novelI Am Not Going To Gobble You Up!
| ← Ch.301 | Ch.303 → |
Yu Pianxian stared at Shen Tian resentfully. For a moment there, the negative vibe was at maximum levels.
This man before her knew music and could be her soulmate. More importantly, he was extremely handsome.
Shen Tian was exactly the kind of guy Yu Pianxian was looking for in a partner. The kind whom others admired and tried to emulate!
But the moment they met, this fellow immediately said, "I can see that the princess has no feelings for me."
Wasn't that such a conversation-stopper?
What am I supposed to say? No, you are wrong?
Not only do I have feelings for you, but I even want to bed you right here, right now?
She was the Mermaid Princess! Tens of thousands of North Sea denizens were courting her. She had a reputation to maintain!
...
Relax... I need to relax...
Yu Pianxian forced a smile. She came down from the windowsill.
Her shimmering fishtail morphed into a pair of slender, flawless legs.
She headed toward Shen Tian, the currents swirling around her, appearing even more vibrant and lovely. Because of her, the surroundings seemed to come alive.
"The Divine Firmament Saint is indeed a very thoughtful person. To be honest, I have specially invited Saint Tian here in the hope of befriending you."
With that, Yu Pianxian took out an exquisite silver wine flask."This our Mermaid race's special wine. Please have a taste."
Wine was a gut-corroding venom while lust was a bone-piercing sharp blade.
Shen Tian smiled and drank the wine. He smacked his lips. This wine was really delicious.
Yu Pianxian smiled coquettishly."Saint Tian dares to drink my wine just like that? Are you not worried I have spiked the drink?"
Shen Tian replied mildly."So many North Sea prodigies witnessed me ascending to the top floor of the Heavenly Music Parlor. Princess, you are a smart girl and would never do something like spiking my wine."
What a joke. I have watched this episode from start to finish.
Although there are some tiny inconsistencies, like I have gotten an extra conch, everything is still more or less the same.
Don't tell me that you wouldn't spike Qi Shaoxuan's drink but would spike mine?
Shen Tian was not at all concerned!
Yu Pianxian smiled charmingly."If I am not wrong, you have come all the way to North Sea just to participate in the Chaotic Star Island trial!"
Since a human Saint had arrived at North Sea during this period, it was not difficult at all to guess his motive.
Shen Tian nodded."That's right."
Yu Pianxian fixed her huge, limpid eyes on Shen Tian."I wonder if I will have the honor of accompanying you on your journey?"
Her so-called "accompany" was not just a simple tag-along. She was referring to a deeper cooperation.
The reason was simple. The Chaotic Star Island trial was very dangerous.
For every Chaotic Star Island trial, at least 30%-50% of the participating ocean prodigies would end up dead.
Any team who had a laggard would be in grave danger of perishing.
In contrast, a team with enough exceptional prodigies would have a higher chance of successfully handling dangerous situations and preserving their safety.
Chaotic Star Island would be enveloped in a layer of chaotic aura, cutting off all contact with the outside world. Enticed by the high volume of fortuitous opportunities, anything could happen.
A teammate harboring evil intentions and stabbing you in the back was even scarier than any external dangers!
As a result, right before the Chaotic Star Island trial began, the prodigies from the various races would privately form their own teams and confirm their trial companions beforehand.
Prodigies who were powerful and had noble characters would become the top choices for many young ocean demons, who were just desperate to leverage upon those powerful practitioners' skills.
As a result, it was not uncommon for those exceptional prodigies to be plied with expensive gifts, precious treasures, and secret techniques as compensation.
Some of those more open-minded ocean race female demons might even offer their own bodies as a bargaining chip to entice those exceptional prodigies to come on board.
Yu Pianxian was a chaste, unmarried female and would never use her own body as a bargaining chip to seduce another to be her teammate.
Anyway, given her renowned beauty, charm, and power, she just had to say the word—no male prodigy from North Sea would reject her.
In fact, countless ocean race prodigies would die for that to happen!
Unexpectedly, she had chosen a human, Shen Tian, as her companion. The ocean race prodigies' jealous feelings would only intensify if they knew of this.
...
As expected, she wants to take advantage of me.
But good looks alone won't get you anywhere with me. You have to prove you have got the goods to back it up!
Shen Tian smiled.
"If I remember correctly, Princess Pianxian also cultivates both the body and the qi.
"Also, I heard that Princess Pianxian has already broken through to the Nascent Soul stage. I am just at the Golden Core stage. I am afraid I will be a burden to you!"
Yu Pianxian put on a mock-angry face."Are you trying to make fun of me?
"The Giant Crocodile race's Er Tongtian is one of the top prodigies in North Sea.
"You were able to easily defeat him even though you are just a Golden Core and Golden Body cultivator. Your natural talents are mind-blowing.
"If you can crack your core and reach the Nascent Soul stage over the next month, no one will be a match for you during the Chaotic Star Island trial."
The foreplay is finally over. Is she getting to the main point now?
Shen Tian looked amused."Princess Pianxian must be joking. Is ascending to the Nascent Soul stage really that simple? One would need to cultivate their Nascent Soul over a long period of time."
Everyone knew that whether you cultivated the body or qi, for the levels below Nascent Soul stage, one could transcend them relatively quickly.
But even for a top genius, cultivation progress beyond the Nascent Soul stage would gradually slow down.
For Godfiend practitioners, it was because they had to expend large amounts of Spirit Qi, resources, and time to relentlessly hone their skills.
For Qi Refinement cultivators, the newborn Nascent Soul would be extremely fragile and weak after cracking the core. A single mistake might damage their Nascent Souls and result in mental demons.
Just like the Big Dipper Saint, Chen Zhongtian. He had just cracked his core and ascended to the Nascent Soul stage when he suffered a savage beating. As a result, his Nascent Soul was damaged.
To be safe, a cultivator must go into seclusion for a period right after reaching the Nascent Soul stage so as to stabilize their own Nascent Soul.
After one's Nascent Soul was stronger and more stable, they could then travel the regions and do whatever they wanted to nourish and enhance their Nascent Soul.
As one saw and understood more of the world, their Nascent Soul growth would become more obvious, and their cultivation would progress faster.
It was a long, slow, and tedious process, which might take several hundred years for some cultivators.
Sometimes one might have to plod along for 100 years for just a little progress or might get a sudden epiphany.
Anyway, this was not something that could be rushed. You had to take your time to gradually understand the meaning of life.
Of course, there were also elixirs and pills in the five regions that could help strengthen one's soul.
But even those cultivators in the sacred grounds usually wouldn't choose this path.
This was because those kinds of elixirs and pills were just too expensive.
Those elixirs and pills were usually precious treasures stashed away by the sects, only to be used in desperate situations, such as when they had to quickly groom a successor.
It was just too wasteful for your typical cultivator to use such elixirs and pills. The price of those elixirs and pills was even higher than their own lives!
Anyway, Nascent Soul cultivators had lifespans of over 1, 000 years. Sparing a few hundred years to cultivate was no issue to them.
...
Shen Tian gave an impassive smile.
Yu Pianxian continued to fix her eyes on Shen Tian. She felt that talking to him was a rather frustrating task.
He seemed completely indifferent to what she was thinking. It was like he was totally uninterested in her friendly overtures.
She was unable to take control of the conversation with the way he was responding!
This man is so difficult to handle!
Yu Pianxian took out a jade box and handed it to Shen Tian. Reluctance flashed across her eyes."I wonder if you can recognize the item in this box?"
Shen Tian accepted the box and opened it.
There was an azure-colored crystal inside in the shape of a teardrop. It sparkled like a glittering star.
Even more extraordinary was that after opening the box, Shen Tian could clearly feel his spiritual power became even more vibrant. His soul radiated with an intense longing.
It was clear that this crystal was an extremely rare treasure. It could enhance one's spiritual power.
Upon recalling the image in Qi Shaoxuan's fortuitous opportunity, Shen Tian smiled with satisfaction.
He closed the box."I didn't expect Princess Pianxian to have such a wonderful treasure like the Sea God's Star Tear. It is a treat for me to see this."
The Sea God's Star Tear came from Chaotic Star Island. It was one of the most famous treasures in the whole North Sea!
The biggest benefit of this treasure was that it could empower a cultivator's soul.
For example, Yu Pianxian had just successfully cracked her core and reached the Nascent Soul stage.
She was still in the early stages of her Nascent Soul stage and should be in seclusion to stabilize her soul. It was not at all advisable for her to go for the trial.
But Yu Pianxian's soul felt strong and powerful. It didn't feel like it had just been cracked at all.
This was the biggest benefit of the Sea God's Star Tear. One could absorb its energy to strengthen their soul.
...
The Sea God's Star Tear was a very rare item. Only a few of the North Sea ocean races had one in store.
Shen Tian was the Divine Firmament Saint, but he had just joined the Divine Firmament Sacred Ground a few months ago. As a result, he didn't recognize this treasure.
Even Qi Shaoxuan didn't recognize it the first time he saw it.
But this didn't affect Shen Tian. He had already seen this in the fortuitous opportunity!
Shen Tian gazed at Yu Pianxian with a smile."I heard that the Sea God's Star Tear could be used to strengthen one's soul. One Star Tear can replace 100 years of cultivation.
"Princess Pianxian just ascended to the Nascent Soul stage, and this treasure must be very valuable to you.
"Showing it to me, aren't you worried I might be tempted?"
Yu Pianxian was slightly taken aback. To be honest, she didn't expect Shen Tian to recognize the Sea God's Star Tear.
She had banked on Shen Tian not being able to recognize the artifact. She would then explain it to him and enjoy his shocked expression.
Unexpectedly, this fellow actually knew of the Sea God's Star Tear. This made her feel dull and insipid.
Nonetheless, Yu Pianxian's opinion of Shen Tian rose by the fact that he could recognize the Sea God's Star Tear. This made her want him as her companion even more.
Yu Pianxian smiled."The Star Tear is from Chaotic Star Island, while my race is best at cultivating souls. We have a secret method to find the Star Tears on the island.
"But I am not good at fighting and killing. I am worried that I cannot handle things on my own if I meet with any danger on the island.
"As long as you are willing to be my companion and protect me, I am willing to give this Sea God's Star Tear to you. To help you quickly crack your core and ascend to the Nascent Soul stage. How about that?"
In Yu Pianxian's opinion, this was something that Shen Tian could not reject.
After all, Shen Tian was touted as an exemplary prodigy, but he was just too young.
It must be pointed out that the rules of entering Chaotic Star Island were that the prodigies must be 500 years and below. Many of them were over 400 years old.
Some of them had already made a name for themselves during the previous Chaotic Star Island trial 300 years ago.
300 years later, those ocean race prodigies had already refined and absorbed all the fortuitous opportunities they had gained from the previous trial. Their cultivation levels and battle prowess were now powerful beyond imagination.
Bi Xuanqing and Er Tongtian were already considered two of the top prodigies. However, even they were nothing compared to those highly-experienced veterans.
If Shen Tian wished to stay ahead in this trial, the best way was to ascend to the Nascent Soul stage.
At his current Golden Core and Golden Body level, he could already easily suppress Er Tongtian. The moment he used the Sea God's Star Tear and reached the Nascent Soul stage, his powers would definitely get a great boost.
By then, he would definitely be able to suppress anyone in his way, even when facing off with the most powerful opponents!
And the Sea God's Star Tear was the key to making this a reality!
...
To Yu Pianxian's surprise, Shen Tian just smiled at her offer of the Sea God's Star Tear. He returned the box to her and said pleasantly, "The Sea God's Star Tear is indeed a rare treasure. A pity that it is still not enough as a bargaining chip.
"If Princess Pianxian wants to request Qi Shaoxuan as her companion, one Sea God's Star Tear might be enough. But to have me, it will be an entirely different price."
Yu Pianxian, "???"
Rejected? This guy dared to reject me!?
She was the Mermaid Princess, Yu Pianxian! The most worshipped and idolized fairy in North Sea for the past several hundred years!
This fellow is so indifferent to me. He even dared to haggle with me!
To be honest, Yu Pianxian had already been preparing for the Chaotic Star Island trial for most of the past year. She had indeed planned to choose Qi Shaoxuan.
One reason was that the Dragon race was on good terms with the Mermaid race. Yu Pianxian and Ao Wu were also as close as siblings. A human partner of the Dragon race was someone whom she could trust.
The other reason was that Qi Shaoxuan was indeed very powerful. If he could successfully transcend to the next level, he would be able to ensure Yu Pianxian's safety during this trial.
But the moment she saw Shen Tian, Yu Pianxian immediately changed her plans and chose to cooperate with him.
This was because Shen Tian was also a human partner of the Dragon race. And his battle prowess was even higher than Qi Shaoxuan's!
More importantly, Shen Tian was handsome beyond belief!
If she could take part in the Chaotic Star Island trial with Shen Tian and share those intimate life-and-death experiences with him, she could already imagine the romantic feelings that might result from that.
As such, Yu Pianxian never expected Shen Tian to think that one Star Tear was not good enough. He wanted more.
What? Is it really that hard on you to be on the same team as me?
The Mermaid Princess glared at Shen Tian. Her chest was heaving with anger.
She tried to persuade him."Please reconsider. The Sea God's Star Tear will be a great help to your own experience in the trial."
Shen Tian glanced at the space above Yu Pianxian's head. He smiled."I will be with Brother Qi for this Chaotic Star Island trial. I need to convince the rest too.
"Three! Give me three Sea God's Star Tears, and we will ensure your safety. In addition, we will give you a portion of all the fortuitous opportunities we encounter on the island.
"Of course, we will also take a share of the fortuitous opportunities that you encounter there. We will allocate the fortuitous opportunities according to how much each of us contributed to it.
"Since you chose to work with us, you should know that Brother Qi is the Eastern Wilderness' Son of Providence.
"Join our team. You will not be disappointed by the gains from this trial."
Yu Pianxian fell silent at Shen Tian's stated price.
...
Three Sea God's Star Tears. This was already beyond her limit.
After all, this was a treasure that could enhance one's soul and cultivation level. It was something that was in high demand.
Even as the princess of the Mermaid race, Yu Pianxian only had one Sea God's Star Tear.
Nonetheless, she was tempted by Shen Tian's words. As he said, Qi Shaoxuan was famous for being very lucky.
On top of that, Yu Pianxian had also heard quite a bit of news regarding Shen Tian. This fellow had even better luck than Qi Shaoxuan!
She had previously heard gossip about Shen Tian from the White Prince.
Shen Tian was born in the Country of Fire and had zero interactions with the sacred ground prodigies.
Thereafter, this fellow had come across a certain Spirit Ore Garden and randomly selected a few Spirit Ores.
In the end, every single one of those ores contained some precious treasure, such as Spirit artifacts, mystic treasures, immortal fruits, divine blood, and other such items.
Shen Tian had even found the Divine Firmament Sacred Ground's long-lost forbidden chapter. As a result, he became their Saint.
And the moment the Divine Firmament Saint joined the Divine Firmament Sacred Ground, he invented the Lightning Explosion Talisman.
Following that, he had dominated his way across the Primordial Battlefield and gained quite a number of Divine artifacts.
He had even found and brought the highly-regarded God of War Pagoda to the Divine Firmament Sacred Ground.
The White Prince had said that the Divine Firmament Saint was a mystic realm master!
One would have no lack of benefits by following him!
...
Three Sea God's Star Tears. That was the equivalent of 300 years of cultivation!
Although this was a treasure that could directly progress one's cultivation level, the first use's effects were the best.
The effects from a second usage would be halved, while the third time would be halved again. There were diminishing returns in using this Sea God's Star Tear.
But using three priceless Sea God's Star Tears to exchange for the opportunity to join Shen Tian's team? Was it worth it?
After keeping silent for a while, Yu Pianxian ground her teeth."Alright, since Brother Shen asked for three Sea God's Star Tears, I will agree to your price."
Shen Tian glanced at the top of Yu Pianxian's head again. He smiled happily."You have made the right choice. Trust me, you will not regret it."
Yu Pianxian stared woefully at this man, who was completely indifferent to her charms and beauty, as she slowly presented the box to him again.
"The Sea God's Star Tear is very precious, and I only have one currently.
"Let this Sea God's Star Tear be a deposit. I will hand over the other two to Brother Shen after the trial is over. Is that alright?"
Shen Tian smiled."Sure. But if you find more Sea God's Star Tears during the trial, you must give them to me first as part of your payment."
Yu Pianxian was hopping mad at Shen Tian's official and business-like manner.
Do I look like someone who will renegade on her debts!?
She shoved the box into Shen Tian's hands and huffed.
"Deal!"
Shen Tian was amused at the sight of the fuming Yu Pianxian.
To be frank, this Mermaid Princess did look rather cute while haggling. She was clearly very annoyed but had somehow chosen not to bargain.
As the saying went, "A seller could demand as high a price as they wished, while the buyer could offer as low as they wanted."
In Qi Shaoxuan's fortuitous opportunity image, he had gotten only one Sea God's Star Tear, and Shen Tian had planned to ask for two.
If Yu Pianxian had tried to bargain downward, Shen Tian would have agreed. Anyway, he was freeloading on this fortuitous opportunity, and he was just trying his luck.
He never expected Yu Pianxian to instantly agree to three. Haha, he had truly gained a huge profit!
...
But why do I feel like I have forgotten something important?
What is it?
Damn! I have been careless!
Shen Tian was staring at the jade box in his hand when his expression suddenly shifted. He abruptly stood up and ran outside.
"Since we have agreed to our deal, I will make a move first. I will see you at Chaotic Star Island when the trial period begins."
By then, Shen Tian had already disappeared down the far-end of the corridor. The Mermaid Princess was left stomping her feet in anger.
Damn that scoundrel!
Running away right after getting what you wanted! Would it kill you just to stay a minute longer? It's not like I am going to gobble you up!
Mermaid Princess Yu Pianxian's emotions: +888!
Meanwhile, in another private booth in the Heavenly Music Parlor, surging energy drifted over.
Purple Mansion Saint Qi Shaoxuan's emotions: +888, 888, 888, 888!
| ← Ch. 301 | Ch. 303 → |