ZAITIAN’S POV
After the long hours of touring—with Princess Xue leaning on me most of the time, making it hard to breathe—we returned to the clan.
“Good night, Young Master.
Dream about me,” Princess Xue said with a teasing smile.
I ignored her, still doubtful about this whole thing.
“How can she be behaving like this when her current affection rate is only 7%?
She must be up to something”.
I went to my room with Mei, who noticed my gaze.
The moment I entered and sat down, I said, “Spill everything.
Why is she suddenly behaving abnormally?”
Mei wasn’t surprised by the question.
“It’s because of what an old lady said to her at the restaurant while you were out fighting,” she said calmly.
“What did the old woman say to her?
Just get to the point,” I said impatiently.
“The old lady approached Princess Xue and told her that the young man she was with would be surrounded by nine stars.”
“Nine stars meaning nine goddess-level beauties”.
I was momentarily stupefied.
“I’m going to have my own harem.
So that’s why she’s behaving strangely”.
An evil smirk appeared on my face.
“Nine stars—you mean nine ladies?” I asked neutrally, just to confirm.
“Yes.
But the weirdest thing was that after she said it, she hurriedly disappeared,” Mei said, a bit of gravity in her tone.
“That’s really weird,” I said, dismissing it.
“Her disappearance isn’t my concern.
But it’s a pity I can’t thank her for this heaven-sent message”.
I stood up.
“Princess Xue still has my stuff,” I said, walking toward the section of the courtyard allocated to her, with Mei beside me.
“Princess Xue.
I think you owe me something,” I said loudly from outside her room.
After a few moments, she came out with her hair disheveled.
“She must be thinking about how to win me over before the others do”.
“You look tired, Princess,” I said with a smirk.
She shot Mei a glance, who casually shrugged.
“What are you doing in my room at this odd hour?
Are you here to take the final step?
But we are not married yet.
I’m overwhelmed, Young Master,” she said, hand pressed to her chest in theatrical shyness.
“Drop the act, Princess.
I’m here for the ring,” I said calmly.
She looked at me with a hint of disappointment, which passed quickly.
Why does she look disappointed?
I should have told you this earlier, Host.
Your bloodline, while integrating with your physique, has mutated.
This has made you filled with an abundance of primordial yang, which is miraculous for dual cultivation.
So let me guess.
The first moment has the greatest effect, am I right?
Correct.
She tossed the ring to me.
“The entire resources are here.
I didn’t take any,” she said calmly, while getting ready to close the door.
“I think this is the perfect moment to raise the rate”.
“Princess.”
She stopped and looked at me.
“I don’t know your intentions.
But know this—you won’t escape my grasp.
After that hug, your fate has been sealed with mine.”
I walked away without turning back.
I could feel her gaze, but I kept walking.
If I turned, everything would be messed up.
Ding.
Current affection rate: 11%.
The System notification rang in my ear.
I stopped.
“I think I’ve figured—”
“Don’t say it, Young Master.
Princess Xue is listening to what you’re saying right now,” Mei said through voice transmission.
“I’ve figured it out.
My heart only beats for Xue, and I’m not ready to give it to anyone else,” I murmured.
Ding.
Current affection rate: 13%.
“Figured this out—she loves a strong, possessive, handsome man.
That’s the most important part.
And someone who praises her to the sky.”
“I will definitely do that.” A playful smirk appeared on my face.
I entered my room and sat on my bed cross-legged while Mei retired to her private space—it was already late.
“I don’t know how far this will take me,” I said while emptying the spatial ring, which filled half my room.
“It won’t be less than the peak of the Foundation Establishment realm,” I said with excitement.
“Your bloodline is a greedy one.
You shouldn’t have brought out those resources all at once.”
“It will use them to break its seal and strengthen itself, while the remnant will be used for your cultivation.”
I immediately hid the resources.
“What a headache.”
“Before I forget—my reward for raising Princess Xue’s affection rate,” I said with seriousness.
Ding.
Fragment: The Spine was a fake one, replaced with the real one, which is currently in the Forbidden Mountain.
“So what’s the purpose of the fake Spine?” I asked, now with a keen tone.
To kill you, it said, cold enough to chill my heart.