"But how could he use soul skills without the King's blessing or being a Slaughter God?"
Everyone was utterly baffled, their faces filled with confusion.
If they could use soul skills like Wang Chen, what was the point of pledging allegiance to the King of Slaughter?
"This kid is definitely unusual. Looks like I'll have to handle this myself."
The Titled Douluo, who had been standing with his arms crossed, straightened his posture and released his martial soul.
While the saying went that if the sky fell, the King of Slaughter would bear it, to the King of Slaughter, this situation felt like the sky had indeed fallen.
Above the King of Slaughter, there was no one else to rely on.
This "guest" had been present for quite some time, and neither of the two gods had dared to make a sound.
This silence made the King of Slaughter feel as though it had been completely abandoned.
---
Heaven Dou City, Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena
The preliminary rounds of the All-Continent Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament had reached the 17th round, meaning the preliminaries were more than halfway through.
"Qinghe, when do you think Zhongli will come back?"
Paimon asked while munching on a snack, her tone a mix of casual curiosity and subtle longing.
Although life hadn't changed much in Zhongli's absence, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing.
Even the food didn't taste as good as it used to.
Hearing this, "Xue Qinghe" thought for a moment before replying, "The guest official should return soon. After all, little Paimon, you're here, and he surely misses you."
No one knew where Zhongli had gone, but his martial soul was still in Heaven Dou City, so his return was inevitable.
This was a fact no one doubted.
"Sigh, he left in such a rush without saying what he was going to do. It's really worrying."
Paimon patted her chest and let out a sigh, looking genuinely concerned.
She cared deeply about Zhongli—after all, he was her partner!
Their bond was forged from traveling across worlds together, a connection stronger than most could understand.
"Xue Qinghe" patted Paimon's shoulder reassuringly. "Don't worry. The guest minister's strength is unmatched. Nothing will happen to him."
"Besides, the guest minister promised to escort me to Spirit Hall. He'll definitely return in time for the finals."
"That's true."
Seeming to remember something, Paimon continued, "Zhongli has lived for so many years and has never broken a promise. Whatever he says he'll do, he always fulfills."
"And also, as the God of Contrac..."
At this point, Paimon paused, scratching her head awkwardly before laughing sheepishly. "Haha, I can't say more about that. Zhongli made me promise."
The others exchanged knowing glances, their interest piqued. They had been listening intently, only to have Paimon stop short.
What could possibly be so secretive that it couldn't be shared?
Zhongli was already immensely powerful. Even if everyone present combined their strength, they likely wouldn't be his match.
Actually, scratch that—they definitely wouldn't be his match.
This was someone who could crush mountains with his bare hands—a terrifying existence far beyond ordinary Titled Douluos.
"God of Contrac..."
Ning Fengzhi and the others shared a look, their eyes glinting with realization.
Paimon thought she hadn't revealed anything, but they had already pieced it together.
The Angel God
The God of Contrac… what else could it mean?
Paimon, seriously, what else could it be?
With this in mind, everything suddenly made sense.
"God of Contrac, huh…"
Hearing the title, Qian Renxue's expression turned pensive. No wonder Zhongli was so strong—his divine authority wasn't limited to just one domain.
Geo Emperor. God of Contrac. Martial God.
Contracts. The God of Contract.
"So that's why he values promises so highly," Qian Renxue mused.
As the God of Contract, how could he ever break his word?
"It's fine, Paimon!"
"Xue Qinghe" maintained her composed expression, though a faint smile played at her lips.
She had learned what she needed to know. Whether others picked up on it or not was no longer her concern.
Feeling a gaze directed at her, Paimon instinctively turned toward its source, only to be left speechless.
"Qinghe, Dai Mubai keeps staring at you every day. His gaze is honestly a bit creepy. I wonder what he's thinking."
"Xue Qinghe" glanced at "innocent" Paimon and resisted the urge to laugh. Of course, she knew what Dai Mubai was thinking, but it wasn't the kind of topic suitable for public discussion.
It all boiled down to his fiancée.
The others cast a glance at "Xue Qinghe" and shared a knowing smile without saying much.
After all, the Crown Prince of Heaven Dou had invited the fiancée of the Star Luo royal heir to his estate—and she hadn't stepped out for over ten days.
For people like them, uncovering such information wasn't difficult at all.
Even Emperor Xue Ye couldn't help but glance at "Xue Qinghe" twice. This was unprecedented!
Who would've thought that "Xue Qinghe" could accomplish such a feat?
In the past, "Xue Qinghe" never spoke of romance or had any scandals, leading Emperor Xue Ye to suspect there might be something wrong with him. Yet, it turned out his ambition was simply vast!
"Qinghe, it's fine to have feelings, but she cannot be your primary wife!"
Emperor Xue Ye's words served as both a warning and a tacit acknowledgment of Zhu Zhuqing's presence.
"Xue Qinghe" felt a twitch in her eye but quickly suppressed it.
If even Emperor Xue Ye thought this way, what could others possibly think?
"Yes, Father, your son understands!"
"Xue Qinghe" bowed respectfully, maintaining a composed expression.
Even if she wanted to do something about Zhu Zhuqing, she currently had no way to act.
"You should. If she were an ordinary noble from the Star Luo Empire, it'd be one thing," Emperor Xue Ye said bluntly.
"But she's a member of the Zhu family."
Paimon, watching all this unfold, looked utterly perplexed.
She understood everything in general, yet the conversation left her somewhat confused. Her small head buzzed with thoughts she couldn't quite sort out.
"Uh… what are you all talking about?"
"Paimon, you're still young. You don't need to know about this," said "Xue Qinghe" with a soft smile.
"Paimon's not little!" Paimon protested, puffing her cheeks.
"Here, eat up. It won't taste good once it gets cold," Xue Qinghe suggested.
"..."
---
Shrek Academy Rest Area
Dai Mubai's eyes burned with fury. If looks could kill, "Xue Qinghe" would have been slain a hundred times over by now.
Zhu Zhuqing had been at the Crown Prince's mansion for half a month without stepping outside!
How could Dai Mubai accept this?
That was his fiancée!
His fists clenched tightly, and his molars were on the verge of cracking.
"Boss Dai, let's just focus on the competition and smack them in the face…" Ma Hongjun tried to console him.
"Competition? What's the damn use of a competition?!" Dai Mubai roared.
Even if they won first place, what would it change? Would Zhu Zhuqing still be Zhu Zhuqing?
His current turmoil wasn't something Ma Hongjun, Tang San, or anyone else could truly understand.
"Don't worry, Mubai," Tang San said firmly. "One day, we'll get our revenge."
The Heaven Dou Empire no longer held much room for them.
Tang San had already agreed to Dai Mubai's request. After the tournament, he would accompany Dai Mubai to the Star Luo Empire as his strategist.
Once Dai Mubai ascended to the position of Crown Prince and eventually the Star Luo Emperor, his first act would be to declare war on the Heaven Dou Empire!