Let Me Explain, Fairy
Chapter 406 - 278: Transaction

Chapter 406: Chapter 278: Transaction

Hearing her laughter-tinged words, Xu Yuan did not think that Li Qingyan had fallen in love with him.

This Princess’s so-called "dying for love" was probably just her way of telling him that she, Li Qingyan, was already prepared to die here.

The fact that a woman with nearly all the qualities of an excellent commander could say such a thing only represented her extreme pessimism about the actions he was about to take.

Yet even so, this Princess had not stripped him of his "commander" status...

It was a trust mingled with doubt.

Xu Yuan silently sighed in his heart, feeling somewhat helpless.

The Cangyuan Chronicles, after all, was just a game, and there were too many minor details that games could not encompass.

Like the ancient city beneath the earth inhabited by people, and Bai Muxi, who should not have been there.

Who could have known beforehand that, after thousands of years, there would still be human beings surviving within the lair of these alien ghosts?

Who could have known that this legendarily astute Diviner had run out from the Underground Palace?

Besides, the butterfly effect could also bring uncontrollable variables to this deathly still Underground Palace.

Now deep in a desperate situation, all he could do was to improvise as much as possible with the information at hand, leverage the confirmed information to manipulate the situation, and try to keep the development under his control...

...

...

...

Without words along the way,

As the three of them continued to speed through the crumbling ancient city, the streets below gradually began to change.

The civilian buildings transitioned from wooden structures on the outskirts to stone.

Probing with his will-spirit, he could occasionally sense the presence of ordinary people, but these people were all nervously huddled in the basements of their houses, none venturing out.

Thinking this, Xu Yuan glanced sideways at Bai Muxi, who was flying alongside them.

As they sped against the wind, the breeze pressed her veil-like garment tightly against her exquisite figure.

Swishing back and forth.

Before Xu Yuan’s gaze lingered too long, Bai Muxi’s crisp voice came through:

"The massive tremor from the Blood Demon Pit earlier must have signified something happening among the alien ghosts. They can easily sniff out the scent of humans, so I ordered the commoners of the outer city to take shelter. They are not allowed to go out until the alert is lifted."

The Barbarian King’s punch, huh...

Xu Yuan nodded in understanding, but then he glanced in the direction from which they had come.

Who knew how the Barbarian King—the muscle monster of another race—was faring now.

In the Cangyuan Chronicles, the Barbarian King was a Saint-level powerhouse, capable of effortlessly breezing through this dungeon. However, now, not at full strength and also seriously wounded, he was likely having a tough time with the attack from the high-level alien ghost swarm.

With that thought, Xu Yuan gathered his thoughts and asked aloud:

"Diviner, I’ve noticed that the stone houses below mostly have a single occupant. Why aren’t there men and women living together?"

"Men and women living together?"

Bai Muxi frowned slightly, her voice clear and straightforward: "Are you referring to ordinary humans secretly mating?"

Saying this,

Bai Muxi hooked her lips, looking down as if it was the most natural thing in the world: "Blood Armor Guards are dispatched from the inner city to sweep the area every day. Those caught would be severely punished—twice would result in expulsion from the city. Ordinary humans dare not defy the law."

"......"

Upon hearing this, Xu Yuan fell silent.

Suppressing human nature, strict control of the population...

And at that moment,

Li Qingyan sighed softly in transmission:

"The chances of offspring between cultivators becoming cultivators themselves are far higher than those of ordinary humans. In the environment of the Underground City, the value of ordinary humans is almost nil. Ensuring the continuity of their kind and controlling the reproduction of ordinary humans is the best and most optimal choice. Over time, this way of thinking has likely become common sense within this Underground City."

At her words, Xu Yuan cast her a glance and chuckled:

"In that case, won’t the high-ranking cultivators become mere breeding stallions?"

Li Qingyan shook her head, speaking softly:

"The higher the rank of the cultivator, the lower the probability of producing offspring. To maintain the population, the ’Divine Palace’ must organize ’production’ at specific times."

Xu Yuan’s eyelid twitched.

Imposed reproduction, huh?

After a pause,

Li Qingyan’s serious tone suddenly vanished, her teasing voice carrying a hint of mirth reaching his ears:

"If you, Changtian, were born in this Underground City, given your personality, you would have been expelled from the city long ago, right?"

Xu Yuan gave the Princess a glare in return:

"You don’t know shit."

"Indeed, I don’t know,"

Li Qingyan smiled and nodded, her beautiful eyes squinting: "Do you, Changtian, understand a lot?"

Without any false modesty in their eye contact, Xu Yuan smiled back in transmission:

"You’ll understand after we’re married."

"Oh?"

Li Qingyan raised her eyebrows, her eyes curving into a smile as she lifted her hand in front of Xu Yuan and gestured a length, then burst out in a light laugh:

"Heh~"

"...."

Xu Yuan felt insulted and took a deep breath, calmly shaking his head:

"I’ve seen those who are good with words beforehand, I hope you’re not like her, Qingyan."

Li Qingyan licked her red lips, her gaze from within her phoenix eyes turning dangerous:

"Such as?"

"Tian..."

He stopped mid-sentence, frowning in puzzlement.

Why did he suddenly bring up the Washboard Saintess?

Thinking of this, Xu Yuan realized a possibility, his eyes reflecting disbelief.

Could it be...?

The figure of Tianyan surfaced in his mind. He pondered, yet no related memory emerged.

Li Qingyan also frowned:

"Tian?"

Xu Yuan collected his thoughts, coughed lightly, and shook his head:

"It’s nothing."

"Hmph..."

Li Qingyan stared at Xu Yuan and chuckled, not pressing further:

"Let’s drop it then. But if you, Prince Consort, plan to take a concubine, remember to tell this Princess."