Since that confession, Ye Lingling's attitude seems to have changed, and her overall mindset has improved a lot.
She used to be Lingling aloof and never smiled, but now she occasionally chats and laughs with Dugu Yan.
Yang Podi has now basically resumed his normal daily training routine. He practices marksmanship in the morning, meditates in his dormitory in the late morning, and spends some time exercising in the afternoon. He exhausts himself to the point of almost fainting every day, and then has dinner after a medicinal bath.
However, Yang Podi no longer goes to the Great Soul Arena; he says he meditates instead.
Every day after dinner, Yang Podi liked to go see Ye Lingling. Sometimes they would chat, and sometimes they would stroll around the academy together. Life seemed very peaceful, and nothing major happened.
However, sometimes unusual situations arise. For example, the current captain of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy team, having somehow heard that Yang Podi has broken through to the high-level Soul Elder and possesses formidable combat power, actually took the initiative to approach Yang Podi, wanting to join the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team.
The captain of this year's Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team is a level 41 Soul Ancestor with the Martial Soul Hercules Bull. His name is Chen Jinshui, and he is quite tall. It is said that he is the son of a military noble family.
That day, several people came to Yang Podi's dormitory and knocked on the door.
When Yang Podi opened the door, he was met with several unfamiliar faces, but they looked somewhat familiar; they seemed to be students from the Heaven Dou Grade class.
The leader was quite tall, all around 1.8 meters.
The leader spoke directly, " Yang Podi, I am Chen Jinshui, the captain of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team. I've heard you're quite strong, and I'd like to invite you to join the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team so you can come with us to Star Luo City as a substitute for next year's Advanced Soul Master Tournament."
Hearing this, Yang Podi was puzzled. Who was this idiot? Inviting him to join the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team and even offering him a substitute role?
Finally Yang Podi spoke up, "Captain Chen Jinshui, I'm really sorry, but I don't have any plans to join the team for the time being."
"I'm here to invite you sincerely, even if it's just as a substitute. If you have any needs, please feel free to let me know."
"Sorry, I don't want to be a substitute, let alone a starter."
It was the henchman standing nearby who spoke up, "Who do you think you are? How dare you talk to our captain like that? If it weren't for your strength, we wouldn't have bothered coming after you. Otherwise, believe me, I'll cripple you!"
Yang Podi ignored his underling's words and instead looked at Chen Jinshui, saying, "I don't care how you found out about me, or what your motives are. I have nothing to do with you, and I don't want to be involved with you in any way. Please leave immediately."
Chen Jinshui seemed a little angry that his invitation had been ignored. "What if I insist on dragging you into the team?"
Yang Podi smiled dismissively, "That depends on whether you have the ability."
"Let's go to the academy arena and have a match. If you're stronger than me, you can be the captain."
"That's unnecessary. I have absolutely no interest in your so-called captain. Even if I wanted to compete, I wouldn't necessarily go to the arena or the training ground."
After Yang Podi finished speaking, he took a step forward and reached out to grab Chen Jinshui.
Upon seeing this, Chen Jinshui hurriedly tried to defend himself with his hands, but his defenses seemed to be made of paper, and both of his hands were shaken away.
Immediately afterwards, the hand gripped his shoulder, pressing down on him like a mountain, rendering his entire body immobile.
Before Chen Qingshui could summon his Martial Soul, Yang Podi's voice rang out again. "If you move again, believe me, I'll snap your neck!"
Although Yang Podi had a smile on his face, his tone was very firm, as if it brooked no argument.
Chen Jinshui ultimately gave up on summoning his Martial Soul, then swallowed hard before finally speaking, "Student Yang, I'm really sorry, I've disturbed you this time."
"We're all classmates, there's no issue of bothering you, just don't come looking for me again."
After saying these words, Yang Podi went straight back to his dormitory, and Chen Jinshui immediately felt the pressure on him disappear, as if nothing had happened.
Chen Jinshui seemed to realize that the person in front of him was probably stronger than himself. Although he had some background, he still didn't want to provoke these people, so he had no choice but to leave with a group of his underlings.
Yang Podi found it rather strange; how could such a person suddenly appear? Logically speaking, someone who knew his situation shouldn't be such a nobody.
Just two days later, Xue Qinghe actually came to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy again, and surprisingly, he came alone.
This time, the three members of the Education Committee were not by the Xue Qinghe, nor were Ning Fengzhi and others. It was a private meeting, and it took place by the college's lake.
When Yang Podi arrived at Xue Qinghe's location, he saw that Xue Qinghe was alone and immediately became wary. "Your Highness, what brings you to see me?"
"It's nothing serious, I just suddenly wanted to see you."
"Your Highness, you wouldn't come here without a reason, so please speak frankly. Anyway, it's just the two of us here."
Xue Qinghe smiled slightly, secretly thinking to herself, "This Yang Podi is quite a clever man."
"My reason for wanting to see you is simple: I hope you will serve me."
"Your Highness, isn't my organization of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team precisely to serve Your Highness?"
"I was just about to say you're a smart person, but you answered me like that. You should understand what I mean."
"Your Highness, let's not beat around the bush. What would our Breaking Clan gain by serving you? Besides, are we really that poor right now? Why must we get involved in court intrigues?"
"Your Breaking Clan is indeed doing well thanks to your alchemy skills, but you must be mindful of potential dangers even in times of peace, otherwise you may face annihilation in the future."
After hearing this, Yang Podi seemed to begin to understand Xue Qinghe's intentions. "Your Highness, I remember telling you that my life's goal was the rise of the Breaking Clan. Can you help me achieve that goal now?"
Xue Qinghe said with an arrogant expression, "Of course I can help you achieve this goal, and there's no one in the world more suitable than me."
Yang Podi shook his head. "Our Breaking Clan can serve you, but the most basic condition is that you must be the emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire; otherwise, it's all meaningless."
"You mean you'll serve me as long as I become the emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire?"
"Indeed, that's true. I admire Your Highness's magnanimity and boldness, but as long as you are not the emperor, there is no way to truly make our Breaking Clan strong."
Xue Qinghe was a little puzzled. "If that's the case, why doesn't your Breaking Clan seek cooperation with my father?"
Yang Podi chuckled, " Xue Ye is indeed powerful, but unfortunately, heroes grow old. If he were to be poisoned and killed one day, that would be troublesome."
Xue Qinghe seemed particularly sensitive to the word "poison," his eyes widening considerably.
Before Xue Qinghe could say anything, Yang Podi continued, "If you want to cooperate with my Breaking Clan, you'd better treat us as brothers, just like the Four Single-Attribute Clans."
"How do you define a brother of the Breaking Clan?"
"Take the Four Single-Attribute Clans as an example. Everyone fights together, trains together, and even lives together."
After saying this, Yang Podi approached Crown Prince Xue Qinghe Xue Qinghe, took his hand, and even put his hand on his shoulder.
Xue Qinghe was lost in thought and, without thinking, forgot to dodge.
By the time he realized what was happening, his hand was already being held, and Yang Podi's hand was on his shoulder, seemingly pressing down on it a few times, showing a close, brotherly bond.
By the time Xue Qinghe realized what was happening, he darted away like a startled rabbit.
Seeing Yang Podi's puzzled expression, he said awkwardly, "I've always lived alone and don't really like interacting with other people."
Yang Podi suppressed the urge to laugh and said, "Your Highness, this is a serious problem. Judging from your condition, you might be ill. I suggest you come to our Breaking Clan for treatment; I guarantee you'll be cured."
"I am indeed in good health. The imperial physicians in the palace and Sect Master Ning have both examined me. It's just that I have a somewhat withdrawn personality."
Yang Podi's expression grew even more serious. "Your Highness, as the heir apparent, your fate is tied to the stability of the nation and the succession of the royal bloodline. For you, marrying and having children is of paramount importance."
Xue Qinghe smiled and said, "Yang, you can rest assured, I'm quite aware of these things."
"By the way, Yang, it's getting late, and I have some things to take care of, so I'll be leaving now."
Before Yang Podi could say anything, he turned and left.
Watching Xue Qinghe's retreating figure, Yang Podi couldn't help but mutter to himself, "Let's see if you, little angel, dare to scheme against me again." But what did she mean by what she said today? And what about the Breaking Clan needing to be prepared for danger in times of peace? Was it a reminder or a warning?