Zhu Zhuqing, holding Yang Yunhai's hand, turned her head.
It was the Star Luo Royal Academy. At the front stood Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun, both surprised.
"Let's go say hello." Yang Yunhai said softly.
"Mm." Zhu Zhuqing nodded lightly and followed him forward.
As they approached, Zhu Zhuyun glanced at Yang Yunhai's other hand, which held Dugu Yan's. Her brows furrowed slightly, but soon smoothed. When Zhu Zhuqing drew near, her lips curled into a charming, somewhat playful smile. "Zhuqing, aren't you going to introduce me to this one by your side?"
"Yang Yunhai." Yang Yunhai smiled faintly and spoke first.
"Big Sister." Zhu Zhuqing's voice was soft. "Thank you."
Zhu Zhuyun's pupils contracted, but she quickly smiled and nodded gently. Turning her gaze to Dugu Yan, she asked, "And this young lady is?"
"Dugu Yan." Dugu Yan inclined her head slightly.
'Dugu Bo's granddaughter?' Zhu Zhuyun froze. Though she lived far in the Star Luo Empire, she had still heard of the Titled Douluo Dugu Bo. Spirit Hall had once widely spread word of his deeds. His feud with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had even reached Star Luo. Her gaze flicked to the imposing middle-aged man beside Dugu Yan, and she smiled kindly.
"So this is Miss Dugu."
She turned to Dugu Bo and gave a slight bow. "Then this must be Your Holiness Dugu himself?"
Dugu Bo gave a slight nod, acknowledging it.
"Junior greets Your Holiness." Out of courtesy, Dai Weisi and the Star Luo Royal Academy students bowed together.
"Mm." Dugu Bo gave a light response and ignored them further.
Zhu Zhuyun turned back to Zhu Zhuqing, smiling. "Zhuqing, congratulations."
Even though Dugu Yan stood at Yang Yunhai's side, Zhu Zhuyun could tell that Zhu Zhuqing did not mind. Their affection was clear, and they were satisfied together. With a Titled Douluo's protection, her sister's future safety was no longer in question.
Even with her marriage contract, the Star Luo royal family and Zhu family's elders would not dare provoke a Titled Douluo.
Especially not a poison-system Titled Douluo who specialized in group attacks. If he one day fought on the battlefield for the Heaven Dou Empire, he would be the Star Luo Empire's nightmare. But now, with Zhu Zhuqing tying them together, things were different. At the very least, they could appeal to sentiment, leaving room for maneuver. If the Star Luo Emperor was not a fool, he would not make things difficult for Zhuqing again.
And if they were in the Heaven Dou Empire, what could be done? Would they dare attack her there? That would only push Dugu Bo entirely into the Heaven Dou royal family's camp.
'Later, I'll explain this to Weisi—she must be drawn in, not provoked. When we return, we'll persuade His Majesty to annul her engagement.' Thinking this, Zhu Zhuyun turned to Yang Yunhai with a bright smile.
"Younger Brother Yang, Zhuqing will be in your care."
Yang Yunhai smiled. "Don't worry, Sister Yun. I promise no one will interfere with you."
"Then thank you, brother-in-law." Zhu Zhuyun laughed.
'So Dai Mubai also came to the tournament? I'll have to check which academy he joined later.' she thought.
During the tournament, both the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires fielded their own teams. As Dai Weisi's fiancée, she had been busy and hadn't sent anyone to investigate.
From Yang Yunhai's words, Dai Mubai's academy was not weak—strong enough to threaten their own.
If they lost to him in the finals, by the rules, Dai Mubai would indeed gain succession eligibility.
But if Yang Yunhai was willing to help—say, crippling Dai Mubai on the battlefield—then it was good news.
Yang Yunhai nodded. "Sister Yun, then we'll take our leave."
"Alright." Zhu Zhuyun nodded with a smile.
After all, Yang Yunhai represented the Heaven Dou Empire. Spending too long together here would be inappropriate.
"Zhuqing, until next time." She smiled at her younger sister.
"Mm." Zhu Zhuqing nodded lightly and left with Yang Yunhai.
When they had gone, Zhu Zhuyun turned to Dai Weisi and spoke softly, "Weisi, when we return, we need to investigate which academy Dai Mubai joined and their strength. From Yang Yunhai's words, that academy is strong enough to threaten ours. We can't be careless. Also, Dugu Bo—we must draw him in, not offend him."
"When we return, I'll speak to Father." Dai Weisi's tone was solemn. A poison-type, group-attack Titled Douluo whose Martial Soul had even evolved—he understood what that meant.
And Zhu Zhuqing was the only connection.
An abandoned prince was nothing compared to such a threat. For the empire, it was a necessary sacrifice. As a prince, this was his duty and fate.
'That's why I must win the final victory!' his heart resolved.
Zhu Zhuyun smiled faintly. "Weisi, don't put too much pressure on yourself. Didn't my brother-in-law say he'd help? As Zhuqing's man, he won't let Dai Mubai take the throne."
"Besides, I've heard he once defeated Yu Tianheng. If Dugu Bo values him so highly, his talent and strength must be extraordinary. He surely has confidence against Dai Mubai."
News traveled slowly between empires. Honestly, she didn't know Yang Yunhai well.
She only knew he had taken rare treasures, evolved his Martial Soul, defeated Yu Tianheng, cured Dugu Yan and Dugu Bo, and earned Dugu Bo's favor.
But she hadn't known Dugu Bo had even betrothed his granddaughter Dugu Yan to Yang Yunhai.
"Mm." Dai Weisi's face eased slightly as he nodded.
---
Meanwhile, Yu Xiaogang returned to the hotel where the team was staying.
"Xiao Wu has broken through to soul rank 40. The Dean took her midway to get a soul ring." Qin Ming explained.
The day passed. The next, Tang San and Liu Erlong arrived in Spirit City and found their team's hotel.
"Teacher, where's Xiao Wu?" Tang San asked when he didn't see her.
Qin Ming repeated the explanation.
By evening, Flender returned with Xiao Wu.
"This really happened?" After hearing Xiao Wu say she had gone out at night for convenience, walked too far, and coincidentally encountered a wounded rabbit-type soul beast of the right age, the Shrek members were all stunned.
It seemed her third soul ring had also been obtained this way—such luck!
"No matter what, a breakthrough is good news. And Xiao Wu's new soul skill is excellent." Flender smiled.
All eyes turned to Xiao Wu.
"Invincible Golden Body. My fourth soul skill is called Invincible Golden Body." Xiao Wu introduced directly.
Everyone was shocked again, their eyes bright with joy. With this skill, her combat strength had soared. In team battles, it would be decisive. Their chances of winning the championship had just risen again.
"Xiao Wu, your luck is really something else." Ma Hongjun couldn't help but mutter.
"Enough." Yu Xiaogang spoke, drawing everyone's gaze. Calmly, he said, "Xiao Wu's fourth soul skill is indeed outstanding. In group battles, it will be crucial. Next, we must adjust our tactics around her skill."
"Qin Ming, share your thoughts."
"..."
---
That night, Xiao Wu pulled Tang San onto the balcony, leaning against him as they gazed at the stars.
'Yang Yunhai, are you ready?' Tang San's eyes flickered coldly.
In the coming matches, defeating Yang Yunhai—killing him, even—was the thing he wanted most.
"Third Brother, after the tournament, what will you do?" Xiao Wu suddenly asked.
---
Elsewhere, in Heaven Dou Royal Academy's lodging.
Yang Yunhai slowly opened his eyes, a faint smile on his lips.
He had broken through to soul rank 50. It was a few days later than expected—the carriage jolts, the inconsistent presence of Blue Silver Grass along the road, and the large group sharing the world's soul power had all slowed him slightly.
Rising, he glanced out the window at the long night. Two days remained before the tournament began.
He thought it best to review the idioms he had learned in his previous life: calm and composed, mutual non-interference, brushing past shoulders, arm in arm, clouds parting rain falling, half-resisting half-yielding, feigned refusal with secret desire, entering the wondrous state, gritting teeth, shouting and clamoring.
(End of Chapter)
---
This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on Patreon, There is 2 Chapters Ahead of Release for Free Members on my Patreon.
Support me if you like this Fanfiction.
Patreon,com/Fallen_Archangel_
(Remove comma for dot.)
Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.