When leaving the rest area and exiting the arena, Xiao Wu's sausage-like swollen lips had already been healed by Xiao Qing's innate healing soul skill.
However, Chu Chengzhou's mouth was still covered in bite marks, and his two eyes were blackened like a panda's. Xiao Wu, still fuming, refused to let him heal himself.
But Chu Chengzhou didn't feel the slightest regret—on the contrary, he was quite pleased.
Because at this moment, his two arms were wrapped around the slender waists of two beautiful young girls—one on each side.
'What a pity, I don't have a third hand!'
Glancing at the dazed big cat behind him and feeling the softness in his hands, Chu Chengzhou couldn't help but think inwardly.
The incident last night, where he was caught red-handed meeting his mistress, had been resolved satisfactorily. Next, he needed to keep up the momentum, lure another fish into his pond, and ensure that the three fish, who already had good relations, would coexist harmoniously.
Not long after leaving the rest area, Chu Chengzhou and the others encountered the God Wind Academy team and the Blazing Fire Academy team, who were also leaving the venue.
Feng Xiaotian was still the same as usual, acting like a big bootlicker, hovering around Huo Wu from the Blazing Fire team.
Suddenly, Feng Xiaotian, who was busy being an obsequious flatterer, noticed Chu Chengzhou and the others approaching. Seeing Chu Chengzhou's two prominent "Iron-Eating Bear" eyes (Iron-Eating Bears are cute-looking bear-type spirit beasts with only black-and-white fur), he immediately rushed forward to take a closer look.
Then, Feng Xiaotian revealed a smug smile and turned to Huo Wu, saying, "Huo Wu, little sister, look! There's an Iron-Eating Bear over there~!"
Yesterday, the Blazing Fire team had suffered a crushing defeat at Chu Chengzhou's hands. Now that Chu Chengzhou had been beaten up and ended up with Iron-Eating Bear eyes, surely Huo Wu would be delighted to see this?
"Huo Wu, do you know how I got these panda eyes?"
Chu Chengzhou smirked and asked.
So, you, a bootlicker who hasn't even managed to get close to your goddess, want to mock someone like me, who can embrace two beauties at once? You must be dreaming!
"Panda eyes?"
Feng Xiaotian was momentarily confused. What's a panda? A bear that looks like a cat?
"A panda is just another name for an Iron-Eating Bear!"
"I don't know."
Feng Xiaotian shook his head.
"Heh, young man, learn something new every day!"
Chu Chengzhou chuckled softly, tightened his grip on the two girls, and continued walking toward the exit of the Grand Spirit Arena.
Standing frozen in place, watching Chu Chengzhou's two roguish hands resting on the waists of two young ladies, Feng Xiaotian couldn't help but gape.
Turning back to glance at Huo Wu, who ignored him completely, a wave of failure washed over Feng Xiaotian.
This young man, born with full soul power, couldn't understand why, despite both being human, the gap between them was so vast.
'Perhaps I should be more proactive?'
Glancing at Huo Wu, and recalling Chu Chengzhou's two Iron-Eating Bear eyes, Feng Xiaotian thought to himself.
In Feng Xiaotian's view, the reason Chu Chengzhou got beaten up was undoubtedly because he was juggling two relationships.
However, the facts proved that despite ending up with two Iron-Eating Bear eyes, he had successfully entered a life of happiness, embracing two women daily.
Getting beaten up = success? It doesn't seem like such a bad deal?
Let's do it!
Having made up his mind, Feng Xiaotian took a deep breath, pushed Huo Wushuang aside rudely, and then, under Huo Wu's shocked gaze, reached out to grab her slim waist.
At this moment, time seemed to pause.
The members of the God Wind and Blazing Fire teams all stared dumbfounded at Feng Xiaotian, whose hand was now resting on Huo Wu's waist.
Their team captain (this big simp Feng Xiaotian) actually dared to make such a bold move?
Two seconds later, the shock in Huo Wu's eyes turned to anger. She immediately raised her long leg and delivered a fierce kick to Feng Xiaotian's stomach.
Boom—
The next second, Feng Xiaotian was transformed into a human cannonball, flying dozens of meters through the air.
As the sound of rushing wind filled the air, Chu Chengzhou watched as Feng Xiaotian flew over his head and crashed heavily not far in front of him. He fell silent.
What exactly had this young man experienced just now?
But Chu Chengzhou didn't dwell on it. With two beauties in his arms and Zhu Zhuqing in tow, he walked past the dazed Feng Xiaotian, who was lying motionless on the ground, and exited the Grand Spirit Arena.
At the entrance of the Grand Spirit Arena.
Not seeing Ma Hongjun and the others, Chu Chengzhou and his group were preparing to return to the academy when they unexpectedly spotted the Imperial Battle team.
Although the Imperial Battle team had been directly advanced to the finals, it didn't mean they weren't paying attention to the preliminary matches.
After all, while the Five Elements Academies' strength might not match that of the Tian Dou Royal Academy, the difference wasn't significant. Moreover, Yu Tianheng and the others knew that this year's soul master tournament had strong opponents beyond just the Star Luo Royal Academy and the Spirit Hall teams. One notable dark horse was the Lan Ba Academy team, which had previously defeated them.
"Little Brother Chu, I heard that you were attacked by assassins from the Star Luo Empire last night?"
Dugu Yan stepped forward and asked with concern.
"Thank you for your concern, older sister. I'm fine."
Chu Chengzhou waved his hand dismissively.
"I'm glad you're okay. My grandfather has disappeared recently; if he were here, those assassins wouldn't dare act so brazenly within Tian Dou City."
Dugu Yan said with some frustration.
The perception abilities of a Title Douluo aren't weak. Whenever soul masters of slightly higher soul power levels fight within Tian Dou City, they can sense it.
Even if a major disturbance occurred, while immediate intervention might be exaggerated due to the city's size, high-level soul masters causing trouble would likely be caught eventually.
That's why instances of high-level soul masters causing trouble in Tian Dou City were extremely rare in the past.
Upon hearing this, Chu Chengzhou raised an eyebrow.
No wonder he hadn't seen Dugu Bo last night—he wasn't in Tian Dou City!
"Older Sister Dugu, who is this?"
Chu Chengzhou looked at the blue-haired youth in the Imperial Battle team.
Needless to say, this was Tang San, the future God King of Death.
Of course, Tang San was currently just a Soul King, and whether he would become a God King in the future was still uncertain.
"Hello, I'm Tang San, vice-captain of the Imperial Battle team."
Tang San greeted with a smile.
As a Soul King, Tang San actually had the strength to be the captain of the Imperial Battle team. However, since Yu Tianheng had already been confirmed as the captain, and Tang San was a newcomer, he had only taken the position of vice-captain from Dugu Yan.
"Chu Chengzhou, captain of the Lan Ba Academy team."
Chu Chengzhou returned the greeting with a slight bow.
Before the awakening of the Blue Silver Emperor bloodline, Chu Chengzhou hadn't met Tang San. But after awakening, Tang San indeed gave off a polite and refined impression.
Though, before being labeled as a "death-seeking" target by him, Tang San wasn't particularly violent toward others.
But after being labeled? Forget it—kill him if you can.
Just then, an elegantly dressed noblewoman with two attendants walked out of the Grand Spirit Arena.
The woman appeared to be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight, with long sky-blue hair, a graceful silver gown, a stunningly beautiful face, and an air of nobility.
At first glance, Chu Chengzhou was utterly captivated.
Wow~ this beautiful matron truly looked radiant! Not only did she have a fantastic figure and remarkable beauty, but her demeanor was also impeccable.
The only question was, which beast had the fortune to claim her?
Chu Chengzhou: Jealousy makes my cells divide uncontrollably.
"Little San, so you're here!"
Seeing her nephew, Tang Yuehua approached.
"Auntie, did you come to watch the matches too?"
Seeing his aunt, Tang San was somewhat surprised.
"The soul master tournament is the grandest event on the continent. Why shouldn't your aunt come to watch?"
Tang Yuehua smiled.
"No, no~"
Tang San quickly waved his hands.
Hearing their conversation, Chu Chengzhou perked up. Was this elegant matron Tang Yuehua, the soon-to-be middle-aged beauty?
Tang Hao became a Title Douluo at forty-four, and Tang San had just been born at that time. Now, more than a decade later, Tang Hao was pushing sixty. If the age gap between Tang Hao and Tang Yuehua was less than ten years, then Tang Yuehua was indeed approaching middle age.
Even if not, she was at least past her prime but still youthful.
And yet, Tang Yuehua, who should have been well into middle age, looked like a noblewoman in her late twenties.
Bibi Dong looked like a woman in her twenties, and after becoming a god, Qian Renxue looked like a teenager. But this was due to their immense power extending their lifespans, making their ages appear youthful relative to their actual lifespans.
Tang Yuehua, however, was different. She wasn't a high-level soul master, nor even a formal one. Perhaps this was simply the masterpiece of creation?
Among the four mature beauties of Douluo—Bo Saixi, Bibi Dong, Tang Yuehua, and Liu Erlong—although Liu Erlong was his director, Chu Chengzhou had to admit that excluding strength, Tang Yuehua surpassed Liu Erlong in terms of appearance and demeanor by a wide margin.
As for Bibi Dong and Bo Saixi?
Their beauty was unparalleled, and their strength was among the top on the continent. Bibi Dong, in particular, was irresistible even to the "Secret Room Douluo."
Qian Xunji: It's just a mistake any man could make.
(T/N: Nah, can't relate, don't pull me in with you lmao)
Chu Chengzhou: Tang San, this brother—no, nephew—I've decided to make you mine!
"It's getting late, Little San. Auntie will treat your classmates to lunch!"
After glancing at the people present, Tang Yuehua said.
Tang Yuehua knew that her nephew had always lacked interaction with peers and feared he might develop a solitary personality. She wanted him to build good relationships with his classmates.
As for Chu Chengzhou and the others, who weren't Tang San's classmates?
She had come to watch the matches yesterday as well.
Apart from Xiao Wu, whose strength hadn't yet been revealed, Chu Chengzhou, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing were all rare young geniuses on the continent. Ning Rongrong, in particular, hailed from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and possessed the evolved Seven Treasures Glazed Tower martial soul.
Such extraordinarily talented youths were worth befriending, whether for Tang San's sake or for the Haotian Sect.
Facing Tang Yuehua's invitation, Yu Tianheng and the others didn't refuse. After all, it was the elder of a teammate treating them to a meal, which wasn't unusual. But Chu Chengzhou declined.
"Thank you for your kindness, big sister. However, we have urgent matters to attend to and must decline your generous offer."
If Tang Yuehua had invited him alone, Chu Chengzhou wouldn't have refused.
But with others present, he decided against it, especially since he had no prior relationship with Tang San.
If he wanted to pursue Tang Yuehua, it would require genuine strength.
For example—
Chu Chengzhou: Hehehe—! Lady Yuehua, I trust you wouldn't want anything untoward to happen to the Haotiān Sect, would you?
"Big sister? Hehe~, you're quite the charmer, no wonder... Cough, cough~ If there's another opportunity, you mustn't refuse."
A woman's greatest concern is undoubtedly her age. Hearing herself called "big sister" by a young man, Tang Yuehua couldn't help but smile. No wonder this young man could embrace two beauties—it clearly wasn't without reason.
"Certainly!"
Chu Chengzhou nodded with a smile.
On the way back to Lan Ba Academy.
"Brother, did you notice that Tang San's aura feels a bit strange?"
Suddenly, Xiao Wu frowned and asked Chu Chengzhou.
The moment she saw Tang San, Xiao Wu felt something was off, though she couldn't pinpoint what.
"You noticed?"
Chu Chengzhou raised an eyebrow, surprised that Xiao Wu had detected it.
Then again, ordinary people—even Title Douluos—couldn't sense the peculiarity in Tang San's aura. But as a hundred-thousand-year shape-shifting spirit beast, Xiao Wu was naturally highly sensitive to spirit beast bloodlines.
In the original story, the first time they met, Xiao Wu could share a bed with Tang San. A large part of the reason was that Tang San was essentially half-human, half-plant—not entirely human.
"???"
Xiao Wu blinked, confused.
'Tang San's situation is somewhat similar to yours, but different. His father is a powerful human, and his mother is a shape-shifted hundred-thousand-year Blue Silver Emperor.'
Chu Chengzhou transmitted telepathically.
'Blue Silver Emperor? Can Blue Silver Grass really reach a hundred thousand years?'
Xiao Wu's eyes widened in disbelief.
'You're a rabbit who reached a hundred thousand years, so why can't Blue Silver Grass?'
Chu Chengzhou glanced at Xiao Wu expressionlessly.
'Uh~, you're right!'
Xiao Wu nodded.
Her situation was unique. Her mother already had a hundred thousand years of cultivation when she gave birth to her, so her bloodline level wasn't inferior to the top-tier. Though her body appeared to be a Soft Bone Rabbit, it was fundamentally different from ordinary ones.
But her mother didn't have such favorable conditions. Initially just an ordinary Soft Bone Rabbit, if she could reach a hundred thousand years of cultivation, then Blue Silver Grass certainly wasn't impossible either.
Perhaps her mother and the Blue Silver Emperor had both encountered treasures akin to immortal-grade medicinal herbs?
Three days later.
In the Star Luo Imperial Palace, inside a grand hall.
"What did you say? Our Star Luo Empire's assassins attacked participants of the soul master tournament in Tian Dou City?"
Emperor Dai Yutian of the Star Luo Empire glared with tiger-like eyes, looking shocked at the imperial prime minister reporting to him.
The administrative system of the Star Luo Empire resembled a cabinet system, led by the prime minister with various cabinet ministers assisting.
However, within the Star Luo Empire, the emperor held absolute power and could dismiss the cabinet at any time.
Since the imperial Dai family was the most powerful soul master family in the empire and held the title of royalty, they controlled the absolute military power of the Star Luo Empire.
Additionally, there was a strict prerequisite for becoming a high-ranking official in the Star Luo Empire: their soul power level couldn't exceed sixty rings. Once surpassing sixty rings, regardless of circumstances, they would be forcibly removed from their position.
In the Douluo Continent, where might makes right, authority in positions wasn't the most important factor—strength was fundamental.
The succession mechanism of the Star Luo Empire ensured that each emperor ascended through defeating competitors with force. While not absolute, most weren't adept at political maneuvering.
How could an emperor who wasn't skilled in scheming ensure the stability of imperial power?
Simple: high officials in the court could bring their brains but not their fists.
With absolute martial power, they could overturn the table anytime, ensuring officials obediently served as loyal dogs.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Envoys from the Tian Dou Empire, accompanied by the Hall Master of the Star Luo Spirit Hall, demanded that the empire take responsibility for the assassination attempt on Lan Ba Academy in Tian Dou City."
Prime Minister Pierce reluctantly reported to his domineering emperor.
If possible, Pierce wouldn't have wanted to report this matter to his self-willed and tyrannical emperor.
But he had no choice. The envoys from the Tian Dou Empire, along with the Master of the Star Luo Spirit Hall, had arrived. As the empire's prime minister, he couldn't avoid it.
Boom—!
Enraged, Dai Yutian slammed his palm down, shattering the desk in front of him.
Dai Yutian was furious. Whether or not the empire sent experts to cause trouble in Tian Dou City, others might not know, but as the emperor, he certainly did.
Damn you, Old Man Xue Ye, damn you, Bíbǐ Dōng! You two colluded to pin this blame on me? Do you think my Star Luo Empire is made of clay?
Moreover, even if we did send someone, we absolutely can't admit it! Otherwise, wouldn't my Star Luo Empire be labeled as despicable cowards?
"Listen, Pierce! Tell them to get out of my palace! Especially the envoy from the Xue Ye old man—if he dares to utter nonsense, drag him out and chop him up!"
Kicking away a piece of the shattered desk, Dai Yutian roared at Pierce.
Only consideration for reputation stopped Dai Yutian from outright killing the envoy from the Tian Dou Empire, despite being framed unjustly.
After all, my Star Luo Empire has bigger fists than you, Tian Dou! So what if I bully you? Bring it on if you dare!
As for the Master of the Star Luo Spirit Hall?
Hmm, as a high-ranking member of the Spirit Hall, with 'Sky Invincible' Qian Daoliu still alive, he didn't dare act rashly.
"Your Majesty, the envoy from Tian Dou said that the third prince is in their hands. Only if the empire takes responsibility for this matter will they release the third prince's freedom."
After a moment of hesitation, Pierce relayed the envoy's message.
At this, the enraged Dai Yutian fell silent.
If martial souls weren't passed down through bloodlines, losing a prince to Tian Dou wouldn't matter much. After all, they wouldn't dare kill his useless son.
Unfortunately, martial souls were inherited through bloodlines. If the Star Luo Empire stubbornly refused to take responsibility, would the Tian Dou Empire end up with a White Tiger family in a few years?
For the royal family, many things could be negotiated, but the leakage of the family's heritage martial soul was absolutely unacceptable.
"What does the envoy from Tian Dou want?"
Dai Yutian asked grimly.
"They demand we hand over the mastermind, issue an apology, and compensate Lan Ba Academy with one million gold spirit coins for their losses."
After pondering for a moment, Dai Yutian replied, "Agree to it. Send someone to bring Dai Mubai back to the Star Luo Empire."
A million gold spirit coins was an astronomical sum for ordinary people, but for the Star Luo Empire, it was negligible—a mere trifle.
The Tian Dou Empire's demands weren't excessive. The actual losses to the empire were far smaller than the damage to their reputation. To ensure the White Tiger martial soul of the royal family wasn't leaked, Dai Yutian could concede.
After all, Dai Yutian knew that his royal family and empire were accustomed to being domineering, and their reputation had always been poor. An extra louse wouldn't make them itchier.
"Yes, Your Majesty! But, Your Majesty, who is the mastermind?"
Pierce promptly agreed, then voiced his confusion.
"Do I need to teach you this?"
Dai Yutian frowned and glared fiercely at Pierce.
"Your Majesty, the leader of the empire's covert operations has confessed and been executed. I'll deliver the corpse to them!"
Pierce spoke solemnly and quickly.
"Mm!"
Dai Yutian nodded.
Who was the leader of the empire's covert operations? Neither Dai Yutian nor Pierce knew, nor did such an organization exist within the Star Luo Empire.
But that didn't matter. Any recently deceased corpse would do. If the Star Luo Empire said he was the mastermind, then he was the mastermind.
"By the way, who was the target of the assassination at that Lan Ba Academy?"
Dai Yutian asked.
"Your Majesty, the empire hasn't yet gathered intelligence on that."
Pierce shook his head.
"Go investigate. After the soul master tournament ends, send someone to eliminate the target and frame the Spirit Hall. The empire can't shoulder this blame for nothing!"
Dai Yutian ordered.
In Dai Yutian's view, the true mastermind behind this was likely the Spirit Hall. Even the Tian Dou Empire probably guessed it was the Spirit Hall's doing, given their history of engaging in underhanded tactics.
However, constrained by the Spirit Hall's immense power and the fact that no one died, the Tian Dou Empire, unwilling to openly confront the Spirit Hall, pinned the blame on the Star Luo Empire.
Now, with the Spirit Hall and the Tian Dou Empire colluding to pin this blame on the empire, how could he not retaliate?
Eliminating the target and framing the Spirit Hall would be the perfect revenge.
The Tian Dou Empire would lose a promising genius soul master, possibly one so talented that the Spirit Hall had to send experts to preemptively eliminate. Meanwhile, the Spirit Hall would take the fall. Even if both sides didn't openly clash, the Tian Dou Empire would undoubtedly seek revenge. If they could wipe out the Spirit Hall's entire "Golden Generation," that would be ideal.
One could only say that all leaders, without exception, have dirty minds?
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Pierce accepted the order and retreated.
Early that morning, the energetic members of the Lan Ba Academy team set out for the Grand Spirit Arena.
At this point, the preliminary matches were halfway through. Just yesterday, after decisively defeating the Blazing Fire Academy team in the first round, the Lan Ba Academy team had also triumphed over the Elephant Academy team, one of the Five Elements Academies.
Compared to the Blazing Fire Academy team, the Elephant Academy team, composed entirely of Diamond Mammoth martial souls and pure defensive-type soul masters, was undoubtedly easier to handle.
All opponents were thick-headed brutes. After consuming Oscar's Aphrodisiac Sausage and benefiting from Xiao Qing's protective innate soul skill, Dai Mubai, Tai Long, Jing Ling, and Huang Yuan behaved like raging dragons in heat. Shielded by an emerald-green protective barrier, they charged into the Elephant Academy team's formation and unleashed chaos.
In less than two minutes, all seven members of the Elephant Academy team, having lost their combat ability, were neatly hung from trees by Chu Chengzhou.
Thus, the Lan Ba Academy team achieved a record of fifteen wins in fifteen matches.
So far, apart from the Lan Ba Academy team, the only teams maintaining a perfect record were the Thunderbolt Academy team and the Sky Water Academy team.
The God Wind Academy team originally had the potential to maintain a perfect record too, but because their captain, Feng Xiaotian, was a big bootlicker, they lost to the Blazing Fire Academy team and failed to remain undefeated.
Of course, with five spots available for advancing in the preliminaries, losing one match wasn't a problem for the God Wind Academy team.
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