Xue Qinghe

The Shrek Academy Team swallowed Oscar's Excitement Pink Sausages and launched a combined assault on Yu Tianheng.

Ning Rongrong not only enhanced the attack power of Dai Mubai, Tai Long, and Huang Yuan, but also increased Zhu Zhuqing's speed.

"White Tiger Vajra Transformation, White Tiger Meteor Shower!"

"Hell Stab, Netherworld Slash!"

"Mighty Gorilla!"

"Bloodthirsty Lone Wolf!"

Although Yu Tianheng possessed the powerful Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial soul, two fists could not fend off four hands. Faced with several powerful soul skill attacks at once, he was struggling to hold on.

In the end, Yu Tianheng ran out of Soul Power and collapsed from exhaustion.

Seeing this, the referee immediately announced, "In the second match of the eighth round of the preliminaries, the Shrek Academy Team is victorious!"

After the match ended, Qin Ming patted the shoulders of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy Team members and began comforting his students.

"There is no need to compare yourselves to genius monsters like those from Shrek Academy. You only need to remember that you are already the strongest among those of the same rank. Pull yourselves together and prepare well for the matches ahead."

Everyone nodded and returned to Heaven Dou Royal Academy, where they began cultivating even more diligently.

Afterward, Qin Ming went alone to the Shrek Academy Team's resting area.

When Dai Mubai saw that the visitor was Qin Ming, he immediately asked, "Are you the team leader from the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy Team? What do you want with us?"

To everyone's astonishment, Qin Ming respectfully bowed to Flender.

Zhao Wuji smiled and explained Qin Ming's true identity to everyone, and only then did they understand.

Oscar immediately saluted Qin Ming. "Hello, Senior."

Qin Ming nodded slightly. "Hello, juniors."

He then said to Flender, "It has been many years since we last met. To repay the academy and my teachers for their guidance, why don't we all go to a hotel for a meal? It'll be my treat."

The corners of Flender's mouth lifted. "Not a bad suggestion. We can also talk about our experiences over the years and catch up."

Zhao Wuji laughed. "You're still the thoughtful one, Xiao Ming. You know to show us some filial respect."

Liu Erlong patted Flender on the shoulder. "Boss Flender, I never expected you to have such an outstanding student. That truly is gratifying."

Flender proudly raised his head and straightened his bow tie. "Of course. Who do you think I am?"

Thus, everyone went to the hotel together, savoring the food while chatting and laughing merrily.

At that moment, Huo Yuhao's gaze suddenly sharpened as he looked toward a private room across from them on the second floor.

A handsome blond youth stood outside that room, looking toward the people beside Huo Yuhao.

Huo Yuhao recognized the blond youth as Xue Qinghe. He noticed that Xue Qinghe's gaze was fixed on Hu Liena.

Tang Wulin also looked toward Xue Qinghe. "This Qian Renxue should be cultivating properly in Spirit Hall, yet she came out to waste time meddling in politics. She truly has her priorities backward. No wonder she ultimately lost to Father."

The corners of Huo Yuhao's mouth rose. "Come on. Let's go meet her."

Seeing Huo Yuhao and Tang Wulin preparing to leave, Hu Liena immediately asked in confusion, "Master, where are you two going?"

Huo Yuhao replied, "Keep eating. Wulin and I are going to make a new friend."

Xie Yue smiled helplessly. "Master really is busy with all sorts of business."

Ma Hongjun asked, "Should we go over and take a look too?"

Dai Mubai raised a brow. "It's someone else's private business. Stop sticking your nose where it doesn't belong."

Hu Liena nodded in agreement. "Exactly. Don't you know there are risks to gossiping, and one should be cautious when watching the spectacle? Besides, if you get discovered, you might end up getting beaten."

Ma Hongjun immediately took a bite out of a chicken leg to calm himself down. "That makes sense. I'd better eat first."

Xue Qinghe withdrew his gaze from Hu Liena and turned to the two approaching him.

"May I ask what business you two have with me?"

Huo Yuhao smiled. "It's nothing major. I was merely curious because I saw you staring at my disciple."

Xue Qinghe invited Huo Yuhao and Tang Wulin into his private room and poured each of them a cup of tea.

"I saw that your disciple possessed such strength at such a young age, and I could not help but admire her. That is why I looked at her a few more times."

Tang Wulin raised a brow, his tone pausing slightly. "But from the way you looked just now, there seemed to be a trace of... killing intent in your eyes."

Xue Qinghe explained, "It seems the two of you have misunderstood. I was merely eager to recruit your disciple into the royal family so she could serve Heaven Dou."

Huo Yuhao lightly waved the folding fan in his hand. A sharp light flashed in his ice-blue eyes, causing Xue Qinghe to lower his head slightly without realizing it.

"Do you think personal cultivation is more important, or participating in politics?"

Without hesitation, Xue Qinghe answered, "Naturally, participating in politics is more important. One can serve the country and gain power as well."

Tang Wulin fiddled with his teacup and shook his head. "You value Hu Liena's strength. That alone proves that personal cultivation is more important."

Huo Yuhao sighed. "So your goal is merely to unify Douluo Continent. Do you think that with your current strength, you can successfully unify Douluo Continent through politics?"

Xue Qinghe said confidently, "Of course. I believe I have the ability."

A smile curled across Huo Yuhao's lips. "Then how about we make a bet? If you truly manage to unify Douluo Continent through politics, I will have Hu Liena serve you, and the two of us will also follow your commands."

He raised a brow and continued, "But if you fail, then you must obey all of my arrangements."

Tang Wulin added, "By then, your cultivation speed and strength will certainly advance by leaps and bounds under our guidance. Hu Liena's strength is the best proof."

During the Heaven Dou Palace Coup, I'll have Spirit Hall helping me. When the time comes, I will definitely succeed...

With that thought, Xue Qinghe finally nodded and accepted the wager.

"But why do you want to help me cultivate?"

Faced with Xue Qinghe's question, Huo Yuhao merely smiled calmly. "Only to prove to you that strength is more important."

Xue Qinghe raised a brow slightly. "It's that simple?"

Huo Yuhao nodded faintly. "Mm..."

Xue Qinghe finally handed a token to Huo Yuhao. "If you need to find me, simply present this token at the palace."

After taking the token, Huo Yuhao left Xue Qinghe's private room with Tang Wulin. The two immediately returned to the others from Shrek Academy.

That night, everyone returned to Shrek Academy to rest.

Flender suddenly knocked on the door to Huo Yuhao and Tang Wulin's room.