245: Chapter 245 Suspicion

The next day.

"Grand Leader Lan Feng, Her Highness calls you over for breakfast."

Outside the tent, the voice of a Magic Guard came through, filled with envy that could not be concealed.

Grand Leader Lan Feng was being increasingly valued by Her Highness, to the point of sharing breakfast with her, which was truly baffling to the Magic Guard.

How strict was the hierarchy within the Demon Race? What commoner species could ever receive such treatment?

In hundreds of years, he was the only demon to achieve this!

"Understood."

Shen Xingchen had slept very soundly, and his energy was well restored.

Guided by the Magic Guard, he arrived at the riverbank.

Youyue was sitting at a stone table, upon which sat freshly made white porridge, still steaming hot.

Seeing Shen Xingchen approach, Youyue smiled faintly and said, "You're here?"

Shen Xingchen gave a brief "Mm."

Looking at the food on the table, he realized for the first time that the royal species of the Demon Race didn't eat rotted meat, but regular grains and cooked food.

Shen Xingchen casually sat down across from Youyue, lifting the bowl of porridge and taking a sip without any hesitation.

The surrounding attendants showed expressions of surprise; Grand Leader Lan Feng could actually act so natural in the presence of Her Highness's grace.

Only then did Shen Xingchen remember that his identity was still that of a commoner species, and he ought to put on a humble posture.

"Thank you, Your Highness!" Shen Xingchen set down his bowl.

"Mm." Youyue didn't say much either, perhaps because neither of them was used to this mode of interaction.

Shen Xingchen noticed Youyue's haggard appearance and could understand why.

Anyone falling from a high position to having their life and death depend on someone else's whims would feel a desperate sense of disparity.

Dismissing the surrounding attendants, Youyue said, "We'll set off after breakfast. I know of a nearby mountain range. Because the terrain is treacherous, few demons visit it, so it should meet your requirements."

Last night, she had curled up in her blanket, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

Perhaps due to her pride as a royal species, Youyue had indeed entertained thoughts of taking her own life, but a sliver of hope lingered, thinking what if there was some way to break this seal...

Shen Xingchen asked, "Roughly how far is it from here?"

Youyue replied, "If we rush, we can reach it in half a day."

Shen Xingchen said, "Mm, good arrangement."

This mission had gone fairly smoothly, except for a minor problem at the very end.

Now that minor problem was resolved, and he had even gained an unexpected bonus.

Royal species held an extremely high strategic status in the Demon Race; the intelligence resources they possessed were priceless.

Youyue asked, "Are you leaving?"

Ever since she first met Shen Xingchen, this human had continuously taken physical advantage of her. Now that he truly had the chance to "get what he wanted," he hadn't even mentioned it once.

Could she really have misunderstood him?

Shen Xingchen asked back, "Otherwise? How long do you expect me to stay in this godforsaken place of yours?"

Youyue asked curiously, "Godforsaken? Is that how you humans view demon territory?"

Shen Xingchen scoffed, "Wherever you demons go, the land becomes scorched earth without a blade of grass, and the sky is filled with impenetrable gloom. It is practically a hell on earth. Is there even half an exaggeration in what I said?"

Youyue fell silent.

Previously, Youyue looked down on ant-like humans, believing that humans were extremely frail at birth and had inconsistent growth potential—an inferior species even worse than commoner species. Thus, she had never listened seriously to what humans had to say.

Now, constrained by Shen Xingchen, she listened patiently to his perspective and surprisingly found herself unable to refute it.

The Demon Race expanded their territory southward from the North Pole, destroying all flora and landscapes wherever they went... What was all of this for?

Shen Xingchen continued, "The Demon Race is such a barbaric race, relying solely on instinct to invade the homes of others."

"No, we just..." Youyue opened her mouth, unable to say another word.

According to the supreme directive of the Demon Race, to occupy Blue Star... was the will of the "Emperor."

What the "Emperor" intended to do was not for them to speculate; all the Demon Race had to do was obey His will.

Youyue wanted to say something more.

But Shen Xingchen was already standing up. "We should go."

Youyue did not dare disobey Shen Xingchen's order and prepared to lead him out of the camp.

Because of her identity as a royal species, everything went extremely smoothly.

The surrounding Magic Snakes could only cast envious glances.

Princess Youyue now took Grand Leader Lan Feng wherever she went, looking for all the world as though he were her confidant.

If this continued, Grand Leader Lan Feng's future would be boundless.

Just at that moment.

"Youyue, I've brought three subordinates with me this time. Let's spar again! If you win, that night-luminescent pearl in my palace is yours."

Princess Qinglian walked over from outside the camp, looking at Youyue with a bright smile.

Youyue's expression remained indifferent. "Not interested!"

Setting aside the critical importance of Shen Xingchen's matter right now, even in ordinary times, Youyue found Princess Qinglian deeply annoying.

Princess Qinglian curled her lips. "You aren't scared, are you?"

Youyue remained calm as she replied, "I just think this behavior of yours is meaningless."

Princess Qinglian chuckled, "In that case, consider this your loss."

Youyue casually replied, "Suit yourself."

Princess Qinglian asked suspiciously, "Are you going out with him alone? No way... during the sparring earlier I noticed you treated him differently. You couldn't possibly like this lowly commoner, could you?"

Youyue released her aura, her expression suddenly turning cold. "I advise you to speak with a bit more respect."

Princess Qinglian took two steps back. "I was only joking! Is there any need for such a big reaction?"

Judging by Youyue's appearance, she really seemed prepared to strike.

Has this bitch's temper gotten this bad now?

Youyue let out a cold snort.

Princess Qinglian felt foolish, waving her hand. "Fine then, let us go."

Youyue watched Princess Qinglian and her group leave, feeling relieved in her heart.

If Princess Qinglian had clung to her relentlessly, it would have been quite a hassle.

Having weathered a small bump in the road, fortunately, it hadn't escalated into a major conflict.

Youyue led Shen Xingchen toward a mountain range to the east.

The various Magic Snake camps cast curious gazes their way, but because Princess Youyue held such a lofty status, none dared approach to strike up a conversation.

...

On the other side.

Princess Qinglian called over a Magic Snake and asked, "Has Youyue been behaving abnormally lately?"

The ordinary Magic Snake replied, "No, except that after winning the match last time, she's been valuing Grand Leader Lan Feng extremely highly."

Princess Qinglian asked, "Valuing him how?"

The ordinary Magic Snake said, "They're often alone together, and this morning they even had breakfast together."

Princess Qinglian asked in surprise, "Having breakfast together?"

Was this how a superior treated a subordinate?

What's more, the other party was merely a commoner species. Was he even worthy of eating regular food?!

The ordinary Magic Snake replied, "It's absolutely true."

"There's definitely something fishy going on." Princess Qinglian's snakelike eyes glinted with a strange light as she said with great interest, "Send someone to follow Youyue and that leader guy..."

"Yes..."

Princess Qinglian suddenly waved her hand again. "Forget it, I'll go myself."