Chapter Fifty: Azure Scales and Begonia Join the Sect

"Alright!"

Upon hearing Xiao Yu's offer, Meng Shenji quickly nodded. The Heavenly Dou royal family lacked many things, but money was never one of them.

Xiao Yu turned to Dugu Bo and said, "Senior Dugu, could I trouble you to lift his petrification and let him return to deliver a message?"

Dugu Bo nodded, activating his soul bone skill. Two flashes of white light later, Meng Shenji was restored to his original state.

After lifting Meng Shenji's petrification, Dugu Bo looked at him earnestly and said, "When you return, please convey to Prince Xue Xing that Dugu Bo no longer owes him anything. From now on, I will not be a guest elder of the Heavenly Dou Empire, and Yan will also withdraw from the Royal Academy. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other."

Dugu Bo was no fool. If Xue Ye and Xue Xing hadn't given their approval, Meng Shenji and the others would never have dared to follow Yu Yuan Zhen and storm in like this. Besides, there were two royal enshrined elders accompanying them—Meng Shenji did not have the authority to mobilize such power.

Meng Shenji looked despondent and helplessly nodded. This was truly a case of trying to steal a chicken only to lose the rice—he hadn't gained a single benefit, would have to pay a large sum, and even the only titled Douluo with the Heavenly Dou Empire’s mark had been forced away. All because of that old scoundrel Yu Yuan Zhen!

"Dean Meng Shenji, Lingling is no longer suited to stay at the Royal Academy. Please arrange her withdrawal," Ye Renxin spoke up, seizing the opportunity. Having witnessed Xiao Yu's background and the bond between his precious granddaughter and Xiao Yu, he had long wanted Ye Lingling to leave school and follow Xiao Yu. With Xiao Yu’s status and talent, there was no girl on the continent who wouldn’t be moved; if Lingling stayed away, someone else would surely seize the chance.

But to propose her withdrawal rashly would surely offend the royal family, so he had always waited for the right moment. Now, with the royal family targeting Xiao Yu and disregarding the prestige of Nine-Heart Begonia, this was the perfect opportunity to sever ties.

Meng Shenji continued to nod. Ye Renxin’s reaction was within his expectations—if Dugu Yan was preparing to withdraw, Ye Lingling surely would as well. Xiao Yu had stayed with the Nine-Heart Begonia Clan upon his arrival in Heavenly Dou City, something Meng Shenji knew even before making his move.

"Go on, hurry back and gather the funds!"

Seeing everything settled, Xiao Yu waved nonchalantly at Meng Shenji. Though Meng Shenji was well-regarded in the original story, after trying to kill him, Xiao Yu saw no reason to be polite.

Despite being rebuked by a junior, Meng Shenji dared not show a hint of dissatisfaction, remembering the two formidable titled Douluo with one-hundred-thousand-year soul rings backing Xiao Yu. He meekly took his leave.

After Meng Shenji had gone, Dugu Bo suddenly turned around and bowed deeply to Xiao Yu.

Xiao Yu was genuinely startled, quickly sidestepping to avoid the grand gesture. "Senior Dugu, what are you doing?"

"Brother Xiao, I, Dugu Bo, failed to judge people and nearly caused a disaster. If not for you today, my granddaughter and I would have been doomed!"

Dugu Bo was not wrong. Had Xiao Yu not cherished the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well and decided to build a branch here, Dugu Bo alone would have had no hope against Yu Yuan Zhen and his allies. Dugu Yan would have been abducted by the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, who would stop at nothing to unravel the secret of martial soul evolution from her.

"Now my granddaughter and I have no place to go. I wonder if your second condition from the other day still stands?"

"Of course it does!"

Xiao Yu stepped forward to help Dugu Bo up. "I have long admired Senior Dugu’s reputation. With you joining our sect, it will be like adding wings to a tiger. From now on, you are an elder of the Nine Star Hall, stationed here in Heavenly Dou City alongside Senior Yang Invincible."

"Xiao Yu," Ye Renxin spoke as well, "After today’s events, I fear the Nine-Heart Begonia has no place in Heavenly Dou Empire. Would Nine Star Hall grant an old man like me a seat?"

Ye Renxin didn’t bow as Dugu Bo did. After all, in some ways, Xiao Yu was his prospective grandson-in-law. If he were to bow to his junior, would he have to bow to his own granddaughter one day?

"Of course. Nine-Heart Begonia’s healing abilities are unmatched across the continent; I doubt any sect would refuse you."

Xiao Yu smiled faintly, feeling a sudden gratitude toward Yu Yuan Zhen. If not for his disturbance, pushing the royal family into opposition with both Nine-Heart Begonia and Dugu Bo, it wouldn’t have been so easy to win over these two powerful allies.

Meanwhile, Meng Shenji left Sunset Forest and hastened back to Heavenly Dou City, heading straight for the imperial palace.

...

Smash!

After hearing Meng Shenji’s report, Emperor Xue Ye’s teacup slipped from his hand and shattered on the floor.

Fear, frustration, anger, and unwillingness—so many emotions tangled together, his face changed repeatedly, his expression a vivid display of turmoil.

Beside him, Prince Xue Xing was now beside himself with regret. Had he known the little brat named Xiao Yu, whom Yu Yuan Zhen intended to deal with, possessed such a background, he would never have betrayed Dugu Bo and sided with Yu Yuan Zhen.

Two titled Douluo with one-hundred-thousand-year soul rings! What a terrifying force—and Dugu Bo was clearly on friendly terms with them. If he had maintained good relations with Dugu Bo, then, with careful maneuvering, he might have clung to a leg even sturdier than that of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Opposite Prince Xue Xing, Qian Renxue, disguised as Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, was also stunned. If it were merely two titled Douluo, she wouldn’t have lost composure; after all, the Spirit Hall had the most titled Douluo on the continent—nine elders, six enshrined, her grandfather, and that woman, all formidable.

What truly shocked her was the soul ring configuration of these two titled Douluo—one-hundred-thousand-year soul rings! Among Spirit Hall’s titled Douluo, only her grandfather, Second Elder Golden Crocodile Douluo, and the woman she least wished to mention had such soul rings.

Just where had this Nine Star Hall emerged from? What mysterious background did this sect possess, and would it threaten Spirit Hall’s plan to unify the continent? She must find a way to uncover Nine Star Hall’s secrets!

"Qinghe, Qinghe?"

While Qian Renxue was lost in thought, Emperor Xue Ye’s voice sounded beside her. She quickly regained her composure and knelt to apologize, "Your child was overwhelmed by Dean Meng Shenji’s report and momentarily lost focus. Please forgive me, Father!"

"No matter," Xue Ye waved dismissively. Even he had been unsettled by the sudden news, let alone Xue Qinghe, whose experience was less than his. "Qinghe, in your opinion, how should we handle this matter? The other side is asking for twenty-five million gold soul coins. The empire could muster the funds, but it isn't money blown in by the wind!"