265: Chapter 263 The Eldest Princess's Visit

On the twenty-fourth underground level of the Shanhai Society, President Qian and Hall Master Zhao were in the midst of a hushed, private discussion.

Their voices were kept extremely low, to the point where only they could hear each other. No one knew what they were discussing, and no one dared to eavesdrop.

The simulated sky overhead was still very blue, and the sun was still bright.

People in the plaza were still busy, some hauling goods while others tallied accounts; no one noticed that their president was plotting something with the hall master of Xuanming Hall.

Meanwhile, in the small courtyard of Huai Tree Alley, Yun Ming was in seclusion.

The doors and windows of his room were tightly shut, with formation patterns flowing as the Floating Life Dream Illusion Array enveloped the entire courtyard in an invisible barrier.

Ah Yuan was cultivating in the courtyard, the array-breaking sword suspended before her, with most of the formation patterns on the blade already glowing.

Xue Ji was not in the courtyard; she had gone to the Sundries shop.

The Sundries shop was located in the middle section of Heavenly Street; the storefront wasn't large, but it was kept tidy.

Xue Ji sat behind the counter, holding an account book and looking through it. Her hair was pure white, tied up with a wooden hairpin, with a few stray strands hanging by her ears. She wore a simple set of green robes and sat quietly, looking like an ordinary, elegant woman.

However, her aura as a Nascent Soul True Lord was not something a simple set of green robes could conceal.

Occasionally, a customer would enter; she would look up briefly, neither smiling nor looking cold, simply saying "feel free to look around" before returning her focus to the ledger.

Most customers didn't dare to say much, leaving as soon as they had purchased their items.

The door curtain was lifted.

It wasn't blown by the wind; it was lifted by a hand.

Xue Ji looked up.

The woman who walked in wore a set of pale purple palace robes, her hair piled high and adorned with a golden dangling hairpin. Her steps were light, and her bearing was filled with grace. Cradled in her arms was a crimson Treasure-Spitting Mouse, which had its eyes squinted, dozing off. She had brought no attendants or guards, arriving entirely alone.

Xue Ji recognized her.

The Princess Royal of the Zifu Immortal Dynasty.

Xue Ji's first impression of the Princess Royal was not good. Back in Qingyao City, this Princess Royal had wanted to take her away as a spirit pet and had nearly come to blows with her. Even now, the memory of that golden collar made her feel disgusted.

Xue Ji's expression darkened. "What are you doing here?"

The Princess Royal was in no hurry to answer. Holding the Treasure-Spitting Mouse, she took a turn around the shop, her gaze sweeping over the shelves and pausing briefly on a few fourth-tier treasures in the corner before finally approaching the counter.

"Not welcome?" A hint of a smile played at the corners of the Princess Royal's lips—a lukewarm expression that made it hard to tell if it was well-intentioned or mocking.

Xue Ji leaned back in her chair, arms crossed over her chest. "Welcome. Why wouldn't you be? With Your Highness the Princess Royal gracing us with your presence, my humble little shop is truly honored. Speak, what do you want to buy? Buy it and leave quickly."

The Princess Royal laughed. Not standing on ceremony, she sat in the chair in front of the counter and placed the Treasure-Spitting Mouse on the table. The mouse opened its eyes, glanced at Xue Ji, and closed them again.

"Your temper is just the same as before," the Princess Royal remarked.

"Before? How many times did you even see me before? Your knowledge of me is limited to that one time you tried to take me away as a spirit pet. Don't act like we're close," Xue Ji said coldly.

The Princess Royal didn't get angry. She lowered her head to stroke the Treasure-Spitting Mouse's back; the mouse let out a "squeak" and tucked its neck in.

"Where did Yun Ming go?" the Princess Royal asked.

Xue Ji's finger paused on the ledger. "He's in seclusion. Preparing to break through to Golden Core Perfection."

The Princess Royal raised an eyebrow and picked up the teapot on the table to pour herself a cup. She took a sip, her brow furrowing slightly in distaste, but she said nothing.

"Improving his cultivation is good. Moving from the Late Golden Core Stage to Golden Core Perfection is only a small step, but it can significantly increase one's combat power. At the very least, it provides a bit more strength for self-preservation."

Xue Ji keenly caught onto something and looked up at the Princess Royal. "What do you mean?"

The Princess Royal didn't answer, taking another sip of her tea.

Xue Ji's gaze sharpened. "What exactly are you trying to say?"

The Princess Royal set down her teacup and leaned back, looking at Xue Ji. Her expression remained unchanged, but there was a new touch of seriousness in her eyes.

"It's nothing. I've just heard that things haven't been peaceful in Tianyuan City lately, and some people have their eyes on him. Even though your shop is out of the way, your information shouldn't be that limited."

"Are you talking about Xuanming Hall?" Xue Ji asked. "Zhao Shisan? A piece of trash at the Late Golden Core Stage—what is there to fear?"

The Princess Royal shook her head. "It's not just Xuanming Hall. Zhao Shisan is nothing, but the person behind him is not simple. Hall Master Zhao is at the Late Nascent Soul Stage and has operated in Tianyuan City for over a century; his roots run deep. Furthermore—" She paused. "Recently, people have been coordinating, wanting to move against him. And it's more than one party."

Xue Ji's hand unconsciously tightened its grip on the ledger.

"Who?"

The Princess Royal did not answer.

Xue Ji stared at her. "If you don't say, how can I be on guard? Since you came to tell us, isn't it because you want us to know?"

The Princess Royal was silent for a moment before slowly speaking. "I cannot say who. I have no concrete evidence. But I can tell you that what Yun Ming is doing now has already exceeded the scope of what a Golden Core Loose Cultivator should be doing. The Medicinal Pills he refines, the Magical Artifacts he sells, the Nine-Tailed Fox by his side—which is you—none of these are things a mere Golden Core Loose Cultivator should possess. People are envious, people are covetous, and people want a piece of the pie. This is Tianyuan City, not Qingyao City. The waters here are much deeper than he imagines."

Xue Ji's expression grew solemn. "Then I will protect him."

The Princess Royal looked at her and suddenly laughed. It wasn't a mocking laugh, but one tinged with helplessness. "You? At the Early Nascent Soul Stage. If you encounter someone at the Mid-Nascent Soul Stage, you might barely manage to escape. If you encounter someone at the Late Nascent Soul Stage, you won't even have a chance to run. As for the Great Circle of Nascent Soul, or Soul Transformation..." She didn't finish, but her meaning was clear.

Xue Ji's nails dug into her palms. "What exactly are you trying to say?"

The Princess Royal stood up and picked up the Treasure-Spitting Mouse. "Once he finishes his seclusion, tell Yun Ming to come find me at Paradise. I have something to say to him. Remember, do not let anyone else know. Aside from you and Yun Ming, let no third person know of this."

Xue Ji looked into her eyes. "Why?"

"Because I am not certain yet. Some things require him to decide for himself. I cannot make decisions for him, nor can I take risks on his behalf." The Princess Royal paused. "You just need to tell him to come to Paradise. He will understand."

Xue Ji was silent for a long time. "Fine. I will tell him."

The Princess Royal nodded and turned toward the door. After a few steps, she stopped without turning back.

"One more thing. That outfit you're wearing—change it." Xue Ji looked down at her green robes. "What's wrong with it?" The Princess Royal's tone was somewhat disdainful. "It's ugly. You are a Frost Brilliance Fox, a Spirit Beast from the Far North Ice Plains; what kind of look is this? Next time you come to Paradise, I'll have some clothes prepared for you. The Vermilion Tower has plenty of fine fabrics; don't waste yourself."

Xue Ji's face flushed slightly, but she didn't respond. The Princess Royal lifted the door curtain and walked out. Her footsteps gradually faded, vanishing into the bustle outside.

The shop fell silent. Xue Ji sat behind the counter, staring at the still-swaying door curtain, and remained silent for a long time. Her mind was filled with the Princess Royal's words. Late Nascent Soul Stage, Great Circle of Nascent Soul, Soul Transformation. Someone was going to deal with Yun Ming. And more than one party. She didn't know who, but she could feel that they came with ill intent. She looked down at her hands; her palms still bore the red marks where her nails had dug in.