Heaven Dou Empire, Royal Academy
"Uncle, I don't know why, but I feel like Xue Qinghe has been targeting me recently."
Xue Beng's face was dark and uneasy. The recent events had left him with a very bad feeling.
Prince Xue Xing had naturally noticed the same things.
He lowered his eyes slightly, hiding the sharp thoughts behind them.
He was a wise man. Most of the princes of the Heaven Dou Empire had either died or been crippled. In the end, the only ones who still had the right to inherit the throne were Xue Xing and Xue Beng.
The only reason Xue Beng had survived safely until now was, first, because he clearly understood the bloody struggle within the royal family and had always taken precautions.
And second, because he felt that Xue Qinghe was not as simple as he appeared to be.
Whenever he faced Xue Qinghe, there was always a strange sense of falseness about the young man.
"We've been living peacefully for so many years. I don't know why Xue Qinghe suddenly turned his attention to you."
"For now, stay inside the Royal Academy. Although this place is technically Xue Qinghe's territory, it's still an academy for cultivating geniuses."
"There are plenty of royal masters stationed here. Even if Xue Qinghe wants to harm you, he'll have to think twice."
"He wouldn't throw away the reputation he's spent years building just to kill you."
Prince Xue Xing thought for a long moment before speaking.
Of course, he couldn't truly protect Xue Beng just by leaving him in the Royal Academy. What he said was mainly to calm his nephew's nerves.
Xue Beng felt a little more at ease after hearing this.
"Uncle, I can't hide here forever. Isn't there any way to completely get rid of Xue Qinghe?"
Hatred flickered in Xue Beng's eyes.
Since childhood, he had endured countless assassination attempts. Thanks to his uncle's protection, he had survived.
Life had only become stable after he pretended to be arrogant and brainless.
But now the shadows of his childhood returned, and he could no longer endure them.
In the past, he had been powerless to resist. But now, he wanted to carve out a path for his own future.
Prince Xuexing looked at the young man in front of him, and a trace of satisfaction appeared in his eyes.
Yes—he was still a prince of the royal family. He couldn't afford to be weak and cowardly like an ordinary person.
Blind tolerance would only make Xue Qinghe even more reckless.
"I heard you and Yu Tianheng are close. It was thanks to Yu Tianheng that those people were driven out of the Royal Academy."
"If possible, try to win the support of the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex family."
"Xue Qinghe has the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect behind him, but their leader is cautious. He won't gamble the entire sect's future on Xue Qinghe."
"Winning over the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex family is your best option now."
Prince Xuexing carefully analyzed the situation.
Xue Beng's eyes flickered. He remained silent for a long time before finally looking up.
"I'll do my best."
Inside the classroom
Since she couldn't leave the Royal Academy, Dugu Yan had resumed her studies.
She was even more aloof now than before.
In the past, she was often surrounded by members of the Royal Team.
But now, to avoid contact with Yu Tianheng, she spent her days alone.
Fortunately, she had long been accustomed to such solitude, and it didn't bother her much.
"Yanyan, look, this is a gift I prepared just for you."
"Haven't you always wanted this soul tool?"
Yu Tianheng came up to her, excited, and held out a gem as if showing off.
The gemstone shone brilliantly in his hand.
Dugu Yan's eyes, once dark green, now shone like obsidian as she looked at the soul tool.
It was something she had always wanted.
When worn, it could generate a protective barrier, isolating her body from outside contact.
Before, it had been perfect for her, since it stopped her toxins from harming others.
But now—
She no longer needed it.
"I've told you many times—we've broken up. Stop bothering me."
"I already have someone in my heart, and that will never change."
Her voice was steady and determined.
Yu Tianheng's palm tightened around the gem.
"I don't understand. You've only known him for such a short time. Why are you so obsessed with him?"
His voice was low and heavy.
Behind him, Ye Lingling lifted her head at his words, then quickly looked away.
Of all people, she understood the tangled relationship between the two captains best.
She didn't know why the vice-captain had suddenly changed her heart.
Later, Dugu Yan had explained everything about that night to her.
What Ye Lingling couldn't understand was why the captain refused to listen to the vice-captain's repeated explanations, and why he only regretted it after she finally gave up.
"It's all that Ma Hongjun's fault. If it weren't for him, our team wouldn't have ended up like this."
Oslo's voice was full of irritation.
If they had known earlier, they would never have gone to Soto City.
Who would have thought that in such a remote place, they'd encounter a soul master as talented as Ma Hongjun?
Not only had they been defeated by him, even their vice-captain had fallen for him.
And to think—the captain and vice-captain had once been deeply in love!
"Maybe the vice-captain has her own reasons."
Shi Mo finally spoke after a long silence.
He still remembered the captain's madness, and the vice-captain's repeated explanations.
"I really don't get what the vice-captain is thinking. Giving up the captain for some penniless kid?"
"The captain is from the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex family. His background is countless times better than that boy's."
Oslo still sounded unwilling.
Dugu Yan, however, was impatient.
She had been focusing all her effort on training for the upcoming Advanced Soul Master Competition.
Ever since that night, her cultivation had been progressing much faster, and her condition was far better than before.
She was now only two levels away from reaching rank 40.
At the thought, a spark lit in her eyes.
If she could fight Ma Hongjun again, her strength would improve even further.
She steadied her mind, recalling her grandfather Dugu Bo's advice.
When dealing with someone like Ma Hongjun, she couldn't afford to be reserved.
If she was proactive enough, she would one day earn her place by his side.
Thinking of the future, a faint blush crept onto Dugu Yan's face, and her eyes softened.
She might not be able to be with Ma Hongjun now, but one day—
She wanted her name to be forever tied to his.