Chapter Fourteen: The Clash of Titans (Part Two)

Chapter Fourteen: When Two Titans Meet (Part Two)

Hearing Jing’er’s words, Kuangchi felt a strange unease once again. Now, Jing’er gave him the impression that no matter how careful he was, he would always inadvertently offend her over some inexplicable matter. It seemed as if she still held a grudge against him over that tortoise-wolf incident.

As they reached the edge of the lava river, Jing’er couldn’t help but sigh deeply, standing on the rocky bridge and admiring the breathtaking beauty for a long while.

From afar, the city walls came into view, and the adorable Princess Jing’er sighed once more, her heart heavy.

Finally, Kuangchi couldn’t hold back and asked, “Jing’er, you are a princess of the Gale Empire. It is said that the Gale Empire’s royal city, located on the Gale Star of the Gale Cloud Continent, boasts the most magnificent scenery in the world. This place surely can’t compare to the beauty of Gale Cloud Continent, right?”

Unexpectedly, this question seemed to strike a painful chord in Jing’er.

Standing before the city, Jing’er was melancholic for a long time. Under Kuangchi’s persistent questioning, she finally spoke in a wistful tone, gazing softly at him: “If you were to spend your entire life in one city, on one continent, without freedom or happiness, only endless constraints, would you still find it beautiful? At least, I believe that a place without freedom is nothing but hell. Freedom is what makes paradise.”

Kuangchi immediately understood Jing’er’s feelings and sighed deeply. Seeing her still unhappy, he quickly smiled and said, “Cheer up. I think you might be able to stay in this paradise for quite a long time.”

Hearing Kuangchi’s amusing words, Jing’er couldn’t help but smile.

After laughing, Kuangchi pointed to the princess’s crown atop Jing’er’s head and said, “Jing’er, wouldn’t it be better to take that off? There must be many descendants of Gale Empire exiles in Nostalgia City. What if they discover your identity?”

Kuangchi wisely stopped there, sensing Jing’er’s expression darken with anger.

Jing’er glared at Kuangchi for a moment before shouting, “No! My father told us that from the moment we wear this crown, it represents our responsibility, our dignity, and the honor of the Gale Empire’s royal family. Do you want me to abandon my royal honor, my responsibility, and my dignity?”

Such a deep sense of family honor was perfectly normal for nobles like her. Kuangchi understood this well. However, his own family’s sense of honor was not as strong, having grown up among commoners without the brainwashing loyalty that noble families imposed. This was also one of the reasons Kuangchi despised nobles so much.

He could only admit that among human nobility, many cared more about saving face than their lives. Perhaps this was what true honor was, and the hallmark of a noble.

Shrinking his neck under Jing’er’s roar, Kuangchi answered slowly, “Jing’er, you need to learn flexibility—do you understand? It means adapting to circumstances. Your father’s words were based on your situation at the time. But imagine if you walked into Nostalgia City like this and someone recognized your identity from the crown. Think how serious the consequences could be.”

Pausing, Kuangchi decided to frighten her a bit and said, “Perhaps for your royal family’s enemies here, this would be an excellent way to take revenge. It is said in Nostalgia City, there is a form of retribution where they strip their enemy naked and hang them on the city gate for all to see, so they can never regain their dignity or honor.”

Before Kuangchi finished, Jing’er swiftly removed the princess crown that marked her identity.

After taking it off, she turned to Kuangchi and said, “I know you’re trying to scare me, but I’ve decided to listen to you.”

At the city walls, Jing’er asked curiously, “Why is the city gate not open? How do we get inside?”

Kuangchi pointed to the walls and laughed, “The city walls won’t open unless there’s a major event. To enter, you have to rely on your own skills and jump onto the wall.”

Jing’er’s expression changed upon seeing the walls, some ten meters high. Under normal gravity, with her cultivation and some small gadgets on her, this height would be no challenge.

Even using only limited functions of her protective suit, the walls would not be difficult for her to overcome.

But now, under nearly ten times standard gravity, her protective suit was already operating at full power to counter the weight. This height became insurmountable.

Jing’er found it hard to believe Kuangchi’s words and said, “Impossible. How can a city not open its gates? Does everyone jump on and off the walls?”

Kuangchi chuckled inwardly; he had thought the same when he first heard Old Tuo say this.

He explained, “Do you really think ordinary people can wander freely on such a dangerous planet? Without the ability to protect themselves, leaving the city is just a death sentence. That’s why each city on the Forgotten Star manages its citizens this way.”

Jing’er conceded it made sense.

Kuangchi continued, “I wouldn’t lie to you, right? Once you enter the city, you can ask around or live here a while to find out. Would I dare deceive Your Highness?”

Jing’er blushed and apologized, then said, “You go up first, then send your divine beast to pull me up.”

Kuangchi smiled and nodded.

Jing’er’s first entry into Nostalgia City was far less composed than Kuangchi’s.

Upon seeing the city, she shouted loudly and dashed straight down the wall, causing passersby below to think a madwoman had appeared out of nowhere. Wherever she went, chaos ensued as people scrambled to avoid her.

After Jing’er had her fill of wild antics on the street, Qian Duo and his group of several dozen arrived.

Qian Duo complained the moment he saw Kuangchi, “Young master, why did you take so long? We were worried sick.”

Anna stood silently nearby, tears welling in her eyes as she stared at Kuangchi, then at Jing’er.

Everyone had noticed Jing’er. After glancing at Kuangchi, all eyes turned to her. Though Jing’er had tucked away her princess crown, her innate aura still marked her as someone special—a living signboard. The noble bearing cultivated since childhood could not be hidden by the absence of a crown.

Old Tuo stared at Jing’er for nearly a minute before addressing Kuangchi, “Who is this lady?”

Kuangchi did not hide Jing’er’s exile status. Her clothes, appearance, and demeanor all clearly revealed her identity. There was simply no way to conceal it.

When the surrounding crowd learned Jing’er was also an exile, a roar of astonishment echoed through half the city. A beautiful exile was all the more surprising and welcomed.

Old Tuo snapped out of his daze and carefully examined Jing’er once more before asking, “May I ask your name and origin?” Old Tuo was wise and wouldn’t question a beauty about the reason for her exile.

Jing’er glanced at the curious crowd and smiled gracefully, “I come from the Gale Empire. I am honored to arrive in Nostalgia City. Please take good care of me today.”

Cheers erupted around her, many shouting a warm welcome. Beauty was always well-received, and surely many of the cheers came from descendants of Gale Empire exiles.

After bringing Jing’er to Qian Duo’s home, Old Tuo chatted casually with her before taking his leave. Only Anna, wearing a sullen expression, silently followed behind Kuangchi.

Kuangchi clearly understood Anna’s feelings. As soon as Old Tuo left, he hurriedly handed the leather pouch he was carrying to Anna, affectionately saying, “Anna, take a look. I found something for you. I’ve found many of those beautiful gems you mentioned over these days.”

Anna took the pouch without changing her expression, still unhappy, but she opened it nonetheless.

As the pouch opened, a chill instantly filled the room. Unprepared, Qian Duo and Anna shivered. Anna quickly sealed the pouch before freezing completely. A thin layer of frost had already formed on the floor.

Qian Duo exclaimed, “Young master, how many Frozen Ice Pearls do you have here? Such a strong chill!”

Kuangchi smiled. These were only a portion of what he had casually brought back. He didn’t want to carry too many, fearing it might arouse suspicion. A big tree attracts the wind, after all. For someone like Li Yi, who currently had no roots, discretion was essential.

Smiling, Kuangchi glanced at Anna’s pale face and said, “I haven’t counted. You can count them later.”

Then he turned to Qian Duo, “Go get a jar of ant blood. Hurry.”

Qian Duo saw Anna’s expression and immediately understood. He quickly fetched a jar of ant blood the size of a human head and two bowls.

Kuangchi handed the pouch still in Anna’s hands to Qian Duo, took the jar of ant blood, and first poured a bowl for the chilled Anna. Then he poured another for Jing’er.

At that moment, Jing’er’s expression was strange. She took the bowl from Kuangchi but stared intently at him.

It wasn’t until Kuangchi called softly that she came back to herself and asked, “What is this in the bowl?”

After explaining the ant blood, Jing’er took a small sip.

Seeing her frown, Kuangchi couldn’t help but smile.

Jing’er, seemingly distracted, then asked Anna, “Miss, you haven’t introduced yourself. Who is she?”

Kuangchi laughed and pulled Anna close, “This is my current girlfriend.”