Heaven Dou City.
Today, it was exceptionally lively.
The Crown Prince 'Xue Qinghe' and Crown Princess Li Yu, leading Qianyu Academy, had won the championship in the Continental Senior Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament. After three days, the news finally arrived.
Among the information, the most shocking was that Crown Princess Li Yu, at under nineteen years old, had already reached the rank of Eight-ringed Spirit Douluo. She also possessed eight 100,000-year-old spirit beasts, easily killing five titled Douluo. This news spread like wildfire.
In an instant, 'Xue Qinghe' and Li Yu were the center of attention in Heaven Dou.
Qianyu Academy became a place bustling with visitors.
So much so that Cai Xu announced a one-month leave.
But the enthusiasm never waned.
Even the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy first team, who had made it into the top six, received no attention.
The likes of Dugu Yan, who had demonstrated considerable strength, were barely mentioned.
"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince and others, under the lead of Crown Princess Li Yu, crossed space and returned to Heaven Dou City three days ago, right after the tournament ended," the dark guard lowered his head, repeating the information in disbelief.
"How is this possible..." Emperor Xue Ye was filled with confusion.
Even though he had already heard the news, he still couldn't believe it.
The distance between Spirit City and Heaven Dou City was almost like crossing half the continent!
To cross space and arrive in an instant?
It sounded absurd, but this was the truth!
Even many of the palace's experts had seen Li Yu and others openly appear three days ago.
But how could this be possible?
Among the people, rumors spread, and information was inevitably distorted, but as an emperor, he had received accurate intelligence.
Therefore, he couldn't believe what was in front of him.
"Do you think I should immediately pass the throne to Qinghe?" Emperor Xue Ye suddenly said.
The dark guard paused, his voice trembling. "Your Majesty..."
"It's alright, just speak your mind," Emperor Xue Ye regained his calm, returning to his role as the emperor.
The dark guard hesitated.
But a royal command could not be disobeyed. After a brief moment of contemplation, he said, "Your Majesty, given the strength of Crown Princess Li Yu, who can easily slay the Clear Sky Douluo and the Clear Sky Sect Master, it means that ordinary armies are of no significance to her. Moreover, she is protected by Duke Poison Douluo, who has already reached level 96, a strength not inferior to Sword Douluo. Additionally, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is close to the Crown Princess..."
"In this case, if Crown Prince Qinghe insists on claiming the throne, you won't be able to stop him..."
Silence.
As the dark guard spoke, Emperor Xue Ye felt the silence more deafening than ever.
"Hehe, if that is the case, then let the throne be passed!" Emperor Xue Ye suddenly laughed. "Heaven Dou now has its very own Titled Douluo. That's a good thing."
After a pause, Emperor Xue Ye expression became serious again. "I hereby issue a decree..."
"I have ruled the empire for many years, but I feel my strength waning. Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, kind, wise, and virtuous, deeply trusted by the people. I have decided to pass the throne to the Crown Prince. I hope he will uphold the empire, respect the heavens, diligently govern the nation, and not disappoint my great expectations or the people."
He paused again, recalling a previous promise, and continued:
"Today, the Crown Prince and Li Yu have married, a joyous occasion. I hope the two of them will live in harmony, sharing the responsibilities of the nation. May our country prosper under the reign of the new emperor."
The dark guard remained silent.
Emperor Xue Ye closed his eyes, his energy seeming to dissipate, his voice becoming more relaxed. "That's it. As for 'today,' let Qinghe decide."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" the dark guard choked.
"What's with the crying? Go on," Emperor Xue Ye scolded with a smile.
The dark guard bowed and silently left.
Moments later.
"Come out, hiding like that. Do you really think no one has noticed you?" Emperor Xue Ye spoke tiredly.
"Father!" Xue Beng appeared from behind a screen, looking at the emperor with a complicated expression.
At this moment, he no longer had the arrogance in his eyes.
"You've made it this far, which shows your capability. As for the future, how you choose to live is up to you. Your father cannot help you anymore," Emperor Xue Ye didn't look at his son, only a tear slipping down from the corner of his eye.
"Father, what do you want me to do?" Xue Beng asked.
Emperor Xue Ye was silent for a long time, then said, "Before, I spoke with Qinghe. He claimed to be my son..."
He suddenly paused and then directly revealed the hidden meaning of their conversation that day:
"He's spent over twenty years in Heaven Dou, contributing to the country. Heaven Dou is as much his homeland as it is mine. I am his royal father. If you trust me, then stop hiding. Work for him."
"But from now on, don't think about the Heaven Dou throne. Heaven Dou is still Heaven Dou, and Qinghe... no matter what, he is Qinghe, your elder brother."
"Do you understand?"
Xue Beng was silent. After a long while, he lowered his head, touching the ground with his forehead, his tears washing away the dust.
Finally, he said, "I understand, Father."
"Go."
"I take my leave, Father."
The room fell silent again.
Emperor Xue Ye eyes lost focus, and he muttered to himself, "I hope what you said is true."
Three days passed with the sun and moon shifting.
Some were weary, while others still radiated with vitality, unsatisfied.
The two lay on the grass, using it as a bed, their bodies entwined.
"Brother Yu, I..."
Qian Renxue lay on Li Yu chest, her fingers playing with his Adam apple, her big watery eyes filled with affection.
"Uh..."
Li Yu's mind focused, then he said seriously, "Xue'er, I suddenly had an enlightenment..."
"Brother Yu, are you serious?" Qian Renxue squinted at Li Yu, pouting as though she didn't take him seriously.
"You!" Li Yu was immediately anxious, unable to hold back such complaints.
After a while.
If it weren't for the life energy support, the grass under their feet would have long withered and died.
As night fell.
The soldier finally gave in, and in front of the general, she behaved like a little woman, gently speaking, "Brother Yu, you promised to leave me the best one. Are you not going to give it to me?"
Li Yu almost forgot about this, not expecting Qian Renxue to have kept it in her heart.
"Are you jealous?" Li Yu teased.
He had given immortal herbs to Zhu Zhuqing, Dugu Yan, and Dugu Bo, but only Qian Renxue had not received one.
It seemed Qian Renxue was full of jealousy but had never mentioned it.
"Hmph!" Qian Renxue snorted, then her face changed. She suddenly sat up.
Li Yu was startled, his expression serious as he sternly asked, "What do you mean?"
"General, don't get close to those one, two, three, and four women. Can you do that?" Qian Renxue held the flag, her voice full of confidence.
Li Yu, as a general, had to maintain authority and could not easily yield.
Thus, his mind moved, and the soldier's body was pushed.
The soldier made a soft hum, approving, and the general turned and said, "As my subordinate, you must follow my orders!"
The soldier resisted.
Seeing the situation turn unfavorable, the general changed tactics. "But my integrity will always keep me in check. There's no need for you to wake me up. Do you realize your mistake?"
"I understand my mistake!" The soldier smiled brightly and no longer resisted, becoming gentle and proactive.
After half a battle.
"Brother Yu, what did you leave for me?" Qian Renxue changed into clean, refreshing clothes.
Li Yu mind was moved, and they were immediately carried away by the atmosphere.
He and Qian Renxue stood before an immortal herb. "Its name is 'Yearning Heartbroken Red.'"