Chapter 51: The Choice of the Little Rabbit
Chapter 51: 51. The Choice of the Little Rabbit
Inside the carriage, Xue Qinghe lay quietly. His face was green, and his golden hair had turned dull and grey.
What a magical Spirit Bone; it can even perfectly manifest a poisoned state.
Zhou Ting marveled in his heart. This Spirit Bone allowed Qian Renxue to disguise herself as Xue Qinghe, changing her body, gender, and even her Spirit!
With such a powerful ability, it was no wonder every Spirit Bone could cause countless Spirit Masters to fight over it.
Under Chief Instructor's watchful eye, Ning Rongrong took out the honey she had just obtained and said,
"This is century-old jade emperor honey. Although it cannot neutralize the poison, it can strengthen the Crown Prince's resistance!"
Chief Instructor's face lit up with joy, but he still reached out and said,
"May I?"
He needed to check it!
Ning Rongrong did not hesitate and handed it over directly.
As Chief Instructor opened the lid, he said,
"It's not that I don't trust you, it's just..."
In this kind of situation, Ning Rongrong sensibly replied,
"In the current situation, this is a necessary precaution. I understand!"
Chief Instructor took a light sniff. A unique fragrance filled his nasal cavity, and his body even transmitted a sensation of thirst.
"It is the scent of jade emperor honey!"
Even though he had never tasted jade emperor honey before,
He had the fortune of seeing a Jade Emperor Bee hive in the Star Dou Great Forest when he was young, and it smelled exactly like this back then.
Decades had passed, yet the memory remained fresh.
Although he had initially confirmed the honey's authenticity, he did not dare to be careless and took a small taste.
His spirit power circulated rapidly, and his physical fitness even increased slightly!
He couldn't be one hundred percent sure if it was jade emperor honey,
But he could confirm that this honey was greatly beneficial to the human body and completely harmless.
Confirming this point was enough!
Chief Instructor carefully fed Xue Qinghe... Meanwhile, thousands of miles away in the Balak Kingdom, something related to honey was also happening at Shrek Academy.
At the academy entrance.
"Mubai, come over and drink some sugar water!"
Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang expressionlessly scooped a bowl of sugar water and handed it to the panting Dai Mubai!
His plan had succeeded. The proud Evil Eyes White Tiger simply could not stand being provoked, and under Tang San's stimulation, he had pulled himself together again.
However, Dai Mubai's entire persona had become much colder, and he spent every day Cultivating like a madman.
He no longer continued his past favorite pastime of visiting brothels.
Not far away, Tang San and Xiao Wu arrived late.
Dai Mubai gulped down the last of the sugar water. Feeling his body being revitalized, he was about to continue his weighted run.
Yu Xiaogang frowned and quickly stopped him.
"Mubai, you must know when to stop. That's enough for today!"
Dai Mubai still wanted to push himself, but Tang San grabbed his arm and said,
"Boss Dai, if your body breaks down, how will you ever get your revenge?!"
Dai Mubai fell silent and did not insist further.
The master and disciple pair, Yu Xiaogang and Tang San, smiled at each other, but they didn't notice the complex look in the eyes of Xiao Wu, who was standing there like a transparent wallflower.
"Is it really okay to talk about revenge while eating someone else's things?"
Yu Xiaogang scooped two more bowls of sugar water. Tang San, being very observant, handed one to Xiao Wu first.
"Xiao Wu, hurry up and drink. After drinking, have a good rest."
"Mm."
Xiao Wu smiled sweetly. As the sweet sugar water entered her mouth, her heart felt somewhat bitter.
As the sugar water entered her stomach, a new surge of power burst from her parched body, and she instantly looked radiant!
Following the natural course, her spirit power... surged!
Feeling the intense fluctuations from Xiao Wu's body, Tang San was overjoyed.
"That's great!"
Excited emotions, new spirit power... At this moment, a similar fluctuation also erupted from Tang San's body.
Even Yu Xiaogang's habitually stiff face showed an irrepressible look of joy.
"Good, Little San has also achieved a Breakthrough!"
"Next, it's time to go to the Star Dou Great Forest!"
Just then, the chubby Ma Hongjun arrived, dragging Oscar along.
Although Yu Xiaogang was extremely happy, he did not ignore them.
Unexpectedly, after a bowl of sugar water, Oscar actually achieved a Breakthrough as well.
"Good, good! A triple blessing!"
Flender suddenly appeared at the entrance. Looking at the three who had broken through together, he praised Yu Xiaogang.
"Xiaogang, you really do have your ways!"
Yu Xiaogang smiled modestly and said,
"It's their own hard work!"
The three broke through, and the three laughed. There was still one person staring blankly at them, not knowing whether it was joy, envy, or perhaps... even jealousy.
"Flender, we should head to the Star Dou Great Forest!"
Flender nodded heavily and said,
"It is time to go. However, Xiaogang, this time, all three of us must go!"
Yu Xiaogang frowned and said,
"That shouldn't be necessary. The children need experience. Besides, they've only broken through to Rank 30. To hunt thousand-year Spirit Beasts, either you or Zhao Wuji leading the team... is enough!"
Flender glanced at Dai Mubai, who was standing there like a piece of wood, and sighed,
"Xiaogang, have you forgotten? Li Yusong... has gone missing!"
Yu Xiaogang instantly understood the deep meaning in his friend's words: Li Yusong, a powerful attack system Spirit Emperor, had now... gone missing for no reason. If he was killed, it meant a powerful enemy was watching them from the shadows!
This meant it wasn't safe for either him or Zhao Wuji to lead the team alone.
The students' safety had to be guaranteed!
Realizing this, Yu Xiaogang looked at the students who represented his hope and said with a solemn face,
"You're right. This time, more people should go!"
Xiao Wu was the first to show signs of a Breakthrough, and she was also the first to wake up!
Breaking through to Rank 30, she didn't show much excitement. The expression on her face was... very calm.
Night fell, the moon was bright and the stars were sparse. Xiao Wu stood alone by the window of the girls' dormitory, looking up at the starry sky.
Endless loneliness surrounded her!
During this period of time, she had grown up a lot!
Seeing this scene, Tang San felt pity and also some shame: I haven't taken good care of Xiao Wu.
"Xiao Wu..."
Hearing the movement, Xiao Wu looked down and smiled softly.
"Little San, you're here!"
Her tone was gentle, but Tang San felt an incomparable sense of distance.
In fact, ever since Zhou Ting had caused that scene, he had felt it: he and Xiao Wu... were drifting further and further apart.
Looking back, he wished so much that Zhou Ting didn't exist.
He could even lower his expectations a bit: how great would it have been if Zhou Ting hadn't undergone Spirit Awakening!
Unfortunately... "Xiao Wu, living alone, you must feel very lonely, right?"
"Don't worry, it won't be for long. Teacher said that after this trip to the Star Dou Great Forest, he'll take us to Heaven Dou City. There..."
"Heaven Dou City..."
Xiao Wu's heart was in turmoil, unsure if it was anticipation or fear.
She remembered every single word of Zhou Ting's message; she hadn't forgotten a single one.
However, every time she recalled it, she would wonder if Zhou Ting knew her identity.
And this suspicion was growing deeper and deeper.
By today, she was even certain of it.
Therefore, she was afraid of going to Heaven Dou City, just as she was afraid of... staying by Tang San's side.
And then there was... Yu Xiaogang!
During the day, what everyone drank after exercising wasn't as simple as sugar water; it was honey water.
Yes, jade emperor honey.
In the beginning, Xiao Wu only shared some with Tang San.
Later, through Yu Xiaogang's persuasion, the jade emperor honey somehow became an academy resource, with everyone getting a quota.
After that, no matter how much Xiao Wu regretted it in her heart, it was to no avail.
She realized more and more: humans... are truly terrifying!
"It's time... to make a choice!"Chapter 52: Differing Motives
Chapter 52: 52. Differing Motives
Heaven Dou City.
Emperor Xue Ye had just finished his morning work and was about to take a break when he received news that the Crown Prince had been assassinated.
His first reaction was disbelief!
Although there was no evidence, and although he claimed not to believe Xue Qinghe was the mastermind behind the poisoning of his other two sons...
In reality, he harbored such suspicions in his heart.
After all, the struggle for the throne had been cruel and bloody since ancient times!
Fratricide was nothing out of the ordinary.
He didn't want to see this happen, yet he vaguely felt that having such a ruthless heir wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
At the very least, it would be enough to ensure the survival of the Heaven Dou Empire, and perhaps even allow it to take a step further.
But now, Xue Qinghe had been assassinated, and according to the news sent by Chief Instructor Meng Shenji, the poison the Crown Prince was afflicted with was the same as the previous princes'.
Could it be... that the poisonings had nothing to do with Qinghe?
Two outstanding sons had died half a year ago, and now another was about to die?
Just how much did the enemy hate the Imperial Family?
Forcing himself to stay focused, Emperor Xue Ye felt an endless sorrow in his heart.
Previously, after discovering his two sons had been poisoned, he had invited every Spirit Master in Heaven Dou City capable of detoxification, but the result was... they still died!
Even the renowned Poison Douluo, Dugu Bo, had been helpless.
In other words... this poison had no cure!
To put it another way: the Crown Prince was doomed to die!
In that case, the throne could only be passed to his youngest son... Thinking of his youngest son Xue Beng, Emperor Xue Ye's expression changed drastically as he asked the darkness behind him.
"Where is Xue Beng?"
An aged voice came from the darkness.
"At the Imperial Academy!"
Emperor Xue Ye's eyes widened as he asked again.
"Where was Qinghe assassinated?"
A flash of terror crossed the eyes of the messenger Spirit Master as he answered with difficulty.
"At the academy's main gate!"
Emperor Xue Ye's body trembled, and he nearly collapsed!
Could someone be assassinating Xue Beng as well!
Realizing this possibility, Emperor Xue Ye hastily ordered.
"An Ling, send someone... no, go yourself to find Xue Beng and protect him!"
"Yes!"
A black shadow flashed within the hall, leaping through the shadows and vanishing instantly!
Emperor Xue Ye looked at the messenger, who seemed to be hesitating, and asked.
"Is there anything else?"
"Your Majesty, one assassin was captured alive. According to what he said before committing suicide, he was seeking revenge for a certain... Highness!"
Emperor Xue Ye's vision went dark, not because of the news itself...
...but because this news meant that a massive conspiracy was being carried out.
Think about it: the loyal subordinates of the poisoned princes were using the very poison that killed their masters to assassinate the person they believed to be the culprit.
So... who gave them the poison?
...Meanwhile, at the Prince's Mansion, in the back garden.
Having been relieved of the task of investigating the prince poisoning case, Prince Xue Xing was enjoying a rare moment of leisure. He was currently sipping tea, listening to music, and admiring... beautiful women and scenery!
"Prince, this is bad!"
His good mood was instantly ruined. Prince Xue Xing's old face darkened as he said sternly.
"What do you mean 'bad'? I, your Prince, am doing perfectly fine!"
The mansion subordinate realized his slip of the tongue but still said with a terrified expression.
"Your Highness, the Crown Prince... was assassinated and poisoned. It's said the assassin was a loyalist of the deceased princes. The Crown Prince is currently unconscious and in critical condition!"
"What!"
Prince Xue Xing stood up, his face full of disbelief, though deep in his eyes there was a hint of joy: Was this problematic nephew finally going to die?
In an instant, he restrained his emotions and asked with a heavy face.
"What poison was the Crown Prince hit with? Quickly, gather all the Spirit Masters who can detoxify!"
The subordinate's expression turned strange as he said.
"It's said... it's said to be exactly the same poison that the deceased princes were hit with!"
"What? Impossible?!!!"
It wasn't just Prince Xue Xing who found it impossible; everyone did!
The source of the poison was a massive problem.
Prince Xue Xing felt that a vast web of conspiracy had already enveloped the Imperial Family!
The Heaven Dou Empire was in trouble—big trouble!
"Could it really not be him?!!"
The next moment, Prince Xue Xing, just like his brother, thought of... Xue Beng, Emperor Xue Ye's last remaining healthy son.
"No, nothing can happen to Xue Beng!"
"Qiu Ze!"
"Your subordinate is here."
"Go quickly to the villa next to the academy, find Xue Beng, and ensure his safety..."
"Yes!"
Qiu Ze was about to leave upon the command.
But Prince Xue Xing still couldn't feel at ease and said.
"No, wait. Take all the mansion guards; we'll go together!"
He was now anxious and impatient to put Xue Beng under protection, not only because of his brother's entrustment but also to ensure the stability of the Empire!
The mansion gates swung open, and a troop of over a hundred riders charged out, rampaging through the streets and causing a chaotic scene.
Merchants from out of town scrambled up from the ground, complaining with dissatisfaction.
"Who are these people? How dare they gallop through the streets of the Imperial Capital?"
"Don't talk nonsense, that's His Majesty's younger brother..."
"Something major must have happened!"
...The academy had too many eyes and ears; it wasn't safe.
The Crown Prince's carriage set out on the return journey. Ning Rongrong followed, and Zhou Ting and Zhu Zhuqing followed along out of "loyalty."
Well, what loyalty? That was all nonsense; Ning Rongrong was unwilling to go alone and insisted on dragging them along!
When the carriage arrived at the palace gates, they saw a white-haired old man standing there with a face full of grief, his body swaying and supported entirely by attendants.
Driving the carriage, Chief Instructor Meng Shenji felt a wave of shame upon seeing the old man.
"Your Majesty..."
Emperor Xue Ye waved his hand and looked at his son inside the carriage... When he saw Zhou Ting and the other two, he was visibly stunned for a moment.
Meng Shenji quickly explained.
"Your Majesty, this is Ning Rongrong, the daughter of Ning Fengzhi from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. Fortunately, she had a bottle of century-old jade emperor honey on her, which delayed the poison's onset!"
Emperor Xue Ye nodded, reached out to touch his son's head, and gently released his spirit power.
His thoughts turned a thousand times: It was indeed that strange poison. Should he use... In the end, he sighed and ordered.
"Send the Crown Prince back to the Eastern Palace and gather all the physicians!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
A starved camel is still bigger than a horse.
Although Emperor Xue Ye had suffered one blow after another and looked like a withered old man, he was still the Emperor in control of a nation, and his Aura was peerless.
This pressure made even the usually lively and mischievous little witch Ning Rongrong afraid to act out.
Watching them leave, Zhou Ting breathed a sigh of relief.
Just then, he saw a patch of... grassland enter the palace, and he couldn't help but murmur in his heart.
"Green hair..."
Zhou Ting's heart stirred as he fell into thought.
Suddenly, Zhu Zhuqing pulled on Zhou Ting's sleeve and gestured with her eyes for him to look to the side.
Zhou Ting turned his head and found Ning Rongrong looking at him with a pained little face.
Ning Rongrong's thoughts were written all over her face; Zhou Ting could tell at a glance.
She had given all the honey to Meng Shenji, and she wanted more.
"It's not impossible to give you another bottle, or even a few more, but..."
Ning Rongrong felt a bit shy under his gaze and sheepishly hid behind Zhu Zhuqing, poking her head out to say.
"Don't even think about it! This lady is definitely not for sale!"
Zhou Ting curled his lip in slight disdain.
"Heh..."Chapter 53: Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well
Chapter 53: 53. Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well
"Damnable Zhou Ting... You actually dare to look down on this Young Miss!"
Zhou Ting laughed loudly as he ran away, leaving Ning Rongrong to flail her arms and legs, yet she couldn't catch up no matter what.
"Don't run!"
"Haha, I'd be a fool not to!"
Zhu Zhuqing followed slowly behind, watching her two immature companions with amusement.
"This feeling... is really nice."
At the entrance of the Heaven Dou Royal Spirit Master Academy, a major case involving the assassination of the Crown Prince occurred.
Forget about enrolling; even the Spirit Master academy was temporarily closed. Although classes could still be held, who would have the heart to study at a time like this?
Heaven Dou City was in a state of flux, and the situation had become blurred and unpredictable.
The Disciple Xue Qinghe was dying of poison. Ning Fengzhi took two Titled Douluo into the imperial palace. At the same time, he sent Ning Rongrong back to the Sect, and Zhu Zhuqing went along.
However, Zhou Ting did not go.
Of course, he didn't stay in Heaven Dou City either. Instead, he gazed in the direction of the imperial palace, a mysterious smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.
"He... probably won't be able to go home for a long time!"
A patch of green seemed to appear before Zhou Ting's eyes.
The Sunset Forest is located in the center of the Heaven Dou Empire, close to Heaven Dou City.
The forest's area is much smaller than the Star Dou Great Forest. Although there are quite a few Spirit Beasts within, not many have cultivation reaching over ten thousand years. This is the largest source of spirit rings for the Spirit Masters of Heaven Dou City.
"Little guys, go! Find the place shrouded in poison mist!"
"Buzz buzz..."
Over ten thousand illusory Jade Emperor Bees flew into the forest, scattering and instantly disappearing without a trace.
The swarm began a carpet search.
This is where the superiority of summoning skills is shown. Every Jade Emperor Bee is a living thing with its own consciousness, capable of doing many things that inanimate objects cannot.
Of course, Zhou Ting wasn't actually communicating with them directly.
It wasn't that he couldn't, but... he shouldn't!
One or two would be fine, but with such a large number, his brain couldn't process that much information.
Therefore, Zhou Ting generally controlled the swarm indirectly through the Bee Queen.
Unknowingly, time reached late at night.
"Buzz buzz!"
The Bee Queen sent back information happily, and Zhou Ting was overjoyed.
"Found it!"
The Bee Queen indicated that a dozen or so little guys had discovered an area shrouded in mist. Once they stepped inside, their energy bodies would quickly die, and they would fall into a dormant state.
Half an hour later, Zhou Ting "flew" over. Looking at the poison mist, his eyes sparkled as if... he had seen a peerless beauty, full of desire and greed.
"This must be the Poison Douluo's herb garden... the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well!"
Countless ages ago, the Water Dragon King and Fire Dragon King, two Dragon Lords among the Nine Great Dragon Kings of the God Realm, fell simultaneously. Their bodies fell into the Sunset Forest while entangled and were buried beneath this Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, thus forming the wonder of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, which ultimately nourished all things.
This created a special location that accelerates the growth of plants tenfold.
However, the environment here is unique; ordinary plants cannot withstand this power and cannot grow.
Only those special medicinal herbs can endure this power.
The mundane world generally calls them... Immortal Herbs!
As for our protagonist Tang San, because he defeated Dugu Bo's granddaughter Dugu Yan and broke her Spirit's poison, he was eventually captured by Dugu Bo, who doted on his granddaughter, for revenge when Tang San arrived at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
Unexpectedly, Tang San saw at a glance that Dugu Bo's family was deeply troubled by Spirit toxins.
Ultimately, relying on his knowledge of poisons, he provided a solution: force the toxins into a Spirit Bone.
In the end, Dugu Bo successfully resolved the poisoning issue.
At the same time, as one of the rewards, he allowed Tang San to take away useful herbs.
As a result, Tang San practically stripped the place bare, digging up all the Immortal Herbs.
It made Dugu Bo cough up blood in anger!
It was precisely because of these Immortal Herbs that the Shrek Seven Devils were helped to achieve a collective leap in talent, surpassing Spirit Masters of the same age in one fell swoop.
But now, the Shrek Seven Devils no longer exist, and Tang San can no longer obtain this Immortal Herb Treasure Basin.
Zhou Ting smiled confidently.
The Black Pagoda emerged, and the second spirit ring flickered incessantly.
A tiny colorless insect tentatively stepped into the poison mist and took a breath.
The little insect... turned green!
But around its body, a small blank area appeared, a region not contaminated by the poison mist.
After sucking for ten seconds, the Soul Passing Worm exploded and died!
However, it left behind a large normal area.
It worked!
Putting on a mask, Zhou Ting smiled with self-satisfaction.
"The Jade Emperor Bees can't get in, but that doesn't mean the Soul Passing Worms can't! Even if it's a Spirit Master's poison developed by a Titled Douluo, so what? Isn't it still just spirit power plus toxins!"
In the next moment, a dense crowd of Soul Passing Worms appeared, draping Zhou Ting in a set of Emperor's New Clothes... Under the night sky, a peculiar spring emitted a mysterious light.
The same spring water had two colors, like a Taiji, milky white on one side and blood red on the other, as distinct as Yin and Yang.
Around the spring, countless strange flowers and exotic grasses grew, bizarre and rarely seen in the world.
At the door of a wooden house not far from the spring, a young girl idly played with her green hair.
"Grandpa is really something, actually not taking me out..."
Speaking of this, the girl felt very Life Qi. Ever since the prince poisoning case half a year ago, Grandpa had changed.
First, he didn't allow her to leave Heaven Dou City, and later, he often brought her here and wouldn't easily let her leave.
The girl was naturally the granddaughter of the Poison Douluo Dugu Bo, Dugu Yan.
"Tianheng, I'm so..."
The girl suddenly saw the poison mist surrounding the herb garden fluctuate.
"This isn't how Grandpa usually comes home."
Although she thought this, she knew that besides Grandpa, no one could break in.
The girl blinked her large eyes and ran over joyfully, saying:
"Grandpa..."
Zhou Ting's vision suddenly cleared, and before he could look closely, he heard a cry of "Grandpa".
Looking at the girl calling him "Grandpa" with a strange expression, Zhou Ting replied with a light laugh.
"Ah, my dear granddaughter."
Zhou Ting reached out, wanting to stroke the "dear granddaughter" who was already dazed.
Dugu Yan instantly retreated, looking at the masked man in front of her with a wary expression, and questioned:
"Who are you? Why did you break into my family's herb garden!"
Zhou Ting smiled and asked.
"You say this place belongs to your family, do you have any proof?"
What proof?
Dugu Yan's brain stalled.
Zhou Ting asked with ill intent.
"Do you have a Property Ownership Certificate?"
"Do you have a Land Title?"
"Do you have an official Decree of Bestowal from Emperor Xue Ye?"
Dugu Yan was completely stunned by the questions.
Any Spirit Master of the Heaven Dou Empire could enter the Sunset Forest, so how could there be things like Property Ownership Certificates or Land Titles.
As for a Decree of Bestowal, even if Emperor Xue Ye wanted to give one, her grandfather wouldn't want it.
She really wanted to refute him, but she couldn't say a single word.
Dugu Yan's tears of grievance were almost about to come out.
Seeing this, Zhou Ting's heart was full of the "guilt" of bullying a young girl, and he continued in a Yin and Yang sarcastic manner.
"No way, no way, you guys don't have even one of those, do you?"
"This behavior of yours is purely that of a bandit claiming land as king!"Chapter 54: 54 Has Vanished!
Chapter 54: 54. Has Vanished!
"Who are you calling a robber!"
Dugu Yan was seething with rage.
As the only granddaughter of the Poison Douluo, when had she ever been subjected to such treatment?
No one had ever dared to treat her this way!
Yet this hateful thief wearing a mask before her actually dared to mock her and her grandfather to their faces. It was an heinous crime, unforgivable... in short, he... must die!
Behind Dugu Yan stood a giant snake over ten meters long, its cold, merciless serpentine pupils staring at Zhou Ting.
"Jade Phosphor Serpent Poison!"
Immediately, a surge of purple mist sprayed from the snake's maw, rapidly enveloping Zhou Ting.
Zhou Ting shook his head in amusement and grumbled.
"My dear granddaughter, Grandpa will give you a lesson today: before you make a move, you must understand your opponent's abilities!"
Feeling the endless mockery in Zhou Ting's tone, Dugu Yan cursed in exasperation.
"You little thief, you're looking for death..."
The next moment, Dugu Yan was dumbfounded as she watched her poisonous mist dissipate into thin air for no reason before it could even touch the little thief.
This was... too unbelievable.
Zhou Ting was in no hurry to strike. He seemed to have truly immersed himself in the role of the grandfather, teaching Dugu Yan with a straight face.
"My dear granddaughter, Grandpa walked in through the poisonous fog. Could your puny little poison be more toxic than that fog?"
Dugu Yan finally understood, and her heart sank to the bottom.
Having had his fill of role-playing, Zhou Ting immediately ordered the Soul Passing Worm to act, no longer verbally educating his 'granddaughter'.
Well, Zhou Ting simply had his fill; it definitely wasn't because he was worried about a certain old poison freak suddenly rushing back.
With the spirit power in her body drained completely, her body felt as if she had run hundreds of kilometers with a heavy load, utterly exhausted.
Dugu Yan collapsed to the ground, unable to move, unable to even speak.
However, her eyes could still move, and the look in her eyes that wanted to kill someone couldn't be hidden.
Zhou Ting squatted in front of Dugu Yan, looked into her eyes, and 'consoled' her with a smile.
"My dear granddaughter, don't worry. Grandpa will just take a few things and leave. I won't hurt you. Just have a good sleep..."
Dugu Yan closed her eyes with a face full of terror and fell into a deep sleep.
"Boring. Even though she's a four-ring Spirit Ancestor, her combat experience is too lacking. Besides, because her grandfather's poisonous fog was broken, her state of mind collapsed..."
Taking down a Spirit Ancestor like this was really no fun!
Zhou Ting stood up and looked at the Immortal Herbs all over the ground, the corners of his mouth curling up uncontrollably... In the early morning, a world-shaking roar erupted from the center of the Sunset Forest, startling countless Spirit Beasts.
"Little thief, I, Dugu Bo, am irreconcilable with you!"
"Don't let me catch you!"
Having just stepped out of the forest, Zhou Ting silently took off the fat tiger mask from his face and said with a pained expression.
"Good partner, I'm sorry, we have to say goodbye..."
The voice full of Killing Intent came again from behind, as if it were right in his ear.
"I will make you suffer all the tortures of this world, begging for life but unable to live, begging for death but unable to die!"
Zhou Ting immediately shuddered and hurriedly tucked the mask into the Black Tower.
"...No, it's goodbye forever."
Actually, Zhou Ting could understand why Dugu Bo would be so angry.
In fact, he didn't want this either!
Thinking back to the scene last night, Zhou Ting felt very wronged; he was also a victim, okay!
That's right, Zhou Ting was also a victim!
Just as Zhou Ting walked to the edge of the spring, preparing to pluck the Immortal Herbs... the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well... boiled!
It was normal for the lava-like spring water on the fire side to boil, but for the spring water representing ice to boil as well was very abnormal.
While Zhou Ting was dazed, the earth shook and the mountains swayed.
Even though Zhou Ting used all his spirit power, it was to no avail. Then, he fainted quite spectacularly, and he didn't know what happened after that.
When he woke up again... his first feeling was... his chest was so heavy!
He thought a large tree had fallen on his chest, but when he opened his eyes...
"The sunlight is so blinding!"
Then, he looked at his chest; a snow-white "tree trunk" was pressing down on it.
"My dear granddaughter's sleeping posture is really ugly!"
Zhou Ting easily moved the "tree trunk" aside but suddenly realized something was wrong.
Sunlight... where did it come from?
How could there be sunlight in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well shrouded in poisonous fog?
Looking around, Zhou Ting was completely dumbfounded.
Where was the poisonous fog? Where were the Immortal Herbs? Where was the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well?
Appearing before his eyes was a barren mountain, a barren mountain where not a single blade of grass grew.
Well, there was also a... wooden hut on the mountain.
Zhou Ting was dazed, completely not understanding what had happened.
However, what he did understand was that if Dugu Bo saw this scene, he would definitely beat him to death.
Then, Zhou Ting carried his "dear granddaughter" into the wooden hut, and without time to mourn the missing Immortal Herbs, he immediately took his leave, running as fast as he could.
Fortunately, he ran fast enough; otherwise, he would have been caught by Dugu Bo by now, and the end... would definitely be a fate worse than death.
Leaving the Sunset Forest, Zhou Ting didn't go to Heaven Dou City but instead headed straight for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
Actually, what he wanted to figure out more now was what exactly happened last night.
Why did a treasure land suddenly disappear?
It's just that he had to rush to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School as soon as possible... to seal their lips.
If those two young girls leaked information about his fat tiger mask, it would be disastrous.
Although Dugu Bo's direct combat power wasn't great, that was only relative to other Titled Douluo.
Besides, his poison skills were unrivaled in the continent... well, except for Tang San.
In short, if Dugu Bo wanted to deal with a small fry like Zhou Ting, it would be as easy as splashing water.
"Sigh, what a sin!"
"I didn't get to eat the meat and ended up covered in trouble. This time I've really lost everything!"
Zhou Ting walked into the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School dejectedly, making Ning Rongrong quite curious.
"Tsk tsk, did the big bad guy suffer a loss?!"
Zhou Ting waved his hand as if shooing a fly, saying with a look of disdain.
"I'm in a bad mood, don't talk to me."
Then, he sat down on the reclining chair.
Ning Rongrong glared at him angrily and said.
"That's my chair!"
"Can't I even sit for a while? So stingy!"
Ning Rongrong looked at the person acting like a rogue, rolled her eyes in disdain, sat on another chair, and asked gossipingly.
"Tell me, what did you go off to do this time?"
Zhou Ting closed his eyes and said with a bitter smile.
"I went to stir up a hornet's nest!"
Ning Rongrong curled her lip in disdain and said huffily.
"Hmph, if you won't say it, then don't. Who cares!"
Zhou Ting smiled bitterly; he really wasn't joking. This time he truly had stirred up a hornet's nest.
He had originally only planned to pluck some Immortal Herbs; as for the roots and stems, he would definitely have left them behind.
After all, the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well couldn't be moved, and one had to understand sustainable development.
But who knew, man proposes, God disposes... Zhou Ting shook his head helplessly, stopped thinking about it, and said.
"I have something to tell you..."
In the end, after paying the price of half a kilogram of jade emperor honey, Zhou Ting successfully sealed the Little Witch's mouth.
As for Zhu Zhuqing, the cold Big Kitty's mouth was the tightest; there was no need to worrChapter 55: 55 spirit beast eggs
Chapter 55: 55. spirit beast eggs
Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, Guest Room.
As a distinguished guest of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's little princess, the guest room Zhou Ting stayed in was naturally of the highest grade.
A single room of over a hundred square meters, complete with tables, chairs, and a living area; the bedroom featured a king-sized bed that could easily accommodate three or four people.
At night, Zhou Ting lay alone on this large bed, gnashing his teeth.
It was all the fault of that wretched Little Witch for dragging Big Kitty away!
Actually, even if Zhu Zhuqing hadn't been pulled away, the two of them wouldn't have had a chance to play together... cough cough, but on this lonely and desolate night, it would have been nice for everyone to chat about life and ideals!
"I'll settle the score with her next time. For now... I should check if there's anything wrong with my Spirit. Ever since I woke up, I've felt something isn't quite right."
"On the way back, I was constantly on edge and didn't have the heart to check."
His consciousness stepped into the first floor of the martial soul black pagoda.
His gaze swept over the bee colony, hives, and plant-type Spirit Beasts in the Plantation... nothing was out of the ordinary.
Just as Zhou Ting was about to head to the second floor.
"Gurgle!"
The place the sound came from was... the spring!
Although the black pagoda had an underground fountain, it was different from the outside world after all. The spring water generated extremely slowly, barely enough for consumption, and had never made such a large commotion.
"Could it be... the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well?!!"
A sense of joy, like finding something lost, filled his heart.
Zhou Ting quickly looked over... and then, with a look of disdain, he plucked a foolish Male Bee out of the spring water.
Good grief, it was actually this idiot drowning!
Tossing it back into the hive, Zhou Ting instructed the Bee Queen.
"From now on, only let it fight. I don't want future Jade Emperor Bees to be idiots like this!"
The Bee Queen glanced at the soaking wet Male Bee and vibrated her wings frantically in agreement.
She was also very disgusted by such a foolish Male Bee!
Zhou Ting unwillingly inspected the spring again; it was just as ordinary as the ones outside. At most, the spirit power contained in the spring water was slightly higher.
But that was also thanks to the Soul Passing Worms!
Shaking his head in disappointment, Zhou Ting ascended to the second floor. It was empty here, save for a single insect nest containing over twenty thousand Soul Passing Worms.
Other than that, there was nothing unusual.
The third floor, a void!
...On the seventh floor, the old man Anthony was still the same. There was nothing on the table except for a Meditation Technique book.
"I wonder when I'll be able to Cultivate to Rank 70."
Speaking of this, Zhou Ting's heart was full of bitterness.
"Originally, with the help of so many Immortal Herbs, my strength could have taken a massive leap forward, but now..."
"The Immortal Herbs, and even the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, have flown away. Everything has turned into a pipe dream!"
"I wonder which great god did it. Asura? Sea God? God of Destiny..."
Thinking too much was useless; Zhou Ting focused on reality.
"The scary part is, according to the protagonist's law, Tang San's fortuitous encounters probably won't decrease..."
"He will most likely still be able to find the relocated Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, or it might even be delivered to him. Even worse, it could be a new... treasure land!"
"As the protagonist, Tang San's growth rate is truly terrifying!"
Isn't it terrifying?
At age 6, Tang San had Innate Full Spirit Power.
At age 12, he entered Shrek Academy at Rank 29.
At age 22, he reached Rank 60+.
At age 25, he became a god.
Cultivating for nineteen years to become a god is unprecedented and unique!
Among these, he had two major fortuitous encounters: one was the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, and the other was the Sea God's Trials.
Oh, and the Slaughter City.
Zhou Ting wanted to intercept the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, but who would have thought... this first attempt would fail.
What was even more depressing was that Zhou Ting realized...
"...the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud will probably be very hard to get his hands on too!"
Zhou Ting fell into a deep melancholy and unconsciously stepped into the eighth floor of the black pagoda. He glanced around indifferently... As expected, it was also a void, with nothing there.
"Since I'm already here, I might as well take a look at the ninth floor!"
The next moment, Zhou Ting looked at the mountain peak below and was completely stunned; he couldn't believe his eyes.
What did he see?
"The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well?!"
The entire ninth floor was a... small volcano!
Inside the crater, half was bright red scorching magma, and the other half was milky white freezing ice water!
If this wasn't the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, what was it!
"But... where are the Immortal Herbs?"
Zhou Ting looked around, his consciousness sweeping over every inch of land, but he didn't find a single blade of grass, let alone an Immortal Herb.
What a massive disappointment!
Calming down slightly, Zhou Ting felt that the energy on the entire ninth floor was thin, and it lacked the special energy field of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
In other words... Zhou Ting scooped up a handful of magma with one hand and a handful of ice water with the other, investigating carefully. The result was despairing.
He smiled bitterly.
"This... isn't the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well!"
"It's just pure magma! Pure ice water!"
Zhou Ting frowned, completely perplexed.
"The black pagoda... is my Spirit, it's for Spirit Beasts to live in!"
"Wait... Spirit Beasts?"
His thoughts delved deep into the volcano. This was his own Spirit after all; no matter how hot or cold it was, it couldn't harm him!
At the bottom of the volcano, the magma and ice water were still clearly separated, not encroaching on each other, in peaceful coexistence.
On a smooth stone platform at the bottom, 'marbles' stood steadily. Some were red, some were white, and some were a mix of red and white in the middle.
At first glance, Zhou Ting thought they were just ordinary stone beads.
But when his consciousness touched a stone bead, he was completely shocked.
These weren't stones at all; they were clearly individual little lives.
These... were all Spirit Beasts, unhatched spirit beast eggs.
"Could they be... Stone Men?"
"Magma Stone Men, Ice and Snow Stone Men?"
Zhou Ting felt a headache coming on!
His own Spirit, the black pagoda, had its ninth floor invaded and occupied by Spirit Beasts?!!
Although the origin of these stone eggs was certainly extraordinary and their talent might be terrifying...
But... the ninth spirit ring he wanted was supposed to be at least a hundred-thousand-year one!
But these stone eggs... haven't even been born yet!
In other words, they don't even qualify as ten-year Spirit Beasts!
Trying to Cultivate them to a hundred thousand years... this difficulty... Zhou Ting didn't want to talk anymore; he wanted to die.
But he couldn't bear to give up these Spirit Beasts that were clearly extraordinary.
After all, any fool would know these Spirit Beasts were related to the Ice and Fire Dragon Kings beneath the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
On the Douluo Continent, one becomes a god at Rank 100!
After becoming a god, there's the Third-class Divinity, then second-class, first-class, then God King, and finally the Supreme God King.
Of the two God Positions Tang San later obtained, the Sea God was only a First-class Divinity, while the Asura God was one of the five God Kings.
And before they fell, the Ice and Fire Dragon Kings were super powerhouses at the God King level.
Therefore, the Spirit Beasts bred here were precious to the extreme.
They might even be related to becoming a god.
This made it even more impossible to give up.
After all, Zhou Ting wasn't Tang San; God Positions wouldn't just be delivered to his doorstep.
What was even more tragic was that even the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, which was almost in his hands, had run away. A God Position... would likely have nothing to do with him!Chapter 56: Exercise
Chapter 56: 56. Exercise
"So, how did they appear here?"
As for the truth of the matter, Zhou Ting ultimately gave up on investigating. There was no other way; his current Rank was too low.
His consciousness detached from his Spirit, leaving only a faint sigh echoing on the volcano.
"Even if it's only a trace of the God King's mysteries... it's still a huge gain."
One must look forward in life!
Zhou Ting successfully convinced himself. Without any psychological burden, he had a good night's sleep.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Hey, big lazybones, get up! Your Zhuqing has already gone to Cultivate, yet you're still lazing in bed."
Ning Rongrong's level of mockery was simply not enough to affect him.
Zhou Ting opened the door as if nothing had happened. Facing the morning sun, he took a comfortable stretch before asking,
"How long does she Cultivate every day?"
Recalling Zhu Zhuqing's performance, even the habitually proud Ning Rongrong had a face full of admiration as she praised,
"At least fourteen hours!"
This answer was unexpected, yet it made sense.
Zhu Zhuqing's talent wasn't particularly high—when compared to the other six monsters, that is.
In short, most of Zhu Zhuqing's current achievements relied on hard work and persistence.
Although this kind of Cultivation increased speed, it squeezed the body's potential and was extremely harmful.
If not for the later use of Immortal Herbs to make up for the deficiency and strengthen her talent, her future achievements would have been... limited.
Of course, this wasn't to say Zhu Zhuqing was short-sighted.
Given her situation, if she couldn't become strong quickly, only death awaited her.
Could potential be more important than one's life?
Of course, if there were other fortuitous encounters, that would be a different story.
For example, jade emperor honey.
Compared to Immortal Herbs, hundred-year jade emperor honey, or even royal jelly over six hundred years old, the effects were a major step down.
However, the effects of jade emperor honey were mild, had no side effects, and there was no such thing as drug resistance.
Unlike Human Immortal Herbs, of which one could only consume one or two, honey could be consumed without limit.
As they say, if the quality isn't enough, make up for it with quantity.
Cough, cough. If a Spirit Master kept eating it for a hundred years, the accumulated effect could also reach the level of an Immortal Herb.
Calculated this way, the cost-effectiveness of jade emperor honey was indeed not great.
However, the Jade Emperor Bees on the first floor of the Black Tower could grow.
Previously, Zhou Ting spent five years letting them grow for five hundred years.
Now, if he wanted to, he could make them Breakthrough to the thousand-year level in just one year.
At that time, the effect of the jade emperor honey would naturally have a qualitative leap.
It just wasn't necessary.
Now was the golden age for Zhou Ting's strength to grow; he couldn't afford to waste a year on this.
Furthermore, if he could Breakthrough Rank 30 and reach the Spirit Elder Realm, it would be much simpler to Cultivate the bee colony.
Not to mention the later Spirit Ancestor and Spirit King levels... So, Zhou Ting did not plan to Cultivate the Spirit Beasts in the Black Tower for now.
Of course, they were also growing on their own.
Zhou Ting was protected by the true body of the Soul Passing Worm at all times; they would absorb external energy, which was then converted by the Black Tower to supply the life within the tower.
Without the drag of these energy-hungry consumers, Zhou Ting's Cultivation finally got on the right track.
In the month since escaping Shrek Academy, he had already Cultivated from Rank 21 to Rank 25.
All of this was brought about by his excellent talent (royal jelly)!
Zhou Ting stood outside the simulated environment, watching the agile figure in the woods with admiration.
"With Zhuqing's speed, if I didn't prepare in advance, I really wouldn't be able to block her attacks!"
Forget blocking; he couldn't even confirm her position with his eyes.
Of course, Zhou Ting had after all Cultivated a Mage's Universal Meditation Method. His Physical Body was not his strong suit—mental force was!
Although the Universal Meditation Method didn't record any Spells, he still knew the simple operation of... projecting mental force.
"Zhuqing works too hard!"
Compared to Zhu Zhuqing, she was also a lazy person. Ning Rongrong couldn't help but feel a bit ashamed.
Zhou Ting glanced at her and mocked,
"Oh, how rare. The grand Young Miss of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, Ning Rongrong, actually knows she's... as lazy as a pig!"
Laziness... she admitted it!
But to describe a beautiful young girl as a pig!
Ning Rongrong couldn't bear it, and the fire of anger surged in her heart.
"Zhou... Ting, you're looking for death!"
Zhou Ting really didn't mind making things worse, laughing mockingly again.
"Heh heh..."
Furious, Ning Rongrong lunged with claws and teeth, wanting to tear that hateful face apart.
Zhou Ting instantly retreated, avoiding her brunt.
At the same time, he gave her a disdainful glance and said,
"With those tiny arms and legs of yours, thinking you can hit me is just a pipe dream!"
Ning Rongrong was practically driven mad with rage. From childhood to now, she had never suffered such humiliation.
"Argh... Zhou Ting, you... you bastard..."
"You stop right there for this Young Miss..."
Zhou Ting turned and continued to run, but a trace of bitterness appeared at the corner of his mouth.
Sometimes, having senses that are too sensitive is not a good thing!
Case in point: right now, he clearly felt two gazes fixed on him.
One was full of encouragement, the other... was filled with Killing Intent!
Zhou Ting wailed in his heart: I didn't want this either!
...At the edge of the forest, Zhou Ting ran and stopped intermittently, even constantly speaking to provoke Ning Rongrong's fragile nerves.
The two of them bickered and played, unknowingly chasing each other for the entire morning.
When Zhu Zhuqing walked out of the forest, what she saw was her good friend, equally drenched in sweat and utterly exhausted.
The next moment, she glanced at Zhou Ting, who was standing beside Ning Rongrong looking completely unruffled.
Then she sat down next to Ning Rongrong and asked with concern,
"Rongrong... what happened?"
Zhou Ting had a look of helplessness; he had never seen such a foolish girl.
The Provocation Tactic... she fell for it every time, never seeing through it.
What made him even more speechless was that this girl knew how to use Spirit Abilities to buff herself, but didn't know that after her spirit power and physical strength were exhausted, she could drink some honey to speed up recovery.
"Huff... huff..."
Ning Rongrong leaned on Zhu Zhuqing's shoulder, gave Zhou Ting a disdainful glare, and asked,
"Are you calling me stupid in your heart!"
At those words... Zhou Ting quickly denied,
"How could that be!"
Ning Rongrong ate a small piece of honey and quickly recovered completely. She said with a smug look,
"Hmph, you think I don't know? You were intentionally provoking me to make me chase you..."
Ning Rongrong's eyes seemed to see through everything.
"You think I don't know my dad forced you to do this?"
After saying that, she turned to look at the pavilion not far away and asked,
"Isn't that right, Dad!"
Inside the pavilion, a middle-aged but still handsome and elegant man walked out, a smile on his lips.
"You're right, I'm the one who asked him."
Ning Rongrong huffily gave her father a white-eyed look, then swept a glance at Zhou Ting and said fiercely,
"Hmph, none of you are good people!"
Zhou Ting was helpless; he didn't want to do it either.
Ning Fengzhi asked with a serious expression,
"Rongrong, do you want to become a true Spirit Master?"
Ning Rongrong looked determined.
"Of course I do!"
"But I'm a support Spirit Master, does that have anything to do with this?"
The smile vanished from Ning Fengzhi's face, and he said with great solemnity,
"Support Spirit Masters are actually the ones in the most danger. They are the first target all enemies must kill. It's the most dangerous!"
"If you want to become a true Spirit Master, you must have the ability to protect yourselfChapter 57 – The Dying Crown Prince Xue Qinghe
Chapter 57 – The Dying Crown Prince Xue Qinghe
Deep inside the Heaven Dou City palace, a secret chamber.
Emperor Xue Ye stared fixedly at the Crown Prince lying on the sickbed, his face heavy with grief.
His gaze wavered—hesitant, torn, struggling—when suddenly an aged figure emerged from the shadows and bowed.
"Your Majesty..."
Emperor Xue Ye gave a bitter, self-mocking smile.
"How ironic—the sovereign of a nation can't even protect his own son!"
Powerlessness, a deep, crushing powerlessness.
He was... truly old now.
The old man acted as if he'd heard nothing; his face remained expressionless, and he uttered not a word.
"Why am I even telling you this."
Emperor Xue Ye took no offense and continued asking.
"How did they react?"
The old man, wooden as ever, recounted calmly.
"They spoke of the assassin..."
Emperor Xue Ye cut him off with a wave; he didn't want that detail. He pressed more specifically.
"Did they... laugh?"
"They laughed."
The old man's words carried no emotion, yet they struck Emperor Xue Ye like a heavy blow.
The Crown Prince had been assassinated, poisoned and hovering at death's door.
They didn't grieve—instead, they laughed.
So this is the "family bond" of the imperial clan; how ironic.
Emperor Xue Ye's heart churned with bitterness.
After a moment he collected himself and asked.
"Is this assassination connected to them?"
"There is no evidence."
The old man's curt answer left Emperor Xue Ye unsure whether to feel sorrow or relief.
"Such is the imperial house!!"
He shook his head in desolation, looked at the Crown Prince clinging to his final breath, inhaled deeply, and said.
"Continue surveillance... and keep them safe."
"Yes."
At this instant, Emperor Xue Ye finally steeled his resolve.
"In addition—prepare the rite."
At the word "rite" the robot-like old man showed emotion for the first time; he anxiously shouted in protest.
"Your Majesty, you mustn't!"
Emperor Xue Ye felt his frail body and the weariness seeping into his Soul; imperial might erupted.
"There is nothing I can't do—this is an order!"
"...Yes!"
Beneath an emperor's might, no one dared defy!
Emperor Xue Ye gently stroked a strand of his son's white hair and murmured.
"Last time... I failed to save you. This time, I won't abandon you, Qinghe."
Emperor Xue Ye turned and strode away.
Only the empty chamber remained, with the motionless, solitary figure of Xue Qinghe.
Suddenly, a soft "whoosh" sounded at his bedside, and a broad-shouldered figure appeared...
Prince's quarters, palace.
Xue Beng could not hide the joy on his face—at last, he would be free!
In truth, among the brothers he had been the first to sense something wrong with Xue Qinghe.
Though the fake second brother acted flawlessly, with nearly every detail correct.
Who says children recognize people with their eyes? A mysterious, indescribable feeling... that is how children know.
From the moment he vaguely sensed something amiss, Xue Beng became thoroughly low-key; under Prince Xue Xing's guidance he played the fool: feigned incompetence, idleness, worthlessness—waiting to die. In the eyes of his three elder brothers he posed no threat.
Until... he accidentally let something slip and the eldest and third brother heard.
Thereupon the long-standing rivalry among the three brothers exploded outright.
The conflict intensified; on the eve of open war, the assassination occurred—both elder brothers died of poison.
Ever since, Xue Beng firmly believed... the fake Xue Qinghe had administered the poison.
For that he felt "guilty" for a long while.
Yet now the fake Xue Qinghe was also poisoned, and the matter had become murky once more.
"Uncle, do you think this assassination might be... staged by him?"
Facing his closest nephew, Prince Xue Xing dropped his mask and chuckled.
"Impossible to fake. Right now he hovers at death's door; the poison could claim him at any moment.
Besides, he is already Crown Prince—there's no need to take such a risk!"
"Uncle speaks truly."
Prince Xue Xing regarded his almost floating nephew and lectured solemnly.
"Mind yourself; don't let outsiders see!"
Xue Beng was too elated to care.
"Uncle isn't an outsider!"
Those words delighted Prince Xue Xing, yet he still warned.
"Beng, remain cautious. This assassination shows a power is targeting the royal house; outside the palace is unsafe. From now on, don't leave the grounds."
Xue Beng pressed his lips, lowered his head, voice subdued.
"I understand, Uncle."
Seeing his reluctant look, Prince Xue Xing soothed with a smile.
"All these years you've endured; persevere a while longer. Later His Majesty will send experts to protect you, and then you needn't worry.
I must return to my estate; take extra care of yourself."
Xue Beng obediently nodded.
"Rest assured, Uncle!"
"Remember, these are exceptional times: better to speak and act little than to make any mistake! And even within the palace safety is not absolute!"
"I understand, Uncle."
Xue Beng's face was grave; clearly he had taken the warning to heart.
Prince Xue Xing's eyes showed satisfaction; he turned and strode from the hall.
Today... the sun shines brilliantly!
"So the Crown Prince is still... about to die!"
Ning Rongrong's face was full of disbelief.
That was the Heaven Dou Empire's Crown Prince, the Emperor's heir.
Barely half a year after two princes were poisoned to death, the Crown Prince would also fall to poison?
Had Heaven Dou Empire offended the God of Plague?
Ning Fengzhi sighed with deep regret.
"Yes, Qinghe's poison has reached the marrow; his days are numbered. He owes his lingering life to our young friend's jade emperor honey—otherwise he would already be dead.
Zhou Ting had been mentioned, but he chose not to speak.
He had no choice; Ning Fengzhi was a wily old fox with eight hundred schemes.
A single misstep and you'd fall into his rhythm, led by the nose.
To avoid becoming an ox, Zhou Ting decided... silence is golden!
Besides, Xue Qinghe would not die!
Others might not know, but how could Zhou Ting not?
From what Ning Fengzhi had said, the poison was identical to last time.
Last time the princes were poisoned by Qian Renxue to eliminate rivals.
This poison came from Spirit Hall—so this assassination was again Spirit Hall's work.
And Spirit Hall would never poison its own Young Lord.
After all, the one posing as Xue Qinghe was the daughter of the current Supreme Pontiff Bibi Dong and the former Supreme Pontiff Qian Xunji—Qian Renxue.
She was also the granddaughter of Spirit Hall's High Priest, the ninety-ninth-level Limit Douluo who claimed invincibility in the sky, Qian Daoliu.
In short, even without anyone's help, she would not die.
What Zhou Ting could not understand was why Spirit Hall staged this farce.
If they did not cure the poison, the identity of Xue Qinghe would perish.
If they sent someone to cure it, Xue Qinghe would not clear suspicion—instead it would confirm the charge of poisoning the princes.
After all, last time both princes died of poison—so how come you alone were unharmed?
"What exactly is Spirit Hall trying to achieve?"
It was a truly puzzling question.Chapter 58 – Entrustment
Chapter 58 – Entrustment
Ning Fengzhi gave Zhou Ting, who had stayed silent, a half-smiling glance, then reminded his precious daughter.
"Rongrong!"
Ning Rongrong wiped the sweat from her brow, her face full of displeasure.
"Alright, alright, I got it. Hmph, always rushing me!"
With that, the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, wearing a bitter expression, reluctantly channeled spirit power into the golden bracelet on her right wrist.
The 1.6-meter-tall Ning Rongrong instantly shrank by two centimeters, now barely 1.58 meters!
At this moment, Ning Rongrong looked as if a great mountain pressed down on her back—stooped, every step an ordeal.
Even so, Ning Fengzhi admonished her, still dissatisfied.
"Rongrong, straighten your back!"
Though reluctant, Ning Rongrong pulled herself upright.
Zhou Ting eyed the gravity-adjusting golden bracelet on her wrist and marveled inwardly.
"As expected, spirit tools… are Douluo Continent's number-one productive force!"
Then he thought of Tang San, of the proud, closely-guarded Hidden Weapons and mechanisms, and curled his lip in disdain.
"Hidden Weapons? I wouldn't take them even if they were free."
He glanced across at Ning Fengzhi, felt uneasy all over, and—slipping on nothing—was ready to bolt.
"Nephew Zhou, a moment please!"
Cold sweat broke out on Zhou Ting's back, yet inside he rejoiced: Thank heavens… it wasn't "Fellow Daoist, please stay!"
He was still young, not ready to die; he didn't want to meet calamity.
Zhou Ting turned stiffly, facing the old fox Ning Fengzhi again.
"Uncle Ning… what is it?"
Ning Fengzhi beamed, looking perfectly benevolent.
But to Zhou Ting, it felt like a weasel paying New-Year respects to a chicken.
Zhou Ting knew he was gifted, but hardly worth a Sect Master of the Upper Three Sects calling him "nephew" at every turn.
He still had some self-knowledge.
In the end, he was only… an ordinary friend of the man's daughter.
Well, maybe not even a friend.
Besides, Zhou Ting lacked Tang San's deep backing or any strength or influence worth the man's notice.
Although the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, missing two layers, could never pass rank 70, its auxiliary effects were terrifying.
Strength, speed, spirit power, defense, attack—at most, a seven-ring Spirit Saint like Ning Fengzhi could boost each by 80%.
And that was with an incomplete Spirit.
Legend said the Ning ancestors possessed the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, able to Cultivate normally to the nine-ring Titled Douluo level.
Every stat amplified by 100%, even more fearsome.
Sadly, over generations the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda inexplicably lost two tiers, leaving only seven.
Even so, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda remained the continent's premier support Spirit.
In fact, it could also appraise treasures, so the Ning family never lacked money.
Put together, these facts drew two Titled Douluo to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
To sum it up in one sentence:
Before Ning Fengzhi, Zhou Ting was nobody.
Ning Fengzhi spoke gently, full of praise.
"I hear from Ning Ke that at six you entered the Soul Hunting Forest alone—truly… courageous!"
Zhou Ting remembered Ning Ke, the shopkeeper of Nine Treasure Spirit Materials.
Back then, in that shop, he'd sold two jin of honey for over sixty thousand gold coins; most of them were still unspent.
Gold coins held their value well.
As for "braving the forest alone"—impossible; Xiao Wu had gone with him.
But there was no need to explain that.
Zhou Ting looked puzzled, a hint of challenge in his tone.
"Uncle Ning… what do you mean?"
Ning Fengzhi smiled faintly.
"I hope you won't mind; I simply wish to understand you better…"
Zhou Ting sat down again, meeting his gaze, all his earlier caution gone.
"Understand me?"
Why understand him?
You're no great beauty, Ning Fengzhi!
Zhou Ting's change didn't surprise Ning Fengzhi.
According to his information, Zhou Ting had set out alone at seven and had been wandering five years; he should look exactly like this.
"I simply want… to entrust my daughter to you."
Zhou Ting's mouth fell open, eyes wide; he was truly stunned.
Entrust her!!!
Was it the kind of entrustment he was thinking?
Should he call the man "father-in-law" on the spot?
Actually, on reflection, Ning Rongrong wasn't bad at all.
Pretty, gifted, and a little rich girl; aside from being slightly underfed and a bit proud, she was fine.
Marrying her would be no loss.
While Zhou Ting wrestled with whether to speak, Ning Fengzhi explained with a wry smile.
"These past days you've surely seen it—Rongrong lacks perseverance. Without you spurring her on, she'd have quit long ago; she'd never train this hard."
Zhou Ting now understood the "father-in-law's" meaning—he'd misread it.
He breathed a sigh of relief, yet somehow felt disappointed.
Fortunately, Ning Fengzhi didn't know Zhou Ting was coveting his daughter; otherwise he'd have beaten him to death.
"I want you to keep training with Rongrong."
Zhou Ting hesitated.
Ning Fengzhi asked with a smile.
"Nephew, what concerns do you have?"
Zhou Ting looked toward the nearby hill, troubled.
"I fear someone may not agree."
Ning Fengzhi was startled, then assured him.
"Rest easy, this is for Rongrong's good. Sword Uncle and Bone Uncle will thank you, not make things difficult."
"All right, then."
Talk over, Zhou Ting joined the training group.
A white-haired man appeared beside Ning Fengzhi, standing ramrod-straight like an unsheathed sword.
Just looking at him stung the eyes.
"Feng Zhi, this little fellow is no simple thing."
Recalling Zhou Ting's performance, Ning Fengzhi nodded. "Indeed—he actually sensed you and Bone Uncle!"
…Imperial palace, secret chamber.
"Your Majesty…"
"Mm, you're here. Is the ritual ready?"
Emperor Xue Ye, now out of his daytime regalia, wore plain clothes like any ordinary noble elder, gentle and without sharp edges.
Nor did he show any nervousness before the great act.
The old man hesitated, then dropped to one knee.
"Your Majesty, this old servant has waited on you decades; I cannot watch while you…"
Emperor Xue Ye waved a hand, cutting him off.
"I know what you wish to say, but I know my own state. Since becoming emperor I've neglected cultivation; my spirit power hasn't advanced…"
His expression was complex—reluctant, regretful, unwilling, longing. "Last time I failed to save them, and remorse has tormented me ever since…"
The old man hastened to comfort him.
"Your Majesty, you cannot blame yourself. You could not save both princes at once, and… the Heaven Dou Empire cannot lose you!"
"I know my own body; it won't last much longer."
Emperor Xue Ye smiled as if speaking of someone else.
"If there were no way, I might accept it in peace—but there is a way."
"If I do nothing…"
"Beng'er is deep-minded and forbearing—truly a fine seedling…"
"Only, he is too young!"Chapter 59 – Summons
Chapter 59 – Summons
My mind is made up!
Emperor Xue Ye knew all too well that his youngest son, Xue Beng, was inseparable from Prince Xue Xing. Ordinarily, that connection posed no problem.
But if Xue Beng truly ascended the throne… not even his own younger brother could set his mind at ease.
As for Qinghe, although he had only the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School at his back…
that was already enough.
After all, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School was Heaven Dou Empire's staunchest ally.
Worry about the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School seizing power?
There was simply no need.
The school cared nothing for the throne; what they valued was Cultivation—finding a way to mend the flaws in their Spirits.
The old man saw that Emperor Xue Ye's resolve was iron; he offered no further advice. Instead, he drew item after item from his storage spirit tool: crimson feathers, blue fish-skin, fish-bones… and placed them one by one beside Xue Qinghe.
Those Materials naturally exuded red and blue auras—clearly Spirit Beast Materials rich in water- and fire-attribute spirit power.
A mysterious Qi permeated the secret chamber.
Yet, as the ritual began to take shape, Emperor Xue Ye left the chamber and strode toward the palace treasury.
The rite still required one final treasure—indispensable.
It was a palm-sized sapphire pyramid. Inside the gem, nebulae swirled; a gentle tilt seemed to shift the very stars—beautiful and enigmatic.
Emperor Xue Ye lifted the gem, his expression complex.
The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud… national treasure of Heaven Dou!
Called a national treasure, yet none of Heaven Dou's successive emperors had ever uncovered its true function.
They only knew that the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud was impervious to blade, fire, and water; even a Titled Douluo could not mar it—an incomparable jewel.
In fact, it was not entirely unusable.
Since its acquisition, the royal family had noticed it responded acutely to two kinds of spirit power: water and fire.
Materials from oceanic Spirit Beasts in particular could evoke a reaction.
From this, the dynasty developed a unique technique.
And then… locked it away!
The royal clan's Old Ancestor had first hoped to use the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud to store a dying expert's lifelong cultivation for future heirs—much like the Evil-Emperor Relic in Tales of the Twin Dragons.
Needless to say… they all failed.
The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud accepted any foreign spirit power without distinction—be it water-attribute or the royal light-attribute.
But when they tried to retrieve it, no amount of fire-attribute spirit power could draw it forth.
After countless failures, someone finally discovered something else: life-force.
In the palace above the secret chamber, Emperor Xue Ye cradled the blue pyramid.
School Master Ning, Your Excellency Sword Douluo, you've arrived.
He glanced behind Ning Fengzhi at the three who had escorted Qinghe back last time, and gave a friendly smile.
Ning Fengzhi asked gravely,
Your Majesty, is it… Qinghe?
He could hardly be blamed for gloom—his Disciple had been accepted only months ago and was now about to die.
It was downright ironic.
And for one of the Upper Three Sects, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's own Sect Master to have his Disciple poisoned—word of it would make the world laugh itself sick.
Emperor Xue Ye shook his head.
Qinghe is unharmed. Xue Xing and Xue Beng haven't arrived; once they're here, I'll explain.
School Master Ning, please.
They had barely taken their seats when Xue Beng, resident of the palace, arrived.
Under the circumstances, a summons from Emperor Xue Ye had filled him with giddy hope.
Could it be… Xue Qinghe was about to die?
Could it be… Father was about to confirm my position?
Yet the moment he saw Ning Fengzhi's party, he realized matters were not so simple.
Father…
Emperor Xue Ye waved him off expressionlessly.
Find a seat.
To the emperor's right sat Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, and Zhou Ting—here for the spectacle.
The opposite side remained entirely empty.
Xue Beng's brain fried its CPU before he humbly took the third chair on the left.
The first belonged to the Crown Prince—no contest.
The second belonged to Prince Xue Xing!
As he sat, Xue Beng covertly studied Emperor Xue Ye's face.
Seeing no reaction, his heart lurched, adrift in dread.
Father… why no response at all?
While he fidgeted, Prince Xue Xing arrived.
Brother… Your Majesty.
Emperor Xue Ye smiled and nodded.
Be seated.
Xue Xing went straight to the second chair, leaving the first for Xue Qinghe.
Zhou Ting silently studied the assembly, his gaze lingering longest on Emperor Xue Ye.
What exactly does Emperor Xue Ye intend?
And… what is Spirit Hall plotting?
His presence here was thanks entirely to Ning Rongrong; without her coaxing, Zhou Ting would never have set foot in Heaven Dou palace.
Emperor Xue Ye's eyes swept the room, pausing a heartbeat longer on Prince Xue Xing, then spoke solemnly.
I summoned you for one purpose alone… the dynasty holds a secret that may unravel the poison afflicting Qinghe!
It can detoxify?
A royal secret unknown even to princes?
How do I not know of this?
Prince Xue Xing stared, stunned.
Your Majesty?
He could not fathom why, if an antidote existed, the Emperor had not saved his eldest and third nephews earlier.
Nor why summon such a crowd.
Ning Fengzhi, old fox that he was, remained impassive, even rational, eyeing the sapphire in the emperor's hand as he speculated.
The method Your Majesty speaks of—does it involve our national treasure, the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud?
Emperor Xue Ye nodded in admiration.
Indeed, School Master Ning's perception is keen! Though we never uncovered its true purpose, we did glean certain effects.
Ning Fengzhi frowned; something in the emperor's manner felt… off.
Suddenly struck, he asked.
May I ask, Your Majesty—what price must be paid to save him?
Emperor Xue Ye merely smiled, turned to Prince Xue Xing, and asked genially.
Brother, will you join me in healing Qinghe?
In that instant every gaze converged on Prince Xue Xing.
An unprecedented dread welled inside him.
Sweat beaded on Prince Xue Xing's forehead; the brother before him seemed no longer kin but a ravenous beast eyeing its prey.
Something's wrong—very wrong. What is my brother planning?
Even if he longed for Xue Qinghe's death, even if he wished to refuse… he could not.
At the very least, Xue Qinghe remained his nephew—and Heaven Dou Empire's Crown Prince, the imperial heir.
If he declared refusal… the consequences would be unthinkable.
Prince Xue Xing, heart bitter, forced a smile.
Brother, if it can save Qinghe, I am willing to try any means.Chapter 60: Brother, Let's Go Together
Chapter 60: 60. Brother, Let's Go Together
"This is... very good!"
The smile on Emperor Xue Ye's face was very brilliant.
However, as Prince Xue Xing looked at his "joyful" brother, his clothes were soaked with cold sweat, clinging tightly to his back.
No one present was a fool; even the most "innocent" one, Zhu Zhuqing, had grown up through extremely cruel life-and-death struggles.
Everyone could see that Emperor Xue Ye's attitude was off.
The so-called Imperial Secret Technique was likely nothing good.
Prince Xue Xing's fate... was worrisome!
Xue Beng could naturally see that his royal uncle was in trouble.
However, what he didn't understand was why his father was doing this.
Emperor Xue Ye gave Xue Beng a deep look and called out earnestly.
"Beng'er..."
"Your son is here!"
"Your father and your royal uncle are going to use a secret technique. If it succeeds, nothing more need be said, but if it fails... you must take up the responsibility."
A flash of joy crossed Xue Beng's eyes, but his face showed endless sorrow as he spoke anxiously.
"Father, you will definitely succeed; nothing will happen."
Emperor Xue Ye nodded, showing his approval, and then looked at Ning Fengzhi.
"School Master Ning!"
"What are Your Majesty's commands?"
Emperor Xue Ye thought for a moment and finally just requested.
"I implore the School Master to fulfill our alliance!"
Ning Fengzhi was silent for a moment before saying decisively.
"The alliance between the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and the imperial family will always be in effect."
Satisfied, Emperor Xue Ye took the initiative to hold his brother's hand, and the two old men walked hand-in-hand into the secret chamber.
*Click...*
The secret chamber was locked.
With no outsiders present, Prince Xue Xing finally showed his true emotions, looking at Emperor Xue Ye with confusion and fear as he questioned.
"Why?"
Emperor Xue Ye walked to Xue Qinghe's bedside and sat down, placing the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud on Xue Qinghe's forehead, and asked in return.
"Haven't you already guessed?"
Prince Xue Xing seemed to have resigned himself to fate, asking dejectedly.
"Must it be like this?"
Emperor Xue Ye asked with a gentle face.
"Brother, isn't it good to go together with your brother?"
Prince Xue Xing's mouth twitched, utterly speechless.
We are biological brothers, not sworn brothers. Is it really okay to make me die with you?
"Why didn't I know the imperial family had some secret technique?"
Prince Xue Xing was puzzled. He originally thought Emperor Xue Ye was lying to him, but when he saw the room full of Materials, he became certain that the secret technique might actually exist.
Emperor Xue Ye looked at Prince Xue Xing as if looking at a fool and said.
"What do you think a secret technique is? It's a secret passed down orally from emperor to emperor!"
I didn't become the emperor... so it's my fault?!
Prince Xue Xing looked very aggrieved.
He glanced at the old man staying in the darkness and asked in despair.
"The price... of the secret technique, what is it?"
Emperor Xue Ye answered irrelevantly.
"We are both old; the Empire should be handed over to the young!"
Although he had already guessed the answer, Prince Xue Xing still felt uneasy.
Emperor Xue Ye didn't give his brother a chance to keep talking and grabbed his hand.
At this moment, two equally aged and wrinkled hands pressed onto the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud together.
Light!
A divine, holy golden light radiated out, drawing the spirit power from the surrounding Materials and pouring it into the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud.
Emperor Xue Ye felt his life slipping away, his body gradually weakening. He could feel... death was ahead.
He smiled and asked nonchalantly.
"Brother, do you know why both we and the Star Luo Imperial Family have Light-attribute Spirits?"
Prince Xue Xing was in no mood for this; filled with despair, he said resentfully.
"What kind of secret is this now?"
Emperor Xue Ye was in a good mood. Looking at him as if he were a throwing a tantrum, he explained with a smile.
"Yes! According to the Records of Imperial Secrets, all of this is related to Spirit Hall and the Angel God!"
Prince Xue Xing's mind shook as he asked in disbelief.
"Is there really an Angel God? What's with that look in your eyes?"
Emperor Xue Ye withdrew his look as if looking at a fool and said.
"If there wasn't, how could Spirit Hall be the number one power on the continent?"
"If it weren't for the Angel God's Legacy, how could the Qian family have peerless experts in every generation? The current High Priest of Spirit Hall... Qian Daoliu, is a Rank 99 Limit Douluo!"
"Known as... the man closest to God!"
Is Spirit Hall really that strong?
Prince Xue Xing immediately gasped, feeling ashamed for the first time of his own ignorance.
At this moment, he actually understood a little why his brother, Emperor Xue Ye, wanted to drag him to die together.
Understand... understand my foot!
He really didn't want to die!
With the massive loss of vitality, his fine silver-white hair gradually withered, becoming dry, pale, and devoid of any luster!
Now, the faces of the two brothers were crisscrossed with deep wrinkles, and... the skin all over their bodies was the same!
The two brothers were already on the verge of death!
Prince Xue Xing barely managed to lift an eyelid. Looking at the motionless Xue Qinghe, he said weakly.
"Brother, this secret technique has no effect. Were you tricked? How about..."
Just then, an incomparable suction force came from the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud.
Emperor Xue Ye shouted excitedly.
"It's coming!"
"Buzz!"
Blue misty clouds instantly erupted, sweeping through the entire secret chamber.
It was like being in a blue galaxy, with countless magnificent and mysterious stars filling the vision, captivating the senses.
"So beautiful..."
A sigh of satisfaction echoed in the secret chamber.
"Boom!"
Inside the main hall.
"What was that noise?!!"
Sword Douluo Chen Xin's figure flashed as he arrived at the entrance of the secret chamber, but he felt a mysterious and unfathomably powerful water-attribute spirit power... Suddenly, Chen Xin's expression changed drastically, and he said in horror.
"No, this isn't spirit power... definitely not!"
"Could it be..."
With a casual wave of his hand, a two-meter-long giant sword appeared before him, its tip pointing straight at the entrance of the secret chamber.
Seeing this, Xue Beng's face changed rapidly. After hesitating for just a second, he stepped forward to stop him.
"Your Excellency, please wait patiently!"
Chen Xin frowned; he didn't like the aura of this kid in front of him... it wasn't pure!
Ning Fengzhi thought for a moment and said.
"Uncle Sword..."
The two made eye contact, and Chen Xin finally retracted his Spirit.
On the other side, sitting at the end, Zhou Ting had a strange light flash in his eyes.
In his unseen Sea of Consciousness, a nine-level black tower was shining with a milky-white light.
Zhou Ting closed his eyes and entered the Ninth Level of the Black Tower, seeing the source of the light!
The pool of ice water in the crater was originally milky white, but now, stimulated by something unknown, it was actually turning slightly blue.
Furthermore, even the magma side was being stimulated, bubbling continuously as if the water were boiling.
His gaze continued downward.
One hundred and eight spirit beast eggs were swaying and shaking in the water, as if they had come to life!
"Could it be that they are... about to hatch?"
At this moment, Zhou Ting was like a new father, his heart filled with tension, anxiety, and anticipation!
Of course, there was also a great deal of confusion.
He was at a loss, not knowing what to do.