Provocation at Heaven Dou Royal Academy

Dugu Yan's emerald eyes flickered at those words. She said nothing, merely edged half a step closer to Fang Fan.

Zhu Zhuqing took it all in and shook her head inwardly:

Ning Rongrong came from Heaven Dou City to Suotuo City, and now that she's back, she's run into my husband again. She just won't leave him alone. And the way Dugu Yan looks at him isn't right either.

It's all my husband's fault for attracting so much attention.

Fang Fan's expression remained unchanged. He nodded. "All right. Let's look around together."

Across the street, Yu Tianheng watched it all, his face growing darker.

Not only was Dugu Yan standing beside that young man, she had not even glanced his way, as though he did not exist.

And that young man was surrounded by three beautiful girls, each with her own charm: the cool, stunning Zhu Zhuqing; the petite, lively Ning Rongrong; and Dugu Yan, the girl he could not stop thinking about.

He gritted his teeth.

"Tian Heng, what are you doing here?" a mature woman's voice asked behind him.

Yu Tianheng turned. It was his aunt, Liu Erlong.

Liu Erlong wore a fiery red dress that hugged her voluptuous figure. Her long hair cascaded down her back, and her features held a touch of boldness and wildness.

She followed Yu Tianheng's gaze to the group across the street. Her pupils suddenly contracted.

"What kind of day is this? Poison Douluo and Sword Douluo, both here at once."

Liu Erlong murmured under her breath, her gaze shifting between Chen Xin and Dugu Bo with a hint of concern.

Then her eyes fell on Fang Fan. Seeing Dugu Yan beside him, she immediately understood why her nephew looked so jealous.

"The Little Goose you like seems awfully interested in that young man in white."

Liu Erlong folded her arms and said it without mercy.

Yu Tianheng's face stiffened. He clenched his fists but said nothing, swallowing his frustration:

"..."

"What good does hiding here do?"

Liu Erlong grabbed his arm, exasperation flashing in her eyes.

"You're the future heir of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, with the world's greatest Beast Martial Soul. I don't recognize that young man. He doesn't look like he's from the Heaven Dou Empire. What are you afraid of?"

Yu Tianheng stopped short, his resolve wavering.

Liu Erlong went on:

"Come with me. Walk over there openly and greet them. Find out who that kid is. If you're going to compete, do it fair and square. The more you hide, the less Little Goose will think of you."

She paused, lifted her chin, and glanced at Fang Fan.

"Besides, that young man has so many beautiful girls around him. Does Dugu Yan really want to share him with them? You've got a good chance."

She patted Yu Tianheng's shoulder, her tone certain:

"Girls like strong, handsome boys.

"Just beat him and show Little Goose what you can do. She'll fall for you.

"You can't stand here and disgrace the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."

Yu Tianheng took a deep breath and nodded firmly.

He straightened his clothes and squared his shoulders. Fighting spirit rekindled in his eyes as he strode across the street.

Liu Erlong followed, a faint smile on her red lips as she studied the young man in white with interest.

Even Poison Douluo treats him politely. Let's see who he really is.

As they approached, Liu Erlong gave Yu Tianheng a look. "Say hello to Little Goose."

Yu Tianheng waved to Dugu Yan. "Little Goose! What a coincidence!"

"What are you doing here?" Dugu Yan frowned. What kind of day is this? That woman with Yu Tianheng seems close to him.

"I just ran into my aunt. I didn't expect to see you and Senior Poison Douluo here too!"

Yu Tianheng greeted them, then turned to greet Sword Douluo and Ning Rongrong.

At Yu Tianheng's words, impatience flashed in Dugu Yan's emerald eyes.

She turned slightly toward Fang Fan, her voice softening without her realizing it.

"This is Yu Tianheng, a direct descendant of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and a student at Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

Then she turned back to Yu Tianheng, her voice returning to its usual coolness.

"These are my friends, Fang Fan and Zhu Zhuqing."

She pressed her lips together after that, with no intention of elaborating.

If Yu Tianheng had not already walked up to them, she would not have bothered saying even that much.

She had finally encountered His Highness the Holy Son today and only wanted to spend more time with him beside her grandfather. Yet Yu Tianheng had to come barging in.

Ning Rongrong stood nearby, her bright eyes darting between Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, and Fang Fan. A smile slowly spread across her lips as she waited for the show.

Yu Tianheng of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was a renowned talent at Heaven Dou Royal Academy. His feelings for Dugu Yan were nothing new.

Seeing how Dugu Yan treated Fang Fan now must have had jealousy bubbling up inside him.

What did that make this?

A five- or six-way love tangle?

Too bad. With Zhu Zhuqing here, none of you stands a chance.

But really, who is Fang Fan?

She had asked her sect to investigate him, yet even the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's intelligence network, which spanned the continent, had found almost nothing. They had only learned that he had appeared in Suotuo City. Beyond that, his past was a blank.

It was rare to find someone even Sword Grandpa could not see through.

"I was going to ask Little Goose to train at the academy grounds with me. We need to prepare for our training at the Suotuo City Soul Fighting Arena in a few months."

Yu Tianheng walked up beside Dugu Yan, doing his best to sound natural.

Behind him, Liu Erlong folded her arms and studied Fang Fan with open curiosity and a scrutinizing gaze.

"I'm busy today. Grandpa and I are showing our friends around Heaven Dou City. Go train without me."

Dugu Yan refused outright, without even bothering to make a polite excuse.

Yu Tianheng's smile stiffened slightly, but he quickly recovered.

He looked at Fang Fan and put on a seemingly friendly smile.

"Why not bring your friend to Heaven Dou Royal Academy for a look? Once we're done, we can train."

He paused, then added:

"We could also have a friendly spar with your friend. Learn from each other."

His smile was polite, but Fang Fan saw the hostility in his eyes at once.

Learn from each other? He just wants me on his home ground so he can crush me with a proper excuse.

Lure me into the royal academy, where he has his classmates and teachers all around him. Win or lose, he can't lose face.

Fang Fan found it amusing, though his expression gave nothing away.

Dugu Yan frowned and was about to refuse for him when Fang Fan raised a hand slightly.

"We can take a look," Fang Fan said calmly.

Everyone present paused in surprise.

Dugu Yan looked at Fang Fan, concern flashing in her emerald eyes.

Zhu Zhuqing's expression did not change, though the corners of her mouth lifted almost imperceptibly—

My husband is going to have some fun.

Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up. There was another show to watch.

Yu Tianheng was taken aback too. He had not expected the young man to agree so readily.

Then he smiled.

"Good. This way, please."

His tone was courteous, but he was already planning how to make Fang Fan embarrass himself in front of Dugu Yan once they reached the academy.

Liu Erlong narrowed her eyes and gave Fang Fan another look.

He agreed too quickly. Either he really has the confidence, or he has no idea...

Still, with Poison Douluo beside him, he must have something to rely on.