324: Gift

Long Yun led the two away from the Dragon Perching Garden, choosing to walk instead of taking a flying boat or using movement techniques.

They traversed the broad and magnificent streets of Holy Dragon City, allowing Li Shengyuan and Pei Shuyun to more truly feel the pulse of this land.

Although the Dragon Clan was supreme in Holy Dragon City, it was indeed as the Long Qingcheng had said—various races lived together, and order was strictly maintained.

Shops lined both sides of the street, featuring stone fortress-style buildings full of the Yao Race's rugged style, with beast bones and fur hanging as shop signs.

There were also exquisite and elegant pavilions with obvious Human Race or Spirit Race styles, selling Medicinal Pills, Talismans, Magical Artifacts, and other items.

One could even see sturdy workshops built by Dwarves, from which the clanging sounds of forging emanated.

The passing pedestrians were even more varied: fierce Yao Race members who retained full beast heads on human bodies... hybrids of half-human and half-beast with diverse characteristics... fully transformed Yao Cultivators who appeared no different from the Human Race but possessed unique auras... and Human Race Cultivators dressed in long robes with an otherworldly temperament.

There were even some rare races such as Elemental Spirits and Mountain Stone Spirit Monsters.

Various auras, languages, and styles of dress intertwined, forming a bizarre yet vibrant tapestry of a Demon Domain metropolis.

The trio of Li Shengyuan and his companions, especially Li Shengyuan as a Human Race man, quickly attracted a lot of attention along the way.

The news from yesterday's banquet at the Sacred Dragon Square had clearly already spread.

Many well-informed Yao Race members or Human Race residents who had lived here for a long time recognized this fearsome star and honored guest, the one who "slew the rebellious Green Rhinoceros Demon King" and was "personally declared by His Majesty the Dragon Emperor as an honored guest of the Yao Race."

Wherever they passed, the atmosphere often experienced a brief stagnation.

Awe, curiosity, wariness, gratitude, and complex emotions... all sorts of gazes were cast their way.

Many Yao Race members, especially those who appeared to be city guards or held certain status, would stop and bow respectfully upon recognizing Princess Long Yun and confirming Li Shengyuan's identity; some even showed heartfelt gratitude.

The Green Rhinoceros Demon King had colluded with the Demon Cult; for many Yao Race members loyal to the Dragon Emperor, Li Shengyuan had cleared away a major potential threat for them.

Li Shengyuan handled this with composure, nodding slightly in return.

"It seems that Young Master Li's deeds from yesterday have already spread throughout Holy Dragon City," Long Yun explained softly at his side, her tone carrying a hint of shared pride. "Everyone is showing their respect to you."

Pei Shuyun held Li Shengyuan's arm and walked quietly beside him with a gentle smile on her face, enjoying the feeling of walking side-by-side with him under everyone's gaze.

They first arrived at the "Wan Yao Bazaar," which Long Yun had strongly recommended.

This place covered a vast area and was teeming with people, filled with extraordinary noise and bustle.

The streets were lined with all sorts of stalls, and there were even floating platforms in the air serving as shops, selling an all-encompassing variety of goods.

From rare Ores, Spiritual Plants, precious herbs, Yao Beast Materials, and exotic fruits unique to the Demon Domain...

To weapons, armor, and Magical Artifact ornaments crafted by artisans of various races, and even silks, porcelains, books, and exquisite playthings from Human Race territories—everything was available.

Li Shengyuan was in high spirits, lingering especially at stalls selling exotic items or exquisite ornaments.

He selected carefully, occasionally picking up hairpins, jade pendants, bracelets, uniquely shaped decorations, or sachets with distinct fragrances to examine closely, sometimes asking for Pei Shuyun's opinion.

"Shuyun, look at this White Magnolia Hairpin. It's elegant and refined, perfect for Xiyan's cool and quiet temperament."

"This East Sea Warm Jade Bead Chain is warm and nourishing; Xinrong will surely look beautiful wearing it."

"This Pine Smoke Ink Slab is simple and dignified; it matches the style of the Questioning Dao Sect, so Qingwan should like it."

"These Red Flame Crystal Earrings are as passionate as fire, much like Princess Pingyang's style. Conversely, this Ice Crystal Necklace is quite suitable for Mengmeng."

"And this box of 'Stardust Incense' is said to have a soul-soothing and mind-calming effect. For... cough, taking it back to the Capital will always be useful."

"..."

As he selected, he spoke softly to Pei Shuyun, his eyes filled with tender memories and smiles; he was clearly choosing gifts for his female confidantes far away in the Capital.

Each time he chose an item, he would carefully put it away.

Pei Shuyun didn't show the slightest hint of jealousy; instead, she enthusiastically helped him as a consultant, sometimes picking up another item for comparison or pointing out the clever details of a piece, her face full of gentleness and understanding.

For her, being able to participate in these details of his life and choosing gifts for the people he cared about was a form of happiness and intimacy in itself.

Long Yun watched from the side, initially feeling a bit curious.

But as she heard Li Shengyuan recite the names and preferences of one woman after another with great familiarity, watched his focused profile as he seriously picked out gifts, and saw Pei Shuyun's completely accepting and even helpful gentleness, a sense of indescribable envy rose in her heart... to become this man's confidante and be kept in his heart like this, even if one couldn't have him all to oneself, seemed to be an extremely happy thing.

But immediately after, beneath that envy, a bit of muttering that she herself found amusing popped up: 'Goodness...'

'Yue Xiyan and Yue Qingmeng, the master and disciple? Shen Xinrong? Luo Qingwan? Princess Pingyang? Zixuan? And a Senior Sister... This—this is way too many! And every single one is so outstanding...’

'This guy looks so gentle and refined, but I didn't expect his philandering to far exceed my imagination!'

She couldn't help but steal a glance at Li Shengyuan. Seeing him pick up a brooch inlaid with tiny stardust stones and hold it against Pei Shuyun's lapel while they smiled at each other, the scene was so warm and beautiful that her muttering turned into even more complex emotions.

After finishing their tour of the bazaar, Long Yun took them up to a scenic spot called the "Suspended Cloud Platform."

The cloud platform was located at the edge of the Sky City, extending out from the city's base and supported by a transparent Formation barrier. Below their feet lay the vast and sprawling Holy Dragon City.

From here, one could enjoy an unobstructed view of the setting sun dyeing the sea of clouds into a magnificent golden-red. Holy Dragon City and the Sky City looked like a golden kingdom from mythology under the sunset.

The daylight gradually faded, and stars began to appear in the sky.

The three of them prepared to return to the palace garden area located in the higher part of the city.

Just as they left the cloud platform and stepped onto the aerial bridge leading back, Li Shengyuan suddenly stopped and turned toward Long Yun.

"Miss Long, it's been hard on you today, accompanying us for so long."

Li Shengyuan smiled and took out a palm-sized small square box carefully wrapped in light purple spiritual silk from his sleeve, handing it to Long Yun.

Long Yun was stunned for a moment, looking at Li Shengyuan with some confusion.

"Earlier at the 'Starlight Pavilion,' I saw you playing with this 'Moonlight Firefly Bracelet' for quite a while; you seemed to like it very much."

Li Shengyuan explained in a gentle tone, "Although it isn't some precious Magic Treasure, its light and shadow effects are quite unique. Since you troubled yourself to be our guide today, please accept this as a small token of my thanks. I hope you won't find it lacking."

Long Yun stared blankly at the exquisite bracelet that naturally emitted a soft glow like moonlight in the deepening night, with tiny points of light inside that seemed to dance like fireflies.

She did indeed like it very much and had held it for quite a while, but thinking of her status, she felt it was inappropriate to buy such a purely aesthetic trinket with no practical use, so she had put it down.

She hadn't expected... that he had actually noticed and even quietly bought it!

A wave of indescribable surprise and warmth instantly surged into her heart, dispelling the complex muttering and the remnants of the morning's awkwardness.

She looked up in disbelief, meeting Li Shengyuan's smiling gaze. His deep eyes appeared exceptionally bright and gentle in the night.

"This... this is too precious... I..." Long Yun was rarely at a loss for words, her cheeks heating up slightly.

"Take it, it's just a small token of my heart." Li Shengyuan gently placed the small box into her hand.

At the moment their fingertips touched, Long Yun felt her heart skip a beat.

She gripped the small box, which still carried the warmth of Li Shengyuan's palm, and a sense of sweetness involuntarily spread from the depths of her heart.

She lifted her face, her beautiful eyes shining brightly against the backdrop of the night and the glow of the moonlight bracelet in her hand. A bright and slightly shy smile blossomed on her face:

"Thank you... Shengyuan, I like it very much!"

A small voice inside her seemed to jump with joy: 'This person... although he has a terrifying number of confidantes and is so philandering... he is... really so attentive and gentle.'

'No wonder... no wonder Sister Shuyun and the others would all lose their hearts to him.'

Standing beside Li Shengyuan, Pei Shuyun took in Long Yun's momentary surprise, shyness, and the light blooming in her eyes.

The corners of her mouth curled up slightly, revealing a knowing yet somewhat helpless and tolerant smile as she sighed inwardly:

'As expected... seeing Miss Long Yun in such a state, she likely won't be able to escape this "Tribulation" either.'

'Oh well, my Husband... has his own sense of discretion.'

She gently squeezed Li Shengyuan's other hand, her heart filled with peace.

In the night, the three continued walking toward the palace.

Long Yun carefully put on the Moonlight Firefly Bracelet, occasionally stealing a glance at Li Shengyuan's profile.

She only felt that the starlight tonight seemed exceptionally brilliant...