The next morning.
Everyone enjoyed a delicious breakfast in the hotel's private room.
Qin Ming said, "Yesterday was an exception. From now on, you must use meditation instead of sleep at night."
"Understood, Teacher Qin," everyone replied listlessly, still somewhat sleepy.
Xiao Wu took a sip of carrot porridge and asked, "Teacher Qin, classes don't officially start until tomorrow. Can we continue playing in Tian Dou City for another day?"
The revelry of the previous night clearly left this old rabbit wanting more.
Qin Ming nodded and replied, "Sure, but you must meet at the bamboo forest before 9:00 AM tomorrow."
"Yay! Long live Teacher Qin!" Xiao Wu shouted happily.
Zu Zong rolled his eyes at Xiao Wu, "You rabbit, all you do is play. Go back and cultivate properly today."
Faced with the greater good (eating, drinking, and having fun), Xiao Wu was fearless. "No, I won't! Yesterday, you promised to spend the whole day playing with me in Tian Dou City!"
"I didn't say that, I forgot!"
"You dare go back on your word, woof!" Same old formula, same familiar taste—after her attempts to be cute failed, Xiao Wu bit Zu Zong's arm.
"Ah, this is terrible! Rabbit, let go!"
"No!" (Her speech was unclear with something in her mouth)
"Let go or not!"
"I won't let go, you big liar!"
"Hahaha," everyone laughed at the two's playful antics, even the usually stern Ye Lingling had a slight smile on her lips.
×××
Tian Dou City Imperial Palace.
A young man who looked to be about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old sat in a pavilion, enjoying breakfast. Although not exceptionally handsome, he had a straight nose and square jaw, and wore a clean blue robe, giving him a refreshing appearance. A long, flowing black head, tied with a blue ribbon, hung neatly down his back. Although his clothes were ordinary, he possessed a unique aura.
Beside him, a middle-aged man dressed in black knelt.
The young man took a sip of tea and said, "Speak! What is it?" The
middle-aged man replied respectfully, "Your Highness, yesterday Prince Xue Beng was beaten by two new students at the Heavenly Dou Academy."
The young man was none other than Xue Qinghe, the current Crown Prince of the Heavenly Dou Empire.
"Heh, it must be my foolish brother provoking them again. But who are those two new students? How dare they beat up the Fourth Prince of the Heavenly Dou Empire?"
"Your Highness, I don't know. I only know that they were invited by Dream God Machine Soul Douluo. It seems those two are exceptionally talented and highly regarded by the academy's teaching committee. One of them even defeated Dugu Yan of the Royal Fighting Team yesterday. Now both are members of the Royal Fighting Team."
Xue Qinghe gently wiped his mouth with a handkerchief, a peaceful smile on his face.
"Oh? Two more geniuses have arrived at Heaven Dou Academy? That's interesting."
After the middle-aged man left, the young man picked up a document from the table, walked out of the courtyard, looked up at the sky, and murmured, "Is this the person that woman has been watching for years?"
Meanwhile,
in Wuhun City, at the Papal Palace.
Image
A woman sat regally on a throne in the center of the hall.
She was not tall, and her long, flowing, golden gown fit her perfectly from head to toe, shimmering with over a hundred red, blue, and gold gemstones. A nine-curved purple-gold crown adorned her head, radiating brilliance, and she held a two-meter-long scepter inlaid with countless jewels. Her fair skin and near-perfect features made her stand out from the crowd. Especially striking was the intangible nobility and sanctity she exuded, inspiring a sense of reverence in all who beheld her.
A blonde girl of about seventeen or eighteen entered the hall and bowed to the woman, saying, "Teacher, the person you asked me to keep an eye on has joined the Heaven Dou Royal Academy."
The noble woman was none other than Bibi Dong, the youngest Pope in the history of the Spirit Hall, and the girl bowing to her was her only disciple, Hu Liena.
Bibi Dong nodded and said, "Hmm! Nana, send some people to protect him secretly, don't let him get hurt, and don't disturb him."
"Yes, teacher, but..." Hu Liena seemed hesitant, but ultimately didn't ask.
Bibi Dong noticed Hu Liena's expression, a rare smile appearing on her face, and said calmly, "We are master and disciple, you can speak freely."
"Yes, teacher! I don't understand why you value him so much, even though that person is exceptionally talented, he's ultimately not a member of our Spirit Hall!" Hu Liena asked the question that had puzzled her for years.
Bibi Dong shook her head, not directly answering Hu Liena's question, "I'll tell you later, just know that he's not an enemy of our Spirit Hall."
Meanwhile, things were really bad for the clan sect!
After breakfast, Xiao Wu, along with Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling, embarked on a shopping spree. Women's shopping knows no bounds; they shopped from morning till night, much to the dismay of Yu Tianheng and Zu Zong.
Both were practically covered in bags of all sizes. When Zu Zong suggested using a storage soul tool, Xiao Wu and Dugu Yan firmly refused.
As women say, the fun of shopping is only in carrying the goods.
Zu Zong (complaining): "Then why don't you carry them yourselves!"
Yu Tianheng (patting Zu Zong's shoulder, helplessly): "Brother, I'm used to it!"
As evening approached, the five finally returned to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. This was only because Zu Zong and Xiao Wu hadn't checked into their accommodations; otherwise, they could have shopped even longer.
The student dormitories at Heaven Dou Academy weren't like those at Shrek Academy, where students lived in thatched huts, two or three to a room. Each student had their own room, especially members of the Royal Fighting Team, who enjoyed their own courtyard.
Now that they're at Tiandou Academy, Zu Zong naturally can't share a room with Xiao Wu like he did back at Notting Academy. Even with Xiao Wu's pitiful gaze, Zu Zong remains unmoved.
In his words: "We're all grown up now, not children anymore. We need to consider each other's chastity."
Green Pepper: "Pah! You, chastity?"
Zu Zong(sitting in meditation): "Amitabha! Don't disturb me. I need to preserve my virginity and cultivate the Nine Yang Divine Skill properly. What if things go wrong?"
The next morning, everyone arrived at the bamboo forest.
Qin Ming was already waiting there.
Seeing everyone present, Qin Ming said, "Originally, I wanted you all to spar with each other today and hone your new teammates' skills. However, the school has decided at the last minute to arrange for us to participate in the team battle competition at the Soto City Grand Soul Arena."
Dugu Yan and the others were already used to this kind of unspoken rule. As long as it didn't interfere with their cultivation, they would only complain a few times but wouldn't refuse.
Dugu Yan curled her lip in disdain, "Hmph! It's that bunch of worthless nobles' money game again!"
The zu zong understood immediately; it seemed this was the cause of the Royal Fighting Team's defeat at the hands of Shrek Academy in the original story.
Xiao Wu's head was full of question marks as she asked疑惑地问道, "What is the Great Soul Arena? And what is this money game that Sister Yan mentioned?"
(End of Chapter)