Killing Intent

"Boss, you're amazing! There really is Ten Thousand Year Whale Rubber for sale in the Treasure Pavilion."

The speaker was a handsome young man of short stature, with short golden hair and a pair of particularly lively eyes.

At the entrance to the Treasure Pavilion, the young man was extremely excited, chattering happily away among his classmates.

The green-haired youth leading the group from Heaven Dou Royal Academy smiled. Ever since the effects of Whale Rubber—strengthening one's physique and helping people break through the absorption limit of soul rings—had been made public, its price had risen higher and higher. It was also nearly impossible to find; once it appeared on the market, it would basically be bought immediately.

The reason they had been able to purchase it in time was because his Titled Douluo master had intercepted it first, giving them the chance to buy it.

"Alright, we've bought what we came for. Let's head back to the academy. Lingling, come with us."

He directed those final words at the woman standing at the very back of the group.

The woman stood in the least conspicuous spot at the rear of the entire group. Not only was she dressed entirely in black, but her face was veiled by a layer of black gauze.

She had a slender figure, with long blue hair cascading down her back like a waterfall. Her eyes, the same color as her hair, revealed no emotion whatsoever.

One could seemingly feel nothing from her but loneliness and desolation.

Yet when the green-haired youth spoke, the lonely, desolate air around her vanished like snow beneath the blazing sun. She lightly revealed her beautiful face and gave a soft hum in reply.

Dugu Aotian watched Ye Lingling's breathtaking appearance, the corner of his mouth curving slightly.

He felt utterly delighted inside.

Wasn't the whole point of coming to Douluo Continent to collect these famous beauties and build a vast harem?

And soon, following the plot, their Imperial Fighting Team from Heaven Dou Royal Academy should be heading to Suotuo City for a bit of training.

It would also be the perfect chance to crush Tang San's Shrek Academy team into pieces.

Then he could take beauties like Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong for himself as well.

Xiao Wu in particular. Heh heh, later, he could devise a scheme to make Xiao Wu willingly sacrifice herself to him, letting him obtain another Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone and soul ring.

Then he would be invincible on Douluo Continent.

As for that piece of trash, Tang Hao, who might be secretly protecting them?

He was nothing but garbage.

He had clearly greedily plotted to make the Blue Silver Emperor, Ah Yin, sacrifice herself, yet he still had the nerve to hypocritically claim that he loved her.

But if he loved her, why had he brought her running all over the continent?

Tsk.

Dugu Aotian chuckled softly. He wondered what kind of reaction that hypocrite would have when he returned and discovered that someone had stolen his Wife.

He would probably weep bitterly, consumed by despair and helplessness.

Still chuckling, Dugu Aotian domineeringly pulled Ye Lingling into his arms and boarded the carriage under the escort of the other team members.

The carriage moved quickly, forcing pedestrians on the street to hurriedly step aside.

Some time after the carriage departed, a tall Gray Robe emerged from the entrance of the Treasure Tavern.

He raised his head to identify the direction, then strode toward Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Only after Gray Robe had left did the Treasure Tavern's manager, who had been maintaining a respectful posture behind him, let out a long breath and wipe the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief.

When Gray Robe had produced the Outer Sect Elder Token and asked him to help locate Dugu Aotian, he had nearly been frightened to death.

A string of schemes and power struggles flashed through his mind.

A gray robe, unwilling to reveal his identity, and involved with Poison Douluo's Disciple—no matter how he looked at it, it seemed like some sinister plot was about to unfold.

However...

"Manager, that lord's Disciple has already left Heaven Dou City," a capable-looking attendant behind him said respectfully in a low voice.

The tavern manager smiled, and only then did the weight in his heart finally lift.

The other party had come directly to his door and even presented the Outer Sect Elder Token.

Naturally, he could not refuse.

For seeing it was the same as seeing an elder.

But there were ways to comply without truly complying.

He could tell him that Dugu Aotian was currently on his way back to Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

But as long as he made sure this Gray Robe could not catch up with Dugu Aotian, any schemes he might have would collapse on their own.

That way, he would not be dragged into it either.

Smiling, the tavern manager waved for the attendant behind him to withdraw, then relaxed considerably as he had his tavern staff prepare a carriage.

As a member of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, he knew quite well how fast different carriages could travel.

As long as Dugu Aotian left Heaven Dou City, then even if that Gray Robe rode without rest at full speed, he would not be able to catch up.

After all, that was a carriage that used Soul Guide Technology.

As for whether that Gray Robe, unwilling to give up, would pursue him all the way into Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

He had even less to worry about.

That place was guarded by a Soul Fighting Master. No matter how powerful someone was, they could not cause trouble there.

"Tsk, another unlucky fool being used by the person behind the scenes."

"But whatever. What does it have to do with me?"

The tavern owner smiled, then boarded the prepared carriage and hurried toward the sect.

Since it concerned a Titled Douluo's disciple, he needed to personally meet with the sect master.

Meanwhile, outside Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Tang Hao took a pouch of gold coins from his robes and placed it before the guard at the entrance.

"I have something to discuss with His Highness Dugu. Could you help notify him?"

He truly did not know what had happened afterward at the tavern, but none of that mattered.

Nor would he completely trust the words of a stranger.

All he needed to learn from the tavern owner was that Heaven Dou Royal Academy was the place where Dugu Aotian was most likely to be.

As for the rest...

The guard stared at the bulging pouch of Gold Soul Coins before him, swallowed, and revealed a greedy expression.

But when Tang Hao calmly crushed a Gold Soul Coin in one hand, the greed in the guard's eyes vanished without a trace. He hurriedly nodded and said, "Alright, but His Highness Dugu went out and hasn't returned yet. Once His Highness comes back, I'll definitely inform him."

He had not returned yet?

Then he was still on the road.

Tang Hao smiled.

He had never truly confronted those above him, so he had no way of judging whether what they said was true or false.

But he could tell whether the words of a fellow working stiff like himself were true or false.

See? Hadn't he already learned the information he wanted most?

After tossing the Gold Soul Coins to the guard, Tang Hao strode over to a large tree beside a road some distance from the entrance to Heaven Dou Royal Academy and sat beneath it.

The tree's roots twisted together, its shade obscuring the view.

This place was somewhat far from Heaven Dou Royal Academy, but it was also an unavoidable route back from Heaven Dou City.

As long as he sat here, he would inevitably be able to wait for that Transmigrator.

A stupid method, Tang Hao sighed inwardly.

But it worked.

It worked so well that he did not have to wait long before an ornately decorated carriage arrived.

Tang Hao suddenly opened his eyes. As the carriage raced toward him, its curtains fluttered, a gap opened, and a green-haired youth sitting in the very center of the carriage met Tang Hao's gaze.

Whoosh!

A fierce wind suddenly rose, howling through the air. A portrait was blown wildly about before abruptly breaking free from Tang Hao's hand.