Chapter 86: Uninvited Guests
"Soldiers?"
Ye Feng was startled. If his guess was correct, the person behind this had to be Prince Xuexing, the real power behind the Tiandou Empire. Xue Beng, wanting to reclaim his lost dignity, must have turned to his uncle, Prince Xuexing, for help.
Xiao Wu placed her hands on her waist, her expression furious. "That bastard was asking for it in the first place, and now he's got the nerve to bring reinforcements? I want to see what kind of trash he brought this time. Brother, let's go check it out."
"Alright."
Ye Feng nodded, his mind working.
He was wondering whether Dugu Bo had come along. If he had, and Ye Feng wasn't around, Shrek Academy—and more importantly, Xiao Wu—might really be in trouble.
As Ye Feng and Xiao Wu followed Ma Hongjun to the academy's gate, they were greeted by the sight of two rows of armored soldiers standing in formation. There were at least a hundred of them.
Leading them was an old man with white hair and a beard.
Dressed in luxurious brocade robes, the man carried himself with the unique presence of someone in power. He stood there calmly, yet the sheer weight of his aura made it hard to breathe. Next to him was Xue Beng, still sporting the bruises Xiao Wu had left on his face.
Ye Feng had never met Prince Xuexing before, but it was obvious who he was.
And judging by Xue Beng's smug expression, it was clear he had come back not just for revenge, but with a calculated plan.
Dugu Bo was nowhere in sight. That was unexpected. Ye Feng knew that when Spirit Hall had chased after Dugu Bo, the old man had run into Prince Xuexing, who had been patrolling at the time. The Spirit Hall bastards, wary of offending Tiandou's royalty, had backed off, letting Dugu Bo escape. Ever since then, Dugu Bo had stayed by Prince Xuexing's side as a guest of the Tiandou Empire.
"Ye Feng, Xiao Wu, you're here. This is—"
"I know. Prince Xuexing."
Before Flanders could finish his introduction, Ye Feng cut him off.
"Oh? You know him?" Flanders asked, surprised.
"I don't." Ye Feng shook his head.
"Then how the hell did you recognize him at first sight?"
Ye Feng scoffed. "In the Tiandou Empire, who else would pull such shameless bullshit? The younger one loses a fight, so the older one steps in to clean up his mess. How pathetic is that?"
Whoosh!
The soldiers flanking Prince Xuexing immediately raised their spears, pointing them at Ye Feng.
But Ye Feng didn't even flinch.
Prince Xuexing's gaze sharpened, then he raised a hand, signaling his men to stand down. In that brief moment, he had noticed something—Ye Feng's expression hadn't changed in the slightest, not even under the threat of a hundred spears. That level of composure made Prince Xuexing wary.
"Where's Dugu Bo?"
Ye Feng asked casually, his tone light. "I heard Prince Xuexing keeps a Poison Douluo by his side. Why don't I see him today?"
"Uncle! She was the one who beat me up!"
Xue Beng suddenly pointed at Xiao Wu, his voice shrill with anger.
Xiao Wu didn't back down in the slightest. She took a step forward, crossing her arms with a mocking glint in her eyes. "Oh? Didn't get enough last time? I wouldn't mind giving you another round."
"You—!"
Xue Beng was so furious he was practically trembling. He turned to his uncle, fuming. "Uncle! Are you just going to let them humiliate me like this? You have to do something!"
Prince Xuexing's gaze landed on Xiao Wu, his expression unreadable. Thanks to the Acacia Heartbroken Red she carried, he couldn't see through her true identity at all.
"Young lady, do you realize you assaulted a prince of the Tiandou Empire?"
"So what if he's a prince?" Xiao Wu sneered. "The law applies to everyone, doesn't it? Or does His Royal Highness think he's above it?"
Prince Xuexing narrowed his eyes. "Of course, the law applies to everyone. But this matter concerns the dignity of the Tiandou royal family. To maintain order, I must insist that you come with me. I promise no harm will come to you."
"Not a damn chance."
Ye Feng stepped forward, cutting off the conversation and placing himself protectively in front of Xiao Wu.
Prince Xuexing's eyes flickered with amusement. "I see. Then let's discuss another matter. If you want to resolve this peacefully, Shrek Academy should dedicate its talents to serving the Tiandou royal family."
"Not happening," Flanders replied without hesitation.
Shrek Academy had struggled financially before because they had refused to bow to the Barak royal family's demands. The nobles and officials of the Barak Kingdom had done everything in their power to suppress the academy because of it.
Now, after years of effort, Flanders had finally built something great. He sure as hell wasn't about to sell out to the Tiandou royal family either.
Prince Xuexing chuckled.
So did Xue Beng.
And that made Ye Feng's gut tighten.
Something about this whole setup reeked of a plan. Xue Beng might be playing the role of an arrogant idiot, but Ye Feng knew better. As a time traveler, he was all too aware that Xue Beng's reckless, spoiled behavior was just an act.
Prince Xuexing's voice was calm as he delivered his ultimatum. "Since you refuse, I have no choice. This young lady has assaulted the prince of the Tiandou Empire. She must come with me to face imperial justice."
Flanders' expression darkened. His spirit power surged, and seven spirit rings appeared around him. His meaning was clear—he wouldn't back down.
Prince Xuexing sighed. "I've given you choices, Dean Flanders. But if you insist on being stubborn, let's make this simple. I won't use my spirit abilities, only raw power. If this girl can withstand an incense stick's worth of time against me, I'll leave. Otherwise, she will have to come with me and face the consequences."
A powerful aura erupted from Prince Xuexing, and eight spirit rings materialized around him—two yellow, two purple, four black.
"A Spirit Douluo?"
Flanders' expression changed.
He was only a Spirit Saint, while Prince Xuexing was a level 80 Spirit Douluo. Now it made sense why Emperor Xue Ye had given his younger brother so much power—because he was damn strong.
But Zhao Wuji took a step forward, his seven spirit rings glowing. "Even if you're a Spirit Douluo, you're not taking Xiao Wu without a fight."
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
The moment Zhao Wuji spoke, Tang San, Oscar, Zhu Zhuqing, Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Ning Rongrong all activated their martial spirits as well.
Prince Xuexing's gaze flickered when he noticed the Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda in Ning Rongrong's hand.
It was only now that he realized she was among them.
He exhaled slowly, his sharp eyes sweeping over the group. He hadn't come here for a fight—he had come to take control of Shrek Academy. But looking at the scene in front of him, he knew that brute force wasn't going to be an option.
Thus, he made one last offer.
"Dean Flanders, since you refuse to decide, then I will offer you this—if Xiao Wu can last the time of a single incense stick against me, I will leave today."
(End of Chapter)
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