Beside him, Ye Wen repeatedly swore oaths, while Huo Rui listened with an indulgent, doting smile.
However, Dugu Bo's face was filled with gloom. He had come here to avoid trouble, yet he'd been force-fed dog food all afternoon. It was truly maddening—damn that lecherous brat!
Still, only someone who truly loved his wife would say such things, right? Dugu Bo recalled the beautiful years of his past.
'Leaving Yan Yan to someone like this… though he's a bit of a playboy, he's still far better than those scheming weaklings.'
After another round of promises from Ye Wen, Huo Yu'er finally calmed down. She buried her head in Ye Wen's chest, hugging him tightly and pouting:
"You'd better keep your word. If you do it again, I'll lock you up for life, you know~
After all, if my world loses you, I won't be able to live on~"
Hearing these soft, lingering words, Ye Wen's body stiffened.
Why did this sweet talk suddenly feel so spine-chilling? It reminded him unsettlingly of something from his past life—some kind of psycho—!
Before Ye Wen could dwell further, footsteps approached from nearby, interrupting his thoughts.
"It's you, Xue Xing. What brings you here?" Dugu Bo said lazily.
Although Dugu Bo and Xue Xing had a good relationship, Dugu Bo's volatile temperament and penchant for poisons meant that even Xue Xing, who had once saved his life, usually kept his distance unless necessary.
Thus, seeing Xue Xing actively seek him out today immediately signaled trouble.
Sure enough, after stopping a short distance away, Xue Xing feigned difficulty but eventually spoke:
"To be honest, Brother Dugu, I've come today with a favor to ask."
This statement instantly drew everyone's attention.
Xue Xing subtly glanced at Huo Rui, inwardly confident that his plan for today was secure.
However, his attempt at subtlety was laughable to the two powerhouses present, both of whom were Title Douluos.
Dugu Bo didn't expose him, though. While he had long repaid his debt to the Tian Dou Imperial Family for their past kindness, Xue Xing was one of the few people who occasionally interacted with him. As long as Xue Xing didn't cross any lines, Dugu Bo was happy to let him use him—and vice versa.
"Speak your mind. I'm bored before tonight's apprentice ceremony anyway. Moving around a bit might not be bad."
Xue Xing's expression brightened further. He had expected to spend some effort convincing Dugu Bo, but here he was willingly agreeing already—a rare occurrence indeed.
Without delay, Xue Xing quickly recounted the conflict between Xue Beng and Shrek Academy, sprinkling in plenty of embellishments along the way. He rambled about how Shrek disregarded laws and disrespected the nobility of the Tian Dou Empire—utter nonsense without substance.
Ye Wen's eyes flickered with surprise. He hadn't expected Shrek to arrive in Tian Dou just as his apprentice ceremony was about to take place.
Was this fate—or something else?
On the other hand, Dugu Bo initially intended to pass the time, but upon hearing the name "Shrek," his previously lax gaze sharpened considerably.
"Shrek…"
If Dugu Bo remembered correctly, Shrek was the small academy that had used the venom of the Human-Faced Spider to trigger the toxins within his granddaughter's body.
He had planned to find them and teach them a lesson after the apprentice ceremony—but now they had come to him themselves. How convenient.
Dugu Bo's overprotective grandfather instincts awakened, filled with murderous intent!
As for the details of the match, he later learned that Shrek had countered his family's poison with realgar wine. But Dugu Bo paid no heed to it. Realgar did have some effect against snake venom in the Douluo Continent, but thinking it could completely negate his soul skills was wishful thinking.
Moreover, with Ye Wen's involvement, Dugu Bo understood that it wasn't the realgar wine that countered his poison—it was likely a fire-attribute soul master from Shrek who had burned away his toxins.
Thus, Dugu Bo felt no curiosity toward Tang San—only rising killing intent.
"How interesting. Let's go pay them a visit," Dugu Bo said in a chilling tone.
---
Meanwhile, in the Elders' reception hall—
With Meng Shenji's precise control over soul power, he raised his soul pressure to the 45th level. Under this pressure, Tang San finally fully integrated the Eight Spider Lances into his body using the Xuan Tian Gong technique.
Meng Shenji sighed in admiration: "A mere Blue Silver Grass martial soul can withstand soul power at the 45th level, and he possesses the world's most precious external soul bone. Incredible! Truly incredible!"
At this moment, Meng Shenji's gaze toward Flender was almost sparkling. Few knew how difficult it had been for him to assemble a capable team among the spoiled heirs of the Tian Dou Imperial Academy. Shrek's arrival gave him immense hope, so in his excitement, he impulsively grabbed Flender's hands and exclaimed:
"Principal Flender, welcome! From today onward, the Tian Dou Imperial Academy is your home!"
Flender, overjoyed that his years of "effort" were finally recognized, didn't think twice about the awkwardness of two men shaking hands so intimately. He chuckled:
"Not at all, haha. Please take care of us in the future."
But at this moment, Prince Xue Xing's sharp, icy voice cut through the air:
"The Tian Dou Imperial Academy will never allow outsiders of no lineage to join."
Instantly, the previously warm atmosphere in the reception hall froze. Everyone turned toward the source of the voice.
Oscar was the first to snap: "Who do you think you are? Do you have the authority to dictate terms in front of the Elders?"
Xue Xing sneered disdainfully: "Who am I?
I am Prince Xue Xing of the Tian Dou Empire's Imperial family and currently serve as the acting emperor's representative in managing the Imperial Academy.
Do you think I have the authority?"
His words stunned the members of Shrek Academy.
It wasn't just about strength—the pinnacle of power in the Douluo Continent was equally formidable. Prince Xue Xing was among the top tier of nobles, second only to Emperor Xue Ye himself.
No one present dared to provoke him lightly.
If Ning Rongrong hadn't been brainwashed, she might have stood up. If Tang Hao had appeared to back Tang San, it might have been different. Even Yu Xiaogang, had he regained his former family status, might have straightened his back slightly.
But due to various coincidences, everyone present was intimidated by the prince's authority.
Prince Xue Xing's expression darkened as he continued: "Furthermore, you dared to assault the Fourth Prince of the Heavenly Dou Empire. What punishment do you deserve?
For these combined offenses, the Tian Dou Imperial Family will absolutely not tolerate such insolent scum joining the academy."
The promising situation seemed to collapse before their eyes. Flender tried to argue, regretting deeply that he hadn't stopped the earlier conflict. If only he had, things wouldn't have escalated so badly.
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