Douluo Continent: Tonight, a Fairy Tale Descends.

He stopped circling around, took out an inconspicuous little wooden box from his pocket, and pushed it in front of Levin.

Levin's heart skipped a beat. Looking at the wooden box in front of him, and considering Davis's current behavior and the background of the Star Luo delegation's recent return, he vaguely guessed what might be inside.

The fact that a prince would take it out so solemnly, especially since it coincided with the time when the delegation brought back that miraculous elixir from Tiandou...

But Levin showed no sign of it on his face, only revealing a perfectly timed hint of doubt. He looked at Davis and asked in a calm voice, "Your Highness, what is this?"

Davis still had a gentle smile on his face and gestured for Levin to come.

"This item might be helpful to your cultivation; you might as well open it and take a look."

"They're here," Levin thought to himself.

He was almost certain that the contents of the box were the elixir concocted by Gothor. Davis's intention was also obvious: to win him over.

But who is Levin?

He is not a native genius from Douluo Continent, but a frog prince from a fairy tale world. Even though he has come to Douluo Continent and needs to start from scratch, his pride and independence as a prince have never been erased.

He may need resources and to become stronger, but he is absolutely unwilling to become someone's vassal and tie his future and freedom to a prince's chariot.

Even if this prince is the future emperor of the empire.

"Your Highness's kindness is appreciated." Levin bowed slightly, his tone polite but carrying an undeniable distance.

“However, one should not accept a reward without merit. Such a precious item is unworthy of my presence, and I cannot accept Your Highness’s gift.”

Despite Levin's direct and straightforward rejection, Davis's smile remained unchanged; he had anticipated Levin's refusal.

If such a genius could be easily bought off with a little benefit, then he wouldn't be worthy of his high regard.

His previous attempts to persuade Levin had all backfired, making him realize how persistent Levin was.

“It’s too early to refuse now. Why not see what’s in the box first? Maybe it will change your mind.” He tried to persuade Levin with the value of the pill itself.

"No, Your Highness. Whatever is in the box, Levin's decision will not change. I prefer to rely on my own efforts to advance step by step on the path of cultivation."

Levin's refusal was swift and decisive. His words revealed a strong sense of confidence and independence, a pride that came from the depths of his being, which both impressed and troubled Davis.

Seeing Levin's resolute attitude, Davis no longer insisted that he activate it himself.

His smile deepened, carrying a knowing tone that suggested he had always expected this.

“In that case, I’ll do it for you,” Davis said, opening the wooden box.

There was indeed a pill inside the box.

Sure enough, it was Ge Duo's elixir.

Despite knowing it perfectly well, Levin can only continue to play the role of a clueless genius.

His expression deepened with even more confusion, tinged with a perfectly balanced curiosity. He shifted his gaze from the pill to Davis and asked, "What is this...?"

Davis carefully observed Levin's expression and saw that he only had doubts and no shock or greed, so his evaluation of Levin rose a point higher.

This composure far surpasses that of people of the same age.

"This item is a pill made by a titled Douluo who is extremely skilled in alchemy. Once successfully refined, it can greatly temper the physical body, broaden the meridians, solidify the foundation, and help the Soul Master absorb Soul Rings of higher age."

Chapter 135 Weighing the Pros and Cons

Levin already knew the origin of this pill and was even aware of its ordinary status in Godot's eyes, but when faced with this pill that could enhance his strength, his heart still skipped a beat uncontrollably.

Power—it's an irresistible temptation for anyone.

Therefore, even with Levin's temperament, a very subtle ripple inevitably crossed his eyes—a primal craving for power.

This subtle shift was fleeting, almost too fast to detect, but it was precisely caught by Davis, who had been watching his reaction closely.

Davis smiled inwardly, knowing that his words had worked.

The fish, in the end, was tempted by the bait. He wasn't afraid that Levin would be tempted, but he was afraid that the fish wouldn't even be tempted.

“Levin, I know you have high aspirations and are unwilling to accept favors easily, much less be bound by them. To be honest, I admire that about you. A true genius should have this kind of pride.” Davis’s tone became even more gentle, a perfectly timed remark.

He gently pushed the wooden box forward another half inch, allowing the aroma of the pill to emanate more clearly.

“I brought this item here today not as the Crown Prince of Xingluo, nor to ask you to immediately pledge allegiance to me and become a vassal of my Crown Prince Party.” Davis shook his head, a helpless smile on his face saying, “You’ve misunderstood me.”

"I simply cannot bear to see such a gem like you wasted years and delayed in shining due to the scarcity of resources. The future of the empire needs pillars like you. And I, Davis, as a member of the empire, as someone who also yearns for its strength, only hope to do my part to clear some obstacles in your path."

Davis's words were exquisitely crafted, placing himself in a noble position of cherishing talent for the country and making selfless contributions, deliberately downplaying his status as a prince and the purpose of his recruitment, and disguising a naked political investment as care and support for a talented younger generation.

Levin remained silent, but he felt immense pressure.

Davis's rhetoric was very skillful, and his attitude was humble enough to almost completely block any reasons he could use to refuse under the pretext of not wanting to be dependent.

If he were to refuse again, he would appear ungrateful and might even offend the powerful Crown Prince.

In the Star Luo Empire, the consequences of repeatedly and ruthlessly rejecting the goodwill of a prince, especially one who is most likely to inherit the throne, are unpredictable.

No matter how talented he is, before he truly matures, the majesty and power of the royal family are enough to easily crush him.

Reason was reminding Levin of the risks involved.

However, the pride that came from the depths of his soul, the pride that belonged to the fairy tale prince, prevented him from bowing his head and from accepting this kindness for the sake of immediate benefits.

When has he ever needed the charity of others to pave his way?

His future must be earned by his own hard work and dedication.

Looking at Levin's tightly pursed lips and the complex yet still determined light in his eyes, Davis knew that he was still a little short of the mark.

He couldn't push him too hard; for a genius like Levin, who was extremely proud, a forceful approach would only backfire.

His smile remained unchanged, but his tone became even more nonchalant, as if he were talking about a trivial matter.

“Levin, you’re really overthinking this.” Davis stood up, walked to the window, turned his back to Levin, and looked out at the lush scenery of the academy. His voice was calm and distant.

"This pill is nothing more than an external possession to me. I give it to you with the sole hope that you will make good use of it and grow into a pillar of my Star Luo Empire as soon as possible, contributing to the prosperity of the empire in the future. This has nothing to do with my status as a prince, nor with any loyalty or promises."

He slowly turned around, his clear gaze fixed on Levin, his eyes truly revealing his true feelings.

"If I had to say there was any personal motive involved..." Davis paused, revealing a slightly self-deprecating smile.

“That is me, Davis, who simply wants to be your friend. A friend who sets aside the distinction between prince and commoner, based purely on respect for the strong and expectations for the future.”

After saying that, Davis gave Levin no further chance to refuse.

He glanced at Levin, then said nothing more, turned around, and left the quiet room.

"Click".

The soft sound of the door closing echoed clearly in the quiet room.

In the quiet room, only Levin remained, along with the wooden box on the table.

He sat there, sighed, and realized he was still too weak.

Levin knew that accepting the friendship meant he had tacitly approved of it, which would create a deeper connection with Davis and make it much more difficult to sever ties completely in the future.

Refuse? The other party has already made their point, using the excuse of a friend's gift. If he were to refuse outright, it wouldn't just be ungrateful; it would be a complete falling out, tantamount to slapping Davis in the face. The consequences would be unimaginable.

Levin frowned deeply, his gaze fixed on the pills in the wooden box.

For the first time, he felt that the goodwill from the top echelons of power in this world could be so heavy, so suffocating.

However, Levin is not without the ability to resist. He has been accumulating reputation points, which are now enough for Levin to exchange for a powerful one-time item.

However, it would be a huge waste to squander one's reputation points due to political infighting.

Meanwhile, outside the quiet room.

As Davis stepped out the door, the gentle smile on his face vanished instantly, replaced by his usual composure and depth.

The bodyguard who had been waiting outside immediately followed silently.

"Your Highness, he..." the guard asked in a low voice, glancing towards the door of the quiet room.

Davis waved his hand, indicating that he didn't need to ask any more questions. He continued walking towards the exit of the academy without stopping, but calmly analyzing the situation in his mind.

Levin's reaction was exactly what he expected. It would be suspicious if a genius of this caliber were so easily bribed.

He has achieved his goal through today's contact.

First, he successfully delivered the pill to Levin in a way that made it difficult for the other party to refuse immediately. It was as if he had planted a seed in Levin's heart.

Secondly, he made his stance clear, showing sufficient goodwill and respect, and placing himself in a position that was almost beyond reproach.

Even if Levin ultimately doesn't use the elixir, or if he does use it but doesn't immediately pledge allegiance, Davis still occupies the moral high ground as both the benefactor and the talent seeker, giving him room to maneuver no matter what happens in the future.

Finally, he put pressure on Levin.

That silent pressure stemmed from his status as a prince and the potential for future revenge.

Levin is a smart man; he can weigh the pros and cons.

Chapter 136 Nottingham City: A City of Hidden Thoughts

“The seed has been planted. Now, it’s just a matter of waiting for it to take root and sprout, or for it to be nipped in the bud by itself.” Davis’s lips curled into a faint smile.

Regardless of Levin's final choice, it's a move he can't afford to lose.

If Levin accepts and uses the elixir, then he will owe this favor, which he will have to repay in the future.

If Levin insists on not using it, or hands the pill over to the academy or the royal family, it doesn't matter. On the contrary, it will only enhance his reputation for valuing talent and being magnanimous. The only loss would be a pill that is not indispensable to him.

Moreover, a genius who is so out of touch with reality will be less valuable in the eyes of other forces, and will be easier for them to control in the future through other means.

"Send someone to keep an eye on Levin's next moves, especially whether he makes any contact with the Second Prince or the Third Prince," Davis whispered to the guards.

"Yes, Your Highness."

……

Time flies, and quite some time has passed since Tang Hao left Nottingham City with that hastily written letter.

On the surface, life at Notting Junior Soul Master Academy doesn't seem to have changed much.

The students continued to attend classes, practice, and play around, while the teachers continued to teach and conduct assessments.

In Yu Xiaogang's office, the oil lamp cast a dim, yellowish glow.

He sat behind his desk, holding a thick illustrated guide to soul beasts, but his gaze was not on the pages. Instead, it drifted somewhat toward the deep night outside the window.

Initially, after the shock and brief elation of Tang Hao's departure, Yu Xiaogang's rationality returned instantly, and he began to deeply speculate on what this Haotian Douluo's intentions were.

"From light to darkness... Yes, that must be it!" he thought with certainty.

"His Majesty Haotian has made too many enemies, especially the Spirit Hall. If he continues to stay in Notting City, he will be too conspicuous and become a huge threat to Tang San and Cindy. Now that he has quietly left and created the illusion of his father's disappearance, he can both clear the children's names and secretly protect them, killing two birds with one stone!"

This conjecture calmed Yu Xiaogang's heated mind considerably.

He put aside his overly eager thoughts and once again adopted the serious and responsible demeanor of a teacher, showing meticulous care and guidance to Tang San and Cinderella, even more so than before.

Yu Xiaogang dared not overstep the bounds in the slightest, fearing that somewhere, a pair of eyes belonging to Haotian Douluo were coldly watching him.

However, day by day, week by week, time passed.

Nottingham City was calm and peaceful. There was no news about Tang Hao, nor any indication that the titled Douluo was still nearby.

Yu Xiaogang's mind began to stir again.

"Perhaps His Majesty the Jade Emperor is preoccupied with something extremely important and unable to return in the short term? Or perhaps..."

An even bolder thought began to grow uncontrollably in his mind: "Could he have even met with some misfortune?"

This thought filled Yu Xiaogang with both fear and a strange, indescribable excitement.

They were afraid of the risk of even a titled Douluo falling from grace, but excited about what if Tang Hao really couldn't come back.

Then these two exceptionally talented children, aren't they...?

Yu Xiaogang shook his head vigorously, trying to dispel this overly beautiful but unrealistic fantasy.

He gave a bitter laugh and muttered to himself, "Yu Xiaogang, what are you daydreaming about? That's Tang Hao, the Haotian Douluo who possesses the number one weapon spirit in the world! If he were so easy to kill, the Spirit Hall would have succeeded long ago. You could die ten times over and he'd still be alive and well."

That being said, once the seed of hope is planted, it will tenaciously seek the opportunity to sprout.

Yu Xiaogang began to think that Tang Hao probably wouldn't be coming back anytime soon.

This was precisely his opportunity—an opportunity to truly bind these two geniuses to himself, to formally accept them as his disciples, and to rightfully make them the products of his theoretical practice.

Once they have the title of master and disciple, even if Tang Hao returns in the future, can he force his son and adopted daughter to betray their sect?