Inside the Heaven Dou Imperial City, at the former Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Academy, now the new Shrek Academy.
"Little San, you have to understand Grandmaster," Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang said earnestly to Tang San, who was sweating profusely during training. "Although you are still young, if you want to defeat that guy, you won't be able to do it without tens of times more effort than before. Grandmaster is training you like this for your own good."
Tang San remained silent, focusing solely on his training. Jiang Mian's figure echoed in his mind, as if he could soon exact his revenge.
He wanted to trample Jiang Mian underfoot, to repay the humiliation he suffered tenfold. He wanted to throw Jiang Mian into the filthiest place, let Jiang Mian endure all kinds of abuse, and then tear him into a thousand pieces, dismembering him by five horses!
Two flamboyant men awkwardly followed Tang San in his training. They even spoke effeminately, their hands unconsciously forming orchid gestures.
Two pathetic souls who lost their roots, it serves you right for being so promiscuous.
Tang San gritted his teeth and roared,
"Jiang Mian!"
"Achoo!"
Outside Heaven Dou Imperial City, Jiang Mian sneezed twice, hard. He couldn't help but wonder, "Who's thinking of me?"
"You must have been flirting around outside," Hu Liena said alluringly, lying on Jiang Mian's lap and casually swinging her legs. "Isn't that right, little brother Jiang Mian?"
"Sister has always been with me. Could it be that the 'flowers' I've been flirting with are you, Sister?" Jiang Mian gently stroked Hu Liena's fox ears, teasing her.
Hu Liena's ears turned red. She said nothing, only gently bit her finger, looking at Jiang Mian with affectionate eyes.
Jiang Mian held Hu Liena's slender waist and looked at Zhu Zhuqing, who was meditating beside them. He felt that even Immortals couldn't compare to his current life.
Zhuqing had just absorbed a spirit ring, and combined with her previous suppression of spirit power, this breakthrough allowed her to directly advance two levels, almost catching up to Hu Liena.
After all, she had once consumed Immortal Herbs as if they were food. Although their medicinal effects were now only a tenth of what they once were, the sheer quantity made up for it. While Hu Liena's talent was high, she hadn't yet had such an opportunity, and her spirit power was stagnant at level forty-six. Jiang Mian planned to find some Immortal Herbs for Hu Liena to help her improve her cultivation as well.
"Jiang Mian, I'll go ahead," Qian Renxue suddenly said from outside the carriage.
"Alright," Jiang Mian nodded. Qian Renxue then released her Spirit and departed. On the surface, she was still Xue Qinghe, and it wasn't appropriate for her to enter the city in that guise. Besides, a Crown Prince of the Empire disappearing for four days would surely attract the attention of those with ulterior motives.
Crimson King stepped out of the carriage and drove alongside Bear Lord. Jiang Mian looked at the map and found that they were very close to Heaven Dou Royal Academy. He thought of going there to have some fun, after all, there were many beauties in Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, each of them was a great beauty no less than Zhu Zhuqing and Hu Liena. Such girls, naturally, the more the merrier.
"Bear Lord, let's head to Heaven Dou Royal Academy."
Inside Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong sat on the Supreme Pontiff's throne, propping her forehead with one hand. She gently closed her eyes, listening to Ghost Douluo report work information from below.
"Jiang Mian, why aren't you back yet?" Bibi Dong murmured softly, her eyes filled with longing. Her heart fluttered uncontrollably, seemingly recalling that night with Jiang Mian. After all, even the most powerful woman has a soft, vulnerable side that needs care.
Ghost Douluo saw that the situation was not right and immediately, wisely, slowly retreated, not daring to obstruct Bibi Dong's view.
------
"Grandmaster, why are you here too?" A familiar voice came. The carriage suddenly stopped, and Jiang Mian was surprised. Yan and Xie Yue appeared in front of the carriage. When they saw Bear Lord and Crimson King, they immediately bowed, acting like good disciples.
"We've only been gone for half a month, and you two miss us this much?" Bear Lord said with a smile, crossing his arms. "You're not masochists, are you?"
Xie Yue scratched his head, a sincere smile on his handsome face: "With Grandmasters here, our strength indeed improves very quickly. Although we complained a bit during training, we always thought of Grandmasters in our hearts."
Yan glanced at Xie Yue and said, "Me too."
"We also don't want to fall too far behind Jiang Mian. Although I know I can't surpass him, I still want to work hard, even if it's just to narrow the distance between us."
"Me too."
Crimson King looked at Xie Yue, then at his cheap disciple who only knew how to say "me too." He was furious. How could he lose to Bear Lord's disciple?!
"Yan, well said." Crimson King clenched his fist, forcing his anger down. He laughed infuriatedly, "When we return to Spirit Hall, Master will train you well."
"Ah!" Yan's face instantly changed drastically. He tugged at Xie Yue's sleeve and said, "Grandmaster, Xie Yue and I still have some things to do, so we'll leave first."
"Wait," Jiang Mian stepped out of the carriage. He jumped in front of the two and asked, "How did things go?"
"Everything is arranged," Xie Yue patted Jiang Mian's shoulder and said with a smile, "I knew that wherever the two Grandmasters were, you, Jiang Mian, would definitely be there."
Yan greeted Jiang Mian sheepishly. He was truly afraid of Jiang Mian settling scores later. He couldn't beat Jiang Mian in a fight, nor could he run away.
"Alright, we're good brothers," Jiang Mian's lips slightly curved upwards, saying, "It's not a big deal, why is Brother Yan taking it to heart?"
"You saying that puts my mind at ease," Yan suddenly burst into laughter. He said, "You don't know how many evil Spirit Masters Xie Yue killed on the border of the Extreme North. That guy really shows no mercy."
"Are you injured?" Jiang Mian grabbed Xie Yue's hand, concerned. "Is it serious?"
"I won't die," Xie Yue said with a smile. "Besides, how can you improve without getting injured?"
"I'll heal you," Jiang Mian said, about to heal Xie Yue's injuries. Xie Yue quickly pulled his hand back and said, "Let me tell you, wounds are a warrior's glory. Don't even think about erasing them for me."
"You," Jiang Mian pointed at Xie Yue, smiling helplessly. Xie Yue's temper was still too stubborn.
Bear Lord greatly admired this child. Knowing it was impossible, yet still striving, truly a hero.
Xie Yue knew he couldn't surpass Jiang Mian, yet he still trained himself with high intensity from dawn till dusk, tirelessly. In truth, he had found the great path he wanted to pursue in his life. Such a person would surely achieve immeasurable accomplishments in the future.
In Xie Yue's words, even if he truly couldn't surpass Jiang Mian, he would always be the one behind Jiang Mian.
Jiang Mian looked around, not finding Yue Guan's figure. He immediately asked with some surprise, "Wasn't Chrysanthemum Douluo sent by the Supreme Pontiff to accompany you all? Where is he?"
"Chrysanthemum Douluo senior went back to Spirit Hall first, perhaps he's been cooped up for too long," Xie Yue said with a smile. "He disliked our slow speed and just left us here."
"Went to vent on Ghost Douluo?"
The three exchanged a knowing smile. Such things were best left unsaid.
"Nana is still in the carriage," Jiang Mian said with a smile. "As her brother, why aren't you rushing to see her?"
"Nana, did you miss me?" Xie Yue hastily tidied his hair and walked into the carriage to see his most cherished and beloved younger sister. Of course, the most crucial thing was to ensure that Jiang Mian hadn't done 'that' to Nana.
Upon hearing this, Yan's eyes clearly dimmed, and he immediately became somewhat dejected.
Jiang Mian hooked his arm around Yan's shoulder and comforted him, "Brother Yan, don't worry, your brother will definitely find you a beauty comparable to Nana, okay?"
"Jiang Mian, do you think I like Nana just for her looks?" Yan retorted angrily, "How could I be such a shallow person!"
"Exactly, exactly," Jiang Mian patted Yan's shoulder, continuing to comfort him, "It's well-known that brother is deeply devoted to Nana, but love isn't one-sided. Perhaps you haven't met the one who is more suitable for you."
"I have nothing to say about Nana liking you," Yan squatted to the side, feeling so wronged he wanted to cry. "You're better than me, and better looking too. Don't worry, Jiang Mian, I'll sincerely wish you two a long and happy life together. Perhaps I won't ever look for another woman in this life."
"Don't speak too soon," Jiang Mian pulled up the effeminate Yan and said, "Let's take it one step at a time. If I comfort you, you might feel even worse."
"You know that!" Yan angrily pointed at Jiang Mian, thousands of words converging into one: "Scram!"
"Tsk, ungrateful," Jiang Mian chuckled, knowing when to quit. He shouted into the carriage, "Xie Yue, interested in coming with us to Heaven Dou Royal Academy?"
"What are we going there for?" Xie Yue poked his head out and asked, "Is there something going on?"
"Nothing, just want to go take a look," Jiang Mian's abacus clicked loudly, a series of plans already forming.
"Alright, then let's go take a look." Xie Yue jumped out of the carriage, took Jiang Mian's hand, and said, "Jiang Mian, I know the way, let's go."
"The carriage can't fit both of us, and besides, Zhuqing is cultivating. So, I'll have to trouble you to walk with us."
Jiang Mian chuckled inwardly. This older brother is quite something. Is he trying to prevent himself from being alone with Hu Liena because he's afraid he'll do 'that' to her?
Xie Yue leaned close to Jiang Mian's ear and whispered, "Actually, I don't object to you and Nana being together. It's just that as her elder brother, if I ignored it completely, that would be too unfair to Nana. After all, appearances must be kept up. In my heart, I'd give you a perfect ten as a brother-in-law."
Slap and then a date? Good for you, Xie Yue, are you treating me, Jiang Mian, like a child?
Jiang Mian gritted his teeth, forcing a smile: "Brother-in-law makes a good point."
"Let's go."
Jiang Mian walked in the center, with Xie Yue and Yan following beside him. Bear Lord and Crimson King drove the carriage. The group of seven majestically headed towards Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
As they passed an alleyway, Crimson King and Bear Lord both instinctively looked towards it. The alley was dark and empty.
"A very familiar feeling," Crimson King said calmly.
"It's that guy who ambushed us at the inn last time," Bear Lord said dismissively. "We spared his life last time, and he still dares to scheme against Jiang Mian?"
"Be careful," Crimson King said. "If he dares to scheme against Jiang Mian, we'll take him down this time."
"I could kill him in an instant," Bear Lord said. "There's no need to worry so much about Jiang Mian. If he wants to reach that height in the future, he must break out of his comfort zone. He cannot rely solely on our protection."
"You have a point," Crimson King said. "We can't let Jiang Mian rely on us too much."
"That's more like it this time," Bear Lord commented.
"You blind bear."
"You little dog cub."
"Want to fight?"
"Fight then, who's afraid of you?"
Jiang Mian was speechless. He turned around and said, "Can you two quiet down a bit? This is Heaven Dou Imperial City, it can't withstand the shockwaves from you two."
"For Jiang Mian's sake, I'll spare you this time, you blind bear."
"You dog cub, just you wait. I'll find a place later and give you a good beating."
Crimson King crossed his arms and said, "We're both old-timers, it's not good to compete with the new generation. How about we let our disciples spar and decide the winner?"
"You think I'm scared?" Bear Lord felt even more confident upon hearing this. He had seen how hard Xie Yue worked. If Yan worked half as hard as Xie Yue, Bear Lord would think highly of him.
"Yan, can't you put some effort into this?" Crimson King yelled at Yan. "If you dare to lose, I'll throw you into the Crimson Python Fire Valley, believe it or not?"
Yan shivered all over. He involuntarily looked at Xie Yue beside him, his gaze seeming to say, 'Brother, can you go easy on me and let me win?'
"Xie Yue, if you lose, I'll throw you into the Green-Winged Myriad Bat Cave," Bear Lord likewise said, not to be outdone.
Xie Yue looked at Yan, the meaning clear: Brother, I can't help you either.
"If you ask me," Jiang Mian laughed, "they should both go, saves hurting brotherly feelings, right?"
"Grab this kid, get him!" Xie Yue and Yan moved together, trying to grab Jiang Mian. Jiang Mian chuckled, gracefully dodged backward, and laughed, "Wrong, wrong, two brothers, please be merciful."
"No can do, my Spirit Grandmaster Jiang!" Xie Yue and Yan hugged Jiang Mian's legs, spread them apart, and rushed towards the carriage wheel.
"Holy moly!" Jiang Mian's backside tightened. His male instincts instantly kicked in. He was actually able to spontaneously use a spirit ring skill, quickly pulling his legs together, which allowed him to dodge Xie Yue and Yan's critical strike.
"Still can't beat him," Xie Yue shook his arm and said, "To think this kid could break free."
"Brother-in-law, if you cripple me today, what will Nana do?" Jiang Mian hid behind Crimson King, looking innocent.
"Let Nana stay with you," Xie Yue said with an exasperated laugh. "You dare to threaten your brother-in-law?"
"Alright, Heaven Dou Royal Academy is just ahead. You three little rascals, stop fooling around," Crimson King interrupted their play and said, "I've also heard of Spirit Hall, the strongest Spirit Master organization in the human World. You are, after all, the Golden Generation of Spirit Hall, so try to act with a bit more decorum."
"Yes," Jiang Mian was the first to jump out of the carriage. He patted Xie Yue and Yan's butts and said, "Follow my lead: butt up, stomach in, head forward, go!"
The three of them playfully walked, their movements somewhat resembling Tom Cat's walk, making people laugh. A sudden uninvited guest appeared at the entrance of Heaven Dou Royal Academy, his eyes filled with disdain and contempt for the three of them.
"Well, well, well, where did these three turtles come from, daring to make a fool of themselves at the entrance of Heaven Dou Royal Academy?"