Teasing the Prince Daily

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 Feeling good, Ning Tian walked back to Heaven Dou City, stopping by the auction house to show his face before heading to the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.

....

Pain! A sharp, bone-deep ache.

Cold! A chill like plunging into an icy pit.

These were Yu Xiaogang's first sensations as consciousness crept back.

He opened his eyes slowly. Above him stretched a dim, gloomy sky. Rain drizzled onto his battered body.

He tried to stand, but no matter how hard he pushed, not a flicker of strength answered. His head pounded fiercely, and a fever seemed to burn beneath his skin.

After what felt like ages, Yu Xiaogang dragged himself from the mud. His fingers brushed the back of his head, where a throbbing lump, the size of an egg swelled. Someone had knocked him unconscious and the rain had left him shivering with a cold.

He checked his left wrist. The storage soul tool was gone. He was robbed. The Pope's Token, the money, the ration all taken with it.

But that was fine. As long as he could reach Spirit Hall, he'd manage. This setback wouldn't break him.

With the name "Yu Xiaogang," Bibi Dong would surely see him. A few sweet words, and she'd probably share the secrets of cultivating twin martial souls, just like she'd once slipped Spirit Hall's classified files to him.

Yes, that was his plan.

He struggled into a seated position, ready to channel his soul power for a quick recovery. But then, to his horror, he couldn't feel it. 

He summoned his martial soul. That same humiliating pig appeared but no soul rings circled it.

A thunderclap roared in his mind. Yu Xiaogang froze, his thoughts blank.

After a long silence, he forced his frail body upright, rolled up his sleeves, and shouted into the emptiness, "Where's my soul power? Who took it? Who dared cripple this Grandmaster? Show yourself! Do you even know who I am? Come out, or I won't hold back! Damn beast…who did this to me?"

His voice broke, and he sank back down, tears streaming. Despair and helplessness filled his eyes.

He'd been stuck at Level 29 for life, branded a waste for decades. Now even that pitiful strength is gone. Worse, without soul power, Spirit Hall's gates would stay shut to him.

"Heavens, what did I do to deserve this?" Yu Xiaogang roared at the sky again.

Misfortune always hunts the unlucky. As grief overwhelmed him, an itch prickled below. He reached down, fishing out a soggy feather from his pants. Then….nothing. Empty. Like Dai Mubai now, the moment he pulled it free, the urine he'd held back while unconscious spilled out in a rush.

His heart shattered again. He untied his belt, slung it over a branch, and fashioned a noose, tempted to end it. He was useless now, not even half a man. What was the point of living?

But fear or weakness stopped him. After several failed tries, he gave up. Eventually, he stumbled to his feet and headed for Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.

He couldn't die, at least not yet. Not from fear, but from dread of fading into nothing. He refused a worthless death. He hadn't made his mark, hadn't erased the "waste" label and hadn't proven himself to his mocking clan and father. Without that, he'd never rest in peace.

For now, he'd rush back before the Spirit Master Competition began and lead the Shrek team. His theories might be scorned, but his tactics were flawless. If he could win Shrek's trust again, guide them to the finals in Spirit Hall, meet Bibi Dong and learn the twin martial soul method, he could still become the revered Grandmaster he dreamed of.

...…..

Meanwhile, when Ning Tian returned to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, Qian Renxue and Ning Fengzhi were already waiting. Hearing of this from Sun Buyu, he hurried to meet them.

"Uncle Ning—oh, Brother Xue's here too! Long time no see!" Ning Tian's eyes swept over them, landing on Qian Renxue with mock surprise. He rolled up his sleeves, darted forward with startling speed, and wrapped her in a bear hug, clapping her back heartily.

"Uh—" Ning Fengzhi blinked, stunned.

 Meanwhile Qian Renxue fumed inwardly. How had she forgotten this trick? This little pest had gotten the better of her again. Still, that speed; without a martial soul, it rivaled an agility-attack Spirit King. It caught her off guard.

"Brother Ning Tian, you're as enthusiastic as ever," Qian Renxue said with a smile, though she itched to punch him.

"Haha, no need to be shy. We're family!" Ning Tian grinned, all bold and chummy.

Ning Fengzhi raised an eyebrow. "Xiao Tian, Qinghe, you two have gotten this close?"

At that, Ning Tian released Qian Renxue, who was seconds from snapping but kept an arm around her shoulder. "Yeah, Uncle Ning, Brother Xue and I are like real brothers. Right, Brother Xue?" He glanced at her.

"Mm," Qian Renxue forced a smile, her ears faintly red. 'This little jerk, if he weren't always swarmed by girls, I'd think he's into guys. Why does he love hugging me?' she cursed silently.

Ning Fengzhi nodded to himself. Xue Qinghe, his student and the future emperor of Heaven Dou, was on the same side as Ning Tian, his pick for a son-in-law. Their bond was a win.

"Oh, right, Brother Xue, Uncle Ning, I have been told you've been waiting for me. What's up?" As he spoke, Ning Tian's hand slid from Qian Renxue's shoulder to her neck. That's why he'd rolled up his sleeves. When his skin brushed hers, she shivered slightly, though she hid it fast.

Qian Renxue's skin was softer and smoother than Ning Tian had expected. He couldn't see her real face yet, but her skin matched Ning Rongrong's; the best he'd felt among the girls he knew. Little Cat Zhu Zhuqing fell just short, though she had her own strengths.

Qian Renxue swallowed the urge to lash out, trading a smile with Ning Fengzhi. "Teacher, you start."

"Mm!" Ning Fengzhi nodded lightly, smiling. "Xiao Tian, we're here to thank you for looking after Rongrong these past two years and to discuss something with you."

"Uncle Ning, just say it. You're my most respected elder, Brother Xue's my best brother, and you're Rongrong's dad. If I can help, I will," Ning Tian promised easily.

Ning Fengzhi smiled. "It's not much. Our sect's disciples have long admired Master Zhu Qing, so I'd like her to train a batch of Spirit Masters for us."

Qian Renxue shifted, easing her neck from Ning Tian's arm. "The Heaven Dou royal family feels the same. We want Master Zhu Qing as chief instructor for our Spirit Master legion."

'Isn't this just giving Teacher Yu Xiaogang's old role? He'd lose his mind with envy if he knew!' Ning Tian chuckled inwardly. Qian Renxue added, "Surely Brother Ning Tian won't refuse a small request like this?"

Ning Tian slung his arm around her neck again, pulling her so close their faces nearly touched. "Of course, but it's up to my teacher."

Letting Zhu Qing take the role was no big deal, it would just rile Yu Xiaogang up. Besides, she'd always wanted to be a great teacher. This fit her dream.

Qian Renxue bristled at his antics but said, "We spoke with Master Zhu Qing yesterday. She's fine with it if you are. With the Spirit Master Competition near, it'll start after it ends."

'Perfect! She could seize control of the legion and plant her own people, securing that power.'

The three chatted briefly about the competition. Qian Renxue revealed Emperor Xue Ye had approved their entry as Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's main team. Since a seeded spot would take one of the empire's five qualifying slots, they'd bumped it to six for fairness assuming the team could prove its strength.

All the while, Ning Tian kept his arm around Qian Renxue's neck, his hand waving in front of her, teasing and poking.

Suddenly then Ning Rongrong's voice cut in, and he reluctantly let go. "Dad! Prince Brother…oh, Ning Tian, you're back?"

Her graceful figure stepped into the courtyard, joined by Zhu Qing, Zhu Zhuqing, the Shi brothers, Yu Feng, Osler, and other new Heaven Dou team members. Ye Lingling was still away with her Nine Heart Begonia family.

The courtyard, built for the main team, offered each student a house and a central training ground for sparring.

Fresh from practice, Ning Rongrong's group approached. "Sect Master Ning, Your Highness," Zhu Qing greeted.

After discussing the Spirit Master training with Zhu Qing, Ning Fengzhi and Qian Renxue left. Ning Fengzhi handed over five million gold soul coins, a jaw-dropping sum covering the royal share too. Xue Qinghe, Qian Renxue's alias, was his student, and mere support wouldn't earn enough favor.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had cash to spare. When Xue Qinghe took power, the returns would pile higher.

......

Later, Ning Tian learned Shrek had returned last night. Ning Fengzhi had met Tang San, but Qian Renxue hadn't bothered. Tang San didn't spark her interest yet.

Made sense. To catch her eye, you needed talent, strength and looks. At fourteen years and eleven months, Tang San was a control-system Spirit Ancestor with decent talent, but his face? Off-putting, especially to Qian Renxue, who judged appearances harshly.

Unless Ning Fengzhi saw deeper value like dragging her to hear Tang San's tale of "why Haotian Douluo retired" she'd ignore him. At most, she'd send his info to Spirit Hall's seeded team to avoid an upset loss.

...…..

Meanwhile, Ning Fengzhi and Qian Renxue rode a carriage back to Heaven Dou City. With the competition days away, he had committee duties to settle.

"Qinghe, one thing," Ning Fengzhi said. "From what I know of Ning Tian, if you want his help later, don't recruit him. Stay friends, like now."

Although Ning Fengzhi was happy to see the two of them getting along, he couldn't let Ning Tian join the royal family. For him joining only the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would do.

'This old fox acts like I'll steal Ning Tian, telling me not to poach him. Who's he fooling?' Qian Renxue thought, keeping her face calm. "I get it, Teacher. Thanks."

Pleased, Ning Fengzhi continued, "But Master Zhu Qing can be won over. Her wisdom shaped Ning Tian so she's no ordinary mind. Whoever gains her allegiance could claim the world."

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