Liu Erlong stood in place, listening intently to his long-winded lecture.
Looking at Yu Xiaogang's confident expression, her eyes, clouded by love, suddenly lit up with admiration.
She nodded in deep agreement and showered him with praise.
"Xiaogang, you really are something!"
"I'd never even thought about these deeper aspects before. Your analysis is incredibly thorough!"
Hearing his beloved woman praise him, Yu Xiaogang lifted his chin slightly, his expression turning exceedingly proud.
"Of course."
"There are plenty of secrets about theory in the Spirit World that you still don't know."
Watching him, Liu Erlong grew even more admiring. She felt the man before her was the wisest person in the world.
Only after basking in her admiration did Yu Xiaogang suddenly remember the real reason he had sought Liu Erlong out today.
His formerly haughty posture stiffened.
Then he coughed awkwardly a couple of times and lowered his manner, his tone carrying a hint of a plea.
"Erlong."
"I actually asked you here today because I wanted to see if you could do me a favor."
Liu Erlong agreed without hesitation.
"Xiaogang, what are you talking about? As long as I can help you, I'd do anything."
"What do you need me to do?"
Seeing how readily she agreed, Yu Xiaogang immediately stated his purpose.
"I want you to help me get in touch with this Marquis of Wuyang. I'd like to meet him in person."
Liu Erlong thought it over briefly.
"That shouldn't be a problem."
"After all, I'm the principal of Blue Tyrant Academy, so I have a little influence in Heaven Dou City. It shouldn't be difficult to send someone with a calling card."
At that, she looked a little worried.
"But he's now a prince with immense power over the court."
"I can pass along your request to meet him, but I can't guarantee he'll deign to see you."
Hearing this, that strange confidence returned to Yu Xiaogang's face.
He straightened his back and made a solemn promise.
"Erlong, just make the arrangements."
"As long as you can arrange for us to meet, I'll know what to do."
"My Spirit Core Theory is the most perfect research in the world. I'll present it to him and tell him it can make him stronger, offering it in exchange."
As Yu Xiaogang grew more animated, he even clenched his fist.
"I'm certain that once he hears my analysis, he'll be completely convinced!"
"Then getting him to release Zhu Zhuqing and return her to Shrek Academy will be the natural next step."
Seeing how confident Yu Xiaogang was, Liu Erlong said nothing more.
She nodded solemnly.
"Fine. If you're that sure, leave this to me."
"There's no time to waste. I'll go to Wuyang Marquis Mansion myself and find Tang Yu."
That day.
In the spacious, peaceful courtyard of Wuyang Marquis Mansion,
Tang Yu stood alone in the middle of the courtyard, holding the divine weapon he had obtained not long ago.
The God-Slaying Spear was a deep, dusky purple from end to end, and faint, unsettling lightning patterns flowed across its surface.
Tang Yu reached out and lightly ran his hand along the cold, hard shaft.
He could clearly feel the world-shattering power contained within the weapon.
Tang Yu turned his wrist and casually swung the spear through the air.
Buzz!
A deep boom rang out abruptly.
The space where the spearhead passed shuddered violently, and a visible ripple in the void spread in every direction.
Several nearby rockeries were struck by the ripple and instantly crumbled into a cloud of dust.
Tang Yu watched, smiling with satisfaction.
On the battlefield, he had always relied on the sheer force of his Soul Power to crush his enemies, never having a weapon that truly suited him.
Now that he had this divine weapon, his true combat strength had risen in a straight line, soaring to a terrifying level.
What was more, his Soul Power had now reached level ninety-four.
With his full set of hundred-thousand-year-grade equipment, he could hold his own even against Peerless Douluo at level ninety-nine.
After admiring the divine weapon's power, Tang Yu willed the God-Slaying Spear back into his storage space.
He walked over to the stone table in the courtyard, sat down, and took a sip of tea.
Now that he had some free time, he couldn't help thinking about what to do next.
Heaven Dou Imperial City had no shortage of beautiful women with status and influence, but few truly caught his eye.
Just as Tang Yu was musing to himself, hurried footsteps sounded at the arched gate to the courtyard.
A servant from the marquis's residence hurried over, knelt on one knee, and respectfully tapped the stone pillar beside him.
"Your Highness."
"Someone has come to see you at the mansion gates."
Tang Yu set down his teacup and asked casually,
"Who?"
The servant immediately reported without daring to delay.
"The visitor says she's the principal of Blue Tyrant Academy and wishes to meet with you."
"She asked me to come and pass along the message first, to see whether Your Highness would agree to meet her."
Hearing this, Tang Yu raised an eyebrow and thought for a moment.
Liu Erlong?
That fiery-tempered woman with the equally fiery figure?
Tang Yu's lips curved into an intrigued smile.
It really was just like wishing for a nap and having someone bring you a pillow.
Tang Yu waved the servant over and gave his order in an even tone.
"Show her in."
Receiving his master's order, the servant respectfully acknowledged it and hurried out of the courtyard.
Outside the tall, vermilion gates of Wuyang Marquis Mansion,
Liu Erlong stood at the foot of the steps and drew a deep breath. A nervous feeling rose within her despite herself.
Lately, rumors about the newly appointed Marquis of Wuyang had been spreading like wildfire throughout Heaven Dou City.
The stories claimed
that Tang Yu was ruthless and decisive on the battlefield, the sort of man who would slaughter anyone at the slightest provocation.
Countless people in court feared him, and ordinary folk hardly dared approach this mansion.
Most of these were just rumors, but they were enough to show how terrifying the man inside could be.
Liu Erlong steadied herself, climbed the steps, and knocked on the heavy door ring.
Before long, the closed gates swung open from within.
The servant who had gone to announce her arrival poked his head out, looked her up and down, then stepped aside.
"The prince is inside. Follow me."
Liu Erlong followed the servant through the front courtyard and into the quiet, secluded inner grounds of the marquis's residence.
The courtyard was arranged with elegant care, without the grim, murderous atmosphere she had imagined.
They crossed a long corridor and came to a clear little lake, beside which stood an exquisite pavilion.
The servant stopped, bowed, and withdrew.
Following his line of sight, Liu Erlong immediately spotted the man seated in the pavilion.