"Get out!"
Liu Erlong swung her arm in fury.
Bai Mu took the hit squarely, staggered half a step back, then watched as she turned and stormed toward her residence without looking back.
"…Sigh. Women," he muttered helplessly.
From the side, Flender walked over, lowering his voice.
"Bai Mu… you were a bit harsh on Xiaogang today."
Bai Mu straightened, expression solemn.
"Dean Flender, you know me. I'm always reasonable."
Flender twitched at the corner of his mouth but nodded anyway.
"…Just try to be gentler next time."
"I will," Bai Mu replied earnestly. "But the Grandmaster should also learn to let go. Standing in the doorway only blocks everyone—those inside and those outside."
Flender sighed. "You're not wrong…"
"Alright. I won't disturb your training. I need to speak with Tang San."
---
Bai Mu found Tang San near the training area.
"Brother Tang, how's your cultivation recently?" he asked casually.
"I've broken through to Rank 38," Tang San replied.
"So fast?" Bai Mu raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised. "Impressive."
Tang San nodded. "Still not enough. I need to push harder."
Bai Mu smiled faintly.
"Are you free lately? If so, forge more hidden weapons—the more, the better."
Tang San paused. "You mean…?"
"I've joined the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. Uncle Ning is very interested in your hidden weapons and is willing to purchase them at a high price."
He added calmly, "Price isn't an issue. This can also help you accumulate cultivation resources."
Tang San's body trembled slightly.
For years, materials and resources had been his greatest bottleneck.
This wasn't help—it was salvation.
"Thank you, Brother Bai Mu," Tang San said sincerely. "I'll forge them as soon as possible and make sure the quality is flawless."
"No rush," Bai Mu replied. "If you need materials, report it through the academy. With me here, no one will pressure you."
Tang San bowed deeply.
"In this life… very few people have treated me this well."
"Keep improving," Bai Mu said, turning away. "We'll need your strength in the future."
---
Several days later.
"Sir," a subordinate reported respectfully, "there's a private auction at the Heaven Dou Auction House tonight. His Highness the Crown Prince has invited you."
"A small auction?" Bai Mu waved his hand. "Decline it."
The subordinate hesitated. "One of the items is… a rare intelligence-type soul-beast descendant."
Bai Mu paused.
"…Then I'll go."
---
That night, in the Red VIP area of the Heaven Dou Auction House, the Crown Prince Xue Qinghe sat calmly, dressed in white, exuding elegance and authority.
Bai Mu arrived and sat beside him naturally.
"Brother Xueer," Bai Mu said with a smile, "sorry to keep you waiting."
Xue Qinghe glanced sideways, tone composed.
"You're later than expected, Younger Brother."
"Matters at the academy took longer than planned."
The two exchanged a quiet smile—an unspoken understanding between allies.
"Tonight's auction is merely an excuse," Xue Qinghe said softly. "What I truly wanted was to speak with you."
"I guessed as much," Bai Mu replied. "The capital has been restless lately."
Their conversation shifted to politics, resources, and the undercurrents within Heaven Dou—measured, restrained, and sharp.
Two minds, quietly weighing the empire's future.
And beneath the auction hall's lights, a new alliance continued to solidify.