Capítulo 272: Chapter 257-II: Honesty
The Spirit Hall has a vast and powerful foundation. Although its ambitious intentions are well known, it doesn't fear others coveting its position.
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan, however, has too many enemies to make such a move. Putting aside the thoughts of the Clear Sky Clan and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, even the Heaven Dou Empire would be a difficult hurdle to overcome. The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan's mountain gate is not far from Heaven Dou City, and who knows what negative impacts might arise in the future.
For now, even though relations are somewhat strained, they can at least maintain a superficial connection.
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan, as an auxiliary sect, has gained its current prestige not only due to the impressive combat abilities of its two protectors but also because of Ning Fengzhi's extensive and skillful social network.
Moreover, even without major risks, the sect's business on the continent could be affected. There's no need to take such a gamble.
"If you really want to send Rongrong there, it's best not to do it this way. In the future, you can send her to enroll at the Spirit Hall Academy under the guise of training and cultivation, demonstrating your sincerity to the Pope. There's no need to be so ostentatious."
"That sounds good."
A few days later, Su Cheng and Zhu Zhuqing left the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan and walked along the mountain road towards the northeast of the Heaven Dou Empire.
Next, they planned to visit the Godwind Academy, and while there, Su Cheng intended to check on his disciple, whom he had long neglected.
"Why didn't you let that good sister of yours come with you?" Zhu Zhuqing asked coldly as they walked along the road.
"You already look unhappy about this. If I had brought her along, wouldn't you have flayed me alive?"
As he spoke, Su Cheng reached out and ruffled her hair as a form of consolation.
She immediately swatted his hand away and glanced at him with a sneer, "Are you afraid of upsetting Qian Renxue?"
"Of course not," Su Cheng quickly denied. "She's not here now, so how could it affect anything? Besides, she knows about my relationship with Rongrong and wouldn't say anything about it."
After a moment of silence, he tentatively asked, "Do you mind my relationship with Qian Renxue?"
After all, she had admitted it to Ning Rongrong herself that night.
"You have the nerve to ask that? Have you no shame?"
"..."
"Hmph." Zhu Zhuqing looked at Su Cheng's embarrassed face and snorted coldly, "But then again, with Qian Renxue's personality, only you could tolerate her, and still dare to act so recklessly. Aren't you afraid she'll chop off your head one day?"
"Xiaoxue, she..." Su Cheng hesitated for a moment, then sighed softly, "What we've been through is far more complicated than you can imagine."
Hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing felt a bit uncomfortable and said calmly, "How complicated could it be? Did she save your life, or did you save hers?"
"When we first met in reality, you stopped me right away, so it seems you guessed that the dreams you had were somehow related to me."
"That's right," the young woman nodded frankly, "But I was always doubtful and could never be sure. When I asked you before, you never gave me a straight answer. So, are you finally going to admit it now?"
"I have nothing to hide from you. Similar things happened between Xiaoxue and me, and it happened even earlier than with you."
"So you've been nurturing her diligently and sacrificing yourself to fulfill her?" She pouted disdainfully, "No wonder someone like her would be so devoted to you."
"No, you're wrong. In that dream, I was just a talentless waste of a spirit master. She was the blade in my hand, doing many things for me. In the end, she willingly died for me."
As he spoke, Su Cheng recalled the scene of Qian Renxue fighting fiercely with Bibi Dong after she became a god.
He also remembered what Chen Xin had once told him, feeling a mix of emotions.
"She actually..." Zhu Zhuqing widened her eyes in shock, her pupils trembling slightly.
For a moment, she didn't know what to say.
She couldn't help but ask herself, if it were her, could she have done the same?
Heaven Dou City, Shrek Academy.
This place was originally called Blue Tyrant Academy.
It was founded by Liu Erlong, the illegitimate daughter of the second head of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the Killing Horn of the Golden Iron Triangle.
Later, because the other two members of the Golden Iron Triangle, Yu Xiaogang and Flender, came to her, the academy was renamed Shrek Academy to secure the qualification for the Shrek team to participate in the All-Continent Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament.
Compared to a year ago, Shrek Academy has undergone significant changes.
With the financial support from the Heaven Dou Empire, the academy has been expanded, with various teaching facilities, mimetic training grounds, and the quality of spirit master students all improving significantly.
Because the academy team achieved third place in the previous highly competitive spirit master tournament and did not enroll a large number of unevenly skilled noble children like the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, its reputation has even surpassed that of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, becoming the first choice for spirit masters near Heaven Dou City.
In addition, Emperor Xue Ye fulfilled his promise, conferring titles on that batch of students.
Due to Tang San's presence, Emperor Xue Ye also put great effort into winning over Yu Xiaogang.
As a result, as he wished, Yu Xiaogang has now become a guest official of the Heaven Dou Empire's royal family.
Not only that, but even Tang Hao now lives in Shrek Academy.
The sun shone brightly in the cloudless sky.
A gentle, warm breeze enveloped the academy, where numerous students in their peculiar yellow-green uniforms were bustling around.
At this moment, a young man dressed in princely attire arrived at the academy's entrance.
He stood still, took a gentle breath, composed himself, and then walked into the academy.
As soon as he arrived, a student noticed him and quickly approached, "Prince Xue Beng, what brings you here today?"
This young man was none other than Xue Beng, the prospective crown prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, who had recently faced multiple setbacks within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Compared to before, his experiences as a crown prince over the past year had indeed cultivated a certain serene demeanor in him.
Nodding slightly to the young soul master before him, he said, "Please take me to see Dean Flender. If possible, could you also find someone to invite the Grandmaster?"
"No problem, please follow me."
It didn't take long for Xue Beng, led by the student, to arrive at the dean's office.
Flender was reclining in a large chair in his office.
Compared to the other members of the academy, who often appeared deeply troubled, he was relatively at peace.
Seeing Xue Beng visit, Flender was somewhat surprised, "Prince Xue Beng, what brings you here today? You didn't even give us a heads-up."
Given his current status in cultivation, he didn't need to be overly formal in his speech.
On the other hand, Xue Beng, who had not yet officially become the crown prince, needed to show him considerable respect.
Hearing the question, Xue Beng sighed softly and said in a deep voice, "Dean Flender, please wait a moment. I sent a classmate to invite the Grandmaster. I will explain everything once he arrives."
Flender frowned at these words but didn't dwell on it, waiting quietly.
Unexpectedly, not only did Yu Xiaogang arrive, but Tang Hao and Liu Erlong also came.
Seeing this, Flender felt a mix of surprise and delight.
Since Tang Hao and Yu Xiaogang returned from that mysterious place, they hadn't revealed a word about their journey.
Even between them, there seemed to be some tension.
In the past, Tang Hao admired Yu Xiaogang's intelligence, and Yu Xiaogang admired Tang Hao's strength and charisma. Additionally, with Tang San between them, they got along well.
However, for the past month, Tang Hao had lost his former enthusiasm, and Yu Xiaogang's already stern face became even more rigid, making everyone else feel awkward.
But given Tang Hao's status as a powerful peak Douluo, no one dared to comment much.
Little did they know, both had been deeply affected outside the town near the Slaughter City.
Tang Hao began to doubt the necessity of Yu Xiaogang, and Yu Xiaogang held a grudge against Tang Hao for retreating in a critical moment. Given their strong-willed personalities, these issues couldn't be resolved quickly.
Today, with Xue Beng representing the Heaven Dou royal family, they hurried over.
Though they didn't know the reason for his visit, the Heaven Dou Empire was undoubtedly an important ally.
Seeing Tang Hao here, a trace of joy appeared on Xue Beng's face, and he hurriedly saluted the three of them, "Greetings, Your Majesty Clear Sky Douluo, Grandmaster, Dean Liu."
They nodded slightly in response. Flender then spoke, "Prince Xue Beng, what's the matter? Can you tell us now?"
Xue Beng nodded, his expression somewhat grave, "You may not know yet, but Su Cheng from the Spirit Hall visited the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect a few days ago."
"What?!" Yu Xiaogang was the first to react, his face turning dark, "Is the Spirit Hall already unable to restrain themselves?"
"We can't escape it..." Tang Hao's expression was also grave.
Then he looked around at everyone and said flatly, "That Su Cheng is quite unusual."
"What do you mean?"
Flender and Liu Erlong were both puzzled.
Especially Liu Erlong, whose eyes were filled with deep hatred.
She didn't have her own children.
And if she continued to stay with Yu Xiaogang, she wouldn't have any in the future.
So she truly saw Xiao Wu as her own daughter.
The image of Xiao Wu dying in front of her over a year ago still replayed in her mind, causing her constant torment and near collapse.
She also wanted revenge, but the more she understood the strength of the Spirit Hall, the colder her heart grew.
And Qian Renxue, who killed Xiao Wu, had already become a Soul Saint, using Xiao Wu's 100,000-year spirit ring to achieve her seventh ring breakthrough.
At such a young age, her strength far surpassed Liu Erlong's, and it was evident that this gap would only widen in the future.
This nearly hopeless sense of powerlessness was the root of her pain.
In that battle, another major accomplice was Su Cheng, who had now become an elder of the Spirit Hall.
When she first heard this news, Liu Erlong thought Bibi Dong had gone mad.
A year ago, during the Soul Master competition, Su Cheng's level was only that of a Soul King. Even with intense cultivation, he would at most be a Soul Emperor.
Could someone with such cultivation really be an elder of the Spirit Hall?
For fame, to create a leading figure of the new generation, did the Spirit Hall disregard all propriety?
Realizing there might be more to the story, she quickly asked, "What do you mean? Isn't Su Cheng just a Soul King?"
"Soul King?" A twisted, cold smile appeared on Yu Xiaogang's rigid face.
"I don't know his true strength, but he has reached the level of a Soul Saint. And his seventh spirit ring is completely abnormal."
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