"Yanzi, can we talk?"
After class ended and everyone else had left, Yu Tianheng finally couldn't hold it in anymore.
"What is there to talk about?"
Dugu Yan raised her head and looked at him calmly.
What exactly had happened over the past few days?
Yu Tianheng crouched down and met her gaze directly. "Tell me. Whatever the problem is, we'll face it together. I have the right to know everything."
Dugu Yan remained silent for a long time.
Just when Yu Tianheng thought she wouldn't answer, she finally spoke softly:
"Yu Tianheng… let's break up."
Yu Tianheng froze.
For a moment, he even wondered if he'd heard her wrong.
"…What?"
"I said, let's break up."
Dugu Yan's tone was frighteningly calm.
"Why?!"
Yu Tianheng suddenly stood up. "What on earth happened? Could it be—"
"Nothing,"
Dugu Yan interrupted him. "It's a small matter. It's already in the past."
She paused, then spoke with absolute seriousness:
"We've both moved on."
"No!"
Yu Tianheng grabbed her wrist.
"Yanzi, tell me what happened! No matter what it is, you can tell me. I, Yu Tianheng, will protect you—"
"Unnecessary!"
Dugu Yan shook off his hand, her voice turning cold.
"We're still classmates, friends, and teammates. Nothing more."
With that, she turned and walked away.
"Yanzi!"
Yu Tianheng shouted after her, his voice filled with despair.
"Yanzi! Don't go! Yanzi!"
"How am I supposed to live without you, Yanzi?!"
"Yanzi!!"
Dugu Yan paused for a moment, leaving behind only a resolute silhouette.
No… no… no!!!
Yu Tianheng dropped to his knees and roared.
This usually composed genius of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was now crying like a child whose most precious possession had been taken away.
---
Prince Xue Xing's residence.
Inside the study, Prince Xue Xing sat listlessly in an ornate chair.
His eyes were bloodshot, and he looked as if he had aged twenty years overnight.
Hair that once held only a few strands of gray had now turned completely white.
The powerful backing he once had on the Douluo Continent was gone.
Twenty million gold soul coins—gone.
Everything… everything was gone!
Even more terrifying was the fact that the kidnapper was still alive.
Even Dugu Bo hadn't been able to do anything to him.
"What… what horrible sins have I committed?!"
Xue Xing couldn't even imagine what would happen if that person came again.
The one who had been truly captured wasn't Dugu Yan, nor Xue Beng—
It was Xue Xing himself.
What was he supposed to do?
"Heh… hehe…"
Xue Xing suddenly laughed, a dry, hollow laugh filled with despair.
"So this is what despair tastes like…"
In the face of absolute power, all schemes and all authority were as fragile as paper.
A knock sounded at the study door.
It was the steward. "Your Highness, His Highness the Crown Prince has sent someone to invite you—"
"Get out!"
Xue Xing roared. "All of you, get out!"
Silence returned outside the door.
Xue Xing slumped back into his chair, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Regret flooded his heart—regret over his arrogance, regret over how many people he had offended, regret over—
But it was already too late.
While Xue Xing sank into despair, Yu Tianheng was collapsing, and Dugu Yan was struggling to adapt to her new identity.
Meanwhile, Bai Mu was moving between the various bounty halls of Heaven Dou City.
He was searching for something—more precisely, information about a soul beast.
Unfortunately, despite the high bounty he had offered, there was still no news of the Explosive Sound Dragon.
Just as Bai Mu was about to leave, a well-dressed middle-aged man stopped him.
"Lord Bai Mu," the man bowed respectfully. "His Highness the Crown Prince and Sect Master Ning request your presence."
Bai Mu raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Where?"
"A banquet has been prepared at the Crown Prince's residence. They are awaiting you, sir."
"No problem."
Bai Mu smiled and agreed, following the man toward the nearby Crown Prince's residence.
Before entering, he paused and summoned Zygarde in advance.
After leaving it in the courtyard, he entered the reception hall alone.
Inside, four figures were already seated.
The gentle "Xue Qinghe," the refined Ning Fengzhi, the withered-yet-solid Gu Rong, and the proud Chen Xin.
"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince, Sect Master Ning, and the two seniors."
Bai Mu bowed politely.
"Brother Bai, please, have a seat!"
Qian Renxue gestured for him to sit.
"Long time no see, Xiao Mu. This is Chen Xin, the Guardian Elder of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
Ning Fengzhi introduced him.
"Kid, you're something special."
Chen Xin narrowed his eyes, carefully sizing Bai Mu up.
Mysterious—completely unfathomable.
Though Bai Mu's soul power fluctuations weren't obvious, his calm, unshakable demeanor made it clear he feared nothing.
"It's not that I'm special," Bai Mu replied casually. "Everyone else is just too mediocre."
"Good kid."
Chen Xin took a sip of tea and said no more.
"Xiao Mu, how did your hunt for your fourth spirit ring in the Star Dou Great Forest go?"
Ning Fengzhi asked with a gentle smile.
"Very smoothly. I got exactly what I wanted."
Bai Mu nodded, clearly satisfied.
"I received a letter from Rongrong. She said she met you."
Ning Fengzhi asked as if casually, "How are the two of you getting along?"
"Rongrong is very good—well-behaved and sensible."
Bai Mu answered frankly. "I like her very much."
A trace of joy flashed through Ning Fengzhi's eyes, but Bai Mu's next words froze his expression.
"But… I'm rather broad-hearted. I don't know if Rongrong can accept that."
"You—!"
Chen Xin nearly lost control and slammed his fist onto the table.
Fortunately, Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong, who had anticipated this, pressed his hand down at the same time.
Ning Fengzhi appeared completely unbothered.
"Heroes have always loved beauties, and geniuses have their own inclinations. I can understand… I can understand."
"Speaking of which, Brother Bai," Qian Renxue cut straight to the point, "you once said that if someone within fifteen years of your age could defeat you, you would be willing to serve them. Does that still stand?"
"Of course."
Bai Mu set his teacup down, pride evident in his voice.
"After all, I am the strongest."
"Confidence is a good thing in young people."
Ning Fengzhi said at just the right moment. "Coincidentally, we've found several promising geniuses recently—all under twenty-eight."
"Xiao Mu, would you be willing to spar with them and let us witness your strength?"
"Perfect timing. I'd also like to see what this generation of geniuses is made of."
Bai Mu stood up without hesitation.
After greeting Zygarde, the group moved to the Crown Prince's private training ground.
The arena was vast and solid—more than enough for Soul Emperor–level Soul Masters to unleash their full strength.
Seven or eight Soul Masters were already waiting at the sidelines, men and women alike, all around twenty-five years old.
Their auras were formidable, each one clearly an elite.
"These are the best we could find in this age group,"
Ning Fengzhi explained.
"Attack-type, control-type, agility-type, support-type—everything. Some of them even competed in the previous Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament."
"Very nice."
Bai Mu nodded, glanced at the group, and said calmly:
"Come at me together."