Xue Qinghe, Qian Renxue

Wang Hao was filled with rage after being poisoned by the Toad Poison, yet he was powerless to resist. In the end, he could only admit defeat helplessly.

"Still too weak."

Before leaving the stage, Dugu Yang muttered to himself.

He had not intended to mock Wang Hao; he was genuinely sighing over it.

Although he was now a Level 28 Two-Ring Soul Grandmaster, he possessed far too many methods and trump cards: potent poison, the Jade Flood Dragon Martial Soul, a Hundred Thousand Year Right Arm Spirit Bone... With all those methods combined, his actual combat strength far exceeded the realm of a Soul Grandmaster.

Unfortunately, Wang Hao happened to hear those words. They left him furious and humiliated, and he swore he would reclaim his dignity someday.

Dugu Yang had no idea what Wang Hao was thinking. Even if he did, he would not have cared.

An opponent he had defeated could never surpass him, no matter how much time he was given.

That was Dugu Yang's absolute confidence in himself.

Afterward, Dugu Yang had Situ Nan arrange several more suitable opponents for him. All had Soul Power Levels above Level 28, including one Level 30 Quasi-Soul Elder.

Their types varied as well, including Attack Type and Control Type.

Yet without exception, every one of them was defeated by Dugu Yang.

"Xiaoyang, with your current strength, no one among the Two-Ring Soul Grandmasters can stand against you."

Dugu Bo's eyebrows twitched wildly. Anyone could tell how delighted he was at that moment.

Others might not know it, but Dugu Bo did. Even though Dugu Yang had displayed an almost crushing advantage over his Great Soul Arena opponents, he had revealed less than half his true strength.

If Dugu Yang truly unleashed all his power, his combat ability would be unimaginable.

Dugu Yang remained composed and said,

"Second Grandfather, can you arrange an opponent at the Three-ring Soul Elder level for me?"

Hearing Dugu Yang's words, Dugu Bo shook his head and said,

"Xiaoyang, this old man advises you not to participate in any more soul fights. In a single day, you've defeated six opponents of the same level in succession. On top of that, your Second Spirit Ring is a Thousand Year Spirit Ring. You've drawn too much attention already."

"Not all those eyes are friendly."

"I understand."

Dugu Yang nodded slightly, understanding Dugu Bo's concerns.

In any case, he had already achieved his original goal: gaining a basic understanding of his current strength.

Meanwhile, Situ Nan, the manager of the Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena who had been serving nearby, revealed a regretful expression. Dugu Yang, this newly emerged Newcomer King, had defeated six opponents in one day—a tremendous selling point that had attracted many spectators.

Quite a few people had also placed bets and earned substantial Soul Coins. For the Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena, which took a cut as the house, it was guaranteed profit.

Dugu Yang could both draw crowds and bring in huge amounts of Soul Coins. Naturally, Situ Nan was reluctant to see him leave.

But there was nothing he could do when the man's Second Grandfather was a Titled Douluo.

Heaven Dou Royal Family, Crown Prince Palace.

A handsome young man with an elegant and noble bearing rubbed his brow, easing the exhaustion from handling a large amount of government affairs.

This young man was none other than the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Qinghe.

The Official at his side hurriedly brought Xue Qinghe a cup of tea.

"Your Highness, you truly work too hard."

"Everything is for the Empire. No matter how arduous it is, it is worthwhile."

Xue Qinghe accepted the teacup and waved his hand.

"Enough of that. Is there any news worth reporting today?"

"There have been no major developments in the Empire or Heaven Dou City, but I have indeed heard some information worth noting."

"Oh? Let's hear it."

Xue Qinghe raised a brow and took a sip of tea. Its bitter taste immediately washed away much of his fatigue.

"A new soul fighter named Dugu has appeared at the Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena. With a cultivation of Level 28, he defeated six Soul Masters of the same realm with extensive soul-fighting experience in a single day, including a Level 30 Quasi-Soul Elder. He won with an almost crushing advantage."

Upon hearing the Official's report, Xue Qinghe showed little interest, though he still offered a word of encouragement.

"It seems our Heaven Dou Empire truly has no shortage of talent."

"Please do not be hasty, Your Highness. If that were all, how could I dare disturb your time? This newcomer named Dugu has a Second Spirit Ring that exceeded the absorption limit. It is a Thousand Year Level Spirit Ring."

"A Thousand Year Spirit Ring!"

Xue Qinghe's pupils suddenly contracted. This information had clearly caught his attention.

"Is the information accurate?"

"It is accurate. I personally watched one of Dugu's soul fights and confirmed that it was a Thousand Year Spirit Ring."

The Official spoke with certainty.

"Interesting."

Xue Qinghe's eyes flickered. Suddenly thinking of something, he said,

"This person is named Dugu. Does he have any connection to Dugu Bo?"

"Nothing can be hidden from Your Highness. This fellow named Dugu is very mysterious. He wore a mask during battle, and no registration information could be found. But how could he possibly hide from our Heaven Dou Royal Family at the Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena?"

The Official subtly flattered him before continuing,

"According to confirmation from the Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena manager, Dugu was indeed brought there by Poison Douluo. I heard he is Poison Douluo's nephew-grandson."

"I never expected Poison Douluo to have such an exceptionally gifted grandson besides his granddaughter. What good fortune."

Xue Qinghe smiled faintly, then added,

"Send Poison Douluo an invitation. I wish to host a banquet... Forget it. Poison Douluo has always disliked becoming entangled with the royal family, especially with me. Even if I send an invitation, he may refuse. Do this instead: choose a treasure from my Imperial Treasury and send it to him."

Soul Masters possessed extraordinary power, and Titled Douluo in particular could alter the course of a war.

As the Crown Prince and future Monarch, Xue Qinghe naturally wished to befriend more talented Soul Masters.

However, Dugu Yang had Dugu Bo standing behind him. Even as Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe could not forcibly recruit him.

"Yes, I will handle it immediately."

The Official answered and hurried away.

Buzz—

After the Official departed, spatial ripples appeared within the empty palace. Then a shadowy figure materialized behind Xue Qinghe.

"Your Highness, do you need me to act?"

Facing the suddenly appearing shadow, Xue Qinghe's gaze did not waver in the slightest. He had clearly known of its presence all along.

"Why would you act?"

Xue Qinghe asked calmly.

"Such a genius should naturally join our Spirit Hall and serve Spirit Hall."

"Hehe, is someone a genius merely because his Second Spirit Ring is a Thousand Year Spirit Ring? Besides, does Spirit Hall lack geniuses?"

Xue Qinghe chuckled softly, not taking Dugu Yang too seriously.

If outsiders heard those words, they would surely be thrown into an uproar.

The dignified Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire was actually one of Spirit Hall's people.

In truth, the real Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire had long ago been poisoned to death. The person before them was actually Qian Renxue, daughter of Spirit Hall's Previous Pope and Current Pope.

Her purpose in disguising herself as Xue Qinghe was naturally to advance Spirit Hall's grand plan and seize the entire Heaven Dou Empire.

"Enough. As for Dugu, I will naturally recruit him, but we absolutely cannot let this affect Spirit Hall's grand plan. Do not forget that Dugu Bo, that dangerous fellow, stands behind him."

"Although Dugu Bo is called the weakest Titled Douluo, if he goes mad, he is more terrifying than ten Titled Douluo."