Soul Land—Chapter 101: Xue Bing: Peanuts for Me!
Zhu Zhuqing and Qian Renxue exchanged glances, and Zhu Zhuqing stepped forward to open the door.
"Good morning, Zhuqing," Dugu Yan greeted with a smile, though her eyes lingered inside the villa.
"Where's Qianyao?"
Zhu Zhuqing pushed the door open and stepped aside, teasing, "Looking at you like that, I feel like your mind is more on my Qianyao than delivering the message?"
"Ahem, Zhuqing, you're overthinking," Dugu Yan replied, quickly recovering. "I don't mean that. Besides, I'm much older than you."
"Hello?" Qian Renxue sat beside Ling Qianyao and greeted Dugu Yan with a smile.
"Yun Zhaoyue?! Why are you here so early? The academy shouldn't let anyone who isn't a student in," Dugu Yan was surprised.
Qian Renxue had been with Ling Qianyao and Zhu Zhuqing in the Soul Fighting Arena, often living together in daily life. Naturally, she recognized Yun Zhaoyue, but she hadn't expected to see her at this time.
Qian Renxue smiled slyly, a glint flashing in her eyes. "I stayed here last night, so I can come in."
"What?!" Dugu Yan's eyes widened slightly.
"Hey, I need to discuss something with Qianyao," Qian Renxue said with a mischievous smile. "It got too late, so I stayed. By the way, I slept in Qianyao's room."
"You, you, you—" Dugu Yan stammered, her face flushing red instantly. "You and Qianyao..."
"Haha," Qian Renxue gave Zhu Zhuqing a knowing look.
Ling Qianyao shook his head. "Alright, stop making trouble. Pack up; we're ready to go."
Dugu Yan leaned toward Zhu Zhuqing, whispering, "Zhuqing, what's the story with Yun Zhaoyue?"
Zhu Zhuqing shrugged. "She likes to tease people like this. Don't let her affect your mood."
"Oh," Dugu Yan said, feeling somewhat relieved. But then Zhu Zhuqing added, "Just remember, it's true—don't spread it around."
Dugu Yan was stunned in place, gazing at Zhu Zhuqing's suggestive expression. Her heart sank a little—so it was really like that! 'Zhu Zhuqing, you're confused; you could have asked me for help, but instead, Yun Zhaoyue snatched the opportunity!'
After a short moment, Ling Qianyao and Qian Renxue approached hand in hand.
"Where is Shrek Academy now?" Ling Qianyao asked.
"It should be with the Education Committee. When Teacher Qin Ming asked me to notify him, he was rushing to the academy's entrance. He should be there now," Zhu Zhuqing replied.
"The Education Committee seems to value their talents. After all, there are many students with innate full soul power and top-tier beast martial souls."
Qian Renxue suddenly narrowed her eyes, her gaze settling on a young man surrounded by several students in the distance. The other person appeared to have disheveled clothes and a few bruises on his face.
"Xue Beng? Why is he here outside the mountain, not guarding it? He's heading toward the administrative building." Just then, Xue Beng noticed them. His eyes lit up, and he waved enthusiastically, then ran over.
"Yun Zhaoyue! Is that my brother's adopted sister, Yun Zhaoyue? Woohoo! You have to tell my brother and make the decision for me!" Xue Beng cried exaggeratedly as he approached, acting as if he had suffered a great grievance.
Qian Renxue looked confused by his sudden appearance and remarks, stunned for a moment before she reacted. She frowned and asked, "Xue Beng, what's wrong?"
Xue Beng wiped tears from his eyes and recounted how he and Shrek Academy had clashed at the foot of the mountain.
"Is it really like that?" Qian Renxue frowned.
"Yes, yes," Xue Beng nodded repeatedly. "I don't think they're true soul masters. Students who come to our Heaven Dou Royal Academy for exchanges should be well-dressed and polite."
"But what about them? Dai Mubai kicked me without saying a word and then attacked my brothers."
"Even if I was rude, it was only my fault. He attacked other students from my team. That's not right. And some others from the opposing academy were watching—this is simply a provocation to the empire!"
"When you see the prince, you must report this to him and punish those people for me!"
Qian Renxue waved her hand. "Then where were you headed just now?"
She didn't trust Xue Beng's one-sided story. She suspected he might have insulted the other party first, provoking a fight.
This idiot doesn't even know his weight. Why not just be a good boy? Always causing trouble.
"Ahem, well, I was going to the administrative building to see Uncle Xue Xing," Xue Beng replied.
Qian Renxue frowned. "Don't go. I'll tell Brother Xue Qinghe about your situation. I'll help you. For now, stay away from Shrek Academy."
"Huh?" Xue Beng glared. "You want me to stay away? I'm the prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, and my brother is the crown prince. How can I not fight back after being bullied? Even if they're from Shrek, they're here to learn and exchange. I can't just let it go!"
He waved his arms, acting as if he were about to fight someone, ignoring his status and the consequences.
Qian Renxue looked at him with a mix of amusement and concern, secretly shaking her head. The last prince was indeed too foolish. With his intelligence and scheming, he wouldn't threaten Xue Qinghe's position as crown prince at all.
Maybe it was wise to have spared him initially? Emperor Xue Ye looked at the stark contrast between him and Xue Qinghe and thought about whom to pass the throne to. It was probably because of this that Xue Qinghe was entrusted with state affairs.
"Alright, Xue Bing!" Qian Renxue interrupted his antics. "Brother Xue Qinghe favors talents. What if there are some geniuses at Shrek? If you cause trouble for them and they don't join the Royal Academy, he might get annoyed and teach you a lesson."
When Xue Beng heard this, his pupils shrank, and a flicker of fear crossed his face. An invisible chill seemed to surround him, and cold sweat appeared on his forehead. He trembled slightly.
He nodded quickly, his voice trembling. "Yes, yes. You're right. Big Brother is like that. I won't cause trouble, I promise."
Ling Qianyao, watching this, was surprised. That guy must be a natural actor—the speed at which his expression changed was faster than flipping a book, and his disguise was perfect.
(End of this chapter)