Heaven Dou City Spirit Hall Branch
Su Yuntao, weary from his journey, had just stepped into the hall and hadn't even had time to process the incredible good news of his transfer to Heaven Dou and the generous reward he had received when Salas personally summoned him.
Facing this supreme authority of the Spirit Hall, who was in charge of the Heaven Dou, Su Yuntao didn't even dare to raise his head, his whole body tense and uneasy.
Salas looked at Su Yuntao with a cold and stern expression, without the slightest hint of a smile, and gave him a stern warning.
"Now I'm going to give you a task. Tomorrow you will be accompanying Heaven Dou Crown Prince on his mission. Remember one thing."
"They remained silent throughout, followed closely behind, and obeyed Prince Xue Qinghe's every move and word completely."
"Don't look at what you shouldn't see, and don't ask what you shouldn't ask. If you ruin the Crown Prince's plans, forget about your new position, reward, and Soul Ring; you won't even save your life."
The chilling warning struck Su Yuntao, causing him to tremble. His back was instantly soaked with cold sweat, and he quickly bowed in response.
"I will remember this! I would never dare to make a mistake!"
Su Yuntao finally understood that it wasn't that his achievements were recognized by his superiors, but rather that he had been drawn into a top-level event that even the bishops of the Spirit Hall had to show him respect.
A day passes in the blink of an eye.
The next morning.
The carriages and horses of the Crown Prince were ready. Xue Qinghe, dressed in a plain-colored brocade robe, with a gentle and dignified demeanor, looked at Su Yuntao, who was standing awkwardly beside him, and spoke softly.
"Let's go, come with me to the Heaven Dou Academy."
Su Yuntao followed closely behind, his legs slightly tense, his heart pounding with anxiety.
From a lowly steward who used to drift through life in Nuoding City, this pomp and circumstance has far exceeded his comprehension.
The group had just arrived at the main gate of the Heaven Dou Academy not long ago.
Two ostentatious carriages slowly approached.
Prince Xue Xing, accompanied by Xue Beng, and his large entourage stopped not far away. Beside them stood an old man with green hair and a black robe, exuding a chilling aura. This was none other than the Poison Douluo, Dugu Bo.
Dugu Bo's face was gloomy, his brows furrowed with helplessness and passivity.
He had previously secluded himself to heal his injuries at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, and after returning to Heaven Dou City, he heard Dugu Yan recount Lu Yu's deeds in detail.
He casually possesses over a dozen Soul Bone, and is accompanied by Titled Douluo; his strength is unfathomable.
Having lived most of his life, Dugu Bo knew best how to protect himself—this kind of monster with unpredictable origins and heaven-defying combat power was absolutely not to be trifled with; once he came into contact with it, it would inevitably lead to enormous trouble.
He repeatedly warned Dugu Yan not to provoke or get close to Lu Yu, wanting only to stay safe and avoid trouble.
But what Dugu Bo feared most often came to pass.
Yesterday, Xue Xing personally visited him, pleading and begging, just to have him accompany her today to make a good impression. She hoped to use his status Titled Douluo to increase her bargaining power and win over Lu Yu to pave the way for Xue Beng's succession.
Out of gratitude for Xue Xing's past kindness in saving his life, Dugu Bo reluctantly agreed to this arduous task.
"Oh, Your Highness the Crown Prince seems to have some free time, coming to inspect the academy today?"
Xue Xing spoke first, her tone carrying a deliberately sarcastic tone.
The Xue Beng followed closely behind, staring directly at Xue Qinghe, making no attempt to conceal its hostility.
"Your Highness usually resides in the Eastern Palace and remains detached from worldly affairs. Now that the academy has produced such a peerless talent as Lu Yu, you've rushed here. What? Does Your Highness intend to monopolize this person and raise a private army in an attempt to rebel?"
Hats are put on whatever size they are, without any mercy.
The sharp conflicts of the royal succession struggle were instantly brought to the forefront in front of the academy.
Xue Qinghe remained calm and smiled gently, responding with composure.
"My royal uncle and fourth brother are indeed diligent. In the past, they indulged in pleasure and bullied the people, but now they care about the talents in the academy. Their dedication to the country and the people truly makes me ashamed!"
"He's just a trainee, how can you call him a private army? Your Highness and Second Brother are making a mountain out of a molehill and overthinking things."
The two engaged in a heated exchange, their words clashing back and forth, until the atmosphere instantly became tense.
Dugu Bo, standing to the side, simply closed his eyes and lowered his gaze, completely giving up.
He had no desire to get involved in the royal succession struggle. Winning over Lu Yu? He just wanted to finish the formalities as quickly as possible and distance himself from that mysterious young man.
Just when the two sides were locked in a stalemate!
Buzz--
The void trembled slightly, and a pitch-black spatial rift suddenly tore open in mid-air.
Two figures stepped out calmly and landed on the academy square.
The refined and gentle Ning Fengzhi an air of nobility, stood side by side with the gaunt and bony Gu Rong.
The noisy area in front of the door fell silent instantly.
The arguing Xue Xing and Xue Beng immediately shut up, subconsciously suppressing all their arrogance.
The presence of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect Master and Bone Douluo is far more significant than that of any royal prince or prince.
A look of seriousness flashed across Xue Qinghe's eyes.
Old fox!
She saw through everything in an instant.
Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong did not arrive on a whim; they had clearly been lurking in Heaven Dou City for some time, secretly observing the situation.
The reason he didn't go to find Lu Yu first was that he was waiting for the others to set off first so he could take advantage of the chaos.
On the surface, Xue Qinghe maintained a respectful and gentle demeanor, bowing slightly in greeting.
"Disciple Xue Qinghe greets Master and Senior Bone Douluo."
Ning Fengzhi returned the greeting with a smile, his expression calm and composed, his eyes revealing a confident and serene air.
In his eyes, no one present had a better bargaining chip than himself.
Others were won over through power, status, or force, but he was uniquely bound by Ning Rongrong.
He was already certain that his daughter was in love with Lu Yu, and that he only needed to proceed slowly to bring this great talent into the hands of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect School.
He'll be the ultimate winner if he simply observes and doesn't compete.
Gu Rong's gaze swept across the entire room, his expression indifferent yet silently vigilant, offering unspoken support to Ning Fengzhi.
At this moment, all three forces have completely gathered in the arena.
The Xue Qinghe Crown Prince's faction plots to seize power and wants to win over Lu Yu through Su Yuntao.
The Xue Xing and Xue Beng factions, along with Dugu Bo, forcibly entered the game, attempting to seize power by leveraging his influence.
Ning Fengzhi Gu Rong remain neutral, observing from the sidelines, holding onto their natural advantages and sitting firmly on their own.
All three parties harbored their own ulterior motives, but their ultimate goal was the same: to win over Lu Yu and add weight to their own schemes.
Only Su Yuntao, standing behind Xue Qinghe, was completely terrified.
When had this lowly deacon of Nuoding City ever witnessed such a scene?
The Crown Prince, the current prince, the prince, the Titled Douluo, and even the Crown Prince's teacher...
Anyone could easily crush him with a wave of their hand.
Su Yuntao held his breath, lowered his head, and was so tense that he didn't dare to breathe.
My heart was filled with panic and fear, terrified that the slightest lapse in manners could cost me my life.
Upon hearing the news, the three members of the Heaven Dou Academy's teaching committee rushed over. Seeing the terrifying lineup before them, they felt their scalps tingle and dared not be negligent in the slightest. They quickly bowed and greeted each of them.
"... Please follow me!"
A group of scheming bigwigs followed the Education Commissioner toward Lu Yu's residence.