr. Kai is really amazing..."

Lucy murmured softly.

"They easily killed the two traitors, the sea witch and Bluebeard, and even rescued the mermaid princess."

“However…” she paused, a conflicted look on her face, “That Princess Pearl always looks at Mr. Kai strangely. Could it be that she has fallen for Mr. Kai?!”

"This is not okay!"

Thinking about this, Lucy felt both distressed and angry.

Suddenly.

"oops!"

Her fingers tightened in her excitement, and the thin rope around her neck snapped. The small golden apple pendant slipped from her hand, leaving a faint golden trail in the air before falling into the pool with a splash.

"My golden apple!"

Lucy screamed and lunged towards the edge of the pool.

The water surface rippled only a few times before quickly returning to calm, but the golden hue sank and disappeared without a trace.

She lay down without a care for her image, her little hands frantically groping in the water, but the pool was too deep, and she couldn't find that familiar pendant no matter what she did.

"Oh no!" Lucy suddenly realized something. "I think I heard the attendant say that this pool has running water. What if the golden apple gets carried out of the palace by the current...? That would be terrible!"

Just as the little princess was in a panic.

A slightly hoarse, slow voice sounded from the side:

"Why is Your Highness Lucy troubled here? Have you lost something you cherish?"

"Hmm?" Lucy looked up at the sound.

She then saw Prince Henry, the frog who had been entertained by her father, squatting on a damp bluestone, looking at her with his bulging eyes.

"So it's Mr. Henry."

Lucy hesitated for a moment. The matter of the companion artifact was too important to be easily told to outsiders.

She gave a vague answer: "It was...it was a precious ornament given to me by my mother, a small golden apple, which I accidentally dropped into the pool."

"A golden apple?" The Frog Prince tilted his head, seemingly pondering. "It certainly sounds very valuable. Perhaps I can be of help? I'm quite good at swimming and diving."

He straightened his chest.

Hope instantly ignited in Lucy's eyes: "Really? Mr. Henry, can you help me find it?"

The Frog Prince didn't immediately agree. Instead, he slowly put his hands on his hips, his beady eyes fixed on Lucy's delicate face: "I can jump down and help you find it, Your Highness Lucy. But..."

He drawled, "This pool is deep and cold, I'm going to suffer... If I help you find it, how do you plan to repay me?"

Lucy said eagerly, "I can ask my father to give you lots and lots of jewels! Gold! Gems! Anything you like!"

The frog prince croaked dismissively and shook his little head: "Treasure? Those mundane things, I, the prince, have no interest in them."

He took a step forward, his gaze boldly and directly fixed on Lucy, his voice filled with a kind of infatuation: "No jewel in the world could compare to even a fraction of Your Highness Lucy's beauty. If I help you find the Golden Apple... I hope Your Highness will marry me and become my bride!"

"what?!"

Lucy stared wide-eyed in astonishment, as if she had heard the most absurd joke in the world.

She looked at the ugly little thing in front of her, wet, green, with bulging eyes, and then thought of Mr. Kai's tall figure, handsome face, and great strength...

A strong sense of contempt and disgust welled up inside me.

Should she make him her husband?

No way!!

But when I think of the important accompanying artifact, the Golden Apple...

Lucy bit her lip, a sly glint in her eyes.

Let's coax him to find his things first.

“Well, alright…” She forced a sweet smile onto her face, her voice sweet and coquettish: “Sir Henry, if you can find my golden apple, I will agree to your request.”

Prince Henry the Frog was overjoyed, his beady green eyes shining brightly: "Really?! Your Highness, you can't go back on your word! I'll go right now!"

After saying that, he leaped into the water with a splash and quickly disappeared among the water plants at the bottom of the pool.

Time passed little by little.

Lucy stared intently at the water's surface.

Finally, a small green figure popped out with a whoosh, holding a glittering little apple in its mouth.

"Whoosh, whoosh."

Henry jumped to Lucy's feet, soaking wet, and spat the golden apple onto a clean blue stone like a treasure. He said breathlessly, "Found it! The current was so strong that it almost got swept into the river outside the palace walls... Luckily, I caught it in time."

As he spoke, the Frog Prince excitedly urged:
"Your Highness Lucy, shall we go see His Majesty the King and announce our marriage? It would be perfect to have it together with the eldest prince's wedding, a double celebration!"

"..."

Lucy grabbed the golden apple she had found and held it tightly in her hand, feeling its familiar warmth.

With a huge weight lifted from her heart, she immediately forgot about that insincere promise she had just made.

Looking at the ugly frog at her feet, full of expectation, the little princess thought about how she had just been insincere with it in order to retrieve the sacred artifact, and how it had even coveted it. A surge of anger and impatience instantly erupted from her.

She stood up, looking down at Prince Henry the Frog, the fake smile on her face vanishing without a trace, replaced by undisguised contempt and mockery:
"Marry you? Ha! You ugly, tiny toad, do you think you're worthy to be this princess's husband?"

“I admire a strong and handsome man like Mr. Kai! You are not even a speck of dust at his feet! What I did just now was a trick to coax you into going into the water to find something. You actually believed it? How ridiculous!”

Henry the Frog was struck dumb, his bulging eyes instantly filled with unbelievable anger and hurt.

It trembled with rage, its voice sharp and piercing: "You! Lucy von Louis! How dare you deceive me! You hypocritical princess, a liar! You will be punished!"

"Karma? Humph!" Lucy made a smug face. "Hehehe."

Just as Lucy was feeling smug, the golden apple she was clutching suddenly began to tremble violently.

Buzz!
The golden light, which was originally as warm and gentle as the morning sun, became dim and murky at a speed visible to the naked eye.

The golden surface, symbolizing curiosity, understanding, inspiration, and childlike innocence, was quickly swallowed up and covered by an ominous black color.

Lucy felt a burning sensation in her palm and looked down in astonishment to see that the small golden apple had completely transformed into a deep, jet-black apple in her hand.

It let out a silent shriek!

call out--

"No!" Lucy cried out in alarm.

But the black apple had already broken free of her control, transforming into a streak of dark light that shot through the air like an arrow, heading towards the depths of the garden.

"Ah! My golden apple, come back!"

Lucy panicked and chased after it for a few steps in a disheveled state, but she couldn't catch up with the swift black light.

She stopped in despair, her face ashen.

Prince Henry the Frog, watching this scene, let out a gloating "ribbit" laugh:
"Hahaha! Karma! This is the retribution for breaking your oath! Don't you like that powerful Kai? Go find him! Let's see if he can help you get him back! Waahaha!"

After saying that, it snorted coldly, no longer looking at the distraught Lucy, turned around and jumped into the pool, disappearing from sight.

Lucy was jolted awake by Henry's words, as if she had grasped at the last straw:
"Yes! Mr. Kai! He's so capable, he must have a way!"

No longer caring about her princess demeanor, she lifted her cumbersome skirt with both hands and, like a frightened deer, stumbled and rushed out of the garden, running wildly towards Wang Xi's temporary residence in the palace.

(End of this chapter)