Contending for the Central Plains

"Your granddaughter?" Bear Lord grinned. The door was forcibly pushed open by his Soul Power, and Dugu Yan, with her light purple hair, stood blankly outside. Her hair was blown into disarray, and her expression was filled with shock and confusion.

Bear Lord slowly rose to his feet and walked toward Dugu Yan with a savage smile.

"Yan Yan!" Dugu Bo suddenly shouted, releasing all his Soul Power. The entire room was once again coated in a dark green hue. He flashed over to Dugu Yan's side, grabbed her, and tried to flee.

"Arrogance comes at a price." Scarlet King appeared before Dugu Bo. He casually pressed a hand onto Dugu Bo's shoulder and said calmly, "Running away requires ability."

"Seniors," Meng Shenji hurriedly said, "you two clearly are no ordinary people. I hope you will show mercy. Harmony brings prosperity."

"You mean," Bear Lord sneered, "if I'm not harmonious, there'll be no prosperity?"

Meng Shenji immediately fell silent, his back already drenched in cold sweat. "This junior would not dare."

Scarlet King said, "Then shut up."

"This..." Meng Shenji and the other two exchanged looks, not knowing what to do.

Fortunately, Jiang Mian stood up at that moment and stopped Bear Lord and Scarlet King. "You two, that's enough."

Bear Lord and Scarlet King withdrew their Soul Power at the same time. The two returned to sit behind Jiang Mian and said nothing further.

"Poison Douluo, do you have anything else to say?" Jiang Mian chuckled. "From what you said earlier, it sounded like you had something to tell me."

"No, no." Dugu Bo's mouth twitched. He shielded Dugu Yan behind him and said with a bitter smile, "What I did just now was wrong. I apologize."

"Don't be in such a hurry to leave. We were just planning to spar and exchange pointers with the Heaven Dou Royal Academy team. Why not stay and give us some guidance?" Jiang Mian sneered.

"I wouldn't dare." Dugu Bo clasped his hands together and quietly backed away. "With these two seniors here, I truly wouldn't dare show off before experts."

"If you want to run, Spirit Hall will hunt you to the ends of the earth. We won't spare even your granddaughter." Jiang Mian lifted his teacup and threatened him lightly.

"Fine, then I'll make a fool of myself." Dugu Bo's expression changed. He did not care much about himself, but Dugu Yan was tied to him. If his own actions brought misfortune upon his granddaughter, he would regret it for the rest of his life.

"If the poison in your body isn't treated soon, I'm afraid your cultivation will never advance another step in this lifetime." Jiang Mian smiled. "And your granddaughter—don't pass this disaster on to future generations."

"How do you know?" Dugu Bo's eyes lit up. Though he had not lowered his guard, he still asked impatiently, "Can you treat it?"

"Hard to say." Jiang Mian spread his hands, looking somewhat troubled. "I'm from Spirit Hall, while you have a grudge against Spirit Hall. That makes things difficult."

"If you can cure Yan Yan, can I give you my life?" Dugu Bo clasped his hands and asked solemnly.

"Grandpa." Dugu Yan hurriedly grabbed Dugu Bo, afraid that he might do something foolish.

"The bustling world is driven by profit." Jiang Mian tapped his fingers and chuckled. "No one rises early without gain."

"What do you want?" Dugu Bo asked.

"I'll tell you once I've thought of it." Jiang Mian curled his lip, deliberately putting on an indifferent attitude.

Dugu Bo had wanted to lose his temper, but after glancing at Bear Lord and Scarlet King, he forcibly suppressed his anger. "Fine. Once you've decided, little brother, contact me. No matter the price, I can agree to it."

"Interesting." Jiang Mian chuckled. "Then let's cut the small talk. Since all the friends from the Heaven Dou Royal Academy team are here, let's have a spar first."

"Is there really any need to spar?" Yu Tianheng patted Dugu Yan's shoulder and smiled. "I don't know how strong you are, but you must be terrifyingly powerful. Fighting you would be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot."

"How would you know without trying?" Yan ran a hand through his flaming red hair and smiled. "How about a one-on-one?"

"You want to go up and try?" Jiang Mian glanced at the battle-hungry Yan and said, "Yu Tianheng, we came here sincerely to exchange pointers. It wouldn't be right if you didn't state your position."

Yan laughed loudly. "Exactly. Don't worry, friend, I'll go easy on you."

Just as Xie Yue stood up, he suddenly felt the world spin around him. His body slipped out of his control, and he pitched forward.

"Brother!" Hu Liena cried out and hurriedly caught Xie Yue, laying him flat.

A faint green glow spread from Jiang Mian's hand as he tried to treat Xie Yue. However, a beautiful girl with short white hair suddenly rushed in from outside. Her expression was cold as she quickly approached Xie Yue, summoned her martial soul, and began treating his injuries.

"How did he sustain such serious injuries?" Ye Lingling frowned slightly, her voice cool and elegant. "Is he trying to get himself killed?"

"What happened?" Jiang Mian looked toward Yan and saw that his expression was strange. He immediately demanded, "What exactly happened to Xie Yue? What are you hiding for him?"

"Xie Yue was injured when an Evil Spirit Master self-destructed. Then he kept cultivating day and night, so naturally his body couldn't take it." Yan's gaze shifted away as he said quietly, "He was afraid you'd worry, and he thought it wasn't serious, so he wouldn't let me tell you."

"Nonsense!" Jiang Mian cursed angrily, placing both hands on Xie Yue's chest and treating him together with Ye Lingling.

"Hm?" Ye Lingling looked at Jiang Mian in surprise, but quickly withdrew her gaze. She was astonished that Jiang Mian's healing methods surpassed even her Nine-Heart Begonia.

This was simply unheard of.

"What happened to me?" Under their full treatment, color gradually returned to Xie Yue's lips. He opened his eyes and found everyone looking at him with concern. He immediately felt ashamed, and after a while, he apologized sincerely, "Sorry for making you worry."

"Brother." Hu Liena's eyes instantly reddened. She hugged Xie Yue tightly, afraid he would faint again.

"You went too far." Jiang Mian said angrily. "You had something wrong and didn't tell your brothers. What were you thinking?"

"I..." Xie Yue scratched his head awkwardly and offered no defense.

Seeing that Xie Yue had awakened, Ye Lingling silently stepped aside and watched without speaking.

"Xie Yue, this young lady saved you." Jiang Mian helped Xie Yue sit up and looked toward Ye Lingling. "You should thank her properly."

"Thank you, miss." Xie Yue looked at Ye Lingling, his cheeks flushed red as though he were somewhat shy.

"No need." Ye Lingling said lightly, "Saving lives and healing the injured is what I should do."

Bai Baoshan and Meng Shenji exchanged a glance and immediately felt that they had saved face. Ye Lingling's actions had directly overshadowed the group from Spirit Hall.

Their eyes seemed to say, See that? This is the upbringing and caliber of Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

"The Nine-Heart Begonia would truly be the number one support martial soul in the world if not for its curse." Jiang Mian smiled. "Thank you for your help, miss."

"You're not bad yourself," Ye Lingling said.

Jiang Mian chuckled and said nothing more.

"This young friend still needs treatment. If you're willing, you can stay here for now," Meng Shenji said. "Ye Lingling's martial soul is very helpful for recovering from injuries. Since you've come, we should fulfill our duties as hosts."

"Fine." Jiang Mian nodded and agreed to Meng Shenji. Though he could also treat Xie Yue's injuries, how could a grown man's treatment compare to a young girl's considerate care? Besides, Jiang Mian already regarded Xie Yue and Yan as brothers.

He had so many wives himself. How could the two of them have none? This Ye Lingling was quite suitable for Xie Yue.

Xie Yue shyly scratched his head. The look in his eyes when he gazed at Ye Lingling was practically melting, so tender that Jiang Mian was embarrassed to break the atmosphere.

Xie Yue was actually a very simple person. He was the sort who repaid a drop of kindness with a gushing spring. Ye Lingling had saved his life, and he truly did not know how he could repay her.

"Poison Douluo, come with me." Jiang Mian walked over to Dugu Bo and smiled. "I want to talk with you."

"Please."

Dugu Bo followed Jiang Mian outside the reception hall. Jiang Mian spoke first. "Poison Douluo, do you have an Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well?"

"How do you know?" Dugu Bo was stunned at first, then immediately understood. "You're from Spirit Hall. Last time, I lost to Ju Hua Guan. He must have told you about the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well."

"The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well now belongs to Spirit Hall. Do you want to take it back, senior?" Jiang Mian asked.

"How could I not?" Dugu Bo said. "There are so many Immortal Herbs inside, every single one worth a fortune."

"If you can cultivate Immortal Herbs for Spirit Hall, we will naturally return the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well to you. And I can also cure both you and Dugu Yan."

"You're merely a disciple valued by Spirit Hall. Do you really have that much authority?" Dugu Bo asked in astonishment. "Isn't that a bit excessive?"

"Why don't you think about this—if I had little authority, why would two top-tier experts obey my orders?" Jiang Mian chuckled. "Besides, I'm an honorary elder of Spirit Hall."

"How old are you?" Dugu Bo stared at Jiang Mian in shock, nearly speechless. "Your status is already this lofty?"

"I'm thirteen, almost fourteen." Jiang Mian spread his hands. "Can't be helped. I'm extraordinarily talented, and the Pope values me highly."

"Interesting." Dugu Bo had seen peerless geniuses. After all, which Titled Douluo had not been a peerless genius? Yet he had never seen a youth as astonishing as Jiang Mian.

"I know you value freedom, and I won't restrict it. As long as you look after the Immortal Herbs in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, I'll detoxify you." Jiang Mian smiled. "The healing methods of a mere Nine-Heart Begonia are beneath my notice."

"The Nine-Heart Begonia is the number one healing martial soul in the world, yet you dare say it is beneath your notice?" Dugu Bo suddenly felt that the fellow before him was like a swindler.

"If it can't even remove your poison, how can it compare to me?" Jiang Mian said disdainfully. "I have the capital to be arrogant. Annoying, isn't it?"

Jade Swan Bi Ji's healing methods stood at the pinnacle not only among soul beasts, but across the entire world.

"You're a healing-type Soul Master?" Dugu Bo asked curiously. "You don't look like one."

"I suppose I'm an all-around Soul Master," Jiang Mian said.

For control, he had the Eye of Destiny bestowed by the auspicious beast. Scarlet King's Hellfire and Bear Lord's Sky Rend Claw were strong attack abilities, while Snow Empress's Emperor Sword, Emperor Palm, and Emperor's Cold Heaven combined strong attack and control. He also had the healing bestowed by Jade Swan Bi Ji.

Strictly speaking, agility was his only weakness, but Jiang Mian did not need it. Once he slowly grew stronger, with such a setup, no one would be able to defeat him even if he stood still.

"You truly have the capital to be arrogant." Dugu Bo stroked his hair and praised, "A young hero indeed."

"Find a place. I'll detoxify you first," Jiang Mian said. "Let's test the results."

"Fine by me. I'm not short on this moment." Dugu Bo said calmly, "After all, I've endured it for so many years already."

"Good." Jiang Mian laughed. The saying was right in this day and age: strength was the only truth. Even someone as unruly as Dugu Bo did not dare get angry at Jiang Mian. Why? Because Bear Lord and Scarlet King were keeping him in check.

If Jiang Mian had nothing, he would likely have been reincarnated already. How could he enjoy such glory now?

"Jiang Mian, it really is you." As Jiang Mian was walking with Dugu Bo, a voice suddenly sounded behind them. Jiang Mian turned around and found Xue Qinghe standing there.

"You got here quickly." Jiang Mian's lips curled into a slight smile. "His Highness the Crown Prince, we meet again."

"Greetings, His Highness the Crown Prince." Dugu Bo clasped his hands in a simple salute and said, "You two chat. Jiang Mian, I'll be in this academy. Sorry for the trouble later."

"Of course." Jiang Mian nodded. Poison Douluo immediately left, not disturbing the exchange between Jiang Mian and the Crown Prince.

"You're quick." Jiang Mian smiled faintly, looking at the handsome His Highness the Crown Prince before him as he teased, "My dear Crown Prince."

"I'll be free of it soon." Xue Qinghe looked at his own hands and said quietly, "After I returned, I heard Prince Xue Xing say that someone had beaten the Fourth Prince Xue Beng at Heaven Dou Royal Academy. I guessed it was you, so I came to see."

Jiang Mian did not continue Xue Qinghe's topic. He leaned close to Xue Qinghe's ear and asked softly, "Qian Renxue, are you planning to govern the empire in this disguise for the rest of your life?"

You're an undercover agent. Do you dare show your true face?

"What do you mean?" Xue Qinghe said. "Do you want to rebel?"

"There's no need to make it so troublesome." Jiang Mian shook his head and explained, "You only need to purge those around the ruler."

"What does it mean to purge those around the ruler?" Xue Qinghe asked.

"Heh." Jiang Mian smiled and said no more. If Qian Renxue wanted to rule the country with her true appearance, there was only one path: rebellion.

And rebellion required a legitimate reason. That reason could only be purging those around the ruler.

The best target for such a purge was precisely that arrogant and domineering Prince Xue Xing.

The destruction of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was inevitable. Jiang Mian intended to shift the blame for its destruction onto the Heaven Dou imperial family, and Dugu Bo was an especially important part of that plan.

After all, everyone knew that Prince Xue Xing and Dugu Bo had a close relationship.

Of course, Qian Renxue would have to think up the justification for such a thing herself. Jiang Mian only cared about killing, not cleaning up afterward.

Besides, what young man did not dream of contending for the Central Plains?