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In the evening, Ning Fengzhi and his party, having completed their persuasion and guidance, left Shrek Academy.
"Qinghe, speaking of which, I haven't asked you yet, what is Emperor Xue Ye's intention regarding this matter?" Ning Fengzhi suddenly asked.
"My Imperial Father's attitude is very ambiguous," Xue Qinghe said.
"However, he must be very reluctant."
Xuan Ming's existence not only established cooperation between the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, and the Seven Great Families, strengthening the Imperial Family's confidence against Spirit Hall, but it also set a precedent for Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
Those noble children with various statuses, whom no one dared to provoke within the Academy, not even the three Education Committee members could do anything about them. But because of Xuan Ming's special existence, the current Heaven Dou Royal Academy is no longer the same as before; not only has the teaching atmosphere improved significantly, but it has also attracted many young geniuses from Spirit Master families.
Furthermore, with Xuan Ming's talent and his current standing, as long as he can grow up safely, he is bound to become a Titled Douluo in the future, standing on the side of the Heaven Dou Empire, capable of helping them counter Spirit Hall's Titled Douluo.
Xuan Ming's significance to the Heaven Dou Imperial Family is immense; he not only represents current interests but also influences the future. Therefore, Emperor Xue Ye has always been unable to make a decision on this matter.
As for the issues with slave trade, this has little impact on the Imperial Family. Compared to Xuan Ming's value, Emperor Xue Ye does not mind changing this matter. In fact, ever since the Auction House incident escalated, the Emperor has entrusted him to handle it, allowing him to compensate and improve as much as possible.
However, these actions can no longer change anything.
"Teacher, do you think the Clear Sky Sect will interfere in this matter?" Xue Qinghe asked.
"Clear Sky Sect…" Ning Fengzhi looked thoughtful.
"Probably not."
Out of consideration for Tang Yuehua, the Clear Sky Sect would at most refrain from acting against Xuan Ming, but they would absolutely not get involved in this matter; that would be asking for trouble.
If it were the Clear Sky Sect with Tang Chen in charge, they would indeed have the right to intervene, even forcefully resolve this matter. But the current Clear Sky Sect, let alone that this matter has nothing to do with them, even if it did, they would certainly prioritize self-preservation.
"Then… what about Clear Sky Douluo?" Xue Qinghe asked.
Ning Fengzhi paused, "Perhaps."
In everyone's eyes, Xuan Ming is now in a desperate situation. He has offended too many people, and his nature is special. Once it escalates, even Spirit Hall would find it difficult to intervene, otherwise, it could easily face criticism from the Spirit Master's world.
But Tang Hao is different; that guy is already an almost ghostly existence in the Spirit Master's world. Xuan Ming's current situation, almost an enemy to all, is not a bad thing for Tang Hao.
Coupled with Tang Yuehua's connection, Tang Hao indeed has the possibility of offering help in his time of need.
… …
The midnight wind carried a hint of coolness, brushing across Xuan Ming's slightly tired face.
He leaned alone on a reclining chair in the courtyard, gazing at the sparse stars in the sky, a mix of emotions in his heart.
After leaving the Seven Treasure Clan, he first went to Heaven Dou Royal Academy to see Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling, had dinner with them, then returned to Heaven Dou City, slipped into the Moon Pavilion to report his safety to Tang Yuehua. Finally, he took Bi Ji and the others out for dinner, introducing everyone.
Although, apart from Bi Ji, neither the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, nor Zi Ji and Xiong Jun, thought highly of humans, nor of A Rou and the other weak Spirit Beast transformations, they at least gave him face and didn't make the situation too awkward, managing to be somewhat harmonious.
The adults were scheming against each other, the young girls were vying for affection. He now wished he could finish the competition tomorrow and go to Slaughter City to let loose.
Being a social butterfly was too tiring, mentally exhausting.
Just then, a soft patter of footsteps approached. Without turning around, Xuan Ming knew it was Bi Ji; the faint, fresh scent of grass and wood on her was particularly clear in the quiet night.
Bi Ji gently walked behind Xuan Ming, placed her hands on his shoulders, and slowly massaged him, her movements soft and soothing.
Xuan Ming was slightly startled and was about to get up, but Bi Ji pressed him back down.
"It seems we've caused you trouble," Bi Ji said softly.
Xuan Ming closed his eyes, "It's not trouble."
Bi Ji's lips curved slightly upward, her fingers still moving gently: "I can tell."
Xuan Ming opened his eyes and looked into Bi Ji's, "See through, but don't speak through."
Bi Ji smiled faintly, "Then let's change the subject. Earlier at the Lake of Life, with the Dark Demonic Evil God Tiger incident, if it weren't for you, I might have… Thank you for saving me."
If she had been pulled into the life-and-death arena, even if the Dark Demonic Evil God Tiger was also in its infancy, she would absolutely not have been a match for that guy.
"That was my problem to begin with," Xuan Ming said.
"I asked you all for help; you were innocently caught up in it at the time."
"It was only right for me to push you away."
Bi Ji's hand paused, and she leaned slightly forward, looking into Xuan Ming's eyes, "Thank you."
Xuan Ming felt Bi Ji's warm breath so close to him and instinctively tilted his head, "You don't need to, it was what I should do."
"Besides, even if I had gone in, I was confident I could survive."
Bi Ji tilted her head slightly, meeting Xuan Ming's gaze again, "That doesn't seem to be the point. The important thing is that you saved me."
Although they had known each other for a while, she really hadn't expected Xuan Ming to do something like that, taking such a big risk.
In that situation, if Xuan Ming had hesitated for even a moment, it would have been her who was sucked in.
Looking at Bi Ji so close, Xuan Ming was about to say something when suddenly, a burst of noisy footsteps came from outside the courtyard.
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion and the others, who Ning Rongrong had taken to the night market, had returned.
The courtyard gate opened, and Xuan Ming instinctively started to get up, only to collide with Bi Ji halfway up.
Both covered their heads, and the atmosphere became somewhat awkward for a moment.
"What are you two… doing?"
Ning Rongrong raised an eyebrow slightly, vaguely sensing a hint of panic.
"Nothing, I accidentally bumped into her," Xuan Ming stood up.
"You all should rest early, I have something to do."
With that, a dark void appeared in front of Xuan Ming. Before Ning Rongrong could say anything else, he stepped directly into it and disappeared.
"Auntie, what's wrong?" The Three-Eyed Golden Lion trotted to Bi Ji's side.
"No, nothing," Bi Ji's expression was a bit unnatural.
"Did you have fun?"
… …
Watching Bi Ji, who was clearly changing the subject, Ning Rongrong's gaze grew even stranger.
No way? Again?
And a gentle older sister?
Surrounded by wolves!
Can Xuan Ming even wait for her to grow up?
… …
Spirit Hall.
Not wanting to continue being a social butterfly late at night, Xuan Ming, unable to find anywhere else to go, just snuck over here.
"Wait, why don't you get rid of the smell on you first?" Ah Yin suddenly reminded him.
Xuan Ming paused, the ice and fire aura on his body surged, completely eliminating any scent that might or might not have been there.
"Is there still some?" Xuan Ming asked.
"No more," Ah Yin said.
"But what were you afraid of just now? You actually ran away?"
"If I didn't run, I'd be the one in an awkward situation," Xuan Ming said, speechless.
"I've been a social butterfly all day, you know that."
"Oh~ You're flustered," Ah Yin teased.
"Flustered my ass." Xuan Ming ignored Ah Yin and walked into Spirit Hall.
In the shadows, Qian Jun Jiang Mo, the two venerables who sensed an unusual aura, watched Xuan Ming enter Bibi Dong's bedchamber.
The two exchanged glances, their expressions somewhat changed.
"What is this kid doing here in the middle of the night?" Jiang Mo Douluo asked, puzzled.
"Yue Guan and Gui Mei didn't react; does this kid come here often?"
"Didn't the Supreme Pontiff Palace say that no men are allowed in Bibi Dong's bedchamber?"
"What's going on with this kid?"
Qian Jun Douluo withdrew his gaze, "Why don't you go in and ask her?"
Jiang Mo Douluo looked speechless, "I don't want to face an enraged spider."
If the two of them teamed up, stopping Bibi Dong wouldn't be difficult, but facing that woman alone, he knew his limits.
Xuan Ming walked into Bibi Dong's bedchamber. Bibi Dong was sitting at her dressing table. Hearing the movement, she slowly turned around, her gaze falling on Xuan Ming, "What's wrong? Coming over late at night again?"
"You're not going to leave again right after coming back, are you?"
"I want to discuss something with you," Xuan Ming said.
"What is it?" Bibi Dong turned around.
Xuan Ming paused, "Yu Xiaogang."
Bibi Dong was slightly startled, her originally gentle eyes instantly becoming complex, "Why suddenly bring him up?"
"If I want him dead, can you accept it?" Xuan Ming asked.
Bibi Dong was silent for a moment, then slowly rose and walked to Xuan Ming, looking up at him. Suddenly, she wrapped her arms around Xuan Ming's neck, pulling him closer, and her lips unhesitatingly covered his.
Seeing this, the Nine-tailed Sky Fox, who was about to make a move, stopped.
"You finally showed some spirit…"