Qin Yao's voice was cold as it crashed into Dugu Yan's ears, making her whole body stiffen.
Hurt, resentment, humiliation—every emotion surged up in an instant.
She really had been forced onto the defensive by Yu Tianheng just now. She hadn't dared strike too hard, afraid someone might die in Heaven Dou City and bring her grandfather enormous trouble.
Dugu Yan bit her lower lip and stubbornly raised her head, wanting to defend herself. But the moment she met Qin Yao's utterly calm gaze, all the words caught in her throat.
"Your Highness, I..." Dugu Yan's voice trembled slightly. In the end, she lowered her head, ready to admit her mistake.
However, Qin Yao's next words left her completely stunned.
"Remember, you're one of my people."
"No matter what you do, as long as you're in the right, even if the sky falls, I'll hold it up for you."
"What does Yu Tianheng amount to? What does the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan amount to? If you hit him, then you hit him. If you cripple him, then you cripple him."
"If anything happens, I'll take responsibility."
Qin Yao's words rang out with weight and conviction.
Dugu Yan abruptly raised her head.
Only then did she understand. His Highness the Holy Son wasn't scolding her for losing. He was angry that she hadn't dared to fight!
He blamed her for holding back, for worrying about too many things!
He hadn't been saying she'd brought shame on him. He was telling her who stood behind her!
An indescribable gratitude welled up from the bottom of Dugu Yan's heart, instantly sweeping away all the hurt and resentment she'd felt.
Her nose stung. She fought with all her might to keep the mist in her eyes from turning into tears.
She nodded firmly, her voice trembling ever so slightly.
"Yes, Your Highness! I'll remember!"
Beside them, Ye Lingling, who had been frozen in shock, finally came back to her senses.
She looked at the purple-haired youth before her, whose presence was domineering to the extreme, then at Yu Tianheng, unconscious on the ground. A storm raged in her heart.
He'd taken out the captain, Yu Tianheng, with a single move!
Who exactly was this man?
Just how high was his Soul Power Level?
And what he'd said just now—"You're one of my people." So domineering, so commanding.
Yet, for some reason, when Ye Lingling saw Dugu Yan's eyes light up, she felt a hint of envy.
To have someone protect you so fiercely must make you feel safe, right?
She didn't dare dwell on it. Hurrying over to Yu Tianheng, she crouched beside him and raised a gentle white glow in her palm.
The Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul quietly appeared. Its nine heart-shaped petals swayed softly, radiating a holy, warm light that enveloped Yu Tianheng.
Qin Yao glanced at her and said nothing.
The Nine Heart Begonia was indeed a top-tier healing Martial Soul, just as its reputation claimed.
Yu Tianheng's internal organs had only been injured by Qin Yao's Purple Fire, and his right arm had a fracture. His life wasn't in danger.
Under the Nine Heart Begonia's healing, the caved-in area of his chest slowly recovered, new skin appearing over it.
"He'll be fine now. He's just used up too much Soul Power and needs a few days to recover."
Ye Lingling examined him, sighed in relief, then quietly told Dugu Yan.
Dugu Yan's thoughts were no longer on Yu Tianheng at all. She went to Qin Yao's side and said respectfully in a low voice,
"Your Highness, Grandpa has been waiting for you at home for quite a while."
"Mm," Qin Yao replied.
Dugu Yan hesitated, glancing at Ye Lingling, who stood behind them, unsure what to do. Then she asked,
"Your Highness, can Lingling come with me?"
She and Ye Lingling were best friends. Now that she had found a new home, she didn't want to lose touch with her friend.
Besides, she felt His Highness the Holy Son had the discernment to recognize Lingling's worth.
At that, Ye Lingling nervously clutched the hem of her clothes.
She didn't know who the "Your Highness" Dugu Yan had mentioned was, where they were going, or whether this frightening man would agree.
Qin Yao's gaze settled on Ye Lingling. Her blue eyes were clear and bright, with a hint of timidity.
"Fine."
The Nine Heart Begonia was indeed a powerful Martial Soul. If he could bring her into the fold, there was no reason to refuse.
Dugu Yan's face brightened at once. She grabbed Ye Lingling's hand. "That's great, Lingling! Let's go!"
With Dugu Yan pulling her along, Ye Lingling followed behind Qin Yao, barely daring to breathe.
The three of them left the scene under everyone's watchful eyes.
All that remained was a mess and Yu Tianheng, still unconscious.
At the same time.
Heaven Dou City, the Crown Prince's Residence.
In an elegant, quiet study, "Xue Qinghe," dressed in a clean blue robe, listened to a subordinate's report.
"Your Highness, according to the information our people sent back, Dugu Bo's granddaughter, Dugu Yan, officially withdrew from Heaven Dou Royal Academy today."
A man in black knelt on one knee and spoke solemnly.
"Withdrew?"
Xue Qinghe—or rather, Qian Renxue—set down the book in her hands.
A thoughtful look crossed her composed face.
That old poison, Dugu Bo, was a loner, neither good nor evil, and had never allied himself with any faction. Prince Xue Xing had only been able to win him over because of an old debt from years ago.
Dugu Yan was his only family, his greatest weakness and his sole source of comfort.
All these years, Dugu Yan had kept a low profile at Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Why would she suddenly withdraw?
And why now, just as the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament was about to begin?
"Have you found out why?" Qian Renxue asked calmly.
"Not yet. Apparently, she also clashed with Yu Tianheng of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan on the street today."
"Yu Tianheng?" Qian Renxue's brows drew together slightly.
Of course she knew that Yu Tianheng had been pursuing Dugu Yan. It was no secret that the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan wanted to win over Poison Douluo.
To fall out with Yu Tianheng and withdraw from school at a time like this meant something had happened behind the scenes—something she didn't know about.
Had that old Dugu Bo joined another faction?
Or was it Qin Yao?
By her reckoning, that man had left Spirit City nearly a month ago.
Grandpa's letter said he'd gone out to train, but didn't mention his destination.
Could it be him?
Qian Renxue's heartbeat inexplicably skipped a beat.
She quickly dismissed the thought.
Impossible.
Qin Yao might have exceptional talent, but he was only twelve years old, with a Soul Power Level barely above forty.
Dugu Bo was a ninety-second-level Titled Douluo, proud and arrogant. How could he be brought under the control of a Soul Ancestor?
"Withdrew. Clash." Qian Renxue lightly tapped her fingers on the desk, her eyes half closed.
This whole matter reeked of something fishy.
That venomous snake, Dugu Bo, might not be among the strongest Titled Douluo, but his poison was troublesome. If an opposing faction won him over, he would pose a considerable obstacle to her future plans.
"Keep investigating."
Qian Renxue opened her eyes, her voice returning to its usual calm.
"Find out who Dugu Bo has been in contact with recently. Also, check whether any unusual figures have appeared in or around Heaven Dou City."
She put particular emphasis on the word "unusual."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
The man in black took his orders and vanished from the study in a flash.
The study fell quiet once more.
Qian Renxue pondered. Could Qin Yao really have already arrived in Heaven Dou City?
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