Perhaps the cruelest curse in this world is for lovers to become siblings.
Watching Xue Di's face flush red as she gasped softly, Qian Renxue clutched the hem of her dress, a hint of loneliness flickering in her eyes.
At this moment, Gu Yuena wore the same expression as Qian Renxue—except she made no effort to hide her displeasure.
Ever since she learned that Xue Tianyu had inherited the ancient Ice God's divine position and could help her overthrow the God Realm, she had already made up her mind—she had to have him.
Now, seeing Xue Tianyu and Xue Di so intimate, she couldn't help but frown.
'So with me, it's too soon, not the right time. But with Xue Di, it's fine…'
Gu Yuena's eyes flickered.
Since that was the case, she felt she should take the initiative.
As soon as Xue Tianyu and Xue Di separated, she stepped forward, blocking them.
Gu Yuena placed her slender, jade-like hand on Xue Tianyu's shoulder.
"Tianyu, come to my room tonight. I have something good to show you."
As she spoke, she practically draped herself over him, her graceful, curvaceous figure pressing against him without restraint.
Xue Di's expression darkened as she watched Gu Yuena's actions.
'Alright, alright… so you like to play this game, huh?'
"Tonight might not be possible." Xue Tianyu steadied his thoughts and glanced toward the imperial palace. "I have something very important to take care of tonight. Let's wait until tomorrow."
Tomorrow?
Gu Yuena's brow furrowed slightly.
'You're planning to be busy all night? What kind of banquet lasts till morning?'
From the conversations in the room, Gu Yuena had already gathered that Xue Tianyu had an important banquet to attend tonight, as well as some other matters to handle.
But none of that mattered.
With his current strength, she wasn't even the least bit worried.
So in her mind, this task should be handled quickly.
Yet now, Xue Tianyu had postponed her invitation till tomorrow. She couldn't exactly refute him in front of everyone.
"Alright then, it's a promise. You must come."
Gu Yuena pouted slightly, tracing small circles on Xue Tianyu's chest with her delicate fingers, looking like a wronged wife.
The scene made Xue Di's head steam with anger.
'Turns out that cup of green tea earlier was totally justified.'
Xue Tianyu, feeling overwhelmed by Gu Yuena's teasing, grabbed her soft, delicate shoulders and sighed. "Alright, I'll definitely come tomorrow."
Hearing his definite answer, Gu Yuena's beautiful face finally lit up with a radiant smile.
"Then I'll be looking forward to it, Tianyu."
The others in the room could only watch Gu Yuena in silence, their thoughts unreadable.
Qian Renxue let out a sigh, her beautiful eyes tinged with envy.
She was completely numb to it all.
"Tianyu, we should head out."
Qian Renxue reached for Xue Tianyu's hand, interlocking their fingers tightly, as if they were the closest of lovers.
As for the debt Bibi Dong owed him for abandoning him, she would settle it with Xue Tianyu—together!
They would avenge Xue Tianyu!
And she would also avenge herself!
…
Heaven Dou Imperial Palace
Xue Tianyu and Xue Qinghe entered the banquet hall one after the other.
The first person they saw was Ning Rongrong of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Beside her stood a refined, middle-aged man.
"That's Ning Fengzhi, Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
Disguised as Xue Qinghe, Qian Renxue whispered in Xue Tianyu's ear.
Xue Tianyu had never seen Ning Fengzhi before, so he observed him carefully.
His face was handsome and well-defined, his features elegant and composed.
He wore a spotless white robe, exuding a gentle and scholarly aura.
His deep, tranquil gaze carried a certain refined wisdom, as if knowledge itself had imbued him with an air of nobility.
His smooth, black hair cascaded down his back. Though middle-aged, his presence was undeniably captivating.
No wonder Ning Rongrong had always been so confident in her own beauty—her father had indeed given her the genes to back it up.
"Wait… isn't this supposed to be Emperor Xue Ye's banquet?" Xue Tianyu was a bit surprised.
He had heard that the major sects and the Heaven Dou Empire weren't exactly on good terms. While they weren't enemies, they weren't exactly allies either.
Seeing Ning Fengzhi here was unexpected.
But then he recalled that Ning Fengzhi was "Xue Qinghe's" teacher, so it made sense.
His presence only meant that tonight's plan for a change in power would have a few more obstacles.
Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo were formidable, but in Xue Tianyu's eyes, dealing with them would only take some time.
If they refused to cooperate, he would simply kill them as well.
"That's him…"
At that moment, Ning Rongrong also spotted Xue Qinghe and Xue Tianyu, and her emotions surged.
Her expression grew complicated, and her beautiful eyes flickered with memories.
That familiar face dredged up painful recollections.
Dai Mubai's death, Yu Xiaogang's severed arm, her own humiliating kneeling, Oscar's departure, Tang San's despair, Xiao Wu's fate as a pet…
All of it—every last bit—was because of Xue Tianyu.
As the crown prince, Xue Qinghe naturally sat to Emperor Xue Ye's right.
Xue Tianyu took his seat beside Xue Qinghe.
Ning Fengzhi, along with Ning Rongrong and the two elders, Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo, sat across from them.
Ever since Xue Tianyu arrived, Ning Rongrong had been glaring at him with a sulky expression, her eyes brimming with resentment.
In her heart, she had cursed Xue Tianyu thousands of times.
If not for Ning Fengzhi's presence, she would have already begged Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo to attack him.
He had driven away her admirer, crippled her idol, humiliated her, and killed Dai Mubai, whom she saw as a close friend.
Anything associated with Xue Tianyu had never ended well for her.
Yet compared to Ning Rongrong's overwhelming resentment, Ning Fengzhi remained calm and composed.
He was waiting.
Waiting for Emperor Xue Ye to speak.
Soon, Emperor Xue Ye stood up.
"This, ladies and gentlemen, is the star of tonight's banquet." He paused, then announced, "Captain of the Tianshui Battle Team—Xue Tianyu!"
Xue Tianyu nodded indifferently, already guessing why Ning Fengzhi had come.
After all, bringing Ning Rongrong here made his intentions quite obvious.
Seeing that Xue Tianyu didn't bother to stand up and exchange pleasantries, Emperor Xue Ye felt slightly embarrassed.
That wasn't proper court etiquette.
But what could he do? The man was an unrivaled powerhouse.
He had privileges.
At that moment, Ning Fengzhi discreetly signaled Emperor Xue Ye.
A reminder to fulfill his promise.
Receiving the signal, Emperor Xue Ye forced a smile and raised his glass.
"Tianyu, about that incident before… it was all just a misunderstanding."
"Ning Rongrong was simply a classmate and teammate of Tang San. She acted purely out of loyalty to a friend and ended up offending you."
"In the future, we're all citizens of the Heaven Dou Empire. We'll be seeing each other often. Why not grant me this favor and let bygones be bygones?"
Emperor Xue Ye believed his words were flawless—diplomatic and conciliatory.
As long as Xue Tianyu showed even the slightest intention of reconciliation, this issue could be settled smoothly.
But Xue Tianyu merely looked at the wine cup before him, unmoved.
His gaze remained calm.
A cold sweat trickled down Emperor Xue Ye's temple.
He felt uneasy.
As the emperor of Heaven Dou, he had never spoken so humbly before.
Yet Xue Tianyu's indifference left him hanging awkwardly.
The wine in his cup suddenly became difficult to swallow.
He quickly turned to Ning Fengzhi, signaling urgently.
His meaning was clear—
'I've done my part. If this fails, don't blame me!'
"Sigh..."
Ning Fengzhi let out a sigh.
As expected of a top-tier powerhouse—he didn't even give Emperor Xue Ye any face.
But that was only natural.
With Xue Tianyu's strength, no matter what he did, Xue Ye would have to tolerate it.
If he were in Xue Ye's position, he would treat Xue Tianyu with the same respect.