Chapter 1501: The Elven Sovereign

Reality, Starship Mothercraft room.

Xu Jingming ripped off the virtual helmet and exhaled a long, heavy breath.

"You little devil..."

He turned his head, looking at the one still straddling him.

Yue Ying, her face innocent, was both angry and amused.

How had the once aloof Elven Princess become like this?!

Yue Ying blinked her gray-stone eyes, a sly, triumphant smile tugging at her lips:

"Who made you ignore me while wearing that helmet?"

Not only did she show no sign of getting off, she twisted her waist even more vigorously.

She cupped Xu Jingming's face in both hands and kissed him passionately.

"Now... you're not getting away..."

Muffled moans spilled from between their lips.

A wicked fire surged in Xu Jingming's chest; he no longer held back, taking control.

Four hours later.

Yue Ying lay curled in Xu Jingming's arms like a well-fed kitten, content.

Her silver hair clung damply to her smooth forehead and neck, her cheeks still flushed with lingering color.

Xu Jingming wrapped his arm around her slender waist, his palm idly stroking her smooth back.

When Yue Ying's breathing had fully steadied, he spoke:

"Ying'er, I want to ask you something."

"Hmm?"

Yue Ying replied lazily, nuzzling against his chest, signaling she was listening.

"It's about the Life Seed for breaking through to the Cosmic Stage."

Xu Jingming pulled her closer, his tone turning serious:

"Just now, my teacher, the Sovereign Frost Crown, mentioned your Elven Clan possesses a top-tier Life Seed called the Eternal Core."

Yue Ying's movements paused slightly; she lifted her head, her gray-stone eyes fixed on him:

"The Eternal Core?"

"That's a sacred treasure, one born only once every million years from our Elven Clan's Life Tree... Why are you asking about it all of a sudden?"

"I want to use it to condense my Life Core."

Xu Jingming spoke plainly: "After we return, I'm preparing to break through to the Cosmic Stage."

"So soon!"

Yue Ying gasped.

She had assumed Xu Jingming would wait much longer before attempting the breakthrough.

"Since you're preparing to break through, using the Eternal Core is indeed perfect."

Yue Ying's eyes sparkled slightly; she hurriedly added: "I'll ask my mother right away to see if she can give you one."

"Don't rush."

Xu Jingming stopped Yue Ying from rising, ruffling her small head:

"The Eternal Core is a top-tier Life Seed.

Even if you're the daughter of the Elven Sovereign, you can't just get me one with a few words."

Although he and Yue Ying were already together,

to the Elven Sovereign, he was still an outsider.

Why would he so easily receive such a precious item?

"I know that."

A sly smile appeared on Yue Ying's still-pale face: "I'll just tell her I want it for myself.

Even if the truth comes out later, when I prepare to break through to the Cosmic Stage, won't she still give me one?"

Damn!

Xu Jingming exclaimed, "Damn!"

You really are the Elven Sovereign's great daughter.

But Yue Ying saw nothing wrong with this.

Xu Jingming was the man she had chosen; securing resources for him was only natural.

"Forget it. I don't want to leave your mother with the impression I'm a scheming trickster."

Though Yue Ying's suggestion was tempting, Xu Jingming still chose to refuse:

"My teacher, Frost Crown, is willing to exchange one top-tier Life Seed

plus her personal goodwill for the Eternal Core.

You can relay this offer to the Sovereign. Whether she agrees or not will depend on fate."

"Don't worry, leave it to me!"

Seeing this, Yue Ying immediately patted her own prominent chest, assuring him the matter would be settled.

"I'm heading into the Virtual Universe."

After snuggling a while longer, Yue Ying reluctantly rose from Xu Jingming's arms.

She walked slowly off the bed, her long, straight legs gleaming like ivory in the starlight streaming through the window.

Since only the two of them were in the room, she couldn't be bothered to get dressed.

She walked bare-skinned to the table and picked up her virtual helmet.

Before putting it on, she turned back and winked at Xu Jingming:

"I'll be back soon. Wait for my good news."

"Alright."

Xu Jingming leaned against the headboard and nodded with a smile.

Virtual Universe, Core Region of the Elven Realm.

Yue Ying's slender figure appeared before a majestic and glorious palace.

The palace was entirely built from a certain emerald-green crystal, its surface shimmering with the luster of life's origin.

Vines and flowers grew naturally between the pillars, and the air carried a fresh, pleasant fragrance.

This was the Elven Royal Court, the symbol of the elf race's power and glory.

"Princess."

"Your Highness."

Yue Ying knew this place intimately; she moved effortlessly through archways and corridors.

The elf guards and maids she passed bowed deeply in salute.

She merely nodded slightly, never slowing her step, until she reached the main hall at the palace's deepest core.

The hall's doors towered high, carved with the totem of the Ancient Tree of Life.

Yue Ying pushed open the doors and stepped inside.

The interior of the hall was spacious and elegant, with simulated starlight falling from the dome.

The floor was covered in soft velvet rugs, with lifelike statues of elven ancestors standing on either side.

At the very end of the hall, upon a jade throne, a figure sat quietly.

She was a woman, her face seven or eight tenths similar to Yue Ying's, yet far more mature and regal.

She wore a luxurious, intricate dark green gown.

Her silver hair flowed like moonlight down to her waist, adorned with simple vines and gemstone ornaments.

Her features were exquisitely perfect, her skin as white as snow.

Her eyes were deep emerald green, as if holding the vitality and antiquity of endless forests.

Merely sitting there, she naturally exuded a solemn authority that looked down upon all beings.

And a quiet, profound depth forged by eons of time.

She was the current sovereign of the Elven Realm, Eleana Everchant.

The Undying Sovereign.

And also Yue Ying's mother.

"Mother."

Yue Ying walked to the throne and softly called out.

Eleana slowly lifted her gaze, her emerald eyes falling upon Yue Ying.

A gentle smile appeared on her regal, coldly beautiful face:

"Xiao Ying? What brings you to the Virtual Universe to see me? Has the Demon Hunting Tournament ended?"

Her voice was soft and melodious, like a forest stream, yet carried the calm poise of one long accustomed to supremacy.

"Just ended. I'm on the return ship."

Yue Ying walked to the side of the throne and sat naturally beside her mother:

"I haven't entered the Virtual Universe in a year. I missed you, so I came to see you."

"Is that so?"

Eleana gave her a half-smiling glance and gently stroked her daughter's silver hair:

"Just to see me? I feel… you only remembered me because you have something you want."

Caught off guard, Yue Ying wasn't embarrassed; she hugged her mother's arm and swayed playfully:

"Of course I missed you! Lately…"

Yue Ying could not possibly bring up the Eternal Core right away.

She began by recounting the Demon Hunting Tournament.

Eventually, she subtly steered the conversation toward "breaking through the Cosmic Tier" and "Fate Seeds."

Then she spoke: "By the way, Mother, does our clan still have the Eternal Core?"

"The Eternal Core? You're asking because of that man named Xu Jingming, aren't you?"

Eleana's first words pierced straight through her thoughts.