Douluo: One Man Returns, Heaven-Defying Seal Smashes Tang San to Death

It sounded like...

Lu Yu did not seem to have joined Spirit Hall?

His Holiness the Pope had personally stepped in, yet this kid actually dared to refuse her?

And judging by the situation, His Holiness the Pope valued this boy immensely!

After all, even toward her direct disciple Hu Liena, she had never been so protective. She merely provided cultivation resources, guided her, and gave her all kinds of opportunities, leaving her to fight for benefits herself.

Even Hu Liena had to show respect when facing Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo, Bibi Dong's two right-hand men and both Title Douluo powerhouses.

Yet Bibi Dong had actually told these two Title Douluo to treat Lu Yu with extra respect?

What exactly had happened?

There was a lot to unpack in His Holiness the Pope's words!

"Moon Guan, represent Spirit Hall and go to Star Luo Imperial Palace to attend the banquet."

Bibi Dong issued another order, then flashed away and vanished behind the screen.

Leaving the four of them staring at one another in bewilderment.

Star Luo Imperial Palace.

The palace was relatively quiet today. Apart from the palace maids and eunuchs handling banquet arrangements, even imperial relatives, court officials, and high-ranking nobles were forbidden from entering.

Only the Star Luo Empire's younger generation of geniuses and members of the imperial family were qualified to attend the banquet.

By the time Lu Yu and the others entered the palace, the heavy rain had already stopped, and the air was damp and fresh.

Led by an elderly eunuch, the Heavenly Dou Empire exchange delegation went straight to Star Luo Hall.

This was the place in Star Luo Imperial Palace specifically used for imperial family banquets and important feasts.

The grand hall was divided into an inner and outer hall. The banquet had long been prepared in the inner hall, and the teachers from the various academies in the Heavenly Dou Empire exchange delegation, along with imperial representatives such as Xue Qinghe, entered it directly.

The outer hall was where the younger generation of geniuses gathered to socialize.

Sitting in a corner, Lu Yu looked at the bustling outer hall and felt rather strange.

It felt like those high-end cocktail parties from his previous life—everyone drank and socialized, while few bothered with the food that looked, smelled, and tasted delicious.

Lu Yu sensed an icy gaze directed at him from the side. Turning his head, he saw Dai Weisi glaring at him with fire in his eyes.

Lu Yu gave him a faint smile, then ignored him.

Just then, a girl wearing fitted black clothing approached. She had a voluptuous figure, stunning features, and the air of a confident older beauty.

Her slender, long legs were powerful without losing their grace, wrapped in black stockings that drew the eye.

She bore some resemblance to Zhu Zhuqing, but was more mature.

Unlike Zhu Zhuqing... though this girl was cold and glamorous, she lacked that unapproachable air. Instead, she gave off a noble and dignified impression.

Yet every smile and frown of hers carried a trace of wild seduction.

The girl walked straight up to Lu Yu. After looking him over from head to toe, she asked with a smile, "You're Lu Yu, right?"

Lu Yu could clearly feel Dai Weisi's gaze from the side grow sharper. He chuckled and nodded.

The girl gracefully sat down beside Lu Yu. Without even glancing at Dai Weisi in the distance, she extended her hand and said, "Hello, I'm Zhu Zhuyun. Zhu Zhuqing, whom you met today, is my younger sister."

As she spoke, a faint blush appeared on Zhu Zhuyun's pretty face. Her eyes shimmered, as though she were somewhat expectant.

Lu Yu did not shake her hand. He merely said flatly, "If you came to recruit me into the Star Luo Empire, then don't waste your effort."

Zhu Zhuyun froze for a moment, pursed her lips, and lowered her hand in disappointment. Shaking her head, she said, "You misunderstand. That isn't what I mean. I only wanted to get to know you."

Lu Yu turned to look at her suspiciously, unable for the moment to figure out what this woman was plotting.

Playing hard to get?

He admitted that she was beautiful. Those long legs in particular, combined with the contrast between her noble chill and wild allure, were enough to stir a man's desire to conquer.

But his body was only twelve years old now!

This woman was already twenty. Was she trying to rob the cradle?

Even if the Star Luo Imperial Family or the Zhu Clan wanted to use a honey trap, they should at least have sent someone closer to his age, right?

Though as a Soul Master, his body had already developed no differently from an adult's, and his soul had lived through three lives, he still found it somewhat awkward...

At that moment, Shui Yue'er, who had been watching what was happening around Lu Yu, walked over. Like a little hen guarding her food, she planted her hands on her hips and glared at Zhu Zhuyun.

"Zhu Zhuyun! Lu Yu is still young. I advise you not to entertain any improper thoughts!"

Zhu Zhuyun was stunned.

Lu Yu was stunned too. This was outright slander!

Suppressing the urge to immediately prove his innocence, Lu Yu looked toward Shui Bing'er in the distance with a face full of black lines.

The latter understood at once. She hurried over, grabbed her younger sister, and dragged her away.

Lu Yu rubbed his brow with a headache. Zhu Zhuyun suddenly let out a soft laugh, then looked at him generously and blinked. "Looks like I have quite a few rivals!"

"Hm?" Lu Yu did not quite react.

Then he looked at Zhu Zhuyun strangely. Was this woman confessing to him?

Isn't this our first time meeting?

Before he could recover, Zhu Zhuyun suddenly leaned closer and breathed softly into his ear. "After the banquet, I'll be waiting for you on Star Cloud Mountain, three miles outside the city."

With that, Zhu Zhuyun rose and left.

Lu Yu frowned and looked down at his right palm.

Just now, Zhu Zhuyun had written several words on his palm...

"Ten Thousand Year Drunken Immortal Ganoderma!"

Lu Yu took a deep breath and looked at Zhu Zhuyun's retreating figure thoughtfully.

Not far away, Dai Weisi was already beside himself with rage. Watching his fiancée whisper intimately with Lu Yu right before his eyes, how could he not be furious?

But just as he was about to step forward and make trouble, a figure suddenly emerged from the inner hall and shouted, "Lu Yu, His Majesty summons you!"

The sudden call silenced the entire outer hall, and everyone's gaze converged on Lu Yu.

Dai Weisi also stopped, clenching his fists and gritting his teeth as he restrained his fury.

Lu Yu calmly rose to his feet and strode toward the inner hall.

He had not forgotten that the Star Luo Imperial Family owed him a soul bone!

The Star Luo Emperor was summoning him at this moment most likely because of what had happened during the day.

When Lu Yu entered the inner hall, he saw a long table in the center. Representatives from the Heavenly Dou Empire and Star Luo Empire sat around it.

The Star Luo Emperor sat at the head of the table. In the first seat below him sat not Xue Qinghe, but a man with such bewitching features that, if not for the Adam's apple on his throat, it would have been difficult to determine his gender.

The man wore a crimson ceremonial robe covered in gold and silver patterns.

Xue Qinghe sat in the second seat.

Both the red ceremonial robe and the position where the man sat proclaimed his identity!

Spirit Hall, a Title Douluo!

Lu Yu withdrew his gaze, stepped forward several paces, and bowed slightly. "Lu Yu greets Your Majesty and all the seniors!"

The Star Luo Emperor smiled and pointed to the seat at the end of the long table. "No need for formalities. Take a seat!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Lu Yu thanked him neither humbly nor arrogantly, then walked over and sat down.

After Lu Yu had taken his seat, the Star Luo Emperor's deep voice rang out again. "Lu Yu, I am already aware of what happened earlier at Star Luo Royal Academy."

"This was originally a sparring match between young people. But since it involved a wager, and Dai Weisi is a prince of the Star Luo Empire, I summoned you into the inner hall."

"A wager is a wager. Today, before everyone here, I shall pay you the stake on behalf of my disappointing son!"

"Bring it!"

As his words fell, an elderly eunuch with graying hair approached Lu Yu, carrying a tray in both hands.

The tray was covered with a black cloth. The old eunuch smiled faintly and said in a shrill, hoarse voice, "Lord Lu, please lift the black cloth."

Lu Yu narrowed his eyes and cursed the old fox inwardly.

With the imperial family's reputation at stake, the Star Luo Emperor naturally would not renege on the debt.

But this old fox was handing Lu Yu a soul bone in front of representatives from all the factions present. Was he not clearly telling everyone that Lu Yu possessed a priceless treasure?

A common man was innocent, but possessing a treasure made him guilty!

Even if Lu Yu was the most valued student of Heaven Dou Royal Academy, even if he was hailed as the Heavenly Dou Empire's greatest genius, there would still be people willing to take desperate risks for a soul bone.

Moon Guan, seated in the first position below the Star Luo Emperor, was carefully studying Lu Yu, his expression unreadable.

This youth was the monster Xie Yue spoke of?