Douluo: The Venom System Is Awesome Chapter 46

His mouth was almost numb before he finally, with a sense of lingering attachment, slowly pulled away.

He carefully raised his head, sneaking a glance at the state of Bibi Dong.

He saw the noble Pope lying weakly on the bed, her eyes hazy and dreamlike, her breathing ragged and heavy.

The Snow-Capped Red Plum that had been subjected to such intense sparring, once fair and exquisite, had become swollen and unsightly, clearly marked by the traces of Mu Junyu's combat.

Her entire being seemed as if she had just been fished out of a well, radiating a breathtaking, thoroughly marinated aura of exhaustion.

Mu Junyu's heart hammered against his ribs as he watched, nearly losing his composure all over again.

He hurriedly took a deep breath, continuing to feign the appearance of someone who had just woken up and remained weak, rubbing his eyes and calling out in a confused, raspy voice.

"Teacher... I... I think I had a strange dream..."

Bibi Dong was pulled back to a sliver of consciousness by his voice.

She snapped back to reality, meeting Mu Junyu's "innocent" and "weak" gaze. Then, she felt that burning, swollen sensation and a lingering, extreme electric shock.

She instinctively wanted to scold him, to push him away, but her body was so soft she couldn't muster any strength.

Moreover, the feeling of losing control just moments ago left her flustered and panicked; she had no idea how to face this.

In the end, she simply snatched the quilt from the side to cover herself, turned away, and roared incoherently in a voice trembling with intense shame and anger.

"S-since you're awake, then you're fine! Get up! What kind of decorum is this!"

Yet, that roar sounded nothing but weak and filled with an indescribable, drunken fragility.

However, the indignation within it was not fake, and the favorability rating Mu Junyu had been longing for had not increased at all.

Better take it slow... winning her heart isn't going to be simple, Mu Junyu mused to himself.

Bibi Dong wrapped herself tightly in the quilt, as if only then could she draw a shred of security.

It was a way to isolate herself from the overwhelming shame and the strange palpitations still coursing through her body.

With her back to Mu Junyu, her shoulders trembled slightly; she didn't dare look back at him even once.

The air was filled with an extremely ambiguous and awkward silence.

After a long while, Bibi Dong seemed to barely suppress her turbulent emotions. Her voice still carried an unmistakable tremor and tension, and she even issued an order to leave in a somewhat panicked tone.

"S-since you are no longer in any serious danger, you should... return to Tiantou City as soon as possible. Xue'er is alone in a den of wolves and needs someone to support her from the side."

"This matter here is concluded, and I... I also need to return to the Pope Palace immediately to handle official business."

She couldn't even find a more natural excuse; she just wanted to leave this place where she had completely lost her composure as quickly as possible, to get away from this little bastard who had thrown her into such disarray.

Now, whenever she saw Mu Junyu, or even just thought of him, she would uncontrollably recall the out-of-control, blush-inducing scenes from just moments ago.

And that burning, swollen sensation that felt like a brand of humiliation.

After speaking, she didn't wait for Mu Junyu to respond. Her soul power surged, and a white-gold light flashed.

She actually used some mysterious method to vanish from the room instantly, as if fleeing, leaving behind only a faint, cold fragrance and a messy, ambiguous atmosphere.

Mu Junyu looked at the empty bed, rubbed his nose, and a helpless, bitter smile appeared on his face.

"Sigh... I think I played a bit too hard... the favorability didn't go up, but I scared her away instead..."

He muttered to himself, though he felt little regret, finding the memory rather lingering. He knew that Bibi Dong's defenses were incredibly thick and that she was accustomed to being high above, controlling everything; such a loss of control today was an unprecedented shock to her.

She needed time to calm down and process it.

And he, indeed, needed to return to Tiantou City.

Qian Renxue was still there, and many of his plans still needed to be unfolded within the Heaven Dou Empire.

After a brief rest, Mu Junyu left this Martial Soul Hall outpost.

That Priest respectfully saw him to the door, his eyes filled with awe and curiosity, yet he dared not ask a single question.

Mu Junyu identified his direction, his figure blending into the crowd as he headed toward the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire.

But this time, his strength had greatly increased, and his third soul skill, "Devourer," along with the evolved system, would give him more trump cards and confidence in the shifting winds to come.

Tiantou City, deep within the Crown Prince's Residence.

Mu Junyu snuck in silently, skillfully avoiding all eyes and ears, and arrived at the study of "Xue Qinghe."

Qian Renxue was currently wearing the gentle and elegant face of Xue Qinghe while reviewing documents, but there was a trace of imperceptible irritability between her brows.

It wasn't until she sensed that familiar aura approaching that she suddenly looked up.

The golden eyes beneath her disguise lit up instantly. She waved her hand to set up a soundproof barrier and asked urgently.

"You're back! How was it? Did everything go smoothly? Did you obtain the third soul ring? Were you injured?"

A series of questions revealed her concern.

Mu Junyu walked over to her side with a grin.

"Don't worry, Sister Xue, everything went smoothly! Look, didn't I come back in one piece?"

He spun around to show that he was completely unharmed.

"I successfully absorbed the soul ring, too; the age is nearly nine thousand years!"

He said with a hint of pride.

"Nine thousand years?!"

Qian Renxue gasped, her beautiful eyes widening.

"The third soul ring? You... how did you withstand it? Teacher, she..."

She immediately thought that he must have obtained her mother's permission or even had her protection, but she still found it hard to believe.

"Hehe, Teacher personally protected me. Although the process was a bit thrilling, the result is great!"

Mu Junyu vaguely glossed over the hardships of the absorption process, focusing on the result. He took the opportunity to share his newly acquired powerful soul skill, as it was something worth showing off.

However, the words reached his lips, and he suddenly paused, a trace of extreme awkwardness and... a little grievance flashing across his face?

"By the way, Sister Xue, my third soul skill is amazing! It's called Devourer, and it can devour other people's soul power, vitality, and even abilities!"

"It sounds a bit like an Evil Soul Master..."

Chapter 66: First Meeting with Ning Fengzhi

He said this excitedly at first, but then his tone became inexplicably dejected, and he muttered in a low voice.

"...But Teacher didn't even ask me carefully what the specific effects of the soul skill were. She was just... uh, just busy, and then she left in a hurry..."

His expression was just like a puppy that couldn't wait to show off a new toy, only to find that the person it wanted to share it with didn't care at all, carrying a little complaint and disappointment at not being valued.

Qian Renxue was slightly startled upon hearing this. Her mother didn't even ask about such an important soul skill?

This was not her usual rigorous style. She keenly captured the unnatural pause and the fleeting awkwardness in Mu Junyu's words.

Thinking back to the little grievance he showed when mentioning her mother... she, being as clever as ice and snow, immediately had a vague and incredible guess in her heart.

Could it be... that something happened between her mother and Junyu that she didn't know about, something that even made her mother feel flustered and at a loss?

That was why her mother... left in such a hurry? Even forgetting the customary soul skill evaluation? This thought made Qian Renxue's heart skip a beat, and her gaze toward Mu Junyu became somewhat complicated.

(Qian Renxue's inner thoughts: Mother and Junyu...? That's impossible... but Junyu's reaction...)

In the few days after returning to Tiantou City, life seemed to return to its usual rhythm.

Mu Junyu still followed "Xue Qinghe" in various identities from time to time, and occasionally disappeared into the streets to gather information.

Qian Renxue played the role of the gentle, diligent, and virtuous crown prince perfectly, handling government affairs and making friends with officials.

However, beneath this seemingly calm surface, a web of conspiracy against the other three princes was operating continuously and precisely.

News of the eldest prince, Xue Luochuan, being obsessed with that "Bone-Eroding Powder Butterfly" soul master gradually spread in some small circles.

Some even vaguely mentioned that his body seemed to be wasting away day by day, his spirit was poor, and he even frequently missed his daily soul master cultivation.

As for the third prince, Xue Sheng, the powerful enemies he had made in his early years seemed to have made an appointment, and their activities became frequent.

Although there had been no direct conflict yet, a sense of impending tension had already shrouded his forces.

And the fourth prince, Xue Beng, became even more "crazy" and "dull," often saying nonsensical things in public.

His behavior became increasingly absurd and ridiculous, and some forces that had previously favored his "playing the fool" gradually lost their last shred of expectation for him. In extreme contrast to this, the crown prince "Xue Qinghe's" reputation was at its peak.

He handled government affairs in an orderly manner, was humble and polite in his dealings with others, and his cultivation progressed by leaps and bounds.

Naturally, this was because Qian Renxue had actually broken through, winning unanimous praise from the court and the public.

Especially during a royal hunt, the four-ring Soul Ancestor strength he "accidentally" displayed caused a huge sensation.

On this day, Emperor Xueye summoned "Xue Qinghe" in the palace.

Inside the imperial study, Emperor Xueye looked at the "son" before him with a steady demeanor and condensed soul power. His eyes were filled with undisguised relief and appreciation, and he even walked up to pat him on the shoulder:

"Good! Good! Qinghe, you have truly never disappointed your father! At such an age, you are already a four-ring Soul Ancestor, and your soul ring configuration is the best. You are worthy of being the crown prince of my Heaven Dou Empire! The future is promising! The future is truly promising!"

"If your eldest brother were even a little bit like you, I wouldn't have to dump this burden of the crown prince on you. You've worked hard!"

"Xue Qinghe" bowed slightly, his attitude humble.

"Father is too kind; this son is unworthy of such praise. It is all due to Father's wise teachings and the protection of the empire's fortune."

The more Emperor Xueye looked at him, the more satisfied he became, and he laughed loudly.

"No need to be overly modest! This is a great joy! I have decided to hold a celebration banquet for you in the palace three days from now. I will invite the ministers and the young talents of various families. Firstly, to celebrate for you, and secondly, to let the talents of my Heaven Dou use you as a role model!"

"Xue Qinghe's" heart stirred. Knowing that this was a good opportunity to further consolidate his position and expand his influence, he immediately replied respectfully.

"This son obeys the decree and thanks Father for his grace!"

The news spread quickly, and the news that the palace was about to hold a promotion banquet for the Crown Prince instantly became the hottest topic in Tiantou City.

The crown prince's prestige was currently unrivaled.

On the day of the banquet, the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace was decked out in lanterns and colorful streamers, with wine cups clinking in a lively rhythm.

Various factions, nobles, aristocrats, and talented youths gathered together in one hall.

Regardless of what they truly thought inside, on the surface, it was a harmonious scene of celebration for His Highness the Crown Prince.

After all, no one wanted to slight Emperor Xueye at a time like this, especially since the crown prince, Xue Qinghe, was currently at the height of his popularity.

"Xue Qinghe" was dressed in formal crown prince attire, circulating among the guests with an impeccable, gentle smile on her face.

Her responses were appropriate and her manners elegant, earning her countless praises.

But only she knew just how exhausting it was to wear this mask.

Mu Junyu, meanwhile, was happy to be idle; he had changed into an inconspicuous servant's uniform, which was actually the best position for observation.

In a relatively quiet corner of the banquet hall, he held a glass of fruit juice, coldly sizing up those nobles who were dressed in finery and speaking loudly, yet were mostly pot-bellied.

A trace of faint mockery played at the corners of his mouth.

As the banquet reached its climax, the previously noisy hall suddenly grew quiet.

Everyone's gaze was drawn involuntarily toward the entrance.

They saw Emperor Xueye personally accompanying a middle-aged man of extraordinary bearing as he walked in.

The man had a refined face, his eyes gentle yet sharp, and despite wearing a simple cyan robe, he could not hide the composed air of someone who had long held a position of power.

A faint smile hung on his lips, as if he were accustomed to such scenes.

Emperor Xueye was clearly in an excellent mood; he stopped walking and introduced him to the entire room in a loud, resonant voice, full of importance.

"Everyone! On this auspicious day, I wish to introduce a distinguished guest to you all!

He is also a friend of mine!"

He raised his hand to gesture toward the man in cyan beside him.