Chapter 27: Paying Respects to the Crown Prince

"Poison Douluo wants to see me?" Ye Hao thought, connecting the dots about Dugu Bo possibly seeking a successor.

So, Dugu Bo's interested in me as his disciple? Since Sister Yan is Poison Douluo's granddaughter, she must've mentioned me. Ye Hao has the Death Spider (Death Spider Emperor) martial soul, and in a previous training match, his Death Spider Emperor's venom had even outperformed Dugu Yan's Jade Phosphor Serpent poison. Maybe that's why Dugu Bo wants to meet me?

As luck would have it, Dugu Bo's Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well has celestial herbs that Ye Hao has long coveted. He might even manage to get his hands on some.

Dugu Bo's personality is eccentric, much like Ye Hao's. He follows his own instincts without regard for rules or consequences—another way he and Ye Hao are similar.

As for becoming his disciple, that's a decision to make when they finally meet.

At the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's rear mountain, the members of the Emperor Team had gathered. When Dugu Yan brought Ye Hao over, Qin Ming glanced at the group.

"Today, I have two announcements to make," Qin Ming began. 

"First, I'll be taking you all on a training expedition across the continent soon to assess your progress. Second, there will be special guests visiting the academy this afternoon. "

With that, Qin Ming dismissed the group.

"Elephant Armored Clan? A three-on-three showdown?" 

Ye Hao learned from Qin Ming that the Elephant Armored Clan was coming for a "friendly exchange" and that there would be many notable figures present. Naturally, as hosts, Heaven Dou Royal Academy could not afford to lose face.

To lose here would mean tarnishing the Empire's reputation.

Moreover, as one of the Lower Four Sects, Elephant Armored Clan is affiliated with Spirit Hall. Ye Hao knew this all too well.

The Heaven Dou Royal Academy's reputation was widely known, with most students there to enjoy a life of luxury. Few were interested in actual training; the academy was merely a badge of nobility for them.

As noon approached, crowds gathered at the academy gates. Soldiers, armed with steel spears, stood at the entrance. Clearly, a high-ranking guest was expected.

The verdant training field had been transformed into a battle arena bustling with Heaven Dou Royal Academy students. They had heard that there would be a fierce battle and, led by Xue Beng, had even started taking bets.

Up in the stands, the three Education Committee members sighed in unison at the rowdy crowd. Revitalizing the academy? That'd be a task for the next lifetime. For now, their only hope lay in Ye Hao.

Suddenly, the ground trembled as an imposing pressure filled the air.

From the foot of the mountain, a massive figure over two meters tall approached, accompanied by a group of equally tall men with broad, muscled shoulders and chests like slabs of marble, gleaming under the sun.

"They're here," Meng Shenji announced calmly. The three committee members exchanged glances and put on professional smiles.

"Huyan Clan Master, long time no see," Meng Shenji greeted.

The lead man smiled and nodded, "Chief Meng Shenji, Deputy White Baoshan, Third Seat Zhilin, greetings to you all."

After brief courtesies, the guests were seated.

"To what do we owe this visit from the esteemed Clan Master Huyan?" Meng Shenji asked with a smile.

Huyan Zhen gave a slight smile in return. "Nothing too pressing. With only a year left before the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Tournament, Elephant Armored Clan is determined to claim victory. Here is our championship lineup, led by my grandson, the most talented disciple our sect has seen in years. I hope he will one day become a Titled Douluo."

He gestured toward the largest figure in the Elephant Armored Clan team.

Meng Shenji resisted the urge to scoff—becoming a Titled Douluo was hardly easy. Huyan Zhen's intentions were clear: he planned to humiliate Heaven Dou Royal Academy, as if to "consecrate the flag" for Elephant Armored Clan.

Soon, Qin Ming arrived with the Emperor Team.

Ye Hao, the star of the show, would appear last. In this three-on-three match, he was positioned to compete last, taking his seat after the others had settled in.

Glancing at the members of Elephant Armored Clan, Ye Hao saw a group of burly, fierce-looking men—the epitome of "all brawn, no brain." Ye Hao wasn't concerned; dealing with these brutes would be easy.

"Oslo, you'll go first," Qin Ming instructed, giving him a warning to be careful. With the Diamond Mammoth martial soul, a beast martial rivaled only by the Black Tortoise in defensive strength, Elephant Armored Clan had brought a powerful lineup. While their defense was formidable, their speed was lacking. Qin Ming's strategy was to send in Oslo with his Ghost Leopard martial soul for the first round, followed by team captain Yu Tianheng, whose Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, the top beast martial soul, would serve well as the second competitor.

As for the final competitor, that role was reserved for their hidden Trump card, Ye Hao, whose abilities no one fully understood. His entry would likely catch the Elephant Armored Clan off guard.

With the battle yet to begin, Ye Hao strolled over to the sidelines to take care of a private matter.

Just after he left, the three Education Committee members and Huyan Zhen all rose to their feet. The crowd fell silent.

In the distance, an exquisite, luxurious carriage approached, drawing the crowd's attention. A young man with golden hair, appearing around twenty-one or twenty-two years old, stepped out. Handsome and exuding a natural nobility, his arrival was met with admiration.

Within the crowd, Xue Beng instinctively clenched his fists, his face contorted with anger. Yet he dared not reveal his emotions and kept hidden, looking troubled.

"All hail the Crown Prince!" 

The three Committee members and Huyan Zhen bowed, and the young man, with a warm, spring-like smile, gestured for them to rise.

He took the main seat, watching the proceedings with great interest.

"Begin," he announced.

As his words fell, the battle commenced.

Seeing the signal, Huyan Zhen nodded to the Elephant Armored Clan side. Moments later, an enormous man ascended the stage. With each step, the ground quivered, and an invisible pressure filled the arena.

Oslo took a deep breath, steeling himself as he moved forward.