After taking care of Snake Lance and Porcupinefish Douluo, the two left the room together, ready to watch the emperor's new-generation sparring event.
As for whether Yu Tianshuo would take part?
He'd originally planned to, but he hadn't expected his progress to be so rapid.
He was six—no, he was already seven—and fighting those peers of his would be a little unfair.
Unless a Battle Soul Master Soul Douluo showed up, there really wouldn't be anyone worth fighting.
And they couldn't have a beast-type Martial Soul, either. Otherwise, fighting Yu Tianshuo would just be a one-sided beating.
The moment he released his Dragon Might, the battle would become a total rout. There'd be no contest at all.
Thinking of that, he lost all interest in the upcoming sparring.
Qian Renxue noticed how listless Yu Tianshuo had become. She brushed her fingers against his palm, drawing his attention before asking,
"What's wrong? You look so down."
As she spoke, Qian Renxue gave Yu Tianshuo a concerned look.
Looking at how adorable Qian Renxue was, Yu Tianshuo grinned. He rubbed her head with his free hand and said,
"I'm fine. I just feel like it'd be too unfair if I took part in the sparring later. It's taken away most of my enthusiasm."
At that thought, he sighed again. Ever since he'd absorbed the Dragon King as his Second Soul Ring, his growth had skyrocketed. Now he didn't even have anyone to spar with. If things kept going like this, he might suffer badly in the future for lack of combat experience.
But just then, he suddenly seemed to remember something and stopped in his tracks.
Wait, isn't there a peerless powerhouse right beside me who won't be completely suppressed by my Dragon Might? How could I have forgotten?
As he spoke, he turned his blazing gaze toward Qian Renxue. His sudden change left her puzzled.
But the moment Yu Tianshuo opened his mouth, she couldn't keep a straight face.
"Xiao Xue, does your grandfather usually have any free time? I'd like to ask him to teach me a thing or two about combat."
As he spoke, he shook Qian Renxue's hand and pretended to act cute.
Qian Renxue shuddered with disgust, resisting the urge to punch him.
After pulling her hand free, she said,
"My grandfather is usually free. There's no problem with you asking him to teach you combat techniques. I'll have Snake Lance send him a message later."
By the time she finished speaking, the two had reached the royal viewing platform overlooking the arena.
Qian Renxue had already changed back into Xue Qinghe's attire, and Yu Tianshuo had returned to a normal expression, no longer acting like a clown.
That was all because of the person standing before them: Ning Fengzhi, Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Seeing the two approach together, Ning Fengzhi smiled faintly. He pushed up his glasses and greeted them,
"Good morning, Crown Prince, and young friend Tian Shuo."
Yu Tianshuo and Qian Renxue returned the greeting.
"Good morning, Sect Master Ning." ×2
Neither of them had much to say to Ning Fengzhi. Xue Qinghe and Ning Fengzhi weren't very familiar yet; they only knew each other by their public identities. In the original story, they wouldn't become master and student until later. For now, this was just a morning greeting between a crown prince and the head of a sect.
After the greetings, Ning Fengzhi turned his attention to Yu Tianshuo. He'd been waiting here for him.
Ever since Yu Tianshuo had killed an Eight-Ring Soul Douluo with the strength of a Four-Ring Soul Ancestor the day before, the news had spread throughout the upper circles. Everyone was astonished by his terrifying strength.
Ning Fengzhi had come in person to win him over—or at least make a friend of him. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect loved befriending prodigies like this.
Thinking of this, Ning Fengzhi smiled and said,
"Young friend Tian Shuo, you and the Crown Prince seem to have a very good relationship. Would the two of you do me the honor of sitting with me while we watch the sparring later?"
As he spoke, he wore his trademark false smile.
Yu Tianshuo and Qian Renxue didn't mind. They couldn't very well join him from the start, but there was no problem with going over to chat midway through.
Qian Renxue stepped forward and replied,
"Of course, but only midway through. After all, Sect Master Ning wouldn't want rumors tomorrow that the Crown Prince and the emperor were at odds."
As she spoke, she put on a well-disguised false smile. Her manners were flawless, leaving no room for criticism.
Watching the two old foxes converse, Yu Tianshuo felt that he was still too naive. Just from the atmosphere, he could tell the two of them were about to discuss something boring.
So he merely chimed in with a couple of words of agreement, and after they'd seen Ning Fengzhi off, he and Qian Renxue entered the royal viewing area.
The two sat down in the stands. Not long afterward, Na'er and Dugu Yan came running over.
Just before they reached the seats, each sprang up and landed on one of Yu Tianshuo's legs. Na'er copied her, jumping onto his other leg.
Yu Tianshuo didn't say anything, simply playing with the two little ones on his lap.
Watching this, Qian Renxue said with a hint of jealousy,
"They really do like you."
Yu Tianshuo could hear the jealousy in her voice. He lowered his head and whispered something into Yanyan's ear.
Dugu Yan hopped down from Yu Tianshuo's lap, ran to Qian Renxue, and pretended to climb up onto her.
Qian Renxue picked Dugu Yan up.
Cradled in her arms, Dugu Yan whispered into Qian Renxue's ear,
"Big brother said he was worried you'd get jealous, so he asked me to keep you company."
After saying this, she patted Qian Renxue on the shoulder and gave a deliberately mature sigh.
Yu Tianshuo might have taught her that last part, but it still made Qian Renxue laugh.
She smiled and rubbed Dugu Yan's head, then whispered in her ear,
"How could I be jealous? Yanyan and Na'er are the ones I like best. It's more likely your big brother will get jealous of us."
As she spoke, she shot Yu Tianshuo a provocative look. Watching from nearby, he was left completely baffled.
The four of them laughed and played together. Seeing them, Dugu Bo, seated beside Emperor Xue Ye, smiled as well.
But when he remembered that Yanyan and Na'er had just run past him, he gritted his teeth. He secretly vowed,
"When we get back, I'm definitely making that kid do extra training. Yanyan and Na'er didn't even stop to talk to me. How hateful!"
While Dugu Bo privately plotted how to give Yu Tianshuo extra training, Dugu Yuan felt just as bitter on the other side.
"Damn it, you little junior brother, just you wait! Wuwuwu, my adorable Yanyan walked right past me without even saying hello. Wuwuwu..."
Yu Tianshuo had no idea what his master and senior brother were thinking, or what would happen later. He only knew that his two adorable little sisters were very attached to him and liked him a lot.
After they played a little longer, the master of ceremonies gave a long opening speech, followed by the emperor's address. Then the Newcomer Grand Competition began!
Before you continue