Will Xue Ye Have Qian Renxue Take a Master?

"Tomorrow, I'll go with you. Let's practice with the spear first."

As Lu Yuan spoke, he summoned his martial soul, and a Sky-Propelling Spear appeared in his palm.

Upon obtaining his third soul skill, Sky-Propelling Gold-Rending Thorn, he had also unlocked the third style of the Sky-Propelling Nine Styles.

Sky-Propelling: Sea Suppression.

This spear technique essentially strengthened the Flight-Ban Domain inherent to his martial soul.

Centered on the spear, it unleashed spatial shockwaves that suppressed all enemies within range from taking flight.

At the same time, it dealt damage to enemies within the area and briefly immobilized those on the ground.

"No problem."

A Golden Dragon Spear likewise appeared in Tang Wutong's hand.

The two arrived at an open clearing in the forest.

There was no one around.

Seeing that she had no intention of attacking first, Lu Yuan tightened his grip on the Sky-Propelling Spear. His figure flashed, and the long spear shot forward.

Tang Wutong's gaze sharpened as she raised the Golden Dragon Spear horizontally to block it. "Clang!"

The two long spears collided, and the piercing sound echoed across the clearing.

Tang Wutong twisted her wrist, knocking the Sky-Propelling Spear aside with an upward sweep of her Golden Dragon Spear. Then she swung it horizontally at Lu Yuan's waist.

Lu Yuan slid several steps backward. The Sky-Propelling Spear came crashing down, deflecting the blow. He then turned his wrist and thrust the spear upward at her wrist.

"Oh? Master, you've improved quickly."

A trace of surprise flashed through Tang Wutong's eyes as she leaped into the air.

Lu Yuan's gaze narrowed. He retreated rapidly, gripped the Sky-Propelling Spear with both hands, and drove its tip into the ground.

In an instant, ripples spread through the surrounding space. The earth churned, and surging shockwaves swept in all directions.

An invisible suppressive force descended from every direction, pressing down upon Tang Wutong.

Her brows rose slightly as she softly said, "This feels rather interesting."

She did not resist, allowing the suppressive force to forcibly drag her back to the ground.

The two exchanged blows once more.

A cool breeze passed through the woods, sending fallen leaves swirling through the air.

The two long spears crashed together.

They sparred for half an hour before finally stopping to rest back-to-back.

Neither of them had used soul power, and Tang Wutong had even held back her strength while sparring with him.

Lu Yuan gained a great deal from this exchange.

He felt that his combat experience had improved considerably.

Lu Yuan already possessed Yun Ming's talent, and with a top-tier expert feeding him moves, his progress was rapid.

Tang Wutong said, "Master, that move you used to forcibly drag me down just now would be nearly impossible to resist for soul masters below Soul Emperor rank."

Lu Yuan's eyes lit up, and delight appeared on his face. "The effect of Sky-Propelling: Sea Suppression is quite good."

"If it can forcibly drag down soul masters below Soul Emperor rank, then it can also briefly immobilize them in place."

"Once I master this move, I should be able to drag down even Soul Emperors."

After giving it some thought, Tang Wutong analyzed, "It can be done, but the immobilization duration seems rather short. It is only suitable for a surprise attack; you cannot rely on this move to trap enemies for long."

"You're right."

Lu Yuan smiled faintly. "Having you spar with me has benefited me greatly. I'll go back to cultivate first. You should head back early too."

"Of course, if you want somewhere to cultivate, you're welcome to come to my room."

Tang Wutong chuckled. "Since Master has invited me, naturally I won't refuse."

Joy appeared on Lu Yuan's face. Taking Tang Wutong's delicate hand, he turned and headed for the room. "Perfect, then. Let's go back and cultivate together. You have to make good use of your time and strive to break through to level 98 soon."

"Then break through to level 99. By then, in theory, no one on the entire continent should be your match."

"When that time comes, I'll be clinging tightly to you."

Tang Wutong blinked, an amused smile curling her lips. Tilting her head, she asked, "Including Master?"

Lu Yuan coughed lightly. "Everyone except me. But you'll definitely reach level 99 faster than I will, right?"

"Still, once I break through to level 99, you definitely won't be my match."

The next day.

The sun was setting.

Outside Grand Mansion Academy stood a luxurious carriage bearing a swan insignia.

"I didn't expect Xue Ye to send a carriage specifically for us. It seems he really values this meeting."

Lu Yuan and Tang Wutong walked out through the academy gates together and immediately spotted the conspicuous carriage.

The curtain of the luxurious carriage suddenly lifted, and a refined young man stepped out from within.

Seeing Lu Yuan and Tang Wutong emerge from the academy, he hurried forward to greet them.

"Are you the headmaster of Grand Mansion Academy, Your Excellency?" The youth gave a slight bow and humbly said, "I am Xue Qinghe, Crown Prince of Heaven Dou."

"Greetings, Your Highness. I am Tang Wutong."

Tang Wutong slightly bowed in return.

"So you are Headmaster Tang. May I ask who this little brother beside you is?"

Xue Qinghe, who was Qian Renxue, turned her gaze toward Lu Yuan beside her, and her eyes brightened.

She had never seen such a handsome young boy.

"This is my personal disciple, Lu Yuan." Tang Wutong raised a hand in introduction.

"Lu Yuan greets Your Highness."

Lu Yuan's expression remained calm as he clasped his hands in salute.

"There is no need for such formality, little brother. Since Headmaster Tang has brought you with her, it is clear that she thinks highly of you."

Qian Renxue smiled before looking at them both. "Please, board the carriage with me. Headmaster Tang, Father has been looking forward to meeting you."

The two followed Qian Renxue onto the luxurious carriage.

The carriage was quite spacious, enough to hold seven or eight people. With only three riding in it, it was not crowded.

Before long, the three arrived at the imperial palace.

Qian Renxue led the way ahead, bringing them to the throne hall where Xue Ye was waiting.

When Xue Ye saw his "son" enter with a man and a woman, he studied them for a moment before looking toward the woman and asking,

"Are you the headmaster of Grand Mansion Academy, Your Excellency? I never expected that not only are you a Titled Douluo in strength, but your beauty is also heavenly. You truly possess peerless grace."

"Your Majesty flatters me." Tang Wutong replied with clasped hands.

Xue Ye smiled warmly and gestured with a raised hand. "There is no need for ceremony, Your Excellency. Please, take a seat."

Tang Wutong took Lu Yuan's hand and sat down in an empty seat to one side.

"Your Excellency, I heard that you have taken over Blue Tyrant Academy. May I ask what your intentions are in doing so?" Sitting upright upon his throne, Xue Ye could not help but ask.

Tang Wutong said, "I merely wished to establish a foothold in Heaven Dou City. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was also generous enough to hand Blue Tyrant Academy over to me."

She paused, giving Xue Ye some reassurance. "Your Majesty need not worry. We have no intention of following Spirit Hall's example and coveting Heaven Dou's power and interests."

Having received the answer he wanted, Xue Ye secretly sighed in relief. Full of expectation, he asked, "Would Your Excellency be willing to serve the Heaven Dou Empire?"

"I am willing to appoint you as a royal consecrated official, second in status only to myself. All resources of the royal family may be freely mobilized by Your Excellency."

Tang Wutong shook her head. "Thank you for Your Majesty's kindness, but my ambitions do not lie there. I have no intention of becoming a consecrated official."

"However, should the Heaven Dou Empire face danger, I will lend my aid within the limits of my ability."

"Alas..." Xue Ye sighed inwardly, somewhat disappointed, but he was still unwilling to give up. He turned toward Xue Qinghe, and an idea suddenly came to him.

"Since Your Excellency's ambitions do not lie there, I will not force you."

Xue Ye paused, then probed, "My son Qinghe is the crown prince of the Heaven Dou Empire. Would Your Excellency be willing to accept him as your disciple?"

Xue Qinghe had already taken Ning Fengzhi as his master in his early years, but there was no rule stating that a crown prince could only have one master.

Emperor Xue Ye still harbored concerns about Tang Wutong. Since taking a master could also indirectly bind Tang Wutong to them, for the stability of imperial power, he planned to have his "son" take her as his master as well.

Having Qian Renxue take Tang Wutong as her master? What kind of ridiculous move was that?

After hearing Xue Ye's words, Lu Yuan froze slightly, inwardly dumbfounded.