Chapter 137: Xiao Yu's Success
"Who…who's jealous of you!"
Qian Renxue's cheeks flushed instantly, and she protested defiantly, "I'm only saying this because of our partnership! I'm warning you—if you even think about marrying that Xue Ke, our alliance is over!"
Xiao Yu chuckled playfully, rubbing his chin. "Actually, marrying Xue Ke wouldn't be a bad choice. That way, I'd become the prince consort of the Heaven Dou Empire. Once you eliminate Xue Ye, Xue Xing, and Xue Beng, I could reveal your true identity, and then the entire empire would follow me as the prince consort!"
"You wouldn't dare!"
Qian Renxue's eyes narrowed, her refined features showing a hint of anger. "If you ever dare to do that, we'll be mortal enemies for life!"
"Haha, I'm just joking! Don't get angry—anger's bad for your health!"
Seeing her genuinely upset, Xiao Yu laughed heartily. "Don't worry, with Xue Ke's spoiled upbringing and her talent, only reaching the Great Soul Master rank at fourteen or fifteen, I'd be more worried that her genes would drag down the talent of my future children!"
Xiao Yu had once entertained the idea of becoming the prince consort to seize power within the Heaven Dou Empire, but he quickly dismissed it. Firstly, he feared Xue Ke's genes might impact his children's aptitude.
In the Douluo II era, Dai Hao, the father of the protagonist Huo Yuhao, was a Title Douluo, which suggested strong genetics. Yet Huo Yuhao had only one rank of innate soul power when his martial spirit awakened, just a hair better than that of a certain "Grandmaster." Huo Yuhao's malnutrition was partly to blame, but more importantly, his mother, Huo Yun'er, had no soul power.
Furthermore, a prince consort was still an outsider by blood. Even if Xue Ye's direct line were wiped out, the Heaven Dou Empire had distant relatives, and after over a thousand years of heritage, the royal bloodline had hundreds, if not thousands, of descendants. The only issue was the closeness of that bloodline.
From Xiao Yu's perspective, he'd need to cut down on those idle aristocrats, which meant he'd never gain support from the royal family.
"It better be that way!"
Qian Renxue huffed, "For the time being, be careful. Xue Ye won't stop until he gets what he wants. Since my attempts to intervene failed, who's to say he won't resort to other means to make you and Xue Ke an inseparable couple!"
Ah, a beauty trap!
Xiao Yu smiled faintly and suddenly stood up, moving closer to Qian Renxue, his eyes fixated on her.
"Wh-what are you doing?"
Qian Renxue, already flushed, turned bright red as he looked at her up close. Even she could hear the slight tremor in her voice.
Xiao Yu's lips curved into a faint smile, his gaze as gentle as a spring breeze. "I was just thinking, if that old man Xue Ye did use you for a beauty trap, I'd happily take advantage of it!"
"Ugh!"
Qian Renxue spat in protest, pushing Xiao Yu back. "You heartless flirt, always using sweet words to deceive naive girls! Don't think your tricks will work on me."
Xiao Yu caught her wrist mid-push, declaring with conviction, "This is my true, honest feeling—heaven and earth can bear witness!"
Caught by his intense gaze, Qian Renxue momentarily froze, forgetting to pull her hand free. She stood there, entranced, staring blankly at the man who stirred her heart.
The two remained in that position for who knows how long, as if time had frozen at that very moment.
Xiao Yu suddenly pulled Qian Renxue forcefully toward him.
"What are you… mmm!"
Caught off guard, Qian Renxue stumbled into Xiao Yu's warm embrace. Just as she was about to ask what he was doing, his face moved closer, silencing her with a domineering kiss that swallowed her words.
Her pupils widened, and her mind went blank. Clumsily, she responded to his fervent kiss, her instincts leading her through the unexpected moment.
Xiao Yu's hand naturally drifted downward, resting on her firm waist before daring to explore further.
No! This is wrong!
The instant their skin made contact, Qian Renxue snapped back to her senses, pushing Xiao Yu away with all her strength.
"You pervert!"
Her breathing was uneven, her well-developed chest heaving as she glared at Xiao Yu, wiping her lips in frustration before fleeing the room as if her life depended on it.
"By the way, Salas has reported all the intel on the advancement matches to the Pope's Palace. That woman suggested ambushing the Heaven Dou team on their way to Spirit City, with Tang San, chosen by the Asura God, as the main target. The Worship Hall has already approved her plan. However, I suspect she has ulterior motives and might harm you as well. Stay alert!"
Already far off, Qian Renxue used her soul power to send this message back to him.
Xiao Yu, who had been relishing his success just moments before, grew serious. He nodded toward the direction where Qian Renxue had disappeared, responding in kind, "Thanks for the warning. I'll be careful!"
He harbored no hopes when it came to Bibi Dong, a mentally unstable figure with strong antisocial tendencies.
Though Qian Renxue had told him that Qian Daoliu had warned Bibi Dong against attacking the Nine Stars Hall, Xiao Yu doubted she would comply. After all, accidents happen in ambushes, and it wouldn't be unheard of for someone to get hurt unintentionally.
As for any retaliation from the Nine Stars Hall, Bibi Dong likely couldn't care less.
Her goal was never to unite the entire continent under the Spirit Hall's rule but to bring the entire continent down with her. The more chaotic the situation, the better suited it was to her intentions.
Spirit City, Pope's Palace.
Bibi Dong sat high upon the Pope's throne, dressed in a luxurious papal robe, holding a scepter over a meter long and adorned with countless jewels, symbolizing ultimate authority.
Below her on the steps stood five imposing figures, each radiating an aura that marked them as titled Douluo with soul power above level 90.
The five included Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan and Ghost Douluo Gui Mei, each at level 95. The other three were Ghost Leopard Douluo and Ling Yuan Douluo, both at level 93, and Sea Turtle Douluo, at level 91—the same unlucky one who was taken by Yu Yuanzhen during the spirit hunting mission.
These five titled Douluo were Bibi Dong's closest confidants. One couldn't deny her prowess in strategy and manipulation; within just a few years, she had managed to consolidate much of the Spirit Hall's power. Even among the nine elders, Snake Spear and Porcupinefish Douluo, who were assigned to protect Qian Renxue, leaned toward her side, and even voices within the Worship Hall had started supporting her.
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