Douluo Continent: The Ruler of Time, Reigning Supreme

Chapter 43 A Long-Awaited Decision
Yin Chen needs to find a win-win solution that allows him to pursue his goals while also properly responding to the expectations of the Star Luo royal family, or... a perfect reason that can convince them and himself.

The night breeze was cool, but it couldn't dispel the thoughts in Yin Chen's heart.

He knew he had to make a decision as soon as possible.

In the imperial study of Xingluo Palace.

The soft glow of the luminous pearl filled the room, but it couldn't dispel the faint trace of worry between Xu Jiawei's brows.

He put down the memorial in his hand and looked at his sister, who was sitting below him, her expression showing a rare blend of hesitation and determination.

"Jiujiu, you seem to have something on your mind?"

Xu Jiawei's voice was gentle, carrying an air of knowing everything.

Xu Jiujiu took a deep breath, raised her eyes to look at her brother, and a complex light flickered in her bright eyes, which were quite similar to Xu Jiawei's:
“Brother, I…I would like to make a request on behalf of Yin Chen.”

"Oh? Is it because of where he'll go after graduation?"

Xu Jiawei was not surprised; there was even a faint smile on his lips.

"You noticed that he wants to go to Shrek Academy?"

Xu Jiujiu nodded, his gaze somewhat unfocused, as if he could see through the palace walls and into the silver-haired youth:

“After so many years together, I know him well. He has high aspirations and his own opinions and goals. If we stay with him because of our friendship and gratitude over the years, he might not refuse, but he... won't be happy.”

Her voice gradually lowered, carrying a softness that she herself wasn't fully aware of:
“I don’t want to make things difficult for him, and I don’t want to… confine him to this small world of Xingluo City. A fledgling eagle must eventually leave the nest to soar through the sky.”

Xu Jiawei stared at Xu Jiujiu quietly, already understanding the situation.

He suddenly chuckled softly, a sound tinged with both teasing and wistfulness:

"Jiujiu, are you really that careless? Aren't you afraid he'll never come back, and all of Xingluo's years of investment will be for nothing?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Jiujiu's eyes instantly became firm and clear, and she shook her head without hesitation:

"No, I believe in him, and I trust my judgment even more. He's not an ungrateful person. He knows what he's been given, and besides..."

She paused, her tone softening further, yet brimming with unwavering confidence.

“Emotion is the best bond. You said it yourself, my brother. As long as this bond continues, he will always be a part of my Xingluo.”

Looking at the almost overflowing trust and protectiveness in Xu Jiujiu's eyes, Xu Jiawei's last trace of doubt dissipated, replaced by a sigh of "I knew it."

His sister is intelligent and decisive, and has a knack for politics. But now she is clearly caught up in it, though she may not yet be fully aware of how her feelings have changed.

If she were truly standing purely from the royal family's perspective, she should be considering how to maximize benefits by binding Yin Chen to the royal family's cause, rather than, as she is now, standing in Yin Chen's shoes and thinking about his future.

"You..."

Xu Jiawei shook his head helplessly, but did not point it out.

He recalled his own teachings to Xu Jiujiu—that feelings are the strongest and most difficult-to-sever bond.

Now, it seems that Xu Jiujiu is putting this into practice.

As long as this bond that transcends mere self-interest is maintained, Yin Chen's future will forever be inextricably linked to Xing Luo.

"Alright, I agree." Xu Jiawei finally nodded.

"As you wish, let him go to Shrek."

His tone carried a hint of barely perceptible regret, but more so a calm that he had expected it:

"Although it is a pity, it was within my expectations. From the first time I saw that child, I knew that he was not someone we could control."

"His respectful demeanor concealed a confidence, and his eyes held a brilliance that looked down on everything... How could someone who gazes at the stars care about the height of the mountains? I just didn't expect this day to come so soon, and that it would be my most beloved sister who personally came to plead for him."

As Xu Jiawei spoke, his gaze fell on Xu Jiujiu's stunningly beautiful face, his tone carrying an indescribable meaning, and he chuckled softly:

"That kid really has some tricks up his sleeve. At such a young age, he managed to make my proud and arrogant sister, who never admits defeat, fall into his trap without even realizing it, and even willingly pave the way for him."

Xu Jiujiu was slightly taken aback by Xu Jiawei's words, a faint blush rising to her face. She subconsciously wanted to refute him, but when she opened her mouth, she found that she had no way to argue. She could only look away in a fluster, her heart skipping a beat for no reason.

Xu Jiawei took in her reaction without saying anything more, only sighing inwardly.

Matters of the heart are indeed mysterious.

Perhaps this is the most unique and strongest bond that connects Yin Chen and Xing Luo.

Since we cannot force the eagle to stay, let's open the sky for it and let it soar, but we must always keep the thread in our hands.

And now it seems that this thread is tied to his beloved younger sister.

Inside Tingxue Pavilion, Yin Chen was preparing to head to the palace, having already clearly sorted out his choices for the future.

Staying in Xingluo, with his existing foundation and the support of the royal family, he was confident that he could still climb to the top step by step, but the process would undoubtedly be longer and more turbulent.

Time is the thing he can least afford to waste.

As a time traveler, he knew very well that the tide of the era was about to rise, the chosen one of destiny was about to embark on his journey, and the pawns of the God King would also fall.

If he cannot accumulate enough strength as soon as possible to occupy a favorable position in the grand scheme of things in the future, he will likely be passive at every step and encounter countless setbacks.

As for the opportunities that the chosen one Huo Yuhao had, Yin Chen had no intention of getting involved with either the Heavenly Dream Ice Silkworm or Ilex.

The Heavenly Dream Ice Silkworm requires a specific spirit-type martial soul and a precise, serendipitous encounter in the vast Star Dou Great Forest. He is not someone favored by fate, and cannot force it.

The emergence of the divine consciousness of the Necromancer Saint God, Ilex, is closely related to the fusion of Tianmeng Ice Silkworm and Huo Yuhao, and the conditions are even more demanding.

More importantly, Yin Chen has his own path to follow. With the power of time and death on his shoulders, he is confident that he can be invincible in the world without Tianmeng Ice Silkworm and Ilex.

This stems from absolute confidence in one's own strength and potential.

Just as he made up his mind to go and tell Xu Jiujiu his thoughts, he heard familiar footsteps outside the courtyard.

"Your Highness."

Uncle Grey's respectful voice rang out, tinged with a barely perceptible smile.

The old man, being shrewd and experienced, had long regarded Xu Jiujiu, who frequently visited, as the mistress of Tingxuexuan.

Yin Chen looked up in surprise and saw Xu Jiujiu's figure appear at the door, bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun.

(End of this chapter)