As the group drew closer, the Sword Douluo's Soul Power surged within him.
With his level 97 strength, capturing a level 30 Shapeshifting Spirit Beast would take but a moment, and it wouldn't affect those around him.
The Sword Douluo's hair fluttered without wind, a strand of energy locking onto Xiao Wu. Just as he was about to step forward, he felt enveloped by a murderous intent.
Frowning, he turned his head to look at the distant tower top: "Who is it?"
There, he saw a burly man in black clothes exuding a crimson aura, staring intently at him.
"Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, you two head back to the inn and wait for me," the Sword Douluo said with a grave expression, his figure vanishing instantly, leaving the two women to exchange bewildered looks.
"Let's go, we'll talk once we're back," Zhu Zhuqing said, raising an eyebrow as she pulled Ning Rongrong towards the inn.
"Hey, what a pair of beauties!"
Just as Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong turned to leave, a chubby man in red let out a strange cry from not far away, then quickly ran up to them, blocking their path.
The chubby man stopped, his eyes gleaming as he shamelessly looked them up and down.
This brazen gaze made Zhu Zhuqing's expression darken, but considering the potential trouble, she grabbed Ning Rongrong, who was about to say something, and tried to move past him from the side.
"Hey, don't go!"
Ma Hongjun once again blocked their path, striking what he thought was a handsome pose: "Would either of you like to have a never-ending romance with me? Even better if both of you are willing."
He then threw what he thought was a charming wink.
"Get lost, you fat pig!" Ning Rongrong pushed Ma Hongjun, but he didn't budge an inch.
Ma Hongjun leaned forward with a lecherous smile: "Beauty, why so angry? Give me a chance."
Ning Rongrong, flustered, quickly stepped back, about to unleash a torrent of curses, but Zhu Zhuqing stopped her.
Zhu Zhuqing pushed the chubby man aside and pulled Ning Rongrong towards the Cao's inn.
"What are you doing? I was talking to her, what's it to you? Or do you want to be my woman?" Ma Hongjun, caught off guard, was pushed by a woman and stumbled, feeling he had lost face in front of his companions, and spoke with some annoyance.
Zhu Zhuqing ignored Ma Hongjun and pulled Ning Rongrong past the chubby man.
Seeing he was being ignored, Ma Hongjun's face turned red, and he rolled his shoulders, ready to step forward.
"Fatty, stop!" Dai Mubai looked at Zhu Zhuqing with a complex expression.
"What, Dai Laosi, you fancy her?" Ma Hongjun was taken aback, then spoke with a sour tone: "What about your twins? Tired of them?"
"I'm not saying you can't, but you shouldn't steal women from your brothers! You're having fun, dating three different women a day, leaving your brothers to sleep alone?"
The more Ma Hongjun spoke, the more sour his tone became, and his gaze towards Dai Mubai gradually turned unfriendly.
This fat pig!
Dai Mubai gritted his teeth, glaring at Ma Hongjun with his dual pupils. He wished he could tear the fatty apart right now.
"Zhu Zhuqing, let me explain..." Dai Mubai activated his Soul Power, quickly bypassing Ma Hongjun, and blocked the inn's entrance, stopping Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong.
"So you know each other..." Ma Hongjun was stunned, a sudden bitterness in his heart.
Ning Rongrong was also confused, glancing at Dai Mubai and asking Zhu Zhuqing beside her: "An acquaintance?"
Zhu Zhuqing pursed her lips and said, "He is Dai Mubai."
Ning Rongrong was startled and covered her mouth with her hand. "So he's that playboy prince who abandoned you and ran away!"
Although Ning Rongrong's voice wasn't loud, everyone present heard her words clearly.
The information in her statement was quite significant. Tang San, Ma Hongjun, and Xiao Wu all pricked up their ears, their eyes darting back and forth between Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing.
Dai Mubai's face stiffened, and he glared at Ning Rongrong with a dark expression. "What do you mean by that? This is between her and me. It has nothing to do with you, does it?"
When Dai Mubai first saw Zhu Zhuqing, he had felt a bit of joy. He hadn't expected her to come all the way from Star Luo to Heavenly Dou to find him.
Running away was never a honorable act, especially when it involved abandoning one's fiancée.
But if Zhu Zhuqing had also run away, then his escape would have seemed more justified in the eyes of others.
For example, they could have been avoiding the conflict and biding their time to build up their strength.
As long as they spent enough time together, his past mistakes would become a shared choice. By then, he could stand tall both in front of the royal family and his companions.
But now, all of this had been prematurely exposed by this young girl in front of him.
"What do you mean it has nothing to do with me? If it weren't for my brother saving Zhu Zhuqing and bringing her to our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, she might have already been killed by your enemies."
Ning Rongrong placed her hands on her hips and looked at Dai Mubai with disdain. "Zhu Zhuqing is now a member of our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. You coward, don't bother her anymore."
Oh!!
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When everyone heard Ning Rongrong's words, they suddenly understood what had happened.
It was just a struggle within the Star Luo royal family. As a prince, Dai Mubai knew he was no match for his opponents, so he chose to abandon everything, including his fiancée, and fled alone to the Heavenly Dou Empire to survive.
The reason they were certain Dai Mubai was a Star Luo prince and not a Heavenly Dou prince was because the surname "Dai" belonged to the Star Luo royal family.
Ma Hongjun looked astonished. He hadn't expected Dai Mubai to be a Star Luo prince. No wonder he had such a pretty face.
So you have flaws too, Dai Mubai! See if you dare to show off in front of me again. Ma Hongjun smirked lewdly.
"Brother, tell me if I'm a good judge of character or not! I always knew Dai Mubai was no good, but you still thought he was a decent guy."
Xiao Wu also looked disdainful and whispered into Tang San's ear, "Abandoning his fiancée and fleeing to the Heavenly Dou Empire, indulging in debauchery with two women every day—this guy is utterly despicable."
"Even though we're in the same team now, you should stay away from him in the future."
Tang San frowned slightly. It wasn't that he disliked Dai Mubai's character.
During their fight at the hotel, Dai Mubai had shown restraint and hadn't pressed his advantage despite his superior strength, which had left a good impression on Tang San.
What Tang San was pondering now was whether the "brother" Ning Rongrong mentioned was the same person from a few years ago.
Judging by Ning Rongrong's aristocratic demeanor and her constant references to "our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School," it was clear that she held a high position within the sect. Li Xun, with his exceptional talent and as Ning Fengzhi's disciple, was likely the brother Ning Rongrong was referring to.
Thinking of Li Xun, Tang San's expression gradually darkened.
A few years ago, Li Xun had insulted his teacher, Yu Xiaogang. Although this matter had nothing to do with the young girl before him, since they were both members of the same sect and spent their days together, their personalities and conduct were likely similar.
He couldn't stand by and watch Dai Mubai be humiliated, repeating the same fate as his teacher.
"Miss, this matter is a private affair between Mubai and this young lady named Zhu Zhuqing. It's not appropriate for outsiders to interfere. Why not let them resolve it themselves?"
Just as Dai Mubai's expression flickered uncertainly, unsure how to respond, Tang San stepped forward with a smile and spoke up with fairness.
"Then aren't you interfering too? Why are you lecturing me?" Ning Rongrong placed her hands on her hips. "Besides, Zhu Zhuqing is now under the protection of our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. As the future heir of the
Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, how am I an outsider?"
"And who are you to him, coming here to meddle?"
(End of Chapter)