Dai Yueheng was choked into silence; what else could he say?
Ignoring the strange looks from his Star Net National Academy teammates, Dai Yueheng lowered his head and said, "My apologies, Captain Jiujiu, I spoke out of turn."
Xu Jiujiu did not continue to pay him any mind. Instead, she walked firmly toward the Shrek Academy side.
Dai Yueheng sighed secretly in his heart; what a mess this had become...
Having finished this most crucial round-robin match, Shrek Academy's advancement was essentially set in stone. The group intended to return to the hotel to recuperate and prepare for the upcoming battles.
On the way, that fellow Xu Sanshi began pestering Jiang Nannan again.
Under his own strong demands and with Bei Bei's assistance, Xu Sanshi had teamed up with Jiang Nannan during this round-robin match against Zhengtian Academy, putting on quite a show with his Bashe awakening.
Originally, Xu Sanshi thought Jiang Nannan's attitude toward him would improve afterward, but it turned out to be wishful thinking. Jiang Nannan remained as cold as ever toward him.
However, Xu Sanshi did not lose heart. This attitude of repeatedly fighting despite constant defeat and his persistent effort left everyone—especially the girls in the team—utterly puzzled.
Through these days of interaction and tournament performances, they could see that while Xu Sanshi usually appeared sleazy, he was actually quite reliable at critical moments. Though his looks were far from the "supermodel" level of Huo Yuhao, in terms of strength, talent, and character, Xu Sanshi was considered a top-tier choice.
They couldn't understand why Jiang Nannan held such a deep prejudice against him.
Just then, Xu Sanshi's eyes suddenly stared straight ahead, looking as if he were about to drool.
"So... so beautiful..."
Only then did the group notice a purple-haired beauty in palace attire appearing ahead, looking at them with a gentle and appropriate smile.
This was none other than the eldest princess of Star Net, Xu Jiujiu.
At this moment, Xu Jiujiu wore a pale gold palace dress. Combined with an exquisite face that didn't lose to Jiang Nannan's, she gave off a sense of elegance and nobility just by standing there.
"..."
Ning Tian and Ling Luochen suddenly felt they could understand Jiang Nannan now.
This Xu Sanshi claimed to be devoted and single-minded toward Jiang Nannan, yet he turned around and drooled the moment he saw someone prettier...
Actions are always more useful than words. Who would believe such a person is devoted?
He Caitou glanced at the silent Jiang Nannan, then inadvertently looked at Xu Sanshi, his eyes flickering as if he were lost in thought.
Xu Jiujiu lifted the sides of her long skirt with both hands and curtsied slightly, performing a standard court greeting toward the Shrek group.
"It is a great honor to meet the geniuses of Shrek today. Please allow me to introduce myself: Xu Jiujiu, Princess of the current Star Net Empire."
The Shrek group snapped out of it and returned the greeting to the Star Net princess.
Xu Jiujiu looked at Huo Yuhao with a smile, a hint of tenderness flashing in her eyes. "Yuhao, the battle just now was fought very beautifully."
Huo Yuhao's mouth twitched slightly. "Thank you for the praise, Princess Highness. You flatter me."
"How could it be flattery? I know your talent well. Please show some mercy on the field."
As soon as Xu Jiujiu said this, although Ma Xiaotao and Zhang Lexuan showed no change in expression on the surface, they both felt as if they were facing a great enemy.
Not good! That's the scent of a vixen!
Everyone else looked on as if watching a play.
Xu Sanshi looked at Huo Yuhao enviously and muttered to Bei Bei beside him, "How come this kid Yuhao finds beauties wherever he goes..."
Bei Bei gave Xu Sanshi a look of pure disgust. "Idiot."
Zhang Lexuan took a step forward to block Huo Yuhao. Though there was a smile on her face, Huo Yuhao felt as if sparks were flying through the air...
"May I ask what brings Princess Jiujiu to find us?"
Xu Jiujiu said apologetically, "It is like this: our Starlight Auction House will hold a top-tier auction tomorrow night. Auctions of this level usually happen only once or twice a year. Only the most distinguished guests are invited. If you are free tomorrow night, you are welcome to attend. I believe there will be items that interest you."
She then pulled out a stack of exquisite gold-leaf invitations and handed them to Huo Yuhao. "Among them is an auction item very suitable for you, Yuhao. I hope everyone can grace us with your presence."
She curtsied again, stepped back slowly, and then departed.
Ma Xiaotao walked to Huo Yuhao's side and casually pinched the soft flesh on his waist, saying with a half-smile, "Oh... our little Yuhao really has great charm, even a princess comes to deliver invitations personally."
Huo Yuhao winced and scratched his head awkwardly. "It's not like that... but Princess Jiujiu is right. The Starlight Auction House is the property of the Star Net Imperial Family. The items inside are very precious, and there are definitely many good things. I've even heard that an 8th-level soul tool close to 9th-level once appeared at their top-tier auctions."
"So, does everyone want to attend?"
Wang Yan cast an inquiring look toward Zhang Lexuan. After all, the person with the highest status here was Zhang Lexuan, not him.
Zhang Lexuan thought for a moment, looked at the eager students around her, and smiled. "The princess has given such a warm invitation; wouldn't it be disrespectful not to go? Let's go and relax a bit."
Their battles these past few days had been exhausting enough, and a top-tier auction like this wasn't something one could easily attend. It would be a regret to miss it.
"Yay!"
Xiao Xiao was the first to jump up, and the rest were equally jubilant.
Huo Yuhao was also curious. Based on his understanding of Xu Jiujiu, this princess never spoke without purpose. What "good thing" would be so suitable for him at this Starlight Auction?
...
One gold and one white figure turned into streaks of light, appearing on a hillside far from the White Tiger Duke Mansion.
The Snow Emperor scanned the surroundings and asked Long Qiu'er, "Can you still perceive that fellow's tracks?"
Long Qiu'er, whose eyes were previously closed, slowly opened them. The red vertical eye on her forehead also slowly closed. She shook her head with some regret. "...I can only track them to this extent. This person's mental power is far above mine, and they can use spatial power, which can shield them from my Golden Perception."
"However... it's not entirely without gain. Look over there."
The Snow Emperor looked in the direction Long Qiu'er pointed. There was a huge footprint on the ground.
"Is this a dragon's footprint? No... it should be a lizard, right?" The Snow Emperor shook her head. "A lizard-type soul beast with such high mental power? None come to mind."
"Perhaps..." Long Qiu'er recalled the words Huo Yuhao had spoken to her in the Douluo world. "It's not a soul beast of the Douluo Continent?"