Chapter 43

Early that morning, Xuan Qing was having breakfast at Dugu Manor.

While he was eating, a servant came to report that Crown Prince Xue Qinghe had come to visit. Xuan Qing set down his bowl and chopsticks and wiped his mouth.

"The bill collector's here. I can't even enjoy my breakfast in peace."

Dugu Bo chided him with a laugh.

"Don't be ungrateful, kid. The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud is a national treasure, no matter how you look at it. You only have to fight in two matches to get it. You've made a killing."

Xuan Qing shrugged.

"That's because they don't know how to use it. If it's with me, maybe I can make it shine. All right, let's go see him. We shouldn't keep him waiting."

The four of them went to the front hall, where Xue Qinghe was already waiting.

"Good morning, Brother Xuan Qing. I hope I didn't disturb your rest."

Xuan Qing waved a hand.

"With the Crown Prince himself coming to invite me, how could I say you're disturbing me?"

"The Exchange Tournament is today, right? Then let's go. The sooner we finish, the sooner I can come back and sleep."

Xue Qinghe's mouth twitched. Sleep?

Other people would kill for the chance to compete in a tournament of this caliber, but this guy only wanted to sleep. It really was enough to drive a person mad, comparing themselves to others.

"Indeed. The carriage is ready. We'll head straight to Heaven Dou Royal Academy. The other academies should have arrived by now."

The four climbed into the carriage and set off for the academy. It was spacious, so they weren't cramped.

Their arrival caused quite a stir. When the students saw Dugu Bo, fear showed on their faces. His fearsome reputation was well-known throughout Heaven Dou City.

Although many people didn't recognize Zi JI, word of her two Hundred Thousand Year Soul Rings had already spread.

Most people thought it was just boasting, but rumors didn't come from nowhere. Anyone who could stand as Dugu Bo's equal couldn't be ordinary.

Only a few knew Xuan Qing's background, such as the children of prominent families who had heard about him from their elders.

They looked at Xuan Qing with awe, jealousy, and fighting spirit. Talented people always loved challenging those even more talented than themselves.

Xuan Qing barely paid any attention to the crowd and went straight to the VIP seats, where quite a few people were already seated.

The most conspicuous figures were Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin, seated beside Emperor Xue Ye.

Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up when she saw Xuan Qing, while Zhu Zhuqing lowered her head slightly.

Xuan Qing looked at Zhu Zhuqing, clearly puzzled. He hadn't expected to meet her here, but he didn't ask. This was obviously no place for idle conversation.

He gave a slight fist-and-palm salute to Xue Ye, Ning Fengzhi, and Chen Xin, then greeted the Soul Douluo academy deans the same way.

The deans hurriedly returned his salute.

Emperor Xue Ye smiled.

"Little friend Xuan Qing, it's all up to you today. The reputation of Heaven Dou Royal Academy rests on your shoulders."

Xuan Qing nodded.

"Rest assured, Your Majesty. Since I agreed, I'll do my utmost. I can guarantee a win, but how we win and by how much will depend on the circumstances."

Xue Ye laughed in response.

"Good! With your word, I'm at ease. As long as you win, I don't care how. I want the result."

Xuan Qing said no more and looked down at the arena.

The arena was huge, and students from all the academies filled the seats around it. The students from the elemental academies sat at the very front, full of confidence.

"Your Highness, could you tell me about the opponents? Know yourself and know your enemy, and you'll never be defeated."

Xue Qinghe nodded and began his introduction.

"There are five strongest contenders."

"Fire Dance and her older brother, Huo Wushuang, from Blazing Fire Academy. They're level thirty-six and thirty-eight, respectively."

"Yu Tianxin from Thunder Academy, level thirty-nine."

"Feng Xiaotian from Godwind Academy, level thirty-eight. He's very strong, so don't underestimate him."

"Finally, Shui Bing'er from Skywater Academy, level thirty-seven. She's quite formidable. But watch out for her younger sister, Shui Yue'er. I hear she's a lovestruck fool who can't walk straight when she sees a handsome guy."

Xuan Qing gave him a scornful look.

"If you're going through menopause, I can introduce you to someone. Now, be serious."

Xue Qinghe nearly choked. She was still in the prime of her youth, and he was calling her menopausal!

Hold it in! I have to hold it in! I have to resist the urge to strangle this bastard.

She took a deep breath and suppressed her anger.

"There are two match formats: one-on-one and team battles. The individual matches are in the morning, and the team battles are in the afternoon."

"If someone claims the arena, the others will challenge them. If no one does, we'll draw lots to determine the order. But I doubt anyone will want to volunteer for that today."

His eyes shifted as an idea came to him.

"How about making the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud the grand prize? Then if you win, you can take it openly and no one can complain. It might even spur everyone else to fight their hardest."

Xuan Qing gave him a look of disdain.

"If you're going to offer a prize, make it something practical. A Thousand Year Soul Bone or a few tens of thousands of Gold Soul Coins would do."

"That thing? Who'd want it besides me? If you make it the prize and someone else wins, they'll take it home and leave it on a shelf. Sure, it's a national treasure."

"But who knows what they'll say behind your back? 'Is the imperial family really this poor? They can't even offer anything decent.'"

Xue Qinghe nearly spat up a mouthful of blood. There was a lot to unpack there, but it did make some sense.

"Heh, Brother Xuan Qing, at least spare me some face in public. That thing may not be much use, but it is a national treasure."

Xuan Qing couldn't be bothered to respond. He turned his attention to the competitors waiting below.

Huo Wu made a throat-slitting gesture, her eyes full of provocation. Huo Wushuang clenched his fists until they crackled.

Yu Tianxin's fighting spirit was even stronger.

Feng Xiaotian and Shui Bing'er seemed relatively calm, but their eyes still gleamed with the desire to challenge him.

Shui Yue'er gazed at Xuan Qing with a lovestruck look, clearly thinking:

"He's so handsome... He's already this handsome at such a young age. What will he be like when he grows up?"

Shui Bing'er tugged helplessly at her younger sister.

"Yue'er, stop swooning. We're opponents now, so take this seriously."

Shui Yue'er giggled.

"Big sister, you just don't get it. If I fight with such a handsome little brother, we might develop feelings for each other. Then, hehehe..."

Shui Bing'er couldn't be bothered to respond. Her younger sister was beyond saving.

Xuan Qing looked over everyone and got a good sense of things. They were all quite strong.

"Since no one wants to be the first to claim the arena, I'll fire the first shot."

Xuan Qing rose and walked toward the arena.

Dugu Bo was briefly taken aback, then spoke up.

"What's the rush? Are you in a hurry to get back to bed?"

Xuan Qing glanced at him.

"I'm only ten. I'm still growing, so what's wrong with getting extra sleep? You've stopped growing for decades, you old geezer. You wouldn't understand."

"Crash!"

The teacup in Dugu Bo's hand shattered!

Everyone else stared at him in bewilderment. What did his build and height have to do with being ten years old?

Xuan Qing had already leapt onto the arena.

"Level thirty-seven Power Attack System Battle Soul Elder. I'm claiming the arena. Is there anyone willing to give me some pointers?"