Chapter 81: The Third Princess’s Secret and Ling’er’s Dilemma

Bai had been rushing in the direction Ouyang Xiyue had taken, but just as he was about to reach his destination, a powerful and sacred aura washed over him.

Bai’s brow furrowed involuntarily as he mused, ‘The Pope has arrived in person. This must mean that Lord Ouyang Xiyue is safe. I must return quickly and report this to His Highness Lyu Yu.’

With this thought, Bai made an immediate decision, turning around and streaking towards Cloud Peak Town like an arrow loosed from a bow.

****

In an instant, due to the Pope’s sudden intervention, the bloody night, once rife with gore and chaos, grew abruptly silent.

That scene was as if the rampaging specters had been gently soothed by the holy light. Soon, the catastrophe of the bloody night quietly receded.

Those who had returned to Cloud Peak Town with the Pope, after a day of ceaseless activity, meticulously managed their respective responsibilities.

With the bloody night ending ahead of schedule, people who had rushed to offer support gradually departed, though some chose to remain, aiding in the town’s reconstruction and renovation.

The moment Ouyang Xiyue returned, he swiftly retracted his ice domain.

He mused privately that if he were to maintain the ice domain any longer, the surrounding buildings would undoubtedly suffer significant damage.

Recalling the scene during the academy competition, he couldn’t help but wince with a pang of regret. Fortunately, he had withdrawn his power in time this instance, not overexerting himself, or he might have caused irreparable losses once more.

Chi Congyu, full of praise for Ouyang Xiyue’s strength, clung to him like a devoted shadow.

Wherever Ouyang Xiyue went, Chi Congyu remained by his side. Over time, Ouyang Xiyue grew accustomed to her presence, letting her be.

No sooner had the Pope returned than he was invited by His Highness Lyu Yu to the council hall, and he had yet to emerge.

Ouyang Xiyue couldn’t help but feel a flicker of worry, but then he reconsidered: Brother Lyu Yu and the Pope were both like family to him, so it was unlikely anything major had occurred.

Students from Sacred Sea Academy departed in batches, guided by their teachers.

Before their departure, Lin Yao and Night Xuehui specifically came to bid farewell to Ouyang Xiyue.

At that moment, Bai was kneeling on one knee, performing a standard salute to Ouyang Xiyue, then swiftly departed, brushing past Lin Yao and Night Xuehui.

Night Xuehui paid no mind to this, but Lin Yao, having just recovered from the overwhelming influx of information since her dazed return, was only now regaining her composure.

As she witnessed Bai, the commander of the Imperial Shadow Guards who was solely loyal to the royal family, respectfully bowing to Ouyang Xiyue, a flicker of doubt immediately arose in her heart.

She turned to look at Night Xuehui beside her, only to see her own president still maintaining a cold, unapproachable demeanor, his expression utterly unchanged.

“Tell me, President,” Lin Yao mumbled softly, pouting in dissatisfaction, “what else are you hiding from me?”

Night Xuehui’s expression remained calm, and his tone was placid, as if chatting with an old friend: “Nothing much, really. Ouyang Xiyue is merely the Third Princess of the Sacred Spirit Continent. However, he rarely makes public appearances, so not many people are aware of this.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Yao felt as though she had been rooted to the spot, only snapping back to reality after a long while.

It was then that she belatedly realized her own president had been conversing with this Third Princess for quite some time.

Lin Yao took small steps forward, a hint of awkwardness about her. Once the two had finished speaking, she bowed gracefully, then spoke with a touch of shyness.

“Ouyang… oh no, Your Royal Highness, Lin Yao was truly presumptuous earlier, even calling you ‘sister’. I was truly unaware of your identity, and I hope you won’t hold it against me.”

Ouyang Xiyue playfully blinked, unable to suppress a chuckle: “Hmph, commoner. This Princess forgives your earlier impudence. Now that you know this Princess’s identity, you must remember it and not make such a mistake again. However, considering your ignorance, no blame shall be assigned for past transgressions.”

As he finished speaking, the smile on his face vanished, replaced by a cold and stern demeanor.

Lin Yao’s heart sank at his words, feeling that this Princess was indeed worlds apart from her. Her face paled slightly; she dared not speak, nor dared to leave, her gaze unconsciously flitting towards Night Xuehui.

Night Xuehui naturally understood that Ouyang Xiyue was merely teasing Lin Yao. He inwardly shook his head, thinking helplessly, ‘This younger sister truly has a thousand faces.’

“Alright, Xiyue, stop frightening Lin Yao. She’s naturally naive and straightforward; if you scare her too much, will you be responsible for the rest of her life?” Night Xuehui teased with a laugh, then gently patted Lin Yao’s shoulder, signaling her to relax, as it was merely a joke.

“Hehe, Sister Lin Yao, I’m so sorry! I only meant to tease you; I didn’t scare you too badly, did I?” Ouyang Xiyue approached with an apologetic expression, gently stroking Lin Yao’s head as if comforting a docile puppy.

Lin Yao watched Ouyang Xiyue approach, not daring to breathe, allowing him to stroke her head.

Gradually, she sensed Ouyang Xiyue’s kindness, and her apprehension dissipated.

“Well, it’s getting late, and we should be heading back. The teachers have already led the other students away; we just came to say goodbye to you before catching up with them.

Once you’ve finished handling matters here, return to the academy soon. That girl Night Jia misses you terribly.” After naturally conversing with his younger sister, Night Xuehui departed with Lin Yao, not looking back.

Shortly after they left, Lyu Yu, the Pope, and Chi Congyu slowly walked towards them.

Ouyang Xiyue noticed that Lyu Yu deliberately slowed his pace, walking a step behind the Pope, who was leading the way.

He immediately understood that the Pope was indeed a figure at the pinnacle of the continent, and even someone as powerful as Brother Lyu Yu held him in profound respect.

“Brother Lyu Yu, Grandpa Chi, Xiaoyu.” Ouyang Xiyue called out softly, a gentle, sweet smile blossoming on his face.

However, to his surprise, Chi Congyu, who usually clung to him like a burr, was now staring down, lost in thought, completely devoid of her usual vivacity.

Ouyang Xiyue vaguely sensed that the atmosphere was somewhat unusual, as if shrouded in an invisible gloom.

Lyu Yu and the Pope nodded slightly, exchanging a glance, before Lyu Yu spoke: “Younger Sister Xiyue, I just discussed Ling’er’s matter with the Pope, and His Holiness expressed respect for your wishes.”

Having said this, he fell silent, while the Pope gazed at Ouyang Xiyue with a benevolent expression, his eyes filled with anticipation.

Ouyang Xiyue was slightly moved, and spoke softly: “Grandpa Chi, in my life, my parents gave me life, and Ling’er once saved both me and my sister from dire peril.

To me, both Ling’er and Chi Congyu are incredibly important; I genuinely find it difficult to choose. However, I always keep my word, and I will certainly fulfill what I’ve promised, so you needn’t worry. As for Ling’er…” Ouyang Xiyue trailed off, stammering for a long while, ultimately unable to complete his sentence.

Just at this slightly awkward moment, a calm yet authoritative voice broke the deadlock: “Brother Lyu Yu, Your Holiness, let us young ones handle these matters ourselves; there’s no need for the elders to trouble themselves.”

Everyone looked towards the sound, only to see a stunningly beautiful girl with long, golden hair like a waterfall appear nearby. This person was none other than Luli Ling, the Second Princess of the Sacred Spirit Continent.

Everyone’s expressions varied. Ouyang Xiyue’s face was filled with surprise; although Ling’er had mentioned wanting to discuss things with him later, he had never imagined it would happen so soon, and he was completely unprepared.

Lyu Yu and the Pope exchanged a knowing glance, nodded in understanding, then turned and departed without hesitation, rather like managers washing their hands of a matter.

“You two, come back to my room with me to talk.”

Luli Ling said to Ouyang Xiyue and Chi Congyu, who still hadn’t lifted her head. The two silently followed Luli Ling in unspoken understanding, and soon, their figures vanished from the spot.