Chapter 12: Uncovering the Forces Behind the Crown Prince

At that moment, a Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, twenty meters tall, materialized in midair.

Brilliant colors shimmered around the pagoda, enveloping the surrounding trees in a radiant glow.

Wang Dong could not help marveling. So this was the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda’s true power.

Ning Fengzhi gazed at the pagoda before him, happiness welling up from the depths of his heart.

At last, he could break through the shackles imposed by his clan’s martial soul and reach the eightieth level. In the future, he might even have the chance to become a Titled Douluo and earn the title of God of Support.

Having weathered countless storms, he was no longer the sort of man to lose himself in excitement. Apart from the initial surge of emotion, he had already concealed his feelings once more.

Seeing Ning Rongrong’s delighted expression, Wang Dong was genuinely happy for them.

Even if his arrival had altered the course of certain people’s lives, at least the outcome had been a good one.

Only after her excitement had subsided did Ning Rongrong realize that someone was missing.

“Hey, where did Big Brother Crown Prince go?”

The image of those golden wings that had flashed past the previous night surfaced in Wang Dong’s mind, and the corners of his lips curled upward.

“He probably finished absorbing it long ago and went to prepare breakfast for us.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a deep voice rang out.

“Well, hungry again so soon? You really are just a child.”

Hearing that languid, unhurried tone, Wang Dong curled his lip, already regretting that he had covered for him.

Then the familiar sensation of being lifted into the air came over him once more, and his regret deepened.

Why did this fellow always like carrying him around?

Perhaps the look of disdain in his eyes had been too intense. Xue Qinghe gave a light cough.

“Children are meant to be carried. Otherwise, they would never make it that far.”

As he spoke, he tightened his hold around Wang Dong.

Wang Dong no longer knew what to think. Ever since discovering that Xue Qinghe was actually a girl, he had become far less resistant to her.

Carrying him, Xue Qinghe walked over to Ning Fengzhi.

“Teacher, Rongrong, congratulations.”

Ning Fengzhi lifted Ning Rongrong into his arms.

“Qinghe, such an opportunity is truly difficult to come by. You must continue striving to improve.”

“Yes!” Xue Qinghe replied solemnly.

“Ah, Father, this is the Sunset Forest, not your study, and certainly not a classroom! Can’t you stop being so serious?”

Ning Rongrong’s soft, plaintive complaint rang out. Ning Fengzhi and Xue Qinghe froze for a moment before bursting into laughter.

Wang Dong could not understand what was so funny. But when he saw Ning Rongrong’s puffed-out cheeks, he leaned forward and pinched them without hesitation.

“Little Dong!” Ning Rongrong cried in outrage.

Wang Dong blinked, finding the sensation rather pleasing. He reached out with his other hand as well.

Xue Qinghe even cooperated by carrying him a little closer.

“Little Dong! You’re awful!”

“Hahahahahaha!”

The atmosphere on their side was relaxed and cheerful, but things were far less pleasant where Prince Xuexing was concerned.

Prince Xuexing’s residence.

“Uncle, Uncle! Did you teach that brat a lesson?”

Seated in the place of honor, Xuexing supported his forehead with one hand. In the other, he held a letter and remained silent.

Xue Beng immediately sensed that something was wrong. His cheerful footsteps slowed.

“Uncle, did something happen?”

Xuexing loosened his grip, and the letter drifted into Xue Beng’s hands.

“Senior Poison Douluo… seriously injured?”

The letter slipped slowly to the floor. Xue Beng’s pupils contracted for an instant, and his mouth fell open. Only after a long moment could he force out a few words.

“But he is a Titled Douluo!”

Xuexing let out a heavy sigh.

“Fortunately, this incident has confirmed something for us as well. There must be a force behind His Highness the Crown Prince that is no weaker than a Titled Douluo—perhaps more than one.”

Xue Beng narrowed his eyes.

“I never imagined that one unknown brat would force Big Brother to reveal his trump card.”

Xuexing stepped down from the platform and patted Xue Beng on the head.

“Do not worry. I will deal with Poison Douluo. Since we cannot yet determine the Crown Prince’s true strength, we can only conceal our own edge and wait patiently for the right moment.”

“Thank you, Uncle.”

Xue Beng nodded, then silently gazed toward the tallest building in the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace and said nothing more.

…

At the gates of Heaven Dou City, a splendid carriage slowly came to a stop.

On the other side of the gate stood another carriage, one that exuded understated luxury from every inch. Leaning beside its horses was a tall, elegant man who appeared to be middle-aged despite his entirely silver hair and beard. His snow-white robes were immaculate.

When he saw the other carriage stop, he relaxed slightly and straightened. Yet when no one emerged from it for some time, he frowned.

Meanwhile, Wang Dong stood rooted to the spot, staring at Ning Rongrong, who was clinging to his hand and refusing to let go.

“No! I want Little Dong to come back with me!”

Wang Dong did not want to part with her so soon either. However, the matter concerning the Great Strength Ape was simply too suspicious. He very much wanted to investigate it.

“Perhaps… you could stay with me in the imperial palace?” Wang Dong suggested hesitantly.

Ning Rongrong had just been about to agree when Ning Fengzhi interrupted her.

“Rongrong, your Grandpa Sword is already waiting outside. The sect’s affairs are numerous, and Father must return.”

Although Ning Rongrong was reluctant to leave Wang Dong, she wanted even more to remain by her father’s and Grandpa Sword’s side. With no other choice, she slowly released Wang Dong’s hand.

Xue Qinghe watched the scene and felt like a villain. Turning toward the outside of the carriage, she said,

“Make arrangements to have the Great Strength Ape sent secretly to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.”

“Yes!”

The reply carried clearly into the ears of everyone inside.

Ning Rongrong’s eyes lit up. Wang Dong’s lips curved into a smile, and he pulled Ning Rongrong out of the carriage by the hand.

Xue Qinghe was left utterly bewildered.

So the entire performance just now had been for her benefit?

There was nothing she could do. With such a troublesome child in the family, she could only follow them out.

“Grandpa Sword!”

Ning Rongrong pulled Wang Dong toward Chen Xin.

Chen Xin had been delighted to see his little granddaughter after so many days apart. But when he noticed the little boy she was holding by the hand, alarm bells went off in his mind, and his expression changed instantly.

Wang Dong studied the man before him. The aura unique to a true powerhouse made his heart sink.

Ning Rongrong quickly reached Chen Xin and leaped straight into his arms.

“Grandpa Sword, I missed you so much! You have no idea—I was almost taken away!”

Upon hearing this, Chen Xin instinctively assumed that the little boy beside Rongrong was involved. He immediately sent soul power into Ning Rongrong’s body.

Wang Dong rubbed his nose awkwardly.

At that moment, Ning Fengzhi and Xue Qinghe also stepped forward and inclined their heads slightly.

“Uncle Sword.”

“Sword Douluo.”

Chen Xin returned their greetings.

“Fengzhi, how did Rongrong…”

He stopped halfway through his sentence. Chen Xin had sensed the change in Ning Rongrong’s martial soul and stared at Ning Fengzhi in disbelief.

Ning Fengzhi nodded, confirming his guess, then transmitted a message to him in secret.

Wang Dong had no idea what they discussed. He only noticed that the gaze of the powerhouse known as Sword Douluo shifted from wary to appreciative when directed at him.

…

End of Chapter.