Chapter 4: The Wine Party Shows Off Love, Three Times Angering Dai Mubai

In my memory, the soul master in the original obtains a soul ring and seems to directly know the name of the soul skill.

Actually, Dai Xiyu only knew the effect of the soul skill.

So, he could only name the soul skill himself.

Opening the status bar, the data now shows his soul power is exactly level eleven.

After absorbing the soul ring, his physical stats also increased slightly.

"The balance still has 400,000; first increase soul power as much as possible."

After making the decision, Dai Xiyu repeatedly clicked the soul power column in the store and bought eight times in a row.

Directly raising his soul power to level nineteen.

In the store, the price of goods keeps rising with the number of purchases.

After the eighth purchase, the price of soul power had risen to 65,000.

And the fortune balance was only 40,000 left, insufficient to continue buying soul power.

The soul power within his body surged tumultuously, more than ten times stronger than before, and Dai Xiyu felt his whole body filled with strength.

Opening the status bar again, the data had undergone an earth-shaking change compared to the beginning.

【Name: Dai Xiyu】

【Gender: Male】

【Age: 9】

【Martial Soul: White Tiger】

【Soul Power: Level 19】

【Strength: 55】

【Agility: 45】

【Stamina: 55】

【Lifespan: 105 days 02 hours 39 minutes】

……

After absorbing the soul ring, the three-dimensional attributes each increased by 5 points, but no further increase occurred when subsequently raising soul power.

Standing up, he could clearly feel his body was much lighter than before.

Even his height seemed to have increased.

Standing before the full-length mirror, the youth's posture in the reflection was firm and upright, his spirit completely renewed.

Not only his physical quality, but also an aura emanating from within.

The impact of a confident aura on one's overall image can be said to be enormous.

At this moment, the hour hand of the wall-mounted clock happened to point to six.

The banquet was about to begin.

His previous clothes now felt a bit tight when worn.

Dai Xiyu picked a slightly larger tailcoat, changed into it, and pushed the door open.

After walking through a hundred-meter corridor, he soon arrived at the banquet hall of the South Building.

The banquet hall was very spacious, decorated in resplendent gold and jade, displaying utmost luxury.

In the center, separated by an aisle, two long tables were set up, laden with pastries and fruits.

Moreover, over ten maids shuttled between the long tables, carrying trays of drinks.

At this time, hundreds of people had already gathered in the banquet hall.

Men and women, old and young were all present; to attend this wine party, the lowest requirement was noble birth from a count's family.

Dai Xiyu found a corner, picked up a pastry resembling a mooncake on the table, and took a bite.

"It's supposed to be egg yolk lotus seed paste…… but it doesn't seem to be lotus paste; the taste is a bit different."

After swallowing the pastry in a couple of bites, he took a glass of red wine from a passing maid, then reached again for another pastry.

Coincidentally, a delicate, fair little hand happened to pinch the other side of the pastry.

Dai Xiyu turned his head, looked beside him, and met a clear, cold gaze.

It turned out to be Zhu Zhuqing.

At this moment, Zhu Zhuqing's small mouth was moving; the food she was chewing had not yet been swallowed, and her other hand held a cup of milk.

The two's actions were not just similar; they were practically identical.

Dai Xiyu silently released his hand and went to take another pastry.

With food in his mouth, he naturally couldn't speak, so they could only communicate with their eyes, which counted as a greeting.

Zhu Zhuqing also had no intention to speak, so both began to focus on the dazzling array of pastries.

In fact, after searching the original body's memories, he discovered that the two of them were completely unfamiliar with each other.

They had studied together at the academy for three years and were both of upper-tier noble status, yet they had never exchanged a greeting.

Every time they met, this Second Prince would always keep his distance.

Toward Zhu Zhuqing, he seemed to have a feeling of fear.

Actually, not only the timid original owner,

but other male students in the academy also feared Zhu Zhuqing.

Therefore, during the awakening ceremony earlier, others were astonished by Dai Xiyu's choice.

But the current Dai Xiyu feels nothing of the sort.

After all, he possesses a mature soul, while Zhu Zhuqing is merely an elementary-schooler's image.

After absorbing the soul ring, Dai Xiyu really felt a bit hungry and planned to fill his stomach first.

And just then, a voice inappropriate to the occasion suddenly sounded from behind him.

"Since it's a banquet, we ought to have some impromptu performance. And in our Star Luo, nothing beats a soul battle as entertainment."

Dai Xiyu raised an eyebrow, looking toward the doorway behind him.

The speaker was Dai Mubai.

The hall fell silent all at once.

Everyone looked at the tall, blond youth.

At that moment, a middle-aged man with a sturdy build and a beard-stubbled face laughed and continued:

"His Highness the Third Prince is right—how could a banquet lack a soul battle? It'd be more fun with some stakes!"

A soul battle is a fight between soul masters.

The people of the Star Luo Empire are warlike by custom; they are far more enthusiastic about soul battles than those of the Tiandou Empire.

The moment that middle-aged man spoke, others immediately chimed in agreement.

Everyone's interest was stirred.

Dai Xiyu, however, had little interest in soul battles.

What interested him more was the food on the table before him.

However, quite a few students had taken notice, their gazes darting back and forth between Dai Mubai and Dai Xiyu.

As expected, Dai Mubai immediately went on to say:

"Since today's banquet was held for me and my second older brother, we ought to liven things up."

Pausing, Dai Mubai crossed his arms, gave a cold smile toward Dai Xiyu, and said:

"Second older brother, how about it—do you dare to have a match with me?"

"I won't take advantage of you; we'll just compare soul power, without using soul skills."

Behind Dai Mubai, several of his lackeys laughed and joined in the clamor.

"Your Highness the Second Prince, as the elder brother, you surely aren't lacking the courage to accept a challenge, are you?"

"Oh right, I forgot your innate soul power is only rank two."

"Hahahaha..."

Those few youths, though merely sons of dukes and marquesses, were worlds apart in status from Prince Dai Xiyu.

But with Dai Mubai backing them, they truly weren't afraid of Dai Xiyu, this "trash prince."

Usually, they also hadn't hesitated to throw their weight around, scheming against Dai Xiyu together with the henchmen of the eldest prince.

As for Dai Xiyu, because his talent is so poor, he can be said to have not a single supporter.

He had always been alone, able to command only the servants of the imperial palace.

Add his timid nature, and he couldn't even mount a counterattack.

But now he is no longer the worthless second prince he once was.

However, before Dai Xiyu could speak, a figure beside him stepped forward and stood in front of him.

"I'll face you."

Those four short words wiped the smiles from everyone's faces.

The speaker was none other than Zhu Zhuqing.

Dai Mubai looked at the girl with a cold expression, and his face instantly darkened.

He had challenged Dai Xiyu originally to teach this clueless older brother a lesson, so that he would embarrass himself in front of Zhu Zhuqing.

But he never expected that his dream lover, Zhu Zhuqing, would actually step up for that worthless weakling.

Dai Mubai seethed with anger, glaring fixedly at Zhu Zhuqing, his breathing growing somewhat rough.

After two seconds of silence, he then spoke in a low voice:

"This is between us two; it's none of your business."

Zhu Zhuqing said expressionlessly:

"I am his fiancée; his affairs are my affairs, so it does concern me."

Since she enrolled, this is practically the longest sentence Zhu Zhuqing has ever uttered.

Who would have thought it would appear in such a setting.

And just then, a line of notification suddenly appeared in the upper left of Dai Xiyu's vision.

【Gain from Dai Mubai's fortune +100000】

Seeing this notification, and then looking at Dai Mubai's expression, Dai Xiyu fell into thought.

After hearing Zhu Zhuqing's answer.

Dai Mubai only felt his scalp tingle, anger surging to his heart.

He forced a smile, nodding repeatedly, and only after a while said: "Good, very good—this is what you yourself said."

Just then, another clear voice rang out from behind Zhu Zhuqing.

"Zhuqing, let me handle this—this is fundamentally a grudge between us two men; how could I hide behind you?"

While saying that.

Dai Xiyu, right in front of Dai Mubai, took Zhu Zhuqing's right hand and pulled her behind him.

Zhu Zhuqing's brows furrowed slightly, but she did not resist.

Having openly acknowledged their fiancée status, it was only natural for the fiancé to take her hand.

She merely asked softly, "May I?"

Dai Xiyu smiled confidently, without answering.

Seeing that smile, Zhu Zhuqing did not pursue the matter further.

Dai Xiyu had mediocre talent and was constantly suppressed by his two brothers; this was almost common knowledge.

Otherwise, Zhu Zhuqing wouldn't have stood up for him.

But now that Dai Xiyu has stepped forward, Zhu Zhuqing can't really intervene anymore.

Dai Mubai, who had witnessed all this, was so angry his face seemed to distort, with veins bulging on his forehead.

He stared fixedly at Dai Xiyu, saying each word with a pause:

"Since it's a spirit battle, there definitely needs to be a stake to make it interesting. How about we make a wager?"

Dai Xiyu asked, "What do you want to bet?"

Dai Mubai curled the corner of his mouth and said:

"If you lose, you will proactively ask Father Emperor to call off the engagement with Zhu Zhuqing."

Everyone present showed the expression of having just seen a huge scandal, ready to watch the show.

Dai Xiyu glanced at the area behind Dai Mubai.

There, a girl whose looks were about fifty percent similar to Zhu Zhuqing stood, her face now deathly pale.

Dai Mubai, however, remained completely unaware and had not noticed the presence of Zhu Zhu Yue.

Dai Xiyu withdrew his gaze and looked at Dai Mubai, whose face was full of provocation.

To be honest.

With my current nineteenth‑level soul power and formidable physique, Dai Mubai is no match for me.

However, Dai Xiyu suddenly realized this was a good opportunity to test the system's rules.

So he shook his head and said, "I won't bet with you."

Dai Mubai's expression stiffened, and he involuntarily asked, "What, are you scared?"

Zhu Zhuqing was also somewhat surprised, her beautiful eyes turning toward Dai Xiyu.

Dai Xiyu shook his head and spoke slowly and firmly:

"Zhu Zhuqing is my fiancée, not a chip to be wagered. Although I'm confident I could win, I would never use her as a stake—that's my principle."

In an instant, many girls in the crowd looked at Dai Xiyu with eyes shining brightly.

"The Second Prince's words are rather romantic..."

"I suddenly realized the Second Prince is actually quite handsome."

"Indeed, he also has a great figure—I never noticed before..."

The onlookers were all whispering among themselves.

Even Zhu Zhuqing, who is usually aloof, had her delicate face faintly flushed.

However, it lasted only a moment before being quickly replaced by her usual cool expression.

After Dai Xiyu finished speaking, his attention focused on the upper left of his vision.

As expected, the rolling prompt refreshed again.

(End of chapter)