Still Acting
"Brother Qinghe, thank you for your timely help this time."
Fang Ling ignored Xue Qinghe's true identity and spoke sincerely.
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling also quickly followed to express their thanks.
This address, more natural than earlier, made Qian Renxue even happier.
My plan really works!
The goodwill level rose sharply all at once, making it easier to get close in the future. All that effort acting was worth it.
Qian Renxue's expression hardened. "Thank me for what? You are the genius of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy and the future of the empire. Since I was nearby, how could I just stand by and watch?"
"With His Excellency Bi Phosphorus's deterrent power, that old dog Salas probably wouldn't dare to actually do anything."
"This is different. I could feel that he really wanted to capture me," Fang Ling shook his head, as if with some regret.
Salas really did have some acting skills,it didn't feel fake.
"Before, I was still a bit rash in exposing my cultivation, which led to the Spirit Hall targeting me."
With a trace of melancholy in his eyes, Fang Ling sighed:
"Spirit Hall has done a lot for soul masters,free martial spirit awakenings, founding academies… It was also Spirit Hall that gave me the chance to enter the elementary soul master academy. I have always remembered Spirit Hall's kindness."
"I never expected that today I would encounter such a thing…"
If you hadn't exposed yourself, how would I know who you are?
Fang Ling's drop in favorability toward Spirit Hall didn't catch Qian Renxue's attention.
Goodwill was goodwill, but this small amount wasn't enough to make him join Spirit Hall.
Even if he joined now, it would still be under Bibi Dong's control.
Thinking of how Bibi Dong would treat an outsider well but wouldn't even accept her own daughter made Qian Renxue tremble with anger.
In the future, Bibi Dong might even want to make that fox the Holy Maiden, competing with her for the position of Pope.
But it didn't matter,if Bibi Dong wouldn't give it to her, she would take it herself!
From now on, she would cultivate her own people.
She would personally recruit suitable talents, and over time, train a trusted team.
And now, such a talent had appeared.
This was a good opportunity. Qian Renxue spoke in a comforting tone:
"Fang Ling, don't worry. The Heaven Dou Empire will firmly stand behind you. Although Spirit Hall is powerful, it still cannot do without the support of the two great empires."
"They cannot destroy the world's justice or cover the sky with one hand!"
Fang Ling seemed moved by these words, his expression easing slightly:
"Thank you for your encouragement, Brother Qinghe. I'll visit to thank you properly another time. For now, I must follow my teacher's orders and take refuge in the Prince's mansion until my teacher returns."
I, the crown prince, am right here in front of you, and you say you're going to the Prince's mansion?
So ungrateful?
Qian Renxue's heart sank, but her expression didn't change as she said: "Why not let me personally bring people to escort you? The three of you can rest at my residence for now."
"I can send someone to stand guard at my royal uncle's place."
"This…" Fang Ling seemed hesitant.
Of course, this was deliberate. He couldn't agree too quickly,otherwise, it would be too easy for her to get what she wanted.
Qian Renxue liked challenges.
When facing Tang San several times, it was precisely because she repeatedly failed that she became more and more fixated.
She wasn't angered by Fang Ling's hesitation, instead asking curiously:
"I'm very curious about you, Fang Ling. How exactly did you rise from obscurity to your current level?"
"And to improve twenty-three ranks in two years,that's truly unbelievable. Could you satisfy your big brother's little curiosity?"
Asking about his past to build rapport, and also taking this chance,after lending him a hand,to inquire about the reason for his rapid improvement?
The Chrysanthemum Douluo knowing wasn't enough,you want to come and ask yourself?
Was it because you didn't recognize him, so you had to ask personally?
Fang Ling pondered briefly, then, under Qian Renxue's eager gaze, smiled and nodded: "Of course."
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling had no objections either. Since they had received help, accepting the invitation was natural.
Dozens of kilometers outside Heaven Dou City.
A man in white, holding a large purple chrysanthemum with golden light, was fighting fiercely with a mighty green serpent.
Poison mist spread out, killing a large area of forest in an instant.
All beasts perished, and no birds remained.
Golden petals spun through the air, cutting against the serpent's thick dragon scales with crisp clanging sounds.
The serpent was slightly on the losing side, but it wasn't significantly affected and couldn't be defeated in a short time.
After a long fight, the two finally stopped.
Yue Guan withdrew his martial soul avatar, and Dugu Bo also retracted his true form.
"Not fighting anymore?"
Thanks to the absence of poison damage and having eaten the immortal herb Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng to restore his body and even make it stronger, Dugu Bo was no longer as battered and miserable as in previous fights.
Although slightly disadvantaged in terms of soul power, his eyes were still bright and full of energy.
Golden light flowed over Yue Guan's body as he suppressed the potent toxins he had just been hit with. Looking at the much-improved Dugu Bo, he shook his head slightly:
"Not anymore. When I reach level ninety-six, I'll hang you up and beat you."
"Talking big,should be me hanging you up and beating you!"
The two exchanged mocking remarks.
The coldness faded from Yue Guan's face, and he spoke sincerely:
"Old poison, honestly, give me that disciple of yours."
"My martial soul is the Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum. Since he ate the Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum, I'm the most suitable teacher for him."
"Give me a break,he's my grandson-in-law!" Dugu Bo rejected without hesitation.
Besides, the Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum was nothing,Fang Ling had eaten four other immortal herbs!
Yue Guan sighed softly. "If only you had given me that Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum."
"Give it to you? In your dreams! Did you drink too much fake wine to say something like that?" Dugu Bo figured this freak had probably been with that old ghost too long and gone a bit mad.
"If you had given it to me back then, I could have helped Fang Ling find a limb-regenerating soul bone in Spirit Hall."
"Trying to get something for nothing,how nice for you!" Dugu Bo sneered. "Tell me, which is better, the Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum or a soul bone?"
"Even without knowing the effects, seeing you cultivate into a Title Douluo with that martial soul is proof enough it's something good,and reality has confirmed it."
"Missing out on the Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum would be a real loss."
"Even if a limb is missing, Fang Ling still won't be weak. As for a limb-regenerating soul bone, I can just go to the sea to hunt for one!"
The ocean isn't under Spirit Hall's control, so it didn't matter to say it.
Yue Guan looked at him in surprise, his eyes flickering. "Then don't get too cocky when the time comes. You might get slapped to death. The sea is the Devil's Island's territory."
"Devil's Island?" Dugu Bo narrowed his eyes, ripples appearing in his heart.
A new term,he'd never heard of it before.
And a slap to death…
For someone to be able to kill him with one slap,was there such a powerful Title Douluo on this Devil's Island?
The ocean was vast, and powerful soul beasts were bound to be many.
But Yue Guan's wording meant it was a person.
Dugu Bo's thoughts raced, remembering Fang Ling's earlier comment about the sea being "very deep."
"No need for you to worry about that. I'll be careful myself."
"But if Spirit Hall dares to try and snatch someone again next time, don't blame me for being ruthless and showing no mercy!"