Chapter 21: Meeting an Old Foe Again

Seeing her proud toxins fail to affect someone for the first time, Dugu Yan’s eyes instantly turned red.

Tang Xi, still hoping to seek help from her grandfather, quickly stepped forward and explained with utmost sincerity, “I apologize. There is already a potent poison within my body. It is not fatal, but it is extremely overbearing, occupying every meridian in my system. Any other toxin that enters me is immediately expelled by it. In a sense, one could say I am immune to all poisons.”

“You…” Dugu Yan recalled how this person had been sparring with her in such a leisurely manner just moments ago, and her anger surged. “You were toying with me!?”

This time, it was Tang Xi who looked particularly innocent. She immediately shook her head and clarified, “No, that’s not it. I wasn’t sure if I was immune to your toxins before. Once I confirmed it, didn’t I end the match immediately?”

“You!”

Dugu Yan was clearly not comforted in the slightest. As the silver-elemental liquid on her body evaporated, she jumped up, clenched her fists, and glared at Tang Xi, refusing to accept the outcome.

Seeing that Dugu Yan was full of energy and physically unharmed, Qin Ming interrupted their standoff, saying, “Both parties, exit the stage.”

“You just wait!”

Dugu Yan snorted, turned around, and scurried back to Yu Tianheng’s side.

Tang Xi sighed and stepped off the stage. No sooner had she returned to Ye Lingling’s side than the latter asked in a worried, hushed tone, “What kind of poison is in your body?”

Tang Xi shook her head, not overly concerned. “I don’t know, but this toxin is so dominant that it prevents other poisons from harming me. I suppose that’s a good thing.”

Unexpectedly, Ye Lingling leaned in with a grave expression, her nose almost touching Tang Xi’s, and whispered, “Don’t laugh. My clan has records of this. This toxin has developed consciousness and territorial awareness. While it currently forces other poisons out of your system, eventually it will erode your consciousness and completely take over your body!”

Having carried this poison for so long, this was the first time Tang Xi had encountered someone other than Tang Hao who knew of her condition. A flicker of hope ignited within her, and her voice carried a hint of anticipation. “Then, does your clan know of a cure?”

Ye Lingling lowered her eyes in disappointment and shook her head. “No. This type of sentient toxin requires the host to possess a powerful bloodline capable of resisting it, and the host must be on the brink of death; only then is there a minuscule chance for such a sentient poison to manifest. This is something even the person who poisoned you cannot control, let alone cure.”

Seeing the light fade from Tang Xi’s eyes, Ye Lingling immediately offered earnest comfort. “Don’t worry. A sentient toxin relies on manipulating your emotions to make you lose your sanity. You must practice mental cultivation techniques and try your best to remain calm to delay the toxin’s eruption.”

Mental cultivation techniques…

Tang Xi regained her composure and lowered her head, deep in thought.

The competition continued. After a few matches, a commotion arose outside the small arena. Tang Xi snapped out of her thoughts to see many students and guards pouring in from the arena entrance. Before the children on the stage could see who had arrived, the people in the front row were already bowing loudly.

“Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

The Crown Prince!

Tang Xi’s body shuddered violently. She jerked her head up, her gaze piercing through the layers of people to land on the young man surrounded by the crowd like stars around the moon.

Nearly four years had passed. Xue Qinghe had grown more elegant and refined, with a cold, detached air in his eyes that only those in high positions possessed.

His skin is so fair, his neck so slender… it looks like it could be snapped so easily…

Tang Xi felt the blood in a certain part of her body clamoring wildly. She quickly dug her nails into her palms.

Not now, Xue Yuan. You must stay calm!

Amidst the respectful gazes of everyone, Xue Qinghe smiled calmly. He walked through the crowd to Qin Ming, who was still officiating the matches, and asked peacefully, “I heard that the aptitude of this year’s students is exceptional. I have come to take a look—is there anyone particularly outstanding?”

Zhilin, the Dean of Academic Affairs who was following Xue Qinghe, immediately prompted, “Teacher Qin, hurry and introduce them to His Highness.”

“Replying to Your Highness, these are all promising seedlings selected for the academy.”

Qin Ming smiled, neither servile nor overbearing. His gaze swept over the students who were eager to show their faces before the Crown Prince, but when he reached Tang Xi, he skipped over her, choosing instead to introduce the two standing behind her:

“Your Highness, that young girl is Dugu Yan, descendant of the Poison Douluo. Beside her is Yu Tianheng of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Both are the top talents in this selection.”

He stopped there, finally casting a glance at Tang Xi with a subtle signal.

Tang Xi lowered her head, taking deep breaths to suppress the hatred suddenly surging in her eyes. However, the students who had just competed exchanged puzzled looks.

Anyone with eyes could see that even if Tang Xi wasn’t the absolute best of this cohort, she was certainly among the top tier—especially since she had just easily defeated Dugu Yan. Why had Qin Ming specifically bypassed her?

Xue Qinghe did not notice the undercurrents among the children. He smiled and nodded. “Very well. You need not mind me; proceed with the next match.”

Qin Ming bowed and turned to announce the next pair of competitors.

Once the two opponents had taken the stage and drawn everyone’s attention, Qin Ming quietly approached Tang Xi and whispered, “The final match is between you and Yu Tianheng.”

Tang Xi had already pushed down her sudden agitation. She turned back and asked, “Why did you bypass me just now?”

“My apologies. That was a bit of self-interest on the academy’s part,” Qin Ming said with a helpless, bitter smile. “The top students of every intake are poached by the Spirit Hall Academy. Sometimes, even after classes have started for days, they suddenly leave without a word. It’s as if there’s a mole among the teachers who poaches our top students every year. Clearly…”

Qin Ming paused, and he and Tang Xi spoke in unison:

“Spirit Hall wants to hold every talented Spirit Master in their grasp?”

“We suspect some teachers are taking kickbacks from Spirit Hall…”

Tang Xi blinked, looking at Qin Ming with a strange expression, her face clearly asking, “Are you serious?”

Taking… kick… backs…?

The academy is still so clever yet so naive.

Watching Tang Xi, who no longer paid him any mind, Qin Ming sighed internally.

This young girl was precocious; she was clearly someone with her own ideas and was exceptionally stubborn. If one tried to stop her, it would be impossible.

He added, “Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan will certainly not leave Heaven Dou due to their family backgrounds, but you are an unpredictable factor. That is why I only dared to introduce them publicly instead of you. But rest assured, if you wish to stay, Heaven Dou will certainly not treat you poorly. If you are determined to go to Spirit Hall, we cannot stop you.”