Chapter 24: The Terror of the Gazing Eye, The Sevenfold Absolute Void!

Chapter 24: The Terror of the Glaring Eye, The Seven-No Absolute Realm!

Xu Yan smiled and said, "Freedom is the best thing of all."

With that, he walked out of the prison. Waiting at the entrance was Xue Qinghe, standing not far away. Xue Beng was also present, looking visibly displeased. Hidden in the shadows, the Poison Douluo, Dugu Bo, observed the scene, his estimation of Xu Yan rising significantly. He did not understand why Xue Qinghe would release him, but considering Tang Yuehua, the mistress of the Moon Pavilion, he began to piece things together.

"This kid’s background is not simple," Dugu Bo mused. He knew of the connection between Tang Yuehua and the Heaven Dou Imperial family, and since Xu Yan addressed her as "Aunt," her influence was clearly the reason for his release.

Xu Yan looked at Xue Qinghe, whose expression was calm but whose eyes remained fixed on him. He bowed slightly and said, "My thanks, Your Highness."

Xue Qinghe dismissed the others, and they promptly left. Xue Beng followed, albeit reluctantly. Seeing the defiant look in Xue Beng's eyes, Xu Yan thought to himself that he would settle the score when the opportunity arose. However, with Xue Beng holed up in the palace and protected by the Poison Douluo, killing him would be no easy feat. Indeed, some original plotlines could not be easily altered. If Xue Beng were killed, Xue Qinghe’s plans would surely be forced into early action, and who knew what chaos might ensue from such haste?

Once everyone had left, Xu Yan looked at Xue Qinghe, wondering what she wanted to say.

"Xu Yan, I don't care what your true identity is, but let me warn you: do not overstep. This is the Heaven Dou Empire, not the Spirit Hall," Xue Qinghe said in a low voice.

"Understood. If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave," Xu Yan replied.

"Go," Xue Qinghe said.

After taking a few steps, Xu Yan suddenly remembered something. He turned back and asked, "Should I call you His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, or should I call you Young Mistress?"

With that, he turned and left. Xue Qinghe wanted to speak but stopped; this fellow really knew everything.

"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone," Xu Yan called out from a distance. "Because, when the time comes, I will be the one protecting you."

Watching his retreating figure, Xue Qinghe realized that although he knew her secrets, he seemed to be on her side. After all, Xu Yan belonged to the Spirit Hall, so he would not sabotage her plans.

Back at the Moon Pavilion, Tang Yuehua rushed over as soon as she saw him. "Xiao Yan, are you alright?"

"Don't worry, Aunt, I'm fine," Xu Yan smiled.

"That's a relief," Tang Yuehua said, her heart finally settling.

Xue Ke also approached and said, "Xu Yan, I'm so glad you're okay."

"Thank you for your concern, Princess," Xu Yan bowed slightly.

Xu Yan did not attend lessons that day, choosing to return to his quarters to rest. That night, Tang Yuehua came to his room. After closing the door, she sat down beside him. Xu Yan took the opportunity to pull her into an embrace. "Yue'er, why are you here?"

Tang Yuehua slapped his wandering hand away, annoyed. "You’ve caused such a massive disaster, yet you show no sign of repentance."

"But I'm fine now, aren't I?" Xu Yan leaned against her fragrant shoulder, breathing in her scent.

"No, you cannot stay here any longer," Tang Yuehua insisted. "You must leave Heaven Dou City immediately, no matter where you go."

Xu Yan held her tighter. "I can't bear to leave you."

"Don't be foolish. You have offended the Imperial family. Staying in the Heaven Dou Empire is not safe. Even though the Crown Prince released you, the Imperial family is not his alone, and he has yet to ascend to the throne," Tang Yuehua said. "As much as I hate to part with you, you must leave to survive."

Xu Yan shook his head helplessly, realizing he truly had to go. Regardless, since he had already won her heart, things would be easier. He pressed Tang Yuehua down onto the bed.

"What are you doing?" Tang Yuehua looked at him, flustered.

"I can go, but aren't you going to compensate me?" Xu Yan asked. Before she could react, he sealed her lips with his own.

Late at night, under a silver moon, Xu Yan hopped off a carriage outside the woods near Heaven Dou City. Inside, Tang Yuehua pulled back the curtain and looked at him. "Xiao Yan, Aunt has failed you. I can only take you this far."

"Don't worry, Aunt. I'll be fine. I'll come back to see you often," Xu Yan promised.

Thinking of their intimacy, a smile bloomed on Tang Yuehua’s face. "Good. Aunt will be waiting for you. Go now."

Xu Yan did not linger and turned to leave. Watching him disappear into the moonlight, Tang Yuehua finally broke down. Tears fell from her eyes, landing on the back of her hand.

General Manager Aude, sitting on the carriage, asked, "Mistress, are you really letting the Young Master go just like that? Is he safe out there?"

"Rest assured, he is very safe," Tang Yuehua thought to herself, knowing Xu Yan had the protection of the Spirit Hall. Her sorrow was not out of fear for his safety, but simply from the pain of separation.

"Let's return," Tang Yuehua said, pulling the curtain shut. General Manager Aude steered the carriage away.

From a high vantage point, Xu Yan watched the carriage depart, his expression solemn.

"Is the mistress of the Moon Pavilion really that good to you?" A black shadow appeared nearby—it was the Ghost Douluo.

Xu Yan didn't look back. "She is my aunt."

"You are an orphan. Where would you get an aunt?" the Ghost Douluo scoffed.

"I have my own ways, Elder. This shouldn't violate the rules of the Spirit Hall, should it?" Xu Yan countered.

"Not at all. I was just curious," the Ghost Douluo said. "What did you say to the Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe?"

"That is a secret. Knowing it won't do you any good," Xu Yan replied.

The Ghost Douluo’s eyes sharpened. He reached out and gripped Xu Yan's throat. "Little brat, don't forget your place. You think the mistress of the Moon Pavilion treasures you, but in my eyes, you are nothing more than a lowly servant."

Xu Yan’s gaze hardened. "If you have the ability, kill me. Threats don't work on me."

"Do you really think I wouldn't dare?" the Ghost Douluo hissed.

"I bet you don't," Xu Yan stared back with unwavering determination. In truth, he was terrified that the Ghost Douluo might actually snap and strike, but as the pressure on his throat increased, Xu Yan channeled the Saint Heart Technique. A beam of light erupted from his eyes—the Terror of the Glaring Eye.

His body dissolved into particles, vanishing into thin air, only to reassemble a short distance away. This was one of the arts contained within the Saint Heart Technique: The Seven-No Absolute Realm. By turning energy into form and form into emptiness, he could enter a state of nothingness—a form of instant teleportation.

Seeing this, the Ghost Douluo was momentarily stunned.

"Did you think I was someone you could just crush?" Xu Yan grinned. He summoned his Somersault Cloud and took to the sky.

The Ghost Douluo’s expression changed drastically, and he immediately moved to pursue, but the speed of the Somersault Cloud was too great, and Xu Yan vanished into the distance in an instant.

"Damn it!" the Ghost Douluo cursed.