Winning Them Over

"Looks like you saw through me after all, Brother Tian Shuo. You really are sharp."

Xue Qinghe lowered the hand holding his teacup and continued with a smile.

"That's right. Seven days ago, the previous Titled Douluo serving the Heaven Dou Imperial Family finally succumbed to old age and passed away."

"So you're very concerned about Senior Dugu breaking through to Titled Douluo."

Yu Tianshuo nodded. It was more or less what he had expected.

The Heaven Dou Empire was currently in a state where sects and clans stood everywhere.

Four months ago, after Tang Hao colluded with a Soul Beast, the Clear Sky Sect chose to close its gates.

This dealt the greatest blow to the Heaven Dou Empire. With the Titled Douluo from the various sects and the imperial family, they had been able to keep Spirit Hall and the Star Luo Empire in check.

Now the Clear Sky Sect, their strongest force, was out of the picture. To make matters worse, even the imperial family's Titled Douluo had suddenly passed away.

If this news got out, the Star Luo Empire and Spirit Hall would launch a small-scale war the very next day to seize territory.

"So, Brother Tian Shuo, you didn't bring this up just to confirm the news. There's something else you want to say, isn't there?"

Xue Qinghe's eyes narrowed slightly as he waited for Yu Tianshuo's reply.

"Mm, you're right. I only brought it up as an opening. What I really want to ask is, since the imperial family's Titled Douluo is dead, why are there two Titled Douluo protecting you, Your Highness?"

Without paying any mind to the now-frozen atmosphere, he calmly took a sip of tea before continuing.

"Would the force behind you be interested in winning me and my master over?"

His words instantly broke the tense atmosphere.

Xue Qinghe gave Yu Tianshuo a peculiar look.

Seriously, man? I haven't even made a move, and you're already defecting to my side?

But seeing how calm Yu Tianshuo looked, she still wasn't sure what to make of him, so she could only probe.

"How did you figure it out? Or rather, how were you able to tell?"

Yu Tianshuo didn't answer directly. He merely said,

"Some people have special abilities because of their Martial Souls. Yesterday, while we were talking, I happened to sense something."

That was a lie. What nonsense about sensing something? He'd only read the original novel.

Hearing this, Xue Qinghe immediately began filling in the blanks herself.

I see. So yesterday, when we talked about the major forces on the continent, he was testing which faction I belonged to?

Seeing Xue Qinghe start to draw her own conclusions, Yu Tianshuo finally relaxed.

Taking this step was risky, but as the saying went, the greater the risk, the greater the reward.

If he pulled this off, not only would he have Dugu Bo as his backing, but the Elder Hall could also serve as his shelter for a while.

After all, no force could turn down the secret allegiance of a genius and a Titled Douluo.

The time it took to finish a cup of tea passed.

Yu Tianshuo had finished his tea, and his heart gradually sank.

No way. Did I overplay my hand?

Just as Yu Tianshuo's expression began to sour, Xue Qinghe suddenly burst out laughing.

"Hahaha! Looks like Brother Tian Shuo isn't quite as all-knowing as he seems. There's no problem with bringing you into our fold. As long as you join us wholeheartedly, we'll naturally help you cultivate."

As she spoke, Qian Renxue shed her disguise, revealing her peerlessly beautiful face.

"Not only that, I can show you a world unlike anything you've seen before. I swear it on my status as the Angel God's inheritor."

Qian Renxue unfurled her angelic wings and reached out her hand to Yu Tianshuo, making this promise.

Bright. Pure. Holy.

That was how Qian Renxue appeared to Yu Tianshuo at that moment.

He smiled faintly as the Golden Scale Dragon Martial Soul possessed him. Dragon horns sprouted from his forehead, and his tail burst through his clothes. This time, the bulges on his back were unmistakable, as if something were about to grow out.

He clasped Qian Renxue's hand tightly and said,

"Here's to a happy partnership."

She smiled back at him.

"Here's to a happy partnership."

Just then, the instant their hands clasped, their Soul Power began to slip out of their control.

Their Soul Power visibly merged.

Neither of them had time to worry about this sudden turn of events.

The instant their Soul Power merged, both of their Martial Souls began to evolve further.

Qian Renxue's original pair of wings grew larger, and even the four wings that should not have appeared until she reached level 60 began to sprout at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Yu Tianshuo underwent a further Dragon Transformation. The Dragon Wings that had nearly grown in finally emerged from his back.

As the merging continued, his already imposing build grew taller and broader. The golden hair on his head turned even more golden and radiant.

This change left Snake Lance Douluo, who had been hiding nearby, at a loss. He didn't know whether he should separate the two.

As time passed, even he—a Titled Douluo—began to tremble at the Dragon Might emanating from Yu Tianshuo.

There was nothing else he could do. He could only strengthen his ability to conceal their auras, so nothing inside the room would be exposed.

Only after a quarter of an hour did the merging of their Soul Power finally end.

They stared at each other in disbelief.

Qian Renxue's eyes held shock, alarm, and a trace of longing?

Yu Tianshuo, meanwhile, was overwhelmed with shock and elation.

Because once the merging ended, a new ability appeared within him.

[Death-Bestowing Sword Qi]

When released, your next attack will deal additional damage and absorb the target's vitality to restore your own.

As he was still basking in the joy of gaining a new ability, Qian Renxue's scream brought him back to his senses.

But when he followed her gaze downward, all he could see were his well-built pectorals and eight-pack abs...

Damn! Where are my clothes?

He had no time to think about his clothes. Four-winged Qian Renxue was already charging at him in a fit of embarrassment and rage, her golden sword shining brightly.

She was shouting things like, "You lecher! How dare you say such incomprehensible things!"

There was nothing he could do but run while searching for something to wear, hoping to cover up his muscular body.

As for Snake Lance Douluo, he was still standing there, staring stupidly at the whole scene.

What was he doing standing there like a post? Putting on a game of Red Light, Green Light for everyone?

What Qian Renxue hadn't expected was to trip over a fallen stool.

Just as she was about to fall face-first, Yu Tianshuo spun around and lunged forward, catching her by her slender waist. He scooped her up in a princess carry.

Qian Renxue's face had already been red from what had just happened. Now it turned even redder.

She struggled violently in Yu Tianshuo's arms, trying to escape the awkward situation.

But the clothes already strained by her four wings could no longer hold together after that movement.

Right before Yu Tianshuo's astonished eyes, Qian Renxue's top gave way and fell off.

"Ahhhhh! You lecher!"