Chapter 63: The Center of Attention

"A letter?"

Yu Zhizhi saw the parchment envelope and took it. Its matte texture felt pleasant to the touch.

However, the letter was sealed.

It couldn’t be opened for now.

On the envelope were a few faintly glowing, dark-red words—

Divine Hall Alliance

Yu Zhizhi murmured, "Why would they send me a letter?"

Yu Zhizhi had heard of this organization.

On the Beast World Planet, many rare Superpower Talents chose to join them.

"How do I open this letter?" Yu Zhizhi wondered, curious about its contents.

"You should be able to open it once you awaken your spiritual power, Ms. Zhi Zhi."

"Then—can I have someone else open it for me?"

"That’s not possible," the Hamster maid said hurriedly. "The letter has a seal from the Divine Hall. Anyone other than you, Ms. Zhi Zhi, would likely suffer a backlash from trying to open it."

"Hmm..." Yu Zhizhi nodded, lost in thought.

She looked toward the turn in the road.

The carriage with its guard escort had already disappeared around the corner.

Clutching the letter, Yu Zhizhi leaned lightly against the window. A wave of melancholy washed over her at the thought that she might never see Wild Dog again.

’It seems that in this world, I have to learn how to say goodbye.’

’I hope he gets what he’s looking for.’

’Please, don’t let anything happen to him.’

He was heading to Sun Ridge, a place overrun with Demons. To make matters worse, the Knight Alliance, which operated there—an independent power, much like the Divine Hall Alliance—was in the process of collapsing.

’To go there under these circumstances...’

’The odds are stacked against him.’

’But I still hope he succeeds!’

If he could find the Bright Moon Divine Position and evolve a new Golden Beast Bone, Wild Dog would be able to awaken dual talents.

She had heard his ancestors were from a branch of the Great Dog Clan, and that he himself had been born into a noble family.

Later, after his parents died in battle, the clan elders extracted his Golden Beast Bone, turning him into what he was today...

The battles between clans were incredibly cruel.

’I really don’t know how he survived without the protection of his immediate family.’

’If he really can evolve a new Golden Beast Bone... ’

’Given his parents’ genes, the talent he awakens will most likely be of the First Sequence!’

The Hamster maid remarked with feeling, "He’s so brave."

’If it were me, I would never choose to leave the Duke Mansion. He’s done Ms. Zhi Zhi a great service; the Duke Mansion would have taken good care of him.’

’It’s so dangerous outside.’

’Forget Sun Ridge—just stepping outside Varolan’s Imperial City, you could lose your life at any moment.’

Yu Zhizhi couldn’t help but touch her lower abdomen.

’Once I successfully give birth to the Snake Pups, the main quest will finally be complete. I wonder how many points I’ll get as a reward?’

’Oh, right!’

’I still need to get a gift for the Duke.’

’I promised him yesterday.’

’But...’

’The Duke doesn’t lack for anything. What would be a good gift for him?’

"Is there a marketplace nearby? I’d like to go have a look."

"Of course, Ms. Zhi Zhi! Today is the weekend, so the Imperial City’s market is very lively. I’ll go prepare the carriage."

"Okay."

Yu Zhizhi had never once set foot outside since arriving at the Duke Mansion.

She had no idea what the Imperial City even looked like.

Back in the K family’s territory, they had everything she could possibly need, so no one ever took her out.

The Hamster maid returned quickly, accompanied by Guard Captain Jieao.

Yu Zhizhi saw that an entire Guard Team had assembled downstairs—more than twenty guards in all.

’So many people?’

Noticing Yu Zhizhi’s stunned expression, Guard Captain Jieao explained with a smile, "Ms. Zhi Zhi, your status is a special one. We must ensure your safety completely, so we’ve brought a few extra guards. Please forgive the imposition."

The Imperial City was bustling and prosperous, but it also concealed hidden dangers.

This was especially true after the incident with Count Gray, for which Jieao had been fined half a year’s salary and given forty lashes with a military cane.

He had only just recovered from his injuries, so he was all the more diligent in his duty to protect Yu Zhizhi.

Yu Zhizhi got into the spacious carriage.

Guard Captain Jieao hung a dark blue lantern with the Duke Mansion’s crest on the front of the carriage.

The procession made its way to the Imperial City market.

This was Yu Zhizhi’s first time out. Hearing the bustling sounds from outside, she couldn’t resist lifting the curtain.

The buildings on either side of the road were tall and ornate, with artfully arranged towers draped in painted canvas.

All sorts of peculiar ornaments were tied to the eaves above the shopfronts.

The Beastmen on the street wore a wide variety of clothing and came in all shapes and sizes.

The shop directly opposite had many exotic items displayed at its entrance.

"Let’s try this one," Yu Zhizhi said softly.

The carriage came to a slow stop.

Jieao set down the carriage steps, and as Yu Zhizhi disembarked, passing Beastmen turned to stare at the noble female.

She wore a light blue, waist-cinched long dress. With her snowy skin, star-bright eyes, and long hair cascading down her back, her white rabbit ears stood alertly, captivating the gaze of every Beastman present.

The guards stood diligently by her side.

The common Beastmen didn’t dare approach.

They all cleared a path.

The shopkeeper wore a half-eyepatch and leaned on a cane, looking to be around fifty years old. He gave an elegant bow. "Miss, how may I help you?"

Anyone who could open a shop in the Imperial City market had to be sharp-eyed and keen-eared.

He had long since discovered that the female before him had arrived in a carriage from the Duke Mansion.

Even if she wasn’t from the Snake Clan.

Her status was clearly one of wealth and nobility.

And with such a large entourage of guards, she had to be an honored guest of the Duke Mansion.

’I absolutely cannot afford to be discourteous.’

Yu Zhizhi glanced at the oddly shaped wares in the shop. "I’d like to buy something as a gift."

"May I ask if this gift is for a male or a female, Miss?"

"A male."

"And which clan is he from?"

"Snake."

’A male... a Snake... the Duke Mansion’s carriage...’

The corner of the shopkeeper’s eye twitched. ’Could this lovely Rabbit Clan Lady be buying a gift for the most esteemed Duke in the entire Valoran Empire?’

’My humble shop is truly graced by her presence...’

Just as the shopkeeper was wondering whether he should bring out his most prized possession, a derisive laugh came from nearby.

"Lord Bo Lan’s birthday is approaching. Are you trying so desperately to curry favor because you’re afraid of being thrown out of the Duke Mansion?"

The shopkeeper’s heart leaped in alarm. He quickly turned to see that another noble guest had arrived—

a young, beautiful female of the Snake Clan. She wore a puffy, pale-gold noble’s gown and held a white lace parasol. Her dark, curly hair cascaded like a waterfall, and her golden eyes were magnificent and captivating, but her tone was laced with arrogance.

The attendant behind her snapped, "What are you gawking at? Her Highness Princess Fei’er has arrived! Kneel at once!"

Princess Fei’er!

The shopkeeper gasped and hurriedly fell to his knees.

The Beastmen who had been lingering at the entrance quickly realized what was happening and all dropped to their knees.

This included the guards from the Duke Mansion and the Hamster maid.

In the blink of an eye, only Yu Zhizhi remained standing.

The Hamster maid trembled uncontrollably.

Outside the door, a dense crowd of Beastmen knelt, their heads pressed to the ground, not daring to look up.

The shopkeeper was closest to them.

He wondered, ’

Is this Rabbit Clan Lady not afraid of death?’

Yu Zhizhi looked in confusion at the prostrate figures all around her. Then she heard the CLICK-CLACK of heels on the wooden floorboards, the sound steadily approaching.

"’What, do you look down on me, your princess?’ the arrogant Snake Clan female asked, glaring at the young woman before her. She sneered, ’Guards! Break her legs!’"

"PFFT—"

An abrupt laugh came from within the crowd of Beastmen.

"HAHAHA..."

"*Cough!* My apologies. I couldn’t help myself."

A young man, perched atop a carriage and dangling his legs, wiped a tear from the corner of his eye. It was hard to tell if it was from just waking up or from laughter.

He said in a drowsy voice, "Your esteemed Highness, I would advise you not to provoke this little female."

"Otherwise, you will most certainly regret it."