C87 See Little Prince Again

Yu Kun smiled at Hsu Shaan and playfully chided, "Brother Hsu, enough with the jokes. Let's focus on the food and wine!"

They all nodded in agreement and quietly stowed away the Soul Fixing Fragrance before diving into their meal and drinks.

Amidst their revelry, a knock at the door interrupted them.

Yu Kun, with a hint of surprise, inquired, "Is the knocker a friend of yours?"

They all shook their heads in denial.

Lin Jiang speculated, "Could it be someone looking to pick a fight with us?"

Yu Kun chuckled and replied, "If someone was looking for trouble, they wouldn't bother knocking. Let me check it out."

He rose and opened the door, only to be greeted by an unexpected face. Hsu Shaan and the others also looked on in astonishment. Standing before them was the Little Prince. As a member of the Inner Sect, Yu Kun wasn't required to bow to the Little Prince, but Hsu Shaan and the rest, being merely Elite Disciples, promptly stood up in respect.

The Little Prince, wine cup in hand, greeted them warmly, "I heard a friend of mine was dining here, so I thought I'd drop by for a visit. Please, don't stand on ceremony."

He turned to Yu Kun and offered, "Would you like to join me in my room for a while?"

It was an invitation Yu Kun couldn't decline, especially considering the Little Prince had been of assistance to him on several occasions, despite their not being particularly close.

Glancing back at Hsu Shaan and the others, Yu Kun responded to the Little Prince, "I have some friends here. I'll come by to see you shortly."

The Little Prince maintained his smile and said, "Good. Later, come find me upstairs."

Yu Kun was taken aback. He hadn't anticipated that the Little Prince could access the fifth floor of the Cloud Crane Tower, a privilege usually reserved for the Flying Cloud Sect's elite.

But then again, the Little Prince, while not among the Sect's elite, was a prominent figure in Pingjiang County and thus entitled to the Tower's uppermost level.

With that in mind, Yu Kun refrained from probing further. The Little Prince, wine cup still in hand, took his leave.

When Yu Kun reclaimed his seat, he noticed the looks from Hsu Shaan and the others had shifted dramatically.

"Junior Brother Yu, you've managed to befriend the Little Prince! For us, meeting someone of his stature is unthinkable."

Yu Kun was taken aback by Hsu Shaan's remark.

"I find the Little Prince quite approachable, actually."

He reflected briefly on their encounters, which had all been initiated by the Little Prince himself.

Hsu Shaan let out a thoughtful sigh, "The Little Prince is indeed approachable, but his admiration isn't easily earned. Junior Brother Yu, had it been anyone else, the Little Prince would never have tolerated a refusal. The fact that he waited for you speaks volumes about how much he values you."

With another deep sigh, Hsu Shaan added, "That's wonderful. Should you face any opposition within the Flying Cloud Sect, you can always seek refuge at King Pingjiang's Mansion."

Yu Kun pondered this, realizing the Little Prince had indeed made such a suggestion. Yet, he couldn't fathom what about him could be of such interest to the Little Prince.

Sure, he was talented, but he was convinced the Little Prince had encountered many talents.

"Maybe my Martial Soul intrigues the Little Prince. I shouldn't overthink it. He means me no harm."

With that, Yu Kun resumed drinking with Hsu Shaan and the rest.

Once everyone was satisfied, Hsu Shaan and the group departed. Yu Kun then ascended the stairs to meet the Little Prince.

As he approached, a servant blocked his path, "You're not allowed upstairs."

Without much explanation, Yu Kun stated, "The Little Prince has summoned me."

The servant paused, then stepped aside.

At the top of the Cloud Crane Tower, Yu Kun discovered a vast hall, unlike the partitioned floors below. The decor was lavish, surpassing even that of the ground level. Presently, the hall hosted only the Little Prince and an unfamiliar man.

"Welcome," greeted the Little Prince with a smile, gesturing to the seat across from him. "Please, have a seat."

Yu Kun didn't hesitate and took a seat directly across from the Little Prince. The table was sparse, adorned with only a few modest dishes. Despite the Little Prince's courteous demeanor, Yu Kun felt too awkward to partake in the meal.

After a while, Yu Kun set his chopsticks aside and got straight to the point. "Little Prince, if there's something you need, just say it. I'll do whatever I can, as long as it's within reason."

The Little Prince offered a smile and gently placed his wine cup down. "I don't have any pressing matters. Today, I simply wanted to extend my hand in friendship to you."

Yu Kun was taken aback. He had received assistance from the Little Prince in the past, yet he couldn't shake off a lingering doubt. "I'm just a newcomer to the Inner Sect, yet even I've heard of your reputation. But why would you want to befriend someone of humble origins like me?"

Yu Kun's question wasn't born from self-deprecation; he was acutely aware of the world's noble scions and their usual disdain for those from lesser backgrounds. The Little Prince was an anomaly, and his desire for friendship seemed almost too incredible to believe.

At Yu Kun's inquiry, the Little Prince's laughter filled the air. "How intriguing. Since you're so keen on clarity, I'll be forthright. I like you..."

Yu Kun froze mid-thought as the Little Prince's words hung in the air. Did the Little Prince truly harbor feelings for him? It would explain the odd generosity—the Spirit Stones, the timely interventions.

As Yu Kun wrestled with a polite refusal, the Little Prince went on, "I admire the stance you took in the Test Square! I wholeheartedly agree with your words!"

Looking intently at Yu Kun, the Little Prince emphasized each word, "Had anyone else spoken thus, I'd dismiss it as mere bravado. But you're different. When others dismiss you as worthless, you consistently prove them wrong with your tangible skills."

"I've kept tabs on your journey. You were underestimated by Chen Rui, yet you bested him. Hu Qiu tried to steal from you, only to meet his end at your hand in the Death Match Arena. Chen Feng's multiple attempts to crush you all failed, and ultimately, you triumphed over him as an Elite Disciple."

Pausing briefly, the Little Prince added, "Above all, when you ascended the Flying Cloud Tower, everyone labeled you a lost cause, incapable of manifesting a Martial Soul. Against all odds, you succeeded in doing just that! The news is still under wraps, kept secret by the Master of Flying Cloud Sect and others. The rank and file remain unaware, but I see your achievements clearly!"

The Little Prince declared with conviction, "It is precisely for this reason that I am eager to call you my friend! You have proven yourself to be worthy of such a bond!"