Buying People?

Duel Arena, main entrance.

The orderly scene had become somewhat restless with the arrival of a massive procession.

It was an exceptionally luxurious royal carriage, trimmed in gold on all sides and bearing the emblem of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family on its roof.

Dozens of fully armed Royal Guards cleared the way, roughly shoving aside the civilians blocking their path.

"Get out of the way! Don't block the road!"

This scene left many Soul Masters waiting nearby angry but afraid to speak, leaving them no choice but to whisper among themselves.

"Isn't that Prince Xue Xing's carriage?"

"Tsk, tsk. Looks like the Heaven Dou Imperial Family can't sit still either. Even a prince has come personally."

"Since this Duel Arena is on Heaven Dou City's turf, they should at least show the Royal Family some respect, right?"

"I doubt it. Those three women on the ranking are the Duel Arena's treasures. How could they possibly hand them over?"

Amid the crowd's discussions, the carriage swaggered to a stop directly in front of the Duel Arena's main entrance.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and a middle-aged man dressed in splendid brocade robes stepped down.

It was none other than Prince Xue Xing.

He wore an arrogant expression, his nostrils pointed skyward. He even covered his nose with a handkerchief in distaste, as though even the air here was unworthy of his noble status.

However.

When he raised his head to inspect the Duel Arena, his entire body suddenly stiffened.

At the center of the entrance stood a mountain-like figure, resembling a humanoid Fierce Beast.

Steward Tai stood above him, staring down at him intently.

Those Big Eyes, like bronze bells, brimmed with murderous ferocity.

Just one look filled Xue Xing with the terror of being targeted by a wild beast.

"This..."

Xue Xing was so frightened that he instinctively took half a step back, nearly stepping on his own robe.

The Soul Sage elder responsible for protecting him felt his scalp go numb as well. He stared fixedly at the Big Man, his palms drenched in cold sweat.

Strong!

Incredibly strong!

Xue Xing was, after all, a royal prince, and he quickly steadied himself.

He adjusted his collar, forced himself to remain composed, and stepped forward with the bearing of a superior.

"I am Prince Xue Xing of the Heaven Dou Empire!"

"I have come on behalf of the Royal Family to negotiate with the Arena owner!"

"Have your Arena owner come out and see me immediately!"

The moment his words fell.

Steward Tai's fierce eyes abruptly widened.

You wanted the Monarch to come out and see you?

What an inflated ego!

"Hmph!"

Steward Tai could not be bothered to waste words. He directly raised his enormous foot and stomped heavily on the ground.

Boom—!!!

A deafening blast rang out.

Everyone felt the ground beneath their feet shake violently, as though an earthquake had struck.

An incomparably terrifying aura erupted from him like a tsunami and slammed down upon Xue Xing's group.

Several weaker Royal Guards had their legs give way, nearly dropping to their knees.

Even the Soul Sage elder turned deathly pale, his legs trembling and his eyes filled with terror.

What kind of terrifying power was this?!

This was absolutely not pressure that a Soul Fighting Douluo could possess!

Xue Xing staggered back repeatedly, retreating all the way to the carriage before grabbing its wheel and barely managing to stay upright.

The arrogance from before had been instantly shattered. His face was pale as he raised a trembling finger at Steward Tai.

"Y-you... What are you trying to do?!"

"I'm telling you! This is the Heaven Dou Empire! This is the Heaven Dou Imperial City!"

"Is your Duel Arena trying to rebel?!"

The moment those words were spoken, the atmosphere around them instantly tightened to the extreme.

Though terrified, the Royal Guards could only grit their teeth and release their Martial Souls, staring fixedly at Steward Tai in fear that he would slap the prince to death.

Just as the situation reached a breaking point.

A gentle yet somewhat teasing voice came from within the gates.

"Don't be nervous, everyone. Anger is the devil, after all."

A handsome Man in Black emerged unhurriedly.

It was Evil Steward.

He walked to Steward Tai's side and patted his arm as though soothing an enraged giant bear.

Only then did Steward Tai snort coldly, withdraw his aura, and return to his position.

Evil Steward wore a professional smile as he looked at the bedraggled Xue Xing.

"Welcome, Prince Xue Xing."

Seeing that someone who looked like an administrator had finally appeared, Xue Xing took a deep breath, straightened his disheveled clothing, and waved for the guards to withdraw.

"Are you the Arena owner?"

Evil Steward shook his head and smiled slightly. "I am not, but I am responsible for all matters concerning the Duel Arena."

"There are too many people outside. Why don't we go inside and talk?"

As he spoke, Evil Steward turned sideways and made an inviting gesture.

Xue Xing was just about to step forward when he suddenly stopped.

He instinctively glanced at the Soul Sage guard beside him.

The elder's expression was exceptionally grave. He shook his head at him almost imperceptibly.

His eyes were full of wariness: Don't go in!

To a Soul Sage's senses, whether it was the Big Man at the entrance or the smiling Man in Black before him,

both contained terrifying power enough to drive one into despair.

It felt like facing two primordial Fierce Beasts wearing human skin.

If they entered those gates and the other side decided to make a move,

forget protecting the prince—they would all be dead for certain!

Xue Xing understood his guard's look, and his expression became somewhat unnatural.

He coughed and said through gritted teeth, "There is no need to go inside."

"Since you are the one in charge, speaking with you is the same."

Xue Xing straightened his back, seemingly intending to use the Royal Family's wealth to salvage some dignity.

"Our Heaven Dou Royal Family intends to purchase the stunning women on the ranking!"

"Whether it is that Catwoman, Doudou, or the newly ranked Jiang Zhu."

"As long as you are willing to sell, name your price—Gold Soul Coins, noble titles, territories, anything!"

At these words, Evil Steward's smile paused as he looked Xue Xing up and down.

"Buying people?"

The next moment, Evil Steward's smile became even more Brilliant. He once again turned sideways and made an exceptionally proper inviting gesture.

"Easy enough, easy enough."

"The wind is strong outside, and there are too many people here with loose tongues. Prince Xue Xing, you should come inside so we can discuss this in detail."

"We have also prepared fine tea specially to entertain honored guests."

To the uninformed Bystanders around them, Evil Steward appeared to be the very picture of warm hospitality, as though afraid of slighting an honored guest.

Yet it was precisely that attitude that made the drums in Xue Xing's heart beat louder.

He felt that the pitch-black iron gates were like a gaping, blood-soaked maw. If he stepped inside, not even his bones would remain.

Xue Xing's feet seemed to have taken root, firmly nailed in place as he forced a stiff smile onto his face.

"There truly is no need. I got all sweaty and stuffy from riding in the carriage, so it's nice to stand here and enjoy the breeze."

Evil Steward raised his brows, wearing an expression that said, "Why can't you appreciate kindness?" He shrugged helplessly.

"Your Highness, that is where you are mistaken."

"Since we are discussing business, how can we stand at the entrance drinking the northwest wind?"

As he spoke, he deliberately swept his gaze around the Onlookers, who had long since blocked the road completely, his tone carrying a hint of reproach.

"Look at all these people gathered here. If they overhear us discussing a business like buying and selling people..."

"Wouldn't that be terrible for the Royal Family's reputation? Don't you agree?"

Xue Xing's eyelids twitched twice. He could not shake the feeling that they were trying to lure him inside to do something to him.