Chapter 925: Night Talk

The City of Falling Stars was enveloped in night.

“What makes Zhou Yuan so special that he dares to get so close to Su Youwei?”“Zhou Yuan is completely unworthy of Su Youwei!”“Haha, don’t jump to conclusions. From what I can see, Zhou Yuan and Su Youwei are probably old acquaintances, but their relationship isn't what you're imagining.”“That’s true. Su Youwei has such high standards. Moreover, she’s a true prodigy of the Violet Heavens Domain, highly regarded. It’s said that even the Grand Venerable of Violet Heavens holds her in high esteem, predicting a boundless future for her, perhaps even taking control of the Violet Heavens Domain one day and becoming a titan of the Yuan Heavenly Realm.”“Hmph, but that Zhou Yuan is quite tactless. He doesn’t consider his own capabilities. Even if they are old acquaintances, he should maintain some distance to avoid trouble for himself.”“And Wu Yao... seeing how Su Youwei targeted her, I wonder what story lies between them?”“Heh, Wu Yao’s personality is probably not something anyone can tame. If Zhou Yuan genuinely has a romantic past with her, I’ll pluck off my head and use it as a urinal!”“But no matter what, this Zhou Yuan is truly infuriating... Does he think his strength is enough for him to be so ostentatious? Hmph, when the Nine Regions Grand Assembly begins tomorrow, he’s probably in for a rude awakening.”“If Zhou Yuan performs poorly at this Nine Regions Grand Assembly, he’ll only cause Su Youwei to lose face.”

Tonight, the City of Falling Stars was exceptionally noisy and bustling. Almost all the central topics of discussion revolved around Zhou Yuan, Su Youwei, and Wu Yao. At this moment, Zhou Yuan’s fame almost surpassed that of Zhao Mushen. However, caught between two women as brilliant as pearls, most of the evaluations Zhou Yuan received were negative, largely due to envy at play.

After all, for the prodigies of the Divine Palace generation in the Yuan Heavenly Realm, both Su Youwei and Wu Yao were unattainable. If Zhou Yuan were replaced by Zhao Mushen today, the sentiment would likely be completely different; countless people would consider it a delightful and admirable affair. After all, heroes and beauties always complement each other perfectly. When facing Zhao Mushen, they didn't even harbor thoughts of envy.

In many people's eyes, only figures like Zhao Mushen and Wang Xi were truly qualified to be matched with celestial maidens like Su Youwei and Wu Yao. While Zhou Yuan was indeed outstanding, compared to figures like Zhao Mushen and Wang Xi, the gap was immense. Many people would think, "I might not be as good as Zhao Mushen, but am I not better than you, Zhou Yuan?" While his ninth-place ranking and strength on the Divine Palace Ranking were indeed formidable, the City of Falling Stars was now teeming with hidden talents, with countless super dark horses meticulously cultivated by various factions. These dark horses rarely showed themselves before, but when it came to actual strength, they were not necessarily weaker. In the Yuan Heavenly Realm, there was never a shortage of dark horses who would suddenly rise to prominence and shock the world. Therefore, in many people's eyes, Zhou Yuan's current strength and fame were not enough to command conviction.

On the rooftop of Building Six in the Nine Regions Estate, Zhou Yuan gazed at the brightly lit city and chuckled, “I wonder how many people in this city are cursing me right now.” In his year and more in the Yuan Heavenly Realm, Zhou Yuan had come to understand just how renowned Wu Yao and Su Youwei were; their fame far surpassed his own.

Hearing this, Su Youwei, standing beside him, showed a hint of apology on her delicate face and said, “I’m sorry, Your Highness, I was a bit too rash in coming here.” But upon learning of Zhou Yuan’s arrival, even she, who was usually so rational, could no longer contain the joy and impulse within her.

Zhou Yuan smiled and shook his head, “I’m not someone who fears trouble. Moreover, this Nine Regions Grand Assembly is inherently competitive, with rivals everywhere. So even without your involvement, there would be many who would want to take advantage of me. Their thoughts are understandable, but... although I may just be a bumpkin from the Profound Sky Continent, if anyone truly believes they can manipulate me at will, they'd better be careful, or they might end up riddled with holes.” His smile was gentle, yet his words revealed hints of sharpness and confidence. The prodigies of the Yuan Heavenly Realm were indeed far superior to those of the Profound Sky Continent, but it was highly unlikely that Zhou Yuan would be intimidated.

Seeing the same confident smile on Zhou Yuan’s face as in their younger days, Su Youwei couldn’t help but let a smile grace her lips. She nodded and said, “As long as Your Highness is willing, you will certainly stand out in this Nine Regions Grand Assembly.”

Zhou Yuan couldn’t help but laugh, “Why are you nodding? You, a peerless prodigy ranked third on the Divine Palace Ranking, are also a formidable obstacle in my path.”

Su Youwei smiled sweetly and said, “Not at all...” Her bright, clear eyes fixed on Zhou Yuan, and she said, word by word, “Your Highness, Youwei will never be your opponent. If there’s anything you want, I can help you achieve it. Even if I cannot help you in the name of the Violet Heavens Domain, I can help you do anything in the name of Su Youwei.”

Zhou Yuan gazed at Su Youwei’s incredibly earnest and clear eyes, and he couldn’t help but be momentarily stunned. Then, with a helpless smile, he reached out, intending to ruffle the silly girl’s hair as he used to, but his hand stopped halfway. After all, the current Su Youwei was no longer the little girl who could only rely on him back in Great Zhou City. In terms of strength and status, she was now no weaker, and perhaps even somewhat superior, to him.

However, as he hesitated, Su Youwei lightly stood on tiptoe, touching the top of her head to Zhou Yuan’s palm. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, but her eyes were fixed on Zhou Yuan, not flinching as she said, “Your Highness, perhaps you thought that day, in front of the clinic in the pouring rain, your kick to the door was merely a fleeting act of compassion. But for me, it was salvation. Without you, there would be no Su Youwei today.”

Zhou Yuan’s palm gently ruffled Su Youwei’s fragrant hair. He gave a wry smile and said, “You little girl, you’re truly too earnest.” Yet, deep within him, a warm current surged.

Su Youwei pursed her lips and suddenly asked, “By the way, where are Sister Yaoyao and Tun Tun?” The smile on Zhou Yuan’s face stiffened. Su Youwei noticed this keenly and immediately whispered, “Did something happen?”

Zhou Yuan was silent for a moment, then said, “This story is quite long...” Next, he slowly recounted his experiences with Yaoyao in the years after Su Youwei had left. They went to the Sacred Remains Domain, entered the Profound Sky Sect, and then countless things happened... and finally, they experienced the great war between the Sacred Palace and the Profound Sky Sect. “Yaoyao was severely wounded protecting me and is now in a coma. I came to the Yuan Heavenly Realm to find a way to revive her. Tun Tun went to an unknown place to cultivate by himself...”

The cool moonlight fell upon Zhou Yuan’s face, casting a shadow of desolation and self-reproach on his usually confident expression. Seeing this, Su Youwei couldn’t help but clench her small hands, her heart filled with a pang of sorrow. Zhou Yuan’s years had been extraordinary, but equally, they had been fraught with hardship. And ultimately, when facing a formidable enemy like the Sacred Palace, he must have felt powerless and furious, right?

Su Youwei softly said, “Your Highness, I almost regret leaving the Profound Sky Continent back then.” If she had stayed in the Profound Sky Continent, she would have accompanied Zhou Yuan through all of this. Although she knew that even if she had stayed, she might not have been able to offer Zhou Yuan much help, as she wasn’t as mysterious and powerful as Yaoyao.

Su Youwei gently shook her head. She looked at Zhou Yuan and softly said, “Your Highness, please don’t worry. We will definitely find a way to revive Sister Yaoyao. And though I couldn’t be with you before, in the future, if one day you wish to fight your way back to the Profound Sky Continent... I will certainly go back with you.”

In the brightly lit City of Falling Stars, atop a tall building, facing the gentle voice of the exquisite and intelligent girl before him, even Zhou Yuan was momentarily stunned and speechless.

Su Youwei smiled, her expression bright and captivating. Then she waved a small fist at Zhou Yuan and said, “Your Highness, do your best at the Nine Regions Grand Assembly! I know your capabilities. Even though this is the Yuan Heavenly Realm, I know you’ll be the strongest one. Let them know that those of us from the Great Zhou Dynasty are no pushovers! I’ll head back now!” With that, she waved her hand with a hint of reluctance, then glided down from the tall building, like a fleeting streak of light, disappearing into the distance.

Zhou Yuan watched her slender figure disappear into the distance, a faint smile on his face. Then he looked at the other eight tall buildings, and at the brightly lit City of Falling Stars, where countless dark horses were undoubtedly hidden. A surge of heroic spirit began to rise within him.

Since that's the case, to all the prodigies from various factions, if anyone takes issue with me at this Nine Regions Grand Assembly, then come and challenge me!