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After Bibi Dong held him for a while, Xuanming left Spirit Hall and headed towards Shrek Academy.

Moon Pavilion could wait until evening. The Crown Prince’s Residence was not urgent. First, he would contact Ning Rongrong to get in touch with School Master Ning to see how chaotic Heaven Dou City had become and if there was a need to add fuel to the fire.

“Zhu Zhuqing! Do you even know what you’re doing?!”

“That guy has been gone for half a year, and now no one knows where he ran off to! You’re still holding out hope for him?”

“The Soul Master Competition is right around the corner. Do you really want to die at Dai Weisi’s hands? Or do you want to be imprisoned by him, becoming a plaything for life?”

“My affairs are none of your business.”

…

As soon as he entered Shrek Academy, Xuanming witnessed the familiar and entertaining sight of an argument.

Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai.

Strange, he had already gone to such lengths last time, and Dai Mubai still had the courage?

“What’s going on?”

Xuanming gently pulled Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong, who were watching the show, from behind, and quietly activated his Domain on a small scale, sealing off the aura and sound from this area.

“Xuanming?!” Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong exclaimed in surprise, their eyes filled with joy.

“When did you come back?”

“Today.” Xuanming pointed to Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing not far away.

“Why are they like this again?”

“Don’t misunderstand! Zhuqing is truly sincere about you!” Xiao Wu quickly said.

Xuanming looked speechless, “I’m asking you what’s going on?”

“It’s Star Luo,” Ning Rongrong explained.

“Your affairs have caused too much of a stir these past few months. Star Luo also got the news. The Zhu family sent people to Shrek Academy, demanding that Zhuqing cut ties with you. They’re probably worried this matter will affect the Zhu family’s reputation.”

“Dai Mubai’s Elder brother also sent him a message, saying he knew about Dai Mubai and Zhuqing breaking up. He’s been quite panicked lately, because if he loses Zhuqing, Dai Mubai will lose the qualification to compete with his Elder brother, and the power over his life and death for the rest of his life will fall into his Elder brother’s hands.”

“Even if it’s just to buy time, Dai Mubai must first mend his relationship with Zhuqing. Otherwise, after this competition, Zhuqing will at worst be protected by our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, but Dai Mubai will be finished.”

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School’s power was already immense, and with their close ties to the Heaven Dou Imperial Family over the years, they didn’t need to show Star Luo any face. Even if she forcefully protected Zhu Zhuqing, Star Luo wouldn’t dare say anything.

After all, would the Star Luo Emperor really dare to gamble on whether her Grandpa Gu would secretly sneak into the palace to give him a surprise?

“How dare he?” Xuanming asked, puzzled.

“Was the lesson I gave him last time not enough?”

“Of course he wouldn’t dare, but you’ve been missing for half a year. Many people are saying you’ve run away,” Ning Rongrong said.

“And now Grandmaster has arranged to meet Zhuqing to discuss training issues, but I have a feeling there’s something fishy about this, so we both followed along.”

“When we arrived, sure enough, Grandmaster was interfering again.”

“Yu Xiaogang? Why is he so concerned about Dai Mubai’s affairs?” Xuanming asked, puzzled.

Ning Rongrong thought for a moment, “It’s a bit complicated. This matter is also related to Tang San.”

“Tang San?” Xuanming frowned slightly.

“You might not believe it, but Tang San is from the Clear Sky Sect,” Ning Rongrong said.

“He also has twin spirits, and his second Spirit is the Clear Sky Hammer!”

“My father told me that, if nothing unexpected happens, Tang San is Clear Sky Douluo, Tang Hao’s son!”

“I know,” Xuanming said.

“How did you know?”

“Huh?” Ning Rongrong looked bewildered.

“How did you know?”

“I’ve met Tang Hao,” Xuanming said.

“When did you meet him? How come I don’t know?” Ning Rongrong asked, puzzled.

“Back then in Soto City, on the night you enrolled, wasn’t I missing for a whole day?” Xuanming said.

Xiao Wu recalled, “Your injuries at that time, could they have been inflicted by Tang Hao?”

Xuanming raised an eyebrow slightly, “Didn’t your mother tell you?”

“My mother?” Xiao Wu looked bewildered.

“My mother knows?”

Xuanming thought for a moment, “Go back and ask your mother.”

“What injuries?” Ning Rongrong asked anxiously.

“When were you injured?”

“Stop, let’s talk about past matters another time. I’m asking about what’s happening here right now,” Xuanming interrupted.

“Oh…” Ning Rongrong paused, organizing her thoughts.

“Simply put, Tang San comes from the Clear Sky Sect, and the Clear Sky Sect has always subtly supported the Star Luo Imperial Family. Grandmaster probably wants to help Dai Mubai win the throne so that in the future, the Clear Sky Sect can more easily establish cooperation with the Star Luo Imperial Family.”

“But with Dai Mubai’s personal ability, he definitely can’t compete, so Grandmaster has been trying every possible way to help Dai Mubai win Zhuqing back.”

“Then how did you know about Tang San?” Xuanming asked.

“We knew about this because of you,” Ning Rongrong said.

“Do you still remember what happened at the Auction House? You disrupted that auction, and the Godly Zhuge Crossbow that Tang San was going to auction somehow ended up in the hands of the Strength Clan.”

“Tai Tan, the Elder of the Strength Clan and one of the three Divine Craftsmen of the continent, recognized the ingenuity of the Godly Zhuge Crossbow. He tracked Tang San to Shrek Academy and demanded that Tang San join the Strength Clan. Then they had a gambling duel, and Tang San’s Clear Sky Hammer was exposed. My father happened to be there to discuss Hidden Weapons with Tang San and saw it.”

“As for what happened after that, I don’t know much. You’ll have to ask my father.”

“However, the Crown Prince has already been in contact with Tang San. For specifics, you can ask the Crown Prince.”

Xuanming nodded. At this moment, the distant argument gradually subsided.

Zhu Zhuqing gave Dai Mubai a cold glance, then turned to leave.

Seeing this, Dai Mubai rushed forward, trying to grab her, but Zhu Zhuqing skillfully dodged him.

“Zhuqing, are you really planning to become a traitor to the Zhu family?” Dai Mubai asked.

Zhu Zhuqing stopped, but didn’t turn around, her voice as cold as frost: “I was merely a pawn of the Zhu family, and a discarded one at that.”

“Father never placed any hope in me, nor did he care about my life or death. If leaving to survive is betrayal, then let it be betrayal.”

“As for you, I don’t hate you for abandoning me and fleeing back then. You were scared, I understand. But after you left Star Luo and escaped from Dai Weisi, what were you doing?”

“I didn’t dare to rest for a moment at home, fearing I wouldn’t see tomorrow’s sun, but what about you?”

“I chased you to Soto City, to Shrek Academy, hoping to work hard with you, even if the final outcome couldn’t be changed. But what did you do?”

“Believe it or not, I never thought of relying on Xuanming at first. After all, my troubles were too great, and I didn’t think I was worth him taking such a risk. You and I were on the same side, yet you insulted me and him again and again because of your ridiculous jealousy and pride!”

“What right do you have to speak of me? And what right do you have to speak of him?”

“He always respected my choices, but what about you? Have you ever respected me even once?”

“Don’t think I don’t know what you’re thinking. You’re being subservient to me now, but it’s only to survive the upcoming struggle with Dai Weisi. You still resent me in your heart, thinking I betrayed you, thinking I’m shameless. If you gain power, you’ll definitely retaliate against me and torture me at the first opportunity! All to protect your pathetic and ridiculous pride!”

“You!” Dai Mubai’s face flushed crimson from Zhu Zhuqing’s words. He opened his mouth but couldn’t utter a single word.

He knew in his heart that every word Zhu Zhuqing said was true. His past cowardice and selfishness now felt like sharp blades, tearing his pride to shreds.

“Zhu Zhuqing, perhaps Dai Mubai did many things wrong in the past, but now, as you said, you two are on the same side.” Yu Xiaogang walked out.

“I won’t persuade you to forgive him, but you should also think for yourself. Can you really contend with Star Luo with your own strength alone?”

“Don’t think Xuanming will protect you. He’s already in a difficult position himself. As for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, School Master Ning might protect you from Star Luo for a short time because of Ning Rongrong’s request, but what about in the future?”

“The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School’s protection isn’t without a price. You’ll also have to obey the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School’s orders in the future, even marrying another person you despise. If you’re unwilling, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School won’t protect you anymore, and you’ll once again face Star Luo’s pursuit.”

“I don’t think you’re blind to these things.”

“Now, as long as you and Dai Mubai join forces, with Little San’s help, there might still be hope of defeating your older sister and brother. Only by winning this competition will you have the right to choose.”

Zhu Zhuqing suddenly turned around, her eyes as sharp as ice, piercing directly at Yu Xiaogang, and said coldly, “Yu Xiaogang, stop pretending to be a wise man here. Dai Mubai disgusts me, and you disgust me just as much!”

“When it comes to shamelessness and disgust, Dai Mubai is far inferior to you!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep