An Invitation from Prince Xue Xing: Two Choices for the Banquet and the First Move Toward the Immortal Herbs

At the sound of the gavel, delight flashed in Tuoba Xi's eyes. He smiled at Yin Changqing.

"Good!

We got both the Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Rubber and the twenty-thousand-year Golden Earth Dragon King Right Arm Bone!"

Yin Changqing smiled faintly in reply.

"Congratulations, Grandfather. With this Spirit Bone, your strength is sure to reach another level."

Tuoba Xi nodded.

"That Old Poison knew when to back down. He didn't fight me to the bitter end.

If we'd caused a scene in Heaven Dou City, it would have been troublesome."

"Dugu Bo is a clever man. He doesn't fight over what he can't have."

Yin Changqing sipped his tea. A sharp glint crossed his eyes as he lowered his voice.

"But Grandfather, Dugu Bo may be a reclusive Poison Douluo, but he's exceptionally skilled with poisons and medicine. He must have some remarkable medicinal herbs.

If the chance comes, we could try to win him over—or get something useful out of him."

Tuoba Xi paused, then gave Yin Changqing's shoulder an approving pat.

"You've got your eye on the long game, boy.

Fine, we'll do it your way!

Come on. Once we collect our purchases, we'll return to the Sect!"

The two completed the handover.

Tuoba Xi gave Yin Changqing the Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Rubber and kept the twenty-thousand-year Golden Earth Dragon King Right Arm Bone for himself.

At the end of the auction house's VIP passage, Tuoba Xi had just placed the brocade box containing the Spirit Bone into his Storage Soul Tool when a middle-aged man dressed as a Prince Xue Xing's Mansion Attendant hurried over and bowed, presenting a Gilded Invitation.

"Sect Master of the Holy Dragon Sect, my master, Prince Xue Xing, heard that you and your young master had arrived in Heaven Dou City. He has prepared a modest banquet and invites you both to his mansion for a conversation."

The attendant bowed low as he spoke respectfully.

"His Highness has also invited Poison Douluo Dugu Bo and Miss Dugu Yan. He hopes to host you all for tea, so that a small matter at the auction won't spoil your relations."

Tuoba Xi raised an eyebrow. After glancing at the invitation, he turned to Yin Changqing and murmured,

"Prince Xue Xing? That old fox usually stays out of other people's disputes. Today he's taken it upon himself to play peacemaker."

Yin Changqing took the invitation and glanced over it. He understood at once.

On the surface, Prince Xue Xing was mediating. In truth, he probably wanted to gauge the relationship between the Holy Dragon Sect and Dugu Bo, two Titled Douluo, and leave himself another option in the struggle between the princes.

Xue Beng, whom Xue Xing supported, and Qian Renxue Disguised as Xue Qinghe were already competing on every front for the future Imperial Throne.

Though Xue Xing had Dugu Bo as a guest elder, Dugu Bo might not be willing to join that struggle for his sake.

Qian Renxue, meanwhile, had her teacher Ning Fengzhi and the backing of the fabulously wealthy Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

And the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had two Hyper Douluo, Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo!

If Xue Xing could secure the Holy Dragon Sect's support, he could make up for that weakness.

Yin Changqing was about to answer when the familiar mechanical voice sounded in his mind again.

[Ding! The host is about to enter Heaven Dou City's political social circle. Preliminary choices for the "Prince's Mansion Banquet" have been triggered!]

[Prince Xue Xing is hosting a banquet to smooth things over. Dugu Bo, Dugu Yan, and several mid-ranking nobles of Heaven Dou City will be in attendance.

Choose two of the following four options as your strategy for tonight's banquet:]

[Option One: Keep a Low Profile]

Effect: Remain discreet throughout the banquet. Let your grandfather, Tuoba Xi, handle all socializing while you sit quietly as his junior. Do not reveal your strength or speak unless addressed.

Lead Prince Xue Xing and Dugu Bo to believe the Holy Dragon Sect's younger generation "still needs polishing," reducing outside attention and wariness toward Yin Changqing.

Cost: You will struggle to make a personal impression on Dugu Bo in the short term and will need to break the ice again when you next approach Poison Douluo.

[Option Two: Let the Dragon Meet the Poison]

Effect: Strike up a conversation with Dugu Yan during the banquet. Use the Light Saint Dragon's natural ability to counter poisons as an opening to casually probe Dugu Bo's and Dugu Yan's expertise with poison and their stores of medicinal herbs. Hint at the Holy Dragon Sect's strong interest in rare herbs.

Cost: Dugu Bo may see this as a calculated approach with an ulterior motive. You risk making him wary or even driving him away.

[Option Three: Make Your Move Second]

Effect: Do not initiate conversation. If Dugu Bo or Prince Xue Xing questions or tests you, use your true cultivation as a "Twelve-Year-Old Level 42 Soul Ancestor" to turn the questions back on them and keep control of the conversation.

Cost: If Prince Xue Xing never questions you, the entire banquet will yield nothing, wasting a chance to make contact.

[Option Four: Extend an Offer from the Sect]

Effect: As the Holy Dragon Sect's young master, take the initiative to toast Dugu Bo during the banquet. Open by saying,

"Today's contest at the auction was simply a matter of each side seeking what it needed. If an opportunity arises to cooperate over medicinal herbs or poisons, the Holy Dragon Sect would be willing to trade with Mr. Dugu on equal terms,"

and signal directly that you wish to build good relations with Dugu Bo.

Cost: Prince Xue Xing may conclude that the Holy Dragon Sect and Dugu Bo have formed a secret alliance and begin to doubt the Sect's "neutral" stance.

Yin Changqing lowered his eyes and rubbed the invitation between his fingertips.

Option one was too timid. He hadn't come to Heaven Dou City to be invisible.

Option three was too much of a gamble. Leaving the initiative to someone else wasn't his style.

Option two carried considerable risk, but it would let him probe the Dugu Family's stores of medicinal herbs and prepare for his plan to obtain the Immortal Herbs at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

Option four would make his overture in one move, though it would also draw extra scrutiny from Prince Xue Xing.

System, Yin Changqing said inwardly.

I choose options two and four.

He would shoulder both risks and claim both rewards.

He could probe Dugu Bo's supply of medicinal herbs while extending an offer of cooperation. Even if Prince Xue Xing grew suspicious, it would merely give him one more thing to consider.

[Selection successful!

The host has acquired the "Probe for Medicinal Herbs" and "Extend an Offer to Poison Douluo" strategies.

During the banquet, Dugu Bo's initial wariness increases by 10, but the chance of triggering future cooperation rises by 20%.]

The notification faded.

Yin Changqing gathered his thoughts and looked up at the attendant, who was still waiting for an answer. Smiling, he turned to Tuoba Xi.

"Grandfather, we can hardly refuse His Highness's generous invitation. Besides, it's a chance to taste the food and wine at a prince's mansion in Heaven Dou City."

Seeing Yin Changqing's calm expression, Tuoba Xi knew the boy had a plan. He laughed heartily.

"Well said.

Tell His Highness that Changqing and I will be there on time."

The attendant bowed and withdrew.

Only then did Tuoba Xi lean closer and ask in a low voice,

"Changqing, you have a plan?"

"I do."

Yin Changqing tucked the invitation into his robe.

"Grandfather, just enjoy the food and wine tonight. Leave Dugu Bo to me."

Night fell, and Prince Xue Xing's Mansion blazed with light.

In the spacious, lavish banquet hall, Prince Xue Xing sat at the head of the table. Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan sat to his left, while Tuoba Xi and Yin Changqing sat to his right.

After several rounds of drinks, Prince Xue Xing raised his cup and broke the silence with a smile.

"Sect Master Tuoba, Mr. Dugu, I'm honored that you both accepted my invitation tonight.

The bidding at the auction was simply a contest of means. You are both Pillars of the Empire. Surely a single auction item is no reason to damage your relations."