Douluo; Zhongli Adventures in Mortal World with Paimon

Tang San and Dai Mubai were both hesitating, unsure if they should choose to surrender.

At the start of the match, they were determined to prove themselves with unwavering confidence.

However, as the match progressed, they realized that things were far more complicated than they had imagined.

Shui Bing'er's instant control techniques caught them completely off guard, leaving them defenseless and making them feel the world was unbearably harsh.

Tang San looked at the Blue Silver Grass in his hand and fell into deep thought.

"Am I really a genius?"

In some ways, he was indeed a rare prodigy, one in a million.

With memories of his past life and twin top-tier martial souls, if that wasn't genius or a monstrous talent, what was it?

"If I hadn't followed Yu Xiaogang's teachings, my evolved Blue Silver Grass wouldn't have struggled so much against Shui Bing'er."

As he thought about this, Tang San couldn't help but recall Yu Xiaogang, eventually shaking his head helplessly.

No matter how much he hated Yu Xiaogang now, it wouldn't change anything. Yu Xiaogang was already in such a state that any punishment would be meaningless to him.

Though it felt like a long time, it was just a moment. Tang San clenched his fist, only to finally let it go with resignation.

"Mubai, let's surrender."

"We have no chance in this match."

Tang San sighed deeply as he spoke.

Hearing this, Dai Mubai also relaxed his tightly clenched fist.

If even Tang San, who was so unwilling to admit defeat, had chosen to surrender, there was no point in him holding on either.

"Shrek surrenders."

With their voices, the match concluded, and this battle came to an end.

At this time, the streets of Heaven Dou City were mostly empty.

Because the competition had not yet ended, most people were still inside the Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena.

Xiao Feilian and "Xue Qinghe" were strolling leisurely, occasionally chatting about interesting things from the matches or their training. They appeared almost like a couple.

However, the two of them kept a distance of more than a meter between them, as if it were deliberate.

Heaven Dou City wasn't too big or too small.

From the Great Spirit Arena to the Seven Treasures Hotel, it took them over half an hour to arrive.

Of course, this was because they weren't rushing but walking at an average pace.

When the Seven Treasures Hotel's owner saw the visitors, he was momentarily stunned and somewhat confused.

Why was Crown Prince Xue Qinghe walking privately with the Holy Maiden of the Body Sect?

What was going on here?

The reason for his thoughts was the sight of the two conversing and laughing in a seemingly harmonious manner.

"Boss, bring us one of each of your latest dishes."

"Xue Qinghe" waved generously, exuding an air of grandeur.

Both she and Xiao Feilian understood that when acting, you had to commit fully. You never knew where spies from other factions might be lurking.

"???"

Wait, are you serious?

The hotel owner's eye twitched as he looked at "Xue Qinghe" in disbelief, his mind filled with questions.

"Alright, right away."

Business is business; doubting customers is not an option.

As for what this was all about, he decided to leave that headache to Ning Fengzhi.

In no time, "Xue Qinghe" and Xiao Feilian were seated in a private room, while the room Zhongli often used remained off-limits to others.

This arrangement ensured that Zhongli would always have a seat available when he arrived.

Once the dishes were served and the attendants withdrew, closing the door, Xiao Feilian and "Xue Qinghe" both let out a sigh of relief.

"Miss Chi Yu, thank you for cooperating. Without your help, I wouldn't have known what to do."

"Xue Qinghe" spread her hands helplessly, sitting down with an air of resignation.

At her age, she had been single all her life and had no experience in relationships, let alone situations like this.

Xiao Feilian felt equally helpless. Qian Renxue had no experience in love, and neither did she.

"No need to thank me. Since the master has instructed it, I'll cooperate fully with you."

Xiao Feilian wiped the sweat from her forehead. Acting was truly challenging and made her heart race far faster than usual.

Thinking about it, she glanced at "Xue Qinghe."

How could this young woman keep up such a pretense for so many years without feeling exhausted?

"Let's eat first. Emperor Xue Ye went to great lengths to win you over this time, offering something so valuable that even I felt tempted."

"Xue Qinghe" spoke seriously. She hadn't expected the Heaven Dou Imperial Family to possess such treasures.

As expected of an empire with a legacy spanning tens of thousands of years, it was no sham.

Hearing this, Xiao Feilian froze, puzzled.

The person before her was no ordinary individual but the heir of the Spirit Hall.

If even she was tempted by such treasures, they must be extraordinary.

"Why is Xue Ye trying to win me over?" Xiao Feilian asked, confused.

Just last night, Princess Xue Ke approached Du Siji.

Now, barely a day later, the "Crown Prince" was coming to her.

It was all so strange.

Besides, didn't Xue Ye know her identity?

The little cat girl who had been brought out of the auction house would never serve the imperial family, even without a grudge.

No matter how much they offered or how many benefits they gave, at most, it would be compensation.

Why had she ended up in the auction house in the first place?

Wasn't it because some people had captured her?

Hearing this, "Xue Qinghe" stroked her chin—a gesture identical to Zhongli's.

After a moment of thought, she replied, "He likely has two goals."

"The first is simply to make you a member of the royal family. With your talent, being the crown princess—or even the future empress of Heaven Dou—is entirely plausible."

"The second is to enhance the martial soul and talent of the royal family, subtly changing its current weakness."

She had also heard about Xue Ke's situation.

Who would have thought Xue Ye would be so audacious?

Xue Ke's "failure" must have forced him to have her, the "Crown Prince," step in.

As if realizing something, "Xue Qinghe" smiled and said, "Chi Yu, his motives don't matter, nor should you care about them."

"If you're offered gifts, accept them. If you're given benefits, take them."

"These are the imperial family's way of compensating for past actions."

"You don't need to feel any burden."

After all, she, Qian Renxue, felt no burden at all. They were enemies, not friends.

Her current approach was already the gentlest one possible, minimizing sacrifices significantly.

Otherwise, using force against the Heaven Dou Empire would come at an enormous cost.

"I certainly feel no burden."

"The empire prohibits such actions by decree, yet here in Heaven Dou City, people are still engaging in them."

"What's worse, the beneficiaries are the royal family itself."

Xiao Feilian spoke emotionlessly.

Ultimately, this world was one where strength reigned supreme.

The weak had no say, not even the ability to protect themselves.

"Once I grow strong enough, refraining from taking action against them will already be my version of gratitude."