"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?"