Qian Renxue, Imperial Fighting Team

"We're leaving now, leaving now!"

Yue Guan grabbed Gui Mei and was about to leave. Before departing, he glanced toward Xue Qinghe's position. What was she thinking now?

Tang Chuan withdrew his soul rings and martial soul, and his aura immediately softened, the affinity belonging to Blue Silver Grass returning to him.

"Your Excellency Tang Chuan, thank you once again for this time." No matter how flustered Xue Qinghe was inside, she could not show it on the surface.

"It's nothing. Three Education Committee members, I brought Little San back this time because I plan to officially enter Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

"Welcome, welcome! The young men and women of the Imperial Fighting Team have all returned as well. This way, please!"

After Spirit Hall's two Title Douluo left, Meng Shenji and the other two Education Committee members immediately greeted Tang Chuan and the others into the academy with smiles all over their faces, like hotel attendants.

Xue Qinghe did not follow them. She planned to return to the palace to explain the situation to Emperor Xue Ye, then make some arrangements.

Moreover, she had discovered something: Tang Chuan seemed to care deeply about Tang San.

That meant that as long as Tang San had not yet matured, Tang Chuan would never leave on his own accord. He might even delay his divine trial. This was her opportunity. Emperor Xue Ye had already begun to weaken from her poison, and it would not be long before the imperial throne fell into her hands.

Back at the palace, Emperor Xue Ye was seated upright upon his throne. Though he was the emperor of an empire, his complexion was abnormally pale, as though he might breathe his last at any moment.

When Prince Xue Xing beside him saw Xue Qinghe arrive, a trace of wariness flashed through his eyes. The deaths of those princes were inseparable from His Highness the Crown Prince. Prince Xue Beng was still young, yet he could only pretend to be a wastrel to avoid being harmed.

"Father! Qinghe has come to report the situation to you!"

"My Crown Prince, what is Your Excellency Tang Chuan's attitude, and where is the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud? Cough, cough, cough!"

At the mention of this matter, Emperor Xue Ye's complexion actually improved somewhat.

Nearly all the royal nobles and ministers knew of Tang Chuan's information, and they all supported the idea of winning him over.

Spirit Hall was now overwhelmingly powerful. In certain respects, the Heaven Dou Empire was even inferior to the Star Luo Empire. They were in dire need of a Title Douluo, someone capable of determining the outcome of a war.

"The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud is with Your Excellency Tang Chuan, but he said he would take it as compensation for driving away Tang Hao."

Xue Qinghe paused and casually lifted her head to observe Xue Ye's expression. Seeing that he did not object, she continued.

"As for his attitude, he does not seem interested in official positions or rewards. The only thing Qinghe can think of is..."

"Women!"

The moment those words were spoken, a gleam flashed through Emperor Xue Ye's previously narrowed eyes.

If a man was not interested in power or wealth, then what else could he be interested in? Other than women, there seemed to be nothing else.

"But there are none in our imperial family... Could we let Xue Ke give it a try?"

At those words, the corner of Xue Qinghe's mouth twitched. She had intended to recommend someone else. How old was Xue Ke now? Wasn't this just asking for trouble?

"Qinghe has someone in mind who may be able to try. Father, please rest assured. Qinghe has her own arrangements!"

"Good! If this succeeds, our Heaven Dou Empire will certainly surpass the Star Luo Empire. Such a young Title Douluo—even Spirit Hall would have to think twice!"

"Then this son will take his leave first!"

Xue Qinghe cupped her hands once more, then turned and left. Before departing, she glanced at Xue Xing beside Xue Ye. That old fellow was no easy target either.

"Brother, if Tang Chuan were truly so easy to manipulate, he would have joined our Heaven Dou Empire long ago!"

"It's fine. Let Qinghe give it a try. Also, keep a close eye on Xue Beng. If he offends His Excellency, the imperial family will not stand up for him!"

Emperor Xue Ye's tone seemed to have returned to how it had been when he was healthy, but he himself knew that his body would not last many more years—at most seven or eight.

But on Douluo Continent, time was the one thing never in short supply. Seven or eight years seemed long, but in truth, they passed in the blink of an eye.

As for the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, although it was the Heaven Dou Empire's national treasure, no one had ever figured out its functions. Since Tang Chuan needed it, they might as well do him a favor.

The Crown Prince's bedchamber.

Xue Qinghe removed her disguise, revealing her true appearance.

She looked into the mirror once more. Such peerless beauty was enough to drive countless men mad. Qian Renxue pressed her red lips together, her gaze turning cold.

Two figures slowly appeared behind her, dropping to one knee as they awaited Qian Renxue's orders.

"Return to Spirit Hall and tell my grandfather to warn that woman not to go too far. Tang Chuan is mine. No one can take him from me!"

A holy angelic aura radiated from Qian Renxue's body. Though her cultivation was far inferior to She Long and Pufferfish's, it still made both of them tremble.

"By your command, Young Mistress!"

Recalling Tang Chuan's aura from earlier, Qian Renxue's eyes held no fear. Instead, they were filled with the desire to conquer. Only a man like that was worthy of Qian Renxue making a move herself, even if she had to use a honey trap.

"Tang Chuan, whose divine inheritance are you the successor of?"

And that woman—she must have received a divine trial as well. She could not be hasty yet. Divine trials were not so easily completed.

Tang Chuan, still at Heaven Dou Royal Academy, knew nothing of Qian Renxue's thoughts. If he did, he would only say one thing: "Lord Asura God, Qian Renxue has had too much to drink."

Looking at the people before him, Tang Chuan's expression did not change.

Yu Tianheng, twelve years old, level twenty-eight Soul Grandmaster, martial soul: Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon.

Dugu Yan, twelve years old, level thirty-four Soul Elder, martial soul: Jade Phosphorous Dragon.

Ye Lingling, eleven years old, level twenty-three, martial soul: Nine-Heart Begonia.

As for the remaining few—Osler, Yu Feng, and the Shi Mo brothers—there was no need to say much. The ones who could be rotated out were Osler and Yu Feng. However, Tang Chuan was not the kind of captain who dominated the team. Tang San and Xiao Wu did not yet have much coordination with the other members, so rotations were still possible.

While Tang Chuan studied them, they studied him as well.

"Yanyan, is this Teacher Tang Chuan, the benefactor of your family that you mentioned?"

"Well, Lingling? He's handsome, isn't he?"

"Don't be ridiculous..."

Ye Lingling's cheeks flushed slightly, but since she wore a veil, no one noticed.

Yu Tianheng and the others, on the other hand, were more interested in Tang Chuan's strength. Qin Ming had not been teaching here for very long, so Yu Tianheng and the others had no complaints about the academy's arrangements.

The strong replaced the weak. It was that simple.

"Teacher, I heard that the education committee personally decided to have you replace Teacher Qin Ming. How strong are you?"