Chapter 90 The Biggest Winner, Qian Renxue, The Sole Heir to the Throne

News of Xue Beng and his followers being killed by a meteorite quickly spread throughout Heaven Dou Academy.

Most people reacted to this explosive news with either schadenfreude or applause.

In short, that dissolute Xue Beng died well!

But even more explosive news was yet to come.

The next day, during the morning court session.

Emperor Xue Ye, in front of all the ministers, listed a series of Xue Beng's crimes, including bullying men and women, forcing good people into prostitution, forced buying and selling, and a series of other offenses.

Finally, there were three charges: speaking improperly, being reckless and daring, and disrespecting teachers and elders.

These three charges seemed to be the lightest among Xue Beng's series of crimes, but the ministers knew that these three major offenses were the reason Emperor Xue Ye was making such a fuss.

Had Xue Beng luckily not died under the meteorite, these three charges alone would have been enough to demote him to a commoner.

Of course, since Xue Beng was already dead, the punishment fell upon others.

First was Xue Beng's birth mother, who was directly sent to the cold palace for failing to discipline him properly.

Snow Star Prince was also implicated, confined to his home for half a year and forbidden to step out without Emperor Xue Ye's permission.

The reason Snow Star Prince's punishment was so light, besides his identity, was also related to Dugu Bo.

Who didn't know that Dugu Bo once owed Snow Star Prince a favor?

Even if Emperor Xue Ye wanted to severely punish Snow Star Prince, he had to give Dugu Bo face.

Besides them, others weren't so lucky.

Among the small followers who were crushed to death by the meteorite with Xue Beng, there were two earls, three viscounts, and four barons involved.

These nobles were all stripped of their titles, and anyone holding important positions in the empire had their positions completely removed.

The ones who rose to power were naturally from Crown Prince "Xue Qinghe's" faction.

With Xue Beng's "accidental" death, "Xue Qinghe" became the sole heir to the empire.

This prompted the ministers who were originally observing to consider aligning themselves with the Crown Prince.

And those in the Crown Prince's faction were ecstatic upon hearing this news.

Xue Beng's death, wasn't this a blessing from heaven?

As for whether anyone suspected Xue Beng's death was premeditated murder?

That didn't happen.

After all, a natural disaster like a meteorite, how could human power interfere with that?

...

Meanwhile, at Heaven Dou Academy.

On a lush green lawn, Qi Lin brought Xiao Wu and a few others to visit the training grounds of the Royal Fight Team.

The Royal Fight Team members' training methods were relatively conventional: they would train in suitable simulated environments during the day and gather for practical combat training in the afternoon.

Qi Lin observed briefly. Qin Ming's guidance for the Royal Fight Team members primarily focused on practical combat experience, analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of each member's fighting style. Among traditional teachers, his teaching was quite good.

At least, the practical combat experience he imparted was definitely more authoritative than Yu Xiaogang's.

After all, Yu Xiaogang's Soul Master level was what it was. Once Tang San and the others' levels got higher, he wouldn't even be able to catch their movements during actual combat, let alone teach them.

The only thing he could do was arrange tactics based on the effects of Tang San and the others' soul skills.

But real Soul Master combat wasn't a turn-based game where you cast a skill, and I cast a skill.

How much effect could arranging tactics based solely on soul skills have?

Could it be that your teammates would stay with you forever?

On the grass, Shi Mo, Shi Mo, Ao Si Luo, and Yu Feng of the Royal Fight Team were undergoing a two-on-two practical combat training session.

Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling, along with Qi Lin and the others, sat on a distant bench watching the four's two-on-two battle.

At this moment, Dugu Yan suddenly asked curiously, "Qi Lin Xiao Di, I heard that dissolute Xue Beng came looking for trouble with you yesterday and ended up being crushed to death by a meteorite?"

Ye Lingling also cast a curious gaze. This matter had been widely discussed in Heaven Dou Academy and even the entire Heaven Dou City, and many people were curious about the specific details.

Qi Lin nodded, then briefly recounted the specific events.

Dugu Yan was shocked, saying, "What kind of madness did this Xue Beng have? Knowing your talent and identity, he still dared to seek trouble with you so openly."

"If something like this spread, even if he hadn't provoked Rongrong and hadn't been crushed by a meteorite, he would definitely not have escaped severe punishment from Emperor Xue Ye."

"For a moment, I can't tell if he was truly stupid or pretending to be stupid?"

Qi Lin smiled lazily, then said, "Perhaps it's related to my friendly conversation with Crown Prince the day before."

Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling were both startled at the same time.

The former asked strangely, "You mean, Xue Beng came to trouble you because he saw you were too close to the Crown Prince?"

"He wouldn't..."

"Still be unwilling to give up on the throne, would he?"

Qi Lin shrugged, looking completely unconcerned.

"Xue Beng is dead. Guessing these things now is meaningless."

Dugu Yan said, "That's true. Anyway, for a scumbag dissolute like Xue Beng, his death is quite satisfying."

Ning Rongrong smiled and said, "Yanzi Jie, you and Lingling are also at Heaven Dou Academy. Speaking of your beauty, did Xue Beng ever harass you?"

Dugu Yan scoffed, saying, "He dares to harass me?"

"My Grandfather personally sent me to the academy. He was like a toad wanting to eat swan meat, trying to cozy up to me all day. In the end, I gave him a severe beating, almost crippling his third leg."

Ning Rongrong gave her a thumbs-up upon hearing this.

"Yanzi Jie is the best!"

Then she looked at Ye Lingling.

A shy smile appeared on Ye Lingling's quiet face as she recalled, "When I first arrived, I was also harassed by Xue Beng, but then Yanzi Jie stood up for me and beat Xue Beng up again, which finally made him behave."

Ning Rongrong and the others looked enlightened.

Everyone chatted for a while, talking back and forth.

Dugu Yan suddenly said, "Oh right, isn't Qi Lin Xiao Di already level fifty? Why haven't you gone to hunt for a soul ring?"

Qi Lin smiled and said, "On the first night I arrived at Heaven Dou Academy, Na Jie happened to be back, so I went with her to Sunset Forest and absorbed my fifth soul ring."

"Oh right, after I finished absorbing the soul ring, I also saw your Grandfather, Yanzi."

"What!" Dugu Yan looked over curiously, then said, "Qi Lin Xiao Di, you actually met my Grandfather?"

"Yes, the process of me absorbing the soul ring caused quite a stir, which attracted your Grandfather."

After listening, Dugu Yan quickly said, "Did my Grandfather do anything to you?"

Dugu Yan knew her Grandfather's personality very well. Besides being incredibly fond of her, he was quite eccentric towards others.

That's why Dugu Yan was afraid Dugu Bo might do something to Qi Lin.

Based on their current interactions, Dugu Yan had a quite favorable impression of this lazy and relaxed Qi Lin Xiao Di.

Of course, this favorable impression wasn't romantic interest, but rather more akin to the affection between siblings.

After all, which girl wouldn't like a younger brother who is super handsome, talented, speaks nicely, and can cook?

Especially an older sister type like Dugu Yan, she really liked a younger brother like Qi Lin.