The four returned to their seats.
Mad Lion Douluo and Xue Leng saw that Xue Shi was silent and had truly lost, but they still found it hard to believe. After all, he had the support of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda and the Four-Winged Swan!
He looked at Chu Qing, who appeared unmoved by either honor or disgrace.
Recognizing his talent, he transmitted his voice to Xue Leng and Xue Kui:
"This boy is extraordinary. He has only two rings, yet he can fight above his level. If we can't win him over, he may become a problem once he grows up."
He naturally knew of Xue Leng and Xue Kui's treasonous ambitions and was involved himself. He was also happy to see his own grandson ascend to the throne someday.
"Those who fall along the way don't count as geniuses," Xue Kui transmitted coldly. "Let's hope the Spirit Rhinoceros Sect knows what's good for it."
Xue Leng didn't seem concerned either. He merely patted Xue Shi on the shoulder in consolation.
In his view, even if Xue Shi wasn't as strong as those top geniuses, he was good enough.
After all, he wasn't raising a knife for killing, but the person who wielded it.
Wu Feng's grandmother began considering how to establish friendly ties with the Spirit Rhinoceros Sect.
"Not bad!" Xu Sanshi exclaimed in admiration.
He was confident he could take on Xue Shi alone, but with two powerful support Soul Masters added to the mix, he had to admit he couldn't measure up.
Chu Qing could no longer keep the smile from his lips. He said modestly:
"They really are strong."
Xu Sanshi was somewhat speechless.
Xue Lingyi and her husband were filled with pride.
Just then, a deep, powerful voice came from afar, its presence pressing down on everyone.
"Truly splendid! Our Dou Ling's new generation is full of outstanding talents. We old fellows can rest assured there will be successors!"
A party entered with great fanfare, palace attendants personally leading the way.
At their head was a blond elder with pale red eyes.
The moment they entered, the nobles seated at the banquet rose one after another to pay their respects to the Dou Ling Empire's guardian, the level ninety-seven Power Attack System Super Douluo, Heavenly Sun Douluo.
The moment Heavenly Sun Douluo's gaze swept over Chu Qing, he felt an invisible pressure. He too stood up with the others.
Xu Sanshi's heart grew heavy. He had only ever felt from his grandfather what he felt from Heavenly Sun Douluo.
Heavenly Sun Douluo continued:
"I think they should carry on. As the saying goes, you don't get to know someone until you've crossed fists. Young people should be raised as Soul Masters. Otherwise, all these daily banquets will only produce a bunch of wine sacks and rice bags."
"I hear Princess Xue Lingxun has also given birth to a prodigious son. My grandson is untalented, but could he be allowed to see what the boy can do? That might also keep the child from spending his days unaware of how high the heavens are and how vast the earth is."
As he spoke, he looked at Xue Lingxun and her husband, making no attempt to conceal his sharp edge.
Behind him, Yang Tian also puffed out his chest proudly and looked arrogantly toward Xu Sanshi and the others.
No one present spoke. After all, faced with this Guardian Douluo, whose power dominated both court and country, even Mad Lion Douluo and Wu Feng's grandmother had risen to acknowledge him.
The Dou Ling emperor, who had been behind a screen rejoicing that his younger sister had given birth to such a fine son, immediately lost his smile and came out, feeling quite a headache coming on.
Everyone bowed again.
"My ministers, there is no need for such ceremony."
He tried to smooth things over:
"Imperial Preceptor, please take a seat of honor."
"We have already seen a splendid match just now. Your grandson and Xu Sanshi can spar another day."
Heavenly Sun Douluo was a powerful minister, not a treacherous one, and had devoted himself wholeheartedly to Dou Ling over the years.
Though they had a personal grudge, he would naturally give the Dou Ling emperor face. He nodded.
"After you, Your Majesty."
But Yang Tian stepped forward and said:
"Your Majesty, why choose another day when today is as good as any? I say we do it today."
"I'd like to see what the Mysterious Nether Sect, which only knows how to be a turtle hiding in its shell, is capable of."
"Rest assured, Your Majesty, beating him won't take me long."
Influenced by the adults around him from an early age, the boy had developed a spoiled and overbearing nature.
Xu Sanshi clenched his fists as he listened.
The Dou Ling emperor put on a false smile.
"Like father, like son. So young, yet already so full of drive."
"Very well. Go up on the stage and spar."
He first glanced at Xue Lingxun, then looked at the assembled ministers and said:
"Since everyone is in such high spirits, let the younger generation spar to their hearts' content tonight."
"They are all the future pillars of our Dou Ling! I shall also take a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone from the treasury as tonight's prize, to be awarded to the best performer."
"All promising young talents aged fifteen and under may take part."
Yang Tian was delighted at once.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
He looked as though victory was already in his grasp, as if the Soul Bone were already in his pocket.
His gaze passed over Xu Sanshi entirely and settled on Chu Qing beside him instead.
He thought, A cyan Soul Ring? Just wait. I'll show you what I can do.
Sensing the other boy's gaze, Chu Qing found it rather amusing.
He was quite arrogant, but Chu Qing remembered that Dou Ling didn't seem to have many talents. Even if Yang Tian had a little talent, how far could he go?
Xu Sanshi, realizing he was being looked down on, frowned even harder, his heart burning with anger. He hated them-it was the Heavenly Sun Family!
The Dou Ling emperor looked at Yang Tian and smiled.
"Do your best."
Unlike Xue Shi, he didn't dislike Yang Tian, and thought he was also someone who could be put to use.
Xu Sanshi's father immediately transmitted his voice to Xu Sanshi as well.
"Sanshi, don't act on impulse."
"Go up there, hold back a little, and lose to Yang Tian. His Majesty has stepped in to ease our relationship with the Heavenly Sun Family."
Chu Qing looked at Xu Sanshi. His clenched fists had never loosened, and his expression was somewhat dark.
He walked toward the stage in silence.
There was much he didn't understand.
His grandfather was clearly no weaker than Heavenly Sun Douluo, so why was he unwilling to stand up for his parents?
His parents had freely fallen in love and done nothing wrong, so why did the entire Dou Ling court join in ostracizing them?
Why were the other side so aggressive?
Yang Tian also stepped onto the stage, the very picture of a spirited, radiant youth, and said eagerly:
"Come on! Let's see which of us is stronger!"
Xu Sanshi looked back at his mother and thought:
"Will showing weakness really be enough?"
Xue Lingxun couldn't help but avert her gaze a little.
Xu Sanshi released his Martial Soul. Facing Yang Tian's attacks, he began to retreat, losing ground step by step.
"Haha~"
"Is that all you've got?"
"I thought you were supposed to be so impressive."
Xu Sanshi released his Soul Rings in a token effort, and after they fought for a while, Yang Tian kicked him off the stage.
He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. The more he thought about it, the more aggrieved he felt, until he, who had always considered himself a genius, couldn't help crying.
Xu Sanshi's parents watched, their hearts feeling as though they were being cut by knives.
Yang Tian was delighted and smug on the stage, while their child, usually so mischievous, was now being so sensible that it broke their hearts.
Xu Sanshi's father grew angry. He had never hated himself so much. He shouted:
"Sanshi, what are you doing?"
"Didn't you eat?"
"What have I always taught you? A man sheds blood, not tears! Get up and hit him back!"
Xue Lingxun didn't stop him. She released her Martial Soul and healed Xu Sanshi, shouting with a resolute gaze:
"Come on, son!"
Comforted, Xu Sanshi immediately wiped away his tears and stood up. He looked at the smug Yang Tian on the stage, anger and fighting spirit intertwining in his eyes.
Yang Tian was disdainful.
"Defeated by me once, and still not convinced? Come back up, then. I'll beat you until you admit defeat wholeheartedly."
Xu Sanshi leaped onto the stage and said fiercely:
"I'll beat you to a pulp!"