"So, the royal family is also planning to take action against me?" Xuan Ming asked.
"Possibly," Xue Qinghe said.
"That's great," Xuan Ming said.
Xue Qinghe was taken aback. "What do you mean?"
"I'd like to ask you something. Does the Heaven Dou Imperial Family possess a national treasure called the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud?" Xuan Ming asked.
" The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud? What is that?" Xue Qinghe asked in confusion.
"Do you know where the royal treasury is?" Xuan Ming asked.
The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud is a supreme treasure of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family. Xue Qinghe is only the crown prince, so it's normal that he doesn't know about it. It's likely that only emperors throughout history would know of its existence.
After all, if news of that kind of thing were to spread, those Titled Douluo would probably have already started to snatch it.
"What... do you want to do?" Xue Qinghe's expression was somewhat unnatural.
"Stealing," Xuan Ming said.
Xue Qinghe's eyes twitched slightly. "Steal? How dare you say such a thing?"
"It's not like this is the first time I've stolen something," Xuan Ming said.
"Don't you always do things with a clear conscience?" Xue Qinghe was somewhat speechless.
When will you be able to steal with a clear conscience?
"If I were to steal from those farmers outside, I certainly wouldn't be able to live with myself. But if I were to steal from a group of bandits, what would I feel guilty about?" Xuan Ming said.
Regarding the Blue Silver Emperor Soul Bone, he felt bad because of Ah Yin's condition at the time, so he brought Ah Yin to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, thinking of reviving her as a kind of exchange. Although it was just a one-sided "forced sale" on his part, at least it made him feel better. Moreover, even if Ah Yin was resurrected, it would be reasonable for him to want to take it back.
But if he hadn't been nominally enrolled at the Heaven Dou Heaven Dou Royal Academy Heaven Dou Imperial Family.
"Just like killing, I never kill innocent people indiscriminately, but if the other party provokes me first, or deserves to die like me, then why can't I feel at peace with myself?" Xuan Ming said.
"He deserved to die..." Xue Qinghe hesitated, then stopped.
"You deserved to die too, don't think of yourself as a good person." Xuan Ming glanced at him.
"From the moment I picked up the Blood Spear to kill, I was prepared to die a violent death in the street."
"Anyone can kill me, even if we have no grudge against each other, as long as they share the same resolve as me."
"All this talk of righteousness is just empty slogans to fool others; don't fool yourself too."
Chapter 272 Night Raid
Night fell silently, like a giant black curtain slowly enveloping the entire Royal Hunting Ground.
The moonlight, like water, spilled onto the trees surrounding the camp, casting dappled Shadow. The occasional call of an owl from afar added to the silence and mystery.
All the teams participating in the qualifying rounds have arrived at the Royal Hunting Ground and are resting at their respective camps. The Royal Knights patrol the area, so there's no need to worry about safety.
Outside the camp, having not seen each other for almost a month, it could be considered a long-awaited reunion, so everyone gathered here for a meal.
Unlike at the Lake of Life, here Xuan Ming doesn't need to lift a finger; he can just wait to eat.
Moonlight cast a silvery frost across the clearing at the edge of the camp, while the campfire crackled and popped, sparks rising intermittently and tracing brief, brilliant streaks in the air.
Xuan Ming was sitting on a flat rock with a large plate of freshly cut roasted meat in front of him. It was unusual that Dugu Yan and the others didn't come over to feed him.
Just then, a light footstep sound came from afar and stopped not far from him.
Xuan Ming turned his head and saw Huo Wu and Shui Bing'er standing side by side.
Huo Wu's long, fiery red hair shimmered intensely in the moonlight, and a hint of barely perceptible unease flickered in her eyes.
Shui Bing'er had long, icy blue hair that cascaded down her shoulders like a waterfall. Her face was aloof, but there was a different kind of emotion in her gaze as she looked at Xuan Ming.
Upon seeing the newcomers, Dugu Yan and her group immediately became alert.
During the time Xuan Ming was away, these two went to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy to look for him quite a few times.
A woman's intuition tells her that these two are not innocent!
"Is there something you need?" Xuan Ming asked.
Huo Wu glanced at the clearly hostile looks from Dugu Yan and the others, then turned her gaze to Xuan Ming and said softly, " Xuan Ming, can I talk to you alone?"
"Cultivation?" Xuan Ming asked.
Or something else?
"Yes, we have them all," Huo Wu said.
Xuan Ming paused, then picked up the large plate of roasted meat in front of him. "Let's go."
As he spoke, Xuan Ming walked towards the grove of trees in the distance, and Huo Wu and Shui Bing'er quickly followed.
"Your Highness, keep an eye on them and don't let them come over and join the fun," Xuan Ming said without turning his head.
Upon hearing this, Dugu Yan and her group, who were planning to secretly follow them, stopped and gave up on eavesdropping.
If Xuan Ming didn't say anything, it meant he tacitly agreed that they could eavesdrop; if he did, they wouldn't be able to listen even if they wanted to.
Entering the forest, the surroundings are blocked by dense foliage, and the moonlight can only filter through the gaps to cast dappled spots of light, creating a tranquil and mysterious atmosphere.
Xuan Ming placed the large plate of roasted meat on a big rock and then took out several stools from his Storage Soul Tool.
"Sit down and talk. If you haven't had a late-night snack, have some."
Huo Wu and Shui Bing'er exchanged a glance and slowly sat down.
Looking at the steaming hot roasted meat in front of them, the two of them were not too reserved and picked up small forks to take a bite.
"If it's just thanks, that's unnecessary. I don't like hearing it; it's annoying," Xuan Ming spoke first. "And if it's about the situation or anything like that, forget it too; it's even more troublesome. I'm resting now and don't want to talk about serious matters."
Huo Wu hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Have you heard that the finals will be held in Spirit City...?"
Xuan Ming glanced at her. "Didn't you understand what I just said?"
"I'm worried about you," Huo Wu said urgently. "You have no idea how many people want to harm you! Even though you joined the Spirit Hall, you've offended so many people..."
"Did I offend you too?" Xuan Ming interrupted.
Shui Bing'er gently shook her head, " Xuan Ming, don't misunderstand. Our family has always disdained participating in the slave trade, but now some of the Seven Great Families are starting to make moves, and the situation is complicated. We're worried that if this continues, things will get really messy."
Huo Wu continued, "Moreover, the Spirit Hall suddenly decided to hold the finals in Spirit City, and there are rumors circulating that you're getting very close to them... Everyone's speculating whether this is a huge conspiracy."
"So?" Xuan Ming raised an eyebrow slightly.
Shui Bing'er lowered her voice even further, "Why don't you... withdraw from the competition? Lay low for a while?"
Since the location of the finals was announced, all sorts of rumors have been circulating. Her family learned that she had been in contact with Xuan Ming and had already sent a message telling her to keep her distance; this was a problem her family couldn't afford to mess with.
"I said I don't want to talk about these things." Xuan Ming put down his fork.
"But you're in real danger right now! We're warning you!" Huo Wu said anxiously.
"You helped me before, I don't want to just watch you go and die."
No one has ever offended nearly 70% of the nobles of the Heaven Dou Empire, plus the Seven Great Families, like Xuan Ming... If he makes a big fuss about the auction incident during the finals, causing the Spirit Hall to use it as an excuse, then even if he joins the Spirit Hall, he will not escape endless pursuit!
Given the Spirit Hall's style, they would never break ties with so many people for Xuan Ming; in fact, they are very likely to use Xuan Ming as a bargaining chip!
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect wouldn't allow itself to become a target of public criticism for the sake of Xuan Ming, and even Poison Douluo couldn't stop so many people from chasing after him.
This is a dead end!
"Thank you for your kindness, but I'm really fine." Xuan Ming's tone softened. "I understand your concerns, and I have my own solutions. Please, for the sake of the cultivation methods I taught you, let's not talk about this anymore, okay?"
"But..."
Shui Bing'er gently tugged at Huo Wu's sleeve and shook her head.
"Since you've made up your mind, we won't say any more," she said softly, "But please be careful."
"I know. Is there anything else?"
"It's gone!" Huo Wu was a little annoyed. She picked up her fork and took a big bite of the roasted meat, feeling frustrated.
I was trying to give him some good advice, but he didn't appreciate it!
"Now that you've finished speaking, as a friend, I'd like to say a few words as well," Xuan Ming said solemnly. "If the Spirit Hall expands in the future, you'd better... surrender now. I can act as a mediator for you."
" The Spirit Hall is expanding?" Shui Bing'er was taken aback. "What do you mean?"
"You should know that the kingdoms and duchies along the border of the two great empires have been largely infiltrated by the Spirit Hall, right?"
"Mm." Shui Bing'er nodded.
Since the current Pope ascended the throne, border skirmishes have significantly decreased. The once aggressive Star Luo Empire has also fallen into internal strife, especially the nations under the Heaven Dou banner, almost all of which have...
Shui Bing'er's expression changed slightly. "You mean, the Spirit Hall is going to start a war?"
"Perhaps. I'm not sure, but given the current situation, if we don't submit to the Spirit Hall, we're likely doomed." Xuan Ming said calmly.
"As a friend, I suggest you reconsider. Or you could feign allegiance first, so that you can coordinate with your family from the inside later. At least that would leave a way out for your family, so you don't die without knowing why."
Shui Bing'er's expression froze. "They really..."
"I'm not exaggerating," Xuan Ming interrupted. "Think about the Clear Sky Sect —the number one sect in the world—and what has become of them? How much better off can you possibly be?"
Huo Wu and Shui Bing'er were speechless for a moment, their hearts filled with horror.
Who doesn't know what happened to the Clear Sky Sect? If the Spirit Hall truly has such ambition and strength, their family's fate is indeed in grave danger.
"If you're willing, go to the Pope's Palace." Xuan Ming stretched out his hand, and as his Soul Power surged, two pendants condensed—ice as the outer shell and flame within.
"Take this; consider it proof of access through the back door."
Huo Wu and Shui Bing'er stared at the two unique pendants, their eyes filled with struggle.
"This is just one option," Xuan Ming said softly.
After hesitating for a moment, the two finally reached out and took it, carefully putting it away.
They understood that this was not just a token, but potentially the very lifeline for their family's future.
"Won't this thing... melt?" Huo Wu asked worriedly.
Shui Bing'er is an ice-attribute Soul Master, so carrying ice with her is naturally not a problem, but she is a fire-attribute soul master.
"No, just inject a little Soul Power into it every now and then. It'll keep you in mind and prevent you from forgetting," Xuan Ming said.
"If it melts, there's nothing I can do."
Shui Bing'er slightly curved the corners of her mouth, "Alright, let's just say it's like... thinking of you all the time?"
Xuan Ming's expression froze. He was about to explain when he suddenly felt a pang of fear—almost instinctively, he instantly expanded his senses to the limit and finally caught a faint, dark aura rapidly approaching!
Without any hesitation, Xuan Ming summoned the Blood Spear, and a crimson light flashed forth!
With a resounding clang, the Blood Spear precisely parried a dark dagger aimed straight at the heart.
Their eyes met, and a hint of surprise flashed across their eyes simultaneously.
Xuan Ming stared at the black-clad figure before him, who moved like a ghost, and was astonished by the opponent's sneak attack ability. If it weren't for the Ice and Fire Dragon Origin Head Crown, which greatly amplified his perception, and his own dark attribute, his heart would have already been pierced through!
"It's been almost eighty years, and you're the first person to survive me." A chilling sigh came from beneath the black robe.
"Is that so?" Xuan Ming's eyes narrowed, and a burst of white light suddenly erupted.
The black-robed figure wielding the dark dagger seemed completely unaffected, once again blending into the surrounding darkness.
Who goes there!
Once they regained their senses, Huo Wu and Shui Bing'er instantly completed their Martial Soul Possession, and their ice and fire auras exploded outwards.
They cautiously observed their surroundings, their hearts filled with fear.
They were completely unaware of the sneak attack that had just taken place!
If they were the target, they are dead now!
Chapter 273 Shadow
"As expected of a star Soul Master in the Great Soul Arena, he truly exceeded my expectations."