Everyone couldn't help but grumble inwardly at Li Chang'an's behavior. Hadn't he just been acting all tough a moment ago? Why's he suddenly playing turtle?
But they soon realized something strange — while Yu Tianheng's thunder attacks looked fierce, they didn't so much as shake Li Chang'an. No matter how flashy or intense the lightning got, he stood there like a stone statue — completely unmoved.
'Alright, time to wrap this up.'
Li Chang'an waited until Yu Tianheng's thunderstorm of an assault ended, then finally withdrew the Donghuang Bell. Smiling at Yu Tianheng, he said:
"Suppress."
As he uttered that word, the Donghuang Bell suddenly expanded into a massive bell five meters in diameter and slammed toward Yu Tianheng like a falling meteor.
Yu Tianheng didn't dare to slack off. He immediately raised his Dragon Claws to block — but that was the best he could manage. The moment he felt the weight of the bell, he knew he was completely outmatched. With just two hits, he was forced back to the edge of the arena!
"Wong—"
The Donghuang Bell rang out, unleashing a tremor akin to a mental shockwave that surged directly into Yu Tianheng's brain. The next instant, he was launched clear off the arena.
"Tianheng!"
Dugu Yan moved swiftly, catching Yu Tianheng midair. Her emerald-green eyes locked onto Li Chang'an, blazing with cold fury as if she wanted to tear him apart.
"I'll deal with you!"
With a flash, Dugu Yan leapt onto the arena and released her martial soul.
A green glow flickered over her body, and a small green scale appeared on her forehead. Her legs fused into a serpentine tail, her whole body becoming soft and sinuous.
With a hiss, she spat out a dense cloud of violet poison mist, which twisted and writhed like it had a will of its own, heading straight toward Li Chang'an.
"Let's see how you handle my poison!"
Dugu Yan sneered coldly.
Li Chang'an calmly tapped the Nullspace, summoning a large leather flask filled with realgar wine.
He'd originally prepared this specifically to counter venom like the Jade Phosphor Serpent. With so much space in the Nullspace, he figured it was worth stashing a few bottles.
"Then let me show you exactly how I'll deal with it. Don't cry when it hurts, alright?"
Grinning, he tossed the flask high into the air, then fired a blast of soul power at it — the container exploded mid-air, dispersing a fine mist of wine.
The violet poison mist reacted instantly, like it had just met its nemesis. Its color faded rapidly — while not completely neutralized, it was no longer a threat to Li Chang'an.
"No… that's impossible!"
Dugu Yan stared at him, dumbfounded. Her most trusted venom had been neutralized just like that?
"You going to get off the stage on your own, or should I send you flying?"
Shouldering the Donghuang Bell, Li Chang'an strode toward her, casually asking with a smirk.
"I won't—"
She had just started to protest, but Li Chang'an didn't feel like wasting words. He simply raised the bell and knocked her clean off the arena.
"Who's next?!"
Li Chang'an stood tall, holding the bell like a weaponized war hammer, sweeping his gaze over the crowd with wicked arrogance — while his points tally kept climbing.
---
The rest of the match needed little elaboration. After knocking out two more opponents singlehandedly, Meng Shenji had to call off the match. What could he do? The guy was too wild — using a giant bell like a warhammer? Who does that?
"Elder, I am thoroughly disappointed in this academy's instruction. I will report this directly to the Emperor and request an overhaul of Heaven Dou Royal Academy."
Qian Renxue coldly tossed out her parting remark before leading her team away.
With this event as justification, she could now fully insert herself into the academy's affairs — a prime opportunity to expand her power. After all, every student in the Royal Academy had a noble family backing them.
"Ah, dear nephew! You visited my academy and didn't even tell me? I would've come to welcome you personally."
A hearty voice rang out just then. A middle-aged man dressed in princely robes approached Qian Renxue and her group with a smile. Behind him followed a young man wearing the academy uniform.
That young man, who bore a resemblance to Xue Qinghe, gave a shy greeting:
"B-Brother, you're here…"
Xue Qinghe raised her chin slightly.
"No need to trouble yourself, Uncle. This was just a routine inspection — no need to make a fuss."
She then turned to the young man, giving his shoulder a pat:
"Study hard."
Without lingering, she turned and left with her team.
But just as they were leaving, Li Chang'an brushed past the young man and subtly pressed a hand to him. No one noticed, but he had slipped a trace of soul power into the youth's body.
From the way he was dressed and addressed, Li Chang'an quickly guessed the youth's identity: Heaven Dou Empire's final heir — Xue Beng.
And the energy Li Chang'an had left inside him wasn't just any soul power — it was a sliver from his very soul core, the purest essence of his strength.
That trace wouldn't harm Xue Beng, nor would it be absorbed by him. But if Li Chang'an ever stood before him again, he could summon it back — and if he wanted to, he could punch a hole through Xue Beng with it.
A small contingency plan for the future. If Qian Renxue ever failed to claim the throne, and Xue Beng succeeded instead… then Li Chang'an would have the means to quietly take him out. And with his death, the Heaven Dou Empire might just collapse overnight.
---
Once inside the carriage, Qian Renxue set up a barrier and immediately threw herself into Li Chang'an's arms, planting a kiss on his lips.
"Thank you. Really. You have no idea how important it was for me to gain control of the academy today. Without you, I'd have left here in total humiliation."
Li Chang'an gently stroked her cheek.
"Then how are you planning to thank me?"
Qian Renxue's thoughts flickered back to those embarrassing things from earlier that morning.
"As long as you don't make me give up my body… I can help you again."
"Alright then — let's do it right here."
He leaned in and kissed her lips again, whispering gently.
"N-No! Someone might see!"
Qian Renxue pushed him back, her face flushed crimson.
"Then we'll wait till we're back. You can wear your palace dress, and we'll—"
Li Chang'an said with a devilish grin.
"No! Absolutely not…"
She tried to protest, but her voice was getting weaker.
_____
T/N:
Hello everyone! My Patreon is just $3 — a perfect opportunity to access 20+ advanced chapters and support the translation.
You'll also get access to firsthand girls' pics as a bonus!
🔗 patreon.com/user?u=79514336
Or simply search Translator-Sama on Patreon