Long Aotian and Princess Vina fell into thought at the same time.
To be precise, they didn't think Ye Que had done anything wrong. In fact, they thought he had a strong sense of justice and was a credit to the Angel Soul Masters.
Spirit Hall remnants... They had long since stopped treating the Angel Clan as remnants.
The Angel Clan had the largest presence in the Heaven Dou Empire. They were also the empire's menders, quietly taking on the responsibility of eradicating Evil Soul Masters and protecting the empire.
Without people like Ye Que, Evil Soul Masters would have run rampant throughout the empire long ago.
Still, they had to punish him somehow. They would make Ye Que eat an extra dinner.
Vina spoke up. "This is a matter for the Heaven Dou Royal Family. What does it have to do with you? Let me remind you: the Angel Clan aren't Spirit Hall remnants. I admire them greatly."
"This whole affair started because you were bullying Heaven Dou civilians. You're entirely to blame."
The Heaven Dou Empire was actually protecting Spirit Hall remnants? They were in league with them... Dai Yueheng let out a sneer. "I see. So you still haven't learned your lesson from ten thousand years ago. Aren't you afraid of raising a tiger that will turn on you?"
"The Heaven Dou Empire has more Angel Soul Masters than anywhere else. You're really not worried the Angel Clan will seize power? Heh heh heh..."
At his words, Vina was deeply disappointed in Shrek.
Nearby, Long Aotian was also very displeased with the sharp-tongued Shrek student.
The people from Shrek were far too arrogant!
They had to be taught a lesson.
Without the slightest hesitation, Long Aotian pressed the switch on the Soul Tool on the table, giving Dai Yueheng a round of electrotherapy.
"Aaaaaah..."
Dai Yueheng convulsed as the current coursed through his limbs, his face twisted in agony. Before long, he was foaming at the mouth.
Princess Vina thought Long Aotian was being too aggressive, but she didn't stop him.
Half an hour later, Long Aotian and Vina entered another Interrogation Room.
Ye Que and the others sat quietly inside, waiting for the Heaven Dou Royal Family to decide how to handle the matter.
When the two arrived, Ye Que and the others rose and saluted.
"Your Highness, how do you intend to punish me?"
Ye Que didn't beat around the bush and asked directly.
Princess Vina poured tea for them and said gently, "We've finished investigating what happened. Thank you, Young Master Ye, and the students from Zhengtian Academy, for helping maintain public order in the Heaven Dou Empire."
"Our investigation confirmed that the Shrek students were the ones who bullied Heaven Dou civilians first. You acted to maintain public order in Heaven Dou and had no choice but to step in. Allow me to thank you on their behalf."
"The empire will bear all the consequences of this incident. And in recognition of your righteous actions, the Royal Family has decided to allocate twenty million Gold Soul Coins to support Zhengtian Academy's teaching efforts. We hope that when our people are in danger, more righteous Soul Masters will step forward."
Long Aotian smiled too. "Our Body Sect admires righteous Soul Masters like you. We will stand firmly behind people of justice. Even if the other party is from Shrek Academy, we won't back down an inch."
Ye Que's head was spinning.
What was going on?
The Heaven Dou Empire wasn't going to hold him responsible? That wasn't how the Royal Family usually operated. Did they have some other motive?
He could only accept their goodwill.
Ye Que smiled. "Your Highness truly is a fair and just person."
"Indeed! Thank you for helping us out, Your Highness," Yu Mengdi said gently.
Ye Wuqing and the others also praised the justice shown by the princess and Long Aotian, thinking the two of them were a perfect match.
They had never expected the princess to be such an upright person. She made them want to be her friend.
Vina was almost carried to the heavens by all the praise. A faint blush appeared on her delicate face.
She was embarrassed.
Of course, Vina had her own reasons for doing this.
Shrek Academy was a terrifying ticking time bomb. The Body Sect alone couldn't deal with it; they needed more allies.
And there was no denying the Angel Clan's strength. The Six-Winged Angel was the most powerful of them all, a god-level Martial Soul.
If the empire befriended an Angel Douluo, even Shrek wouldn't dare act rashly. Evil Soul Masters would vanish from Heaven Dou territory.
She had looked into Ye Que's background. He was suspected to be a descendant of the Angel Legion, with a possible Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul. His origins were shrouded in mystery, and he seemed to have a close connection with Guangyu Douluo.
Vina was more than willing to befriend someone like that.
Then Vina spoke up. "Friends, why not come with us to the Body Sect tomorrow? We can discuss how to cultivate different Martial Souls."
Long Aotian added, "Brother Ye, it's the weekend, so you have a break. The sect master is in the main hall too. Perhaps he can give you some pointers."
Ye Que had been about to refuse.
But remembering the goodwill Vina and Long Aotian had shown him, and how they hadn't treated him like a Spirit Hall remnant, he nodded and agreed.
There was no need to ask Yu Mengdi. Of course she would follow her young master and see the world.
Ye Wuqing and the others felt the same way. They all wanted to see the foundations of the Heaven Dou Empire's guardian sect.
After that, Princess Vina arranged for Ye Que and his party to stay at the best hotel in Heaven Dou City.
As for the two Dai brothers, they were left sitting in the Interrogation Room. They were given nothing but plain water, and if they didn't behave, they got electrotherapy.
Until a teacher from Shrek Academy arrived, the brothers would have to keep living like that.
It was Vina's order, and it was also the empire's warning to Shrek.
No country would allow its imperial authority to be challenged, and Dai Yueheng had crossed that line.
Unfortunately for them, this wasn't the Star Luo Empire. No one here would give them special treatment.
At the hotel.
Sober now, Ye Que sat in his room and reviewed his rash actions that day.
He had indeed acted rashly, but it had set a precedent: Angel Martial Soul Soul Masters were people with a sense of justice who were willing to protect civilians.
That would be of great help in gathering faith and becoming a god in the future.
The Heaven Dou Royal Family should already know his background, even if they had no hard evidence. But neither Vina nor the Body Sect bore him any ill will.
In fact, their attitude had been very "friendly." It seemed they wanted to win him over.
Ye Que considered latching onto the Body Sect's support. Du Busi seemed like a decent person, a hero by most standards.
As long as the Heaven Dou Empire meant him no harm, it could serve as a temporary refuge.
What was done was done. He might as well get some sleep.
Early the next morning, Vina personally sent someone to deliver breakfast for their distinguished guests.
As for Dai Yueheng and Dai Huabin, as long as they stayed alive until their teacher arrived, that was enough. This was a good chance to give Shrek a warning.
"Young Master, are we really going to visit the Body Sect?"
Yu Mengdi asked with a blink of her beautiful eyes as she ate a fresh meat bun.
Ye Que wore an expressionless face as he slurped his soy milk, then smiled. "The Heaven Dou Royal Family means us no harm. We can be friends. Besides, this will pave the way for your future."
"Once you advance to the nine-ring level, you can become an imperial enshrined expert of the Heaven Dou Empire and enjoy unrivaled treatment. Then you won't have to keep fleeing from place to place."
Yu Mengdi thought her young master's idea was excellent.
Since the Heaven Dou Empire was willing to accept them and didn't treat them like Spirit Hall remnants, they could naturally befriend them. They would also gain another safe haven.
After Ye Que and the others finished breakfast, Princess Vina came to the hotel herself and took them to the Body Sect.
Before you continue