Ji Xuanyuan’s fist slowly clenched in her sleeve. She didn’t understand. She didn’t know why a newly hatched dragon could stir her emotions. ‘It was just a beast! A just-hatched little thing! It couldn’t even speak, couldn’t even stand steadily!!!’ But her intuition told her that this dragon might take her junior brother away from her forever.
Ji Xuanyuan felt unease rise within her. Her gaze shifted to the boy’s delicate face. At this moment, Chu Yuan was still carefully wiping away the water stains from the young dragon’s body, his gaze tender as spring breeze.
The last time her junior brother had looked at her like that was in the previous life. At that time, her junior brother had also crouched in front of her, bandaging her wound, his eyes full of warmth. Back then, she had said with disdain: “I can handle my own wounds. You don’t need to trouble yourself, junior brother!” With that, she had shaken off his hand. After that, although her junior brother’s attitude toward her hadn’t changed, his gaze had never held that spark again.
And in this life? Her junior brother had never looked at her with such gentle affection. Not once. Why??? In fact, Ji Xuanyuan knew the answer deep in her heart, but she still asked unwillingly. ‘Clearly, in this life, I know I would no longer shake off my junior brother’s hand and drive him away, but my junior brother himself apparently doesn’t think so.’
At the same time, seeing Chu Yuan win the trust of the young dragon, Su Xuanxuan, disguised as a maid, curved her lips almost imperceptibly. Though she was puzzled as to why the young dragon had chosen Chu Yuan again, she also felt an indescribable relief.
‘After all, the dragon was the Emperor’s Token! Perhaps the young dragon had been instinctively startled by the Holy Son’s kingly aura, and after recognizing him as its “mother,” it had cuddled up to him. Maybe their Yuan’er really had the potential to become a great emperor who rules the world.’ At the thought, Su Xuanxuan could hardly resist shouting loudly to everyone: “My son Chu Yuan has the bearing of a Great Emperor!!!” Of course, having lived for over a thousand years, she at least had the restraint to hold back, so as not to bring unnecessary karmic obstacles to her Holy Son.
Regardless, now that the dragon cub was obtained, the Demon Path Alliance’s goal at the Divine Grade Auction had been achieved. Next, Su Xuanxuan turned her gaze to Chu Zhenshan and gave him a look.
Sensing the Fox Venerable’s signal, the Great Elder of Chu cleared his throat, stepped forward, and cupped his hands: “Your Highness, the auction is about over. Our disciple has troubled your esteemed residence for many days. Now that it’s time, this old man will take him back.”
Ji Xuanyuan’s expression shifted slightly: ‘Back? Where? The Chu Clan?’ She opened her mouth to say something, but didn’t know what to say. Ji Xuanyuan subconsciously glanced at Chu Yuan, who was still standing aside, head down, playing with the young dragon in his arms, immersed in the joy of reunion, not immediately reacting.
Ji Xuanyuan gritted her teeth, but still said: “The auction isn’t over yet…”
Her voice was like a taut string, ready to break with the slightest force. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched the boy teasing the little dragon, and a look of reluctance filled her eyes. Looking back over these past days, she had finally reunited with her junior brother after a century apart. ‘Although I could only keep him by my side as “Crown Prince” and “guest minister,” at least we could be close. I could see him every day, hear his voice, feel his presence that was enough!’
Ji Xuanyuan dared not hope for more. But now the Chu Clan was about to take him away, and her heart was filled with reluctance: ‘What if my junior brother didn’t come back after returning to the Chu Clan? What if the Chu Clan’s purpose this time was to reclaim the Holy Son? Then would I be left alone again?’
Thinking of the century of loneliness she had endured in her previous life, fear rose from the bottom of Ji Xuanyuan’s heart. Taking a deep breath, she tried to maintain a cool and composed expression on her face: “Great Elder Chu, our agreement was that after the auction ended. Why are you so eager to take him away? Do you enjoy disturbing my pleasure so much?” She asked sternly, feigning calmness, but her fingertips had already begun to tremble.
After a century apart, Ji Xuanyuan had finally found her cherished junior brother. Even if it meant staying by his side as “Crown Prince” and “guest minister” for a lifetime, Ji Xuanyuan wanted to keep him near her.
“Ah, this…” Chu Zhenshan was taken aback, a troubled look appearing on his face.
Su Xuanxuan’s brows slightly furrowed, clenching her teeth secretly: ‘This woman! How much longer does she want to keep my Yuan’er? After the auction ends, will she come up with another excuse? No! Today, my Yuan’er must return to the Chu Clan!!!’
However, before Su Xuanxuan could make her next move, Chu Yuan had already emerged from his joy. Rather, the Sovereign in his arms stretched out a small paw and pressed it against his chest, transmitting a reminder: [My subject, why are you still being improper with another woman? Are you planning to betray me again?]
Upon hearing this, Chu Yuan chuckled inwardly: [Sovereign, how would this subject dare to betray you! In the previous life, I was forced by some power. In this life, this subject no longer has that restraint!]
As he spoke, he looked up and saw that Chu Zhenshan was calling him home. Chu Yuan was naturally happy about this and couldn’t wait to leave. Especially now that he had the Sovereign with him, he had even less reason to stay by that woman’s side.
Therefore, Chu Yuan quickly chimed in: “Thank you for your favor, Your Highness the Crown Prince. However, I am truly unwell. If I continue to stay by Your Highness’s side, I might act improperly. I ask for Your Highness’s understanding.”
As he spoke, Chu Yuan also thought about a way to extricate himself. Recalling the content of their Soul Covenant, his duty to assist the Crown Prince was contingent on not revealing his Demon Path identity. Chu Yuan thought he could use this to his advantage, and then transmitted: [Your Highness the Crown Prince, let’s put off assisting your cultivation for now. If you persist, others will see through it. If my identity as a member of the Demon Path is exposed, you’ll have broken the covenant.]
Upon hearing the words “broken the covenant,” Ji Xuanyuan realized: ‘Yes! The Soul Covenant! With the Soul Covenant, my junior brother could never permanently leave the palm of my hand! As long as I fulfill the covenant, I would have a way to continue building a connection with my junior brother later. There was no need to rush at this moment!’
Besides, hasty makes waste. Ji Xuanyuan sighed a fragrant breath: “Very well! Thank you for your hard work these past days, Young Master Yuan. Go back and rest.” As she spoke, she took out a storage bag: “Here are ten million spirit stones as a token of appreciation. I always keep my promises. Buy some tonics to nourish your body!”
Seeing her junior brother drained by her, Ji Xuanyuan certainly felt distressed. Knowing that her junior brother had brought many magic tools from his past life and didn’t lack weapons in this one, she could only compensate him with spirit stones.
Seeing this, everyone was dumbfounded. Although observant people had already guessed that some “rain and clouds” had occurred between the two, directly giving ten million in compensation? The Crown Prince’s generosity was exceedingly lavish! Just how deeply did she love Chu Yuan?