Subei's small face turned pale as he snapped at Yu Yuanzhen, "I'm not ashamed, but who's shameless enough to train me?!"
Yu Yuanzhen shot back, "Look, Erlong, my brother knew from the start you weren't suited to educate anyone, and opposed your appointment as principal of Blue Tyrant Academy."
"Such an exceptional child, yet how do you educate him? He's full of curses and rude to elders. Listen to his father—if you can't teach him, leave him to us. At most, we won't interfere with your meetings."
"Who dares challenge him?"
Boom!
Liu Erlong exploded like a fierce tigress, his soul power surging to protect Subei and Xiao Wu. Seven spirit rings swirled around him—he was truly a formidable Soul Sage!
"You pulled me out of the wedding at first. Then the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect nearly destroyed my future. Now you want to erase me altogether? I don't blame you."
"But if you want to take Xiaobei and Xiao Wu away from me, you'll have to kill me!"
His roar startled Yu Yuanzhen and Yu Luomian. Yet, out of respect, they held back, though in their hearts, they hadn't truly meant harm.
"I am who I am. And I am your father, after all."
Suddenly, a man in official robes and imperial brocade hurried through the forest, his sharp voice slicing through the tense silence:
"The royal decree calls for this place. Is this Liu Erlong's residence—the principal of Blue Tyrant Academy?"
￥￥￥￥￥￥￥￥￥￥￥￥
"The royal decree?"
At once, the atmosphere shifted.
Even Northern Jiangsu stirred with interest.
The Tiandou Empire's political situation was fragile. Though the Tiandou Royal family dominated, they had to tread carefully. The Tiansanzong Sect and Wuhun Palace were prime targets of royal envy.
Because, within the Heaven Dou imperial clan, there was no powerhouse at the Douluo title level!
But in the Three Heavenly Sects, there was at least one Super Douluo!
The Wuhun Palace alone harbored a dozen titled Douluos, leading the entire continent!
Yu Yuanzhen and Yu Luomian rose, sighing: "Since the royal family has come, we'll discuss the matter of those two children later."
Yu Yuanzhen thought, "I haven't seen Erlong for months, but his temper's flared again. Classic Zegang's mother."
Liu Erlong hummed, "No one hurts my son and daughter without contest! My mother will fight tooth and nail!"
"We're truly kind, Erlong. You really scare my father…"
"Ah."
"Roll."
After Liu Erlong responded to the royal envoy outside the lake island, the envoy swiftly crossed the wooden bridge and presented the emperor's imperial decree:
"In three days, the royal emperor will appoint the prince, and all will celebrate. We invite Liu Erlong, principal of Lanba Academy, and Jun'er to attend the ceremony and present the seven-star mother and child neon clothes."
The envoy produced two exquisite sets of clothing from a space ring and handed them to Liu Erlong.
Then, smiling warmly, he looked at Subei.
"Presumably, this is Principal Liu's child. Truly beautiful. What is their name?"
The envoy's interest in Subei was so great that Yu Yuanzhen and Yu Luomian were temporarily ignored, their faces darkening.
News that Emperor Xueye would soon appoint Prince Xue Qinghe had spread, but they had not received any decree to observe the occasion.
Instead, the royal envoy came directly to Liu Erlong.
What secret lay behind this?
Yu Yuanzhen scoffed silently, "Our Blue Lightning Tyrant Longzong and Tiandou Royal have never had good relations. Not being invited isn't strange."
Liu Erlong's eyes narrowed, sensing something amiss.
He quickly recognized Xiao Bei and Xiao Wu as the children involved and recalled the stir Xiao Bei's appearance had caused. So he hadn't announced their presence with fanfare.
"How did the royal family find out about my children?" Liu Erlong couldn't help asking.
The royal envoy smiled faintly and whispered in Liu Erlong's ear, "Before you returned to Tiandou City, you had dealings with the eldest prince. He once saw Lingzi. The principal brought the children to meet major sect forces—and incidentally to meet the prince."
Liu Erlong suddenly understood but shook his head.
"Thanks to the eldest prince's kindness, but Beier is still young and doesn't like strangers. I'm afraid this will betray the prince's goodwill."
The royal envoy looked embarrassed.
All major sects in Tiandou City knew the eldest prince Xue Qinghe was about to be named prince, and all sought favor.
Yet Liu Erlong had resisted.
Most importantly, since the prince returned, he had fallen into depression and repeatedly inquired about the child.
This time, he gave a death order to invite the child as guest to the palace—and came all the way to the lake island, bypassing even Yu Yuanzhen, sect master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect.
"The Crown Prince…"
Subei thought quietly, this was likely Xue Qinghe disguised as Qian Renxue.
When the royal envoy mentioned all major sects would gather, Subei was moved.
"Will children from all major sects attend?" Subei asked.
The envoy clicked his tongue, impressed by Subei's presence.
No wonder the prince expected great things from this child and wanted to establish connections.
Simply being seen was invaluable!
Offering sincere respect, the royal envoy said, "The Imperial Seal Ceremony invites representatives from the major sects. Except for the top sects, others may not bring their children privately into the palace."
"That's all."
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