Royal Family Secrets

"Bro, how did it feel?"

Seeing Ming Lunyu return, Ma Hongjun stuffed the rest of his wrap into his mouth in a few bites and asked through a full mouth.

Ming Lunyu thought for a moment. "Honestly, the opponent felt a little weak. He lost before I even started putting in any effort."

"That's normal," Dugu Bo said. "Your opponent was already above average among commoner Spirit Masters. But Young Master is simply too much of a genius. Of all the prodigies I've ever seen, Young Master ranks first!"

"Is that so..." Ming Lunyu nodded silently.

"There are differences between people, especially among Spirit Masters. There's already such a gap between those of the same rank now, and the higher your Soul Power becomes, the wider the gap between you and others of the same rank will grow. At the Titled Douluo level, especially after Rank 95, strength increases almost geometrically. The gap between Rank 99 and Rank 93 is greater than the gap between a person and a dog."

That was Tang Fu'er's opinion. After he finished speaking, Dugu Bo shot him a resentful look.

Dugu Bo was currently Rank 93. It was obvious Tang Fu'er was taking a jab at him.

"Contestant Rakshasa Ghost Phoenix, please enter the arena," a staff member announced.

Ma Hongjun rose, stretched lazily, and put on his mask. "Bro, I'm going."

"Mm." Ming Lunyu nodded casually, not worried about him at all. He already had a rough idea of the level of ordinary Spirit Masters and had no doubt that Ma Hongjun could win.

Sure enough, in less than a quarter of an hour, Ma Hongjun returned victorious, adding another legend to the Great Soul Arena that day.

Next came the two-on-two match.

At that moment, a man dressed like a manager approached the two of them.

"It is truly an honor for this humble venue to have two young prodigies such as yourselves visit us. I am Li You, a manager of the Great Soul Arena."

Li You wore a fawning smile, his posture exceedingly humble.

"Would you be willing to speak somewhere more private?"

One did not strike a smiling face. After a brief consideration, Ming Lunyu agreed.

Led by Manager Li You, the two were brought to a private room.

A beautiful maid dressed in thin clothing poured tea for the three of them.

The fragrance of the tea filled the room. Even an amateur could tell it was made from precious tea leaves.

"Why did Manager Li specifically invite the two of us here?" Ming Lunyu did not touch his cup, instead asking directly.

"It's like this. Your strength is plain for all to see, so on behalf of the Heaven Dou Grand Spirit Arena, I would like to invite you both to participate in tonight's two-on-two match on the main arena. Would you honor us with your presence? Naturally, we will offer suitable compensation," Li You said.

"The main spirit arena? What's the difference?" Ming Lunyu neither refused nor agreed, asking calmly.

A trace of pride appeared on Li You's face. "Of course it's different. Ordinary arenas are only used for regular matches, and most of those competing there are commoner Spirit Masters. But the main arena is different! Every contestant there is a prodigy in their own right. Even the audience consists of wealthy magnates and nobles, with no shortage of imperial relatives among them!"

"Oh." Ming Lunyu nodded blandly.

Seeing that neither of them showed the slightest change in expression even upon hearing about imperial relatives, Li You became even more certain that they came from some great power. His attitude immediately grew even more fawning.

"Then let me ask you this: which 'imperial relative' are you planning to show us off to by having us fight on the main arena?" Ming Lunyu asked.

Li You chuckled awkwardly. "Ah, you truly are perceptive."

As he spoke, he leaned closer to Ming Lunyu and lowered his voice. "The person coming tonight is no ordinary figure. He is His Majesty's Crown Prince!"

Li You raised one finger toward the sky, looking mysterious.

Ming Lunyu understood at once. They wanted to use the prestige of the two of them to curry favor with the Crown Prince. Li You likely believed that once the Crown Prince saw two prodigies like them, he would certainly try to recruit them. If it worked out, Ming Lunyu and Ma Hongjun would owe the Great Soul Arena a favor, since it was effectively the arena that had arranged for them to get in touch with the Crown Prince.

"Fine, I agree. You can arrange the time however you see fit. Just let me know when it's time." After saying that, Ming Lunyu left an address behind and departed with Ma Hongjun.

Li You was startled again when he saw the address Ming Lunyu had left. "Jiuhua Courtyard! Rumor has it that it was bought by a mysterious Titled Douluo. Just who is this person?"

"Bro, why did you agree to him?" Ma Hongjun asked.

"There's no particularly important reason. I just wanted to see what the so-called talented contestants on the main arena are like. Besides, I want to see what this Crown Prince is really like."

After rejoining Tang Fu'er and Dugu Bo, Ming Lunyu told them about Li You's invitation.

"The Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe..." Dugu Bo sighed.

"What is it? Is there something unusual about him?" Ming Lunyu asked.

"You may not know this, Young Master. Xue Ye had four sons. Xue Qinghe was the third prince, and before him, there had originally been two older brothers who were quite capable. Yet both died suddenly one after another for unknown reasons, leaving the right of succession to Xue Qinghe. As for the fourth prince, Xue Beng, he followed his uncle Xue Xing's advice and presented himself to the world as a wastrel."

"You're saying Xue Qinghe did those things?"

"I don't know. There is currently no evidence pointing to His Highness the Crown Prince, but as the greatest beneficiary, he is highly suspicious."

"Interesting... The imperial family is the most heartless of all." Ma Hongjun put his hands on his slim waist and remarked in an old-fashioned tone.

Ming Lunyu laughed. "You understand that too?"

Ma Hongjun was displeased. "Bro, what do you take me for? I like reading too! After all, an educated underworld big sister is a real big sister!"

"Isn't that still just a hoodlum?"

"Ugh, I'm not talking to you anymore!"

The group returned to Jiuhua Courtyard amid laughter and banter.

"Oh, right, Young Master, take a look at this."

Dugu Bo took out a sheet of paper resembling a promotional poster and handed it to Ming Lunyu.

"The Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Tournament?" Ming Lunyu raised a brow at the title and continued reading.

Simply put, it was a continent-wide event held once every five years, jointly organized by the two great empires and Spirit Hall. Participants had to come from Advanced Spirit Master Academies and be under twenty-five years old. Its prestige was extremely high.

"But what does this have to do with me? Don't tell me you want me to compete? I've never even gone to school."

"Young Master, this competition will gather a great number of outstanding young talents. Don't you think it would be a good place to recruit people?" Dugu Bo reminded him.

"I see."

He was considering Ming Lunyu's goals.

"You've put thought into this." Ming Lunyu narrowed his eyes and gave Dugu Bo a bright, gentle smile.

"...Mm, it's what I should do~"

"What's wrong? Your face is a little red."

"N-Nothing. Maybe the room is a little stuffy! I'll just go out for a walk!" With that, Dugu Bo fled in embarrassment.

Ming Lunyu lowered his gaze. He had asked that on purpose.

He was well aware of his own attraction to women. In particular, Contractors like Dugu Bo would become more likely to develop favorable feelings toward Ming Lunyu after forming a contract.

To be fair, as a healthy man both physically and mentally, it was impossible for Ming Lunyu not to be attracted to Dugu Bo. And it was not only Dugu Bo—he loved and trusted every one of his Contractors equally. But matters like these would have to wait. They could talk about them after he came of age.

Sitting cross-legged in meditation in his room, he spent the entire afternoon cultivating. By the time Ming Lunyu opened his eyes again, night had already fallen outside.

"It's about time."

Ming Lunyu stood and strode outside with his head held high.

It was time to go to the Great Soul Arena.