Complete obedience

By the time Dai Mubai and Dugu Bo returned to Heaven Dou Imperial City from Sunset Forest, the various factions in the imperial city had already learned that Dai Mubai had paid Dugu Bo a visit.

They simply did not know Dai Mubai's identity.

Dugu Bo, the Heaven Dou Empire's only Titled Douluo, had caused far too great a stir by coming out to greet him in person, prompting the various factions to investigate.

"Your Highness, the youth Dugu Bo came out to greet in person has returned with him."

Inside the Crown Prince's Residence, a voice rang out from the darkness, reporting the latest intelligence to Crown Prince Xue Qinghe.

"Have you ascertained that youth's identity?"

Xue Qinghe's voice was utterly even, giving away no emotion.

"Well... not yet."

The voice rang out again.

"Find out who he is as soon as possible, and look for an opportunity to make contact."

Xue Qinghe, or rather, Qian Renxue, was not particularly concerned about this matter. She simply thought it might be an opportunity to get closer to Dugu Bo and win him over, further strengthening her control over the Heaven Dou Empire, so she intended to give it a try.

By contrast, Prince Xue Xing took the matter very seriously.

They had received word the very first time Dai Mubai entered Dugu Bo's Residence.

Although he did not know exactly who this person was, anyone connected to Dugu Bo deserved his attention.

He had even prepared gifts of sufficient value for the occasion, intending to pay a visit.

Unexpectedly, despite visiting several times, he had never managed to see Dugu Bo.

Now that he had learned of Dugu Bo's return, Prince Xue Xing immediately sprang into action.

"Bring out the gifts we prepared earlier. Once Jade Phosphorus Douluo has been back inside his residence for a little while, we'll pay him a visit."

Prince Xue Xing gave the order in a low voice, then sent his people to carry it out.

Meanwhile, Dai Mubai had already entered Dugu Bo's Residence.

"Your Highness, where have you been all this time?"

Sensing Dai Mubai's presence, Black Panther hurriedly appeared and pressed him for an answer.

He had been in a constant state of anxiety all this time.

He had feared that something might happen to Dai Mubai. If it did, he truly would not know how to account for it.

"A mere subordinate guard dares to question his master like this."

"There's no need for someone like that to exist."

At Black Panther's urgent questioning, Dugu Bo's expression immediately darkened, and his Soul Rings appeared an instant later.

His immense power concentrated into a single point and pressed directly down upon Black Panther. At the same time, Jade Phosphor Snake Poison invaded Black Panther's body.

Faced with a Titled Douluo suddenly attacking him, a mere Soul Douluo, Black Panther had no power to resist whatsoever.

The gulf between them was far, far too great.

"How could... I... I wasn't, I was just too worried..."

Black Panther wanted to defend himself, but he soon discovered that he could no longer even utter a complete sentence.

The suffocating sensation of death engulfed him completely.

He could clearly feel that he would lose his life in the very next instant.

"Senior, please let it go."

"He is one of my people, after all."

Dai Mubai knew that Dugu Bo had begun putting on an act.

Naturally, he had to play along at the appropriate moment.

Only after hearing Dai Mubai's words did Dugu Bo stop.

"Fine. I'll do you this favor just this once, brat."

As Dugu Bo spoke, he withdrew his Soul Rings along with the Jade Phosphor Snake Poison that had entered Black Panther's body.

"Protect this brat properly. If anything happens to him, I'll drag you out even if you hide inside the Star Luo Empire's imperial palace."

Before he finished, Dugu Bo even threatened Black Panther.

"Senior, since we've accomplished what we came here to do, we'll take our leave."

Noticing that someone was approaching Dugu Bo's Residence, Dai Mubai did not linger.

For the time being, he did not want to deal with these people.

"I haven't even properly entertained you yet..."

Dugu Bo had intended to stop him and give Dai Mubai a proper reception, but he soon sensed Prince Xue Xing approaching.

He knew that Dai Mubai did not want to deal with them.

Thus, he did not stop him.

"Once you're settled, you can send me a letter. I'll come find you then."

Dugu Bo said nothing more.

Dai Mubai nodded slightly, then left Dugu Bo's Residence with Black Panther just like that, before quietly leaving Star Luo Imperial City.

This time, he had successfully condensed a sixty-thousand-year second Soul Ring and gained other tremendous benefits as well. It could truly be called a bountiful haul.

Next, he needed to find somewhere to cultivate in peace and bring his Indestructible Vajra to minor accomplishment before condensing his third Soul Ring.

Until he condensed his third Soul Ring, he would not venture elsewhere lightly again.

After all, only after obtaining his third Soul Ring would he fully activate his Martial Soul Origin and be able to handle more things.

Although he had Black Panther's protection and trump cards of his own, something unexpected might still happen if he ran around everywhere.

Trump cards were best left unused whenever possible.

He rented a carriage and headed straight for Suotuo City.

His destination was, naturally, Shrek Academy.

Indeed, although Shrek Academy was terrible, it was connected to what would happen later and was also a place with relatively little trouble in the early stages.

The students did not have many classes or the like, so his freedom would not be restricted.

After being taught a lesson by Dugu Bo, Black Panther was noticeably better behaved. Even though he was still extremely weak at the moment, he continued dutifully driving the carriage.

Clearly, Dugu Bo's oppressive power had left a considerable shadow over his mind.

Moreover, Dai Mubai had spoken up to plead for him. No matter what, he owed him that debt of gratitude.

Thus, Black Panther was deeply conflicted at the moment.

Should he do as Dugu Bo had implied and obey the Third Prince completely, or follow His Majesty the Emperor's orders?

Rationally speaking, in his view, only one person could command him: His Majesty the Emperor.

But after learning how extraordinary Dai Mubai was, and after everything that had happened recently, Black Panther felt more inclined to place a major wager on Dai Mubai.

"Devote your life entirely to my service, obey me, and spare no effort in working for me. Within ten years, you can become a Titled Douluo."

Just then, Dai Mubai's voice came from inside the carriage.

The moment these words reached Black Panther's ears, they shattered the balance in his heart, sending the scales tipping straight toward Dai Mubai.

Although he was hailed as the person in the Star Luo Empire most likely to become a Titled Douluo, that was only a prospect.

Black Panther knew very well just how difficult it was to truly become a Titled Douluo.

He might never achieve it in his lifetime.

But now that Dai Mubai had guaranteed he could make him a Titled Douluo within ten years, Black Panther felt certain he could do it.

He was simply far too mysterious.

An immensely powerful and mysterious Titled Douluo stood behind him, and even on a casual trip out, the Heaven Dou Empire's Enshrined Douluo, its sole Titled Douluo, Jade Phosphorus Douluo, had come out to greet him.

Black Panther chose to believe his promise.

"I, Black Panther, swear upon my Martial Soul that from this day forward, I will obey only His Highness the Third Prince. If I break this oath, may my Martial Soul shatter and may I die."

Without the slightest hesitation, Black Panther swore his oath.

An oath sworn upon his Martial Soul, no less.

"He does have some talent."

Seeing how decisive Black Panther was, a knowing smile appeared on Dai Mubai's face. Whatever else might be said about him, at least he was extremely resolute when making a choice.