When Xia Yi and Gu Yue arrived, the hall was already filling up with people.
Those who could represent the two continents as part of the delegation were undoubtedly elites in their respective fields, coming from all sorts of backgrounds.
There were even many ordinary people who were not soul masters.
Xia Yi and Gu Yue did not make a grand entrance. Instead, they quietly slipped to the back of the crowd, finding a spot where they wouldn't easily attract attention as they began searching for the Demon Empress.
They quickly spotted her.
She was dressed in a silver-blue gown, exuding beauty, elegance, nobility, and a gentle radiance. She looked to be about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, with an indescribable brilliance surrounding her. Her deep blue eyes were as calm as the ocean.
This time, everyone could see her.
Even a Super Douluo like Cai Yue'er couldn't sense the slightest fluctuation of soul power from her.
Because there was no soul power fluctuation, aside from attracting some attention upon her arrival, the major figures in the hall soon lost interest in her.
However, with her beauty and temperament, even though she appeared to have "no cultivation," there were still some people gathering around her.
At the moment, she was chatting and laughing with those around her, looking completely approachable.
There wasn't the slightest trace of an evil soul master about her.
Some young soul masters with outstanding appearances even presented her with flowers, which she accepted with a smile.
Had he not met her before, Xia Yi would have found it hard to believe that such a "gracious and dignified" woman was the very Demon Empress that Yun Ming, Ya Li, and Leng Yaozhu wanted to tear apart with their own hands.
"If you guys make it back alive to Star Luo Continent, I'll write my name backwards," Xia Yi thought to himself, feeling a fleeting moment of sympathy for those young men offering her flowers.
"You know who she is?" Xia Yi stopped one of the young men who had just given her flowers and asked curiously while pointing at the Demon Empress.
"What do you want? I saw Hai Jun first. You can't be too greedy," the young man responded warily, glancing at Gu Yue beside Xia Yi.
The young man appeared to be in his early twenties. Xia Yi could sense that his soul power was around rank fifty.
A genius, by any standard.
"Hai Jun… The ruler of the sea?" Xia Yi mused internally.
"Relax, I don't like women older than me. I'm just curious," Xia Yi said earnestly, patting the young man on the shoulder before adding, "I'm just wondering how someone with your level of talent could fall for an older woman with no cultivation."
"Oh, that's all? Then I'm relieved," the young man said enthusiastically. "I'm from the Star Luo Empire, a sea soul master. I've liked other girls before, but no matter how excellent they were, none of them truly moved my heart. That is, until today, when I saw Lady Blue Ocean Lord for the first time. No matter the cost, I am determined to make her my wife."
"Blue Ocean Lord!" Xia Yi nodded, then looked at the young man. "How did you find out her name?"
"You must be from the Douluo Continent. To be honest, I got the information from your Secretary Pan," the young man explained.
"What else do you know about her?" Xia Yi asked.
"You're asking a lot of questions… You're not planning to steal Lady Hai Jun from me, are you?" The young man's eyes turned wary again.
"My girlfriend is right here. How would I dare? I'm just curious," Xia Yi replied, pulling Gu Yue closer by the waist to show how affectionate they were.
This was to signal that he had no interest in the Demon Empress.
The young man, seeing Xia Yi and Gu Yue together, figured that Xia Yi wouldn't be interested in other women after having such a beautiful partner. His wariness eased, and he said, "Lady Hai Jun is very pitiful. Your Secretary Pan told me that her family has been in business for generations, accumulating considerable wealth. But one night, a gang of bandits broke into her home while her husband was sleeping and brutally murdered him. Now, she is struggling alone to support her vast family business. She is traveling to our Star Luo Continent as a merchant to expand her business."
The young man looked up at the Demon Empress with infatuation in his eyes.
The Demon Empress seemed to sense it and turned to give him a meaningful smile.
"She… She smiled at me! Lady Hai Jun smiled at me!" The young man suddenly became excited and grabbed Xia Yi's arm. "Do you think she might be interested in me?"
"Even if she is, she's probably just looking to use your family and sect for her overseas business ventures," Xia Yi said coolly.
A cold dose of reality.
Given the young man's talent, he was likely from a major sect or family in a coastal city.
Under such circumstances, the Demon Empress, as a 'merchant,' showing favor to him upon first meeting was a clear sign of her intent to use him.
Xia Yi had already softened his words.
Seeing how infatuated the young man was, he couldn't bring himself to tell him that his "Lady Hai Jun" wasn't smiling at him at all.
"I know, but even if she's using me, I'm willing. If she uses me, it means I get the chance to be close to her. As long as I have a chance, I believe I can win her heart," the young man said, undeterred and even more excited.
"Wish you luck in winning her over." Xia Yi patted the young man's shoulder and gave him a thumbs-up.
Ah, young people.
Such courage.
"Thanks! Your girlfriend is really elegant and beautiful too." Encouraged, the young man glanced at Gu Yue and generously offered his praise.
Then he added, "Among all the women here, aside from Lady Hai Jun and Shrek Academy's Silver Spear Goddess, your girlfriend is the most beautiful."
Before Xia Yi and Gu Yue arrived, Shrek Academy's delegation had already made their entrance.
When Na'er appeared, she caused a sensation.
Her long silver hair cascaded down her back, not only smooth but possessing a crystalline sheen. Under the lights, it shimmered brilliantly. Her amethyst eyes were as clear and transparent as purple crystal.
She wore a long dress that accentuated her perfect figure, every curve just right, exuding youthful energy. Her exquisite features were flawless, making her look like a princess from a fairy tale.
Though she appeared to be only thirteen or fourteen years old, she was already tall and slender, with long, perfectly straight legs and a well-proportioned body. Her entire being radiated a youthful charm.
After she effortlessly knocked down a man who tried to hit on her with a single strike, she earned the title "Silver Spear Goddess."
"Do you think the Silver Spear Goddess is beautiful? More beautiful than me?" Gu Yue asked with a smile.
"Of cour—" The young man had just started to say "Of course" when he was suddenly enveloped by an overwhelming killing intent.
Seeing Gu Yue's devilish smile and Xia Yi's constipated expression, he quickly realized he had made a mistake.
Noticing Xia Yi frantically signaling him with his eyes, he hurriedly changed his answer: "Although she is indeed beautiful, her temperament is nowhere near yours. She doesn't even compare."
Then, without another word, he vanished into the crowd.
Xia Yi was aggrieved. It wasn't even me who said Na'er was beautiful, so why am I the one getting pinched?
"Hmph! Just because she has a pretty face… I'll definitely outshine her later," Gu Yue said, looking over at Na'er, who was sitting beside Tang Wulin, unwilling to accept defeat.
"Sister, can you let go before saying that?" Xia Yi pleaded miserably.
The more Gu Yue looked at Na'er, the more annoyed she became.
The hand pinching Xia Yi's waist only tightened.
It was almost twisting at a full 720 degrees.
"Hmph, don't act innocent when you're already benefiting from this." Gu Yue shot Xia Yi a glare before finally letting go.
"W-what did I gain?" Xia Yi asked, utterly wronged.
"You'll find out soon enough," Gu Yue said calmly before turning back to observe the Demon Empress.
She was unsure of what exactly the Demon Emperor intended to do.
For her to appear at this diplomatic gathering, she must have ulterior motives.
Even though it was the Demon Emperor who had personally invited them, both she and Xia Yi couldn't rashly approach her.
Right now, they "did not know" the Demon Emperor—if they took the initiative to talk to her, it would easily arouse suspicion.
If the Demon Emperor really caused some sort of incident, they might even end up taking the blame for it.
Gu Yue had no intention of being the ultimate scapegoat.
(End of Chapter)