Chapter 7 New and Old Dai YouhengIn Star Luo City, within a somewhat secluded courtyard of the White Tiger Dukes Mansion, compared to the residences of Dai Yueheng and Dai Huabin.The original Simp Youheng's face was still somewhat pale as he leaned against the window, looking at the withered branches in the courtyard outside, his eyes hollow and lost.Although the palm print on his chest had faded under the precious internal and external medicines, the humiliation of his crushing defeat in three moves and Xu Jiujiu's cold, disdainful gaze echoed repeatedly in his mind like a nightmare."Jiujiu… Princess Jiujiu… she's clearly around my age, so why is her spirit power cultivation so much higher than mine…" he murmured to himself, his voice filled with unwillingness and self-doubt.He was fourteen this year, his spirit power just over thirty, while the fifteen-year-old Xu Jiujiu was already a Spirit King-level powerhouse! The gap between them was like an insurmountable chasm.If not for someone like Huo Yuhao, who was blessed with great luck and possessed multiple top-tier Spirits and Spirit Soul attachments, an ordinary Spirit Elder would indeed not last three moves against a Spirit King.However, the immense sense of defeat did not make him suddenly realize his folly and refocus his energy on his own cultivation. Instead, it only strengthened his resolve to cling to Huo Yuhao's coattails."It's okay, I still have Yuhao!" Hope rekindled in Simp Youheng's eyes, a twisted expectation of completely entrusting his fate to another. "Once we return to Shrek, and Yuhao comes back from the Extreme North Land, acquiring his second Spirit, he will surely soar to the heavens and shock the entire academy! He even acknowledges me as his brother! In a few more years, when Yuhao becomes a Titled Douluo, or even a stronger existence, I'll ask him to propose to the Star Luo Imperial Family on my behalf! At that time, to win over Yuhao, this future top-tier powerhouse, the Imperial Family, even if unwilling, will most likely agree to marry Princess Jiujiu to me!"He was immersed in the beautiful dream he had woven, as if he could already see the day he would marry Xu Jiujiu, relying on Huo Yuhao's prestige.But then, a hint of distress appeared on his face. "But that would still be a political marriage… I truly love Jiujiu, and I hope she can truly love me…"And so, as soon as his injuries had healed enough for him to walk, Simp Youheng resumed his daily bootlicking. He meticulously prepared some gentle medicinal herbs and accessories said to be beneficial for female Spirit Masters' cultivation, and once again tried to seek an audience with Xu Jiujiu.The result, of course, was without suspense. The gifts were returned untouched, and he didn't even see the Princess; he only received a cold "Her Royal Highness is busy cultivating and has no time for guests. Please, Young Master Dai, have some self-respect" from a servant.Simp Youheng stood in the cold wind outside the Imperial Palace, clutching the returned gifts, yet his face showed a resolute expression of "Princess Jiujiu is indeed diligent and hardworking; I must not give up even more."He firmly believed that "sincerity can move even metal and stone," and that his profound devotion would one day melt Princess Jiujiu, this iceberg.His deluded and unmanly behavior was even too much for his elder brothers to bear.On this day, Dai Yueheng, the eldest son, who had also returned home for the academy holiday, encountered him in the garden.Looking at his illegitimate younger brother's dispirited appearance, yet with unrealistic fantasies hidden in his eyes, Dai Yueheng frowned.Although he only cared about Dai Huabin, who was born of the same mother, and didn't care about Dai Youheng at all, Dai Youheng was still a Dai Family bloodline and possessed a top-tier mutated Spirit. Such degeneration was truly a disgrace to the family name."Youheng," Dai Yueheng spoke, his voice carrying the authority of an elder brother. "A man born into this world should take his own strength as his foundation. You possess a top-tier Spirit like the Evil Shadow Demonic Tiger, with innate spirit power of rank nine, so why is your cultivation progressing so slowly? Huabin is younger than you, yet his spirit power has already surpassed yours! You put all your efforts into useless flattery and fawning; it's completely putting the cart before the horse!"Dai Huabin happened to be passing by and, upon hearing this, let out an undisguised sneer. "Big Brother, what's the point of saying all this to this good-for-nothing? You can't carve rotten wood! The pride of our Dai Family's White Tiger Spirit is almost completely ruined by his bootlicking ways! I think his Spirit mutation probably made his brain stupid too!"As an illegitimate son, it was inevitable to be suppressed by the legitimate sons. Dai Yueheng was still tolerable; he merely looked down on him but at least had some semblance of an elder brother. Dai Huabin, however, had not spared Simp Youheng from bullying.Simp Youheng's face turned red from what the two said, but he dared not refute the authority of his legitimate elder brother, nor did he dare provoke Dai Huabin, who was more talented and favored by their father. He could only lower his head and respond timidly, "Big Brother's lesson is right; this younger brother understands."However, deep within his lowered eyes, a hint of resentment and a hidden sense of superiority lurked. "What do you two know? You have no idea who is standing behind me—a future Divinity! When Yuhao grows up, you so-called legitimate sons will have to curry favor with me! You look down on me now, but you'll regret it in the future!"He never considered that a position gained by relying on others would ultimately be a castle in the air, nor did he consider whether Huo Yuhao would truly be willing to forcibly interfere with an Imperial Princess's marriage for his sake.At the same time, in a high-end restaurant in the most bustling area of Star Luo City, in a private room by the window.Another Dai Youheng sat leisurely by the window, having ordered a pot of clear tea and a few exquisite pastries. His gaze seemingly casually swept over the bustling crowd downstairs, but his focus always subtly locked onto the majestic White Tiger Dukes Mansion in the distance.He had been observing here for several days. With an almost unbelievably low sense of presence, he could even swagger close to the Duke's Mansion's perimeter and listen to the servants' gossip, thereby obtaining information about that "self."The Snow Empress in his mind seemed unable to hold back. "Youheng, you've been observing him for several days now. When do you plan to make your move? I see he seems to have gone out again today, in the direction of the Imperial Palace, probably to hit a wall again. This is a good opportunity."Dai Youheng picked up his teacup, gently blew on it, a playful smile on his lips. "Sister Snow Empress, why do you seem even more anxious than I am?""Hmph!" The Snow Empress snorted, her voice filled with undisguised disgust. "I just can't stand it! He has a face exactly like yours, yet his actions and conduct are so vastly different—humble, cowardly, placing all hope in others. It's simply… simply a complete disgrace! Bootlickers don't deserve a good end!"Since the Snow Empress had entrusted herself to Dai Youheng, she naturally placed herself in the same position as Youheng.She paused, her tone turning serious and practical. "Moreover, you are originally homomeric, heteromorphic, and homologous. If you kill him, you might be able to directly devour everything he possesses, including his thirty-plus ranks of spirit power cultivation and that part of his sense of presence! This way, you can live a normal life and instantly make up for the wasted time, with your spirit power level skyrocketing, directly catching up with the progress of those so-called geniuses! You are fourteen now, but your Spirit has only just awakened, having missed the optimal foundational period from six to twelve years old. Your start is truly too late!"
