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Upon hearing these words, Dai Mubai's fist suddenly halted, stopping just a few centimeters from Tang San's face.
The force of the punch stirred a gust of wind that sent Tang San's hair flying and his robes flapping wildly.
A flicker of shock flashed across Dai Mubai's eyes before he blurted out, "What? You're saying you have a way for me to become the Crown Prince of the Star Luo Empire?"
To become Crown Prince meant inheriting the vast resources of the empire, giving him support that would allow his cultivation speed to soar far beyond what it was now.
When that time came, facing Zhu Zhuqing again, he would never lose!
Thinking of this, Dai Mubai's fist trembled slightly, his eyes burning with a fiery light.
Yet in the next moment, he calmed himself, the corners of his lips curling into a mocking smile.
"Tang San, what makes you think you can help me become Crown Prince? Our relationship isn't nearly that close. Besides, didn't we almost fight not long ago because of that useless trash Yu Xiaogang? And now you suddenly come running to me with this? Don't you find it laughable?"
His tone was laced with scorn, and he didn't forget to trample on Yu Xiaogang further. "That waste Yu Xiaogang—trash who can't even reach rank thirty. I really can't understand why you'd ever acknowledge him as your teacher. It's utterly ridiculous!"
But to Dai Mubai's surprise, Tang San wasn't angered by the insult.
Instead, he nodded calmly, his tone indifferent. "You're right. Yu Xiaogang truly is useless. I admit it—back then, I was deceived by him."
Dai Mubai froze, shock flickering across his eyes.
He never expected Tang San—normally so reverent and respectful toward Yu Xiaogang—to say such words.
Narrowing his eyes, he scrutinized Tang San carefully, searching his face for clues.
But Tang San didn't avoid his gaze. He continued, "It's all for the sake of appearances. To protect my reputation, I must act as though I respect him. After all, he is my teacher. At least on the surface, I can't let anyone see through the act."
His voice carried a trace of helplessness, as though he were genuinely confiding a burden.
He paused briefly before adding, "The grudges between us were all because of Yu Xiaogang. Now that I've seen his true face, there's no more reason for hatred between you and me."
A complicated expression flickered in Dai Mubai's eyes.
He wasn't a fool; he understood the wisdom of accepting an opportunity to de-escalate.
Since Tang San was extending an olive branch, there was no need to keep pushing.
After all, Tang San's talent and potential were undeniable. Making an enemy of someone destined to be strong was far from wise.
"In that case, let's wipe the slate clean," Dai Mubai said, his voice still carrying a trace of disdain, but much softer than before.
Tang San smiled faintly and nodded. "Good. Then we're even."
Dai Mubai slumped to the ground, his arms falling limp at his sides, his eyes filled with bitter self-mockery. "Even if we have no grudge, what does it matter? Right now, I'm nothing but a cripple. I can't even defeat Zhu Zhuqing. What use am I?"
Tang San studied Dai Mubai's defeated appearance, a glint of coldness flashing in his eyes before he concealed it.
Slowly, he pulled a letter from his robes and handed it over. "Take a look at this."
Puzzled, Dai Mubai accepted the letter and lowered his gaze to read.
It was an invitation from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, summoning Tang San to attend a banquet.
What caught Dai Mubai's eye was the mention that Davis, Crown Prince of the Star Luo Empire, would also be present.
At the sight of that name, Dai Mubai's eyes grew complicated.
Davis—his elder brother, and the opponent he had always yearned to surpass.
But now, he had long since lost the right to contend with him.
"Davis," Dai Mubai muttered, his fist clenching unconsciously until his knuckles turned white.
There was unwillingness in his eyes, but it quickly gave way to despair.
"So what if I know where he'll be? As I am now, I'm no match for him."
Seeing this, Tang San's lips curved into a faint, confident smile. "What if I told you that at this banquet, I can help you get rid of Davis?"
Dai Mubai's head snapped up, shock flashing in his eyes. "What did you just say?"
Tang San spoke slowly and steadily, "You and I will attend the banquet at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect together, and I will find a chance to kill Davis. Once he's gone, you'll be the strongest prince of the Star Luo Empire—and naturally, you'll become the Crown Prince."
"By then, even if your father is unwilling, he'll have no choice but to name you his heir. After all, what is a Soul Ancestor-level Davis compared to a Soul Grandmaster like Dai Mubai, allied with one of the Upper Three Sects?"
A burning light flickered in Dai Mubai's eyes, though he quickly calmed himself.
He wasn't foolish. He understood the deeper meaning in Tang San's words.
In the Star Luo Empire, strength was everything. Fratricide for the throne was nothing unusual.
If Davis were dead, and he, Dai Mubai, had ties with one of the top sects, then the position of Crown Prince would naturally be his.
His heartbeat quickened at the thought.
But soon, he steadied himself again, his sharp gaze locking onto Tang San.
"Why would you help me? There's no such thing as a free lunch. You wouldn't help me ascend for no reason."
Tang San didn't flinch under his scrutiny, speaking bluntly. "I need a strong ally. My enemy is extremely powerful. Alone, I can't handle him."
"Enemy?" Dai Mubai frowned, then something occurred to him. "You mean… Lan Minghua?"
He knew of Tang San's animosity toward Lan Minghua.
Tang San nodded, his eyes flashing with cold light. "Yes, it's him. That night at Shrek Academy, the one who fought Lan Minghua was my father. He nearly lost his life."
At this, understanding dawned in Dai Mubai's eyes.
He hadn't expected that the one who fought Lan Minghua that night was actually Tang San's father.
"I see," Dai Mubai murmured, his eyes tinged with complexity.
He had no desire to bend the knee to anyone—least of all someone as calculating as Tang San.
But the next words Tang San spoke shattered his hesitation completely.
"Dai Mubai, think of Zhu Zhuqing," Tang San said, his voice low and cutting, like a blade piercing straight into Dai Mubai's heart.
"If you don't become Crown Prince, you'll never catch up to her. This isn't an empty threat—it's the truth. With someone like Lan Minghua guiding her, her strength will only grow. And you? If you keep wallowing in despair, you'll be left far behind."
At the mention of Zhu Zhuqing's name, flames of fury instantly blazed in Dai Mubai's eyes.
His fists clenched so tight his knuckles cracked audibly.
The humiliation of being crushed by a woman nearly drove him mad.
"Enough!" Dai Mubai roared, his eyes blazing with rage and unwillingness. "I agree! As long as it makes me stronger, as long as it lets me surpass Zhu Zhuqing, I'll do anything!"
Tang San's lips curved into a faint smile.
But he didn't lower his guard. Instead, he took out a black pill and held it before Dai Mubai.
"This is Hundred-Day Powder—my own special poison," Tang San said calmly. "After taking it, there will be no signs of poisoning for one hundred days. But once those days are over, without the antidote, you will die instantly. The antidote I hold only delays the next outbreak. If you trust me, swallow it."
Dai Mubai's gaze locked on the black pill, his eyes flickering with hesitation.
He understood perfectly well: once he swallowed it, his life and death would rest entirely in Tang San's hands.
Seeing his hesitation, Tang San pressed further. "Dai Mubai, you're a smart man. You should know that only after you take this pill can I trust you completely. Otherwise, how could I be sure you won't betray me at a critical moment?"
Dai Mubai's fists clenched tightly, his eyes reflecting inner turmoil.
But when Zhu Zhuqing's cold eyes flashed in his mind, his anger surged once again.
Gritting his teeth, he snatched the pill and swallowed it without hesitation.
"Tang San, you'd better keep your word," Dai Mubai said, his voice low and icy, his eyes sharp as blades. "Otherwise, even if I die, I'll drag you down with me!"
Tang San smiled faintly, a flicker of hidden coldness passing through his eyes.
"Don't worry. I won't break my promise. You becoming Crown Prince of the Star Luo Empire is the greatest support I could ask for."
Dai Mubai said nothing more, only fixing Tang San with a frigid stare.
He knew that from this moment on, his fate was bound tightly to Tang San's.
Turning away, Tang San allowed a sinister smile to surface on his face, unseen by Dai Mubai.
Inwardly, he sneered, Dai Mubai, do you think swallowing poison will make me trust you? Hmph. Your life is already in my hands. If I told you to be a dog, you'd have no choice. But you still have value. The power of the Star Luo Empire… will one day be mine.
In the quiet room, Dai Mubai sat alone, his eyes flickering with complicated emotions.
He knew he had stepped onto a path of no return.
But to grow stronger—to surpass Zhu Zhuqing—he had no other choice.
Two days later, the banquet would mark the turning point of his destiny.
Little did they know, their entire conversation had been overheard by Lan Minghua.
"How interesting," he murmured with a faint smile. "It seems Tang San's ambitions aren't small at all."
(End of Chapter)