Douluo Continent: Dragon's Journey Across the World

After Ning Fengzhi and the other three left, their expressions became unusually serious.

Ning Rongrong asked, somewhat puzzled, "Dad, Yang Ping'an definitely has a top-grade healing soul bone. Why didn't you try to win him over? Or even think of other ways?"

Since starting to handle family affairs with Ning Fengzhi, Ning Rongrong has grown somewhat, at least she has witnessed the darkness of the sect.

Sword Douluo shook his head: "I'm afraid no one can easily take down Yang Ping'an anymore. Although the killing intent on Yang Ping'an only flashed by, it was extremely strong. He has probably been tempered by killing and should have obtained the Killing God Domain. Coupled with his top-level Soul Saint strength, if he really wants to run away, even a Title Douluo might not be able to take him down."

"Old Bones and I are already seriously injured, and we probably can't defeat him anymore. In addition, he actually dared to come to Tang Hao's door, which means he has absolute confidence in his own strength. Don't forget, Yang Ping'an's greatest strength is not his soul power, but his ability to fight beyond his level."

Ning Rongrong nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

Ning Fengzhi then spoke up: "Rongrong, our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School is already in dire straits and cannot afford any more losses. So, unless it is a critical moment, we should try not to make any more enemies, especially enemies like Yang Ping'an who have a bright future."

Ning Rongrong, still somewhat puzzled, said, "But Father, we were once allies with the Haotian Sect, and ultimately we have to make a choice between the two."

Ning Fengzhi looked at Ning Rongrong with some relief: "Rongrong, you have finally grown up and know how to think about problems. Just as Yang Ping'an said, the so-called three upper sects are all in sync, but now it's just a joke. We have been fighting against the Spirit Hall independently all along. Perhaps we should learn from the Clear Sky Sect."

Bone Douluo asked, somewhat puzzled, "Feng Zhi, what do you mean by that? Do you mean you want to go into seclusion like the Clear Sky Sect?"

Ning Fengzhi shook his head: "Uncle Gu, our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School has always been too flamboyant, which is why we have become a thorn in the side of the Spirit Hall. This time, your injury and Uncle Jian's injury may also be an opportunity. With the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's strength weakened, everything from now on must be done discreetly and secretly, at least so that no one knows about our strength anymore."

Yang Ping'an did not leave the room, but sat quietly drinking tea. Sure enough, someone came to visit again after a while. It was none other than Crown Prince Xue Qinghe.

Before entering the room, Xue Qinghe dismissed the guards around him and went into the room alone.

Yang Ping'an said calmly, "Your Highness, I didn't expect that after so many years, you would still be as charming as ever."

Xue Qinghe seemed unchanged from five years ago, still calm and collected: "Brother Yang, I didn't expect you to dare show your face in Tiandou City after five years. Are you already preparing to deal with the various forces' attempts to win you over?"

Yang Ping'an stared intently at Xue Qinghe. Although he had a man's face, and his eyes were full of confidence and a hint of arrogance, he also seemed to have a touch of womanly weakness.

In the end, Yang Ping'an shook his head: "I don't know why, but every time I see His Highness the Crown Prince, it's as if he's not a real person. I always feel like he's wearing a mask."

Xue Qinghe's expression showed surprise, but he quickly composed himself and said with a hint of doubt, "Brother Yang is joking. Perhaps it is because I am too busy and need to interact with too many people every day that I have developed this habit."

Yang Ping'an couldn't help but smile: "Is Your Highness here on behalf of the Heaven Dou Empire to recruit? And I just met with Sect Master Ning. It seems that Your Highness and your master are not on the same page."

Xue Qinghe smiled and said, "There's no such thing as being of one mind or two. As the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, I ultimately need to consider the interests of the Heaven Dou Empire."

Yang Ping'an didn't dwell on Xue Qinghe's words for long, but stared intently into the shadows: "Senior Ghost Leopard Douluo, since you're here, show yourself. After all, we've fought together before."

Ghost Leopard Douluo, lurking in the shadows, made no reaction. Xue Qinghe, however, looked surprised: "Brother Yang seems to be joking. There are only the two of us here. Where is Ghost Leopard Douluo?"

Yang Ping'an simply snorted coldly: "I'm not waiting here for some Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, am I? You agree, Miss Qian Renxue."

Xue Qinghe's originally calm expression turned extremely serious, and a hint of ferocity seemed to appear in his eyes.

Just then, a black figure suddenly appeared in the darkness. The figure seemed to have a dark aura. This was the same Ghost Leopard Douluo that we had seen in the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Clan.

Ghost Leopard Douluo asked with some doubt, "Young Master Yang, it's been a long time. I didn't expect to meet you in Heaven Dou City after the last war. But how did you know I was hiding in the shadows?"

Yang Ping'an couldn't help but smile: "Senior, you flatter me. I don't have any other skills, but I am quite sensitive to the aura of darkness. Your aura is somewhat similar to that of my martial uncle."

Since Yang Ping'an emerged from the Forest of Death, he seemed to be emanating a faint aura of death, demonstrating his genuine sensitivity to this dark martial spirit.

Ghost Leopard Douluo's face was a little serious: "Young friend Yang, you can be considered half one of us now. His Highness's identity is a top secret. How did you find out? If you can't explain the reason, I'm afraid I'll have to report to His Holiness the Pope and the Grand Elder."

Yang Ping'an simply said, "What's so strange about that? Back when we were fighting in Wuhun City, I still have some impression of the sacred aura on Miss Qian Renxue. Although Xue Qinghe's soul power is relatively low, it can't hide the sacred aura or the trace of nobility on her body."

"Back when I was in the Spirit Hall, I felt something was off. Even though I fought Qian Renxue in the finals, I always felt that Xue Qinghe seemed to lack a bit of spirituality. At least he couldn't exude that noble, elegant, and sacred aura."

The two seemed dissatisfied with Yang Ping'an's answer, their expressions becoming tense.

Yang Ping'an continued, "I had Salas deliver the message that I specifically invited Miss out to discuss a deal."

Xue Qinghe spoke calmly: "Yang Ping'an, although you are quite strong, you know too much, and there is nothing between you and me to trade."

Yang Ping'an couldn't help but smile: "Miss, don't speak too soon. I've already made several deals with His Holiness the Pope, and judging from her expression, she seems quite satisfied. I think Senior Ghost Leopard Douluo should be aware of this."

"Besides, with my strength, you couldn't possibly have kept me here silently, otherwise I wouldn't be standing here."

Ghost Leopard Douluo nodded to Xue Qinghe, clearly agreeing with Yang Ping'an's statement; at least he wasn't confident he could capture Yang Ping'an quietly.

Xue Qinghe then relaxed his guard slightly: "Yang Ping'an, what do you have that I would trade for? You should know my strength, and even more so, the power behind me."

Yang Ping'an couldn't help but chuckle: "Miss, you're too confident. Aren't you already surrounded by dangers? Otherwise, you wouldn't still be just a mere crown prince, without much of your own power."

Xue Qinghe's face turned cold: "What do you know? The Heaven Dou Empire is a complex and intricate place. I have achieved such success and gained the trust of all parties. Even the new Title Douluo has pledged allegiance to me. Inheriting the throne is only a matter of time."

Yang Ping'an couldn't help but sigh: "Miss, I don't know where you get your confidence from. That so-called Title Douluo under your command is already a guest elder of the Heaven Dou Empire. His heart is only with the Heaven Dou royal family, not the Spirit Hall. Once your identity is revealed, I'm afraid he will turn against you immediately."

The Heaven Dou Empire did indeed cultivate a new Title Douluo through its painstaking efforts. That person was none other than Meng Shenji, the former chief instructor of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Meng Shenji was already a top-tier Soul Douluo seven years ago, with a Soul Power level of 86 and a Martial Soul called Black Demon, somewhat similar to Ghost Douluo. He was extremely loyal to the royal family, otherwise he wouldn't have been appointed as the Chief of the Teaching Committee of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, or even the actual controller of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

If Meng Shenji knew that Xue Qinghe was a spy for the Spirit Hall, he would definitely betray them immediately, leaving Xue Qinghe vulnerable from both sides.

Xue Qinghe's face darkened: "Yang Ping'an, you didn't come to see me this time to talk nonsense, did you? If you want to make a deal with me, tell me something that will interest me first."

Yang Ping'an stared intently at Xue Qinghe, as if trying to see through the person in front of him: "Miss, what you're saying doesn't match your image at all. I don't like to make deals with a fake person. Show your true self, so that both sides can be more honest."

Xue Qinghe's expression changed, but he acquiesced to Yang Ping'an's request. A golden light flashed above his head, instantly covering his entire body. The originally refined young man transformed into a stunningly beautiful woman with an enviable figure, though her clothes seemed a bit inappropriate. It was none other than Qian Renxue, the woman who had fought against him in the Soul Master Competition.

"Alright, this is my true form. You should show your sincerity now, otherwise even if you are Chrysanthemum Douluo's disciple, my grandfather and the others will not let you off the hook."

Yang Ping'an nodded: "It is indeed time to discuss a deal. I wonder what Miss thinks of Prince Avalanche?"

A hint of doubt appeared on Qian Renxue's pretty face: "Xue Beng is just a spoiled brat, what's there to say?"

Yang Ping'an shook his head: "Miss, if I remember correctly, many of the students at Shrek Academy were geniuses. Some of the teachers at Shrek Academy, who were even Soul Saint level, originally wanted to join the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. But because of the avalanche, they left, which caused you to lose some experts and geniuses."

Xue Qinghe's face was cold: "So what? It's just the misbehavior of a spoiled brat. I taught him a lesson long ago."

Yang Ping'an looked at Qian Renxue as if she were an idiot: "Miss, are you mistaken? What if Prince Xue Beng wasn't acting recklessly, but did it on purpose? Doesn't that prove something? I think Prince Xue Beng has done quite a few similar things."

Qian Renxue seemed to have thought of something, and her expression suddenly turned very ugly. Just as Yang Ping'an said, Prince Xue Beng had been acting recklessly all along, ruining many of her good things.

Even Ghost Leopard Douluo's face turned extremely gloomy. They had always underestimated Prince Xue Beng. They should know that Xue Beng was the true descendant of Emperor Xue Ye and one of the most legitimate heirs to the throne.

Qian Renxue sneered, "This is quite interesting. If this news is true, I did underestimate this fourth brother. However, Yang Ping'an, if it's just this one piece of news, I'm afraid its trading value is limited."

Yang Ping'an then spoke calmly: "Prince Xue Beng, Prince Xue Xing, Emperor Xue Ye, Commissioner Meng Shenji, and even Marshal Ge Long, who commands the army, are all theoretically your enemies. You're surrounded by them, yet you still have the mind to think about other things. Haven't you considered your own situation and the importance of striking first?"

Qian Renxue shook her head: "I've already thought about this. Because I've attacked two princes in a row, some people have even started to suspect me, so I must act cautiously."

Yang Ping'an's face turned cold: "This is the peerless genius cultivated by the Spirit Hall. It seems that his intelligence is ultimately limited. What's the point of being an undercover agent? He might as well hide in the Spirit Hall and cultivate seriously. Perhaps he could produce another Title Douluo."

Qian Renxue was instantly furious: "What do you mean by that? This concerns my Spirit Hall's infiltration plan, and you cannot easily slander it."

Yang Ping'an just sneered: "Qian Renxue, you are impersonating Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, the most legitimate heir of the Tiandou Empire. Even if you really killed Prince Xue Beng, even if it arouses suspicion, Emperor Xue Ye only has you as his heir. As long as your identity is not exposed, he will have to accept it even if he has to hold his nose."

"Besides, royal struggles, especially those for the throne, have always been bloody. What does it matter if a few people die? It's better than leaving hidden dangers behind."