Chapter 56: Matchmaking

Chapter 56: Matchmaking

The elves hold the Mother Tree in high regard, making it very difficult for Ji Jing, an elf of unknown origin and mixed blood, to approach it.

So when he heard that Doma was only half a month away from adulthood, he immediately thought of using this opportunity to get closer to the Mother Tree.

Doma was about to nod in agreement when Dala stepped forward and said, "You two have traveled far and must be tired. The chief has already arranged a welcoming banquet for you. Rest well tonight, and attend the banquet tomorrow. It will also be a chance for Flame Dragon Warrior to meet the candidates for the alliance marriage."

Ji Jing realized his abruptness. Clearly, the main character should be Long Su, who had come for the matchmaking. He immediately smiled and took a step back, no longer pressing Doma.

Then, they followed Dala into the rooms prepared for them.

Elven houses are generally small, even the chief's residence is just a two-story building. The larger guest room was assigned to Long Su, while the one given to Ji Jing was much smaller, with very simple furnishings.

Lying on a bed that was only about 1.3 meters wide, his body felt weary, but his mind was far from at peace.

He wondered if the Mother Tree of the elves could help him solve his problem. Ever since the other soul within him bid farewell, Ji Jing could feel it growing weaker. In recent days, he could hardly sense its presence at all.

This made the succubus somewhat irritable.

Although he knew this outcome from the start, after spending so much time together, especially during that month of drifting through space, Ji Jing did not want the original soul to disappear like this. He wanted to give it a better ending.

However, the little succubus had no clear plan. Even if he met the Mother Tree of the elves, it would only add a bit of uncertain hope.

But no matter how uncertain this hope was, he still wanted to try his best.

In a daze, Ji Jing thought of Luo Ke again. Although he had sent a message before leaving, he didn't know if Luo Ke was disobeying and searching for him...

On Imperial Star, Luo Ke was still not giving up, repeatedly watching surveillance videos from major transportation ports, his gray-green eyes bloodshot from overuse.

But he still refused to give up, until—

News of a Zerg invasion at the Capital Region defenses arrived, and the eight legions convened an emergency meeting. After the meeting, Deputy Commander Zhong stayed behind to handle First Legion affairs, while Luo Ke personally led troops to the front lines.

Whether he liked it or not, he needed this battle to divert public speculation about his relationship with Ji Jing.

While Luo Ke piloted his exclusive Black Panther mech in combat against the Zerg at the Capital Region defenses, Ji Jing, in the Jasmine Galaxy, was attending a matchmaking... welcoming banquet with Long Su.

At the banquet, several elegantly dressed eligible female elves gathered together, whispering and discussing their matchmaking target—Long Su.

However, these female elves' gazes would occasionally drift towards Ji Jing, and even Long Su's attention was often on Ji Jing. Compared to the few female elves present, he found Ji Jing much more interesting.

Not long after the banquet began, Long Su danced with each of the female elves, as arranged by Dala, allowing each elf to interact closely with Long Su for a few minutes.

Though this arrangement was meant to give Long Su and the female elves a chance to get to know each other, to Ji Jing, it seemed like Long Su was being... passed around.

Thinking of this, Ji Jing, sitting in a corner, couldn't help but chuckle softly.

"What are you laughing at?"

A pleasant voice sounded in his ear. Ji Jing turned to see Doma sitting beside him, offering a cup of blue liquid.

"Try it, it's a specialty from Spry Star, called Spirit Juice."

"Thank you!"

After thanking Doma, Ji Jing didn't rush to drink it but first sniffed it. A faintly sweet and slightly fishy smell wafted up, making his stomach feel a bit uncomfortable.

Blue tends to suppress appetite, and honestly, Ji Jing didn't really want to drink what was in front of him. But seeing the expectant look in Doma's eyes, he endured the discomfort and took a small sip.

The taste surprised Ji Jing; it was sour and sweet, actually quite refreshing.

"How is it?" Doma asked with a smile.

Ji Jing nodded, "It's good, a bit like juice but not quite. I've never tasted anything quite like it before."

Doma smiled, "How was your life in human society?"

Ji Jing replied half-truthfully, "It was okay. When I was young, many humans rejected me because I was different. But I always worked hard, and as I grew older, my strength surpassed many humans, so they weren't as hostile anymore."

Doma nodded, "Indeed, you are very talented!"

Ji Jing suspected that Doma was completely charmed by his allure, as he hadn't shown any real strength.

Seeing Ji Jing's slightly awkward smile, Doma added, "You mentioned yesterday that you wanted to participate in my coming-of-age ceremony?"

Ji Jing's face lit up, and he nodded immediately, "Yes, can I?"

Doma hesitated, "I think it should be possible."

In reality, it wasn't possible. Even though Ji Jing had half-elf blood, having grown up in the human world, he was considered an outsider by the elves.

But Doma couldn't bear to see Ji Jing disappointed, so he agreed, believing the elders would give the chief some face.

They chatted for a bit more, and then Long Su suddenly walked over, looking like he had finished his rounds.

Judging by Long Su's expression, it seemed he hadn't found a suitable match among the female elves.

Doma asked with a smile, "Flame Dragon Warrior, how was it? Did any of the elves catch your eye?"

Long Su's face flushed slightly, and his gaze involuntarily shifted to Ji Jing. Then he said, "I... I need to think about it."

"Alright," Doma responded with a smile, saying no more.

If Long Su didn't find a suitable match among these female elves, Doma wouldn't arrange additional matches. The original purpose of the marriage alliance was to strengthen ties between the two races, not to let Long Su choose a concubine.

Even if Long Su were a Flame Dragon King, he wouldn't be allowed to pick freely.

If this marriage alliance failed, Doma would send a generous gift to Long Su's father as compensation for saving the previous chief.

After the banquet ended, Ji Jing was about to leave when Long Su called him back.

"Ji Jing, can I have a word with you in private?"

Ji Jing raised an eyebrow slightly, and from the flush on Long Su's cheeks, he could guess what he wanted to say.

To be honest, Long Su did meet his standards for a bed partner, but Ji Jing was currently preoccupied with the matter of the original soul, and didn't feel like pursuing a new relationship right now.

Still, he followed Long Su to the backyard.

Standing at the gate, Ji Jing looked directly into Long Su's eyes and asked with a smile, "What do you want to tell me?"

Long Su had been mentally prepared, but seeing Ji Jing's straightforward gaze made him suddenly nervous again, "I... I... I want to say..."

Out of the corner of his eye, Ji Jing saw two elderly elves working not far from the courtyard. One of them fished out a white, plump worm about a foot long from a basket woven from vines, slit its belly open, and handed it to the other elf.

The other elf took the worm, which was still wriggling, without hesitation, and twisted it over a wooden bucket, squeezing out a stream of blue liquid from the cut belly...

Blushing, Long Su stammered out the rest of his words, "I want to say... I think I've fallen in love with you at first sight. What... what do you feel about me?"

Before Ji Jing could respond, the air was filled with a sweet, pungent smell. Recalling the Spirit Juice he had drunk not long ago, he suddenly—

"Ugh... *vomit*..."