Skott clenched his teeth, gripping his hair with both hands, forcing himself not to lose control and start a fight.
Because in this crowd, his combat ability was—if not at the very bottom—then at best barely worth mentioning.
If things really broke out here, he wouldn't even withstand a single blow.
Feixiao, however, looked at Sylvester with admiration. Were it not for his… unusual background, with his conviction alone she would have gladly summoned him into the Yaoqing military. He would have been a fine seedling.
Even if he had no combat strength at all—fifty sets of strength drills a day, fifty sets of cardio, plus her personal training—before long he would become an outstanding soldier.
But, sadly, he probably has hidden strength. Otherwise, how could he have produced such powerful curios, and dared to defy the Interastral Peace Corporation to their faces?
If Feixiao's gaze carried admiration, then Fu Xuan's was filled with something closer to emotion.
Fu Xuan's life had mirrored her cold personality—clear-sighted and resolute.
Know the Mandate of Heaven, then exhaust human effort.
The duty of the Divination Commission was to provide counsel for the Luofu's decisions. The Matrix of Prescience Ultima's ability to glimpse destiny had been proven again and again, never once wrong. But the price… was for Fu Xuan to endure the same inevitable tragedies, over and over.
Once destiny was foreseen, it was inescapable. The will of mortals to seek fortune and avoid misfortune had no effect before it.
And yet, just now—that chain of fate had broken. For the first time, Fu Xuan had experienced a result different from her prophecy.
Her Third Eye had shown her a future where she personally bought the Curio Trash Cans, unsealed a peerless treasure, but then had it stolen, provoking the Interastral Peace Corporation's wrath. A storm of venomous tongues would descend upon the Xianzhou, and in the end, she alone would bear the burden, retreating into shadow to continue guarding the Luofu—until her eyes saw no more.
But now, everything had changed. She could still see the future… but it was one where the Xianzhou Alliance grew steadily stronger, where the Interastral Peace Corporation's protests were dismissed like the buzzing of flies.
She exhaled deeply. Today her emotions had swung far too violently.
She looked at the young man lounging behind the counter and couldn't help but smile wryly. He probably had no idea just how immense a favor his words had given her.
But for Fu Xuan, drawn back from the brink of destiny's trap, a warmth flowed in her chest. And she knew exactly where that warmth had come from.
Should I… do something in return? she wondered suddenly.
It was one of the rare times in her life she wanted to repay someone.
"Uh, sure, I know I'm handsome. But if you all stare at me like that, I'll get embarrassed." Sylvester rubbed the back of his head, smiling sheepishly.
Three black lines slid down Fu Xuan's forehead. The glimmer in her eyes faded back into her mind.
She shook her head with a laugh. As expected, hoping this man could stay serious forever… was a luxury.
Feixiao, however, kept her faint smile.
You couldn't really blame Sylvester. He clearly couldn't handle the atmosphere.
It had only been a heartfelt speech, yet everyone went quiet afterward.
Judging from Feixiao's reaction, he hadn't done anything wrong.
And Fu Xuan—her eyes sparkled, watching him, looking really quite adorable.
If no one else had been around, Sylvester thought he might've had the guts to lift her up and spin her around.
But with everyone watching? Way too awkward.
Off to the side, Qingque wore a strange grin. Stelle looked like she had realized something. She had been ready to snap a picture—but now her face was all disappointment.
Hey, hey, hey, what's with those "this is so interesting" expressions? What exactly do you all think you've realized? I've been sitting here doing nothing!
You guys… wait. No way…
A bold idea surged in Sylvester's mind—so bold his heart sped up.
But he couldn't bring himself to believe it. After all, life's three great illusions were dangerous. One wrong step, and you couldn't even stay friends afterward. Besides, she was the Master Diviner of the Xianzhou… and he was just a shopkeeper with a fake household record.
At that moment, it was as if he heard two tiny figures quarreling by his ear.
One rapped him on the head: "What happened to that ability to read people's hearts with just a glance? Can't you see the way that girl's looking at you? Strike while the iron's hot! Or are you waiting for her to confess to you, you coward?"
The other chimed in: "Exactly!" before slapping him across the face from the void.
And so, under the twin pressure of these demons—or maybe angels—Sylvester blurted out:
"Ahem. L-Lady Master Diviner, I do have a small request. After closing time… I'd like a private word with you."
"Hm?" Fu Xuan blinked, startled by the suddenness of it.
What's gotten into him? Why did he suddenly figure it out?
But she chose to play along. "This seat acts with clarity and righteousness—there is nothing to hide. No need for flattery or ceremony."
"Oh." A wave of awkwardness crawled down Sylvester's entire body.
So, this is what it feels like… to get rejected in front of everyone? He told himself again and again: This is life experience. This is life experience. This is life experience.
Those two demons—couldn't believe a word they said!
"However. Since you've shown such devotion to the Xianzhou… this seat can make an exception." Fu Xuan folded her arms, turning her head away to feign indifference, while secretly peeking at his reaction.
"Understood! Master Diviner's selfless spirit shines brighter than sun and moon. To still spare time for work at this hour—you truly are the model leader of the Luofu."
Wait—it worked? Sylvester's heart leapt. He pressed his advantage, shamelessly flattering her.
Those two little demons really were angels! They were right all along!
Fu Xuan stole a glance at him, catching the swing of his emotions. She felt her own spirits lift—it was her turn to tease him now.
But if she had known what Sylvester was thinking at that moment… she might not have been so confident.
Should I scoop her up and spin her in circles? Or maybe irritate her on purpose, then pinch her chubby little cheeks? Ugh, too hard to choose.