Douluo Continent: Heavenly Pill Demon Tiger

Chapter 234 Star Crown Sect Representative Participates

At dawn, just as the eastern sky began to lighten, Dai Youheng's figure appeared beneath the towering city gates of Xingluo City.

He deliberately chose this quietest moment to return.

He stopped in the shadows of a quiet alley. Nana's figure seemed to emerge from the darkness, standing silently to his side.

"I'll give this to Lingya when I have the chance." Dai Youheng took out a jade box from his bosom. The box was warm and smooth, yet it faintly exuded an icy aura.

Inside was the very immortal herb, Xingluo Lingzhu.

Nana accepted the jade box with both hands, feeling the powerful yet gentle energy contained within. She said, "Yes, Young Master. Brother Lingya and I will certainly live up to your expectations." She knew the preciousness of this immortal herb and understood the expectations placed upon it.

Dai Youheng nodded slightly, said no more, turned and disappeared into the brightening morning light, walking towards the familiar princess's residence.

Nana, clutching the jade box, vanished back into the shadows as if she had never existed.

The princess's residence remained quiet, the maids not yet beginning their day's work. Dai Youheng went straight back to the room that Xu Jiujiu had arranged for him, everything was still as it was.

He took off his dusty outer robe and was about to sit down to meditate when he heard a series of hurried yet light footsteps outside the door, accompanied by an uncontrollable cry of surprise.

"Eternal!"

The door was suddenly pushed open, and Xu Jiujiu, dressed in a gorgeous palace gown, stood in the doorway. The morning light shone through the window, gilding her with a soft golden edge.

She seemed to be just getting ready to go out; her hair was neatly styled and her makeup exquisite. But her usually calm and wise eyes were now filled with unbelievable surprise and a hint of grievance.

Seeing the figure she had longed for day and night standing right before her, all her restraint and rationality crumbled in an instant. Like a fledgling returning to its nest, she rushed into Dai Youheng's arms, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist and burying her face deeply in his chest.

"You're back." Her voice trembled slightly, coming through the muffled sound. "I missed you so much. It's only been a little over half a month since we parted—but it feels like those two years have been even harder to endure."

Dai Youheng clearly felt the slight trembling of the delicate body in his arms. He sneered inwardly, but on the surface, he timely revealed tenderness and pity. He gently hugged her back, patting her back soothingly with his hand, his voice deep and magnetic, "I just went out for a walk to clear my head and see the scenery. But when I thought that my princess might still have worries and needs someone to share them, I just couldn't stay any longer."

These words were perfectly timed, explaining his departure while subtly expressing his longing for her.

She raised her head after a long while, her eyes slightly red, and glared at him reproachfully, but her gaze was filled with tenderness and affection.

After she completely surrendered herself to this man, the girlish mentality hidden beneath her political acumen involuntarily poured out. In this Douluo Continent, filled with love-struck individuals, even an imperial princess and a rational politician could not escape falling deeply in love.

"You're just saying nice things to coax me," Xu Jiujiu complained, but a smile involuntarily crept onto her lips. She pulled Dai Youheng down to sit, carefully examining his face. "You've lost some weight, but you seem to be in good spirits. Did you have a pleasant trip?"

"Everything is fine." Dai Youheng briefly mentioned this, then changed the subject, "Judging by the time, the Continental Elite Soul Master Academy Tournament is coming up soon. Jiu Jiu, do you need me to participate?"

Upon hearing this, a sly and confident glint flashed in her eyes. She smiled and said, "Of course I will! If such a super combatant as you is left idle, wouldn't I, the princess, be wasting your talents? That would be a sin against the heavens! Besides, I don't have the confidence to achieve good results on my own."

"Huh, Princess, you can participate in the competition?" Dai Youheng was taken aback. He thought that Princess Jiujiu could only lead a team at most.

"What, do I look very old? I'm only twenty this year, just over a year older than you." Xu Jiujiu's expression changed. When it came to age, even she had to be serious, and she couldn't let her lover misunderstand her age.

"Not big at all, my Jiu Jiu has always been the youngest and most beautiful," Dai Youheng said immediately.

He secretly thought to himself, "It seems that this version of Xu Jiujiu is even better than the original."

Actually, Dai Youheng didn't pay much attention to the comic version. He only remembered that Xu Jiujiu in the original work should be around twenty-two or twenty-three years old at this time, but now she is only twenty years old.

It seems the manga version has enhanced her abilities. Although her strength is similar to that of her contemporaries, she is a few years younger. Isn't this a way of indirectly strengthening her potential?

To change the subject, Dai Youheng feigned a look of confusion, "But I've already graduated from Shrek Academy, and my student status has been cancelled. Am I supposed to temporarily transfer to Star Luo National Academy? That's a bit—"

"Who said you have to represent the academy in the competition?" Xu Jiujiu interrupted him, her face carrying a hint of royal pride and wisdom. "Although it's not impossible to force you into the academy if you're shameless enough, our Star Luo royal family still values ​​some dignity."

She explained, "This year's competition is different from previous ones. The new rules allow sects to register and participate. It's common for many graduates to join various factions to advance their careers. Although you can't represent the Star Luo National Academy, you can certainly represent your sect in the competition."

"Sect?" Dai Youheng understood in his heart, but still pretended not to understand.

"Not bad." After gazing into his eyes for a long time, his tone became solemn and intimate, "Representing the foundation of my Xu family's ten thousand-year legacy—the Star Crown Sect."

She further explained, "The fact that the Star Crown Sect is participating in the competition is known to the world as tantamount to the Star Luo Empire's royal family intervening. If we can win the championship together, the glory will also belong to Star Luo, which is a win-win situation. Youheng, what do you think?"

Looking at the smiling princess before him, Dai Youheng considered the benefits and reputation this move would bring, but a smile of admiration appeared on his face. He reached out and pulled her into his arms, placing a kiss on her smooth forehead. "Your Highness is indeed exceptionally intelligent. This plan is brilliant."

Receiving her lover's affirmation, Xu Jiujiu felt an even stronger sweetness in her heart, as if she had drunk the finest honey wine. She buried her face in his shoulder, enjoying this rare and tender moment.

The next day, the two got up early and went to the morning court together.

The topic of today's morning court session is the upcoming Continental Elite Soul Master Academy Tournament.

When Xu Jiujiu proposed that Dai Youheng represent the Star Crown Sect in the battle, almost no one raised any objections. Dai Youheng's feat of killing Soul Douluo Zhu Shu had already spread throughout the court and the public, and his terrifying strength was evident to all. With him in charge, the championship was practically in the Star Crown Sect's grasp, which would greatly benefit the enhancement of the empire's prestige.

Another confirmed key player is Princess Xu Jiujiu. With her Soul Emperor level cultivation, she would be an absolute core player in any team.

However, a team needs seven members to be formed. Former prodigies like Huang Heyun and Dugu Shangshan are all past their prime, and Xingluo National Academy is indeed facing a shortage of young talent. Xu Jiawei and the Gongfeng Hall discussed the matter at length before finally settling on five additional members.

"Summon the team members from the Star Crown Sect and the Star Luo National Academy to an audience!" The eunuch's high-pitched voice echoed throughout the hall.

Under the watchful eyes of the officials, five young figures filed in, their steps steady. They bowed before the emperor and said in unison, "Greetings, Your Majesty! Greetings, Your Highness the Princess!"