The Poor Heaven Dou Royal Family.

Xuan Qing sat in the courtyard, lost in thought as he pondered what to do next.

He couldn't just keep idling away his time at Dugu Manor, could he?

Just then, a servant came to report that Crown Prince Xue Qinghe had arrived for a visit.

Xuan Qing was taken aback. Why was this guy here? Hadn't they just met yesterday? Was there something else?

"Please, show him in."

Soon, Xue Qinghe walked into the courtyard, still carrying that same gentle and refined air.

Seeing her, Xuan Qing spoke directly.

"I say, Your Highness the Crown Prince, we've only known each other for a few days. If you have nothing better to do, why not go show some concern for the people, or take me out for a change?"

"I'm only staying here at Old Poison's place temporarily. You coming here like this... it just feels like I'm overstepping my bounds."

Dugu Bo sat to the side, his expression quite strange.

He had previously been close with Prince Xue Xing, and his relationship with the Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe, was truly mediocre.

It could be said that this was the first time Xue Qinghe had ever visited his manor, and he was just as puzzled as to why the Crown Prince was here.

Xue Qinghe looked a bit embarrassed; he had considered this issue, but there was simply no other way this time.

"Haha, Brother Xuan Qing is as straightforward as ever. This Palace won't beat around the bush. It's like this: in one week, the Heaven Dou Empire will hold an Exchange Tournament for high-level Soul Master Academy students."

"This Palace would like to invite you to compete on behalf of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. You only need to fight two matches; it won't take up much of your time, and there is a reward."

Xuan Qing was visibly stunned.

"What is this? An academy Exchange Tournament?"

Dugu Bo explained from the side.

"I know that thing. Simply put, it's an exchange event held irregularly by high-level Soul Master Academy institutions within the Heaven Dou Empire."

"For example, the Four Elements Academies bring out their juniors to show them off. There are rewards for winning, but the most important thing is... losing is embarrassing."

"The Heaven Dou Royal Academy is the face of the Empire, but they've been at the bottom for the last few times, which is very shameful."

Xue Qinghe nodded.

"That is exactly it. So, this Palace would like to ask you to step in and win back some face. With your strength, fighting seven at once wouldn't be a problem, and participating in this kind of competition would be a piece of cake."

Xuan Qing recalled that in the original story, Shrek had a two-month break after fighting the Imperial Fighting Team.

During that period, Tang San had finished the Godly Zhuge Crossbow and the Flying God Claw before arriving at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Could it be that an Exchange Tournament actually took place during this time?

After all, this was a real world, not an anime or a novel.

Those two things could only serve as a reference, not as reality.

"So? Even without that uncle Yu Tianheng, with Dugu Yan as the captain, one person should be enough, right? If I remember correctly, everyone in that group is under level forty."

Xue Qinghe smiled, a somewhat mischievous glint in his eyes.

"That's different. Dugu Yan is the granddaughter of Dugu Bo, and she is also a few years older than them."

"Just by standing there at your age, it would be a blow to them."

"Think about it: under ten years old, level thirty-seven, a ten-thousand-year third soul ring—if this news gets out, how are the other students supposed to compete?"

Xuan Qing understood. He was being used as a signboard, a nuclear weapon meant to deter other academies.

To win without fighting—this was a clever move. But he wasn't stupid; the benefits would go to the Heaven Dou Empire, and he would get nothing. Why should he do it?

"To put it bluntly, you're using me as a signboard. If I win, the benefits are yours; if I lose, I get nothing and have to sacrifice my own reputation."

"If that's the case, I'm not doing it."

Xue Qinghe had long been prepared.

"That's easy to settle. Within the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace, you may take whatever you fancy, provided it does not endanger the foundation of the Empire. This Palace can make that decision."

Xuan Qing thought for a moment. Since he was already at odds with Tang San, he couldn't leave that item for him.

Once he obtained it, he would store it directly in his personal space. He didn't believe that thing could break through the barriers of space.

"I want the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud."

Xue Qinghe was stunned.

"Why do you want that thing? Although it is a national treasure, to this day, no one knows what it's used for. It could be said that it's purely a decorative piece."

Xuan Qing's reply was perfectly righteous.

"It's mainly because you don't have anything else I find appealing. A Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone? Do you have one? If you did, I wouldn't mind."

"As for money? I've seen the gold bricks of Tang San; I have over two hundred of them myself. So, only the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud is somewhat interesting—at least it's a national treasure."

Xue Qinghe was choked for words. Although the remark was harsh, it was indeed the truth.

Xuan Qing truly lacked nothing.

A Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone? They didn't have one, and their other treasures were merely average.

Although the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud is a national treasure, no one knows what it is used for, so it just gathers dust in the warehouse.

"Deal! Let's strike a palm to seal the oath. In one week, This Prince will come to pick you up. The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud will be yours once the tournament concludes."

Watching him extend his palm, Xuan Qing also reached out his hand.

"Slap!"

"Deal, but let's get this straight: I'm only fighting two matches. Any more than that and I'm not doing it; it's exhausting."

Xue Qinghe nodded.

"Two matches are enough. With you in those two, the other students won't dare to act out. Heaven Dou Royal Academy is guaranteed to win this Exchange Tournament."

He left, feeling satisfied. His goal had been achieved, and although he had parted with the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, it was worth it.

After Xue Qinghe left, Dugu Bo looked at Xuan Qing with an indescribably strange expression.

"You brat, you're really going to fight in that tournament? Those are all just kids. Go easy on them; don't go and actually kill anyone."

Xuan Qing shrugged.

"Beating kids on a rainy day—I'm bored anyway. It's a national treasure, at least. If it really is useless, I'll just take it back and use it as a night-luminescent pearl."

Dugu Bo rolled his eyes.

"Don't go messing around. Those students might be weak, but they have some background. Injuring them is fine, but killing them would be troublesome."

Xuan Qing took a sip of tea and replied.

"I'm not some heartless demon who kills without blinking. As long as they don't seek their own deaths, I won't use heavy hands."

Dugu Bo curled his lip.

"Looking at that ruthlessness you showed when you beat up Tang San, honestly, even I, as a Title Douluo, have never rubbed someone's face into the ground like that. It looked painful just watching."

Xuan Qing's reply was perfectly righteous.

"He wanted to kill me; it's only because I'm kind-hearted that I didn't finish him off right there. If it were you and someone wanted you dead, would you show mercy?"

Dugu Bo shook his head quite bluntly.

"Fine, as long as you know what you're doing."

Meanwhile, having returned to the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace, Xue Qinghe immediately reported the matter to Emperor Xue Ye.

After listening, Emperor Xue Ye's expression was quite strange.

"He only wanted that broken shroud? He didn't ask for anything else? No Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone? No Soul Tool? He didn't even want Gold Soul Coin?"

Xue Qinghe nodded.

"He said we don't have anything here that catches his eye. We don't have a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone, and our other treasures are mediocre. Only the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud is somewhat interesting; at least it counts as a national treasure."

Emperor Xue Ye's face turned green. Was the Heaven Dou Imperial Family really that poor?

Upon closer reflection, well!

They really didn't have a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone, and as for other treasures? In Xuan Qing's eyes, they were indeed just mediocre.

Although the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud is a national treasure, it had been sitting there for hundreds of years with no one knowing how to use it. Giving it away for this deal was not a loss.

"Fine, give it to him. It's just sitting there anyway. But are you sure he can win? The Four Elements Academies have come prepared for this Exchange Tournament."

Xue Qinghe smiled.

"Father can rest assured on that point. You are well aware of Xuan Qing's strength. One against seven, ending the battle in two minutes—using such power against students is practically bullying."

"With him there, Heaven Dou Royal Academy is guaranteed to win this Exchange Tournament. We have lost face several times; this time, we must take it back."

Emperor Xue Ye nodded.

"Good. You are in charge of this matter. Remember to maintain a good relationship with Xuan Qing."

"This son understands."