Everyone could not help but nod in agreement.
Chen Xiaobei was not done. He continued, "Lastly, I don't want the Green Dragon Sea Shifting Saber, but I want the promise of the entire Neptune race!"
"Promise? What promise?" the holy emperor of Neptune wondered.
What kind of promise would be interchangeable with a Two-Star Earth-God Instrument?"The promise that I'm asking for is your 100,000 elite soldiers!" Chen Xiaobei said. "If… and I'm only saying if, Tenshou Starfield and Royal Dome Starfield launch a joint attack on Saint Duke, I hope that Neptune can send troops to help Saint Duke!"
"Childe Chen… Are you kidding?" The holy emperor looked puzzled. "Even though you're participating in the competition to win princess Puti's hand in marriage, we still don't know who would be the one marrying the princess in the end. Isn't it a little too early to ask for this promise?"
"I will definitely be able to marry Puti! I have to!" Chen Xiaobei said in a resolute, unwavering manner.
This proclamation stunned everyone in the room.
They all knew that this Saint Duke betrothal contest had drawn the attention of many powerful forces, and had gained the participation of a myriad of talented young men.
Everyone wanted to bring home the beautiful princess, but they all had to go through all sorts of demanding and grueling tests.
In fact, the most popular candidate of this betrothal was the man who ranked first on the Nine-Zones Earth Leaderboard, Helian Tulong!
To pass all the tests and to compete against Helian Tulong was going to be extremely difficult – close to being a monumental and unfeasible feat.
No one could understand why Chen Xiaobei was so certain, so resolute!
Of course, despite that, they would never again doubt Chen Xiaobei's abilities.
Previously, before Chen Xiaobei sealed the Demonic Beast, they were all cynical of his abilities to complete the task. But in the end, Chen Xiaobei did everything he had said, and delivered the most perfect outcome.
Indeed, the truth beats all rhetoric!
The people of Neptune believed that Chen Xiaobei was an indisputably extraordinary person – he could accomplish what most people could have never done in a million years!
"Alright! We agree to Childe Chen's request!" The holy emperor answered. "As long as Childe Chen wins the betrothal contest, if and when Saint Duke is in trouble, Neptune Starfield will provide military assistance!"
"Good! I only needed to hear that from you, your majesty!" Chen Xiaobei grinned. "If there's nothing else, I have to make haste and return to Saint Duke. I will have to be at the palace early tomorrow morning!"
"I have a question!" Ao Liancheng stood up. "Saint Duke requires 100 jin of Earth-God materials for the first elimination round. You've been helping us for the past six days and with what little time you have left, you can't possibly complete the task!"
"I have a way to do it but it'll all depend on my luck!" Chen Xiaobei shrugged. "What about? Do you have the materials prepared?"
"I didn't have time either…" Ao Liancheng smiled bitterly. "On top of that, since you are so determined to have Princess Puti, it's better for me to withdraw from the competition…"
"Why? Are you giving way to me?" Chen Xiaobei asked.
"No… I don't think I can beat you. So, there's no need to waste my time…" Ao Liancheng smiled sourly.
Chen Xiaobei teased him, "Heh, why is the super youth who ranks fourth on the Nine-Zones Earth Leaderboard be so humble? If word gets out about this, the jaws of all nine zones of Jianghu people will fall to the ground!"
"I am just speaking the truth…" Ao Liancheng said. "If the incident of the Demonic Beast is spread out, the nine-zones of Jianghu people will know that it is not because of humility that I withdrew from the competition, but because I am convinced that I stand no chance and ready to concede to you!"
"Alright. You better stop praising me or I'll get all puffed up!" Chen Xiaobei chuckled. "If you want to withdraw, I will not try to advise you against it. But then again, you'll have to send me back to Saint Duke. With my own flying vehicle, it would take me a month to return!"
"That's too easy!" Ao Liancheng said. "As long as you don't mind, I'm willing to be your personal chauffeur. I'll be at your disposal!"
"Alright! Let's leave now!" Chen Xiaobei answered.
So, Chen Xiaobei, Ao Liancheng and Octopus man went through the portal and back to the outmost planet of Neptune.
After that, they took off on the interstellar flying vehicle, traveling at breakneck speed to Saint Duke Starfield.
Because the journey would take half a day, they traveled through the night.
Ao Liancheng sent Chen Xiaobei to the lounge area to recharge his batteries and prepare for tomorrow while he and Octopus took charge of flying the vehicle.
Chen Xiaobei did not refuse of course – the Qixi Festival's Red Envelope Snatching Session was about to begin, and he needed the personal space.
He stretched himself out on the bed in the lounge, hands clutching his cell phone, waiting for the Qixi activities to begin.
Ding!
[For ceasing war in a peaceful manner, you receive 500,000 merit points!]
Ding!
[Your current merit points total is 34,080,000. You are 10,920,000 merit points away from the next level.]
[Charm: 3,408,000; Luck: 3,408,000]
"Wow! 500,000 points for sealing the Demonic Beast and stopping the war between the Neptune and the beast… But why did the points come in so late?" Chen Xiaobei frowned, sensing that something was wrong. "Merit points are normally tallied on the spot. Why did it take so long for it to drop? Could there be some changes made to the merits system this time?"
Ding!
[Additional reward. Your Netherspirit Battlescouter's level is inadequate. Please upgrade before inquiring again!]
"Wow! Additional reward? What does that mean…" Chen Xiaobei was very surprised. "This has never happened before. I really have to ask Brother Yanwang to help me upgrade my Netherspirit Battlescouter! Who knows, it could be a really big surprise!"
Ding!
Ding!
Ding!
There was a sudden flurry of activities in the Red Envelope Group, drawing Chen Xiaobei's attention away.
Niu Lang: Another annual Magpie Bridge reunion! After being apart for 365days, 2 hours and 45minutes, I can finally see Zhinu, who captivates me even in my dreams! 💖
Zhinu: In the past, it has always been only the two of us, Niu Lang and me, during the Qixi Festivals! Today is the first Qixi Festival after the establishment of the Three Realms Red Envelope Group. We've decided to share the joy with everyone and celebrate together!
Niu Lang: First of all, we'd like to thank the Heavenly Path Holy Saint for setting up the Three Realms Intranet in his business, and giving us this platform to celebrate the Qixi Festival! We would also like to thank…
Bull Demon King: Don't need to thank us! If you want to express your gratitude, then just send the red envelopes! We share the same surname Niu (Cow), and you have to learn from me and do things in an upright way! Just start the Red Envelope Snatching Session and stop babbling!
Zhinu: Mm! Big brother Bull Demon King is right! We'll not prattle on then. Let's get right into the Red Envelope Snatching session! But this time, there is a small rule!
Bull Demon King: What rule?
Zhinu: It's very simple. Singletons are not allowed to snatch Red Envelopes! Only couples are allowed to!
Chen Xiaobei was on edge when he saw the message.
"Wow! What the f*ck! The Qixi Festival on earth was torture for single people, but the Three Realms Group Qixi festival is even worse! Which son of a bitch came up with such a stupid rule? How heinous!"
Chen Xiaobei had high hopes of this Red Envelope Snatching Session… but now this?
Zhinu: Oh right, one more thing. This rule was set by Shen Gongpao. People who break the rule will be severely punished!
Footnote:
Bull Demon King: 牛魔王 (Niu Mowang) in mandarin. Niu means bull or cow.
"What the hell! I was right!" Chen Xiaobei hissed. "Only a lowlife, evil, son of a bitch like Shen Gongpao could think of coming up with shady rules like that!" Chen Xiaobei said. "Although I have a lot of ladies back on earth, I'm just a singleton in the group! Shen Gongpao must have up with this rule to stop me from getting any red envelopes! F*ck! Now I'm really pissed…"
While Chen Xiaobei was throwing a fit, the chat group was stirring with chatter.
Bull Demon King: There's a flaw with this rule! I have two wives! Does that mean that the three of us get to snatch Red Envelopes?
Silver Jade Fox: I don't want to be the little mistress!
Princess Iron Fan: You little vixen! Do you want to get punched in the face?
Bull Demon King: My wives, please calm down! Can both of you please make peace for the moment for the sake of the Red Envelopes?
Silver Jade Fox: Alright. For the red Envelopes… I will be the mistress temporarily ….
Princess Iron Fan: Rubbish of a cow! After the snatching session, you'd better get your ass back here and kneel on burning crystals!
Bull Demon King: See? I have two wives? How does it work? @Zhiniu?
Zhinu: I'm not so sure… I have to ask God Shen… @Shengongpao
Shen Gongpao: All three of you can join the snatching session! Qixi Festival, Valentine's day – as long as you're lovers, you can join the session!
Wei Xiaobao: Woohoo! I have eight wives! Isn't that awesome?
Shen Gongpao: That's right! You and your wife… wives can all participate! Only single people are not allowed to grab Red Envelopes!
Zhu Bajie: That is not fair! I've been single for 10,000 years. I want to die.
Shen Gongpao: How is this not fair? Today's theme is Valentine's day! If everyone gets to snatch envelopes, some of the couples may not get anything while the singletons get a lot. That would be going against the theme!
Zhu Bajie: This… seems to make some sense…
Shen Gongpao: Of course! I have always been even-handed, fair-minded and transparent. I am also single and I will set the example and not snatch any Red Envelopes! I want to give the chance to loving couples!
"Pfft! Please! You're just dressing up the lie!" Chen Xiaobei spat. "You? Shen Gongpao? Even-handed? Fair-minded? There's no one more despicable and shameless than you! This is all obviously to mess with me but you made up some elaborate and noble reason to cover up the truth! How much more hypocritical can you be?!"
Shen Gongpao: What a happy occasion today is! Where is my shidi Xiaobei? @Chenxiaobei
Chen Xiaobei: When did you start being so concerned for me, shixiong Shen?
Shen Gongpao: I saw what you just said! I pay the utmost attention to your every move! There's no one else in this group that I care more about than you!
Chen Xiaobei: What have you been concerned over?
Shen Gongpao: From what I know, ever since the Three Realms Red Envelope Group was set up, you have been the 'King of Luck' during practically every Red Envelope Snatching Session! How unfortunate… that you cannot join this time! 😏
Chen Xiaobei: So, what if I cannot join? Who cares?
Shen Gongpao: Bitter! How bitter! If I did not guess wrongly, you're probably so angry you're jumping on your feet and cursing your mother, right?
Chen Xiaobei: Heh, I already have enough trump cards. Not joining this Red Envelope Snatching Session won't affect me at all. You guys enjoy yourselves.
Shen Gongpao: Hahaha… Who knew that the almighty God Chen would run away, crestfallen!
Chen Xiaobei: Am I running away? I just don't want to waste my breath with you!
Shen Gongpao: You really won't shed a tear until you see the coffin, would you? Don't think that I didn't know that you needed to get Earth-God materials by today or your mission tomorrow will fail!
Chen Xiaobei: You set me up! 😡
Shen Gongpao: How is this setting you up? This is called being concerned! 😎
"F*ck! This degenerate Shen Gongpao! He's really not holding back at all! He's been dormant ever since the King of Glory competition. Apparently, he's just been waiting to put one over me!"
Chen Xiaobei began to panic. "If I can't get the Earth-God materials tonight, I will be eliminated tomorrow morning! Puti will be married to someone else, and the fate of the nine zones will be out of my control! My agreement with Lady Nuwo will be affected too! Saint Duke Starfield might be destroyed and Puti might do something stupid. Little Fox and Bai Linsu might be in danger too! I can't split myself up to take care of everything! The radiation would expand and affect even more people!"
Chen Xiaobei quickly assessed the situation, and was immediately anxious. "Shen Gongpao using his leverage to knock me down is just too cruel! I have a think of a way to overcome this problem or this'll end real bad!"
Shen Gongpao: @Chenxiaobei, what happened? Are you scared? Conceding? Fleeing? Hahaha…
Shen Gongpao: @Chenxiaobei, if I were you, I really would not be in the mood to chat! From tomorrow onwards, you will be picking up after an awful lot of mess!
Shen Gongpao: @Chenxiaobei, I wish you the best of luck! Hahaha…
The three consecutive @ tags, and every word Shen Gongpao used, even every punctuation mark was laden with sarcastic mockery.
Unquestionably, after the many fights between Shen Gongpao and Chen Xiaobei, Shen Gongpao had had enough. This time, he used the advantage of his position and power to ambush Chen Xiaobei, catching him off-guard.
This time, Shen Gongpao believed that he had truly won this feud, and he won big time!
Not only did he beat Chen Xiaobei, but he was also going to cause Chen Xiaobei's downfall!
The acquisition of the 100 jin Earth-God materials was like the trigger in a ticking bomb. If not solved, it would cause a series of catastrophic explosions.
Chen Xiaobei and his friends and family would suffer cuts and bruises all over, or even die a horrible death.
To be frank, in the face of a situation like this, Chen Xiaobei did not know how to resolve it.
Chen Xiaobei did not retort Shen Gongpao's conceited provocation and joshing was not because he couldn't think of anything to say but rather, with the truth laid before him, no matter how well he retaliated, it would be a waste of effort. A completely meaningless endeavor.
Chen Xiaobei felt a deep sense of helplessness dawn on him.
He had always been able to solve any situation thrown his way. He would never have thought that his entire reputation would be destroyed because of a small, insignificant Qixi Festival.
Shen Gongpao: Alright! The people who should leave have already left, and the rules have been clarified! Next, let's all begin an exciting Red Envelope Snatching Session…
Goddess Chang'e: Wait!
Shen Gongpao: Huh? Chang'e! What are you doing? Why did you cut me off?!
Goddess Chang'e: @Chenxiaobei! Brother Xiaobei! Since the situation has already turned out like this – you should just tell the truth!
Chen Xiaobei: What… What truth…😓
Goddess Chang'e: Brother Xiaobei! I know you're hiding the truth to protect me… But today is the Qixi Festival. I think it's time for us to be open about it!
Sheng Gongpao: Open up about what?
Zhu Bajie: Open up about what?
Everyone: Open up about what???
"Open up about what?" Chen Xiaobei stared at the screen, confused. "Today is Qixi festival. Chang'e cut Shen Gongpao off for a reason. She must be helping me! Right now, the only thing that can help me is… I know!"
Chen Xiaobei: Fine! I cannot hide it anymore! Actually, Goddess Cheng'e and I found each other to be very agreeable and have been in love for a while now. We're actually a very loving couple!
Sheng Gongpao: What?! How is this possible?!
Zhu Bajie: Impossible! This is absolutely impossible! How can my goddess be in love with someone else?!
Everyone: No way! Goddess Chang'e is the most beautiful woman in all of the three realms! We still think of her!
Goddess Chang'e: This is true. I've liked Xiaobei gege* for a long time! And he likes me too… That's why we got together… Hehehe…
Zhu Bajie: No! I don't believe it! I don't believe it…😭😭😭
Chen Xiaobei: Whether you choose to believe it or not, this is the truth! 🤷♂️
Goddess Chang'e: Yes! 💖
Sheng Gongpao: Long-distance relationship? Internet romance? Who do the two of you think you're lying to? A three-year-old child? You just came up with the lie! I don't believe it!
Zhu Bajie: That's right! God Shen is right! The two of you want to participate in the Red Envelope Snatching Session, that's why you're pretending to be lovers! We're not that gullible!
Goddess Chang'e: I am a girl. Why would I use my good reputation as a joke? I am telling you the truth! Xiaobei gege and I really are lovers!
Sheng Gongpao: Fabrication! Continue to fabricate your lies! Unless you show us evidence, we will not believe you!
Zhu Bajie: Yes! You can claim you're lovers, and I can claim that I am Goddess Chang'e's husband! Unless you show us proof, it's all a sham!
Lei Zhenxi: Mm! That makes sense! We need evidence! Anyone can make up stories! Without actual proof, no one will believe it!
Tu Xingshun: Yeah! Goddess Chang'e is the most beautiful woman in all the three realms! Without proof, no one will believe that she would fall for a common man!
"This is going to be a problem…" Chen Xiaobei could feel a headache creeping in as he read the messages on the screen. "Chang'e meimei was just trying to help me but I am completely unprepared. Where am I going to find any evidence?"
Goddess Chang'e admitted that Chen Xiaobei was her lover to help him, but unfortunately, Shen Gongpao was obviously not falling for it!
Without any sort of evidence, Shen Gongpao would never acknowledge that Chen Xiaobei and Goddess Chang'e were lovers and he would never let Chen Xiaobei join the snatching session!
It was back to square one! The problem remained unsolved!
Goddess Chang'e: You want proof? Fine! Everyone in the group knows about this!
Sheng Gongpao: What? You have proof?
Goddess Chang'e: Of course! When the Three Realms Red Envelope group first started, Xiaobei gege dedicated a couplet to me during the first couplet competition. @Libai @Dufu, you remember, right?
Li Bai: Of course, I remember! That couplet had startled the heavens and stirred the hearts of gods! He defeated all of us!
Sheng Gongpao: What… What couplet…
Du Fu: Ten thoughts to be missed, missing your king, missing your hometown, missing your country. Four pair of eyes are feasting on the flower, the moon and Chang'er.
Li Bai: Amazing! Thinking back, it really was an excellent couplet!
Goddess Chang'e: God Shen! Do you see it now? That is the couplet that Xiaobei gege personally dedicated to me. I was won over by his literary grace, and I really adored him. Finally, we decided to be together!
Sheng Gongpao: Oh, spare me the bullshit! That one couplet won the heart of the most beautiful woman of all three realms? Do I look like a child to you?
Goddess Chang'e: It's no wonder Shen Gongpao has been single for over 10,000 thousand years! You don't understand women at all!
Sheng Gongpao: Who… Who said that I've been single for over 10,000 thousand years…🤓
Goddess Chang'e: We girls like sweet speeches and honeyed words, especially the kind the poetic, romantic and passionate kind! No woman can resist that! If you don't believe me, you can ask the other goddesses!
Goddess Chexia: I can testify to that! When I saw that couplet, I was so envious!
Silver Jade Fox: Me too! If someone writes a couplet like that to me, I would marry him instantly!
Zhinu: Actually, Niu Lang gege and I got together because he has such a sweet mouth! 😊
Goddess Chang'e: God Shen! People have testified to it, and there's also material proof! What else do you have to say?
Sheng Gongpao: I.. I…
Zhu Bajie: I still don't believe it! That's one-sided proof! That's not enough to verify the truth! If you like God Chen, you would have given him a token of love too!
Sheng Gongpao: That's right! @Chenxiaobei! Show us that token of love! If you can show us, I will believe that you and Chang'e are lovers!
Chen Xiaobei: Hehe! That's simple!
Chen Xiaobei removed the Seven Treasury Fragrant Pouch from his chest and took a handsome selfie with it.
Then he sent it to the group chat.
Chen Xiaobei: Everyone, look! This is the token of love that Chang'e meimei gave me!
Sheng Gongpao: Bull… Bullshit… Anyone could have given you this Fragrant Pouch! I don't believe it!
Chen Xiaobei: What?! Are you still refusing to acknowledge it? I believe that the members can testify to that. Someone will be my witness!
Goddess Zhinu: I will! This fragrant pouch uses a Rainbow Cloud Thread. Chang'e asked me to lend it to her! None of the other goddesses did!
Goddess Zixia: I can be witness to that too! I saw with my own eyes, Goddess Chang'e sewing the pouch! You will not find another one like that in all of the three realms!
Princess Iron Fan: Both of them are in love with each other! This is so romantic! Even the blind can see that God Chen and Goddess Chang'e a couple made in heaven! 🙄😣
Zhu Bajie: Oh heavens! Oh hell! Chen Xiaobei and my goddess are together! I don't want to live anymore… Sob sob sob…😭😵
Chen Xiaobei: Shixiong shen, do you see now? This is all the proof! Even Bajie Ge has accepted the truth! What more do you have to say?
Sheng Gongpao: I…
Chen Xiaobei: If I remember correctly, shixiong Shen is equitable, fair minded and transparent, right? You won't break your promise, will you?
Sheng Gongpao: I… Why would I do that…
Chen Xiaobei: Great! If that's the case, then let's start that exciting Red Envelope Snatching Session! 🤣🤣🤣
Footnote:
Gege: literal meaning, brother; could be used to address an older man to express respect, admiration, or friendship. Women also use it to call their lovers to express intimacy.
Meimei: literal meaning, younger sister; could be used to address younger girls in a friendly or warm manner. Men also use it to call their lovers to express intimacy.
¹⅛⅔ ⅔⅜⁴⅔
Ding!
Ding!
Ding!
At Chen Xiaobei's cue, the group began slinging Red Envelopes.
One could only imagine how agitated Shen Gongpao must have been at this point.
He thought that he had gotten Chen Xiaobei this time and that he was finally bringing Chen Xiaobei to his knees!
He even openly mocked Chen Xiaobei, and ragged on him without restraint, attacking him at point-blank!
His victory only lasted a few minutes, however, when Chen Xiaobei counterattacked him, causing him to go from victor to loser in a short few moments. Shen Gongpao's misdemeanor had ended up a flop!
His every insult and jibes came back to slap him hard in the face!
Of course, right now, Chen Xiaobei had no time to concern himself with Shen Gongpao's feelings. Red Envelopes were pouring in like rain – it was another season of bountiful harvest!
Ding!
[Congratulations! You snatched Monkey King's Red Envelope. 1,000 jin of Green-Wood Spiritual Crystal has been stored inside your treasure chest]
"Green-Wood Spiritual Crystal?" Chen Xiaobei gasped. "I got a Green-Wood Spiritual Crystal from Yanwang last time! That was a type of Earth-God grade material! This Green-Wood Spiritual Crystal must be the same grade of material! Haha… Increasing my luck was not a waste of effort at all – the first Red Envelope I got contains exactly what I need!"
Right before the Red Envelope Snatching session, Chen Xiaobei received 500,000 merit points. Correspondingly, his luck was increased, coming in just at the nick of time.
"But Monkey King is so generous! He put in 1,000 jin! Once I've submitted the materials for the contest, I will have still 900 jin left for myself! Sweet!"
Chen Xiaobei was very excited.
Ding!
[Congratulations! You received Zhinu's Red Envelope. Three bolts of Milky Way Patterned Cloth have been stored inside your treasure chest!]
"Double-kill!" Chen Xiaobei nearly screamed. "Milky Way Patterned Cloth? I can tell by the name that this is at least an Earth-God grade item! Awesome…"
Ding!
[Congratulations! You received Niu Lang's Red Envelope. One piece of Magpie Bridge's Light has been stored inside your treasure chest!
"Triple-kill! Nice nice nice! Chen Xiaobei was so happy he could not keep his mouth closed. "What is Magpie Bridge's Light? If it's a light, then why is it counted in a piece? So strange…"
Ding!
Congratulations! You received Yanwang's Red Envelope. One piece of Abyssal Enigmatic Jade has been stored inside your treasure chest!
"What in the world! Quadruple-kill!" Chen Xiaobei was practically jumping out of his seat. "An Abyssal Enigmatic Jade? Why would Yanwang send this kind of thing? Haven't I told him already to only send Earth-God materials? This is still good. I already have enough Earth-God materials anyway. It's a good time to get something else!"
Ding!
[Congratulations! You received Xiao Tianquan's Red Envelope. The formula for high-tier Heavenly Dog Biscuits has been stored inside your treasure chest!]
"Quintuple-kill!" Chen Xiaobei cried. "That's strange! Why didn't Xiao Tianquan send any Earth-God materials either? I've told them beforehand! Also, how did he know that I am in urgent need of upgrading the Heavenly Dog Biscuits? This Red Envelope sure came at the perfect time!"
Ding!
Congratulations! You received Princess Iron Fan's Red Envelope. The three pieces of Sanmei True-Fire Talismans have been stored inside your treasure chest!
"Sextuple-kill! Six six six…" Chen Xiaobei was beside himself. "Princess Iron Fan is Hong Hai'er's birth mother! These three talismans will probably be able to unleash the real Sanmei True-Fire. Not only can they be used to craft items, but they can be also used to attack! This is freaking awesome!"
Ding!
[Congratulations! You received Bull Demon King's Red Envelope. A Thousand Beasts Ring has been stored inside your treasure chest!]
"What in the world?! Septuple-kill!" Chen Xiaobei leaped. "I have not had such an awesome time during Red Envelope snatching sessions for a long time now! Thousand Beasts Ring! Another really good piece of treasure!"
Finally, as Chen Xiaobei completed his septuple-kill, the snatching session also gradually drew to a close.
This time, because of the ridiculous rule Shen Gongpao set forbidding singletons to join the session, the number of Red Envelopes given out was obviously low. Many of the single members of the group did not give any Red Envelopes.
But at the same time, because the singletons were unable to join the session, Chen Xiaobei received more Red Envelopes than usual.
Chen Xiaobei: Brother Shen! I really have to thank you! If it were not for that rule of yours, I would not have been able to complete a septuple-kill!
Shen Gongpao: Good for you! 😡😳😤
Bull Demon King: What?! God Chen! You got seven Red Envelopes?! My two wives and I only got five all together!
Wei Xiaobao: You don't say! My eight wives and I only got six in total! This group of unlucky biddies! I'll give them a good scolding when I get home!
Niu Lang: God Chen is incredible! He's the king of luck again this time! Oh, I'm so jealous!
Zhinu: Not only that, he also went public with his relationship with Goddess Chang'e! Love Red Envelopes, double yield! God Chen is a winner in life!
Chen Xiaobei: Haha, thank you, everyone, for your good wishes and Red Envelopes! If there's nothing else, I have to go talk to my Chang'e meimei in private!
Shen Gongpao: Hold on! Don't think you can get away that easily!
Chen Xiaobei: What is it? Do you anything to add, shixiong Shen?
Shen Gongpao: I was nearly muddled by my anger with you! Deities and mortals are not allowed to be romantically involved! Your relationship with Chang'e is against the law of heaven! The both of you have broken the law! You must be punished severely!
Chen Xiaobei: I think you are muddled! Niu Lang and Zhinu are deity-mortal lovers. Queen Mother ordered them to live separately! They could meet once every year on the magpie bridge! My Chang'e meimei and I – we don't even know when we will ever be able to meet face to face. Isn't this cruel punishment already enough?
Shen Gongpao: That…😶
Chen Xiaobei: Queen Mother is the head of all goddesses, and she will not punish Chang'e meimei! As for me, the Prime of Tongtian is my Sifu! I dare you to punish me!
Shen Gongpao: You… Just you wait! I will go consult your Sifu!
Chen Xiaobei: Shixiong Shen! Don't you forget that today is the Qixi festival! You should not be trying to break up lovers!
Chen Xiaobei: I'm willing to bet that not only would you not be able to consult the Prime of Tongtian, but you would also be given a good rollicking! Don't forget that all the saints are together now!
Shen Gongpao: This… This…
Chen Xiaobei: You better think about it carefully. If you want to get an earful anyway, I won't get myself involved then!
Chen Xiaobei was sure that Shen Gongpao would not do anything stupid. He exited the group chat and entered the Brotherhood group chat.
Chen Xiaobei: Brothers! I'm back! Hahaha…
Monkey King: You really are cunning! 😏 That idiot Shen Gongpao must be choleric!
Chen Xiaobei: That's right! I won again, again, again, and again! But today's victory is all thanks to one person – @Goddesschang'e!
Goddess Chang'e: God Chen, you're too kind! We are good friends! Helping you is something I should do in moments like this!
Monkey King: Huh? Weren't you calling him Xiaobei gege just now? Why the sudden change?
Goddess Chang'e: Don't make fun of me, Monkey King… It was just to help God Chen.
Hong Hai'er: Women! They always say things they don't mean! Although NeZha and I didn't participate in the Red Envelope snatching, we still saw everything in the group chat!
NeZha: Yeah! Yeah! Even a kid like me understands the hidden meaning behind Chang'e jiejie borrowing Rainbow Cloud Threads from Zhinu jiejie, and sewing the whole Seven Treasury Fragrance Pouch herself!
Goddess Chang'e: You… You are not allowed to talk nonsense…
Shaoba Xingjun: Allow me to interrupt – you are among friends, there's no need to be shy, Goddess Chang'e!
Monkey King: Yeah! I am more than willing to accept you as my in-law!
Goddess Chang'e: You… You guys are all just talking nonsense… I'm leaving the chat…
NeZha: Chang'e jiejie's lying to kids? You wouldn't leave the chat group because of Xiaobei gege.
Hong Hai'er: Women always say one thing and mean the other!
Chen Xiaobei: Alright! Brothers, stop teasing her. Goddess Chang'e is thin-skinned. Let her off the hook.
Monkey King: Xiaobei is the most considerate! Sister-in-law is so lucky!
Shaoba Xingjun: I hope that Xiaobei can ascend to the heavenly realm as soon as possible so that he can really be together with Goddess Chang'e!
Goddess Chang'e: You guys are a bunch of bullies… I… I'll mute the group so that I won't have to see you guys babbling!
Chen Xiaobei: See! I told you guys not to talk about it anymore! See, now my Chang'e meimei is leaving!
NeZha: I bet a bottle of WaHaHa that Chang'e jiejie didn't leave the chat. She's probably still reading our chat!
Chen Xiaobei: Alright! Let's change the subject! Don't scare my Chang'e meimei away!
NeZha: Oh, okay…
Chen Xiaobei: Oh, right. Where's brother Yanwang and Xiao Tianquan? I received their Red Envelopes just now. But why aren't they talking now?
Yanwang: We're here!
Xiao Tianquan: God Chen, are you going to ask us why we didn't do as we had discussed to give you Earth-God grade materials?
Chen Xiaobei: Yeah! We made a pact that all of you would send Earth-God grade materials. Both you and brother Yanwang didn't send them.
Xiao Tianquan: Because last time, you said that you only need one Red Envelope to complete your mission! Yangwang and I have been keeping an eye on the Red Envelope records and saw that you already received Monkey King's Red Envelope. That's why we changed the Red Envelope at the very last minute!
Chen Xiaobei: I'll give guys a like for your quick-thinking! Haha…! Especially the High-grade Heavenly Dog Biscuit formula. That is exactly what I need!
Yanwang: The Abyssal Enigmatic Jade I sent is what you need urgently also! It's required to upgrade your Netherspirit Battlescouter!
Chen Xiaobei: Wow! Are you guys worms in my belly? How did you know that I need to upgrade the Heavenly Dog Biscuit and the Netherspirit Battlescouter?
Xiao Tianquan: Because you were starting to need Earth-God materials! It means that you are associating with Earth-Gods! So, a lot of your things will need to be upgraded! That's not too difficult to guess at all!
Yanwang: That's right! Because Qianliyan was punished for sending you a personal Red Envelope, nobody dares send them to you anymore. That's why we want to use this opportunity to give you the things you really need!
Chen Xiaobei: But, how did you know that I would get your Red Envelopes for sure?
Yanwang: We didn't know either. We took the chance. If you didn't get it this time, we would have sent another one during the Mid-Autumn festival and the gourmet food competition!
Chen Xiaobei: That means, if I didn't get it, you would continue to send them?
Xiao Tianquan: Yeah! The Heavenly Dog Biscuit and the Netherspirit Battlescouter are the essential things you need to upgrade! That's why we would do that!
Chen Xiaobei: Good brothers! You guys really went to great lengths to help me!
Yanwang: No, we didn't! Your luck is off the charts! You got them the first time! That way, we can give you other things during the Mid-Autumn festival!
Chen Xiaobei: Haha! This is awesome! It's really nice to have brothers!
Xiao Tianquan: God Chen, don't get too excited just yet. We only gave you the things necessary for the upgrade, but if you really want the upgrade to be successful, you have to search for some of the materials yourself, and complete the upgrade yourself too!
Chen Xiaobei: I understand! The high-grade Heavenly Dog Biscuit will need Earth-God grade herbs! The Netherspirit Battlescouter would need other Earth-God grade materials too!
Yanwang: Yes! It's good that you understand! Now that we cannot send you personal Red Envelopes, you will rely on your own for your matters in the future!
Chen Xiaobei: No problem! I cannot always rely on you guys! I have to do my part too!
Xiao Tianquan: If there are things you cannot get yourself, remember to tell us so that we can help you during the Mid-Autumn Festival Red Envelope session. With your luck, you'll be sure to get them!
Chen Xiaobei: That's right! Speaking of luck, I have another very important question. Just now, when I received 500,000 thousand merit points, the Netherspirit Battlescouter pointed out that I've also received an additional reward. What is that?
Yanwang: What?! How is that possible?
Monkey King: No way! What's your cultivation? How could you have received an additional reward?
Xiao Tianquan: My god! God Chen really is extraordinary! You are not even an Earth-God but you have already received the extra reward!
Hong Hai'er: Incredible!
NeZha: Bro Bei really is Bro Bei! Too, too, too, incredible!
Shaoba Xingjun: 66666!
Goddess Chang'e: God Chen is a rare good man! 💓
Chen Xiaobei: 😅 What in the world this additional reward? Why are all of you so surprised? Hurry up! Tell me!
Yanwang: Let me tell you! This additional reward is a reward given by the Heavenly Path when you reach 100 million disciples!
Chen Xiaobei: Reach 100 million disciples? 🙄
Chen Xiaobei: Oh, I know! The news about me saving the merpeople must have spread, and the people of Neptune must have become my disciples! I didn't know that the number of disciples could be rewarded too!
Yanwang: Yes! Every faction, every deity, and even every monster had to work ridiculously hard to gain disciples to get this special reward!
Chen Xiaobei: No wonder sifu is always telling me to accumulate as many disciples as possible! It's because of this benefit!
Yanwang: This is not just any random benefit! It's almost impossible for mortals to amass 100 million disciples! That's why the reward should also be awesome!
Chen Xiaobei: What is the reward? I haven't felt any obvious changes until now!
Yanwang: There are many kinds of Heavenly Path Rewards. Once your Netherspirit Battlescouter has been upgraded, you can choose them according to the system prompt!
Chen Xiaobei: You can only choose one from all the choices?
Yanwang: Yes! Only one. Next time, whenever the number of your disciples increases by another 100 million, you can choose another one!
Yanwang: Because the rewards are gradually compounded. After you have chosen your first reward, the best option is to continue choosing the same option to continue increasing the boost!
Chen Xiaobei: Can you give me an example of the rewards?
Yanwang: For example, people with low cultivation will choose to boost their cultivation speed! People with high cultivation will choose to boost their merit points reward! There's also an attack boost, a defense boost…
Yanwang: The point is, there are many kinds of rewards to choose from. As long as the number of disciples do not fall below 100 million, the boost will not expire!
Chen Xiaobei: I understand now! That's exactly like adding a buff aura when you play games! The only difference is that the buff that I get here is long-term!
Yanwang: Mm, as long as you protect your disciples and keep their numbers from dropping drastically, the reward will remain.
Chen Xiaobei: Alright! Old brother, can you tell me what other ingredients do I need to upgrade the Netherspirit Battlescouter? In retrospect, I should've prioritized upgrading it!
Yanwang: No problem. I will send a list of the ingredients and upgrade method to you in the private chat later!
Chen Xiaobei: Alright! If there's nothing else, I have to go! After receiving all that Red Envelopes, it's time to get back to work and continue working hard!
Not long after he exited the group chat, Yanwang's message came.
Chen Xiaobei took a quick look at the ingredients and the method, and thought to himself, "I already have some of the lower grade Spiritual Items in my Infinite Space Ring. I might need to ask Ao Liancheng to help me gather the rest of the ingredients!"
Chen Xiaobei checked the message again and made a list of the three ingredients he could not find.
After that, he scanned through the High-grade Heavenly Dog Biscuit recipe.
It was about the same – most of the Spiritual Medicines could be found in his Infinite Space Ring except for three Earth-God level Spiritual Medicines which he would need Ao Liancheng to obtain.
He put them down on the same list and walked out of the lounge.
"Zhufeng, aren't you supposed to be resting? Why did you come out?" Ao Liancheng asked.
Chen Xiaobei presented him with the list and said, "There are three ingredients and three Divine Medicines here. I was hoping you could help me find out where I could get them!"
Ao Liancheng took a look at the list and frowned. "These things are all Three-star Earth-God grade materials. There's none of it within the nine zones! I'll probably have to go to Apocalypse Starfield to find out!"
"Do you have any contacts there?" Chen Xiaobei asked.
"I can only promise you that I will try…" Ao Liancheng's forehead was still creased. "Our Neptune Starfield intelligence department rarely sets foot in Apocalypse Starfield. I cannot be certain if they will be able to find these!"
Chen Xiaobei nodded. "Right now, you are the only dignitary I know. No matter what the outcome is, please at least try to find them. Oh, also, look for the three ingredients first!"
Ao Liancheng replied, "Aren't you very close with Ling Qingfeng? She has broader connections than I do!"
"Really?" Chen Xiaobei looked puzzled. "But you're fourth super-elite on the Nine-Zones Earth Leaderboard, and like me, she's placed eleven. How could she be compared to you?"
Ao Liancheng shook his head. "This has nothing to do with placement! It all has to do with her Divine Dragon Royal Family's background!"
"Divine Dragon Royal Family?" Chen Xiaobei repeated. "Could it be that the Divine Dragon Royal Family is richer than the Neptune Royal Family?
"10,000 years ago, we were almost equaled, " Ao Liancheng sighed. "But the three of our God-Ascension elites died by sacrificing themselves to seal the Demonic Beast, and their three God-Ascension elites are still alive and well, thriving in Apocalypse Starfield! Today, Ling Qingfeng is more popular than I am in Apocalypse Starfield!"
Chen Xiaobei brightened up. "I understand now! I will ask her when we return!"
Ao Liancheng stuttered awkwardly, "Er… Do you know… Ling Qinfeng's preference?"
"I do…" Chen Xiaobei smiled. "Back at home, same-sex marriage is legal in many countries. I don't discriminate against her…"
"Not discriminate…" Ao Liancheng grinned back cheekily. "I'm afraid that you're in the dark about this… It will be awkward if you develop any feelings for her!"
"Er… That's impossible…" Chen Xiaobei scratched the back of his head.
Ao Liancheng maintained his grin and teased, "Hehe, you better watch out. Ling Qingfeng, that girl… her type is as attractive as they come. Daily contact with her may just spark some fires!"
"Alright! Enough of that! Remember to help me find those things! Also, don't forget to look for the Greenhill emperor!" Chen Xiaobei reminded him.
"Don't worry! Your matters are also our matters! I will do my best!" Ao Liancheng promised. "Oh, right. The 100 jin of Earth-God materials for tomorrow morning – have you figured out a solution? If you don't have the materials, you will be eliminated!"
"I'm already prepared!" Chen Xiaobei shrugged, the corner of his lips curved upwards showing a confident smile.
"What? When?" Ao Liancheng's eyes widened. "Earth-God materials are not like Chinese cabbages (easily available)! Don't tell me they fell from the sky?!"
"Haha! You guessed correctly! They really fell from the heavens!" Chen Xiaobei's smile grew wider. "I'm going to go rest now. Call me when we arrive in Saint Duke!"
Ao Liancheng shouted, "Hey! Don't go… This is not a joke… Without the Earth-God materials, it's useless even if we make it back to Saint Duke!"
Chen Xiaobei only smiled.
Back in his room, Chen Xiaobei sent the list of the six items to Diao Chan so that she could keep an eye for them as she searched for Little Fox's whereabouts.
Diao Chan agreed, without a doubt. As long as it was Chen Xiaobei making the requests, she would never refuse.
Of course, she was only a rookie Earth-God who had only just arrived in the Earth-God realm. Whether or not she could find those items on the list remained uncertain.
That was why, when they arrived in Saint Duke the next day, Chen Xiaobei had to seek Ling Qingfeng's help.
…
After a few hours, when the first light of the morning was just beginning to creep into the skies, the flying vehicle landed on the peripheral planet of Saint Duke Starfield.
Upon presenting the token, Chen Xiaobei, Ao Liangcheng and Octopus man passed through the portal to the capital planet of Saint Duke.
They had just stepped out of the portal when they heard a toady voice speak, "Oh, oh, oh… Isn't this Prince Liancheng? You're really early! Welcome! Welcome!" Liu Zhijian smiled ingratiatingly, welcoming Ao Liancheng like a little eunuch, and ignoring Chen Xiaobei, not even bothering to glance in his direction.
"Liu Zhijian, you don't have to welcome me. The person you should be greeting is Childe Chen!" Ao Liancheng said, sounding irritated.
Liu Zhijian dismissed him. "Childe Lian, you really are humorous! There is no such person as a Childe Chen here. Isn't that the nobody from the elimination round? People might even mistake him for your attendant!"
"Liu Zhijian! You better treat Childe Chen with a little more respect!" Ao Liancheng was really angry now.
"Why… Why should I?" Liu Zhijian snorted. "My duty is to welcome qualified sons of nobilities! Why should I have to bother myself with irrelevant people?"
Ao Liancheng hissed, "If you're not blind, you can probably see the token in Childe Chen's hand!"
"Hehe, Childe Liancheng, are you joking around with me?" Liu Zhijian chuckled. "That brat is here today just to join in the fun! Even a fool knows that there is no way he could get his hands on 100 jin of Earth-God materials! Considering he's unable to pass the first elimination round, he will automatically lose his place in the betrothal contest. Why can't I refuse to show him respect?"
"I dare you to say that again!" Ao Liancheng reached out a hand and grabbed Liu Zhijian by the throat, squeezing a hard choke.
"Childe… Liancheng… What are you doing… Don't kill me… hack hack… Don't…" Liu Zhijian choked.
With Ao Liancheng's cultivation, killing Liu Zhijian would be easier than killing an ant.
From the start, Chen Xiaobei merely watched from the side, hands tucked into his pants pockets with not a word uttered.
As Liu Zhijian said, people would have indeed mistaken him for Ao Liancheng's attendant.
But the truth was, Ao Liancheng was Chen Xiaobei's attendant instead!
In fact, Chen Xiaobei had become the savior of the merpeople, their superhero, and their god.
It was not an exaggeration to say that as of now, Ao Liancheng had already become one of Chen Xiaobei's disciples.
Ao Liancheng wouldn't hesitate to kill Liu Zhijian for being disrespectful to Chen Xiaobei.
"Childe Liancheng! What are you doing?" An unemotional voice called out from behind.
The stolid voice belonged to a middle-aged man in a royal robe, with a flank of a hundred escorts in well-ironed military uniforms.
"Eighth Wangye, help me… Eighth Wangye save me…" Liu Zhijian let out a shrill scream.
The person was none other than Saint Duke's Eighth Wangye, Luo Shanhe who also happened to be Liu Zhijian's master!
"Childe Chen! You have to consider who the owner of the dog is before you hit it!" Luo Shenhe's smile was unfriendly. "This is Saint Duke's imperial city. My dog may be in the wrong but could you not let him go this once for the sake of my face on such an auspicious day?"
"Consider yourself lucky!" Ao Liancheng hissed before dropping Liu Zhijian to the ground.
He had no choice but to defer to Luo Shanhe, the Eighth Wangye, or he would have a hard time in Saint Duke Imperial City.
"I will toast to your magnanimity later, Childe Chen!" Luo Shanhe smiled.
"Eighth Wangye, you are too kind!" Ao Liancheng replied. "By the way, why have you come to the portal yourself?"
Luo Shanhe's smile broadened into a grin, "Most of the people who joined the betrothal contest before the first elimination round are just fillers to make up for the numbers! But this time, those who are able to bring the 100 jin Earth-God materials are honored guests that are worthy of nothing less but a personal welcome from me!"
When he used the term 'fillers', Luo Shanhe's eyes mockingly lingered on Chen Xiaobei – he clearly did not believe that Chen Xiaobei would be able to present 100 jin of Earth-God materials today.
To him, the people who couldn't even pass the first elimination round were just token members!
Only those who could were worthy of Luo Shanhe's attention.
Ao Liancheng did not notice Luo Shanhe's gaze. "Since you're here, I should just inform you beforehand that I did not gather enough Earth-God materials. That's why I'm forfeiting…"
"Forfeiting?" Luo Shanhe nodded. "Understood! The Neptunes have been facing adverse conditions of late. It makes sense that you can't take out any surplus resources! I respect your decision!"
Each of the nine starfields had their own intelligence division. Although Neptune, which was under the threat of the Demonic Beast was highly classified, it could not be kept secret from the authorities of the nine starfields!
Of course, with Chen Xiaobei's help, the threat had been successfully eliminated yesterday.
The intelligence division of these starfields had yet to be made known this latest piece of information. Otherwise, Luo Shanhe and Liu Zhijian would not have treated Chen Xiaobei with such contempt.
"Thank you for understanding, Eighth Wangye!" Ao Liancheng did not mention the Demonic Beast. "Although I've forfeited, I would still like to enter the palace to observe. Would I be welcomed too?"
"Why not?" Luo Shanhe said craftily. "We may not be fated to become a family, but as good neighbors, and long-time friends, I am more than happy to welcome Childe Liancheng's attendance!"
Buzz…
Suddenly, several silhouettes appeared against the light of the portal.
Chen Xiaobei remembered the two people walking in the front – on the left was the young master of number one faction of Royal Dome, sixth on the Nine-Zones Earth Leaderboard, Ximen Shuoxue, and the one on the right was the young master of the number one faction on Saint Duke, ninth on the Nine-Zones Earth Leaderboard, Yuwen Yuanqin!
The people who were behind them were their attendants.
"Childe Shuoxue! Childe Yuanqin! Welcome back to Saint Duke Imperial City!" Luo Shanhe's greeted with a warm smile.
It was plain to see that Luo Shanhe and Ao Liancheng's personal relationship was just ordinary, a polite courtesy.
But the way Luo Shanhe treated Ximen Shuoxue and Yuwen Yuanqin was with genuine warmth. He obviously fostered good and close relations with these two factions.
After the exchange of greetings, Ximen Shuoxue and Yuwen Yuanqin walked up to Ao Liancheng.
"Childe Chen! Good to see you again!" Yuwen Yuanqin smiled broadly.
Ximen Shuoxue, on the other hand, merely nodded coldly towards Ao Liancheng.
"Good to see you again too!" Ao Liancheng smiled politely.
"Hey, what Earth-God materials did you bring?" Yuwen Yuanqin asked.
"Liancheng! Come over here for a moment!" Chen Xiaobei called out.
"I'm sorry, both of you. I'll be back in a minute!" Ao Liancheng quickly hurried to Chen Xiaobei.
Ximen Shuoxue and Yuwen Yuanqin frowned at this.
Yuwen Yuanqin was really unhappy. "Who is that brat, that Ao Liancheng would leave us for him?""My two masters, are you guys talking about the bastard, Chen? He is just a useless piece of junk that came from the elimination round!" said Liu Zhijian.
"Are you trying to say that Childe Shuoxue and I are less worthy than the useless junk that you have just mentioned?" asked Yuwen Yuanqin.
Sii…
"No… No… No… I don't mean that… To me, the two of you are like gods to me! That bastard Chen is just a piece of shit when compared with both of you!"
"Well said! That's what I like to hear!" said Yuwen Yuanqin.
"There's something I need to let off my chest! I feel like Ao Liancheng is just too damn arrogant! How dare he ignore the two of you?!" said Liu Zhijian, trying to stir up a great storm.
"Hmph! Ao Liancheng is not even on our side! I know that he doesn't like us! Sooner or later, I will let him have a taste of what despair means!" harrumphed Yuwen Yuanqin.
As for Ximen Shuoxue, he was standing and spoke nothing about it. However, one could see that his eyes were filled with murderous intent. Considering that that Ximen Shuoxue and Yuwen Yuanqin were the two most powerful young masters amongst the nine zones, they would not let those who mistreated them live for long! After hearing what Liu Zhijian had to say, the two of them had now make Chen Xiaobei and Ao Liancheng their sworn enemies.
On the other hand, Chen Xiaobei and Ao Liancheng had no idea that they had made two new enemies.
Ding!
[Bonus loot! The level of your Netherspirit Battlescouter is not high enough to inspect this item! Please increase its level!]
After seeing the message pop up from the Netherspirit Battlescouter, Chen Xiaobei quickly summoned Ao Liancheng to his side.
"How many people are now living in Neptune Starfield?" asked Chen Xiaobei.
"Around billions… Why do you ask?" asked Ao Liancheng, puzzled.
"Billions?! That's a lot of people!"
"I don't think that's a lot of people! In total, there are 152 planets in Neptune Starfield! We have at least hundreds of millions of people staying in the larger planets. As for the smaller planters, they have at least millions staying in them! In other words, Neptune Starfield in actual fact, has the least population amongst all the other starfields in the nine zones!"
The message that popped up from the Netherspirit Battlescouter proved that Chen Xiaobei's disciples had increased by at least 100 million! According to Ao Liancheng, there were billions of people in Neptune Starfield. Chen Xiaobei would need time to spread the news about him saving them to the entire starfield. With that being said, his disciple count would steadily increase for a period of time. Minus some of the villains, the ungrateful ones, and those with no faith, Chen Xiaobei could at least get himself another one billion disciples!
According to the rules set by the Heavenly Path, Chen Xiaobei would earn the right to choose his reward once he gets himself 100 million disciples! Therefore, 10 billion would mean 10 rewards of Chen Xiaobei's choice. To Chen Xiaobei, this was one of the most exciting matters. To choose the reward given by the Heavenly Path, Chen Xiaobei would first need to upgrade his Netherspirit Battlescouter.
"Chen Zhufeng!" shouted Lin Qinfeng while walking towards Chen Xiaobei.
"Childe Qingfeng…" responded Chen Xiaobei with a smile.
Knowing that Qingfeng was a woman, Chen Xiaobei felt frustrated to address her as childe.
"I never thought that I could meet you today! I didn't think you'd manage to find a hundred pounds of Earth-God grate materials, right?" asked Qingfeng.
"Let's not talk about it first! I have a favor to ask!"
Chen Xiaobei then handed over the list that he prepared earlier to Qingfeng.
"What? You wish to get your hands on the items that you listed on this piece of paper? Do you know that the value of these six items is more than hundreds of pounds of Earth-God grade materials?!"
"Stop asking questions please! Just tell me, are you willing to help me?"
"It's not that I don't want to help you! It would be better if you don't lay your hands on these six items!"
"Why?"
"You can't even gather a hundred pounds of Earth-God grate materials! You won't be able to safe guard all these six items! You might even get yourself killed over these six items!"
"What if I tell you that I have already gathered all hundred pounds of Earth-God grade materials?"
"That is not possible! Seven days ago, I saw that you were having difficulties looking for all those materials! You have to know that not even the top-tiered richest families in the nine zones can come up with such a huge amount of Earth-God grade materials in such a short period of time! What more you, who are from one of those low-tier starfields!"
"Let's make a bet then! If I managed to gather all hundreds of pounds of Earth-God grade materials, you will help me to look for these six items!"
"Deal! If you lose in this bet, you will have to become my servant!"
"Deal!"
Hundreds of pounds of Earth-God grade materials were nothing to Chen Xiaobei as he in fact, managed to snatch 1,000 pounds of it from Monkey King's Red Envelope not too long ago.
"Alright! Everyone is here! Let's head in!"
Luo Shanhe waved his hands and a couple of luxurious flying cars flew to him.
"This is weird! Just us? There were a dozen of them left seven days ago!" asked Chen XIaobei.
"Do you really need to ask that? Most people fail to gather enough Earth-God grade materials! They will be eliminated anyway! That's why they did not bother to come here!"
"How about the first three guys! I think they should be able to complete this task with ease, right?"
"Haha! Of course! Feng Chongwu and Yun Changxiao had entered the royal city three days ago! Additionally, Helian Tulong completed the task five days ago! They all are supportted by Dominating Heaven Faction! You can imagine the wealth and resources that they possess!"
"You sure have the latest news with you huh!"
"Of course! I'm the best at collecting intel and news!"
"Then, I shouldn't be worried anymore!"
"Worried about?"
"With your skillset, I'm pretty sure you can find the things that I want!"
"Pfft! Win the bet first, then I will help you with this favor! Helping you is equivalent to killing you if I get to know that you are not powerful enough to safeguard the six items!"
"Don't you worry! I will win this bet!
Eight sandalwood chairs were arranged in the visitor's hall of the royal palace.
Helian Tulong claimed the center seat like the last time but Luo Shanhe made no complaints. Instead, he plopped down contentedly to the left of Helian Tulong.
Feng Chongwu and Yun Changxiao seated themselves on the chairs to the right, followed by Yuwen Yuanqin and Ximen Shuoxue.
There were only two seats left but there were three of them – Chen Xiaobei, Ao Liangcheng, and Ling Qingfeng.
Luo Shanhe smiled, "Childe Liancheng! Childe Qingdeng! Please take a seat!"
Three persons, two seats. Luo Shanhe did not plan to add another chair for Chen Xiaobei. He ignored Chen Xiaobei as if he was invisible to deliberately humiliate him.
Ao Liancheng could not tolerate this. "Eighth Wangye*, Childe Chen does not have a seat! Please add another chair for him!"
Ling Qingfeng also remained standing.
"Childe Chen? Childe who?" Luo Shanhe sneered. "There's no place for any random Tom, Dick or Harry in today's gathering!"
"Hey, low-class person! What level are we, and what level are you at? Don't you know your place?" Yuwen Yuanqin hissed. "If it was not for our respect of Ao Liancheng's face, you won't even be standing here!"
Ao Liancheng was fuming. "Yuwen Yuanqin! You better show some respect! I'll make you pay for being disrespectful to Childe Chen!"
"Oh? What is the meaning of this?" Yuwen Yuanqin smirked. "The high and mighty fourth place on the Nine-Zones Leaderboard, Ao Liancheng is locking horns with me for a nobody? Is that pretty boy your gay partner? Why else would you be so worked up?"
"Yuwen Yuanqin! It seems to me that you really are looking to end your own life!" Ao Liancheng's eyes were burning with rage and wrath!
"What a joke!" Yuwen Yuanqin spat. "This is Saint Duke Starfield! I am the young master of Saint Duke's number one faction! Eighth Wangye is my shishu*! Childe Shuoxue is a good friend of mine! If you so much as lift a finger against me, I will make sure that you do not walk out of Saint Duke alive!"
"You…" Ao Liancheng's brows furrowed.
If they were in Neptune, he would have already killed Yuwen Yuanqin. Unfortunately, they were in Saint Duke which was Yuwen Yuanqin's home ground! He could not kill Yuwen Yuanqin in his own backyard.
"Childe Liancheng!" Luo Shanhe got up from his seat. "You forfeited from the competition. I gave you a seat on the grounds that you are a friend! But if you don't treat me as one, then we are enemies!"
"I…" Ao Liancheng's heart squeezed inside his chest.
Making Luo Shanhe his enemy in Saint Duke meant making the entire Saint Duke imperial family his enemy as well.
"Childe Chen! Please just sit down! Don't destroy your friendship for me!" Chen Xiaobei quickly said, forcing Ao Liancheng down on the chair. "Childe Qingfeng, you too. I'll just stand here for the moment. Who knows, someone might give me their seat later!"
"Give you their seat? Why would they?" Ling Qingfeng stared quizzically at Chen Xiaobei but Chen Xiaobei pushed her down to her seat.
Yuwen Yuanqin was very pleased to see this. "Hey kid, you are very aware of your position as a nobody, huh? Why don't you give us a bark? I'll upgrade your status from insect to pug!"
"Yuanqing! Enough!" Luo Shanhe said. "Xianzhi Helian… Oh, I mean, Childe Tulong's time is very precious! Let's take care of important matters first!"
Yuwen Yuanqin quickly nodded, "Yes! Yes! Yes! Take care of proper matters first! Let's not waste Childe Tulong's time!"
Clearly, Helian Tulong was the most prestigious person in the room. Everyone and everything seemed to revolve around him.
"You have been informed of the rules seven days ago!" Luo Shanhe dove right in. "Please take out the Earth-God materials that you've prepared. After they are inspected, I will announce the task for the second elimination round!"
Except for Ao Liancheng and Chen Xiaobei, the other six people took out large boxes from their storage bracelets.
Luo Shanhe stood up. "I will begin the inspection with Childe Qingfeng!"
Ling Qingfeng opened her box and said, "I have prepared a One-star Earth-God material, a Nine Yang Dragon Blood Stone.
"Good heavens! This is the legendary Yang Dragon Blood Stone! What a powerful Spiritual Attribute! Excellent quality! Top-class! Definitely top-grade!" Luo Shanhe was thrilled to see the blood-red stone in the box.
The others looked at the box with interest and rapacity except for Helian Tulong and Ximen Shuoxue. The expression on their faces was of disinterest as if it were just a normal piece of rock.
Ximen Shuoxue was characteristically austere, inherently reticent without expressing any emotions. Even if he was shocked on the inside, it would never show on his face.
Helian Tulong, on the other hand, was used to seeing all sorts of rare and exotic treasures. A mere Yang Dragon Blood Stone was not enough to excite him.
"Exactly 100 jin! Childe Qinfeng, pass! Please wait for a moment!" Luo Shanhe walked towards the other direction. "Next, I will examine Childe Yuanqing's materials…"
Subsequently, Luo Shanhe inspected Yuwen Yuanqin, Ximen Shuoxue, Feng Chong/Zhongwu and Yun Changxiao.
The items they brought, like Ling Qingfeng's, were One-star Earth-God grade, in the required amount. They all passed successfully.
"Lastly, I will check Childe Tulong!" Luo Heshan said obsequiously. "Please don't mind it, Childe Tulong. It's not that I don't trust you, but I have to do my job!"
"Mm." Helian Tulong curled a finger and opened the box using his Ethereal Force.
"This… This this this…" Luo Shanhe swallowed. "If I'm right, this is an almost Two-star Earth-God material, a Zephyr Black Gold!"
The others cried in astonishment, "My god! A Zephyr Black Gold! Childe Tulong really is generous!"
Ximen Shuoxue remained impassive, revealing only the slightest hint of surprise in his eyes.
"Don't… We don't have to weigh it!" Luo Shanhe swallowed. "This is an extremely valuable item! Pass!"
Helian Tulong's lips curled into a smile. "Alright, go ahead and announce the second task!"
"Wait!" Chen Xiaobei suddenly spoke. "My Earth-God material has not been inspected yet!"
Everyone in the room was startled.
Footnote:
shishu*: a term used to address father's friends; usually younger than the father
Wind Sha*: in fengshui, negative energy caused by wind. Winds that are too strong will blow away all the Qi, and good fortune.
Wangye*: brothers of the emperor or title given to people who have made extraordinary contributions to the country.
"What? Is this piece of shit insane? Did you really think that you could have gathered all those Earth-God grade materials?! We are not stupid enough to let you con us!" said Yuwen Qinyuan.
Immediately, a whole lot of other people started to glare at Chen Xiaobei, as if he was a retarded liar. None of them would believe what Chen Xiaobei was about to tell them. Even Ao Liancheng and Lin Qingfeng found it hard to believe as well.
"Chen Zhufeng… Stop messing around… This is not the right place to pull something like this! I know that you want to win the bet but, you really shouldn't make such a huge fuss here!" said Lin Qingfeng.
"I'm not fooling around! I'm serious!"
Chen Xiaobei then took out a wooden box from his Infinite Space Ring.
"Damn! Look at him! He could be the best actor in this world! I know you are just trying to deceive us! Garbage like him can never get all those Earth-God grade materials! If he can do it, I will eat shit in front of everyone!"
"Not only can I bring out the Earth-God grade material, but I can also tell all of you that my Earth-God grade material is better than all of yours!"
"It seems like you have a deathwish!" said Helian Tulong while glaring at Chen Xiaobei with murderous intent.
Knowing that Helian Tulong was the most powerful elite amongst them, everyone would assume that the Earth-God grade material that he carried with him would have the highest quality. Chen Xiaobei was basically taunting him when he claimed that he was the only one with the best Earth-God grade material.
"Someone! Get this piece of shit out from my face! Beat him to death!"
Swoosh!
Swoosh!
Swoosh!
Seconds later, a dozen Saint Duke warriors armed with weapons marched towards them and was at arms to attack Chen Xiaobei.
"Eighth Wangye, please calm down! My friend… He is drunk! He was talking nonsense just now! I will bring him to leave this place right away!" said Ao Liancheng.
"Childe Liancheng! He did not offend me! He offended Childe Tulong! It's useless for you to beg me!" said Luo Shanhe.
"Childe Tulong! My friend…"
Before Ao Liancheng could even finish what he wanted to say, he was interrupted by Helian Tulong.
"Say no more! He will be killed no matter what since he acts in such an arrogant manner in front of me!" said Helian Tulong.
"What are you guys waiting for?! Do it now!" shouted Luo Shanhe.
"Yes, sir!!"
Immediately, all the warriors drew their weapons.
"Could it be that Childe Tulong is afraid of me?" shouted Chen Xiaobei.
"Hold your weapons! I can tell you that I have never been afraid of anyone before!"
"I think you are afraid that I might outplay you! That's why you want to eliminate me as soon as possible!"
Upon hearing that, Ao Liancheng and Lin Qinfeng started to fear for Chen Xiaobei's life. This time, they were sure that Chen Xiaobei would very likely be killed by Helian Tulong no matter what.
"Hahaha… You piece of shit… Have you gone insane?! Don't you know that the Helian family is the most powerful in Apocalyptic Starfield, and Childe Helian its most powerful prodigy?! He is only 25 years old but he has made his way in becoming the core disciple of Heaven Dominating Faction! He has also earned himself the first spot on Nine-Zones Earth Leaderboard! Dream on! You can never be compared with Childe Tulong!"
"Well, if Childe Tulong is not afraid of me! Allow me to have a few seconds to open the box then!"
"Fine! You can have your few seconds! And if you fail to bring out something that is better than what I brought here, I will make sure that you will die a horrible death!"
"Pfft! I don't think that piece of shit can outplay Childe Tulong!" said Yuwen Yuanqin.
Klak!
Without wasting any time, Chen Xiaobei opened the wooden box that was placed in front of him. And everyone could see that there was a pigeon-egg sized green gem lying inside it. Though it was small, the Spiritual Aura exuded from it was far beyond everyone's imagination. The green light emitted from it cleansed the area and brought a wave of peace to everyone.
"What… What is that thing… I can't believe that its Spiritual Attribute is ten times more powerful than Childe Tulong's Zephyr Black Gold!" shouted Luo Shanhe and Yuwen Yuanqin at the same time.
"How did Chen Zhufeng possess such a powerful item?!"
Ao Liancheng and Lin Qingfeng could not help but be awestruck by the item.
On the other hand, Feng Chongwu and Yun Changxiao stared at each other and said, "The Spiritual Attribute of that item can be compared with our Sifu's Two-star Spiritual Instrument!"
"That is a Two-star Earth-God material! It must be it! I'm sure of it!" said Ximen Shuoxue.
"A Two-star Earth-God material… Childe Tulong… What are you going to do now?" asked Luo Shanhe in fear.
Rendered speechless, Helian Tulong's face was twisted. Clearly, Chen Xiaobei had outplayed him. He knew that the Two-star Earth-God material was ten times more precious than his Zephyr Black Gold! With that being said, he could no longer throw a death sentence to Chen Xiaobei.
"This… This is a Two-star Earth-God material…" said Helian Tulong.
"Damn! It's really a surprise that Childe Zhufeng possesses such precious materials! This is really shocking!" said Luo Shanhe.
Though the green gemstone was only the size of a pigeon egg, its rarity and quality had exceeded all the Earth-God materials brought by others. Chen Xiaobei could now easily get first place. Luo Shanhe was going to be the one to judge all the Earth-God materials. Judging by the way Luo Shanhe treated Chen Xiaobei, one could see that Chen Xiaobei was now his favorite candidate!
"Eighth Wanye, can I sit down now?" asked Chen Xiaobei.
"Of course! Please! Have a seat!" replied Luo Shanhe.
Chen Xiaobei then lifted his hand and pointed at where Helian Tulong sat.
"I want to sit there!"
Everyone was shocked to see Chen Xiaobei's finger pointing towards Helian Tulong.
"What? Are you crazy? You stupid brat! You're too arrogant! How could you even think of taking Childe Helian's seat!" Yuwen Yuanqin scolded.
"Huh? Aren't you supposed to be eating shit in front of a live audience? Why are you still here?" Chen Xiaobei retorted.
"I… I… I…" Yuwen Yuanqing's face went scarlet, nearly choking to death on his own saliva.
"Yuanqin! Don't be rude!" Luo Shanhe said. "Childe Chen, I'll ask someone to bring you a chair immediately. How about that?"
"No!" Chen Xiaobei refused.
Luo Shanhe's brows furrowed. "How about I give you my seat? I'll go sit elsewhere!"
Everyone in the room was bewildered.
Luo Shanhe was the eighth Wangye, the one with the highest authority among all the other Wangyes, most trusted by the emperor of Saint Duke – second only to the emperor.
Luo Shanhe giving up his seat to Chen Xiaobei could already be considered very special treatment that not everyone could enjoy. This was evident in Luo Shanhe's approval and acknowledgment of Chen Xiaobei.
"My god… Who the hell is this kid… that Eighth Wangye regards him with such importance…? I'm dead meat…" Liu Zhijian who had been standing at the door began to panic.
Earlier today, he had exploited his position as Luo Shanhe's subordinate to bully and intimidate Chen Xiaobei.
Now that that the truth was before his very own eyes, that Chen Xiaobei had actually brought a Two-star Earth-God material to the contest, it could only mean that Chen Xiaobei was a man with a huge amount of resources.
Even if Luo Shanhe offered his seat to Chen Xiaobei. He and Liu Zhijian were dead for sure.
"Guards! Please bring me a chair! I am giving Childe Chen my seat!" Luo Shanhe ordered.
"I already said that I want to sit there!" Chen Xiaobei's finger was still directed at Helian Tulong's chair.
How could this greenhorn, naive brat not give face to Luo Shanhe?!
"Hey, Chen! You better behave yourself!" Helian Tulong's tone was icy. "In terms of seniority, in terms family background, faction, and cultivation… in every aspect, I, Helian Tulong can crush you to death! Who are you to want to take my seat?"
Chen Xiaobei shrugged. "If we can determine position with just words, then everyone should just take back their Earth-God materials, and just brag. Let's see who can brag better?"
"I never brag! I can crush you completely! That's not something you can't argue about!" Helian Tulong shouted.
"Perhaps so." Chen Xiaobei shrugged. "But the Two-star Earth-God material is worth ten times more than yours! Can you deny that I surpass you at that?"
"I…" Helian Tulong frowned.
Chen Xiaobei continued, "I believe that on the surface, it looks like we're comparing participants's resources! But more importantly, genuineness and sincerity! Loving someone, wanting to marry someone is not based on what you have but what you are willing to give her! You come from a background of the top-tier faction in Apocalypse Starfield. Perhaps you really can defeat me!! But I am willing to take out the best things to gift to Princess Puti! I surpass you in both sincerity and genuineness, Helian Tulong!"
Helian Tulong snorted, "Hypocrite! Princess Puti has not even shown her real face, yet you are expressing sincerity based on a picture? You're more like a stupid liar!"
Both Ao Liancheng and Ling Qingfeng looked doubtful.
The Chen Xiaobei they came to know was in no way as hypocritical as Helian Tulong made it sound!
Could it be that Chen Xiaobei and Princess Puti had in fact, some sort of relationship?
"Me? Hypocritical?" Chen Xiaobei pointed at himself amusingly. "Eighth Wangye, what do you think?"
Luo Heshan stammered, "Childe Chen is very genuine. I can see that… But you better take my seat… It's not wise to make enemies with Childe Tulong over such a small thing…"
"Mm, I understand!" Chen Xiaobei shrugged. "Since my sincerity and candour are useless, then I will take it back and swap it out with a rubbish one-star Earth-God material! I can still pass anyway. Why should I give out the best thing I have?"
Chen Xiaobei picked up the wooden box.
"Childe Chen! Hang on…" Luo Shanhe called out.
"Eighth Wanghe. You better think carefully. There are two more rounds to go!" Helian Tulong said with an iciness in his voice. "We will be a family in the future!"
"This…" Luo Shanhe looked like a lost child.
At the end of the day, Helian Tulong had the highest prospects of winning the betrothal contest. Offending Helian Tulong was not a wise choice for Chen Xiaobei in the long-run!
Luo Shanhe said nothing more, and did not try to stop Chen Xiaobei.
His silence was a declaration that he was standing on Helian Tulong's side, and the middle seat belonged to Helian Tulong.
"Hmph! You bit more than you can chew by fighting with me!" Helian Tulong raised his chin, smiling a victor's smile.
Yuwen Yuanqing was exultant. "Childe Chen is truly the best candidate for Saint Duke Royal's Fuma! A certain buffoon will never be able to take Childe Helian's seat no matter how hard he tries!"
"Wait!" Suddenly, an imposing and stern voice came from outside the hall.
The expression of the people's faces changed at the sound of the voice.
"Your servant Liu Zhijian hails our emperor!"
Liu Zhijian went down on his knees immediately.
"Brother! Why have you come?" Luo Shanhe gave a deep bow.
Everyone in the great hall, including Helian Tulong, got up from their seats and bowed.
Chen Xiaobei turned to look at the middle-aged man dressed in a black dragon robe. He was no doubt of with striking good looks, and a distinctive bearing. He looked very much like Luo Puti.
That's right!
He was Luo Puti's father! The emperor of Saint Duke, Luo Qiongcang!
Unlike Luo Heshan, the father and daughter, Luo Qiongcang and Luo Puti were the only members of the royal family with Saint Duke's pure bloodline!
Luo Qiongcang's cultivation was an entire class higher than Luo Heshan's.
Even Helian Tulong dared not act brash before him, asking politely, "Uncle Luo, why have you come?"
"Let me say something fair! I know that a lot of people have said that the reason I'd organize this martial arts contest is to gather more wealth for myself! To put it in a harsher way, people basically say that I'm selling my daughter for money!" said Luo Qiongcang.
Upon hearing that, everyone was emotionless and they kept silent about it. Clearly, the rumor of Luo Qiongcang selling his daughter had spread throughout the nine zones. To make matters worse, a lot of people were willing to believe in it.
"The rumor that all of you heard is not entirely wrong! Everyone knows that Saint Duke is in a huge crisis now! I have to gather as many resources as possible to prepare for the final war! But! I, Luo Qiongcang am not the kind of person who will sell my daughter for money! I do wish that the man who will marry my daughter will treat her well until the end of her life! Sincerity means a lot to me!"
"Emperor Brother… You are trying to say…?" asked Luo Shanhe, frowning.
"This point of this martial arts competition is ranking! The thing that Childe Zhufeng had just presented us is the best amongst all the other people! In other words, he should be prioritized above all the other people!"
"Letting him be first place?! How about me then?!" asked Helian Tulong with a hint of desperation and displeasure.
"Childe Tulong, you are in the second place now!" said Luo Qiongcang.
"Are you trying to ask me to give him the seat?!"
"Uncle Luo! I'm calling you uncle right now! Can you at least keep my seat?"
"Childe Tulong, don't you worry! There are three rounds of competition! Nobody knows who is going to walk out from this place with a smile!"
"You are right about that… I'm pretty sure that I will be the final winner of this competition! By that time, I will be able to get my hands on the Two-star Earth-God material and the princess as well! This is no loss to me!"
After that, Helian Tulong moved to another seat and let Chen Xiaobei took his seat.
"Childe Zhufeng, the seat is yours!"
Luo Qiongcang swung his hand and pointed at the main seat in the middle of the grand hall.
"Alright!"
Without wasting any time, Chen Xiaobei sat on it right away. On the other hand, Luo Shanhe took the wooden box away from Chen Xiaobei.
"Alright! I have said what I want to say! I will hand over this competition to my eighth brother again!" said Luo Qiongcang before leaving the grand hall after that.
Looking at Luo Qiongcang's back, Chen Xiaobei could not figure out what was he thinking. The only reason Chen Xiaobei could think of was that Luo Qiongcang had simply deliberately come into the hall to take away Chen Xiaobei's Two-star Earth-God material.
"Alright! The conflict is now over! Next, I will announce the second task! This task is going to test your combat power! All of you have one month to complete the task! The location will be the deepest part of Apocalyptic Starfield! Hunt the Giant Barbaric Tiger! Use any means necessary! All you need to do is to kill one of it and get its Beast Core! Do that, and you will be able to complete this task!"
Immediately, everyone drew in a deep breath when they heard the second task.
"Emperor Brother, are you serious about this? The Giant Barbaric Tiger is a primordial ancient beast! Though it has not reached Primordial Spirit cultivation, a One-star Earth God might not be even powerful enough to kill it!" said Yuwen Yuanqin.
"Childe Yuanqin, don't you worry! I told you that you can kill with any means necessary! You might not be able to defeat it but your faction is powerful enough to defeat it! They are the most powerful faction on Saint Duke Starfield! Look for them to help you!" said Luo Shanhe.
"I see now, we can call for others to help us! That would mean it's no longer a difficult task! Now, the difficult part is to look for it!" said Feng Chongwu.
"A Giant Barbaric Tiger lives in Mount Shiwan and its extremely difficult to look for! Let's not waste any more time! We will take our leave first! It's better for us to complete this task as soon as possible!" said Yun Changxiao.
"Childe Changxiao! Hold on! There's something I would like to warn everyone about! Since all of you are venturing deep inside Mount Shiwan, you should know that there are no people living there! That would mean that the rescue team will take a long time to get to you if you cross paths with your enemies! Just be careful!"
"Enemies? Are you talking about the people from Amaterasu Starfield and Divine Dome Starfield that might mess with us?" asked Yun Changxiao.
"There is a possibility that it might happen! It would be best that they don't go there! Just get ready to fight if they ambush all of you!" said Luo Shanhe.
"I will kill all of them if they dare attack me!" said Helian Tulong as he left his seat at the same time.
"We will take our leave as well!"
After standing there for a while, Chen Xiaobei had no intention to talk to Luo Shanhe. So, he decided to immediately leave the grand hall. Immediately, Ao Liancheng and Lin Qingfeng followed right behind Chen Xiaobei.
....
After exiting the palace.
"Zhufeng! You just suffered a great loss! You can actually use the worst Earth-God material to complete the task! Why did you bring out your Two-star Earth-God material?!" asked Ao Liancheng.
"I know! Zhufeng wanted to surprise everyone! Unfortunately, all he got was a seat and he's managed to make Helian Tulong his enemy!" said Lin Qingfeng.
"That's right! That's why I said, Zhufeng has just suffered a great loss! Zhufeng? Said something. Are you feeling frustrated right now?"
"Hehe… You guys should see the bigger picture!" said Chen Xiaobei.
"What do you mean by that?"
"I'm wasn't trying to impress anyone earlier! I was simply trying to destroy the relationship between Helian Tulong and Luo Qiongcang! Everyone knows that Helian Tulong is the best candidate for prince consort! It seems like this is not the case anymore after today! At the same time, my Two-star Earth-God material allowed me to show that I'm a man with rare resources! That would mean the royals of Saint Duke Starfield will look at me differently now! From the surface, it may have looked like I didn't gain anything in the end but I have actually managed to get myself into the hotlist for prince consort!"
Ao Liancheng and Lin Qingfeng finally understood Chen Xiaobei's intention.
"Considering what you've just said, your chances of becoming prince consort have just increased tremendously!" said Ao Liancheng.
"The most important thing is that Helian Tulong will definitely hold a grudge against Saint Duke. If he lets his emotions take over him, that would be perfect!" said Lin Qingfeng.
"If I'm not mistaken, the core royal members of Saint Duke are talking about Helian Tulong now!" said Chen Xiaobei with a smile.
"Interesting! I'm really curious on how would Princess Puti would react when she knows of your existence!" said Ao Liancheng.
In a secret conference room in Saint Duke Palace.
A beautiful woman slouched lazily on the table.
She had a flawless face, so beautiful that words were inadequate to describe her.
But her dark glistening eyes were void of any vivacity, looking as if she had lost her zeal for life.
"Little Red, how do you think Xiaobei is doing?" The girl mumbled.
The 'Little Red' she was talking to was not human but a red spider the size of a broad bean.
"I already told you a million times! I am not Little Red! I am Crimson Wolf Spider! You never listen! Now I'm angry!" The little spider made angry gestures.
But the girl did not understand zoolingualism. "Little Red, where do you think Chen Xiaobei is? What is he doing? Do you think he's angry because I haven't contacted him for so long? Or maybe he's forgotten me?"
"Ahhh! For the 80,001th time! My name is not Little Red! Not Little Red!" The little spider was gesticulating wildly, shouting at the top of its voice.
Then suddenly, it leaped high into the air and dove into the girl's pocket.
"Huh?" The girl immediately sat upright.
An icy stillness crept into her eyes, so intense it could repel people ten thousand miles away.
"Puti, you came first." Luo Qiongcang and Luo Shanhe walked into the conference room, followed by several middle-aged men – core members of Saint Duke.
"Greetings father! Greetings Eighth Uncle! Greetings, to all the other elders!"
The girl gave each of them a slight nod; her tone courteous but nippy.
That's right!
It was none other than the princess of Saint Duke, and Chen Xiaobei's ice queen, Luo Puti!
"Come, sit down everyone!" Luo Qiongcang gestured. "Something very interesting happened today. Let's discuss it!"
Everyone in the room took their seats.
Luo Shanhe was the first to speak. "Huang Xiong*! I don't understand why you were willing to offend Helian Tulong for the sake of that kid from a low-ranking starfield?"
"Eighth brother, you are too fearful of Helian Tulong! The fact that you're constantly walking on eggshells around him has affected your judgment!" Luo Qiongcang said. "Could a common person have been able to yield a Two-Star Earth-God material? Would a common man have openly challenged Helian Tulong?"
"That…" Luo Shanhe gasped in realization. "You mean to say that kid may have a powerful man behind him?"
"It's not 'may have' but 'must have' for sure!" Luo Qiongcang narrowed his eyes. "Also, he said that he came from a low-ranking starfield, but does that mean it's the truth?"
Luo Shanhe covered his mouth. "You mean the kid might be from Apocalypse Starfield?"
"Oh, for goodness sakes! Your thinking is too shallow!" Luo Qiongcang said. "Good things don't happen just like that! I have every reason to suspect that this kid is a mole sent by Tenshou!"
"Ten… Tenshou's man?!" Luo Shanhe gulped. "That makes sense! The people from Tenshou are not allowed to join the betrothal contest. That's why that kid lied about coming from a low-ranking starfield! That must be it! He is probably still in the city; I'll go kill him now!"
"Stay where you are!" Luo Qiongcang shook his head. "Even if he belongs to the Tenshou, there's no need to kill him now! Don't forget the real purpose of the second task!"
"What is the real purpose?" Luo Shanhe asked.
Luo Qiongcang shrugged. "Luo Puti is the one who came up with the plan. Let her explain it!"
Luo Puti stood up and said, "The first task's true intention is to appropriate wealth! With the Earth-God grade materials we receive, we can exchange them for interstellar weaponry sufficient for a brigade of 100 thousand soldiers! The second task is set to take place in the ten-thousand mountains as bait to draw Tenshou and Royal Dome to sabotage the assignment. That way, they will surely offend the other powerful forces joining the betrothal contest! The enemy of our enemy is our friend! The more vicious Tenshou and Royal Dome are, the closer the other powerful forces will grow to us! Even if they cannot help us, we could at least avoid having any of them stabbing us in the back!"
When she was done speaking, she plopped back down into her seat. She made no mention of the final task.
The core members who had been listening intently nodded and gave her a thumbs up.
Luo Shanhe had a sudden epiphany. "So, we are not going to kill that kid so that he can pass the message to Tenshou ensuring that they wreak havoc during the second task!"
"That's right! Luo Qiongcang nodded. "In the beginning, everyone protested against allowing Royal Dome's most powerful faction's young master Ximen Shuoxue to join the betrothal contest. Luo Puti, however, has convinced me to permit his participation so that he could report to Royal Dome!"
"I understand now! Now that everything is ready, we're just waiting for them to create chaos!" Luo Shanhe grinned. "Puti had a nickname back on earth – 'Puti the Brainiac'! She really does live up to that reputation!"
"Indeed, I am very lucky to have a daughter like that!" Luo Qiongcang praised. "As long as we follow Luo Puti's plan, Saint Duke's suffering would soon be put to an end!"
Everyone at the table nodded enthusiastically, excited at the prospect.
Since no one had any objections, the meeting was concluded.
Everyone left the room, leaving only father and daughter.