"So, you're saying that once you join the Spirit Hall, I don't have to support the Heaven Dou Empire? I can stay in the shadows and come to your aid if needed, but otherwise, I'm free to cultivate in peace?" Dugu Bo asked.
Su Ming chuckled, "That's fine, Old Monster. Though you're a formidable Titled Douluo at level ninety-six, joining the Spirit Hall openly could bring higher expectations and restrictions. Staying hidden might be ideal. And who knows, with the help of the 'Heavenly Poison Manual,' you might even reach level ninety-nine and become a Peerless Douluo. Then I'd have quite the powerful backer!"
Dugu Bo's eyes sparkled with ambition. "If I can reach level ninety-nine, that would indeed be incredible. I never expected to get this far. Before meeting you, I thought I'd barely live to watch over Yan Yan. Now, my power has transformed beyond anything I imagined. I owe you my thanks, Su Ming."
Su Ming made a mock gag. "Ugh! Sentimental words from you, Old Monster? Let's keep it light, okay?"
Dugu Bo laughed heartily. "Alright, no more of that!"
Su Ming suddenly thought of something. "Hey, how about joining our academy as a team advisor? We lost our last one, Qin Ming, when Yan Yan scared him off. You'd just need to be a figurehead; I'll handle the training."
Dugu Bo didn't hesitate. "Sure. I'll tell the three school elders I'm in. But remember, I'm only there in name. Just call if something gets out of hand; the 'Heavenly Poison Manual' has plenty of techniques I still need to explore."
Su Ming grinned. "Perfect! With our current strength, we're more than ready. Just get immersed in your cultivation, and I'll handle the rest!"
Meanwhile, in the Spirit Hall...
Bibi Dong sat on her throne, her voice cold and stern. "Yue Guan, your recent mission took much longer than planned. Care to explain?"
A bit embarrassed, Chrysanthemum Douluo replied, "My apologies, Your Holiness. I ran into Dugu Bo on the way back, and...well, we exchanged a few blows."
Bibi Dong was aware of the delay's cause but wanted to address it anyway. "Fine. Dismissed. Report back when the next mission is assigned."
Chrysanthemum Douluo breathed a sigh of relief, grateful she hadn't asked about the outcome. Admitting defeat would be embarrassing, but lying about a win only to be exposed later could spell trouble.
In the Heaven Dou Palace, within the crown prince's quarters...
Xue Beng was fuming. "Brother, what were you thinking, apologizing to that commoner? He attacked me, and instead of standing up for me, you actually honored him with a feast! Where's my dignity in that?"
Qian Renxue, maintaining a calm facade, replied gently, "Little brother, that incident was your fault to begin with. Su Ming and his friends are critical to winning this year's Soul Master Tournament. Even Father has been closely monitoring their progress. Are you planning to defy him? Besides, you're not young anymore; it's time to stop squandering yourself on women. One day, it might just kill you."
Qian Renxue's words were another subtle probe, following the hints Su Ming had given. Xue Beng's debauched behavior seemed so genuine that it could easily be mistaken for an act. Xue Beng, thinking of his uncle's insistence on causing trouble for Su Ming, mentally cursed the prince, wanting to get back to his waiting concubines.
His thoughts drifted to the beautiful Ning Rongrong and her companions he'd seen at the academy, who made the women in his chambers pale in comparison.
He replied quickly, "Brother, I've no interest in that throne; it rightfully belongs to you. I'd rather be a carefree duke than waste away in official matters. So yes, I'll live to the fullest in my own way!"
Xue Beng then grinned mischievously. "Brother, I've heard some...unusual things. You've never shown interest in women. Could it be that you have...a taste for men?"
Feigning shock, he continued, "I heard that day when you apologized to Su Ming, it was just the two of you locked in your quarters. What could you have been up to?"
Qian Renxue:
Despite her control, Qian Renxue felt an urge to unleash her true power and deal a death blow to Xue Beng. Still, she contained her anger, watching him smirk as he departed.
As Xue Beng exited, a faint crack appeared in his act, which Qian Renxue detected. His behavior, especially his delayed reaction to the banquet with Su Ming, didn't align with his apparent indifference toward the throne. She was convinced he was putting up a front and perhaps preparing for something.
Reflecting on his remarks, Qian Renxue decided it was time to enact her own plan. If Xue Beng wanted to die in his own indulgences, she would give him a push. She immediately wrote a letter and summoned a trusted Spirit Hall guard, handing it to him with instructions to deliver it to her mother.
The content? A request for a slow-acting aphrodisiac that would drain Xue Beng's energy over time, eventually leading to his demise. Since this drug was not a poison, any inquiry would come up blank. Now, only one obstacle remained: locating the legendary Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, stored somewhere within the palace. She would need to investigate or perhaps wait for the Emperor to present it to her.
Four months flew by. Amid intense training, Su Ming's spirit power rose to level fifty-five. His advancement was primarily due to his fifth spirit ring, a hundred-thousand-year ring with the skill Toxic Wood Parasite, which passively boosted his poison resistance and allowed him to channel poison through his wood-based attacks.
This increased resistance was a pleasant surprise. While Dugu Bo's poison remained formidable, Su Ming could now withstand it a bit longer.
The rest of his team had seen progress too. Dugu Yan had reached level fifty, while Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong had leveled up to forty-six and forty-four, respectively. Su Ming was especially impressed with Ning Rongrong's diligence.
As for Ye Lingling, her frequent morning training sessions with Su Ming brought her up to level thirty-nine. Through daily interaction, their bond had deepened, though they had yet to achieve the closeness required for a true spirit fusion.
Over a month ago, Xiao Wu also broke through to level fifty-three, and Su Ming had taken her to the newly established Saint Soul Village to visit Grandfather Jack while she consolidated her fifth spirit ring in a shielded room.
The journey was far from over, but with each passing day, Su Ming and his companions drew closer to realizing their full potential.
Notes-Read advanced chapters in patreon.com/Shadow_D_X, i have finished uploading the whole series in patreon, thanks for supporting me and special thanks to all the patrons for joining