Chapter 26: Xue Qinghe Invites
"How did you manage to absorb a 7000-year-old third spirit ring? And your spirit power has increased a lot, too. I only reached level 32 after absorbing my third spirit ring."
After hearing Dugu Yan's whispered words, Ning Bei smiled proudly.
"What? Are you still thinking of surpassing me? Maybe in your next life, little sister."
However, just as Ning Bei finished speaking, an angry Dugu Yan suddenly launched a full 360-degree spin around Ning Bei's waist, pressing against the soft flesh.
The pain made Ning Bei wince, forgetting that women also possessed the talent to create their own soul techniques.
Rubbing his waist, Ning Bei couldn't help but sigh at how one should never easily offend a woman.
He took out a jade bottle from his storage necklace and handed it to Dugu Yan.
"Here, Yan Zi."
Dugu Yan took the jade bottle and curiously looked at Ning Bei.
"What's this? A medicine?"
Thinking that Dugu Yan and her grandfather, Dugu Bo, were on his side, Ning Bei felt there was no need to be overly cautious around them, aside from the Dan Tower, which could create medicines and raise soul beasts.
Though Dugu Bo had some behaviors unbecoming of a Title Douluo, he was still loyal and would never betray him. In the original story, he had even confronted the Wuhun Hall for the sake of a small brat. Ning Bei thought that Dugu Bo wouldn't trick him, so he decided to let Dugu Yan use the Awakening Pill.
The little brat later formed his own team, so Ning Bei couldn't just stay isolated.
"This is the Awakening Pill. It can increase the cultivation speed of soul masters below the rank of Soul King by 40%, with no significant side effects. It was created by the alchemists of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School."
After hearing this, Dugu Yan's beautiful eyes widened.
She thought, with such a great item, why are you only taking it out now, after all this time?
Seemingly understanding Dugu Yan's thoughts, Ning Bei explained.
"This medicine was just recently developed. I didn't have it before."
Only then did Dugu Yan retract her surprised gaze and asked curiously:
"Does it really have such miraculous effects? Does that mean we'll reach level 40 in no time?"
"Well, if it's true, you can just try it yourself. But remember, only you can use it, and don't tell anyone other than your grandfather."
Dugu Yan nodded vigorously, understanding the principle of keeping wealth hidden.
"Got it, I won't tell anyone."
Then, she gave Ning Bei a big kiss on his cheek.
The kiss left Ning Bei dumbfounded.
"Oh no, she likes me."
Dugu Yan happily went back to her dorm to train, while Ning Bei walked back, feeling troubled.
He had only intended to bring Dugu Yan, with her good potential, and her grandfather, Dugu Bo, to his side. But if she started selling her body, that would be a different matter.
"How did this happen? I'm only 9 years old. I haven't even thought about such things! If Old Poison finds out I've been flirting with his little cabbage, he'll probably come after me."
Unbeknownst to Ning Bei, Dugu Bo had already seen through his granddaughter's intentions. However, he silently allowed their interactions, as he was optimistic about Ning Bei's future. Moreover, judging from Ning Bei's cleverness, he believed the two of them wouldn't be taken advantage of by outsiders.
As Ning Bei walked back, a butler-like person appeared in front of him.
"Young Master Ning, His Highness, the Crown Prince, requests your presence."
The butler's words interrupted Ning Bei's thoughts. He looked at the butler's respectful demeanor.
"Is that so? Lead the way."
Although he was puzzled as to why Xue Qinghe was calling for him, he didn't refuse. After all, Xue Qinghe was someone he needed to bring to his side, so there was nothing to be afraid of once he realized that.
They arrived at a tea house, and the butler led Ning Bei into a private room.
"Ning brother, it's been a long time."
Xue Qinghe, dressed in men's clothing, still wore a warm smile on his face, subtly closing the gap between them and erasing any sense of unfamiliarity from their long separation.
"Yeah, Brother Xue, it's been a long time. You must be busy."
"Even if I'm busy, I still have to make time to sit with Ning brother."
Saying this, he invited Ning Bei to sit down, personally poured a cup of tea, and pushed it in front of him.
"Good tea."
Ning Bei took a sip, pretending to be cultured. He didn't finish the whole cup, as it wouldn't suit his character as a cultured person.
Xue Qinghe also took a small sip, smiling as he looked at Ning Bei.
"Oh? Ning brother, at such a young age, you understand tea?"
Ning Bei, feeling a bit awkward, scratched his head. How did the conversation end up on this track? He just said a few casual words.
"I don't understand tea, but with Brother Xue's identity, I'm sure this must be good tea."
Ning Bei's blunt words made Xue Qinghe smile softly.
"Ning brother truly is an interesting person."
After some lighthearted conversation, the two of them stopped joking and became serious.
Xue Qinghe looked directly at Ning Bei.
"Ning brother, what do you think about my father preparing to crown a crown prince?"
Ning Bei thought to himself, "Here it comes, now we're getting to the important stuff."
He then calmly looked at Xue Qinghe.
"Brother Xue, as the eldest son and someone who treats others with respect, you are undoubtedly the best candidate for the crown prince."
"Oh? Does Ning brother really think so?"
Ning Bei secretly rolled his eyes. What was Xue Qinghe probing for?
"Of course. Otherwise, my father wouldn't have become your teacher, would he?"
"Oh? So, you're saying that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School will support me as the crown prince?"
Ning Bei looked deeply at Xue Qinghe and continued:
"Of course. The Wuhun Hall is too powerful now. The Haotian Sect has even been forced to seal their mountains. As one of the top three sects, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School needs to ally with the Heaven Dou Empire. Supporting Brother Xue as the crown prince is beneficial to strengthening the relationship between us and the Empire."
"Is that really the case?"
Xue Qinghe's face showed a look of joy, though Ning Bei could tell it wasn't genuine.
He said it right in front of Xue Qinghe's face that the Wuhun Hall was plotting, yet he still smiled. Ning Bei was intentionally annoying Xue Qinghe, who had been testing him repeatedly.
"Of course. There's no one else in the Heaven Dou Empire more suitable for the crown prince position than Brother Xue."
"Then, I hope Ning brother will speak well of me in front of the teacher."
"Of course, of course."
"Ning brother is truly a dragon among men."
"Where, where? Brother Xue is the one who has the potential to become a great emperor."
After a round of mutual flattery, Xue Qinghe invited Ning Bei to have dinner together. With their shared goals, the atmosphere at the table was naturally harmonious.
After eating and drinking to their fill, Ning Bei bid farewell to Xue Qinghe and headed back to the academy.
As Xue Qinghe watched Ning Bei leave, her expression gradually grew cold. All forces opposing the Wuhun Hall would ultimately become her enemies. She only hoped that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School would be wise enough.
At that moment, a shadow appeared beside Xue Qinghe.
"Young Master, that boy's cultivation has already reached level 37, a significant improvement since we last met."
Xue Qinghe's eyes narrowed at the words. She asked, incredulously:
"Really?"
"Absolutely. I just felt it carefully; his spirit power fluctuations are indeed at level 37. Should we eliminate him?"
After some thought, Xue Qinghe shook her head.
"No need. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School may not become our enemy in the end. If I become the Emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire, and we can pull them into our camp, it will greatly aid the Wuhun Hall in sweeping across the continent. If you eliminate Ning Bei, they will definitely suspect the Wuhun Hall, and then there will be no room for negotiation."
"Understood, Young Master."
With that, the figure disappeared back into the shadows.
(END CHAPTER)
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