Liu Erlong knew they had found the treasure, but he was puzzled by how much Subei knew. He asked, "Xiaobei, you're smart and quick to learn, but who taught you all this?"
"My late father," Subei answered simply.
Subei then used the classic template of Douluo protagonists: "And Xiao Wu was picked up by my father as a baby. We grew up together and have a really close bond." She gently held Xiao Wu's hand and winked, and Xiao Wu caught on instantly, nodding with a smile, "Yeah!"
Liu Erlong didn't question Subei. After all, she was a peerless beauty and a talented spirit master. It was only natural to feel happy flying through the skies with such company.
With a smile, Liu Erlong said, "With the talents you two have, especially Xiaobei, if you find a good teacher to guide you, your future will have no limits."
Subei nodded thoughtfully. "I've heard the Spirit Hall is incredibly powerful. Especially Pope Bibi Dong—he's a level 98 Super Douluo now, and soon expected to be promoted to a level 99 Ultimate Douluo. Truly formidable."
"It's not as easy as you make it sound," Liu Erlong said seriously, pinching Subei's arm gently before continuing, "Xiaobei, don't let her name slip out in front of my mother again."
Subei chuckled, "Don't be so serious. Actually, Pope Bibi Dong was abandoned by that man too. You both have similar pain, so as women, you should understand and support each other."
Liu Erlong was caught off guard by Subei's frankness. But he had grown used to how mature and wise she was beyond her years. After all, both their parents had passed away early, and as the elder brother, he had to take care of his younger sister from a young age. That naturally made him more independent.
Thinking this, Liu Erlong hugged Subei tightly, making sure she felt his love—though it was so close it was almost suffocating.
"Are you looking through your father's diary again?" he asked with concern.
"Yeah," she said.
Xiao Wutu eyed Subei suspiciously and muttered, "How can you lie so naturally without blushing? It sounds exactly like something from the Realm of Fierce Beasts!"
Subei continued, "Think about it—a young girl under the pressure of family and career, wavering in love. But that man didn't understand her. Instead, he ran off with another woman who was in love with him, leaving her heartbroken and reluctant to have a daughter. Isn't that the sorrow between these two women?"
As Subei spoke, Liu Erlong's gaze softened. "Even though Xiaobei is young, she understands great truths. Women have heavy responsibilities, and it's never easy."
"Alright, we should hurry back to Blue Tyrant Academy. Xiaobei, although you can skillfully summon spirits and use their powers, your spirit control still needs work. Your mother will personally teach you when we get there."
Liu Erlong gathered his thoughts and headed back with Subei and Xiao Wu to Ma Cheng.
At that moment, a lavish carriage approached from a distance, flanked by dozens of silver-armored guards and flying the [Tiandou Royal] banner, rushing past at full speed.
Seeing it, Liu Erlong stepped aside respectfully.
His heart thought, "The royal family has been weakening generation after generation. Princes have either met untimely deaths or illnesses. Only the eldest prince, Xue Qinghe, remains—and he's lived up to expectations with remarkable achievements."
Xiao Wu whispered, "There's going to be a big event. I can hear the thunder of horses and chariots from far away."
Seeing the Tiandou Royal banner, Subei thought of Xue Qinghe for the first time. Unless something had changed, Xue Qinghe was likely in disguise as Qian Renxue from the Elder Hall of Wuhun Temple.
Qian Renxue was a great goddess in the Douluo world, possessing a rare bestowed martial soul, charming and breathtakingly beautiful.
If only Fangze could receive an angel's blessing from her...
Subei leaned halfway out of the carriage to watch as the elaborate vehicle vanished into the dust cloud without stopping.
Why such urgency?
What Subei didn't yet know was that the person inside the carriage was Xue Qinghe disguised as Qian Renxue.
Xue Qinghe revealed a delicate, refined face through a crack in the rolling curtain, trying to take another glance—but the carriage was already speeding away.
He wanted to order a stop to ask which child it was and how talented they were. But then he recalled Emperor Xueye's imperial decree—her mission had been lurking in Tiandou Royal all these years, so she couldn't afford delays.
He ordered his men, "Go all out to investigate who is behind that carriage. Report back immediately when you return to the palace!"
"Yes, sir!"
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Lanba Academy stood in the heart of Tiandou City, the imperial capital of the Tiandou Empire.
The city bustled with prosperity, its streets paved with fine blue bricks, spacious and grand.
Blue Tyrant Academy was a soul master school established by the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus family, so most students were from that lineage.
On Douluo Continent, three heavenly sects dominated the sky, boasting immense power and prestige. All bore the title Douluo, and their family disciples were among the strongest.
The four earth sects were far inferior, their family resources and spirit master backgrounds nowhere near the sky sects.
But to ordinary residents of the Douluo Continent, whether heavenly or earthly sects, all were noble families who dared not be provoked or disrespected.
Aside from the royal families of the two empires and the super-powerful Wuhun Temple, few could rival them.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect counted among the three heavenly sects, and its strength and background spoke for themselves.
With warm sunlight filtering through tree-lined avenues and fountains spraying sparkling water in the college square, spring was in full bloom, perfectly timed with the new school term.
At Lanba Academy's grand gates, carved from white marble, eight gilt characters read: Lanba Senior Soul Master Academy.
Though an advanced academy, it offered junior and intermediate soul master classes as foundational education.
Parents sent their children here in hopes of nurturing their latent talents, and the grounds bustled with vibrant, energetic youth.
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During the recommendation period, everyone eagerly sought tickets—no one wanted to miss out!
Liu Erlong personally drove the white Hannover horse along a special road, moving steadily forward.
Xiao Wu lifted the carriage curtain, marveling at the busy streets and lively scenes outside.
"Brother, there are so many people around. Is Lanba Academy really that famous? Are all these kids coming here to study?"
Liu Erlong replied coolly, "As the direct college of our Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus family, Lanba Academy is far more famous than most soul master schools. Naturally, the admission standards are higher too."
"Some of these children came to awaken their martial spirit here. Some have already undergone the Wuhun Hall awakening ceremony, but if their innate spirit power is below level three, they can't enter Lanba Academy."
"Level three is a high bar. Few reach it. For most, level three spirit power is the threshold, screening out thousands of others."