"Flowers fall, and water flows by itself."
"One kind of lovesickness, two places of idle sorrow."
Neuvillette's expression remained unchanged as he returned the cane to his storage soul guide.
He extended his right hand to Focalors, who was seated on the chair.
"There is no sorrow," he declared.
Focalors' face flushed, and she shyly accepted the gesture.
Her left hand naturally found Neuvillette's right.
Lei Qingqing and her friends' eyes twitched, their fists clenched involuntarily.
Then, as if a thought struck them, their fists gradually relaxed.
It was futile to challenge him.
Why bother? It was merely squandering food.
They would adapt.
"Ms. Focalors, subsisting on mere pastries won't suffice to replenish your body's nutrients."
"Perhaps fruit?"
Neuvillette and Focalors pondered as they strolled.
"But we're not in Suotuo City."
"I brought..."
No, he had departed; why unleash a grain wave before leaving?
Lexius and the others were still in "negotiations" with Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong.
Yet, when Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong exited the spirit-fighting arena, their expressions were peculiar.
"Uncle Gu, they're coercing me!"
Ning Fengzhi was on the brink of tears, bereft of them. Since becoming sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect, he had never felt such indignity.
Gu Rong sighed, offering a consoling pat on Ning Fengzhi's shoulder. "Fengzhi, for the sake of our sect, some burdens must be borne."
"I grasp the concept, yet I can't help but feel reluctant."
When the Clear Sky Sect existed, they were suppressed. Now, with the Clear Sky Sect gone, the suppression persisted. Was it because they had surpassed the Clear Sky Sect?
The Seven Treasure Glazed Sect had long been second-best; surely, they harbored greater aspirations.
"Thankfully, the Fighting Spirit Arena doesn't dictate the Douluo Continent's currents. It saves us a lot of troubles."
This was the sole piece of comforting news.
Who could have predicted that Bone Douluo would unveil such a prodigy after a mere trial?
Besides this monster, there was also an elder capable of fighting two Titled douluos single-handedly!
"The Douluo Continent is on the verge of transformation!"
Ning Fengzhi regained his composure, reverting to his original elegance and affability. Such confessions were reserved solely for Gu Rong.
No one else, not even kin, would hear the words he had just uttered.
At the Prince's Mansion.
She Long and Ci Xue had just returned.
Qian Renxue's gaze widened in shock at their appearance.
Her eyes brimmed with bewilderment. "Uncle She, Uncle Ci, what happened to you?"
Despite not being the most potent among Titled Douluo, She Long and Ci Xue were still capable of fighting at the same level.
What calamity had befallen them to leave them so grievously wounded?
"Little miss..."
She Long, barely recognizable, deferred to Ci Xue. "Perhaps you should recount the events. I'll add any details you omit."
"That's the situation, miss."
Ci Xue relayed his knowledge.
She was unaware of the happenings within the spirit-fighting arena. Sensing She Long's spirit power fluctuate, he ventured beyond the city walls to investigate.
Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue's expression darkened.
"Golden Crow Douluo?"
"Yes, the individual didn't go for Title confrontation to Spirit Hall, but his spirit is indeed the Golden Crow, immensely powerful. His spirit power likely ranges between ninety-three and ninety-four."
Ci Xue solemnly declared, "Together, we are no match for him."
Upon hearing this, Renxue's expression turned grave.
Both were Titled Douluo, yet combined, they fell short against their opponent.
They could have accepted defeat if Lexius's soul power had reached level 95 or above, for he would be a Super Douluo, and losing two against one would be expected.
But Lexius was not at level ninety-five.
This was the source of Ci Xue and She Long's humiliation.
"Miss, I was discovered by the Golden Crow Douluo as soon as I infiltrated the spirit-fighting arena. I hoped to gather some useful intelligence," She Long confessed.
"Ahem..."
As he spoke, She Long coughed up another mouthful of blood, his complexion ashen. He was fortunate to return alive; recovery from his injuries would take time.
Qian Renxue needed no further explanation and quickly said, "Uncle She, focus on healing first. The fault lies in my judgment."
"No, Miss, I do not fault you; it is my shortcomings," She Long replied.
He wouldn't dare attribute the error to Qian Renxue's decision-making.
Though he had warned her, his discovery was accidental.
Thankfully, their identities remained concealed; otherwise...
After a moment of silence, Qian Renxue concluded, "Since they aren't pursuing you, this incident should be over."
Lexius had not chased after the gravely wounded She Long or the less injured Ci Xue. It was unlikely that the Spirit Fighting Arena would fervently pursue the matter further.
Pursuing She Long and Ci Xue would be simpler than assigning blame.
"Uncles, please heal. We must maintain a low profile for now," she instructed.
"Yes!"
Once She Long and Ci Xue withdrew, Qian Ren Xue returned to her desk and examined the document concerning negotiations with the Soul Fighting Arena.
"The Soul Fighting Arena... and you, Neuvillette! What secrets do you hold?"
Spring boasts three parts beauty, two parts dust, and one part flowing water.
With spring comes the bloom of flowers...
Neuvillette and Focalors strolled down the streets of Heaven Dou City, side by side.
Passersby paused to marvel at them, their eyes alight with wonder.
Yet none dared approach; their demeanor was not that of ordinary nobility but of those beyond reproach.
The previous night's battle between Titled Douluo outside the city had spread throughout Heaven Dou City.
Such a grand event could hardly go unnoticed.
The competition at the Heaven Dou City Great Soul Fighting Arena, however, drew no attention.
When Neuvillette raised his hand, he wielded a water bottle that dampened the ripples of soul power, keeping the outside world oblivious.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Sect could not afford to publicize Bone Douluo's defeat to a newcomer. Bone Douluo was too venerable to suffer such indignity.
Unbeknownst to all, this secrecy suited Neuvillette perfectly.
Neuvillette and Focalors sampled the local fare of Heaven Dou City as they wandered.
Such was their leisure.
At that moment, three figures approached: two men and a woman.
The woman's beauty was not immediately striking; rather, it was the sort that grew on one, possessing a charm that drew the gaze of many.
The men, one tall with fiery red hair, exuded strength and authority.
The other, slimmer in stature...
••|•
20 Early Chapter:
patreon.com/Yui36