Chapter 285: Huo Yuhao’s Mental Breakdown, Qian Ran Strikes Again?

"However…" Xu Jiujiu frowned, her expression revealing dissatisfaction with Xu Jiawei's approach. Since she had already begun to consider Qian Ran as her future husband, she naturally disliked the idea of him being schemed against.

"Jiujiu, you are a princess of the empire. Your first thought must always be for the benefit of Star Luo." Xu Jiawei noted her discontent but spoke with the detached pragmatism of an emperor.

If he truly cared about family bonds, why would he have arranged for Xu Jiujiu to marry Qian Ran despite his numerous romantic entanglements? For Xu Jiawei, her marriage was a tool to strengthen the empire.

Xu Jiujiu clenched her fists, anger flaring in her chest. Her brother's words made the cold calculus of imperial politics all too clear. Bonds of blood and kinship meant little in the face of power and alliances.

She thought of Qian Ran—while imperfect, being with him at least gave her a sense of freedom she had never experienced within the palace walls.

"Maybe he does want me after all," she murmured to herself, thinking back to Qian Ran's fiery gaze and bold advances during their previous encounters. Her cheeks flushed at the memory.

Back at the auction hall, as bids for the soul beast embryo reached dizzying heights, Huo Yuhao made his move.

"Two hundred million gold soul coins!"

The room fell silent for a moment as gasps rippled through the crowd.

In Private Room 2, Xiao Hongchen clenched his fists, his expression darkening as the bid pushed past his limits.

"Who is it? Who's behind this?"

The Snow Empress represented a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—whether for a twin martial soul, a powerful soul ring, or unparalleled soul bones. This was his chance to surpass Qian Ran, the rival who overshadowed him at every turn.

But now, someone was taking it away.

"Humph. The Snow Empress is mine!" Huo Yuhao smirked coldly. He had been saving his resources for precisely this moment.

"Jiujiu, who made that outrageous bid?" Xu Jiawei asked, narrowing his eyes.

"It's a young man from the Clear Sky Sect named Huo Yuhao," she replied, her tone curious. "He seems confident."

The auction concluded, and as the winning bidder, Huo Yuhao's status at the Starlight Auction Hall was elevated to the highest tier of VIP. His request to meet Princess Xu Jiujiu was immediately granted.

Xu Jiujiu entered the room, her elegant demeanor concealing her weariness from the day's events. Huo Yuhao's youthful appearance surprised her, though not enough to impress her. Compared to Qian Ran, who exuded confidence and charisma, this young man seemed utterly lackluster.

"Master Huo, how can I assist you?" she asked, her tone polite but distant.

"I am Huo Yuhao, of the Clear Sky Sect," he said, puffing his chest. "I am the one who won the soul beast embryo."

Xu Jiujiu raised an eyebrow, her polite smile unwavering.

"I've admired you from afar for some time," Huo Yuhao continued, his voice tinged with forced bravado. "Please, accept this small token of my esteem." He presented her with a carefully arranged bouquet of rare, glowing flowers.

Xu Jiujiu's expression cooled. "Master Huo, I appreciate your gesture, but I must decline. I already have a fiancé."

Huo Yuhao froze, his smile stiffening as disbelief set in.

"Impossible. Surely you jest, Princess," he said, his voice tinged with desperation.

"I do not jest." Xu Jiujiu took a step back, her tone firm. "My fiancé is Qian Ran."

Her words hit Huo Yuhao like a physical blow. He staggered back a step, his face pale with shock.

Qian Ran… again?!

That name haunted him. It seemed every opportunity, every goal, every dream was thwarted by Qian Ran. He had hoped to win Xu Jiujiu's affection with his wealth and future power, only to find that she was already claimed by the very person he despised most.

Qian Ran's shadow loomed large over Huo Yuhao's life, casting every success he achieved into insignificance.

"He already took Dong'er from me. Now this?"

In his mind, Huo Yuhao replayed every moment of humiliation at Qian Ran's hands. It wasn't just Xu Jiujiu—it was everything. Everywhere he turned, Qian Ran was there, standing in his way.

The rage and frustration churned within him, threatening to explode.

Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Huo Yuhao, Qian Ran had already set his sights on the Snow Empress.

Following the auction, Huo Yuhao hurried to spirit the sealed Snow Empress away. With a powerful Titled Douluo from the Clear Sky Sect by his side, he felt confident in his ability to protect his prize.

But the moment he left the auction hall, Qian Renxue and the Ice Empress shadowed his every move.

Inside their private room, Qian Ran addressed the Ice Empress and Qian Renxue.

"Now's the time. Let's get her back."

The Ice Empress, her eyes blazing with determination, nodded firmly.

Qian Renxue smirked, exuding an air of dominance. "Let's see if this Huo Yuhao even knows what he's gotten himself into."

With their combined strength—Qian Renxue's divine-like abilities and the Ice Empress's raw power—even an Extreme Douluo would struggle to stop them.

As Huo Yuhao fled with his prize, he clung tightly to the Sealing Platform, thinking it held his future and his vengeance against Qian Ran.

He didn't yet realize that the very fate he feared was closing in on him.

(Chapter End)