"Many of you have been waiting for this moment! Yes, that's right, it's a Mythical Beast Soul! Not just any soul but a high-tier soul!"
The attendant unveiled the item and it showed a glowing array in a glass case holding an ethereal soul in the place. The soul was defined and had eight legs. Its body was terrifying with its back holding human faces like they were trying to break free from the spider's flesh.
"I present to you! A 7th Tier Mythical Beast of both offense, defense, and practical capabilities! The Thousand-Faced Spider! Granting the ability to create webs stronger than most 6th-tier Imperial Arms and the ability to change faces, this soul is perfect for making traps and faking identities. The perfect choice for subterfuge! Starting at 25,000 Spiritual Stones!"
Cain tapped Yun'er, his face glued to the soul on stage.
He muttered, "I need that soul"
Yun'er looked at Cain and his expression. At that moment she felt more determined than ever.
"30,000!"
"40,000!"
"45,000"
"47,000"
Voices from all the VIP rooms were calling out. Some were other Princes and Princesses while others were powerhouses who just didn't care.
"60,000!"
"80,000"
"110,00!"
The price kept climbing and climbing. As it did more and more people dropped out until it was just Yun'er and Prince Bo calling out against each other.
"Ugh! Why is brother so annoying? 130,000 Spiritual Stones!"
In the room adjacent the voice laughed, "Yun'er give up! This soul is mine! 150,000!"
"200,000" She screamed.
"210,000!" The Prince responded.
Mind-boggling amounts of money were thrown about. Those in the audience could only let their jaws drop. In the end, the price reached almost 300,000 spiritual stones.
"Teacher....I only have 280,000 spiritual stones...I have no more to bid."
Cain could only sigh. He didn't think Prince Bo would be this much of a pain for him. He was angry and resentful.
"Hah, its fine Yun'er. We can only hope I find another soul of similar properties another day."
Yun'er saw Cain give up and her heart sank. She didn't want to fail him. Her mind churned before a devious idea came to mind. Not only could she make Teacher happy but also accomplish another goal of hers she had been putting off.
"Teacher, Yun'er will be back!"
Standing up, the Princess got up and left.
'What is she doing?' Cain was curious but he put it into the back of his mind, he watched the auction to see if another soul that fit his needs would appear. If not, then it was fate.
The auction continued and Yun'er didn't return. Cain was confused and that confusion only continued to grow as the auction went on.
However, near the end, a loud thundering voice broke the air as it abruptly stopped everything. It was the voice coming from the main VIP room, the room where Sun Xiang was staying.
It was the voice of the ruler of the Dynasty and 2 Provinces.
"Bo, you will give your sister the Thousand-Faced Spider and Ying Yang Armor as a dowry to the Heavenly Sword Saint's disciple. I will reward you for this."
Everyone was silent.
'Dowry?! What the hell did Yun'er do?!'
The doors to the room opened and Princess Yun'er walked in and sat next to Cain. Her smile scared him.
"Father agreed! He will use the items as a Dowry so we can get married! Isn't this a great teacher!"
Cain's entire face twitched. "Yun'er, why did you tell your father we're getting married? We're teacher and student."
The girl smiled, but behind the smile was an arrogance that couldn't be contained. All of Sun Xiang's children had such arrogance. Yun'er was not an exception.
"Yun'er likes teacher. It doesn't matter if Yun'er is Teacher's student. Anyway, Teacher is only a lowly mixed blood, Yun'er can do as she wants. From now on you're Yun'er's and only Yun'er's!"
Her childish voice held a deep superiority within it. Cain's face warped sour. He had gotten himself into a heap of trouble.
'Fuck.'
...
Sitting in an unknown part of the palace. Cain finally got a message back from his master.
As he read his face only darkened.
"Disciple, I read your message but I'm sorry. I cannot help. Sun Xiang is far above my level and even the Grand Elders have to be wary of him. All I can say is you are safe. Take the time to break through and gain the power to free yourself, you have the talent. As of right now, I am returning to the sect before I journey out again in search of a way to remove the evil influence. I congratulate you on your marriage.
Best Wishes,
Your Master :)"
Cain ripped the letter to pieces. "Ridiculous! Master doesn't even care! He must be happy I trapped myself, does he think I will be safer this way?!"
If we were going to get technical, his current position was good. He was soon going to become the Emperor's son-in-law. Not only that, he was going to marry the Emperor's favorite daughter. He couldn't have a more secure status.
'Even so...I can't. Luna.....'
Through the small fragments of memory he had left. Many of them were of Luna. All good of course, none showing any hint of the truth. Though it wasn't a lie to say she loved him, there were factors in place that twisted that love and warped it.
Alas, everything surrounding Luna was a fog in both Cains. They never took the time to investigate everything properly. It wasn't like they could, Netherane and its people were gone.
Suddenly, the door to the room opened and a happy and blissful Princess walked in, her body was wet, and her body fragrance wafted into Cain's nose. Yun'er was wearing nothing except a thin piece of fabric.
Although they shouldn't be close like this, Yun'er had it her way. Cain couldn't refuse or escape.
The two were practically married the moment the Emperor announced it. Cain was in a pickle, a pickle many would argue was a good thing.
"Husband, Yun'er is ready for bed. Come in the sheets with me. The ceremony is close and I wish to cuddle!"
In their relationship, Cain didn't have a say. He was like a slave to Yun'er's demands. She wanted Cain to do everything she asked. There were a few times Cain would try to refuse but Yun'er became even more adamant.
It would get to the point where she turned vicious and threatened Cain to behave. The Emperor even gave her two Growth Stage experts to make sure Cain was helpless.
Sighing, Cain lay on the sheets with his ex-student. They cuddled while the Princess smiled giddy, starting to drift off to sleep. But Cain couldn't allow it, he had to try and get out of this.
"Yun'er....I can't marry you...I have a wife."
The Princess's body twitched, she woke from her sluggishness. "Had....Had a wife. You already told Yun'er she was dead. Forget about her. Yun'er demands it!"
Cain's heart ached, he felt repulsed by himself, his memories of Luna replaying again and again. his soul burned and turned cold against the princess.
His voice became serious, "She will be the only one in my heart. I cannot love another."
The room turned silent. Cain pondered a bit before raising his head over Yun'er's shoulder. She was crying.
"Y-You can't! You must love Yun'er! Stop talking about that woman! Only talk of Yun'er, only think of Yun'er!" Her voice shook as her throat built with mucus. She couldn't breathe, her heart was grieving, it had been pierced.
To be so attached so quickly. What type of person did Cain have to be? Or maybe Yun'er just wanted someone to love her unconditionally. Seeing Cain act so carefree around her, perhaps the Princess gained feelings. Yet that's only one possibility. Only she would know the truth.
Cain apologized, and he apologized until Yun'er fell asleep in his arms with her eyes still red.
He couldn't help but sigh again. "Yun'er....why did it be this way? You just had to be my student. Why force it? Why confuse me...I don't know what is the right choice. I-I'm so lost....."
(Do you wish to know the right choice?)
The ancient voice once again entered Cain's ears. But he knew it was neither ancient nor useful.
He sneered. "Stop talking to me."
(I'll give you a hint. You already got the prizes, use them, then kill Prince Bo. That will make it up to the Emperor.)
"Prince Bo?"
The voice laughed as it faded out, (Only a hint.)
Cain was left in bed clutching a heartbroken princess. He didn't know what to do. Yet deep down, a root had taken place, a root that would lead him to listen to the voice even if he didn't want to.