"Brother Dugu, long time no see. You look even more energetic now. It seems your cultivation has improved again—congratulations, congratulations. Nephew Yang as well, such a change must mean further gains. And the two nieces have become even more beautiful."
Inside the imperial palace, Xue Ye, after being notified by the guards, greeted them with a smile.
Following behind him, Qian Renxue's gaze swept over, and in her mind surfaced the image of Yang Yunhai displaying his Martial Soul True Body before the Pope Hall.
'Was it because the plan succeeded, and he absorbed the soul bone he obtained? Or was it due to another fortuitous encounter?' she wondered inwardly.
"Greetings, Your Majesty, greetings Crown Prince." Yang Yunhai smiled, leading Zhu Zhuqing and Dugu Yan in a respectful bow.
"There's no need for formalities." Xue Ye quickly raised his hand, his smile warm.
"Come, follow me into the hall. We can sit and talk." He turned to Dugu Bo as he spoke.
Dugu Bo nodded slightly. "I have already invited Spirit Hall and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan to join us. Let them enter directly when they arrive."
"Oh?" Xue Ye's eyes flickered. "Brother Dugu, do you have an announcement to make?"
"I have already exterminated the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan," Dugu Bo said faintly.
Xue Ye's pupils shrank, his expression freezing in place. "Brother Dugu, may I ask the reason for this?"
"No rush. When everyone arrives, I will explain." Dugu Bo shook his head, unwilling to repeat himself.
"Very well, Brother Dugu, please." Xue Ye lifted his hand slightly, leading the way forward.
"Hm." Dugu Bo nodded and followed.
Yang Yunhai glanced at Qian Renxue, gave a slight smile, then led the two girls forward behind Dugu Bo.
Not long after, they entered the great hall and sat down, chatting idly while waiting.
"Brother Dugu, I also happen to have a matter I wish to discuss with you," Xue Ye said with a smile.
"Oh? And what matter would that be?" Dugu Bo asked.
"To be honest, it's a selfish wish of mine." Xue Ye turned to Yang Yunhai, his voice full of praise. "Nephew Yang, your talent in soul master theory research is astounding. The physical training manual you published earlier was proof enough, and your performance in the tournament has been witnessed by all."
Dugu Bo instantly understood Xue Ye's scheme and said, "So, Your Majesty means to say…?"
"As expected, I cannot hide it from Brother Dugu, so I will be frank." Xue Ye turned back, "I have renamed the former Shrek Academy as Yunhai Academy and have expanded it. My plan is to make it the empire's top academy for cultivating civilian soul masters. My intention is to gift this academy to you, making you the dean. It will be independent of the royal family's management, avoiding the influence of royal extravagance. In return, I only hope that if Nephew Yang makes new discoveries, Heaven Dou Royal Academy may benefit from them."
'Changed from "in name" to "as a gift."'
Qian Renxue remained silent, understanding clearly. This was because Dugu Bo had just exterminated the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Everyone here was smart—merely 'in name' would benefit the royal family more, and such wording might offend Dugu Bo.
If Dugu Bo could annihilate the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, he could just as easily wipe out the entire Heaven Dou royal family.
But given the current situation, they had no choice but to keep this potential threat close.
'I don't believe a word of this. This is clearly a way to tie me and Xiao Hai to the Heaven Dou Empire, making us work for free. Using Xiao Hai's reputation from the tournament to attract soul masters, strengthening the empire against Spirit Hall, and even using us as a shield. And using the name of virtue to restrain me, so that Xiao Hai and I don't become another uncontrollable powerhouse clan like the Upper Three Sects.' Dugu Bo sneered inwardly.
The plan was cunning—truly killing many birds with one stone.
Still, having an academy as a base wasn't without benefits. He turned to Yang Yunhai.
Yang Yunhai nodded slightly. Once the continent was unified, teaching could also be useful for gaining fame and for his future plans.
Bearing the identity of the Child of Nature, he had to make extra preparations.
"In that case, I shall accept." Dugu Bo nodded.
Xue Ye broke into a smile. "Rest assured, Brother Dugu, I know you are often busy with cultivation. Therefore, I have already appointed Meng Shenshou as vice-dean. You only need to set the direction; the rest will be handled by him. Furthermore, I have arranged a secluded residence for you within the academy, with an environment suitable for cultivation."
"It has already been completed. You can move in at any time. As for other simulated environments, they are already being built in sequence."
"Then I thank Your Majesty." Dugu Bo cupped his hands slightly.
'Perfect. Now I can bring Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo over, and we won't have to worry about being discovered.'
"This is only right," Xue Ye said with a warm smile.
Soon, footsteps came from outside. Yang Yunhai turned to see Salas being led into the hall by guards.
Moments later, Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo also entered.
"No need for idle words." Once everyone was seated, Dugu Bo raised his hand, taking out a recording soul tool.
As soul power was infused, an image projected above the hall floor.
Yang Yunhai's expression remained calm as he watched. The angle of recording was deliberately chosen—it showed everything except the figures of Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo hovering in the sky using their Martial Soul Fusion Skill. Thus, the footage appeared to show Yu Yuanzhen charging down with his men, only to be controlled by Dugu Bo's 8th soul skill and then killed by his 9th soul skill.
'To control even a level 95 Titled Douluo so easily…'
Aside from Qian Renxue, who guessed Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo had acted, Ning Fengzhi and the others were inwardly shaken. They could clearly imagine Yu Yuanzhen's despair—unable to move, watching his clan die, knowing he was next.
To kill a level 95 Titled Douluo with such ease—just how strong was Dugu Bo now? With the soul bones obtained, his strength must have risen even further.
He was surely well above level 95!
"As I once said at Heaven Dou Royal Academy: if others do not offend me, I will not offend them. But if anyone dares provoke me, I will eradicate them completely." Dugu Bo's cold voice rang out as the image vanished. "Yu Yuanzhen led 8 Soul Douluo himself—it is clear he came for my life. In that case, I will not show mercy."
"Alas, to think Clan Leader Yu would do such a thing." Xue Ye sighed, making his stance clear. "To end like this is truly his own doing."
After all, Dugu Bo was an honored guest of the Heaven Dou royal family, and Yang Yunhai hadn't even graduated from the academy yet. Yu Yuanzhen's actions were blatant disregard for the throne. Moreover, such clan powerhouses were always a threat to the empire itself—better they be destroyed.
With Dugu Bo now stationed at Yunhai Academy, alongside the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, there was no need to fear Spirit Hall's moves.
As for the Clear Sky Sect, they had long since declined, and their clan even produced fallen soul masters. Xue Ye had already ordered Tang Hao and Tang San wanted, so that bridge was long burned.
If Tang San grew strong and allied with the Clear Sky Sect, it would be a threat. Better to back Dugu Bo and Yang Yunhai instead.
"Indeed," Ning Fengzhi nodded.
'So much for the Upper Three Sects supporting each other. They didn't even inform us this time. If we hadn't already distanced ourselves, this disaster might have landed on the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan instead.' Bone Douluo nodded silently.
Dugu Bo waved his hand, sending the recording soul tool to Xue Ye's table. "Your Majesty, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was located within your empire. Now that I have destroyed it, I'll trouble you to handle the aftermath."
"As it should be." Xue Ye smiled and pushed the soul tool toward Qian Renxue. "Brother Dugu, you are our royal guest. Nephew Yang and the two nieces are titled viscounts of the empire. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan acted against the law of the empire. It is only just that we redress this wrong for you."
Dugu Bo nodded. "Since that's settled, this matter is finished. Your Majesty, everyone, I will take my leave."
"Very well." Xue Ye stood, smiling. "Qinghe, escort our honored guests."
"Teacher, elders, please." Qian Renxue stepped forward courteously.
The group rose and followed 'Xue Qinghe' out of the hall. Salas, knowing he wasn't truly part of this circle, slipped away first. Ning Fengzhi remained beside Xue Qinghe, smiling. "Brother Dugu, in two days it will be the New Year. If you are free, you are always welcome at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. I will personally host you."
"We'll see." Dugu Bo nodded. "I need time to consolidate my cultivation."
Qian Renxue smiled. "Brother Yang, if you are free, you may also come to my residence. Life in the palace is unlike that of common folk—living here can feel suffocating. I went to the academy before to seek you, but you had already left on a trip. To be honest, I was quite envious."
Ning Fengzhi kept a polite smile. 'The palace walls are deep as the sea. As a sect master, I understand that feeling.'
Sometimes, indeed, one was not free to choose.
"Once I finish some matters, I will bring a small gift and pay you a visit," Yang Yunhai said with a smile.
With Tang Hao missing, and Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo unable to be exposed yet, there were things he needed to discuss with Qian Renxue.
'A gift? Could it be…?' Qian Renxue smiled softly. "Then I will be at home waiting for you these next few days."
(End of Chapter)
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