The Insect Emperor Sorrendal sat upright upon the throne, his presence heavy and suffocating, radiating a sovereign authority that filled the hall. His cold, blade-like eyes pierced straight into Milton, and his voice, low and imbued with unchallengeable imperial command, rumbled:
“Milton, this new weapon that appeared in the war—explain it.”
Milton straightened his back, meeting the gaze calmly and firmly:
“This weapon was developed specifically for this campaign. The creatures we faced were unprecedented; conventional arms proved ineffective. Therefore, the Star Alliance and the Insectoid Empire collaborated, combining our technologies to create this breakthrough weapon. However, the technology is not yet fully mature and cannot be mass-produced.”
“Collaboration?” The Emperor’s eyes narrowed, sharp hostility flashing. “Do you understand the gravity of dealing privately with an alien race? In Insectoid law, it is a grave crime. To cast aside the empire’s dignity—do you even comprehend your responsibilities as a general?”
The nobles around, sensing an opportunity to attack, descended like vultures upon blood:
“A general of such stature, willingly reduced to an alien’s pawn—how disappointing.”
“This so-called ‘breakthrough’ is nothing more than a lowly compromise, begging the Star Alliance for mercy!”
Milton remained unshaken, retrieving from his chest the prepared agreement. This had been meticulously arranged with Reyne and Navien: to turn this achievement into a legitimate political bargaining chip while preventing Gu Qing’s secrets from leaking.
“Your Majesty, my signing of this accord is solely to preserve the foundation of the Insectoid Empire. Without bridging this gap, both the Empire and the Star Alliance would have fallen to the creatures’ claws.”
The Emperor was about to probe further when the eldest prince, Adrian, interrupted with a casual, mocking laugh. Lounging in his chair, his gaze greedy, he said:
“Father, the war is over and victorious. Why dwell on trivialities? But that rumored ‘Blue Dane,’ with such remarkable achievements, where is he to receive his reward? If he is truly as extraordinary as the rumors claim…” He licked his lips lecherously, “I might consider taking him into my household as a Queen.”
The Emperor snorted, his tone dripping with habitual disdain for the common:
“A mediocre being from a distant star system, already fortunate to serve as a palace attendant. No need to overvalue him.”
Milton’s expression remained neutral, his voice calm:
“Blue Dane is proud and free-spirited, disliking restraint. After the war, he departed. Your Highness, there is no need to worry about finding a suitable companion.”
Within Milton’s mind, the little Heavenly Dao orb tumbled with laughter:
“Qingqing! He actually wants to marry you? Does he not think his own grave long enough already?”
Gu Qing’s lips curved slightly, but his eyes glimmered with a chilling resolve.
The Emperor, clearly unwilling to drop the matter, narrowed his gaze:
“Blue Dane’s achievements are illustrious. I wish to grant him glory personally—summon him.”
Milton inclined slightly:
“Your Majesty, Blue Dane’s movements are unpredictable. Forcing him here may provoke his ire and damage the Empire’s reputation.”
The little orb stiffened, panicked:
“Qingqing, this Emperor is not acting with good intent! His purpose seems… impure!”
Gu Qing’s eyes darkened. He replied softly:
“He has another agenda.”
As the standoff lingered, Gu Qing stepped forward, standing tall and unyielding, bowing respectfully toward the throne:
“Your Majesty, Blue Dane has indeed set off to explore an ancient ruin, seeking lost civilizations. His return is uncertain.”
“Ancient ruin?” The Emperor’s expression shifted subtly.
“Yes. Blue Dane has always held great interest in ancient civilizations. He once told me he entered an extremely old palace.” Gu Qing’s voice was clear and warm, carrying to every corner of the hall:
“The palace’s main hall was magnificent, with four auxiliary halls orbiting like stars. Arched bridges spanned its expanse, crystalline and transparent. The entire structure floated without any energy core or supports, suspended in the void. Surrounding it was a seven-colored light curtain, as if divine.”
Milton’s eyes flickered with surprise, yet he remained impassive, glancing at Gu Qing.
Gu Qing’s tone turned solemn:
“However, the place was fraught with danger. Blue Dane barely survived, leaving him shaken to this day.”
The Emperor’s breathing deepened:
“Such a wondrous place… its exact location?”
Gu Qing responded calmly:
“Blue Dane is secretive about it and refuses to reveal a word further.”
The Emperor’s gaze fixed on Gu Qing, as though trying to uncover hidden truths within his expression.
The little orb in Milton’s mind cried out:
“Qingqing! Why did you reveal the secrets of the Immortal Palace?”
Gu Qing recalled a secret message from Loes a month ago: “The black market seeks Blue Dane for unknown purposes. Someone may infiltrate the celebration. Be cautious.”
Lure them out, Gu Qing thought. If everyone seeks the cultivators’ secrets, I shall personally plant this bait and see who cannot resist surfacing.
Annoyed at Gu Qing stealing the spotlight, Adrian’s mocking grin widened, eyes full of scorn:
“So, you are the so-called male master of Milton? A D-class lowly commoner, daring to soothe him? If you were wise, you’d hand Milton over to me. Perhaps I could grant you a baronial title—something your kind could never achieve.”
The little orb’s indignation exploded:
“This eldest prince is insane! Milton is yours! Who gave him the right to snatch him?”
Gu Qing’s gaze instantly turned icy. The warmth and charm vanished, replaced by a pressure that dropped the room’s temperature:
“Eldest Prince, choose your words carefully. Milton is my one and only Queen, not a thing for you to arbitrarily exchange.”
“Impudent!” Adrian slammed the table.
The hall froze. Milton’s eyes blazed with lethal intensity.
In the distance, Ace’s brows tightened, his gaze sharp. Il restrained his anger, whispering:
“Too much!”
Philip and Velly remained silent, yet their eyes were like blades, locked on Adrian.
The Emperor furrowed his brow, voice cold:
“Adrian, stand down.”
Then turning to Gu Qing, his eyes burning like torches:
“Yet the gulf of levels is real. Milton is the Empire’s cornerstone. If your incompetence leads to the collapse of his mental sea, it will be a loss for the Empire. You… truly are unworthy of him.”
Milton stepped forward, voice deep and resolute:
“Your Majesty, regardless of Gu Qing’s level, I am willing to spend my life with him. My resolve is unchanging.”
The hall erupted. While the nobles mocked Milton as “blinded by desire,” a silver-haired elder stepped forward with a sly grin:
“Your Majesty, since the general insists, why not test him here? Perhaps this D-class commoner truly possesses… a staggering ‘breakthrough.’”
A ripple of malicious anticipation spread among the crowd.
Milton’s shoulders trembled with suppressed rage, fists clenched. Seeing his male master treated as a commodity in the heart of the Empire, his fury threatened to overwhelm reason.
Sensing Milton’s turmoil, Gu Qing gently lifted a hand, brushing his back. The warmth through fabric carried a rare sense of calm.
Meeting Milton’s violet eyes brimming with anger and worry, Gu Qing’s own were serene and fathomless, as if the world’s ugliness were mere passing clouds.
A tester stepped into the center, pushing forward a top-tier psychic testing device emitting a faint blue glow.
“Lord Gu Qing, place your hand on the sensing area and concentrate your mental power.” The tester’s voice was respectful, yet eyes glimmered with curiosity.
The nobles whispered scornfully:
“A worthless wretch—testing a hundred times won’t change that.”
“Perhaps the reading is so low the machine won’t even register it, haha.”
Milton stood like a mountain behind Gu Qing, his cold aura cutting off the taunts.
Gu Qing extended his hand. The moment his fingers touched the sensing pad, the once-stable device trembled violently.
“Beep—beep—beep—!”
Alarms blared. The display numbers skyrocketed at near-crazed speed, the blue glow instantly turning a blinding crimson.
“What… what is happening?” the tester gasped.
The nobles’ sneers froze. The energy core inside the device churned uncontrollably under the tsunami of psychic power, cracking and emitting smoke.
Before the screen was destroyed, it froze on flaming red letters:
[S-RANK]
The once-noisy hall fell into absolute silence.
“Impossible!” The silver-haired elder screamed, face draining of color as he staggered back. “S-Rank… never before in Insectoid history has such a male existed!”
“The device must be broken! It must be!” another stammered, though shock shone in his eyes.
Scorn was instantly replaced by overwhelming disbelief.
The little Heavenly Dao orb roared with laughter:
“Hahaha! This is incredible! Look at these greedy, narrow-eyed fools—their eyes are about to pop!”
Gu Qing gracefully withdrew his hand, fingers twitching slightly. His gaze swept coldly across the hall, finally resting on the eldest prince, whose face was ashen. Calmly, he remarked:
“Seems the device still needs some refinement.”