Chapter 71 Xu Jiujiu's InvitationFacing the overwhelming malevolent aura, Dai Youheng inwardly roared, "Perfect timing!"The Golden Adamant Evil Warding Body operated at full power!In an instant, an invisible vortex seemed to appear within him, emanating an even more ancient, noble, and domineering malevolent intent!The spirit devourer malevolence that surged into his body, in the face of this true "King of Malevolence" aura, immediately seemed to meet its nemesis, becoming timid and trembling, even emitting invisible wails, before being mercilessly devoured and refined by the golden vortex!A faint golden glow subtly emanated from beneath Dai Youheng's skin. His muscles, bones, meridians, and even blood, all vibrated with a faint hum. With the pure energy brought by refining the malevolent aura, they became even tougher and more resilient.It wasn't just Electrolux who could purify the spirit devourer engraving knife; Dai Youheng's Evil-Repelling technique could also do so.However, this process was far more brutal and direct, and much more painful, than Electrolux's gentle purification. It was like countless steel needles piercing and stirring within his body, but the physical enhancement it brought was also more rapid and significant.Once he had completely devoured the malevolent aura within this engraving knife, he would be able to absorb the vast life energy and mental essence contained within the gold of living beings without any further obstruction. At that time, his physical strength and mental force would both experience a massive leap!As night deepened, inside the hotel room, golden light and dark green malevolent aura intertwined and flickered. Dai Youheng sat like an old monk in meditation, enduring the pain and enjoying the pleasure of his strength growing bit by bit. His path as a powerhouse never ceased.Just as Dai Youheng was in a quiet hotel, fully operating the Golden Adamant Evil Warding Body to devour and refine the millennium-old malevolent aura within the spirit devourer engraving knife, deep within the Star Luo Empire's imperial palace, in a brightly lit and magnificent hall, Princess Xu Jiujiu was listening to her subordinate's report."Reporting to Your Royal Highness, our people have confirmed that Dai Youheng has arrived in Star Luo City," a man dressed in court guard attire with a capable aura knelt on one knee and respectfully said.Xu Jiujiu, who was elegantly sipping a cup of fragrant tea, paused her slender jade fingers slightly upon hearing this. A hint of perfectly feigned surprise appeared on her beautiful face, which then transformed into a knowing, slightly playful smile."Oh, so fast?" She gently put down her teacup, her voice melodious. "I thought it would take him at least two more days to receive my letter and travel back from Shrek Academy. I didn't expect… such impatience."She didn't know that Dai Youheng had already taken leave from Shrek, nor did she know that his primary purpose for this trip was to seize the spirit devourer engraving knife.In her opinion, Dai Youheng's swift appearance in Star Luo City had only one explanation: he had reacted with extraordinary enthusiasm and eagerness to her "kind" summons!He had rushed here immediately, perfectly fitting the image of the "lovesick simp" she had in mind.It was another comical misunderstanding, a series of unfortunate coincidences. She had no idea that Dai Youheng had never seen that letter.In fact, that letter was still with the Lan sisters, who had received it on his behalf because Dai Youheng wasn't at the Academy, and they planned to give it to him when he returned."Where is he staying now? Has he returned to the White Tiger Dukes Mansion, or is he with his teachers and classmates from Shrek?" Xu Jiujiu asked with interest."Neither, Your Highness," the guard replied. "He is alone, staying at an ordinary hotel called 'Qingfengyuan' in the south of the city.""Alone? Staying in a small hotel?" Xu Jiujiu raised her delicate brows slightly, a flicker of surprise in her eyes, which then turned to approval. "It seems he's a bit smarter than I imagined."After a brief thought, she believed she understood Dai Youheng's intention.Now that Dai Yueheng and Dai Huabin had both suffered severe injuries—one with a crippled hand, the other with damaged origins and a ruined future—the most furious and unaccepting of this outcome, besides White Tiger Duke Dai Hao, was probably the Duke's wife, who came from the Zhu family and was already in poor health.That madam had a stubborn and strong personality. How could she tolerate her two legitimate sons becoming half-crippled, allowing her despised illegitimate son Dai Youheng to have a chance at inheriting the ducal title?Her health was already poor, and she would undoubtedly use every means at her disposal in her limited remaining life to suppress, or even eliminate, Dai Youheng, clearing obstacles for her biological sons.Dai Youheng's choice not to return to the Dukes Mansion at this moment was precisely to avoid directly confronting the Duke's wife's sharp edge and to escape unnecessary targeting and schemes."Knowing to temporarily avoid the limelight and bide his time, he has indeed made significant progress," Xu Jiujiu murmured softly, the smile at the corner of her lips deepening. Such a chess piece, with a bit of intelligence, deep affection for her, and the potential to inherit the ducal title in the future, seemed even more valuable than expected.She pondered for a moment, her decision already made, and instructed, "Go and deliver a summons to Dai Youheng, in my name, inviting him to my Princess's Mansion for a meeting. You can be a little more cordial in your tone.""Yes!" The guard accepted the order, immediately bowed and retreated, going to execute the princess's command.Silence returned to the hall. Xu Jiujiu slowly rose, paced to the carved window lattice, and gazed at the bright moonlight spilling outside, softly murmuring as if to herself, "Dai Youheng, this time, I'm giving you an opportunity to ascend to the heavens in one step. You must not disappoint me."Her eyes shimmered with the light of calculation and anticipation, as if she had already seen the beautiful future where Dai Youheng, obedient to her every word, sat on the White Tiger Duke's throne, and she, by controlling him, indirectly held the military power of the Star Luo Empire's strongest Western Group Army firmly in her hands.Meanwhile, in the room at Qingfengyuan Hotel.The golden and black light around Dai Youheng gradually receded. The dullness on the spirit devourer engraving knife seemed to have faded a little, and his physique, tempered by the malevolent aura, had subtly strengthened even further.He let out a long breath, just about to strike while the iron was hot and begin to guide the gold of living beings energy contained within the engraving knife, when a faint knock sounded at the door.A quick sweep of his mental force detected a stranger dressed as a court attendant outside the door.Dai Youheng frowned slightly, put away the engraving knife, and rose to open the door."Excuse me, are you Young Master Dai Youheng?" The attendant outside the door respectfully bowed and presented a gilded, exquisitely scented invitation card with both hands. "This is an invitation from Her Royal Highness Princess Jiujiu. She invites you to her Princess's Mansion for a discussion."Dai Youheng took the invitation, opened it, and glanced at it. The content was nothing more than polite words of invitation, but the three characters "Xu Jiujiu" at the bottom were exceptionally clear.A trace of undetectable playfulness flashed in his eyes.Xu Jiujiu? Her intelligence was quite good; she knew he had just entered the city. And she even actively invited him to the palace? What was this woman plotting now?"Understood." Dai Youheng replied expressionlessly, casually placing the invitation on a nearby table. "Please inform Her Royal Highness that when I, Dai, am free, I will certainly attend."He wanted to see what this Princess of the Star Luo Empire specifically wanted from him, this simp illegitimate son. Perhaps he could seize some unexpected benefits from it?
