--- Chapter 52 ---
The next day.
Lan Xueruo stood in front of Yu Long's room nervously.
She looked around, thinking how suspicious she was to stand before a youth's room.
Unknown to Lan Xueruo, Yu Long's parents and grandparents have long noticed her presence. However, they smiled and let her off.
They knew Lan Xueruo was a good girl.
More so, what kind of harm could she do to Yu Long? That monstrous descendant of theirs doesn't need protection.
"This is interesting." Yu Xin commented while sipping her morning tea.
"What do you think is gonna happen, husband?"
Yu Zhan put on a complicated expression, "To be honest, I don't know."
"Our son is abnormal..."
"Say that again, I dare you, I double dare you!" Yu Xin narrowed her eyes at Yu Zhan.
How could he call her handsome and talented son abnormal?
You're courting death!
Yu Zhan raised his arms in defeat. After starting her profound way, his wife becomes more domineering.
At least they are equal on the bed.
"Fine, fine. Our son is unique." He fixed his words.
"To answer your question earlier. I could see Yu Long poaching another girl to his side."
"You mean...?" Yu Xin's eyes twinkled.
Yu Zhan smiled and didn't say anything further.
Meanwhile, Xu Sanshan and Xu Nannan laughed joyfully at the sight of Lan Xueruo before their grandson's room.
"Hahaha, as expected of my grandson~!!" The grandpa excitedly rubbed his hands like a shady businessman. "Even if he doesn't want to admit it, the royal bloodline in his veins attracts someone of similar stature."
"The greatest prince of the Eternal Night Royal Family and the Blue Wind Imperial Family's princess." Xu Nannan giggled in amusement.
"Although her cultivation base is lacking, understandable as she was fourteen, her character isn't bad."
"She is very humble and 'filial' to her mother. That alone puts her higher than those spoiled brats have encountered. I've seen some young ladies sucking off their noble status to entice Yu Long."
"Unfortunately for them, my grandson isn't blind! Haha, fuck those little lasses!"
"Language..." Xu Sanshan was speechless. His wife is becoming more violent these days.
Maybe because the peace granted by their grandson finally allowed them to relax after so many years.
Xu Nannan covered her mouth yet still grinning, "It seems we don't have to worry about the Eternal Night Royal Family's bloodline anymore."
"We have another granddaughter-in-law in the bag."
"Weird things to say, isn't it?" Xu Sanshan teased her.
"Hehe, not as weird as how you proposed to me~!" Xu Nannan teased back.
"Different era, different result." Xu Sanshan shook his head gently as it was a good old day of his youth.
"In this era, our grandson would stand at the top!"
...
Back to Lan Xueruo.
As she was about to knock on the door, it opened abruptly.
She was startled like a cat and hid behind a decorated plant.
Hong Guan stared at the Blue Wind Empire's princess and commented casually, "Princess, why are you hiding there?"
"You're looking down on me too much."
A blush appeared on Lan Xueruo's cheeks as she realized her action was embarrassing.
She might not know how powerful Hong Guan was, but from how the red-haired lady acted, such confidence only befitted Earth Profound Realm Expert or above!
Hiding from such an expert is useless.
Lan Xueruo awkwardly stood up from the floor and bowed, "I'm sorry."
'Well, that was unexpected...' Hong Guan thought with her lips curved.
She stared at Lan Xueruo with an observing gaze and said, "It's fine, princess. Young Master is waiting for you inside."
"I assume you have a lot of things to say."
"Yes." Lan Xueruo nodded with determination.
Noticing the firm light in the princess's eyes, Hong Guan saw the reflection of her past self.
Those eyes showed the sheer importance of this visit.
"Let's go inside."
"T-Then, pardon me..."
As they entered the room, Lan Xueruo noticed their hotel room was more extravagant than hers.
She blinked her eyes in surprise, thinking how amazing Yu Clan was.
Yu Long sat on the bed, cultivating [Art of Violet Mist] and [Summer Moon Grandmist]. His body emitted a 'powerful' yet comfortable presence that calmed people around him.
Not far away, Xia Qingyue is meditating on a sofa as well. She has several symbols around her body, shivering slightly every time she breathes.
Lily was doing an errand, so she wasn't in the room.
"I see... You've considered it well." Xia Qingyue opened her eyes.
She gazed deep into Lan Xueruo's soul and discovered the princess's soul had become firmer.
"Mm, thanks to you." Lan Xueruo responded calmly.
The corner of Xia Qingyue's eyes twitched as she internally sighed. She didn't want this to happen, but whatever.
The final person who had the power to decide was Yu Long at the end of the day.
"Qingyue, Guan. Wait for me in the buffet lounge." Yu Long opened his mouth while still meditating.
"Okay, I'll save some pudding for you." Xia Qingyue hopped from the sofa.
"Also... Sister Guan, you can't eat spicy food in the morning. It's bad for your stomach."
"Blame it on my constitution." Hong Guan rolled her eyes.
"You said that every day..."
They left Lan Xueruo and Yu Long alone in the room.
The clock on the wall is ticking.
And Lan Xueruo's heart throbbed like no tomorrow.
"Calm yourself down, princess. Or you will get a heart attack, haha!" Yu Long finally opened his eyes, revealing two beautiful golden suns in those dark abyss.
Lan Xueruo was captivated by Yu Long's eyes and faked a cough, "Ah, silly me."
"So, do you need something from me?" Yu Long joined his hands and placed his chin on them.
"Can I sit down first?" Lan Xueruo responded softly.
"Sure, go ahead."
With a wave of his hand, the chair nearby flew and stopped near Lan Xueruo. She was once again surprised but suppressed it.
She sat down and said, "Let me introduce myself again."
"My real name is Cang Yue, and I'm the youngest princess of the Blue Wind Imperial Family."
"I used 'Lan Xueruo' as my name because 'Lan' is my mother's surname and 'Xueruo' is chosen by her. I want my mother to enjoy her last moment peacefully, but I can't bear to watch her wither like this..."
"And I'm here to propose something."
"Continue..." Yu Long replied emotionlessly.
Lan Xueruo nodded, "Yesterday, I demonstrated Monarch Heart Secret Art."
"I even startled everyone, which was quite embarrassing..."
"However, there is a reason why the Monarch Heart Secret Art could only get cultivated by the Blue Wind Imperial Family's members. Once we have a pure heart, we can pry into one's fate and luck."
"I saw yours, Yu Long."
A curious expression on Yu Long's face as he questioned, "And how was it?"
"Overwhelming. Your fate and luck are unlike any other." Lan Xueruo answered honestly.
"I guess there are some details you haven't explained to me." Yu Long chuckled playfully.
"Indeed..." Lan Xueruo nodded while clenching her hands. "By cultivating Monarch Heart Secret Art, I could choose someone as my champion!"
"By doing that, my fate and luck will be intertwined with yours."
"So you're basically depending on my glory?" Yu Long was 'actually' amused by this profound art's prowess.
The concepts of fate and luck are very abstract for Yu Long. He could understand elements, but these aspects he hadn't discovered yet.
"In short, yes." Lan Xueruo bit her lips. "I know it was a shameless move, but I'm at your mercy."
Well, she's straightforward.
"You haven't told me the truth, right?" Yu Long casually pointed out.
Lan Xueruo opened her mouth and bowed on the floor.
"Please!"
"Please be my champion!"
"I heard from Xia Qingyue that you could create a miracle."
"You can do anything to me afterward, but please heal my mother's illness first."
"I'm willing to do anything for you to accept me..."
"E-Even if you ask me to sleep with you."
Damn girl!
Are you for real?
Yu Long sighed inside, as expected of the Cultivation World.
Puberty hit differently in this world.
'Also, that Qingyue girl was selling me out?' Yu Long smiled helplessly.
Well, let's test her a little.
He looked down at Lan Xueruo and smirked, "Really, anything?"
"Y-Yes..." Lan Xueruo whimpered.
The clock is ticking once more, making the mood in the room stagnant.
Lan Xueruo buried her forehead on the carpet and never showed a sign of getting up. She was very stubborn, especially when her mother's life came into question.
"Actually..." Yu Long finally uttered something.
"Healing the empress is a simple matter."
"But... Since you would do anything, I have a good offer for you."
"Just tell me what it is, and I will do it." Lan Xueruo said without hesitation.
Yu Long put on a sadistic look and indifferently responded, "I want you to kill some orphans in Silver Lake City. They are quite annoying, you know?"
"If possible, torture them for a little bit... I like them screaming like pigs."
"W-What?!" Lan Xueruo was shocked.
"K-Killing orphans..."
"I-I can't do it..."
"Hmm, I thought you said 'anything' earlier." Yu Long frowned slightly. "Not very responsible for your words, eh?"
Lan Xueruo trembled, "I will do anything, but killing innocent lives is out of my bottom line..."
"Even though I wanted to save my mother, she also taught me that lives are precious. She taught me to cherish it."
"She would wish nothing but to die faster if she knew I did such a thing, so NO!"
Yu Long leaned on her ears and whispered as if he were the devil, "She doesn't need to know."
"Your mother doesn't have to know."
"Her life is much more important than those street ruffians, right?"
"Keep your mouth shut, and she'll live in ignorance until her long life dissipates..."
"This world isn't suitable for the innocents. Power is all that matters!"
"T-That is..." Lan Xueruo's eyes gradually became red as she suddenly slapped herself on the face. It was a hard smack.
PA!
"Eh," Yu Long was taken aback.
Lan Xueruo inhaled and shouted, "I'll never kill innocent people!"
"Even if your mother's life is at stake?"
"I will save both!"
"Pfft~!" Yu Long laughed and smacked the bed a few times.
"HAHAHA~!"
He poked Lan Xueruo's forehead and commented, "Aih, how naive of you, princess."
"To save both, you need absolute strength!"
"And you don't have such a privilege!"
"But... You pass."
"Hehe, my words earlier were a joke."
"I will become your champion-!" Before Yu Long could finish his words.
Lan Xueruo's tears welled up due to intense emotion and she hugged Yu Long tightly.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!"
Yu Long pushed Lan Xueruo after she calmed down and shook his head gently. "I haven't finished my words..."
"I will be your champion and heal your mother."
"And in return..."
"You two will be my test subjects."
"T-Test Subjects?!"