บท 11: XI
Rokas decided to take the outermost seat, right next to a veiled lady whom he assumed was Xia Qingyue. To be this close to the second-best girl… was fate unironically being his wingman?
As he sat down, he pulled out some good old tea that he had prepared and calmly sipped on it. Within seconds, he realised why he didn't like such massive gatherings. With thousands of people all talking at once… it did become irritating. No less, he had an ice beauty to his right who gave him that old feeling he used to get…
It was like being assigned to sit next to your crush and feeling overly suppressed… like every little thing you did was placed under a magnifying glass.
Rokas calmed his breathing, taking a sip of his tea.
'I am better than this.'
He focused on regaining clarity, forcefully removing the seemingly invisible pressure in his heart.
'There, that's better.'
He smiled a little, taking a few more sips of his tea. These sips were noticeably louder and unrestrained as he was less worried about what Xia Qingyue thought of him. Meanwhile, Cang Yue sat down beside him while Qin Wushang sat to the left of Cang Yue.
"I can't help but wonder why the Heavenly Sword Villa placed us between the top two sects." Cang Yue questioned the arrangement, stroking her chin. "Was it because of you?"
"Hell if I know… but I'm not feeling like staying around for too long," Rokas replied, shrugging his shoulders. "These people are so damn loud."
"Not used to banquets?" Cang Yue chuckled, smiling slightly. "The Blue Wind Imperial Family has them all the time, you know. As the future prince-consort… you would be expected to attend a few. Not that anyone would force your hand…"
"If you are sitting with me, I'd find them somewhat bearable." Rokas smiled.
"I suppose that would be one way to motivate you…"
Regarding the food… Rokas wondered if Xia Qingyue would take off her veil to eat. If she did, he'd get a free look into what captivates every young master in the universe. On the other hand, he was worried if he'd fall into the same trap as them and do something stupid.
Xia Qingyue sat quietly, not even bothering to touch her food. The other Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace disciples were the same… and so were the fairies who had come with them. It seemed like they were just there out of respect for the Heavenly Sword Villa.
As he was looking around, he noticed that one of the ice ladies had a massive rack.
'Could it be… Murong Qianxue?'
"Can you not make your leering more obvious?" Jasmine scoffed. "You're moments away from drooling.'
'I'm not leering… just looking around!' Rokas thought to himself. 'Taking a good look at that painting on the wall… and the plant on the ground. Ah, yes, the plant… such a fine sample of nature.'
[System: Nah bro, you're looking at those melons.]
'How could I? I am but a humble, considerate, gentleman. I'd never commit such an indecent act.'
Rokas turned back to himself and his tea. As he sipped, the system decided to play a sound.
[Now playing: El Risitas Laugh (looped)]
"PFFT…" Rokas choked on his tea, spitting it out. 'You bastard… I hate you.'
[Stopped playing]
Rokas looked around, feeling extremely awkward as the hall seemed to suddenly grow quiet and all eyes seemed to turn to him.
'Why the fuck did everyone decide to stop the moment I spit out my drink?? Man…'
He took a deep breath, deciding to ignore all of the looks. Soon enough, people returned to their conversations. Then… he realised that he had indirectly spat on Xia Qingyue's food.
"Uh… my apologies. I didn't mean to do that."
"... I was not intent on eating either way." Xia Qingyue replied in an indifferent tone.
'System, if you ever somehow attain a physical body, I will murder you,' Rokas thought with a threatening yet equally sarcastic tone.
[System: Good thing I won't.]
'And, since you can play things into my head, why don't you play my favourite music?'
[System: That's the confidant rank 5 perk, my friend. You're not too far away.]
'Hmm… noted.'
As Rokas finished his tea, he really didn't feel like eating. There was something about eating next to this amount of people that made the process seem so arduous… he'd much rather do it in the comfort of his room.
Rokas noticed that one of the fairies got up from her seat and walked over to him. Now, it only took him a single glance at her chest to realise which one it was. Murong Qianxue…
'What the hell does she want?'
"... You… are you that young man I met in the Scarlet Dragon Mountain Range?"
'What do I do? Act dumb? My old self didn't have these glowing golden eyes. Then again, if you did a background check, you'd find out that I gained these eyes along the way… ah, what a drag.'
"Yes, I am." Rokas nodded, raising an eyebrow. "Is there a particular reason why you're asking that…?"
"Only a year ago, you were, without a single doubt, in the peak of the Earth Profound Realm. But… now, you've achieved the peak of the Sky Profound Realm. Not only that but you also defeated the Heaven Burning Clan on your own with this kind of strength. How do you achieve such rapid growth? If you have any advice, this senior would be more than willing to listen."
Hearing that, Xia Qingyue suddenly shifted her gaze to Rokas for a moment. She turned back and then sat silently, seemingly listening in.
"Pushp-ups, sit-ups, and plenty of orange juice." Rokas nonchalantly replied.
"... Hmph, I expected a more serious answer."
"Not one for jokes? Alright, I… have a few tricks, that much is true." Rokas nodded. "However, I don't really feel inclined to share them with a stranger."
"A shame…" Murong Qianxue sighed. "Nevertheless, it seems that your 'tricks' have also pushed the Blue Moon Princess into the peak of the Earth Profound Realm. Hm, I was led to believe that the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace would secure the first position with ease this time around. I truly underestimated the impact of foreign intervention."
Hearing all of that, Xia Qingyue glanced at Cang Yue and couldn't believe her eyes. It was true… but how could such growth even be possible? She had all of her profound entrances opened by Yun Che, all of the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace's resources at her disposal and even her own genius was spectacular. So how…
She couldn't help but take another look at Long Ke.
"I'm sorry but the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace will have to settle for second place again," Rokas stated, smiling slightly.
"Hmph, we will see." Murong Qianxue walked away, not even returning to her seat.
"... What would it take for you to share your secrets?" Xia Qingyue suddenly spoke in a low tone so that only he could hear, surprising Rokas.
'Nah, she's moving a bit mad. What would it take?? You simply don't ask a horny young man that! If I was honest and endlessly shameless, I'd be asking for oral sex. System… that wouldn't be against the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace's rules, right?'
[System: I mean, could women lose their vital yin through giving the vacuum seal double hand twist gawk gawk combo 3000? You're not penetrating their vagina so… no. Not that she'd do any of that for you.]
'Of course… just wondering.'
"Well… you'd have to be close to me to reap all of the benefits."
"How… close?" Xia Qingyue furrowed her brows behind the veil.
"Like… travelling with me and all that." Rokas lowered his voice slightly. "Not to brag too much but I found possibly the best cultivation spot in all of the world."
"Oh? I'd like to see it… if you would not mind. As of now, I don't have much to offer but you would certainly have the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace's gratitude."
'Gratitude? That shit is kinda useless to me no cap.'
[System: She's asking for the flood dragon to flood into her… hahaha.]
'She's clearly not…'
"Uhm… nah, I honestly don't need any gratitude. But… if you're really interested, we can talk about it more after this tournament's winner is decided." Rokas shook his head, glancing away. Suddenly, he noticed Cang Yue listening in on everything.
"I see."
"Are you…?"
"You're not so bad with recruiting." Cang Yue remarked with a smile as she sipped on a glass of wine. "Perhaps you'll make an even better prince-consort that we both expected."
"Heh… maybe." Rokas nodded. 'Cang Yue isn't the type to be jealous over a simple conversation, after all.'
Rokas decided that it was time to dip out with Cang Yue before someone else decided to confront him. However, just as he was going to leave, he was stopped by a man who looked to be about fifty years old. It took quite some willpower for him not to make an irritated expression.
For a moment, he thought it was Ling Tianni… but one glance at his profound strength would prove otherwise.
'Someone this strong… could it be?'
"You are Long Ke, am I correct?" The old man observed the 'Heaven Burning Clan's Daddy' wording on his shirt.
"Yes, that is me…"
Rokas frowned slightly, realising that this was none other than Ling Kun from the Mighty Heavenly Sword Villa. He was the man who sold information about Xia Qingyue to Ye Xinghan of the Sun Moon Divine Hall in canon… which led to her being teleported away. Naturally, being a demon, the Four Great Sacred Grounds were not Rokas' allies in any capacity.
"Quite the expressive robes you are wearing." Ling Kun's expressionless face almost seemed to form a smile. "Now, I don't mean to waste too much of your time. I am Ling Kun, an elder from the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region and well… I've heard quite a few tales of your exploits."
"Oh… the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region?" Rokas acted surprised, although he found it difficult to hide his sarcasm. "It is an honour to meet you, truly."
"Haha… the pleasure is all mine, young man. Now, would you happen to be interested in joining the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region? The number of lucrative cultivation resources at your disposal would be vast and you would only be learning the finest sword skills in all of the Profound Sky Continent. Imagine the heights that you would reach with such an opportunity… hm? Does it not sound enticing?"
"That sounds amazing and all… but I've already found my home with the Blue Moon Princess," Rokas replied, frowning slightly. "Besides, I like my freedom. Such a place just isn't for me."
"I see… love tends to lead young men astray. No matter, if you do ever happen to change your mind, do contact me."
'Astray from what?? Staying in the basement 24/7?'
He gave him a Sound Transmission Jade which Rokas took with an indifferent expression.
"Sure thing."
Cang Yue had turned a little red when she saw Rokas willingly reject an invitation to one of the mythical Sacred Grounds… just for her. Once they returned to their assigned courtyard, Cang Yue couldn't help but question his actions.
"Did you… seriously reject such a great opportunity? With it…"
"Who decided that I couldn't grow strong with you?" Rokas replied with a warm tone, looking into her eyes. "Abandoning you to spend a majority of my life locked up in one place, Sacred Ground or not… I would never even consider doing that."
"In that case, I… would not mind abandoning my position as princess for you. Wherever you'd decide to go, I'd… follow you. Then, you could pursue your true path and I would see you every day without hindering your growth. Wouldn't that… work better?"
"Don't be silly, the Blue WInd Imperial Family still needs you." Rokas shook his head. "You can't abandon it… I wouldn't let you. Only after order is restored can we think of running off together, okay?"
"Mhm… then we'll do it together, won't we?"
"Mhm, we will." Rokas nodded. "Uh… about the tournament, can you come to my room for a moment?"
"... Sure."
He took her inside his temporary room which wasn't too shabby. The Heavenly Sword Villa treated him as an esteemed quest, so it would seem.
"So why did you bring me here?"
"For this…" Rokas smiled a little as he took her hand and pulled her closer for a perfectly-timed kiss.
"Mn…"
Rokas closed his eyes as he passionately kissed Cang Yue, all the while granting her some of his Phoenix blood. After a long moment together, he withdrew.
"That girl that was sitting next to me… she was hiding away quite a bit of power with an artefact. But, if you refine what I gave you, she shouldn't give you too much trouble."
"... Is this your way of telling me not to be jealous?"
"How could I ever like such a cold girl…?" Rokas tilted his head. "Go rest for tonight, there's a long day ahead."
[Cang Yue (Lovers VI) Confidant Rank: 6 → 7]
[System: Some serious tsun-tsun activity going on. You don't like Xia Qingyue? Pfft!]
'I mean… I don't have any feelings for her as a person. There might be something there in the future… but right now? Nah, not really.'
[System: So the real best girl is Cang Yue, huh.]
'... You could say that.'
Rokas admittedly nodded, having long since acknowledged the feeling in his heart.
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