Chapter 118: The Xingluo Royal Family's Visit
The disappearance of the cemetery corpses caused little commotion.
The more important bodies among those killed by Tang Hao had already been claimed by their families. The ones left behind were nameless, powerless soul masters—nobodies.
Three days had passed since Haotian Douluo's massacre, and the incident had spread across the entire continent.
Tang Hao had disappeared without a trace, while the Shrek team was slowly recovering from the blow.
In particular, Tang San had inexplicably regained his confidence.
The others didn't know why, but Luo Ling did.
It was clearly due to the Blood Demon Ritual. The infusion of power into the Blue Silver Grass and the awakening of its evil attribute had given Tang San back his pride.
At Shrek Academy's training field, Flender gathered the students and announced major news.
As in the original story, Shrek Academy had decided to accept Qin Ming's invitation to join Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
The two academies would collaborate to prepare for the upcoming Continental Advanced Spirit Master Elite Tournament two years later.
However, this time Shrek Academy would replace Heaven Dou's second team, leaving the open positions to be filled by Heaven Dou's students.
Despite their overwhelming defeat by the Warlock, Qin Ming had witnessed the power of Tang San and the others firsthand.
As for Luo Ling, when Qin Ming heard the rumors that he was a thirteen-year-old Soul King, he was utterly shocked.
He had personally invited Luo Ling to join Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, but Luo Ling only smiled and said he would "consider it."
Before the discussions could proceed further, Shrek received unexpected visitors.
A man with shimmering golden hair entered the training grounds, accompanied by a voluptuous woman and a servant-like middle-aged man.
Seeing strangers barge into the field, Flender frowned. Their rich, extravagant clothing made him hesitate to drive them out immediately.
"Who are you three, and what business do you have at Shrek Academy?" Flender asked politely, though his tone was firm.
The golden-haired man glanced dismissively around the training field, completely ignoring Flender's question, before sneering. "So this is where Dai Mubai ran off to? This pathetic little school? Truly disgraceful. He's brought shame to the entire Xingluo royal family."
Flender's irritation froze into surprise. "You're… from the Xingluo royal family?"
"Correct," the man replied lazily. "My name is Davis—Dai Mubai's useless older brother."
His expression hardened slightly as he added coldly, "So, where is that disgrace of a brother of mine? I don't see him around."
The Shrek students exchanged uneasy glances.
"Hm? What's going on here?" Davis asked suspiciously.
"Dai Mubai died over a month ago," came a calm voice from nearby.
Davis turned around to see Luo Ling sitting casually under a tree, his usual look of indifference unchanged.
"What did you say?" Davis narrowed his eyes dangerously.
The boy before him felt… threatening somehow. And to his annoyance, the youngster's refined looks outshone even his own royal countenance.
It was the first time Davis had felt upstaged in appearance.
"I said that Dai Mubai died over a month ago," Luo Ling repeated, his tone flat. "That idiot tried to team up with outside soul masters to attack Tang San and steal his external spirit bone."
"But then, some mysterious figure appeared and killed him."
The three Xingluo visitors looked at each other, astonished.
Davis's lips then curled slightly—relief and satisfaction flickering across his face.
Dai Mubai was dead. That meant one less competitor for the throne. Excellent news.
Still, he forced his features into an expression of fury.
"Who dares lay hands on a prince of the Xingluo Empire?" he demanded, feigning outrage.
Luo Ling gave the hypocrite a faint, mocking smile.
Flender finally found his voice and stepped forward. "Prince Davis, we are truly saddened by Dai Mubai's death. That night, a man in black appeared and struck him down. Only my students witnessed it, and the killer's face was covered—it's unknown who he was."
Davis turned his sharp gaze on Flender. "And you are?"
"Flender, headmaster of Shrek Academy."
The middle-aged attendant at Davis's side whispered something in his ear, causing Davis's eyes to narrow in surprise.
"Flender? The Flender of the Golden Iron Triangle?"
He looked around in disbelief. This shabby little academy didn't look like it could harbor a Spirit Saint, yet here one stood before him.
As Davis spoke quietly with his aide, the woman beside him suddenly spotted a familiar figure among the students.
"My dear sister—so you really are here," the woman said with a smile as she walked up to Zhu Zhuqing.
"Zhu Zhuyun. Wherever I am has nothing to do with you," Zhu Zhuqing replied coldly.
Zhuyun chuckled lightly and shook her head. "So you came all the way to this rundown academy just for Dai Mubai, that useless fool? Still, even if you had met him, he died before you could fight him properly. Pitiful."
Zhu Zhuqing wordlessly turned her gaze aside. Zhuyun smirked and continued, her tone dripping with mock sweetness.
"My dear little sister, now that Dai Mubai is gone, our family's little competition is over. That means you've already lost. Be a good girl and come back with me."
Her eyes flicked conspiratorially toward Davis.
The prince, overhearing their exchange, looked at Zhu Zhuqing's cold beauty with greedy delight.
Two sisters, equally stunning—what man could resist?
"I'm not going with you," Zhu Zhuqing said firmly.
"That's not for you to decide," Davis replied with princely arrogance, stepping closer. "You belong to the Xingluo royal line. Your fate is ours to command."
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes, filled with disdain, met his directly and unflinchingly.
"I see you've grown bolder, Zhuqing," Davis said, smirking. "But that only makes you more interesting."
He chuckled, reaching out to grab her wrist.
Zhu Zhuqing darted out of reach. Flender immediately strode between them.
"Prince Davis, Zhu Zhuqing is now a member of Shrek Academy. Your behavior is inappropriate."
"Headmaster Flender," Davis said coldly, eyes narrowing, "Zhu Zhuqing is first and foremost royalty of the Xingluo bloodline. This is a family matter. I suggest you stay out of it."
"Family matter?" a cheerful voice interrupted. "I'm afraid not."
Ning Rongrong stepped forward with a bright smile and wrapped an arm protectively around Zhu Zhuqing's waist.
"She's part of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan now," she said sweetly. "So she's no longer under your precious royal control."
(END CHAPTER)
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