Xue Leng's gaze moved between Chu Qing and Xu Sanshi. He wasn't sure which one was Chu Qing.
But as far as he was concerned, one had eloped, and the other came from the Spirit Rhinoceros Sect, a merely second-rate sect. Neither deserved much regard, so he launched straight into mockery:
"Who did I think it was? Turns out it's the brat who eats Whale Rubber like it's his daily bread. Thanks to you, I couldn't even get my Xue Shi a couple of pieces of thousand-year Whale Rubber."
"I almost thought our Dou Ling treasury was the Spirit Rhinoceros Sect's private property."
He had heard a few things, but he felt that even if the Spirit Rhinoceros Sect had produced another genius, how strong could a Shield Armor Spirit Rhinoceros Martial Soul possibly be?
He had gone too far, and a guard beside the Dou Ling emperor immediately spoke up:
"Your Majesty, should we..."
The Dou Ling emperor stopped him. Happy to watch the show, he said:
"There won't be any major trouble. Let's see how Chu Qing handles it."
Chu Qing acted as if he hadn't heard and continued watching Xue Leng and the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
Xue Lingyi, however, was a little angry. She had brought Chu Qing here today to shut everyone up, so it would be easier to obtain more resources in the future.
"Mom, don't get worked up."
"The Whale Rubber's already in my stomach anyway. I deserve a few comments."
In truth, more than Xue Leng's nasty words, he resented the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect for directing the flames toward him.
"This Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect is hateful."
He spoke without mincing words.
Chu Jiazheng had been pleased by his son's composure for only a few seconds before he couldn't help frowning.
Across from them, Mad Lion Douluo burst out laughing. That was what he liked to hear.
The other side had shown no consideration just now, insulting his grandson by calling him a pup. He immediately seized the chance to return the favor.
"Did you hear that, Old Dragon Lady?"
"In a way, you were right just now. My dear grandson really does fall a little short of the Spirit Rhinoceros Sect's young sect master."
"But it seems your Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect isn't worthy of him either."
"He's a genius our Dou Ling Empire only sees once in a hundred years."
Although Wu Feng's grandmother had a fiery temper, she wasn't someone who couldn't tell right from wrong.
Naturally, she had heard Chu Qing's words too.
But she wasn't angry. She was the one who had fanned the flames first, after all.
On the contrary, she thought more highly of Chu Qing and found him interesting.
Chu Qing had shown tolerance toward Xue Leng but had spoken frankly of his dislike for the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, making it clear that his earlier tolerance hadn't merely been weakness.
Sure enough, Xue Leng stopped insulting him and paid Chu Qing a little more attention as he turned back around.
Even so, the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had lost face, giving Mad Lion Douluo beside her a chance to laugh at them.
Of course, she was the one who had caused the Spirit Rhinoceros Sect to be scolded by Xue Leng first, so she naturally couldn't directly trouble Chu Qing again.
But she was even more eager to force Chu Qing to show his true abilities.
And she was beginning to believe the sect master's judgment. Surely she wouldn't set her own daughter up for failure.
She looked at Xue Shi across from her.
"Pup, even your grandfather says you're not as good as the Spirit Rhinoceros Sect's young sect master, but you don't look convinced to me."
Mad Lion Douluo was genuinely furious.
"You old hag, you're truly vicious!"
But Xue Shi couldn't resist speaking first, calling out to Mad Lion Douluo.
"Grandfather, I won't disappoint you."
Mad Lion Douluo smiled with satisfaction. As a Titled Douluo, he couldn't have been more familiar with the Flame Mad Lion Martial Soul.
He had guided Xue Shi with great care ever since his Martial Soul awakened, and his Soul Rings had all been obtained from the most suitable Soul Beasts, though their ages hadn't been pushed any further.
And he didn't know much about Chu Qing, only that the emperor valued him, but he had dealt with the Shield Armor Spirit Rhinoceros Martial Soul plenty of times.
"Good! That's my fine grandson. There are no cowards among those with the Mad Lion Martial Soul."
He gave his consent and snorted coldly at Wu Feng's grandmother.
"Show those dogs who look down on people what you can do."
Wu Feng's grandmother ignored Mad Lion Douluo's mockery. Her goal had already been achieved, and she watched the show with a smile on her lips.
Xue Shi looked at Chu Qing and Xu Sanshi and cupped his fists.
"I've long heard of your reputations. I'm Xue Shi, a rank twenty-three Soul Grandmaster. Please enlighten me."
His words rang out forcefully, full of confidence.
He had been praised as a genius since childhood, but he had forgotten one thing: his father had the Swan Martial Soul, which was why he had been so lavish with his praise.
Everyone else turned to look at Chu Qing and his companion.
Ning Tian blinked her large eyes, somewhat curious. She too had overheard a few fragments.
At this point, Chu Qing naturally couldn't back down.
He stood up.
But he was still annoyed!
Seeing this, the Swan dancers on the stage promptly withdrew, clearing it for them.
In the Douluo world, where Soul Masters reigned supreme, it wasn't unusual to see a fight on any occasion. Duels were even more popular when disputes arose among nobles.
"Please."
Chu Qing bowed and gestured toward the stage.
Xue Shi strode onto the stage with his head held high.
But Chu Qing didn't follow immediately. Instead, he looked toward the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and extended an invitation:
"I've long heard that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is the world's number one support Martial Soul. Since Senior is happy to see us juniors spar, please allow one of yours to enlighten me as well."
The moment he said that, quite a few people cried out in surprise.
"He wants to take on two at once?"
Mad Lion Douluo was puzzled. Could the Shield Armor Spirit Rhinoceros Martial Soul have evolved?
Apart from the families of Xue Lingyi and Xue Lingxun, many people were surprised and doubtful.
Xu Sanshi nodded firmly. Full of admiration, he admitted that Chu Qing really was better at showing off than he was.
"I've always heard that the Spirit Rhinoceros Sect's young sect master is a genius. Looks like he's very confident!"
Fei Yuyan and An Lengye sat together, the two close friends chatting with apparent interest.
Already on the stage, Xue Shi felt slighted and glared at Chu Qing through gritted teeth.
Wu Feng's grandmother smiled, her eyes narrowing. She couldn't help feeling even more pleased with Chu Qing.
An older disciple of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect at the same table was about to stand.
Wu Feng's grandmother made him sit down and said to Ning Tian:
"Young sect master, go support the other side."
"All right, Grandma."
Ning Tian nodded obediently and went briskly up to the stage.
Chu Qing also went up, but a timid voice suddenly rang out, trembling.
"I can help support Young Master Chu. That would make it two against two, which is a little fairer."
Princess Xue Li's mother pushed her to her feet. Her fair, oval face was bright red, and a few freckles dotted it like scattered stars.
Chu Qing looked over in puzzlement.
He couldn't very well refuse her kind offer.
"All right, come along."
"After all, we're all the future hopes of the Dou Ling Empire, and this is only a spar. Let's treat it as a chance to get to know each other."
Fei Yuyan sighed.
"In the end, he still chickened out! Looks like he's not such a genius after all."
Seeing that smile, like basking in a spring breeze, Princess Xue Li immediately felt much more at ease. She left her seat and went up to the stage.
Chu Qing's mother, Xue Lingyi, smiled with satisfaction.
Xue Lingxun, meanwhile, looked at her disappointing son.
Xu Sanshi had grievances he couldn't voice and cursed inwardly, Why didn't your Martial Soul mutate into a garbage bag, since you're so good at showing off?
Xue Li, fighting for the first time, was visibly nervous. She asked:
"Young Master Chu, what should I do in a moment?"
Chu Qing patiently explained, pointing across the stage as he spoke:
"See the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's young sect master over there? Just go stand beside her. Whatever she does later, copy her."
"All right, I'll try not to hold you back."
Xue Li was a little puzzled, but she obediently did as told and walked over.
The others below, however, saw that something was wrong. Fei Yuyan immediately sat up straight, astonished.
"Although the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's young sect master is young, I heard she already has two rings."
"Even if the Swan Martial Soul can't compare to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, it's still a first-rate support Martial Soul. Besides, Princess Xue Li's Martial Soul has undergone a beneficial mutation. Isn't he being a little overconfident?"
An Lengye's eyes also showed surprise.
"A genius? Could he be even more of a genius than Shen Ce?"
"This brat..."
Though Chu Jiazheng cursed aloud, his heart was blooming with joy. That's my son for you!
Behind the screen, the Dou Ling emperor shifted eagerly to a gap in it. He wanted to get a good look.
Wu Feng, who understood the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's support effects, asked her grandmother in confusion:
"Even if he's a three-ring Soul Elder, wouldn't he still be no match for them?"
Wu Feng's grandmother's eyes were now full of admiration for Chu Qing. She answered noncommittally:
"Let's watch and see."
She was looking forward to Chu Qing's performance.
Mad Lion Douluo, Xue Leng, and the others beside them were also puzzled by now.
When it was one against one, they believed Xue Shi could win.
When it was one against two, they thought the youngster was simply arrogant.
Now that it was one against three, they were beginning to think Xue Shi might not win.