"Ahem! That's a secret."
Xu Tianyuan chose to conceal the existence of the Pride Sin Template.
Because that was how a true master of lying low operated!
"Thanks."
Xu Tianyuan stood on no ceremony. He reached out and accepted the two Level 7 Soul Tools, barely able to suppress his smile, the corners of his mouth practically stretching to his ears.
Whatever happened, he now had two more trump cards to save his life.
Even if he never needed them, Level 7 Soul Tools fetched a high market price. Selling either one would let him live it up for quite a while.
Then he could buy double portions of soy milk and fried dough sticks, order two meals at the cafeteria, and eat one bowl of breakfast while pouring the other away. Now that was extravagance.
"Ah!"
Luan Feng let out another heavy sigh.
Her voice carried an indescribable ache.
"Never mind. Since it's a secret, I won't ask."
"Tianyuan, you must have swallowed a lot of anger over the years. I'd love to help you get revenge, but please understand that my position is rather sensitive."
She raised a hand as though to pat Xu Tianyuan's head, then lowered it halfway.
"From now on, the most I can do is publicly express my support for you. I can't personally help you teach Xu Tianran a lesson."
Luan Feng's eyes were filled with helplessness.
Perhaps worried that Xu Tianyuan wouldn't understand, she immediately explained further.
"No matter what, Xu Tianran is still the crown prince on paper, while I'm only an honored protector. Killing him would be no different from betraying the country, and I'd face endless pursuit."
"Besides, Xu Tianran also has Titled Douluos at his side."
"Neither brute force nor underhanded methods are realistic."
Luan Feng's expression grew solemn again.
She bent down slightly, looked into Xu Tianyuan's eyes, and spoke each word distinctly.
"So if you want revenge, you'll have to rely on yourself. That's also the most satisfying way."
"I can only offer you limited help."
"The Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy is a good place. Work hard from now on, and you'll definitely become a Titled Douluo."
"When the time comes, the court ministers will have to choose between a crown prince with crippled legs who can't perform as a man and a prince like you, healthy and strong enough. Unless there's something wrong with their heads, they'll all choose to put you on the throne."
"Once you become emperor, won't Xu Tianran be yours to handle however you please?"
Luan Feng delivered these words with painstaking earnestness.
She hoped Xu Tianyuan wouldn't become reckless just because she was backing him and go head-to-head with Xu Tianran.
She had never married and had no descendants. In a sense, Xu Tianyuan was her only family.
Warmth filled Xu Tianyuan's heart as he listened.
Honestly, in the sixteen years since he had transmigrated, this was the first time anyone had poured their heart into planning his future.
His eyes darted about, and his smile grew even brighter.
"Yes, yes, yes! You're absolutely right, Aunt Feng!"
Xu Tianyuan knew what was good for him and immediately changed how he addressed her, calling her aunt at every turn. "But don't publicly declare that you're taking my side. Just put in a word with Jing Hongchen."
Luan Feng paused, not quite understanding.
"Why?"
Xu Tianyuan gave her a mischievous grin.
"Ever since we were little, Xu Tianran has thought I was useless, and he still does. I just want to see him driven into a corner like a desperate dog, yet unable to finish me off."
"As long as I'm at the academy, no matter how badly he wants to kill me, he won't have the nerve."
"Aunt Feng, all you need to do is let Jing Hongchen know I'm under your protection and make sure the teachers don't target me. I'll handle everything else myself."
Those calls of "aunt" left Luan Feng positively delighted.
Her face, which had still looked somewhat cold, could no longer maintain its composure. The corners of her mouth slowly rose into a classic doting aunt's smile.
She reached out and pinched Xu Tianyuan's cheek. Her grip wasn't gentle, but the gesture was full of affection.
"All right."
"The fact that you've endured and hidden your abilities for sixteen years proves you're definitely not reckless."
"We'll do as you say."
"I'll go have a chat with Jing Hongchen in a bit. Don't worry."
At this point, Luan Feng raised her hand and glanced at the mechanical watch on her wrist.
The watch was a soul tool unique to the Sun Moon Empire. Fine graduations were engraved on its face, and its two hands moved steadily.
She didn't have much time left.
She had slipped away from work to come here tonight in the first place.
A pile of matters awaited her back at the Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Corps. With their commanding officer absent, there was no telling what those hardened soldiers might get up to.
If someone reported her for abandoning her post, it wouldn't be a major problem, but it would still leave a stain on her reputation.
In any case, she had confirmed Xu Tianyuan's safety and learned that he had been hiding his abilities all along. There was no need for her to worry about him.
Naturally, she had to return and keep her image intact.
Luan Feng released him and stepped back, looking Xu Tianyuan up and down. The more she looked, the more pleased she became.
"Remember, find yourself a girlfriend soon, get married, and have children."
"I think Nana would be a good choice."
Before leaving, Luan Feng gave him another round of reminders. She radiated maternal affection, and her doting aunt's smile was practically overflowing.
The corner of Xu Tianyuan's mouth twitched again.
Aunt Feng, oh, Aunt Feng. Everything about you is great, except your judgment...
The Holy Spirit Cult stood behind Nana. That was a pool of muddy water. He couldn't get away from it fast enough, so why would he jump in?
But he couldn't openly refuse.
Luan Feng meant well. Rejecting her suggestion on the spot would be far too ungrateful.
"Got it, got it."
Xu Tianyuan could only offer a couple of insincere agreements, nodding like a chick pecking at grain.
Only then was Luan Feng satisfied.
She stayed no longer. With a flicker, she turned into a streak of fiery red light and vanished from the spot in an instant, without disturbing so much as a leaf.
Standing in the grove, Xu Tianyuan gazed at the spot where Luan Feng had disappeared, filled with emotion.
A Titled Douluo's speed really did defy reason.
He looked down at the Thousand-Jin Shield and the Swift-Speed Pendant in his hands, hefted them, and felt that little surge of smug satisfaction return.
Now things were looking good.
Originally, he had worried that someone would report him for beating up Xiao Hongchen.
After all, Xiao Hongchen was Jing Hongchen's own grandson. If the matter blew up, their dear academy director couldn't possibly pretend not to see it.
But things were different now. As long as Jing Hongchen knew he had someone backing him, and with the recording still in his hands, there wouldn't be any problems.
Want to talk reason, do you?
Sure. Play the recording.
Let's see who was shouting on camera that he absolutely wouldn't tell the teachers.
Thinking of the recording brightened Xu Tianyuan's mood further.
He had taken that precaution purely out of a transmigrator's professional habit.
Securing evidence before doing anything was a basic quality of a good twenty-first-century citizen.
"I'm so hungry."
Reflections aside, his stomach was still empty.
Xu Tianyuan rubbed his belly. Given his capacity, he figured he could fit another few jin of meat.
He immediately turned and headed back to the cafeteria.
By now, there were far fewer people inside.
Nana was still sitting in her original seat.
How could that sight be described? In one sentence: she looked as though she were sitting on needles, had thorns digging into her back, and a fishbone stuck in her throat.
The girl sat ramrod straight, hands on her knees, her gaze darting uncertainly. She looked left, then right, but never dared look straight ahead.
The plates on the table were arranged neatly, and not a single piece of soul beast meat had been touched.
She hadn't eaten at all.
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