Gu Rong gave Tang Hao a deep look, his tone carrying a hint of warning. "I hope you will honor the promise you made today."
With that, he did not linger any longer. Taking Ning Rongrong with him, he turned and left, quickly departing from the troubled grounds of Shrek Academy.
Once Bone Douluo's figure had disappeared into the distance, Tang Hao swept his cold gaze across the Shrek group. The pressure of a Titled Douluo erupted from him once more, weighing heavily upon everyone's hearts.
"None of you saw what happened tonight, and none of you are to let a single word of it spread!"
Intimidated by the majesty of the Clear Sky Douluo, the Shrek group did not dare raise any objections. They hurriedly nodded in agreement, and no one dared entertain even the slightest thought of defiance.
Seeing that they had yielded and would keep silent, Tang Hao did not stay any longer. He took Tang San and the still-unsettled Xiao Wu and vanished silently into the depths of the night.
Meanwhile, on the way back, Ning Rongrong was filled with curiosity and could not help asking, "Grandpa, what did you talk about with Tang Hao in private just now?"
Gu Rong wore a shrewd smile as he burst into laughter.
"That Spirit Beast can no longer be taken away, but we cannot miss out on any of the benefits."
"Tang San has been chosen by the Sky Screen and will soon enter the Nine-Tails Incident Dungeon. When he returns from the Dungeon with Ninjutsu opportunities and inheritances from another world, our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect must take a share."
"Originally, no one from our sect was selected for the Dungeon, and we were worried about missing such a tremendous opportunity. Now, we can use this matter to make up for that regret."
Ning Rongrong blinked, still somewhat concerned. "But what if Tang Hao goes back on his word afterward and refuses to honor the agreement?"
Gu Rong's face was full of confidence, and his tone was utterly certain. "He would not dare. He has already offended Spirit Hall. If he offends our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect as well, he would be making enemies on all sides. No sane person would do something so foolish!"
After hearing that, Ning Rongrong nodded as though she understood.
Three days later, the Sky Screen appeared once again above the heavens.
There were no dazzling displays of light and no unnecessary buildup. Five brilliant beams shot into the sky from five locations across the Douluo Continent, piercing straight through the heavens.
In an instant, the Sky Screen divided into five, becoming five separate displays that simultaneously revealed the locations where each of the five chosen individuals had been transported.
In the Dungeon world, night shrouded the streets and alleys, while scattered lights glimmered.
Yu Zhi looked around and immediately recognized the little shop before him. His eyes lit up. "Ichiraku Ramen?!"
Though it was late at night, the shop was still brightly lit. It was the famed establishment known throughout the myriad worlds!
His luck was incredible. This place was practically the safest location possible.
As long as he survived the Nine-Tails Incident, even Pain's uprising would not reach him later on. It was the perfect shelter.
Since he was here, he might as well have a bowl of ramen first, fulfilling his wish from watching Hokage, while waiting for Dugu Bo to come meet him.
He pushed open the door and entered the shop, smiling at the owner. "Boss, give me a bowl of miso chashu ramen."
Teuchi immediately replied warmly, "Coming right up, customer. Please wait a moment."
With the support of the Sky Screen's rules, barriers of clothing, language, and writing had all been erased, leaving no obstacles whatsoever.
Before long, a steaming bowl of ramen was brought to the table. Yu Zhi was happily slurping it down when the shop door was abruptly shoved open.
Dugu Bo slowly walked in. He glanced at Yu Zhi, his tone carrying a trace of teasing. "Kid, at a time like this, you're still quite relaxed."
Without waiting for Yu Zhi to reply, he walked straight to the counter. "Boss, give me the same as him."
"Certainly!"
Without even raising his head, Yu Zhi casually responded, "I was waiting for you anyway. There's a mark on me, so you would have found me sooner or later."
As early as two days ago, Dugu Bo had traveled day and night to Spirit Hall, where he reached a private agreement with Bibi Dong. He had deliberately planted a Soul Power mark on Yu Zhi so the two could quickly rendezvous inside the Dungeon.
Their familiar, casual conversation was transmitted through the Sky Screen, spreading clearly throughout the entire Douluo Continent.
In an instant, an uproar broke out across the continent.
"The Martial Soul Hall Saint actually ran off to eat noodles the moment he entered the Dungeon? Isn't he taking this way too lightly?!"
"Instead of fighting for such a tremendous opportunity, is he just lying down and giving up?"
"What is Poison Douluo doing? Where is he going? Who is he meeting?"
"Poison Douluo is actually going to find Yu Zhi? They already knew each other, and they're even this close?"
"Something is wrong! Could Dugu Bo have secretly defected to Spirit Hall? Or does this Saint have other plans and intend to betray Spirit Hall?"
Discussions rose and fell one after another, and everyone was filled with uncertainty and suspicion.
Inside the main hall of the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace, the atmosphere was as oppressive as winter.
Xue Ye stared at the image on the Sky Screen. His aura was icy and piercing, while his expression had darkened to the extreme.
"What exactly is going on?" he asked in a low voice, disbelief filling his tone. "How could Dugu Bo be so familiar with Yu Zhi? It looks like they even arranged in advance to act together?"
"Could it be... Dugu Bo wants to win over the Martial Soul Hall Saint? But why has this emperor not received even the slightest word of it?"
As he spoke, his voice grew louder and louder. He could barely suppress his fury, sounding almost as though he were roaring.
The court officials stood silent as cicadas in winter. No one dared answer.
After a moment of silence, Xue Ye's gaze turned sharp and cold. He asked in a deep voice, "Who has been responsible these past few days for liaising with and tracking Dugu Bo's movements?"
An official trembled from head to toe as he shakily stepped forward from the ranks, keeping his head lowered and not daring to look up. "Y-Your Majesty, it was this servant."
Xue Ye stared at him coldly, his gaze like a blade. "Dugu Bo left Heaven Dou City these past two days, claiming he was going out to make preparations. Why was this not reported?"
The official's body trembled as he hurriedly explained, "Your Majesty previously decreed that Dugu Bo has always acted as he pleased, and that everything should be left to his own wishes without excessive interference or disturbance..."
That single sentence left Xue Ye feeling stifled, unable to say a word.
He had indeed said those words himself, but at the time, Dugu Bo had still belonged to the Heaven Dou Empire. Yet judging by the situation now, he had clearly betrayed Heaven Dou!
After a long while, Xue Ye tiredly waved his hand, his tone icy. "Drag him away and deal with him."
"Mercy, Your Majesty! Mercy, Your Majesty!" The official fell to his knees and wailed, but not a single person spoke up to plead for him.
A Titled Douluo had seemingly turned against the empire. Someone had to take the blame, and that responsibility would never fall upon the emperor.
Once the hall had fallen quiet again, Xue Ye suddenly recalled something and asked, "What about Dugu Bo's granddaughter, Dugu Yan? Where is she now?"
The court officials remained silent.
Qian Renxue, disguised as a prince, slowly stepped forward from the side and spoke indifferently. "Father Emperor, as far as your daughter knows, Dugu Yan left Heaven Dou City long ago."
Xue Ye held his forehead and let out a long sigh, his heart filled with helplessness and regret.
As Qian Renxue watched the Sky Screen, her own thoughts were equally complicated.
She knew very well that Dugu Bo's status would certainly not be low if he had joined Spirit Hall!
But Dugu Bo had not joined the Worship Hall.
That left only one possibility!
Dugu Bo had pledged himself to Bibi Dong!
A trace of wariness and gravity flashed through Qian Renxue's eyes as she sighed inwardly:
What skillful methods. Truly skillful methods! I underestimated you, my "good sister"!
Before you continue