The giant gates of Tiandou Royal Academy loomed before them, yet the first obstacle was not within the gilded halls at all, but a stumbling block wearing gold brocade.
Xue Beng.
The frivolous Fourth Prince smirked the instant he approached. Only when he registered Ning Fengzhi did he pretend at dignity, bowing with a lazy, perfunctory air.
Sect Master Ning's eyes narrowed in faint distaste. Still, as a guest in the royal academy, and Xue Beng being the fourth prince, he offered minimal courtesy.
"So it is the Fourth Prince," Ning Fengzhi said mildly. "I have come today to escort a few new students to the examination of the three Education Committee Elders."
The words deliberately carried weight: not outsiders, not common rabble—new students personally vouched by the Seven Treasures Sect.
Xue Beng's brows twitched. His eyes slid toward the youths behind Ning Fengzhi. Who could be worth the attendance of Ning Fengzhi—the calm patriarch himself—and even two Titled Douluo at his side?
But when his gaze landed on Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong—beauties unmatched in peer groups—his thoughts turned darker. His pupils glowed with vulgar heat, lingering longest on Zhu Zhuqing's cold, perfect figure.
And when Ning Fengzhi offhandedly admitted, "Aside from Rongrong, the others are not nobles but commoners—yet unparalleled talents," Xue Beng's mouth stretched into open greed.
Commoners? Excellent. Without noble houses to shield them, what is there to fear? Even if Ning Fengzhi supports them, can he kill a Prince of Heaven outright? With Dugu Bo watching my back, no one here dares touch me seriously!
He swaggered closer, his words lined with oily arrogance.
"Oh? So… you are commoners. Lady, might you wish to become my friend? I am Xue Beng, Fourth Prince of Heaven Dou. Be my friend, and anything on this continent may be yours."
His eyes devoured Zhu Zhuqing. He didn't even glance at Xiao Tian, dismissing him outright.
The silence broke not with words—but a blade.
Bang!!
A black iron sword—Fifteen—slammed against Xue Beng's abdomen with the flat of its edge. Though Xiao Tian had commanded restraint, the dandy still crumpled, clutching his belly, coughing on his knees.
Gasps rippled among attendants.
Zhu Zhuqing's stern mask cracked—her heart stuttered strangely at Xiao Tian's protective action.
Xiao Tian's voice was ice. "Keep your mouth clean."
He knew the truth of Tiandou. This "Prince" was nothing but a sacrificial pawn of politics, weak and ridiculous. With his own strength and Seven Treasures Sect support, could the Royal Family dare harm him? If Xue Beng was foolish enough to run crying to Dugu Bo—better. That would hasten the threads drawing him to the Poison Douluo.
"You wretched—how dare you strike me? You lowli—"
"Shut up, Avalanche!"
A sharp voice cracked across the plaza.
Xue Beng froze. His head jerked as another figure strode swiftly: dignified robes, composed face, sharp regal bearing.
Prince Xue Qinghe.
Why was the Crown Prince here?
"Get down now," Qinghe's voice was chill, eyes piercing. "Continue embarrassing yourself and I shall report this directly to Father!" His tone softened only minimally as he added, "Can you not see how important true talent is to the Empire's future?"
The warning lanced directly to the dandy's heart.
Xue Beng sputtered but found his courage dashed. He cast one last venomous glare toward Xiao Tian. His lips shaped silent words: "We're not finished."
But still—he skulked off, beaten into bitter restraint.
Qian Renxue, hidden behind Xue Qinghe's perfect smile, quietly clenched satisfaction. She had rushed here the instant she heard his group arrived. If she had been seconds later, Xue Beng's actions might indeed have spoiled her first approach to Xiao Tian.
Relief masked as gentle courtesy—Qian Renxue bowed slightly, turning to Ning Fengzhi.
"Teacher."
Ning Fengzhi smiled mildly. "Your Highness. What brings you to the Academy?"
But in his shrewd fox eyes, he had already guessed: the Crown Prince came for Xiao Tian.
Qian Renxue did not conceal it. She raised her voice lightly. "News from the Soto Arena intrigued me. When even the Royal Academy's First Team—Yu Tianheng and others—were dispatched, I wanted to see what manner of team drew such interest."
Her gaze swept—and landed squarely on Xiao Tian.
"This must be him. The sword genius. Allow me to apologize on behalf of my reckless brother for offending your companions."
Then—unthinkably—she bent slightly, lowering her head in apology.
The plaza hushed. Even nobles staring from balconies were aghast. The Crown Prince bowing to a boy?
Xiao Tian blinked with faint amusement. What polish. This Qian Renxue truly plays the role of Crown Prince perfectly—so flawless, her manners as sunlit jade.
He answered blandly. "It's nothing. After all, your brother already received one of my swords. Balance restored."
Qian Renxue's lips curved faintly wider.
Then, with formal bow once more to Ning Fengzhi, she excused herself. "Teacher, I will not disturb you further. I'll handle my foolish brother."
Together, led by Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, and Gu Rong, Xiao Tian and the four companions soon stepped inside the grand reception chambers of Tiandou Academy. The three Elders of the Education Committee—jade‑robed and dignified—already awaited, eyes keen, breaths deep with hidden power.
But elsewhere on campus—
Dugu Family Quarters
Dugu Yan finally found her grandfather. She had searched yesterday, only to learn he had vanished on errands. But his aura filled the residence now.
"Yanyan?" Dugu Bo's green serpent eyes softened as he saw her approach. "What brings such a serious look to my granddaughter's face? Tell me—did anything happen?"
He was her only family left. Naturally, his voice brimmed affection.
Her gaze locked on him, unyielding.
"Grandpa… I need to know. Am I poisoned?"
The simple, heavy question froze him still.
The smile faltered. The corner of his mouth twitched. "Wh—what are you saying? My precious Yanyan—how could you? You look fine, don't you? Have you forgotten who your grandfather is? In poison craft I reign supreme! If you were poisoned—how would I not know?"
Yet his voice shook.
Dugu Yan didn't waver. "Then tell me—what about my hair? Why is my color different now from when I was a child?"
The silence grew loud. They stared at each other for long minutes. At last, the old poison master sighed heavily. His emerald scales dimmed.
"…It is true."
Her heart clenched, but she did not flinch.
"It is not outside venom. It is the curse‑flaw in our own Jade Phosphorus Snake Emperor bloodline. The same poison that killed your parents young—it stains you too. Your hair darkening… is the sign. You are poisoned, child. And this curse is… from within."
Dugu Yan trembled slightly. Xiao Tian's words had been true.
For the first time—she feared not her enemies, but her own body.
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