Chapter 53: The Elemental Spirit’s Partner and a Surprising Alliance

“Relax,” Ouyang Xiyue said, a mischievous smile gracing his lips as he addressed Night Xuehui.

“Elemental spirits can control the elements they project from their bodies, so rest assured, it won’t harm me.”

“However, if you were to touch it, well, that’s another story entirely.”

“Hmph, you truly are an enigma, growing more unfathomable by the day,” Night Xuehui huffed, her expression a picture of tsundere pride.

“Just how much more do you keep hidden?”

“I sense things are becoming increasingly interesting, but for now, I suppose I’ll thank you for this.”

‘Heh heh heh,’ Ouyang Xiyue mused inwardly.

‘Night Xuehui, you’re such a stubborn tsundere, bleh.’

“Night Xuehui, ah, no, Brother Night Xuehui, I imagine I don’t need to introduce Miss Yan to you.”

“After all, even before my arrival, you two had already thoroughly gauged each other’s strength, hadn’t you?”

“How could you say that?” Night Xuehui retorted, her face a mask of chilly composure.

“I admit she is powerful, but that power is confined solely to fire manipulation.”

“This space is limited, and the available elements are few.”

“Had we been in an open area, she would have been vanquished by me long ago; there’s no way she could have contended for so long.”

“Furthermore, it’s not your place to intervene and offer assistance.”

“Do not underestimate me; a mere elemental spirit holds no significance in my eyes, young master that I am.”

Her expression was so stern, it made her words seem utterly genuine.

“Hmm, Sister Xiyue, this one’s personality is so… forceful.” Little Yan questioned, speaking in the Elven tongue specifically so others wouldn’t understand her.

“Can I truly get along with her?”

“I’m not entirely confident.”

“Relax,” Ouyang Xiyue replied in the Elven tongue, mirroring her.

“As I told you, she’s just like this, a complete tsundere.”

“Simply pay no mind to her words.”

“Mm… just consider it hot air.”

“Alright then, Sister Xiyue, I’ll try… my best.”

“Hey, you two, can you please speak a language normal people can understand?” Ouyang Xiyue said, several dark lines appearing on his forehead in exasperation.

“All that jabbering is completely unintelligible!”

“Sister Xiyue!”

Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed from behind him; it was Night Jia, his younger sister.

As Ouyang Xiyue turned his head, he saw Night Jia rushing towards him, her face alight with a joyous smile.

His little sister, Night Jia, was about to launch herself into his arms.

Ouyang Xiyue chuckled resignedly; children would be children, and he was used to it.

He then opened his arms wide, catching Night Jia securely.

Gently, he stroked her head, and Night Jia offered no resistance, instead rubbing her face against Ouyang Xiyue’s rather flat chest.

Meanwhile, Night Xuehui experienced a profound sense of disparity.

Normally, when she returned home, her adorable younger sister, Minmin, would always rush into her embrace.

However, ever since Ouyang Xiyue’s appearance, everything seemed to have shifted.

Witnessing the scene unfolding before her eyes, Night Xuehui felt a throbbing headache developing.

“Night Jia, as a member of our Night family, you must maintain your decorum in public.”

“Decorum?” Night Jia scoffed, sticking out her tongue playfully.

“I think Brother is just jealous because I can openly hug Sister Ouyang Xiyue, while he can only watch.”

“No wonder I keep catching a whiff of vinegar somewhere.”

“Could it be, Brother, that you carry vinegar with you everywhere?”

“If you do, make sure to keep it sealed tightly; you wouldn’t want it spilling on your clothes, Brother, given your severe clean freak tendencies, you know~”

Night Jia spoke with an air of provocation, then rubbed against Ouyang Xiyue’s flat chest a few more times before flashing Night Xuehui a mischievous grin.

“Night Jia, stop spouting nonsense!” Ouyang Xiyue exclaimed, gently pinching Night Jia’s soft, delicate cheek.

“What’s this about jealousy? I have no particular connection to this fellow.”

“At most, we’re just friends… no, merely like siblings.”

“Ouch, ouch, ouch!” Night Jia cried out.

“Sister Ouyang Xiyue, Night Jia knows she was wrong.”

“I promise never to joke around with you like that again, Sister; please stop pinching.”

“My face is already turning red!”

As she spoke, a hint of tears could be seen welling up in her eyes.

“Alright, there, there,” Ouyang Xiyue said, stroking Night Jia’s head once more.

“Remember your promise, Night Jia.”

“I’ll let you off the hook this time, but if there’s a next, I certainly won’t be so lenient, okay?”

Night Xuehui, meanwhile, had watched the entire exchange with a darkened face.

‘Sigh, I can’t believe my own sister misunderstood that I have feelings for that Ouyang Xiyue fellow.’

‘This sister of mine has become increasingly audacious ever since she met Ouyang Xiyue.’

‘She used to be so well-behaved, cute, and obedient, always clinging to me and calling out ‘Brother, Brother’ all day long.’

‘But now… ugh!’

‘Ouyang Xiyue, honestly, were you sent by the heavens to be my bane?’

“Hahaha, I knew I hadn’t misjudged!” the Golden-haired Youth, Xuan, exclaimed, bowing deeply to Ouyang Xiyue in gratitude.

“Young Master Night, this is the young lady you mentioned who stood you up, and well, it seems it wasn’t for naught.”

“She possesses quite some ability; I never imagined she could persuade an elemental spirit to be so obedient.”

“Young Master Night, with such a talent at your disposal, there’s no need to keep it hidden.”

“Please introduce her to us all; we are very interested in this beautiful and powerful young lady.”

“Ah, well, since everyone is interested in me, I won’t trouble Brother Night.”

“Allow me to introduce myself to you all.”

“My name is Ouyang Xiyue, and I hail from the Saint Spirit Continent.”

“Currently, like Brother Night, I am studying at Saint Sea.”

“I hope for your kind guidance in the future; if this humble one does anything amiss, please do not hesitate to point it out.”

“Ah~ how beautiful!” an older-looking scholar exclaimed.

“You truly descended like an angel.”

“Your graceful presence before us has saved us from dire straits; we are deeply grateful.”

“And your hair color… could you possibly be the legendary Saintess’s heir?”

“Oh? Thank you for your kind praise,” Ouyang Xiyue replied.

“It was merely a small effort, nothing worth mentioning.”

“However, I believe you may be mistaken; I am not the Saintess’s heir.”

“That’s right, Sister Xiyue is not the Saintess’s heir,” Night Jia stated with an innocent and guileless expression.

“However, Sister Xiyue does have a marital connection with the granddaughter of the Holy Light Church’s current Pope.”

Ouyang Xiyue had initially intended to intervene, but seeing that it was already unstoppable, he ceased any further action.

After all, his engagement was likely already public knowledge outside, wasn’t it?

It mattered little if they knew now; even if they didn’t, they would soon find out once they left.

‘Oh well, sigh.’

“Wh-what?!” the older scholar stammered, his eyes wide.

“You… you actually have a marital alliance with the granddaughter of the Holy Light Church’s current Pope?”

“Th-this means that the Pope’s granddaughter will undoubtedly become the next Pope; there’s no question about it.”

“And you will become the next Pope’s…”

The older scholar trailed off, suddenly falling silent.

Only now did he realize something was amiss.

The granddaughter of His Holiness the Pope of the Holy Light Church… she was a girl, wasn’t she?

And the person standing before him was also a girl!

This… could this be the legendary ‘lily’ romance?

Love between two girls?

“What… what did I just hear?” a seemingly naive man suddenly cried out, clutching his head in distress.

“Two girls getting married? An alliance?”

“This is truly unheard of!”

“Am I hard of hearing, or am I hallucinating?”

“What’s going on… two goddesses, like angels, are actually getting married?”

“Are they not leaving any chances for us men?”

“Though there were no chances to begin with, at least let us fantasize a little!”

“It’s the end of the road…”

“Ah, well, indeed, ‘lily’ love, the affection between two girls,” the older scholar said, his old face suddenly flushing as he cleared his throat twice.

“Hmm, it’s hard to believe.”

“As for who will be the husband and who will be the wife in this… this relationship, you two will have to discuss it yourselves.”

“And as for the methods of discussion, ahem ahem…”

“Alright, that’s enough from all of you,” Night Xuehui interjected abruptly, her expression chillingly cold.

“Can’t you see Ouyang Xiyue is a bit displeased?”

“A couple of remarks suffice; there’s no need to keep going on.”

“How would you feel if you were in his shoes?”

“Oh? I’m actually not un-… ahem, alright, all of you should stop.”

“If you say another word, I’ll get angry.”

Ouyang Xiyue had been about to say that he wasn’t actually upset.

However, upon seeing Night Xuehui’s chillingly formidable face, he shivered and immediately changed his statement.

‘Is this fellow angry?’ he wondered.

‘Why would she be angry?’

“Though my own marital alliance gives me a bit of a headache, I suppose I’ll just have to get used to it,” Ouyang Xiyue said, sounding somewhat listless.

“After all, things worse than this will likely happen frequently in the future, so it’s best to adapt and prepare myself.”

“Oh, right, how did the conversation shift to me?” Ouyang Xiyue mused.

“To business, Brother Night Xuehui: you specialize in fire magic, and Little Yan is also a fire elemental spirit.”

“You’ve likely witnessed her fire abilities just now—her absolute immunity to fire elements.”

“So, I suggest you two try to get along.”

“If you feel it’s suitable, you could first sign a contract and then cultivate your bond.”

“Well, what do you think?”

“If you’re going to sign a contract, this would be the best way; you’ll exchange with each other.”

“If you don’t want to sign now, that’s fine too, but then, Brother Night Xuehui, you’ll have to trouble yourself by learning the Elven language.”

“After all, elemental spirits don’t speak human languages.”

“If you sign a contract, you won’t have any language barriers.”

“What do you say? Consider it!”

Ouyang Xiyue blinked his large, watery eyes, looking at Night Xuehui with an expression full of pleading and entreaty, practically begging him to agree.

“I’ve already asked Little Yan, and she said she approves of you, so she’s willing to partner with you.”

“Now it’s up to your unilateral consideration, Brother Night Xuehui; consider it carefully.”

“I know you are very competitive and eager to win.”

“Don’t forget, we still have a wager between us.”

“I believe that with your current strength, you might not be enough to defeat the fusion of me and Xiao Xi.”

“I know you also pursue the pinnacle of martial arts, so this is a method that can rapidly enhance your strength.”

“In this world, the strong are revered, you know?”

“What do you say? Think about it; it’s a sure profit for you, with no losses.”

“Who would refuse something delivered right to their doorstep?”

“Wouldn’t it make you seem foolish if you declined?”

Finally, after Ouyang Xiyue’s relentless verbal barrage, Night Xuehui seemed to reluctantly agree.

Of course, only she knew what thoughts truly occupied her mind at that very moment.

“Well then, the contract is now established!” Ouyang Xiyue declared, clapping his hands in celebration.

“Congratulations to you both, a truly joyous occasion!”

Just as he finished, the phone in his pocket suddenly rang.

“Hello? Yun’er, what’s wrong?…”

“Wh-what?…” Ouyang Xiyue exclaimed.

“I’ll rush back immediately!”

With those words, he hung up the phone, then hastily turned around, preparing to depart.

“Little Yan, I’ll see you later,” Ouyang Xiyue called out.

“Something’s happened at home.”

“Night Xuehui, treat Little Yan well; if she complains to me, I won’t let you off the hook.”

“And Night Jia, my little sister, I’m entrusting her to you.”

“To everyone present, I must take my leave now; goodbye, and see you all later!”

Having spoken, Ouyang Xiyue vanished from everyone’s sight within a few rapid blinks.