New Student Registration at Teyvat Academy

Xue Beng's pupils contracted sharply. So furious he laughed, he said, "What a sharp tongue. Do you know the crime of defying the Crown Prince in the Heaven Dou Empire?"

He strode forward, waves of Soul Power spreading from him like a Ferocious Beast fresh from its cage, fangs bared.

"I don't care who you are or who stands behind you. Today, either you come down, kneel, and admit your mistake, or I'll ask Senior Dugu Bo to 'invite' you down."

He glanced to the side. Dugu Bo frowned slightly and opened his mouth, but said nothing.

By the second-floor window, Sandrone had already pressed a hand to the table's edge, a fervent light flickering in her eyes.

Su Yun rested a hand on her shoulder, his tone as casual as if discussing the weather. "Your Highness, I'd advise you to take that back."

He paused. His smile remained, but his eyes turned cold for an instant.

"The last person who said that to me has grass six feet tall on his grave."

Xue Beng's face stiffened. Before he could retort, Su Yun added, "Don't worry, though. I won't kill you. You've only just become Crown Prince, and I want to see how many days you can keep acting so arrogant."

With that, he turned and sat back down, lifting his teacup as though the conversation were over.

Xue Beng stood in the middle of the street, his face dark as water and his fists clenched until his knuckles whitened.

After a long moment, he forced a sentence through gritted teeth. "Fine... Very fine."

The three attendants hanging from the streetlamps did not even dare breathe loudly.

The mounted party slowly withdrew. Their horses' hooves still struck a heavy beat, but the swagger of their arrival had given way to smoldering malice.

Zhongli set down his teacup, the corners of his mouth lifting.

"Young friend, the contract has yet to be made, but you've already made an enemy."

Su Yun waved a hand, utterly unconcerned. "Don't worry. Once I've made enough enemies, they won't dare become new ones."

Besides, once the rankings came out, they would be begging him to make peace.

Su Yun was the sort to side with his own people, right or wrong. Even when I'm in the wrong, I'll stir up trouble—much less when I'm in the right!

Below, Xue Beng dismounted and bowed deeply to Dugu Bo.

"Poison Consecrator, please take action!"

Xue Beng had called him Poison Consecrator, not Senior Dugu Bo. He was ordering Dugu Bo to act in his capacity as the Heaven Dou Crown Prince.

Dugu Bo looked displeased. He was a Titled Douluo, after all. He had only become one of Heaven Dou's consecrators because Xue Xing had saved his life.

Since when does a junior like you get to order me around?

But thinking of the Heaven Dou Empire, he strongly suspected Sea God Island ranked so low on the Faction Rankings because empires counted as factions too.

With that thought, Dugu Bo had no choice but to act.

"Brat!"

Before he could say another word, Dugu Bo suddenly found himself unable to move.

It was as though he stood in the presence of some great terror.

Meeting Su Yun's contemptuous gaze, Dugu Bo swallowed.

Fuck, this has to be some old monster in disguise!

Damn it, how many peerless experts is the Douluo Continent hiding?

Weren't there supposed to be no more than twenty Titled Douluo?

Why does it feel like gods are everywhere now?

Xue Beng, who had been looking pleased with himself, heard Dugu Bo fall silent and turned back in confusion.

"Poison Consecrator, go on?"

Dugu Bo did not even have the strength to curse. In his heart, he cursed Xue Beng a thousand times over.

What kind of monster did you have to provoke, you bastard?

Suddenly, the pressure on his mouth eased. Was he being allowed to speak?

"Senior! Senior, I was only passing by!"

Dugu Bo's words left not only Xue Beng dumbfounded, but the diners in Wanmin Restaurant as well.

They had thought disaster was about to strike out of nowhere, only to learn that Wanmin Restaurant's backer was even more formidable than Dugu Bo, a Heaven Dou consecrator.

On the second floor, Dugu Yan felt her cheeks burn.

Especially when she met her companions' teasing looks.

How embarrassing. This is too embarrassing...

Su Yun released Dugu Bo from his restraints.

He had always believed in taking a grievance to the person responsible.

"And you, Crown Prince—do you have anyone else to back you up? Or... do you still want me to kneel and admit my mistake?"

Xue Beng met Su Yun's half-smiling gaze.

"You... you... I'm the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire!"

Desperate to save face, Xue Beng tried to use the Heaven Dou Imperial Family's authority to get himself out of trouble.

Su Yun nodded indifferently. "And? That title means nothing to me."

As he spoke, Su Yun narrowed his eyes. Killing intent swept across Xue Beng's cheek like the edge of a knife.

A thin red line appeared on Xue Beng's face. Blood slowly welled along it, then dripped down...

Xue Beng felt a chill run through his body, followed by an itch on his cheek...

He raised a hand and touched it.

"Blood!"

If that strike had been aimed anywhere other than his cheek, he would probably be dead already.

The young man before him truly dared to kill him!

Once Xue Beng realized Su Yun genuinely did not care whether he was the Heaven Dou Crown Prince, his courage deserted him entirely.

His legs buckled, and he dropped to his knees.

"Senior... please show mercy. I... I'm the Heaven Dou Crown Prince. My subordinates were at fault. I'm willing to compensate you."

He had no choice but to back down. The other side held all the power.

Even Dugu Bo had been rendered helpless.

As for the Crown Prince's dignity? Sorry, staying alive mattered more.

He was now the Heaven Dou Empire's sole heir. Surely his imperial father would understand.

Su Yun had intended to mention Teyvat Academy, but looking at Xue Beng, he doubted the man would ever want anything to do with them again.

"Take those three and get lost."

Freed from the Elemental Power restraining them, the three hanging from the streetlamps fell straight to the ground.

Xue Beng hurriedly ordered his guards to carry them back.

They had arrived full of swagger and left with their tails between their legs. Many commoners sighed at the sight. Was this their future emperor?

Dugu Bo had wanted to leave too, but then he sensed that Dugu Yan was there...

And she was not far from that fiend.

He could only steel himself and go upstairs.

Upon reaching the second floor, he immediately cupped his fists and bowed to Su Yun.

"Senior, this was all my fault. My granddaughter is innocent. Please..."

Su Yun raised a hand to cut him off. By his estimate, the rankings had reached the top six; it would be their turn in another two days.

"Registration for new students at Teyvat Academy begins in a week. You know what I mean, don't you?"

Su Yun's meaning was perfectly clear. Dugu Bo could only nod.

As for Heaven Dou Royal Academy? Sorry, he had no ties to it.

Before absolute strength, it meant nothing.

"I understand, I understand. Then, Senior, my granddaughter..."

"She's just a diner. She has nothing to do with us."

With that, Su Yun rose and headed out with Sandrone and Columbina.

Only Zhongli and Xue Ke remained where they were.

Not until Su Yun had disappeared down the stairs did everyone finally breathe a sigh of relief.

The pressure he gave off had been overwhelming.

It was as though a god had walked among them.

Dugu Yan immediately grew curious about Su Yun. Why would a senior pretend to be a young man?

Could the two girls beside him be old monsters too?

A few minutes later, once she was sure he was gone, Dugu Yan leaned toward Xue Ke and asked,

"Xue Ke, Xue Ke, who was that just now?"

Xue Ke was still wondering how to ask Zhongli where Teyvat Academy was. Interrupted by Dugu Yan, she looked at her blankly and said,

"Huh? Who?"