Chapter 1817: The Betrothal Finale
Chen Xiaobei inhaled the leftover Heaven and Earth Spiritual Aura from the furnace into his Dantian.
Ding!
[Cultivation: Early phase of God-Ascension cultivation; Lifespan: 10,100 years; Health: 1,096,000; Combat power: 700,000]
"Sweet!" Chen Xiaobei was exultant. "That's 32,000 increase in both my combat power and health! That's even better than eating a 9,000-year-old Saturn Peach!"
Even with the boost of Heavenly Path's reward, a 9,000-year-old Saturn Peach can only add 18,000 to his health and combat power each; and here was this surplus of Spiritual Aura instantaneously increasing to nearly double that.
He did not even need to cultivate at all.
When he finally calmed down from his excitement, Chen Xiaobei came to a decision, "I've used up all the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Aura. I need to earn more Spiritual Stones and accumulate more wealth so that I can do this more often! Of course, I still have the 800 Earth Crystal Essence which is a Two-star Earth-God material Monkey King gave me! But this material's Special Ability is very extraordinary - it contains unlimited life force! I might have use of it in the future like the Living Soil. For now, I shouldn't refine it. I should just save it for a rainy day!"
...
Nearly a day had passed by the time Chen Xiaobei settled his affairs.
There were only three days to the submission day of Saint Duke's final betrothal contest!
Chen Xiaobei decided to spend one day with his parents, Bei Xuan faction friends, disciples and familiarizing himself with the new surroundings.
After that, he left for Saint Duke starfield. To avoid any delay in time, he decided to use the portals.
He arrived in the capital city on the evening of the second day.
Chen Xiaobei freshened up and then spent 20 hours of the third day cultivating.
Because he had no more Demonic Beast Essence, he had to resort to using Spiritual Qi.
That would mean 20 hours, or 2 billion low-grade Spiritual Stones (which was the same as 20 high-grade Spiritual Stones).
This time, Chen XIaobei focused on refining his health. With the added boost of the Heavenly Path's reward, it earned him an increase of 4,000.
Ding!
[Cultivation: Early phase of God-Ascension cultivation; Lifespan: 10,100 years; Health: 1,100,000; Combat power: 700,000]
"After such a long wait, it's finally the day I get to see Puti again!"
At first light, Chen Xiabei was already making preparations. He cleaned himself up and changed into his upgraded Nightstalker Outfit.
From head to toe, Chen Xiaobei looked dashing dressed in black.
His good looks turned heads as he walked the streets, especially those of younger girls. They appeared to be bedazzled like crazy fangirls.
Of course, Chen Xiaobei's heart was in Saint Duke's palace, completely ignorant of his surroundings as he made his way there.
...
Eighth Wangye and Luo Shanhe were waiting at the entrance as Chen Xiaobei arrived at the Saint Duke royal palace.
Chen Xiaobei had performed exceptionally well in the first two contests. It would not be right for the Saint Duke royalty to disregard Chen Xiaobei.
"Childe Chen! Please, come in!" Luo Shanhe's tone was polite but his eyes were cautious.
"How many contenders do I have today?" Chen Xiaobei asked, giving the place quick sweep.
He could see that the number of guards in the palace had tripled; each of them clad in heavy armor and fully armed to the teeth. All of them were in their battle stance!
Chen Xiaobei knew that Saint Duke had suspected him to be Tenshou's mole.
Today was the final round of the betrothal contest; it was only natural for Saint Duke to take extra precaution.
Chen Xiaobei had already expected this but he could not be bothered to explain himself.
The truth shall prevail.
Shortly, Chen Xiaobei would prove their misgivings with a gift that would shock all of Saint Duke.
Luo Shanhe answered, "Childe Tulong, Childe Changxiao, and Childe Chongwu! All three of them will be joining the third round! They're already in the palace!"
"Huh?" Chen Xiaobei raised an eyebrow. "It's unlike Helian Tulong to arrive this early!"
Luo Shanhe smiled, "That's because he's prepared his betrothal gift in advance."
"Oh really?" Chen Xiaobei's lips curved into a knowing smile.
He did not even have to crack his head to know that for the sake of reaping the biggest benefit, the imperial family of Saint Duke had already decided Helian Tulong as the default winner of the contest.
Helian Tulong had come a few days before the appointed time. Who knew, they might have already discussed the wedding plans and the terms of collaboration between Saint Duke and the Helian family.
To put it plainly, today's submission was just a mere formality; to give an account of the events to the people of Saint Duke and the rest of the universe.
Chen Xiaobei, Feng Chongwu, and Yun Changxiao were just supporting characters in this written script. None of them were going to be chosen.
Of course, although Chen Xiaobei saw through it all, he made no mention of it.
He had come today with absolute confidence that he would be able to change this already predetermined conclusion!
...
The main hall of the royal palace was abuzz with activity.
Since this was the last round of the betrothal contest, the royal family and hundreds of civil and military officials were present, lined up neatly on both sides of the square.
The Emperor of Saint Duke had also decided to grace them with his presence. He sat in the chief's seat in the center.
"Childe Chen has arrived!" a chief manager announced.
Immediately, all eyes turned to the handsome black-robed young man.
They gave him all kinds of looks: curious, puzzled, caution, measured, hostile, and even murderous.
Most people would have been scared half to death under such circumstances, but Chen Xiaobei's mindset was as solid as a rock. The strange looks he received did not falter him at all, and he was as calm as a millpond as he strolled across the plaza.
When he reached the front, Chen Xiaobei raised a hand-in-fist gesture towards the emperor and greeted in the politest voice, "The leader of Bei Xuan faction, Chen Xiaobei, is here to meet the emperor!"
"Audacious little thief! How dare you not bend your knee before the emperor of Saint Duke?!" an angry voice scolded.
Chen Xiaobei looked and saw that it was his adversary, the champion of the Nine Zones Earth Leaderboard, Helian Tulong who had spoken.
Everyone, including the Saint Duke royalty, stood on their feet whereas Helian Tulong sat on the left-hand side of emperor Luo Qiongcang.
Feng Chongwu and Yun Changxiao were also seated but a little further behind from where Helian Tulong was seating.
Chen Xiaobei answered stubbornly, "I'm not a citizen of Saint Duke. Why should I kneel? In fact, I should be seated like the three childes!"