Chapter 121: Meeting Qian Renxue Alone
Seeing Dugu Bo again, Ye Wen couldn't help but smile inwardly.
Years ago, he had taken Dugu Bo's elixir, and under Ye Wen's terrifying power, not only did Dugu Bo not get angry, but he also promised to help Ye Wen with three things.
However, Dugu Bo had managed to resolve the long-standing side effects that had plagued both him and his granddaughter, Dugu Yan. His power had increased significantly, so it was still a good thing.
In addition, Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, and Bone Douluo were all present.
When Bone Douluo saw Ye Wen appear, a hint of anger flared in his eyes. He had heard that Ye Wen had slapped Ning Rongrong when he was at Shrek Academy!
Ning Rongrong was their little princess, whom they cherished deeply!
Ye Wen had slapped Ning Rongrong, and this had undoubtedly angered Bone Douluo. If Ning Fengzhi hadn't repeatedly told him to stay calm, Bone Douluo would have attacked Ye Wen on the spot.
Ye Wen also noticed Bone Douluo's hostile gaze but didn't pay much attention to it. He slowly walked up to Emperor Xue Ye, cupped his hands, and said respectfully, "Your Majesty."
"Ha ha!" Emperor Xue Ye stroked his beard, smiling warmly. "Young talents, please, sit down."
"Let's go, find a place to sit," Ye Wen said nonchalantly.
"Mm," his companions replied.
Everyone from Monster Academy sat down.
"Your Majesty, I wonder why you called us to the palace?" Ye Wen lifted the wine jug on the table and poured himself a glass, casually speaking, without a hint of nervousness. He was completely unbothered, as if the emperor and the others weren't as imposing as they seemed.
This left everyone around them a little stunned. Here they were, in the Imperial Palace, facing an emperor! Yet this young boy was acting so casually? Was he not the least bit intimidated?
Bone Douluo, who already disliked Ye Wen, felt that he was being too casual, almost as if he didn't care about Emperor Xue Ye or Ning Fengzhi, his sect leader. He spoke irritably, "Hey, kid, the Emperor, the Prince, and Sect Leader Ning haven't even raised their glasses, and you're already drinking? Don't you think that's disrespectful?"
"Heh," Ye Wen smiled.
So what if he was the Emperor of the Tiandou Empire?
So what if he was the Sect Leader of Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School?
Ye Wen's current influence and subordinates would never be intimidated by them. The Tiandou Empire was nothing; he could easily wipe it out by standing with the Spirit Hall.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School wasn't even enough to be of any concern.
What did he have to fear? What did he need to be respectful about?
However, Ye Wen didn't want to reveal his Beast Spirit identity too soon. At least not until the Soul Master Tournament was over. He smiled and said, "This is Bone Douluo, the Title Douluo, right?"
"We're just here to drink and eat. I simply drank first, how could that mean I don't respect the Emperor?"
"Do you have a problem with that?"
Ye Wen didn't show any fear and directly confronted Bone Douluo.
The sight stunned both Xue Xing and Dugu Bo. They were shocked, as Bone Douluo was a level 95 Title Douluo. How could this kid speak so arrogantly?
"Who do you think you are?" Bone Douluo was furious, his eyes filled with murderous intent.
Upon seeing Bone Douluo's glare, Ye Wen's expression turned cold as well.
"Alright, alright, Ye Wen, little friend, Bone Douluo, let's all remain calm and peaceful," Emperor Xue Ye intervened quickly to mediate.
He continued, "The reason I've called Monster Academy here today is to discuss something with you talented young soul masters."
Ye Wen turned his attention back to the Emperor.
"Oh? Your Majesty, please, go ahead."
"If your Monster Academy wins the Soul Master Tournament, I will grant you the highest noble title under the king, and appoint you, Ye Wen, as the first foreign king in the Tiandou Empire."
"I hope you can work hard and bring back a championship for the Empire," Emperor Xue Ye said confidently.
The title of the highest rank beneath the king, with land and nobility, would give Ye Wen and his academy a status similar to that of the Emperor. The Emperor was certain that Monster Academy wouldn't refuse.
But Ye Wen's response was a complete surprise: "Sorry, Your Majesty, we're not interested in titles or nobility. As for the championship, we'll still try our best to win."
"What!!!"
"They… refused!!!"
Emperor Xue Ye, Ning Fengzhi, and Xue Xing were all shocked. They had thought it was a given that Monster Academy would accept, but now they refused so decisively?
Even Ning Fengzhi, who had defected to the Tiandou Empire, had never been offered such treatment!
Ning Fengzhi asked in disbelief, "Ye Wen, little friend, do you realize what you're refusing? Can you not reconsider?"
"We're not interested in power or status. We just want to pursue the peak of strength, so thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty," Ye Wen replied.
Emperor Xue Ye had initially hoped that by offering them noble titles and land, they would become part of the empire, tying them to the Tiandou Empire. He had wanted to bind their interests and have the outside world see them as part of the empire.
But joining the empire?
He was not interested.
Ye Wen wasn't concerned with the Tiandou Empire, Star Luo Empire, or anyone else. He only had one goal: to continue growing his Beast Spirit forces, strengthen their collective power, and eventually take down the Sea God and Thunder God.
Emperor Xue Ye's expression darkened slightly.
If Monster Academy couldn't be used by the Tiandou Empire, they could become an enemy to be recruited by Spirit Hall or the Star Luo Empire.
This was the first thought that crossed Emperor Xue Ye's mind.
But he didn't panic. After all, he knew that geniuses had to be slowly drawn in.
After the meal and drinks were done, Ye Wen and his group prepared to leave. But as they walked out of the palace hall, someone from Qian Renxue's side approached them.
"Ye Wen, the Crown Prince requests your presence. He hopes you will meet him alone at the Crown Prince's Palace."
"The Crown Prince?" Ye Wen thought for a moment. "Qian Renxue, huh! She also wants to recruit me?"
"Alright, I'll go with you," Ye Wen nodded, then turned to his companions. "You all go back first."
With that, Ye Wen followed the messenger to the Crown Prince's Palace.
Inside, Qian Renxue had prepared a banquet, seated at a stone round table in a small garden, with food and wine arranged on the table.
Seeing Ye Wen arrive, Qian Renxue stood up and moved to greet him. "Ye Wen, I've been waiting for you."
"Ye Wen, meet the Crown Prince."
"Ah, Ye Wen, just call me Brother Xue," Qian Renxue said casually, with no airs of royalty.
"Heh, Brother Xue? Shouldn't it be Sister Xue?" Ye Wen smiled inwardly but didn't expose her disguise.
(END CHAPTER)
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