Chapter 136: The Heaven Dou Royal Family's Invitation
The entire arena fell silent!
Everyone stared in shock at Xiao Yu, who still hovered in the air, exuding a commanding presence over the entire field.
"Cough, cough!"
It was Feng Xiaotian, who had been knocked off the platform, who first broke the silence. Xiao Yu held no deep grudge against him, so he had restrained his strength when attacking. But the power of a 100,000-year soul bone was still incredibly overwhelming, and taking on Xiao Yu's Nether Emperor's Earth-Shaking Fury had left Feng Xiaotian in a poor state—pale-faced and struggling for breath.
After a few more coughing fits, Feng Xiaotian managed to speak, "Xiao Yu, you've won. I admit my defeat wholeheartedly!"
Xiao Yu slowly descended to the ground, nodding toward Feng Xiaotian. "You're strong too. I believe that, in the future, there will be a place for you among the Continent's Title Douluos."
Feng Xiaotian nodded firmly. "I will. In the future, I'll keep you as my goal, constantly pushing myself to reach the peak of the Continent!"
A glimmer of amusement flashed in Xiao Yu's eyes as he lifted his right hand toward Feng Xiaotian with a slight smile. "Then let's meet at the peak!"
Feng Xiaotian raised his right hand as well, giving Xiao Yu a symbolic high-five in the air. "See you at the peak!"
Pausing for a moment, Feng Xiaotian reverted to his usual demeanor, awkwardly saying, "Xiao Yu, treat Huo Wu well, okay?"
Xiao Yu: …
With Feng Xiaotian's defeat, Godwind Academy quickly chose to forfeit.
It was the only logical choice—they were up against a Soul Emperor-level opponent, and besides Feng Xiaotian, no one else on their team had even reached level 45. Fighting would only mean sending their teammates to the slaughter.
If their main players were too injured to compete and they ended up losing the next day to a second-rate kingdom team, it would truly be a laughing matter.
The following day, when Nine Stars Academy faced Thunder Academy, Thunder Academy also immediately forfeited.
Technically, since it was the final match, a friendly exchange could've been beneficial. The finals wouldn't start until they reached the Spirit Hall's headquarters in Spirit City, and with the natural healing abilities of soul masters plus the healing provided by soul masters on the organizing committee, any injuries would be mostly healed by then.
However, Thunder Academy's captain, Yu Tianxin, worried that Xiao Yu might hold a grudge against him due to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's past attack on him in Sunset Forest, fearing he might suffer retaliation on the stage.
After all, soul skills could be deadly on the battlefield. A Soul Emperor like Xiao Yu could easily kill a mere Soul Ancestor with one move, especially after seeing Xiao Yu's soul bone skill during his battle with Feng Xiaotian.
If Xiao Yu did kill him with a single attack, it wouldn't even be considered a breach of tournament rules—after all, the only reason he couldn't withstand an attack was his own lack of strength.
With this, the qualification rounds concluded, with Nine Stars Academy securing first place in the Heaven Dou Empire division with a flawless record of fourteen wins. Godwind Academy ranked second with thirteen wins and one loss, followed by Thunder Academy, Tianshui Academy, Botanical Academy, and Shrek Academy. Behind Shrek were a few lesser-known academies that need no mention here.
After the qualification rounds, each academy was given three days to make their final adjustments.
"Young Master, His Highness Prince Xue Qinghe of the Heaven Dou Empire has arrived to visit!"
Xiao Yu was enjoying himself, leaning comfortably with a woman on each arm, when he suddenly heard someone report from outside.
The angel girl is here?
Upon hearing that Xue Qinghe had arrived, Ye Lingling, who knew her true identity, cast a cold glance at Xiao Yu.
Xiao Yu awkwardly rubbed his nose and waved his hand, saying, "Let her in!"
The disciple responsible for delivering the message turned and left. After he was out of sight, Ye Lingling got up from Xiao Yu's embrace and pulled Huo Wu up as well. "Sister Huo Wu, since His Highness the Crown Prince has come to see Brother Xiao Yu, he must have important business. Let's step out for now."
As Xiao Yu's main confidante, Ye Lingling understood Xue Qinghe's true identity and the advantages she could bring to Xiao Yu. She would never block such an alliance by refusing to let him meet her.
Feeling a bit guilty, Xiao Yu pulled Ye Lingling back into his embrace, planting a light, dragonfly-like kiss on her enticing red lips.
Blushing, Ye Lingling lightly punched Xiao Yu's shoulder. "Alright, don't let others see us like this!"
With that, she freed herself from his embrace and hurried off with a still-confused Huo Wu.
Not long after the two women left, Qian Renxue, still in her Xue Qinghe disguise, walked in.
The palace guards from the Heaven Dou royal family who had accompanied her remained outside, while Xiao Yu had two Level 95 Title Douluos standing close by as bodyguards. There was no chance anyone would dare spy on them from the shadows.
Without bothering to keep up her act in front of Xiao Yu, Qian Renxue let out a flash of light, reverting to her female appearance. A dangerous smile graced her refined face.
Xiao Yu's brow furrowed slightly, sensing something unsettling in Qian Renxue's smile. He asked, "Emperor Xue Ye is staying in Heaven Dou City, and the responsibility of overseeing the finals in Spirit City has fallen to you, the Crown Prince. I would think you'd be too busy to step away. What brings you here?"
Unceremoniously taking a seat, Qian Renxue replied, "I was indeed too busy to make the time, but that old man Xue Ye gave me a task that forced me to seek you out. And I must say, congratulations are in order!"
"Congratulations?"
Xiao Yu thought for a moment and understood. After all, Nine Stars Palace's impressive strength during the qualification rounds had shocked everyone, especially his own feat of becoming a Soul Emperor before the age of twenty-five. As an emperor, Xue Ye wouldn't overlook such a powerful force.
However, something about Qian Renxue's "congratulations" felt laced with danger. Suspiciously, he asked, "Did Xue Ye send you to win me over? What sort of gift does he plan to give me? Why do you look so displeased—don't tell me this 'gift' is from your palace?"
Qian Renxue snorted coldly. "Oh, it's indeed quite the 'gift.' The Empire's one and only princess, Xue Ye's most cherished daughter, Xue Ke—the same one you met before in Star Dou Forest. That old man Xue Ye knows you're a young master of a major sect and unlikely to join Heaven Dou Empire directly, so he figured binding you to the Empire through marriage might work. And knowing that we're on decent terms, he wants me to play matchmaker and set you up!"
So that's it!
Xiao Yu finally understood why Qian Renxue had been so prickly from the moment she arrived. Sniffing the air exaggeratedly, he smirked mischievously. "I think I'm catching a whiff of jealousy here!"
(End of Chapter)
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