Dai Yu took a deep breath, and as Wang Xiaoqiang reached for her jade-like neck again, there was a loud bang from outside the door. Then a voice shouted, "Wang Xiaoqiang, get out here!"

Both Wang Xiaoqiang and Dai Yu froze, and Dai Yu opened her eyes. Wang Xiaoqiang swept his Divine Sense over the area, noting that the newcomers were not weak in cultivation base, his expression changed, and he instructed her, "Stay inside the room, I'll go have a look."

When Wang Xiaoqiang stepped outside, he saw five people standing there, including Long Yin who had recently suffered humiliation.

These five were members of the Dragon Child Gang, which was composed of six princes. Except for the Crown Prince, the remaining six princes were cultivating at Yueyang Academy, naturally forming a faction, relying on the power of the Imperial Clan to act with impunity on campus, behaving arrogantly.

However, Wang Xiaoqiang did not know the identities of the other four. His gaze was fixed solely on Long Yin, and he asked, "Long Yin, what are you here for again? Oh, right, I almost forgot, you still owe me ten thousand gold coins! Are you here to pay me?"

Long Yin's face showed a mix of embarrassment and annoyance, but he was unable to respond.

"You're Wang Xiaoqiang?" questioned Long Tian, the Second Crown Prince, pointing at Wang Xiaoqiang.

"That's right." Wang Xiaoqiang's gaze shifted to him, a cold gleam flashing.

"Wang Xiaoqiang, you've got some nerve, making my Imperial Younger Brother crawl under your legs, suffering such humiliation... Do you not realize you're insulting the dignity of our Imperial Clan..."

"I didn't make him crawl, he did it on his own." Wang Xiaoqiang countered sharply.

Long Tian ignored Wang Xiaoqiang's defense, continuing to accuse him, "Wang Xiaoqiang, who gave you such daring courage? Who's backing you?"

Wang Xiaoqiang felt reasoning with such a person was futile, so he didn't bother speaking.

Long Tian stepped closer, pointing at Wang Xiaoqiang's nose, continuing to reprimand "Wang Xiaoqiang, just based on this, you're guilty of defying the Sovereign; even killing you wouldn't cleanse your sin. Wang Xiaoqiang, prepare to die!"

Wang Xiaoqiang crossed his arms, saying, "Sure, I'm waiting here; let's see who can condemn me?"

Long Tian hesitated for a moment, then pulled out a Communication Talisman, activating it. The talisman glowed, revealing a person's portrait which twitched. Long Tian asked directly, "Long Zhen, what's the situation at the Imperial Palace now?"

"Imperial Elder Brother, it's bad. The mother of Imperial Younger Brother Long Yin has been sent to the Cold Palace, and Long Yin is going to be demoted to a Common Folk!" A voice filled with despair echoed from the talisman.

"What?" Shocked, Long Tian almost dropped the talisman. Hearing the news, Long Yin was scared stiff.

Long Tian shouted at the talisman, "Long Zhen, are you sure you've got this right?"

"Imperial Elder Brother, I personally witnessed Long Yin's mother being sent to the Cold Palace just now, and I believe the decree demoting Long Yin will soon be issued to Yueyang Academy—this is absolutely true..."

"How could this be? And regarding Wang Xiaoqiang, how did Father deal with him?" Long Tian roared.

"It seems there's no problem; Father hasn't blamed him." Long Zhen's voice revealed frustration.

"Damn it!" Long Tian threw the talisman to the ground, shattering it into pieces.

Beside him, Long Yin turned pale, his body swayed, and he collapsed into a faint.

The other three princes quickly supported him. Long Tian glanced at Long Yin, sneering, "Pathetic, cowardly, disgraceful—unable to withstand this turbulence, how can he achieve great things in the future?"

"Achieving great things requires paying a certain price," Wang Xiaoqiang laughed coldly, implying deeply with his words.

Long Tian's gaze turned toward Wang Xiaoqiang, extremely sinister but with a hint of fear visible. He gritted his teeth and said, "Wang Xiaoqiang, you're impressive, even my father is deceived by you!"

"His Majesty is a wise Sovereign, not easily deceived. Do you think His Majesty has been fooled? Are you suggesting that he's old and ineffectual?" Wang Xiaoqiang retorted.

"I, I didn't mean that," Long Tian waved his hand in slight panic, then pointed at Wang Xiaoqiang, "Don't you dare slander me."

Wang Xiaoqiang laughed coldly, "I'm not slandering you; these are your own words. As the saying goes, one can mischoose what to eat, but not what to say. Besides, it's not just me here—there are many ears and eyes all around. One day, your words might reach His Majesty's ears, and then you'll understand the wisdom of saying less..."

Long Tian glanced nervously at his three Imperial Younger Brothers, then turned back to fix his gaze on Wang Xiaoqiang, coldly smiling, "Hmph, trying to sow discord between us brothers? Let me tell you, don't waste your efforts; we brothers are of one mind."

"Human hearts are separated by a belly; among brothers, there are many who share wealth but few who share hardship. When you fall into difficulty, you'll know who is a brother and who is not!" Wang Xiaoqiang said slowly, with a leisurely tone.

Long Tian's gaze swept over the three princes again, seeing their expressions filled with loyalty, he turned resolutely and stared at Wang Xiaoqiang, saying:

"Wang Xiaoqiang, you underestimate me. I'm cultivating the 'Path of Righteousness'. What is righteousness? It's loyalty; as brothers, we must emphasize loyalty, especially since we're blood brothers. Righteousness means standing up for others when they're in trouble; that's righteousness! Today, I'm standing up for my Imperial Younger Brother Long Yin, and teaching you, this insolent fool, a lesson..."

"Want a fight? Anytime..." Wang Xiaoqiang glanced, seeing Long Tian's cultivation was at the Third Soldier Realm of the Immortal Sage, two levels above him. However, in overall strength, the two were about equal. As long as these princes didn't gang up on him, he really had nothing to fear.

Long Tian hesitated hearing this, uncertain of Wang Xiaoqiang's confidence. However, once the words were spoken, they were like spit—impossible to take back. He flicked his hands, Spiritual Power surged, forming two Hammer-Head Divine Weapons in his hands, intimidating and ready to strike.

Wang Xiaoqiang released his Golden Shell to protect himself, intending to counter once Long Tian made the first move. However, he saw another prince suddenly step forward to stop Long Tian, gesturing intently, "Imperial Elder Brother, this is not the place for a decisive battle; don't lose big for small."

Indeed, if Long Tian attacked Wang Xiaoqiang, and suffered humiliation from him again, damaging royal prestige due to him, Long Yin would be a precedent for his consequences.

Moreover, Yueyang Academy prohibits students from private duels; once discovered, they will be expelled, especially those initiating trouble will face severe punishment.

Long Tian realized this point and withdrew his hands, though reluctantly. (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to vote for recommendations and monthly votes at Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users can read on m.qidian.com.)

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