Soul Land: Legend of Saint Seiya

Chapter 144: Taking Some Interest from Bibi Dong's Precious One

As the attackers retreated, teachers from various soul master academies, especially those who suspected the identity of the attackers, collectively breathed a sigh of relief.

Qian Renxue, utilizing the years of royal education she had received, calmly directed the Royal Knights to restore order, clean up the battlefield, and clear the roads.

Before long, the Royal Knights had regrouped, and under Qian Renxue's command, they set off once more.

Not long after they resumed their journey, Qian Renxue sent someone to request a meeting with Xiao Yu.

Xiao Yu did not refuse; he wanted to have another conversation with Qian Renxue, so he promptly followed the royal guard to Qian Renxue's carriage.

As he walked along, both the Royal Knights and the soul master academy members they passed looked at Xiao Yu with a sense of admiration.

These people weren't fools. If the powerful Titled Douluo who displayed such strength weren't subordinates of the Nine-Star Hall, how would they end up in conflict with the Titled Douluo attackers?

After all, that was a full five Titled Douluo!

And Titled Douluo with ninth soul rings of a hundred thousand years, no less. Such a force would be rare even among the three great clans. The level of Xiao Yu's status was clearly exceptional, and some female students, considering themselves beautiful, cast flirtatious glances his way.

Xiao Yu ignored these trivial gestures and stepped directly onto Qian Renxue's carriage.

"Where is Ning Fengzhi? And what about Xue Ke?"

Of course, Xiao Yu hadn't come alone; Aioria and Milo, who had been hiding in the shadows, had informed him before he boarded that Qian Renxue was the only one in the carriage. Neither Ning Fengzhi nor Sword Douluo, nor Princess Xue Ke, whom Emperor Xue Ye had sent along, were present.

"Xue Ke was a bit frightened, so I sent her to another carriage to rest," Qian Renxue replied. "As for Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo, they went over to the Shrek Academy—probably to comfort his daughter and perhaps to talk with that Tang San again."

Shrek had also been a target of Spirit Hall's attack this time. Though Xiao Yu had drawn most of the fire, a Platinum Bishop with a soul power around level 85 and four Soul Sages had been sent to deal with Shrek.

However, this lineup didn't interest Sword Douluo; he would rather observe Shura's swordsmanship, hoping for some insight.

In the end, the ones who stepped in to help were a few Soul Sages from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. When Ning Fengzhi traveled, Sword Douluo wasn't his only guard. A few trusted individuals accompanied him to handle smaller tasks.

The combined efforts of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's Soul Sages, along with Flender and Liu Erlong, were sufficient to hold off Spirit Hall's forces and protect Tang San, though they couldn't secure a victory.

After the defeat of Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo, and the other three Titled Douluo, Spirit Hall's forces abandoned their mission to kill Tang San and retreated.

Though the events deviated somewhat from the original plot, ultimately, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan still managed to save Tang San. Ning Fengzhi took advantage of the situation, boarding the Shrek carriage to incite Tang San's hatred of Spirit Hall, advancing his strategy for the three upper clans to stand united against Spirit Hall.

"Xiao Xue, now that we're alone, you don't need to keep up the act. Talking to you while you're in disguise as a man is honestly a bit uncomfortable for me."

With Ning Fengzhi gone, Xiao Yu didn't bother with pretense and casually sat down beside Qian Renxue, sliding an arm around her waist without restraint. With Milo and Aioria guarding outside, their perception was shielded from the outside world.

"Ugh, who are you calling Xiao Xue!"

Qian Renxue swatted away Xiao Yu's hand, but granted his request by dropping her disguise, revealing her stunning face.

Xiao Yu clutched his chest, feigning injury. "Xiao Xue, I barely escaped with my life from your Spirit Hall's attack. The least you could do is comfort me a little!"

At this, Qian Renxue's face darkened, and she muttered through gritted teeth, "That wretched woman dared to ignore my Hall of Consecration's warning and openly attack my ally. She really has no regard for me!"

Seeing that Qian Renxue wasn't responding to his teasing, Xiao Yu returned to seriousness and spoke in a low tone, "Over the years, Spirit Hall hasn't expanded much, and all the growth has been concentrated in the Pope's Palace. It seems she's already gained enough strength to challenge your Worship Hall. But, that Sea Turtle Douluo, though a Titled Douluo, was killed by our Nine-Star Hall. I assume the Worship Hall won't mind?"

"That Sea Turtle Douluo was brought in only after that woman took over as Pope. He was nothing more than a loyal lackey of the Pope's Palace, so his death is inconsequential. All five Titled Douluo who came today were her close aides. You could kill them all, and it wouldn't matter to us in the Worship Hall!" Qian Renxue waved dismissively. "Her attack on you shows her fear that the addition of Nine-Star Hall might tip the balance of power between us and her Pope's Palace. Such a selfish woman isn't fit to be Pope!"

"That's why I've always said Spirit Hall is riddled with internal strife," Xiao Yu replied. "It's the main reason I haven't wanted to collaborate further with Spirit Hall."

Qian Renxue nodded slowly. "I used to doubt you, but now I see you were right. That woman is determined to drag Spirit Hall into ruin. Her time as Pope should be over."

Xiao Yu shook his head. "Her wings have already grown strong. Removing her from the Pope's position won't be easy. Her willingness to ignore the Worship Hall's warning and strike against me proves it. Though I hate to admit it, in the art of manipulating people, she's more skilled than even your father or grandfather. I suspect that some among the elders of the Worship Hall may already be loyal to her."

"That's impossible!"

Qian Renxue's eyes widened in shock as she shook her head vigorously. "The elders have served the Angel God for nearly a century. They'd never betray us to support her!"

"Nothing is impossible," Xiao Yu replied calmly. "When you return, ask your grandfather. You've been away from Spirit Hall too long. Let me offer you a piece of advice: if you don't want Spirit Hall's legacy of millennia to be ruined by that woman, it's best to draw a clear line between the power of the Worship Hall and her Pope's Palace."

Qian Renxue nodded with utmost seriousness. "When I return, I'll verify this with my grandfather. If what you're saying is true, I'll seriously consider your suggestion."

Seeing Qian Renxue's expression grow heavier, Xiao Yu offered a small smile. "No need to stay so grim. Even if we can't act against her for now, I have a way to help you vent a little."

Qian Renxue's eyes sparkled with interest. "What way?"

"Simple—by taking a bit of interest from that woman's precious one!"

(End of Chapter)

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