Muria was genuinely surprised. He didn't expect to encounter the Dragon Princess again. Muria thought she had already left, especially since he had been in the celestial realm for over three months. He couldn't understand why the Dragon Princess would still have any reason to stay in the Uranus Empire. The flow of time in the celestial realm is the same as in the material realm; there is no situation where a day in the heavens equals a year on earth.
Moreover, he had already made a move against the Dragon Princess, attempting to do something not very pleasant to her. So Muria was very surprised that she still had the courage to appear before him. Despite his surprise, Muria's actions did not slow down.
"Please stop!" A slightly anxious shout rang out. A sapphire dragon appeared in front of the Dragon Princess, trying to block Muria's hand.
Muria ignored it and continued to extend his hand, grabbing the relatively petite sapphire dragon. This was also his target.
With hardly any resistance, the legendary sapphire dragon seemed to accept its fate, letting Muria grasp it.
"The princess wants to talk to you!" The sapphire dragon quickly said while being held by Muria.
"Fine, but first, return my six chromatic dragons!" Muria extended his hand, and the power of the wind surged, enveloping Felicia, lifting her up and binding her in Muria's hand.
"I can return the chromatic dragons to you, but you must agree to one condition!" Standing in Muria's hand, Felicia showed no fear. Instead, she looked excited and thrilled, raising her head to meet Muria's golden eyes without any sign of dread.
"What condition?"
"Form a Dragon Pact with me!" The Dragon Princess was extremely excited as she stated her request. This was the reason she had risked staying in the Uranus Empire, for Muria, this unique "dragon."
"These chromatic dragons were originally mine," Muria looked down at the Dragon Princess, whom he could crush with one fist. "Using my dragons to bargain with me, don't you think that's a bit much?"
"I just want to form a pact with you! I'm not asking for anything excessive. Forming a pact with me benefits you too," Dragon Princess Felicia said, looking at Muria with a matter-of-fact expression.
"I refuse."
"Why?" The Dragon Princess asked, slightly dissatisfied, not understanding Muria's decision.
"I don't recognize you. That's the reason." Muria said calmly. A Dragon Pact is typically formed with creatures recognized by dragons. In times of danger, the pact holder could summon the dragon for assistance, but even close allies had to pay for help. The phrase "clear accounts between brothers" perfectly described the relationships among dragons.
"You don't recognize me?" The Dragon Princess widened her eyes, which sparkled like blue diamonds. "Do you know how many dragons beg me to form a pact with them?"
"That's none of my concern." Muria said disdainfully. "You can buy other dragons' recognition with treasure, but don't think you can buy mine."
"Who says I only earn recognition with money?" Muria's words seemed to hit a sore spot for the Dragon Princess. She looked angry, resembling an infuriated... hamster? Clawing and scratching, but ultimately a weakling with no real threat, at least in Muria's eyes.
"Enough talking, give me back my dragons."
"No." The Dragon Princess refused angrily.
"Consider your position." Muria reminded her.
"I see it. Anyway, you won't do anything to me." The Dragon Princess looked at Muria fearlessly. If Muria had been of the chromatic or gem dragon lineage, she might have feared what he would do, but Muria was a golden dragon, so she was not afraid.
"...," Muria looked at her. He wouldn't do anything too excessive, not because he didn't dare, but because it wasn't worth it. The consequences of harming the Dragon Princess might be more than he could handle at this stage. If things got out of hand, the epic titans would have to intervene for him again. They had already done so twice because of him; a third time in such a short period would be too much.
"I won't do anything extreme, but giving you a lesson, even your father can't object to." Muria's gaze on the Dragon Princess became a bit mischievous.
"What are you planning?" The Dragon Princess took a small step back, suddenly feeling uneasy. This guy didn't seem like a typical golden dragon.
"Thunk!" A small, seemingly insignificant gust of wind formed in front of Felicia's forehead, making a slight cracking sound as it struck.
"Ouch! It hurts!" Felicia, suddenly struck on the forehead, sat down on Muria's hand, clutching her reddened forehead, tears welling up. She had never experienced pain like this.
"Return the dragons!" Muria said coldly.
"No... ow..."
"Thunk!" Another strike landed.
"I'll keep hitting you until you give in." Muria said coldly.
"Thunk!" "Ow..." "Thunk!" "Ow..."
"You won't make me submit," the Dragon Princess said firmly, holding her head covered in bumps.
"How about this?" Muria dangled the sapphire dragon in front of Felicia. "Ever heard of skinning a dragon? These scales look valuable."
"You..." The Dragon Princess looked at Muria in horror, as if seeing a villain. She finally relented, "Let go of Lynn, and I'll return the dragons."
"That's better!" Muria was satisfied.
"Don't think this is over. You insulted my dignity. I challenge you to a royal duel!" The Dragon Princess stood up stubbornly. "If you win, you can make any request. If you lose, you form a Dragon Pact with me. Do you dare accept?"
"A duel?" Muria looked at the Dragon Princess, a hint of a smile on his lips. "What makes you think you can challenge me?"
"I'm a princess of the Orlando Empire!"
"That doesn't change the fact that I can crush you with a finger," Muria responded.
"I said a royal duel, not a primitive single combat." The Dragon Princess looked at Muria with disdain. "Don't you even know that? And you can't crush me with one finger."
"Is that something to be proud of?" Muria asked, turning to Princess Gladys. "Can you explain what a royal duel is?"
"A royal duel is a way for royal members of the ten great empires to resolve conflicts," Gladys explained. "Initially, it was a clash between royal members and their armies. Later, an emperor proposed a new method to the other nine emperors."
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