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"Level fifty-five," Lingxi said with a sweet smile, revealing her level. "Thanks to the Count's training methods, my soul power has increased rapidly and comprehensively."
"You've truly reached the Soul King level," Tang San's eyes lit up, impressed by the cat girl's immense talent. "When we get back to the Silver Blue Manor, gather Ling Meng, Fan Niu, and Fan Ma for me. I want to check on your progress."
"No problem," Lingxi agreed cheerfully, then remembered something. "Count, something happened recently in Tian Dou City."
Half a month ago, the Xing Luo Empire issued an arrest warrant to Shrek Academy: [In three months, bring back the Xing Luo prince. We hope the Tian Dou Empire will cooperate...]
This news quickly spread, and soon the entire Tian Dou City knew about it.
Xue Qinghe, the current representative of the Tian Dou Empire, publicly stated: The Xing Luo prince should return to his country to resolve misunderstandings with the royal family. Otherwise, the Tian Dou Empire will assist the Xing Luo Empire in the investigation to avoid being accused of harboring the prince, which could lead to conflict and war.
"What does Shrek Academy think?"
Tang San, somewhat aware of Shrek's current situation, knew that those who once participated in the Continental Elite Tournament had gone separate ways. Tailong returned to the Power Clan, guided by his father, Tai Nuo, and his grandfather, Tai Tan, to handle family affairs.
Jing Ling, Huang Yuan, and Jiang Zhu spent some time as freelance soul masters after graduation before joining Spirit Hall in Spirit City. Xiao Wu mentioned that Jiang Zhu now works in the main city's medicinal research lab.
Mu Tian... became a fallen soul master, handed over to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. He is either imprisoned for life or already executed to erase the stain.
Tang San had met Ma Hongjun briefly in Phoenix City; he's currently traveling the continent, seeking a way to control his evil fire.
Oscar remained at the academy, following his teacher Yu Xiaogang's guidance, deeply immersed in the food soul master path.
Lastly, Dai Mubai stayed at Shrek Academy, showing no intention of returning to the Xing Luo Empire. Without the pressure of competition, his training became lax. He idles away, chasing girls and mingling with noblewomen, but because of his royal lineage and White Tiger Martial Spirit, he can't leave the Xing Luo Royal Family's oversight.
Lingxi, reflecting on Tang San's thoughts about Douluo Continent, said, "Shrek hasn't made any public statements. Ling Tang Technology Unlimited Company also doesn't focus much on the academy. However, I heard that Dai Mubai has become increasingly dissolute, frequenting brothels and taking over entire places to exclude others."
"I think he wants to enjoy himself as much as possible before being captured, giving up on himself."
"However, after Prince Xue Qinghe's public statement, no one in Tian Dou City dares to oppose him. He is, after all, the Xing Luo prince. A misstep could cause a diplomatic incident, or worse, a war."
"Moreover, winning such a dispute brings no honor. Previously, without soul guidance cameras or soul guidance recording spheres, information spread slowly, known only to nearby people. But now, photos can be published in newspapers, scenes can be projected on screens. Any scandal can be known throughout Tian Dou City and beyond."
Although major nobles in Tian Dou discourage this, people eagerly follow such news. Most small private newspapers cooperate with Spirit Hall for safety—using Spirit Hall's name and paying a monthly profit share. Spirit Hall then handles the noble's attempts to retaliate against these papers.
In most cases, nobles send troublemakers, and Spirit Hall deals with them, then demands an explanation from the nobles.
Usually, Spirit Hall can extract a substantial compensation from these nobles, sharing it equally with the newspapers.
Some families and sects also collaborate with small newspapers to exploit the nobles' wealth and easily find evidence. Even when extorted, these nobles have no grounds to protest. In this age of rapid information dissemination, they have nowhere to argue.
This not only helps sects and families earn significant money but also allows their members to feel accomplished in punishing wrongdoers. It's a win-win situation, so why not do it?
However, Tang San knew this wouldn't last and would need to be addressed in the future...
For now, though, the turmoil surrounding Dai Mubai was largely due to these small newspapers.
"Inform everyone at Silver Blue Manor to avoid Dai Mubai when they see him out and about. Don't provoke him to avoid unnecessary trouble," Tang San instructed. "But if he comes looking for trouble, record his behavior and retaliate. If he persists, use my name and give him a good beating. The conflict between the Xing Luo prince and Silver Blue Manor won't involve the Xing Luo Empire."
Given Tang San's current status, the Xing Luo Empire wouldn't trouble him over a self-destructive Dai Mubai. Even disregarding his titles of Master of Martial Soul Theory and Holy Son of Spirit Hall, his near-peerless strength was enough to deter the Xing Luo Empire from offending him.
"I'll warn everyone in the manor, especially Mu Yanluo and Mu Qiluo," Lingxi nodded seriously.
Why mention these sisters? Because they were once Dai Mubai's women. He might seek them out for a "reunion" in his final days.
It sounds absurd, but royalty often has tangled relationships, and given Dai Mubai's notorious reputation, nothing he did would be surprising.
"Tang San?"
Passing by the Bingxue Honey City shop, Mi Xue suddenly called out, waving to him. "It really is you! I thought I ran into another cosplayer."
"This shop is still open?"
Compared to two years ago, the store had expanded significantly, now covering over two hundred square meters and offering fast food like hamburgers and fried chicken. There were even maids with Snow King logos on their chests serving food and drinks with warm smiles and excellent service.
And from the looks of it, these waitresses were all soul masters—
Could they be students from Tianshui Academy?
"What are you saying!" Mi Xue propped her arms on the counter and smiled. "Want to try a Sprite? Over the past two years, I researched the leaves of plant soul beasts like the Chiba pine and the green bamboo, combined them with white sugar, and finally created the first Sprite in Douluo Continent!"
Tang San: "..."
(End of chapter)