Meng Shenji and the other two Education Committee members wore grim expressions. Xue Beng coming to them never meant anything good.
Especially when it involved Shen An—even without considering Dugu Bo's influence, Xue Qinghe's favor toward Shen An made them hesitant to act.
But with the fourth prince beaten into such a ridiculous state, they couldn't just ignore it.
Thus, Meng Shenji deliberately unleashed his aura while slowing his approach. If Shen An had left, they could have pretended not to see anything.
Ning Rongrong was jolted from her meditation. "Such powerful pressure—only the three Education Committee members in Heaven Dou Academy could have this level of strength."
Shen An nodded slightly. "I've had some conflicts with them before. But I'm not sure why they're coming this time, and with such a show of force. Maybe it's because of that wastrel Xue Beng."
He glanced back at Zhu Zhuqing's room. Whatever the reason for their visit, he couldn't avoid it—who knew if interrupting her absorption of the immortal herb would cause problems?
Besides, Shen An had always acted with a clear conscience. As long as he wasn't the one at fault, he would face anything head-on.
Be brave—Tom the Supercat's got your back.
Ning Rongrong narrowed her eyes, not even considering telling Shen An to hide. "Hmph, Xue Beng deserved what he got. Let's see what they want."
The Heaven Dou Empire currently relied heavily on the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan's support. As the clan's little princess, Ning Rongrong carried far more weight than a good-for-nothing prince like Xue Beng. She had nothing to fear.
Meng Shenji sighed inwardly. Why isn't this kid running? Could he really not sense my soul power fluctuations? I'm releasing them at full intensity!
"Today, you attacked the fourth prince, Xue Beng. Do you have anything to say for yourself?"
"Then why don't you ask His Highness Xue Beng why he got beaten in the first place?" Shen An replied calmly.
Xue Beng, who had been lagging behind, finally caught up, panting heavily despite being a Soul Grandmaster. Years of debauchery had taken their toll on his physique.
Gasping for breath, Xue Beng said, "No matter who was at fault, Elder Meng, as a prince of Heaven Dou, being beaten is an insult to the royal family's dignity. You must make him answer for this."
Meng Shenji's expression darkened. He owed a debt to the royal family, and Xue Beng's mention of imperial prestige struck a nerve.
Ning Rongrong planted her hands on her hips. "How dare you! So what if you're a prince? Does that mean you don't have to follow reason?"
Zhi Lin said coolly, "Reason is maintained by strength. Do you have any?" Having been humiliated by Tom and Jerry before, he was eager to regain some face.
Xue Beng, here solely to stir trouble, quickly added, "Exactly! You're just commoners daring to offend the royal family. Today, you won't leave unscathed!"
Hearing Zhi Lin's words, Meng Shenji sighed internally. He had wanted to downplay the matter, but his old colleague still held a grudge over being toyed with by what appeared to be ordinary pets.
And Xue Beng was fanning the flames, clearly hoping for chaos.
Fine. I'll test him like we did with Tang San that day—using soul power pressure as punishment. With my control, he won't be harmed.
Before he could speak, Ning Rongrong revealed her true mischievous nature. "Three Soul Douluos—how impressive."
"But what if I told you... my father is Ning Fengzhi? How would you respond to that?"
As she spoke, Ning Rongrong summoned her exquisite little pagoda, though she quickly withdrew it, deliberately covering several layers with her hand to prevent anyone from noticing it was actually a Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda.
Shen An noticed this. So Rongrong doesn't want it known that her martial soul evolved. Understandable—the Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda is too shocking and might draw hostility from powerful figures.
Good thing I recently obtained that invisible ink. I'll have Tom and Jerry apply it later to avoid future trouble.
The moment the Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda flashed into view, Xue Beng's smirk froze. He stared at Ning Rongrong, lips trembling as if wanting to speak, but ultimately fell silent.
He never expected to run into the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's little princess.
Though they'd never met, he knew how dearly Ning Fengzhi and the two Titled Douluos cherished her.
Xue Beng still harbored ambitions for the throne. Just because Ning Fengzhi currently supported Xue Qinghe didn't mean he couldn't win the clan leader's favor in the future.
But offending Ning Rongrong would destroy any chance of that. Regret flooded his heart.
Meng Shenji was now caught between a rock and a hard place—on one side, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's influence; on the other, the royal family's dignity and his duty as an Education Committee member.
Moreover, as a Soul Douluo, he had his own pride. After a deep breath, he said:
"Imperial dignity must be upheld, but Xue Beng was also at fault. Here's my proposal: You're at the Soul Elder level. I'll exert pressure no stronger than rank 40. If you withstand it, this matter ends, and I owe you a favor. If not, a simple apology to Xue Beng will suffice."
Ning Rongrong's face darkened, about to retort. She knew full well that soul power pressure differed from one's actual soul power—most could only endure up to two-thirds of their own rank.
But Shen An had an idea. Stopping Ning Rongrong, he met Meng Shenji's gaze. "Deal. I accept."
Just soul power pressure? Perfect chance to gauge the gap between me and true experts. Plus, this old man's offering a favor—why not take it?
Ning Rongrong looked at Shen An worriedly, but he smiled reassuringly. "Trust me. It'll be fine."
"Prepare yourself, boy," Meng Shenji said solemnly.
The pressure crashed down like tidal waves, distorting the air around Shen An as if the very space rejected him.
Meng Shenji, a control-type Soul Douluo, had excellent mastery over his soul power.
Rank 20... 25... 30... The pressure steadily climbed while he closely monitored Shen An's reactions, ready to stop the moment it became too much.
His brows furrowed. He's just a Soul Elder, yet even at rank 40 pressure, he hasn't released his martial soul?
Even that prodigy Tang San had to summon his under this level of strain.
What Meng Shenji didn't know was that despite being a Soul Elder, Shen An had undergone multiple system enhancements, possessed a supreme martial soul, absorbed three limit-breaking soul rings, consumed two immortal herbs, and tempered his body in the Ice Fire Yin Yang Spring.
In terms of physical stats, he might surpass even a Soul King.
Recently, through sword training, Shen An had sensed something on the verge of breakthrough. This pressure might just be the catalyst—but it wasn't enough yet!
Under the crushing force, Shen An deliberately scoffed. "Is this all a Soul Douluo's pressure amounts to? Can't you try harder?"
Meng Shenji had been about to withdraw, but those words made his eyes sharpen. The pressure instantly surged to rank 50—enough to make even Tang San kneel.
Bai Baoshan, alarmed, quickly interjected, "Stop! Rank 50 pressure could seriously injure him!" He didn't want to provoke Ning Fengzhi's wrath.
Yet Shen An stood like an unsheathed sword, his sharp aura slicing through the pressure effortlessly.
Meng Shenji's expression changed. His competitive spirit flared—if rank 50 wasn't enough, he'd add another five!
A Soul Douluo helpless against a mere Soul Elder? How humiliating would that be?
Does Meng Shenji have no pride?