Return to Heaven Dou Academy, Dugu Yan's Challenge (Revised)

At the edge of the Douluo Star System.

Zero scratched his head, completely unaware that his actions had shaken the Divine Realm. "This really is troublesome. This planet is clearly so weak it can't even withstand my presence, so why did the Palagi Shield's presence appear here?"

With that, Zero looked down at the dimly glowing Ultimate Bracelet on his wrist.

"Tch... that used a lot more energy than I expected." He folded his arms and gazed at the blue planet in the distance. "Looks like I can't return to the Land of Light for now. Do I have to stay here and observe for a while?"

At the same time, in the Douluo God Realm.

The three God Kings seated in the God Realm Committee sensed that gaze gradually fading away and breathed a sigh of relief.

After a long silence, the Asura God said, "Fortunately, that being did not descend upon the Douluo Continent. Otherwise, the Douluo Plane might have collapsed entirely because of it."

The Godess of Kindness nodded. "I can sense that a special divine consciousness is watching the Douluo Continent. You sensed it too, didn't you?"

"Now that things have come to this, we can only hope the other party bears no ill will." The God of Evil sighed, helplessness written all over his face.

Heaven Dou City, Crown Prince's Residence.

The moment Lin Chen nodded his agreement, Xue Qinghe did not immediately smile. He looked at Lin Chen in silence before slowly speaking. "Since you're willing, then from this day forward, you are my student."

"But—" He raised a finger and said quietly, "I won't make this matter public. In public, you'll still call me Brother Xue. Do you understand?"

Lin Chen froze for a moment, then realization dawned on him. He instantly understood why Qian Renxue wouldn't make their relationship public.

The reason was simple: she was a Spirit Hall agent undercover in the Heaven Dou Empire.

If she made a great show of taking a six-year-old genius as her disciple, it would draw too many eyes to her and Lin Chen. That didn't suit her usual low-key style.

Besides, once word spread that Xue Qinghe had taken him as a disciple, it would also involve the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Spirit Hall, and other factions. Qian Renxue was no fool; she obviously wouldn't make a name for herself by doing something so thankless.

At that thought, Lin Chen nodded. "I understand. I promise you, Brother Xue, I definitely won't go around spreading the news!"

Xue Qinghe nodded in satisfaction. "To make up for your loss, you'll receive ten thousand Gold Soul Coins in pocket money every month from now on."

"As for your parents and uncle in Nuoding City, I'll arrange for someone to protect them as well."

Hearing this, Lin Chen smiled. "Thank you, Brother Xue!"

After Lin Chen finished his conversation with Qian Renxue and formally confirmed their relationship as teacher and student, he returned to his room to meditate and cultivate.

After confirming their relationship, Qian Renxue promised him quite a few benefits. Besides the Gold Soul Coins, she also assigned Snake Lance Douluo to him as a guard.

But Lin Chen knew perfectly well that although it was called protection, it was really just surveillance.

After all, although Qian Renxue had become his teacher, she certainly didn't trust him completely, just as he had always remained on guard against her.

As for whether they could develop a genuine teacher-student relationship in the future, that was something the two of them would have to work on together.

Early the next morning.

Lin Chen boarded a carriage to Heaven Dou Royal Academy alone, while Snake Lance Douluo hid in some unseen corner, "protecting" him.

Soon, the carriage came to a stop at the entrance to Heaven Dou Royal Academy, and Lin Chen strolled into the grounds.

But the moment he stepped through the gate, he immediately noticed the strange looks from the people around him.

Several people had gathered beneath a pillar in the distance, huddled together talking about something and casting occasional glances his way.

After two girls walked past him, they even made sure to look back at him.

Sensing the strange looks around him, Lin Chen wondered what he had done. But when he saw that eminently punchable figure approaching, he immediately understood why.

"Well, well, isn't this the great genius Lin Chen? Haven't seen you in a few days. Been well?" Xue Beng swaggered over, his face full of mockery.

Seeing this, Lin Chen sighed helplessly. "Your Highness, Fourth Prince, I remember making myself perfectly clear last time. If you provoke me, nothing will come of it except another beating for you."

Lin Chen spread his hands. "Or are you a masochist who just likes getting smacked around?"

"You!" Hearing Lin Chen's words, Xue Beng felt a dull ache in his waist and abdomen, but he still put on the airs of a wastrel. "Don't get too cocky. Don't think Xue Qinghe can protect you forever. Heaven Dou Royal Academy belongs to the imperial family, not the Crown Prince's backyard!"

Lin Chen shook his head, his gaze settling on Xue Beng's waist. "How about another kick?"

Xue Beng's face went pale. He instinctively clutched his waist and said, "If you've got guts, don't use your fists! Can you stop being so barbaric?"

Just as Lin Chen was about to give Xue Beng another beating, an icy voice rang out from behind him. "Xue Beng, you might not be ashamed, but I am. Can you stop disgracing Heaven Dou Royal Academy?"

As the voice fell, a purple-haired, green-eyed girl appeared before Lin Chen.

"Dugu Yan?" Lin Chen recognized her immediately. After all, as far as he remembered, no one else looked like that.

"Dugu Yan? Go away, go away. I'm not in the mood to deal with you right now." Xue Beng frowned and glanced back at Dugu Yan, shooing her away impatiently.

Dugu Yan ignored him and walked straight toward Lin Chen with a smile. "You're Lin Chen, right? My name is Dugu Yan. Nice to meet you."

"Hello, my name is Lin Chen." Seeing that her attitude was fairly friendly, Lin Chen nodded in reply.

"But I didn't come here to chat with you today." Dugu Yan put away her smile and spoke with a serious look. "I heard your First Soul Ring was already a thousand-year ring."

Lin Chen scratched his head and asked in exasperation, "Who told you that?"

"Everyone's talking about it." Dugu Yan tilted her head and smiled. "A lot of people saw it when you fought Xue Beng on the day you enrolled."

Lin Chen said nothing.

"I'm a Soul Master too." Dugu Yan took a step forward. "My grandfather is a Titled Douluo, and I grew up among Soul Masters, but I've never heard of a genius like you. So I wanted to see what you're capable of."

Hearing that, how could Lin Chen not understand what Dugu Yan had come for? He sighed. "We can fight, but you have to agree to one condition."

"Go ahead." Dugu Yan nodded without a care.

Lin Chen smiled. "If I win, can you let me meet Senior Dugu?"