Qian Renxue didn't give Xiao Tianyang a chance to speak, cutting him off with a polite yet firm tone: "Let me ask you one thing—do you dare to accept today's challenge?"
"Don't you think that's a bit ridiculous?" Xiao Tianyang replied, a cynical smile still playing on his lips. "I'm here at the academy to study. Just because you come to challenge me, I have to accept?"
"Then may I ask, who do you think I am?"
"If you were a woman, I might reluctantly agree. But Your Highness is a man, and I'm really not interested."
The moment these words left his mouth, the surrounding crowd erupted in shock.
Was Xiao Tianyang really so bold as to tease the Crown Prince? Didn't he fear the consequences of staying in Heaven Dou City?
While others didn't fully grasp the meaning behind Xiao Tianyang's words, Qian Renxue clenched her fists inside her sleeves, her expression darkening.
"This guy is threatening me. How despicable!" Yet, there was little she could do about it.
Given her current status, she couldn't openly suppress a Super Douluo. Moreover, Xiao Tianyang's reasoning was sound. At most, this was just a verbal sparring match.
With Xiao Tianyang's status, he could easily turn major issues into minor ones, and trivial matters would be brushed aside entirely. Even without the backing of his supporters, there would always be someone willing to step in and resolve things for him.
"No, I can't let this go. Otherwise, this mission will be a complete failure!" Suppressing the turmoil in her heart, Qian Renxue maintained her composure and smiled. "Then how about we add a treasure to this fight?"
Xiao Tianyang scoffed. "Others might not know, but doesn't Your Highness the Crown Prince know that I have more treasures than you?"
Qian Renxue: "..."
She couldn't deny it. This kid did indeed possess an abundance of treasures.
During their last encounter in the Star Dou Forest, it was largely thanks to Xiao Tianyang's treasures that they managed to escape.
When Qian Renxue had returned with reinforcements, all she found were traces of the Sky-Swallowing Demonic Beast and a worn-out compass on the ground.
At the time, there were only two possibilities.
The first was that Xiao Tianyang had used his treasures to eliminate the Sky-Swallowing Demonic Beast. However, Qian Renxue found this possibility unlikely.
The second possibility was that someone had come to rescue Xiao Tianyang. The prime suspect was Miao Zhenshan. Only someone of his caliber could snatch prey from the jaws of a 10,000-year soul beast and safely escort Xiao Tianyang away.
Before meeting Xiao Tianyang, Qian Renxue had leaned toward the latter possibility. But now, she was more inclined to believe the former.
As for why? Call it intuition.
"You may indeed have no shortage of treasures, but a favor from me carries some weight in Heaven Dou City," Qian Renxue said, her piercing gaze fixed on Xiao Tianyang as if trying to compel him to agree.
Unfortunately, Xiao Tianyang was unmoved. He even raised his hand, using his pinky to casually clean his ear. "Your favor might not be as valuable as you think. It's not worth my time."
"Then what do you want? Just name it," Qian Renxue conceded, taking a step back.
"I'm just curious—why are you so insistent on fighting me today?" Xiao Tianyang asked with a smile. "Could it be that you all came here with another purpose in mind?"
His gaze drifted across the crowd before finally settling on Qian Renxue.
Her heart skipped a beat, but she maintained her composure. "We're all students here. Isn't it normal for us to exchange knowledge and learn from each other?"
"Since you don't agree, forget it," Qian Renxue said, suddenly changing tactics. "As for the so-called genius making waves outside, I suppose it's all just baseless rumors. I'll take my leave now."
'Trying to provoke me? I won't fall for that, my dear,' Xiao Tianyang thought to himself, sneering inwardly.
He had no intention of taking action until he fully understood the other party's motives. If they resorted to underhanded tactics, so be it. As the saying goes, it's easy to dodge a spear in the open but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark.
Moreover, Miao Zhenshan had warned him to be cautious of the various factions in Heaven Dou City. The Spirit Hall ranked first, followed by the royal family of the Heaven Dou Empire.
Qian Renxue was connected to both, so it was best to minimize contact with her to avoid unnecessary trouble.
This was why, no matter what Qian Renxue said, Xiao Tianyang remained steadfast in his resolve.
As for reputation? It wasn't something he could eat. He didn't care about it in the first place, and what others chose to spread was none of his concern.
But while he didn't care, someone else did.
Just as Qian Renxue turned to leave, a cold voice rang out, carrying a hint of frost. "Take back what you just said. I'll accept your challenge on his behalf!"
The students of Shrek Academy instinctively parted, making way for the speaker.
The person who had spoken was none other than Zhu Zhuqing. Her pretty face was icy, her brows furrowed with determination as she stepped forward, her entire being radiating a chilling aura.
This time, not only were the students of Heaven Dou Academy stirred, but even Qian Renxue's expression shifted slightly.
"This feeling... it's the complete opposite of life. It's a kind of deathly withering..." Qian Renxue's martial spirit Seraphim was one of extreme justice, intolerant of any impurity. After the initial surprise, her emotions began to fluctuate.
She felt an overwhelming urge to step forward and confront Zhu Zhuqing, especially after hearing her declaration. "Who are you to him? Why do you get to make decisions for him?"
Of course, this emotion was fleeting, and she quickly regained her composure.
With a polite smile, Qian Renxue said, "In that case, Alande, go and test her strength."
"Understood," Alande replied, his interest piqued. Whether the opponent was male or female mattered little to him. In his eyes, people were simply people and not divided by any gender.
As Zhu Zhuqing passed by Xiao Tianyang, she glanced at him briefly, offering a faint, thrilling smile before stepping forward. "Zhu Zhuqing, Martial Spirit Nether Moon Envoy, Level 38 Agility Spirit Master!"
"Isn't this change in demeanor a bit too sudden?" Xiao Tianyang thought to himself, inwardly dumbfounded.
On the other side, Qian Renxue was equally puzzled.
"According to the information I've gathered, Zhu Zhuqing is from a prominent family in the Star Luo Empire, and her inherited spirit should be the Nether Civet. Why has it become the Nether Moon Envoy?"
Her gaze shifted to Xiao Tianyang and thought may be he have something that can alter or evolve someone's martial spirit.
If Xiao Tianyang had known her thoughts, he would have felt a chill run down his spine.
'A woman's intuition is far too accurate,' he would have thought.
…
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