At the base of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Xue Qinghe sat within his carriage, his expression slightly tense.
"What? Father wants me to return to the palace immediately?"
"Yes, Your Highness. It seems that the Clan Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan has also arrived."
"I understand," Xue Qinghe replied, massaging his temples as the carriage began its journey back to the imperial city.
Over the years, she had grown accustomed to the role of "Crown Prince." Yet that title came with endless administrative tasks and the constant fear of her true identity being exposed.
Ning Fengzhi, the astute Clan Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, was especially vexing because he had an uncanny ability to read people. Moreover, he was Xue Qinghe's teacher and one of the few people who interacted with her as frequently as Emperor Xue Ye.
Meanwhile, atop a cliff at the academy, Ye Hao watched Xue Qinghe's departing carriage, letting out a long sigh of relief.
"She's finally gone. That woman is anything but simple."
Does this mean I've inadvertently joined Spirit Hall's ranks?
Ye Hao patted his chest, calming his nerves. It was a fact—Xue Qinghe was trying to recruit him.
What drew her to him most was undoubtedly his Death Spider Emperor martial soul and his striking resemblance to a certain someone.
Fortunately, my Devouring Soul Spider Emperor martial soul didn't surface; otherwise, no explanation in the world could clear my name.
Xue Qinghe: What is your connection to her?
Ye Hao: ???
Bibi Dong: ???
Ye Hao fiddled with the golden token Xue Qinghe had given him, feeling its weight both physically and mentally. Should he visit her or not?
This decision was a dilemma...
To go or not go?
It was said that Xue Qinghe was one of the most beautiful women in the Douluo Continent, though Ye Hao hadn't yet seen her true face. There's always next time. Eventually, it'll happen.
For now, there were more immediate concerns. In two years, the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament would begin. The Heaven Dou Royal Academy's main team, the Emperor Team, had an automatic ticket to the finals—a privilege of being the host country's representative team.
Unlike the preliminary and elimination rounds that other teams had to endure, the Emperor Team received the ultimate "VIP treatment."
Historically, Heaven Dou rarely won the tournament; the champions were almost always Spirit Hall or the Star Luo Empire. However, this year, the royal family placed high hopes on the Emperor Team because they had acquired a prodigy—Ye Hao.
In his three months at the academy, Ye Hao had seen and experienced much. He held a respectful attitude toward the guidance of Qin Ming and the three education committee members.
Yet Ye Hao's thoughts often returned to a certain someone: Tang San.
For years, Ye Hao had quietly observed Tang San from the shadows, trying to discern if the "protagonist" was truly as ruthless and cunning as his reputation implied.
One incident stood out vividly in Ye Hao's mind.
It occurred during their time at Nuoding Academy. Xiao Wu, accustomed to being called "Sister Xiao Wu" at school, once ventured out and was harassed by a powerful visiting soul master. She returned to the academy with tear-streaked cheeks—a pitiful sight.
This happened not long after she and Tang San made their promise in Holy Spirit Village—a nauseating exchange of "you're my sister" and "we'll always protect each other." Ye Hao had fled back to Nuoding Academy that very night, unwilling to witness more saccharine melodrama.
The next morning, however, the harassing soul master disappeared.
Gone.
The incident had even alarmed the Spirit Hall branch in Nuoding City. The culprit's methods were so seamless that no evidence was left behind—save for one chilling detail:
The victim had a small, needle-like wound in the center of his forehead, as if something sharp had pierced his skull. The investigation quickly stalled due to a lack of leads.
The following day, Xiao Wu clung to Tang San, calling him "Brother San" with such affection that even Wang Sheng and the others couldn't help but notice.
For them, it was simple: Xiao Wu and Tang San were close friends, practically inseparable, and their relationship was natural.
But to Ye Hao, there was only one possible suspect: Tang San.
Silent, deadly techniques? Sleeved arrows?
Ye Hao had seen Tang San use such tools before. No one else fit the profile.
After that incident, Ye Hao distanced himself from Tang San and Xiao Wu. Despite Tang San's repeated attempts at friendliness, Ye Hao's response was consistent—he ignored him completely.
Tang San was silently enraged by Ye Hao's behavior. If not for Grandmaster's warnings to maintain good relations with Ye Hao, Tang San might have taken action against him.
You harm others, yet others cannot harm you? What kind of logic is that?
Ye Hao often thought about Tang San's twin martial souls and Clear Sky Hammer. What a waste.
Two-faced and deceitful, Ye Hao mused. One persona in public, another in private. The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well's immortal herbs? I'll take them all for myself. Fortunately, my teammate, Sister Yan, is close to the old poisoner. That connection will come in handy.
Dugu Bo's Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was a treasure trove of rare herbs, a location that had helped the old poisoner achieve his Titled Douluo status.
Since Dugu Yan was now Ye Hao's teammate, Ye Hao reasoned that the old poisoner would have no qualms about helping his granddaughter's team.
For now, there was no rush. The herbs weren't going anywhere.
Soto City. Shrek Academy. The Shrek Seven Devils.
Soon, they would meet.
Ye Hao recalled how, three months ago, Grandmaster had insisted he enroll in Shrek Academy, practically commanding him.
"You have no choice," Grandmaster had said, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. "You're going, whether you like it or not."
Knowing full well what awaited him at Shrek Academy, Ye Hao had simply walked away. He'd eventually encountered Qin Ming in Heaven Dou City, who introduced him to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. There, Ye Hao joined the Emperor Team.
Ye Hao bore no ill will toward Qin Ming. He respected the man.
But Grandmaster's approach? Arrogant and condescending. Such a tone might work on Tang San, but for Ye Hao, it was nothing short of offensive.
Who in their right mind would willingly enroll in a no-name academy under threats? Anyone else would have reacted just as strongly as Ye Hao did—if not more so.
Having bid farewell to Xue Qinghe, Ye Hao calmed his restless thoughts, carefully stowed the golden token, and began walking back to the dormitories. With their trip to Soto City approaching, there was still much to prepare.