My Celestial Ascension Chapter 908: Shocking Outcome

"What on earth did I just see?! Princess Nerith actually lost the duel?!"

"This can't be real! How could the Princess fall to a guy like him?!"

"I refuse to accept this... The Princess really got beaten... Who the heck is this guy anyway?"

"I don't know a thing about that fellow... But one fact stands out. Even with his seemingly weak build, he's an absolute beast!"

The audience burst into chaos, murmuring wildly among themselves with shocked and bewildered faces.

They struggled to believe what their eyes had shown—their unbeatable Princess defeated by an unknown figure. On top of that, he appeared utterly alien, like he came from some distant realm entirely.

Princess Nerith paid no mind to the uproar and approached Yuan steadily, a subtle smile gracing her lips. Exhausted as she was, she held onto her poise without faltering.

"I never imagined you'd be the one to beat me... and definitely not in such a ridiculous way. You barely used any of your power, right?" She inquired, her piercing eyes locked onto his.

"If I'd unleashed even half my power, you'd probably be gone by now," Yuan answered with a quiet exhale, a peculiar yet serene smile on his face.

"I understand..." Nerith went quiet upon hearing that, gazing at him with an enigmatic look in her eyes.

'In all my years, I never dreamed someone could overpower me without even getting serious... This realm is truly brimming with infinite wonders.' She pondered silently, a soft, reflective smile curving her mouth as she viewed Yuan in an entirely fresh way.

Her respect for him had surged dramatically. His power and aura surpassed anything she'd ever come across in her long existence.

Indeed, her interest in him intensified greatly. She yearned to learn more about him, to chat with him, to grasp how a mortal could command Qi—something the divine beings craved but could never grasp.

They made their way to Anna Grace and the rest, who waited calmly by the training area's side.

"That duel was spectacular, Princess Nerith. You can take pride in holding out so long against my beloved. In truth, nobody's ever lasted that far with him," Anna Grace remarked with a kind smile, stepping nearer to Yuan.

"That's right. All past challengers died before they could swing their blades properly... you're the first to differ," Valeria chimed in, nodding with an insightful grin.

"Without question, this was the most exhilarating fight I've ever had... Prior to encountering you, defeat never crossed my mind," Nerith stated, a rare warmth coloring her tone. Her gaze rested on Yuan's features briefly before shifting aside.

'He's genuinely remarkable... Human or not, his might eclipses everyone I've battled. I truly wish to know him deeper.' Nerith reflected inside, a gentle smile emerging—a sight seldom witnessed on her.

Anna Grace and her companions spotted this shift and shared quiet glances. They felt sure the Demon Princess was catching feelings for Yuan.

"My sweet girl, doesn't this echo how you first crossed paths with our wonderful hubby? She's smitten after the duel too," Vanessa joked with a mischievous grin, murmuring into Valeria's ear.

"Mom, stop bringing that up. It's mortifying!" Valeria shot back, her cheeks turning a vivid crimson.

Back at the palace, Empress Varia greeted them warmly, her gaze swiftly checking Yuan for injuries, fully aware of Nerith's ferocity in combat.

Yet, to her astonishment, Yuan stood unscathed. Nerith, however, seemed worn out, with Varia spotting her fatigue and the minor cuts on her skin.

'What occurred? Why does Nerith bear the marks? Did this youth overcome her? No way!' Empress Varia mused, shock etching onto her features.

"Ah? You're back at last. Rhex and the rest wondered where you'd vanished to, so I explained it all," Varia noted, eyeing Nerith sternly.

She went on with a faint smirk, "And once he heard you hauled our visitors to the training ground for a spar, he's pretty angry at you, Nerith."

"Hmph! As if I give a damn about his opinion? Besides, Yuan chose to duel me of his own accord," Nerith huffed, then glanced toward Yuan.

"Come on, let's get cleaned up. No sense lingering here for a scolding from this old woman." Nerith abruptly seized Yuan's hand and tugged him away.

"..." Varia gawked at Nerith in stunned silence, utterly floored by her action.

"Looks like the princess is warming up to our dear one," Anna Grace commented with a light laugh, snapping Varia out of her daze.

"Incredible... She's stayed alone for a millennium and kept her distance from men. How's she grasping a guy's hand now?" Varia whispered in astonishment, barely registering Anna Grace's remark amid her shock.

'This is insane... It's like seeing my own first encounter with Yuan... so humiliating! I behaved just like that!' Valeria wailed in her mind, deeply embarrassed.

Meanwhile, Yuan could only trail after Nerith, her hold too strong and her attention fixed straight ahead.

'What's running through this woman's head? Dragging me off to bathe like this... Did the duel make her fall for me already?' Yuan pondered quietly as he went along.

She towered over him, being a demon—and not just any, but of Royal Bloodline. Her form was striking, aside from the many scars from battles etched across her skin.

Soon enough, they reached a vast bathing room boasting a enormous tub brimming with hot water, steam filling the air thickly.

"Here's our bath. Impressively large, huh?" Nerith remarked with a broad grin, starting to shed her garments piece by piece.

She displayed no sign of bashfulness or unease stripping before a man; it seemed utterly ordinary to her, her eyes free of any guilt.

Yuan felt a brief jolt seeing her fully exposed, but he quickly mirrored her and eased into the water.

"Doesn't this feel wonderful?" she queried, reclining against the tub's rim while staring upward, the heated liquid soothing her frame.

"Very soothing, I'd say... A perfect unwind after a tiring day," Yuan replied with a subtle smile.

"Yes. I make this a daily ritual post rigorous sessions... Sadly, it's rare when I'm posted at the frontier." She released a gentle breath.