Inside the Crown Prince's bedchamber.
After hearing the words of President Meng, Qinghe's face remained calm, but his heart felt strangely awkward.
He was very curious how his cheap Uncle Wang and his brother had managed to appear even more like traitors than himself.
"President Meng, perhaps Uncle Wang and the others have some hidden reasons?"
Qinghe said leisurely.
"Your Highness, you are simply too kind-hearted. We have all seen through Prince His Highness's and Prince Xue Beng's intentions; they are just trying to weaken and suppress you."
The more President Meng thought about it, the angrier he became. "No, I must strongly denounce Prince Xue Xing to His Majesty."
Upon hearing this, Qinghe said no more.
He knew that President Meng's emotions had been stirred up, and when he met Emperor Xue Ye later, he would vent all his rage.
...
A moment later.
In the main hall of the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.
The emaciated and withered-faced Emperor Xue Ye exploded with anger:
"What?!"
"Xue Xing and Xue Beng actually did something so arrogant and domineering, even turning away Titled Douluo experts who came with people seeking to join the Sky Dou Royal Academy?"
"Cough cough cough..."
As he spoke, his chest heaved violently, and he coughed severely.
Clearly, he was extremely unsettled inside.
"Your Majesty, that's not all. Do you know how young that Titled Douluo is? I believe he's not even twenty years old..."
As President Meng spoke, he shook his head and sighed, "Such a talented powerhouse couldn't join our Tiandou Empire; it's truly regrettable."
"Prince His Highness and Prince Xue Beng have really gone too far. If this young strongman were to join the Xingluo Empire or the Martial Soul Hall, not only would our Tiandou Empire miss out on his help, but we would also gain a powerful enemy."
"I must say, they really are unwise. To have such decision-makers within the Empire, in my view, is a sorrowful matter."
"Your Majesty, I implore you, please take back the control Prince Xue Xing has over the Sky Dou Royal Academy. If this continues, the Sky Dou Royal Academy will sooner or later be doomed."
The more President Meng talked, the more grief and anger he felt; today, he wanted to vent all the dissatisfaction in his heart.
There's no denying it, every word from President Meng was crafted like a gem, so much so that Qinghe was taken aback.
He hadn't expected that once President Meng began to speak, he wouldn't need to embellish anything, as he had already demeaned Xue Xing and Xue Beng to the point of worthlessness.
"Cough cough..."
"Enough."
Emperor Xue Ye cried out coldly, then he turned towards the outside of the great hall and bellowed in a deep voice, "Summon Prince Xue Beng and Prince Xue Xing, I want to question them personally about their intentions."
...
"How could this happen?"
"How could it turn out like this!"
Elsewhere at the entrance of Ten Thousand Beast Academy, Meng Yiran, dressed in a white gown, was shocked.
Although the Ten Thousand Beast Academy was built among the mountains and was not as grand and spectacular as the Sky Dou Royal Academy, it still had a dignified and imposing atmosphere.
But now...
The sight that met Meng Yiran's eyes could only be described as ruins.
"No..."
She uttered a cry of despair, and like a madwoman, she ran into the academy.
When she stood atop the rubble, it was as though she had been struck by lightning.
"Granny..."
She saw Snake Granny lying on the ground and let out a trembling voice.
One step, two steps, three steps...
She felt as if her legs were as heavy as lead.
Each step she took was shaky and unsteady.
Finally, Meng Yiran arrived in front of Snake Granny, her body slowly collapsing.
Although Snake Granny had long since breathed her last, her eyes were still wide open.
In them, Meng Yiran could see despair and reluctance.
"Wuuu..."
"Granny, what on earth happened, can you tell me?"
Meng Yiran held Snake Granny's cold body, crying helplessly, feeling as if her whole world had collapsed.
"Cough cough cough..."
"Yi, Yiran, senior sister..."
Suddenly, a faint voice rose intermittently.
"Who?"
Meng Yiran turned around and saw a person 'dead for quite some time' struggling twice.
Immediately.
She put down Snake Granny and quickly came to the side of the Ten Thousand Beast Academy student.
"Junior brother, it's me; tell me, what happened?"
She asked hastily.
"Attached soul bone... murder, Hao Tian Clan, Tang... Hao."
After the Ten Thousand Beast Academy student said a few words in broken sentences, he exhausted all his strength.
All signs of life ceased from there.
...
Late at night.
Inside the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.
"Elder brother, you are unwell, why are you still not resting at this late hour?"
"Whatever it is, we can talk tomorrow just the same."
Prince Xue Xing looked at Emperor Xue Ye on the throne with a face full of concern and said.
"Father, please take care of your health."
Prince Xue Beng chimed in quickly.
In reality, both of them knew very well that being summoned in the middle of the night was definitely not for a late-night snack.
Glancing at Xue Qinghe and Dream Divine Machine also present, it was clear what the emperor had summoned them for.
It surely had something to do with that annoying Shrek Academy from earlier in the day.
"Heh, Xue Xing, do you think I can still sleep tonight?"
"Cough, cough."
Emperor Xue Ye laughed coldly, but as he did, he began to cough again.
It couldn't be helped.
He was just too damn angry.
The Tiandou Empire was already lacking in strong individuals of its own, and it wasn't easy to come across one with such potential, yet these two fools had rejected him.
Nobody knew that he had been coughing up blood in secret.
"Elder brother, don't get angry, let me explain."
"We really didn't know that among those people, there was a Titled Douluo."
Prince Xue Xing hurriedly explained.
The ignorant were not to blame; he deeply understood that he needed to find an unbeatable excuse first.
"Fine, even if you didn't know there was a Titled Douluo among those people, but there were also several Soul Sages and Soul Emperor level experts. Are they not worth winning over?"
"Besides, there were also some young geniuses, over 25 levels at the age of twelve. Don't they have any value?"
Emperor Xue Ye then threw two more questions in succession.
"Ah, this..."
Prince Xue Xing's face changed, and he didn't know how to respond.
He knew that Emperor Xue Ye was right; whether it was the Soul Emperor and Soul Sage experts or the young geniuses, they were all worth wooing.
Even more so, if these people were to come to his Prince's Mansion to seek refuge with him, not to mention treating them as distinguished guests, he would even offer at least double the price Sky Dou Royal Academy offered to win them over.
The reason he acted as he did was entirely because these people had chosen the wrong side. They hadn't sided with him but with Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, which was the fundamental reason for his suppression.
"Father, these people also hit your child."
"Uncle Wang was just upholding the royal family's dignity."
Seeing that Prince Xue Xing was at a loss for words, Prince Xue Beng immediately spoke up, trying to make a case for Prince Xue Xing.
After all, he was the one who got beaten up, an indisputable fact.
Even Prince Xue Xing secretly breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that Prince Xue Beng's assistance was right on point.
However, Emperor Xue Ye became even angrier and laughed out of anger.
"Hahaha."
"Xue Beng, you still have the face to talk to me about dignity."
"Over the years, your gluttony, debauchery, gambling, addiction, bullying, cheating, stealing, you've nearly done it all. Go ask around the entire Tiandou City, who doesn't know that you, Xue Beng, are the number one profligate of Tiandou City? I ask you, do you have any dignity left?"
"It's not just you, even my own dignity has been lost because of you."
"Father..."
Faced with Emperor Xue Ye's scolding, Avalanche was dumbfounded.
He opened his mouth, wanting to defend himself, but didn't know what to say.
"Useless fool, I had you pretend to be a playboy, but now it seems you've truly become one."
"Could you not keep a little restraint?"
Prince Xue Xing's heart was in shambles.
He had thought he could rely on Avalanche to help get himself out of this, but now it seemed hopeless.
Absolutely nothing.
"What, nothing to say?"
Emperor Xue Ye asked coldly.
Ashamed, Avalanche immediately lowered his head, unwilling to meet Emperor Xue Ye's icy gaze.
At this moment, to say he wasn't regretful would be a lie.
If he had known that among those from Shrek were Titled Douluo level experts, he would never have stubbornly challenged them.
"Royal Brother, I know my mistake too, please give me a chance to make amends."
Prince Xue Xing fell to his knees with a thud and pleaded with Emperor Xue Ye.
"Qinghe, President Meng, do you know where the people from Shrek are?"
Emperor Xue Ye suddenly asked.
Xue Qinghe looked towards Dream Divine Machine.
Dream Divine Machine immediately replied, "Your Majesty, after they left, I had someone follow them in secret, and discovered they haven't left Tiandou City. They are currently staying at a hotel in the city."
"Did you hear that?"
After hearing what Dream Divine Machine said, Emperor Xue Ye asked Prince Xue Xing in a deep voice.
"Heard, I heard it, I'll go handle it right now."
Prince Xue Xing said, preparing to leave the place.
"Wait."
"Royal Brother, is there anything else you would like to order?"
"Until this matter is properly resolved, you don't need to worry about the affairs of Sky Dou Royal Academy anymore. Qinghe will take care of it for you."
What?
Is he stripping away my power? Originally, with Dream Divine Machine leading, most of the masters and students at Sky Dou Royal Academy were already siding with Xue Qinghe. If Xue Qinghe were to openly take control of Sky Dou Royal Academy, would there still be a place for him and Avalanche to stand?
Moreover, Xue Qinghe's influence would only grow stronger. How could he possibly compete with Xue Qinghe in the future?
Prince Xue Xing thought of many things in an instant.
Let's not say this is all just temporary...
He was well aware that the people from Shrek were difficult to deal with, not to mention the Titled Douluo standing behind them. High-handed methods simply wouldn't work.
"Royal Brother, I feel this matter will not delay my handling of the affairs of Sky Dou Royal Academy."
Prince Xue Xing did not want to give up.
"If you've done wrong, you must be punished, even if you are my brother."
"Leave now, I'm tired."
Emperor Xue Ye said, waving his hand as he sat wearily upon the throne.
"Yes."
No longer insisting, Prince Xue Xing turned to leave, and at that moment, his expression suddenly changed, as ghastly as if he had swallowed a dead fly.
On the other hand, Xue Qinghe felt a wave of relief in his heart.
He had been thinking about how to weaken Xue Xing and Avalanche, and now, they had played themselves into ruin. It really was a case of courting death by their own actions.
When I have time, I must meet this Titled Douluo called Qin Xiao and thank him.
Xue Qinghe thought to himself, but his face showed a look of concern, "Father, please take care of your health, your son will take his leave."
...
Outside the Imperial Palace Hall.
Avalanche hurriedly caught up with Prince Xue Xing, "Uncle Wang, Uncle Wang, please wait for me."
"Why should I wait for you? Do you want to continue to harm me?"
Seeing Avalanche, the unfortunate boy, Prince Xue Xing felt a surge of anger.
Avalanche's face showed a flattering smile, "Uncle Wang, don't be angry. I just had two delicate beauties come to my mansion..."
"Scram."
Prince Xue Xing was so furious that he kicked Avalanche and sent him flying.
Afterward, without looking back, he strode away.
However, his voice still echoed on the spot.
"Tomorrow morning, you're coming with me to talk to the people from Shrek."
....
The morning mist lingered, and dew clung to the grass.
Seated cross-legged next to the Icefire Polarized Eyes, Qin Xiao slowly opened his eyes.
Then, he stood up, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly, "Well played, Du Gu Bo. You're quite early."
Soon, Qin Xiao could hear voices.
"Grandpa, why did you bring me here so early? I'm still not fully awake."
"While alive, one need not sleep too long; after death, you'll sleep forever. As someone who's been through life, I'll tell you a truth: less sleep means living more."
"Alright, alright, I know."
'...'
In the midst of the fog, a conversation ensued between the two of them.
Qin Xiao recognized the voice—it was Du Gu Bo. So, the girl who kept complaining must be Du Gu Bo's granddaughter, Dugu Yan.
A few moments later.
An old man and a young girl appeared before Qin Xiao's eyes.
"Du Gu Bo, you're quite early."
"Hahaha, I didn't want to keep you waiting," laughed Du Gu Bo. His eyes, however, were busy scanning the surrounding medicinal herbs.
As if checking whether his precious treasures were all accounted for.
After a brief pause, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"It seems a few are missing, those herbs I don't recognize, but no matter, they're useless to me. Round it up, and it's as if nothing's missing."
As far as Du Gu Bo was concerned, the peculiar-looking Spiritual Medicines next to the Icefire Polarized Eyes were valueless to him and their disappearance did not cause any heartache.
"Is this the Qin Xiao my grandpa spoke of?"
"Is he really a Titled Douluo?"
"He's so handsome."
Different from Du Gu Bo's focus, Dugu Yan beheld Qin Xiao with a hint of fascination in her eyes.
She indeed had never seen a Titled Douluo who was both handsome and young.
"I think, it's you who've been anxiously waiting, haven't you?"
Seeing this, Qin Xiao didn't keep him in suspense and handed over a jade box to Du Gu Bo.
"What's this?" Du Gu Bo asked, puzzled.
Qin Xiao smiled slightly, "The Spiritual Medicine that can control the Green Kirin Snake Poison in your body."
"Really?"
At these words, a look of surprise and amazement flashed through Du Gu Bo's eyes.
Then, his body trembled with emotion.
"If you don't believe it, then forget it," Qin Xiao said, pretending to take back the box.
"No, no, I believe it."
Du Gu Bo snatched the box from Qin Xiao's hand.
His heart raced and his hands shook as he opened the box with anticipation.
But at the next moment, he was stunned.
Inside the box was a large, pale pink flower, leafless, with a broad blossom about a foot in diameter. Each petal looked as translucent as crystal, and the light purple stamens resembled little amethyst jewels nestled within.
Without a doubt, the item Qin Xiao presented to Du Gu Bo was the Immortal Grade Fragrant Qi Luo.
"This, this, this is the detoxifying Spiritual Medicine you prepared for me?"
He looked bewilderedly at Qin Xiao. Although he couldn't name it, he recognized the plant—it grew right next to the Icefire Polarized Eyes.
He had been looking at it for decades.
"So you're using my plants to trick me?"
"You're aiming to freeload off my property, aren't you?"
Du Gu Bo had a feeling he was being duped, "Do you really think I'm an idiot?"
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