Chapter 76: Their Plan to Become Famous Throughout the WorldDai Youheng's words, "Your Highness, is that—true?" filled with just the right amount of excitement and longing, were like the sweetest nectar, precisely watering the flower of control in Xu Jiujiu's heart.The smile on her lips instantly bloomed even more radiantly, and her eyes sparkled with the confident glow of having everything under control."Naturally, it's true," Xu Jiujiu's voice was gentle. "I, Xu Jiujiu, have never gone back on my word. However—"She changed the subject, leaning back slightly, resuming the dignified and strategic posture of a royal Princess. "Since you and I have reached a consensus, then helping you quickly establish yourself and build prestige is the top priority. After all, a powerful and renowned collaborator aligns with both our interests, doesn't it?"Dai Youheng sneered inwardly, but on his face, he showed a timely expression of wanting to hear more.Xu Jiujiu had clearly planned everything in advance, speaking eloquently, "Right now, there's an excellent opportunity for you to return to the public eye in the most dazzling way—the All-Continent Advanced Spirit Master Academy Tournament!""You were originally a Shrek Academy student, with outstanding strength. In the Core Disciple selection competition, you directly defeated Xu Sanshi of the Xuanming Sect and should have secured a spot in the reserve team. Unfortunately, you were ambushed by a villain and regrettably left the field. Many in the Academy regret this matter for you."She cleverly characterized Dai Huabin's sneak attack as an "ambush by a villain," which both catered to Dai Youheng's rightful indignation and paved the way for her subsequent proposal."Currently, the Shrek team is facing difficulties. Both Dai Yueheng and Dai Huabin are severely injured and difficult to heal, their combat strength greatly diminished. The main team is almost defunct, barely supported by the children in the reserve team. They are in dire need of strong reinforcements right now!" Xu Jiujiu's eyes gleamed with shrewdness. "And you, at this moment, happen to be in Star Luo City. With your strength, if you could join the Shrek team, it would be like sending charcoal in snowy weather!""The tournament rules already allow for personnel changes and additions due to injuries or other reasons. Your return to the team is reasonable, logical, and compliant." She looked at Dai Youheng, her tone carrying a hint of inducement and certainty, "I have already paved the way for you."As she spoke, she lightly clapped her hands, her voice particularly clear in the quiet side hall.The moment her applause fell, a blurry red figure appeared silently by the tea table like a Gui Mei, its aura so restrained it was almost nonexistent. Only when the figure solidified did one realize it was an elderly woman in a dark red robe with a head full of silver hair. Her face was kind, but her eyes were gentle and profound, as if they could see through people's hearts.Dai Youheng's heart slightly tightened. The way this person appeared, even he couldn't fully trace her movements. Her strength was unfathomable, undoubtedly a Titled Douluo-level powerhouse!He recognized her, or rather, guessed her identity: Star Luo Empire's Nebula Douluo Man Yi, Xu Jiujiu's personal guardian, with the Nebula Fan Spirit."Your Highness," Man Yi bowed slightly, her voice hoarse but respectful."Grandma Man Yi, how did things go?" Xu Jiujiu asked with a gentle smile, her tone intimate."Reporting to Your Highness, this old woman has followed orders and gone to the Shrek team's lodging to speak with their leading teacher, Zhou Yi Zhou Yi," Man Yi reported calmly, her gaze subtly sweeping over Dai Youheng with a hint of scrutiny. "Zhou Yi Zhou Yi was very pleased, almost ecstatic, upon learning that Young Master Dai Youheng had arrived in Star Luo City and was willing to return to the team. She has agreed and said she would immediately report to the Academy's higher-ups to handle the relevant player replacement registration procedures. As for the Tournament organizing committee, our side will explain the situation, and there should be no obstacles."This tournament was originally hosted by the Star Luo Empire. As long as the rules weren't too outrageous, they could do whatever they wanted.In fact, in the original work, Shrek's Vice Dean Cai Mei'er also thought the same way, to find some Geniuses from Shrek's Inner Court to replace the roster and have them participate instead of the reserve team children, but Mu En refused, wanting to use the tournament to temper Huo Yuhao and others.Dai Youheng's eyes flickered. This Xu Jiujiu's actions were astonishingly fast! She had already sent a Titled Douluo to personally lay the groundwork before he even "agreed."This decisiveness and calculation truly befitted someone raised by the imperial family. She never even considered that he would refuse, a confidence stemming from her understanding of a "simp."Xu Jiujiu nodded in satisfaction, looking at Dai Youheng, her smile deepening, "You see, Youheng, I have already set the stage for you.Now, whether you can seize this opportunity and make a name for yourself depends on your performance."She paused, her tone seemingly casual but in fact containing a hint of admonition and encouragement, "Speaking of which, if you join the Shrek team and encounter our Star Luo National Academy, you wouldn't hold back, would you? Perhaps you might even personally eliminate our Empire's Academy."Dai Youheng met her gaze and said frankly, "If we truly meet on the field, I will naturally go all out. I think that is also respect for the opponent.""Well said!" Xu Jiujiu was not annoyed; instead, she clapped her hands and chuckled lightly. "That's the Spirit I want from you! If you have the ability, even if you truly defeat my Star Luo National Academy, then it means we were inferior. I, Xu Jiujiu, have always been able to accept defeat. But you must remember—"Her voice suddenly deepened, taking on a hint of seriousness, "Your performance in the tournament must be spectacular, strong enough! You must let the Empire's nobles, the military, and everyone see your value, see your potential and strength far exceeding Dai Yueheng and Dai Huabin! Otherwise, even if my imperial family intends to support you, without corresponding prestige and strength to back it up, everything will be a castle in the air. This continent, after all, values strength above all!""I understand." Dai Youheng responded briefly, his heart as clear as a mirror. This was both an opportunity and a test. Xu Jiujiu needed to see his utility."Very good." Xu Jiujiu was very satisfied with Dai Youheng's understanding. She gestured to Man Yi beside her.Nebula Douluo Man Yi understood, and with a flash of light in her hand, a jade box emanating a faint chill appeared in her hand.The moment the jade box opened, a pure and cold dark energy permeated the air, seemingly lowering the temperature in the hall by several degrees.Inside the jade box, a skull Spirit Bone lay quietly, as black as ink, as if it could absorb all light. Mysterious patterns were naturally engraved on the bone, and faint mental force fluctuations emanated from it."Youheng, since you are the one I have chosen, I will naturally not treat you unfairly," Xu Jiujiu's voice was seductive. "This Spirit Bone is one of the treasures in my imperial family's vault, originating from a fifty-thousand-year-old Phantom Demon, named the Dark Dominion Skull. Not only is it an extremely rare head Spirit Bone, but it is also a top-tier dark attribute, a perfect match for your Evil Shadow Demonic Tiger Spirit. It can greatly enhance your mental force and has a powerful amplification effect on your dark attribute Spirit Abilities."A fifty-thousand-year-old head Spirit Bone! Even Dai Youheng couldn't help but show a hint of genuine surprise in his eyes.This was indeed a grand gesture. Xu Jiujiu was truly willing to spend a fortune to win him over. The value of this Spirit Bone was in no way inferior to the previous Ice Giant torso bone.However, just as Dai Youheng was about to reach out and take it, Man Yi flipped her wrist, closed the jade box, and re-isolated the alluring Spirit Bone aura.
