Douluo: My summoning cards can generate Title Douluo

Chapter 268 Xue Qinghe's Scheme
"It seems our opponent is quite adept at business." Hu Liena put down her wine glass, her voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible coldness.

Xie Yue finally opened his eyes, his sharp gaze like an ice pick: "Bluster. In the competition, all empty reputations will be shattered."

Yan stood up abruptly, his wild aura no longer suppressed, like a volcano about to erupt, drawing the attention of many around him.

He stared intently at the Beast God Pavilion members, who were vaguely surrounded by the crowd, especially Tang Ya and Xiao Xiao standing next to Qi Xue. He let out a low growl: "I can't wait for the competition! I want to fight them right now!"

His sudden action and undisguised fighting spirit instantly silenced the previously somewhat "lively" Beast God Pavilion area once again. Everyone's eyes were filled with fear as they looked towards the Golden Generation.

Qi Xue frowned slightly, took half a step forward, and shielded Tang Ya and Xiao Xiao behind her in a safer position. Her cold gaze, befitting a Super Douluo, was cast upon Yan. Although she did not release any pressure, it made Yan feel as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over his head, and his boiling fighting spirit was suffocated.

Hu Liena reached out and pressed down on the restless Yan, then slowly stood up and looked at Qi Xue across the distance.

The two women, each representing the pinnacle of their respective factions, locked eyes, their gazes clashing in mid-air as if invisible sparks were flying.

"Yan, sit down." Hu Liena's voice carried an unquestionable tone of command. Then, she looked at Qi Xue, her alluring yet cold smile returning to her face. "Elder Qi, Yan is young and impetuous, and has been rude."

"However, I think the young people of your sect can understand his feelings. After all, true Soul Masters all yearn to clash with powerful opponents."

Her words downplayed the conflict as "youthful impetuosity" and "eagerness to clash," both appeasing her own side and putting the Beast God Pavilion in a difficult position.

Qi Xue remained calm and said indifferently, "It's good to be eager to clash, but one must know how to exercise restraint."

"It's the imperial palace, a place of great importance, and we should be more discreet in front of His Majesty. As for the real competition, there's a grand tournament for that."

Her response was neither too soft nor too hard, clearly stating the occasion while accepting the challenge with composure.

Emperor Xueye sat high on his dragon throne, taking in the undercurrents and confrontations below. His face still wore the majestic smile of an emperor, as if everything was under his control, but in his deep eyes, there was a light that no one could understand.

He was pleased to see the Spirit Hall and the Beast God Pavilion check and balance each other, as this was in the interest of the Heaven Dou Empire.

"Qinghe," Emperor Xueye suddenly spoke, turning to Qian Renxue beside him, "what do you think of the young people on both sides?"

Xue Qinghe smiled slightly, his smile as gentle as jade. His gaze swept over the two sides below, who were locked in a tense standoff. His tone was calm and objective: "Your Majesty, they are all outstanding talents, rare geniuses in the Soul Master world. The Golden Generation of the Spirit Hall lives up to its name, with profound foundations; the Dawn Team of the Beast God Pavilion is mysterious, powerful, and has unlimited potential."

"This competition is sure to be spectacular. Regardless of who wins or loses, it will be a major event for the Soul Master community on our continent."

His words were perfectly worded, offending neither side and shifting the focus to the competition itself, demonstrating the magnanimity of a qualified heir apparent.

Emperor Xueye nodded in satisfaction, then slightly raised his hand. The eunuch beside him understood and stepped forward, his high-pitched, drawn-out voice echoing throughout the hall:
"By imperial decree, the banquet has concluded. In gratitude for the presence of all the talented young people, I urge you all to exert your utmost efforts and showcase the brilliance of Soul Masters in the competition! So be it—"

When the decree announcing the end of the banquet was issued, everyone in the hall, regardless of their thoughts, rose from their seats and bowed towards the throne, saying, "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!" This announcement marked the official end of the palace banquet, which was filled with intrigue, tests, and undercurrents.

People began to leave in an orderly fashion. Many people couldn't help but cast a glance of awe and curiosity as they passed the area where the Beast God Pavilion members were, but they dared not stop for a moment.

Led by Feng Xiaotian, Huo Wu, and Shui Bing'er, the teams from the three elemental academies nodded to Qi Xue, Tang Ya, and the others from a distance before quickly leaving, as they needed to process what they had seen and heard that evening.

The three members of the Golden Generation were the first to stand up. Hu Liena glanced one last time in the direction of the Beast God Pavilion, her alluring eyes filled with a mixture of coldness and fighting spirit. Then, without hesitation, she turned around and, with Xie Yue and Yan, left the main hall first amidst the awe-inspiring gazes of the crowd. Her posture remained proud and resolute, as if everything that had happened tonight was nothing more than an insignificant episode before the competition.

Ning Fengzhi, accompanied by Chen Xin and Gu Rong, returned to the Beast God Pavilion. He gave Ning Rongrong a few more words of advice, mainly about safety, diligent cultivation, and listening to her master. His eyes held a father's concern mixed with a hint of barely perceptible worry. After bowing to Qi Xue and Dugu Bo in farewell, he followed the flow of people away.

"Let's go too," Qi Xue said calmly, her voice rousing the Dawn Team members who were still somewhat immersed in the atmosphere from just now.

The seven exchanged glances, each seeing the determination and a hint of weariness in the other's eyes. Tonight's experience had been more mentally taxing than a high-intensity battle. They followed Qi Xue, moving with the flow of people towards the exit of the hall.

Stepping out of the brightly lit hall, a cool night breeze brushed against their faces, giving everyone a slight boost in spirits.

In the palace square, the hanging soul-guiding lamps illuminated the surroundings as if it were daytime, and a line of magnificent carriages had been waiting for a long time.

The Beast God's carriage, bearing the dragon emblem, remained conspicuously parked in its place. Just as they were about to board, a gentle voice came from behind them:

"Elder Qi, Captain Tang Ya, please wait."

Everyone turned around and saw Crown Prince Xue Qinghe standing there with a smile, seemingly waiting for them. He was accompanied only by two composed eunuchs; Emperor Xue Ye was nowhere to be seen.

Qi Xue stopped and turned to face Qian Renxue, her expression calm: "Does Your Highness have any further instructions?"

Qian Renxue smiled gently, her gaze sweeping over everyone before finally settling on Qi Xue and Tang Ya. She said sincerely, "I dare not presume to offer guidance. However, there were too many people in the hall just now, so it was inconvenient to say more."

"Having met you tonight, I am even more convinced that everyone in the Beast God Pavilion is a dragon among men, with limitless potential. My Heavenly Dou Empire and the Beast God Pavilion are on the same side, and should be mutually supportive. If you ever need my help or the Heavenly Dou Empire's help in the future, please don't hesitate to ask."

His words, abandoning the previous probing, were much more direct, and his intention to win him over was obvious.

Qi Xue's eyes flickered slightly, but her tone remained indifferent: "We appreciate Your Highness's kindness. The Beast God Pavilion's actions are left to the Pavilion Master's discretion."

(P.S.: Qi Xue and the others have never seen Xue Qinghe's true face.)

(End of this chapter)