Xue Ye: Has Dugu Bo Defected?

Gu Rong gave Tang Hao a deep look, his tone carrying a hint of warning. "I hope you keep the promise you made today."

With that, he did not linger. He turned and left with Ning Rongrong, swiftly departing Shrek Academy, that place of endless trouble.

Once Bone Douluo had gone far away, Tang Hao swept his cold gaze over everyone from Shrek. The pressure of a Title Douluo erupted from him once more, weighing heavily upon their hearts.

"None of you saw what happened tonight. Not one word of it is to be spread!"

Intimidated by the majesty of the Clear Sky Douluo, everyone from Shrek dared not raise the slightest objection. They hurriedly nodded in agreement, and no one dared entertain any thought of defiance.

Seeing that they had yielded and would keep silent, Tang Hao did not stay any longer. He silently vanished into the depths of the night with Tang San and the still unsettled Xiao Wu.

Elsewhere, on the road away, Ning Rongrong was full of curiosity and could not help asking, "Grandpa, what did you talk about privately with Tang Hao just now?"

Gu Rong wore a crafty smile as he burst into laughter.

"That Spirit Beast can no longer be taken away, but we cannot let even a bit of the benefits slip through our fingers."

"Tang San was chosen by the Sky Screen and will soon enter the Nine-Tails Incident instance. When he returns, our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect must receive a share of the Ninjutsu opportunities and otherworldly inheritances he brings back."

"Originally, no one from our sect was selected for the instance, and we were worried about missing such a tremendous opportunity. Now, thanks to this matter, we can make up for that regret."

Ning Rongrong blinked, still somewhat worried. "But what if Tang Hao goes back on his word afterward and refuses to honor the agreement?"

Gu Rong was brimming with confidence, his tone incomparably certain. "He won't dare. He has already offended Spirit Hall. If he offends our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect as well, he would be making enemies on every side. No sane person would do something so foolish!"

After hearing that, Ning Rongrong nodded as though she understood, though not entirely.

Three days later, the Sky Screen appeared once more above the heavens.

There were no dazzling lights and shadows, no unnecessary preamble. Five brilliant beams rose into the sky from five locations across Douluo Continent, piercing straight through the firmament.

In an instant, the Sky Screen split into five, becoming five separate scenes that simultaneously revealed where each of the five selected individuals had been transported.

In the instance world, night blanketed the streets and alleys, while scattered lights glimmered.

Yu Zhi looked around and immediately recognized the little shop before him. His eyes lit up. "Is this Ichiraku Ramen?!"

Though it was late at night, the shop remained brightly lit. It was the famous establishment known throughout the myriad worlds!

His luck was incredible. This was practically the safest place possible.

As long as he survived the Nine-Tails Incident, even Pain's unrest would not reach this place in the future. It was the perfect safe haven.

Since he was here, he might as well have a bowl of ramen first, fulfill his wish from watching Hokage, and wait for Dugu Bo to come meet him.

He pushed open the door and entered the shop, smiling at the owner. "Boss, one miso chashu ramen, please."

Teuchi immediately answered enthusiastically, "Certainly, customer. Please wait a moment; it'll be ready right away."

With the Sky Screen's rules in effect, barriers of clothing, language, and writing had all been erased, leaving no obstacles whatsoever.

Before long, a steaming bowl of ramen was placed on 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 and spoke with a teasing note in his voice. "Kid, at a time like this, you're still quite relaxed."

Without waiting for Yu Zhi to reply, he headed straight to the counter. "Boss, give me the same as him."

"Certainly!"

Without even lifting his head, Yu Zhi casually replied, "I was waiting for you anyway. I've got a mark on me, so you would've found your way here sooner or later."

As early as two days ago, Dugu Bo had rushed day and night to Spirit Hall and reached a private agreement with Bibi Dong. He had deliberately planted a Soul Power mark on Yu Zhi so the two could quickly rendezvous within the instance.

Their familiar, casual conversation was transmitted through the Sky Screen, clearly reaching every corner of Douluo Continent.

In an instant, the entire continent erupted into uproar.

"The Martial Soul Hall Saint actually went to eat ramen the moment he entered the instance? He's got some nerve!"

"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 up with?"

"Poison Douluo is actually going to find Yu Zhi? They knew each other already, and they're this close?"

"Something's 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 the depths of winter.

Xue Ye stared at the scene on the Sky Screen. His aura was icy to the bone, and 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 even looks as though they arranged in advance to act together?"

"Could it be... Dugu Bo wishes to recruit the Martial Soul Hall Saint? But why has this emperor received no word of it at all?"

As he spoke, his voice grew louder and louder. He was nearly unable to contain his fury, his words bordering on a roar.

The civil and military officials throughout the court were silent as cicadas in winter. No one dared make a sound.

After a moment of silence, Xue Ye's gaze turned cold and sharp. He asked in a deep voice, "Who was responsible these past few days for coordinating 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, he dared not look up. "Y-Your Majesty, it was this servant."

Xue Ye stared at him coldly, his gaze like blades. "Dugu Bo left Heaven Dou City two days ago, claiming he was going out to make preparations. Why was this not reported?"

The official shuddered and hurriedly explained, "Your Majesty previously decreed that Dugu Bo had always acted as he pleased, that everything should be left to his own wishes, and that he need not be excessively interfered with or disturbed..."

That single sentence left Xue Ye so stifled that he could not speak.

He had indeed said those words himself. But at the time, Dugu Bo had still belonged to the Heaven Dou Empire. Now, however, it was obvious that he had betrayed Heaven Dou!

After a long while, Xue Ye wearily waved his hand, his tone ice-cold. "Take him away and deal with him."

"Mercy, Your Majesty! Mercy, Your Majesty!" The official fell to his knees and wailed, yet not a single person spoke to plead for him.

A Title Douluo was showing signs of turning against the empire. Someone had to take the blame, and that responsibility would never fall upon the emperor.

Once the hall had quieted down, Xue Ye suddenly remembered something and asked, "What about Dugu Bo's granddaughter, Dugu Yan? Where is she now?"

The civil and military officials remained silent.

Qian Renxue, disguised as a prince, slowly stepped forward from the side and spoke indifferently. "Father Emperor, as far as I know, 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 thoughts were equally tangled and complicated.

She knew very well that if Dugu Bo had joined Spirit Hall, his status would certainly not be low!

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 inwardly sighed:

What a move. What an excellent move! I truly underestimated you, my "good sister"!