Tie Zhan's heart tightened when he saw that the newcomer was the eldest prince, Xue Qinghe.
He kept his expression calm, but his thoughts raced. When had Yang Teng gotten close to the eldest prince? Though he was a Titled Douluo, the blond young man before him was almost certainly the future Heaven Dou Emperor.
Making an enemy of the future ruler over a passing whim to take on a disciple would be no wise move.
Tie Zhan bowed slightly and apologized.
"Your Highness, this old man was rash."
Tie Zhan glanced at Yang Teng, who remained seated at the table, still leisurely, as though the matter had nothing to do with him.
"Your young friend Yang Teng performed so brilliantly in today's matches. His talent and strength are rare indeed. This old man was moved by his potential and spoke too hastily. I hope Your Highness won't take offense."
He had chosen his words cleverly. He made clear that his intentions came from an appreciation of talent, softened his earlier hint of coercion into "speaking too hastily," and lowered his stance to show Xue Qinghe respect.
As expected of a Titled Douluo. None of them were easy to deal with!
Xue Qinghe maintained a polished smile on his warm, jade-like face and nodded lightly without pursuing the matter.
Things hadn't truly deteriorated beyond repair. Yang Teng was unharmed, and Tie Zhan had stopped in time and apologized.
It would be unwise to fall out with a powerful Titled Douluo over a conflict that hadn't even happened.
"Senior Tie, you're too kind. You've worked tirelessly for the country and supported the younger generation. That's a fine thing."
Xue Qinghe's voice was even. He accepted the apology while subtly reminding Tie Zhan of his status and the restraint expected of him.
"Brother Yang Teng is an honored guest of the Heaven Dou Empire, as well as one of this tournament's shining talents. The empire naturally wishes to protect him. It's best to clear up a small misunderstanding and let it go."
Tie Zhan felt a little more at ease.
Liu Qingfeng was still somewhat disgruntled, but he didn't dare say anything. Then he left.
Xue Qinghe turned to Yang Teng, walked over as naturally as could be, and pulled out a chair across from him.
His movements were elegant and composed. Yang Teng looked up at him, the same half-smile still on his lips, and nodded in greeting.
I suppose I owe him a favor.
Yang Teng's fingertips tapped lightly against the smooth tabletop, unconsciously.
But should I count that favor as Xue Qinghe's, or Qian Renxue's?
After sitting down, Xue Qinghe's attention was naturally drawn to the more than ten exquisite cakes on the table, dazzling in their variety of colors.
He looked suitably surprised and curious, then asked with a smile, "Brother Yang Teng, did you order all these specialties to enjoy by yourself? That seems a little... excessive."
Yang Teng shook his head, picked up the clean silver fork beside him, and offered it to Xue Qinghe. Then he gestured toward the cakes, inviting him to help himself.
"Not by myself. These are for Gu Yuena, my teammate. She likes sweets."
At the mention of Gu Yuena, a faint glimmer passed through the depths of Xue Qinghe's eyes—or rather, Qian Renxue's eyes beneath her disguise.
She remembered the silver-haired, purple-eyed girl, whose beauty had seemed almost otherworldly. When they first met and introduced themselves, Qian Renxue had been struck by her appearance.
"I see," Xue Qinghe said with a gentle smile.
"Your Highness, try some too. This shop does good work, and you don't see these varieties just anywhere."
Xue Qinghe didn't refuse, and the two settled into relaxed, casual conversation.
"Speaking of which..."
Yang Teng cut off a small piece of cake and ate it. After chewing and swallowing, he brought it up as if it were an idle thought.
"After the matches ended today, I should also thank Your Highness for putting in a good word for me before His Majesty."
He looked up at Xue Qinghe, his eyes clear and his smile tinged with curiosity.
"It seemed to me that His Majesty was more interested in Shrek at first."
Xue Qinghe lifted his teacup and gently blew away the steam, his movements graceful.
He caught the gratitude and probing in Yang Teng's words. Smiling faintly, he didn't deny it.
"The strength and potential you and Miss Gu Yuena displayed would make anyone take notice. The empire values every talent, especially two people as... exceptional as you."
"Exceptional?"
Yang Teng raised an eyebrow, his expression half-amused. "Do you mean my Soul Rings, or Gu Yuena's Element Control?"
"Both."
Xue Qinghe took a sip of tea and met Yang Teng's gaze calmly.
Yang Teng smiled, set down his fork, and seemed to consider something. Then he took a smooth, dark wooden box from his Soul Tool.
He pushed the box across the table toward Xue Qinghe.
"Your Highness saved me some trouble by stepping in just now."
Yang Teng's tone was casual, but carried a note of sincerity.
"Just a little something as thanks."
Xue Qinghe looked at the box, puzzled.
"What is this...?"
Yang Teng leaned forward slightly. A roguish smile, equal parts sly and frank, appeared on his face. Lowering his voice, he said two words.
"Whale Rubber."
"What?!"
The hand holding Xue Qinghe's teacup trembled, and the tea rippled inside.
His handsome, warm features flushed red almost instantly, the color spreading all the way to his ears.
It wasn't embarrassment, but a mixture of shock, awkwardness, and even a trace of offended indignation.
"Brother Yang Teng, what do you mean by this?"
Xue Qinghe tried to keep his voice steady, but anyone listening closely could hear the distinct displeasure and chill in it.
"As far as I know, this item... is used between men and women..."
He left the rest unsaid, but the meaning was obvious.
By common understanding across the Douluo Continent, Whale Rubber had certain properties that gave it a suggestive connotation. It was often used between men and women as an aphrodisiac or a gift.
For the crown prince of the Heaven Dou Empire to receive such a "thank-you gift" was deeply awkward and easy to misconstrue.
Yang Teng stared blankly for a moment, then suddenly understood. He slapped his forehead, cursing himself inwardly for his oversight.
As a transmigrator, he knew that Whale Rubber, after special processing, could greatly improve a Soul Master's physical constitution and widen their meridians. It was also highly effective in helping them withstand Soul Rings with higher age limits.
But in this era of Douluo I, that was still obscure knowledge, unrecognized and liable to be misunderstood.
More importantly, the "Xue Qinghe" sitting in front of him was actually a girl! Giving Whale Rubber to a girl... This misunderstanding had gone too far.
"Your Highness, please don't misunderstand!"
Yang Teng hurriedly waved his hands, his roguish grin replaced by an anxious, helpless explanation.
"My fault. I didn't explain properly! This isn't the kind you're thinking of... ordinary Whale Rubber."
He pointed at the wooden box, speaking faster.
"I refined, purified, and processed it over and over using my own method, removing all the unnecessary impurities and... well, those effects."
"It's very beneficial for ordinary cultivation, fighting enemies, and even absorbing Soul Rings with higher age limits in the future!"
To make his explanation more convincing, Yang Teng added, "To be honest, everyone at Skywater Academy uses this, including Shui Bing'er."
Xue Qinghe listened doubtfully, the flush on his face not yet entirely faded.
Improving one's physical constitution? Strengthening one's meridians? Helping with Soul Ring absorption?
Could Whale Rubber really have the miraculous effects Yang Teng claimed?
A chilling suspicion surfaced in Xue Qinghe's mind, impossible to suppress. Had he seen through my disguise and deliberately offered this, emphasizing its "proper use" to test me or imply something?
The thought instantly put her on edge.
She had absolute confidence in her disguise. It was a skill granted by the Angel Inheritance Soul Bone. Even a Super Douluo would have difficulty seeing through it.
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