The Saiyan In The Cultivation World.

The gifts poured in—a sea of treasures so vast it was almost overwhelming. The variety was staggering: pills crafted by the finest alchemists, rare herbs with mystical properties, demon beasts bound in enchanted cages, and even cultivation techniques transcribed onto ancient scrolls. 

Each gift spoke of its donor's intent. These weren't acts of simple generosity; they were calculated moves to curry favor, to earn a place in my goodwill.

Thankfully, I didn't have to sit there endlessly receiving each and every gift. If I had, I'd have been stuck for hours, given that thousands of people had shown up to offer birthday presents.

I only had to endure the first 30 minutes, graciously acknowledging the initial flood of gifts, before Lan Mei took over. 

Lan Mei was left helplessly juggling the situation as she scrambled to find more storage rings to hold the seemingly infinite stream of treasures. Each ring had to be cataloged meticulously, with every gift-giver's name recorded for reference. She worked quickly and quietly, her calm demeanor hiding any frustration she might have felt.

"You look down," I said casually, taking a seat next to Zhou Yu, who had been unusually quiet throughout the party. Today wasn't just my birthday—it was supposed to be our celebration. Zhou Yu and I had always shared the spotlight on this day, even though she was a few weeks older than me.

But something about her demeanor was off.

Her usual proud spirit was absent, replaced by a subdued air that didn't suit her. It was as if she were a shadow at her own party.

"..."

Zhou Yu looked at me, clearly stunned that I was talking to her.

The last time we'd exchanged words was over a year ago when she challenged me to a duel. That was a long time ago, yet ever since then, people believed we were at odds—a narrative that had taken on a life of its own within the royal court.

Of course, the assumption that Zhou Yu and I weren't on good terms had made the past year particularly difficult for her. Politics within the royal family were brutal, and without my perceived favor, she'd faced constant challenges from our other siblings.

She didn't want to be here today—I could see that much in her downcast eyes. Yet, she'd been forced to attend,

"... You know... I admire you," I said with a faint smile.

Zhou Yu's eyes widened, stunned. She blinked a few times as if questioning whether she'd heard me correctly. Me? Admire her? With my talent, such a statement probably seemed impossible to believe.

But I wasn't joking.

"Your dedication to the sword," I continued, my tone calm yet sincere. "The hard work you pour into your training... I admire you for that."

Zhou Yu opened her mouth to respond but hesitated, clearly unsure of what to say. I didn't give her the chance to dismiss my words.

"The feeling of training hard, pushing your body and mind to their limits," I said, my gaze lowering to her hands. "That's a feeling I wish I could experience as badly as you do."

Her hands were worn, and the calluses and scars on her palms told the story of countless hours spent wielding her sword. Each mark was a testament to her grit and unwavering determination to reach heights others couldn't even dream of.

"I've always admired that about you," I said softly, my smile deepening slightly.

Zhou Yu blinked again, her expression shifting as a faint blush crept onto her cheeks. For a moment, the tension in her shoulders seemed to ease, replaced by something softer

"You don't hate me?" she asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

I raised an eyebrow at her question. "Why would I hate you?"

Her eyes flickered with uncertainty as if she were bracing herself for the worst. But I didn't stop there.

"You were manipulated by our good-for-nothing elder brothers," I said casually, shrugging off the notion like it was obvious. "A good 99% of them have nothing going for them except the fact they have royal blood running through their veins. Take that away, and what are they? Trash."

Zhou Yu blinked, stunned by my bluntness, but I wasn't finished.

"But you..." I said, my tone softening. "You're different. Take away your royal blood, and what's left isn't trash. What's left is a hard-working cultivator—someone who, given the right opportunities, would undoubtedly make a name for herself."

I smiled at her, genuine and calm, letting my words sink in.

"..."

Zhou Yu's eyes widened as she stared at me, her expression frozen in disbelief. For a moment, she could only look at my face, as if seeing me in a completely new and unfamiliar light.

"Happy birthday," I said with a small smile, holding out a storage ring toward her.

She hesitated before taking it, her fingers brushing against the cool metal. The moment her eyes landed on the ring, they widened even further. It wasn't just any storage ring—it was custom-made, designed specifically for her.

The ring gleamed with a soft pink hue, delicate carvings adorning its surface. It was beautiful, unique, and clearly crafted with care. As her fingers traced over it, she realized something else: the ring wasn't just for storage. It had extra abilities embedded within it, ones that would make it far more useful than any ordinary ring.

Her lips parted slightly as if to say something, but the words didn't come. Instead, she looked up at me, her expression a mixture of gratitude, surprise, and something she couldn't put into words.

"T-thank you... but I didn't get you anything," Zhou Yu said softly, her expression clouded with a hint of shame.

I waved off her concern with a faint smile. "I don't need any more gifts. Just give me the gift of you doing what you like. If that's cultivation, then pour your heart into it. And if you run into trouble, come tell me. I'll fix it."

My tone was light, but my words carried a sincerity that seemed to make Zhou Yu pause. Her eyes softened, and for a brief moment, the tension in her shoulders disappeared.

But before she could respond, my body was suddenly lifted off the ground.

I was pulled into a tight hug, my face pressed squarely against the two pillowy melons of someone's chest.

The scene was... a lot.

Around us, the banquet hall fell into stunned silence. Every pair of eyes locked onto the spectacle of me, Zhou Lianchen, the young prince, being scooped up like a toddler.

The many powers in attendance who had been secretly eavesdropping on my conversation with Zhou Yu were rendered speechless. To see me, the infamous genius of the empire, in such a predicament was... unthinkable.

"Husband, have you been avoiding me?" Cherry asked with a bright smile, her tone sweet enough to give someone a toothache.

I released an annoyed sigh, rubbing the bridge of my nose. Of course, I had been avoiding her. I didn't want to deal with her relentless attempts to "build our bond" or whatever nonsense she called it. She was a headache wrapped in charm, and honestly, I had better things to do.

"Yes, I have," I admitted flatly, slipping out of her hold and straightening my suit.

Cherry's eyes widened as she got a proper look at me in the crisp, white suit. She was momentarily stunned, her hand twitching as though she wanted to scoop me up again.

I caught the movement and sidestepped her before she could even try. "Don't even think about it," I said sharply, fixing my tie with a quick tug.

Cherry pouted but didn't press the matter further, though I could see the glint of mischief in her eyes.

"What does she mean by calling you husband, Lianchen?" the Emperor asked, his tone sharp as his gaze shifted to Cherry. His eyes narrowed slightly, sizing her up from head to toe.

Cherry, for her part, remained calm under his scrutiny, a faint smile playing on her lips.

The Emperor would admit, Cherry was beautiful—strikingly so. She carried herself with the kind of grace that could tempt even the most disciplined man. In fact, for a brief moment, he entertained the thought of making her his 600-something wife.

But such a role was far beneath what someone of her allure might deserve. As for the title of the main wife? That was out of the question. The position was too important, reserved for a woman of impeccable status, strength, and character.

"I agreed to marry her," I said indifferently, my tone as calm as if I were discussing the weather. "I offended her and gave her a favor in return. She chose marriage as her favor, so we'll get married whenever I'm old enough."

The room fell silent.

Cherry quickly stepped forward, her movements graceful as she paid her respects to the Emperor. "Greetings, Your Majesty," she said, bowing deeply, her tone polite and respectful.

The Emperor's expression was unreadable, but his lips twitched slightly, betraying his inner thoughts. He wasn't pleased—far from it. Yet, he held his tongue, likely weighing the consequences of addressing the matter here and now.

His gaze shifted away from Cherry, landing instead on the Emperor of the Blazing Hou Empire, who was seated nearby.

"...We need to talk about this matter later," the Emperor said with a heavy sigh, his tone betraying a mix of exhaustion and resignation.

I simply shrugged, clearly unfazed by his concern, and turned my attention back to Zhou Yu. But before I could say anything, my instincts flared, and my gaze snapped to the banquet hall entrance.

A beautiful blonde-haired woman had just entered, her presence immediately commanding attention. Her movements were calm yet deliberate, and the massive sword strapped to her back hinted at her strength. Following behind her was a group of men, each clad in the distinctive robes of the Radiant Sun, their disciplined steps reinforcing the weight of her arrival.

Our eyes locked almost instantly.

Her sharp gaze carried an undeniable intensity, the kind that spoke of countless battles and an unshakable confidence in her abilities. At that moment, I knew, without a doubt, that this woman was one of the 7 Sword Deities.

The hall grew quieter as her presence filled the room, a subtle shift in the atmosphere that even those less attuned to power could sense. She didn't need to speak; her mere existence was enough to send ripples through the gathering.