Volume 3, Chapter 36 – Greed

The moment he saw the black-haired girl, Xue Tian’ao wore an expression of utter astonishment as his azure eyes filled with complex emotions like pleasant surprise and shock.

Regarding the appearance of this young lady of the Blackrose Family, Xue Tian’ao had already gained a general understanding through the photos Pelochi had sent back. However, upon seeing her in person, he could not help but reveal an expression of disbelief.

After all, the black-haired girl before him was far more beautiful than she had appeared in the photos! He was unsure if it was due to Pelochi’s limited photography skills or the girl’s own temperament, but in terms of appearance, this young lady of the Blackrose Family was not at all inferior to the Chosen Maiden he had been pining after for so long.

In a certain sense, Xue Tian’ao was even more interested in this lady. Compared to Mengxi, who was filled with an aura of purity, the faint trace of wickedness and murderous intent on this black-haired girl attracted his attention more.

Furthermore, her aura exceeded his expectations. Previously, Xue Tian’ao had suspected she was the Blood Butterfly, but the aura surrounding her was clearly magic power! It was not the Shadow Essence of an Abyssal Demon. It was common knowledge that magic power and Shadow Essence could not coexist. At the same time, the black-haired girl’s strength was only at the mid seventh tier, not an eighth tier existence.

‘Is she really not an Abyssal Demon? Was my previous judgment wrong? Or are they just two people who look alike?’ This left Xue Tian’ao feeling deeply perplexed, and his handsome eyes were filled with confusion. Consequently, after seeing this young lady of the Blackrose Family, he found himself unable to look away.

However, after observing the black-haired girl more closely, Xue Tian’ao held his breath and clenched his fists tightly in excitement. ‘This, this is… this value?!’

After receiving feedback from the System in his mind, Xue Tian’ao even wondered if he was dreaming! His sudden loss of composure caused many people around him to look confused, and even Toma, who had followed him for many years, showed a look of bewilderment. After all, in all these years, Xue Tian’ao had almost never shown such a stunned expression.

Rеаԁ οո KаtRеаⅾinɡCаfе

‘I didn’t expect this girl’s value to also be “Transcendent”?!’

The System in Xue Tian’ao’s mind was a blessing bestowed upon him by the Goddess. Not only could it exchange for various strange blueprints and items, but it could also judge the value of each person.

“Value” referred to how much help a person could provide to Xue Tian’ao after obtaining their loyalty, affection, or even just a good impression. Most of the people around Xue Tian’ao whom he valued had a value rating of A-rank, and figures like the Great General even reached S-rank.

However, the highest value rank was naturally “Transcendent”, and the only person the System had given such a rating to was the Chosen Maiden.

This was why Xue Tian’ao had always been obsessed with obtaining Mengxi. Since Mengxi was the Chosen One designated by the Goddess to save the world alongside him, it was only natural for her to have such value.

Xue Tian’ao had originally thought that no one else in this world could reach an a “Transcendent” value besides Mengxi. However, today he discovered he was wrong. This young lady of the Blackrose Family was also “Transcendent”!

Xue Tian’ao pinched his thigh hard, and the stimulation of the pain confirmed that he was not dreaming. At the same time, the pain brought the slightly disoriented Emperor of the Snownight Empire back to his senses.

After all, staring at a lady for so long was a very rude behavior. Thus, controlling his expression, Xue Tian’ao immediately made an apologetic gesture and expression toward the young lady of the Blackrose Family. Afterward, he continued to interact with the people around him in an orderly manner, offering greetings to the representatives of various factions.

Rеаԁ οո КаtRеаdіոɡCafе

However, while interacting cordially with others, Xue Tian’ao’s attention never left the black-haired girl for a second; his peripheral vision remained fixed on that exquisite existence. The reason he didn’t rush over to greet her immediately was simply to avoid being too abrupt. Xue Tian’ao was no fool. If he rushed over right after staring at her for so long, wouldn’t his intentions be obvious to everyone?

Therefore, he first spoke politely with the envoys of other factions. Since he intended to visit the envoys of every power, he naturally couldn’t skip the Blackrose Family. This way, it wouldn’t seem strange when he went over to greet her later.

…

In this manner, Xue Tian’ao, whose mind had never left the black-haired girl, finally managed to finish dealing with the many envoys of other factions. He successfully arrived at the dining area and stood before her. Looking at this black-haired girl who was within arm’s reach and radiating the light of “value”, the corners of Xue Tian’ao’s mouth curled up slightly. A trace of greed surfaced in the depths of his azure eyes. Guided by this emotion, he gave a refined nod and spoke with forced elegance.

“Welcome to the Snownight Empire, Miss Yu of the Blackrose Family.”

Although he didn’t know why the woman before him possessed “Transcendent” value, if the System gave her that rating, there had to be a reason! In short, Xue Tian’ao could never let such an existence go; he had to make contact with her.

On the other side, Yumo fell into a brief silence as she met Xue Tian’ao’s charming azure eyes. After seeing him visit the envoys one by one, she had realized he would soon be in front of her. No, strictly speaking, she had already guessed this outcome when he was staring at her earlier. After all, that guy’s peripheral vision hadn’t left her once. Feeling the intense interest in his gaze, Yumo’s brow furrowed slightly.

Rеad oո ΚаtRеαⅾіոɡСαfe

‘This guy… he’s not thinking of hitting on me, is he? He already has such a large harem, yet he still wants to hit on me? Is he for real? Does he want to get with every woman he sees? I really don’t understand why the Goddess would choose a guy like this to be the Chosen Son. He doesn’t deserve that child at all… And his gaze is so disgusting.’

A hint of irritation flickered in Yumo’s deep blue eyes. Unconsciously, she reached this conclusion in her heart. Yumo’s favorable impression of Xue Tian’ao had already been exhausted due to the Karina incident, leaving her in a conflicted state. And now? Her impression of him had already plummeted into negative territory.

However, as much as she found him annoying, she couldn’t ignore the necessary etiquette. She couldn’t lose face for the Blackrose Family. Thinking of this, Yumo very reluctantly performed an elegant curtsy.

“Greetings, Your Majesty Xue Tian’ao. Thank you for your welcome.”

“No, no, Miss Yu, you don’t need to thank me.” Xue Tian’ao hastily put on a look of being flattered by her gesture. “In fact, I’m the one who should be saying thank you. I am quite grateful to your Blackrose Family.”

Hearing this, Yumo raised an eyebrow. “Oh? May I ask why Your Majesty says that?”

“I am well aware that after the Northern Frontier was invaded by Abyssal Demons, it was your family that helped guard the border and rebuilt a large section of the border wall. Recently, you even took action to repel the cultists in Windward City and rescued countless citizens. As the Emperor, I am naturally grateful to you for saving my people.” As he spoke, Xue Tian’ao even put on a look of profound gratitude.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he disregarded his status as Emperor and bowed to Yumo. Several Royal Knights beside him did the same, causing many people nearby to look on in surprise. Then, under Yumo’s strange gaze, Xue Tian’ao revealed an enchanting smile that could charm thousands of girls.

Rеαⅾ оո КαtReаⅾіnɡСαfе

“Actually, I would like to invite you to the Snownight Palace the day after tomorrow to see my treasure room. I wish to personally select a piece of jewelry for you as a token of my gratitude.”

As soon as these words were spoken, Yumo fell silent again, while the surrounding ladies looked on with infatuated gazes, casting looks of envy and jealousy toward her. As for Xue Tian’ao, he released the power of his Eye of Destiny without restraint, and an invisible force slowly enveloped the black-haired girl. As the golden light in his eyes rippled slightly, a confident smile gradually appeared on his face.

If he could obtain this girl, he would surely gain unimaginable benefits! Moreover, this girl seemed like she would be even more delightful than Talovise and the others.

However, just as Xue Tian’ao was thinking this, an unexpectedly beautiful female voice rang out by his ear. The voice was as pleasant as a nightingale’s song but contained an indescribable coldness.

“I’m sorry, but please stop right there.”

‘Mengxi?!’

Looking at the silver-haired girl who had appeared beside him at some point with a gloomy face, Xue Tian’ao was momentarily stunned.