Feeling the pressure increase dramatically, Xue Beng clenched his teeth and said, "Xue... brother, you should know, I absolutely didn't mean it like that!"
Yet Xue Qinghe deliberately asked, "Xue Beng, if that's not what you meant, then what did you mean? Could it be that you don't want to participate in the action of contacting the Royal family of Xingluo Empire?"
"If that's the case, I can have some soldiers from the Tiandou Empire escort you back to the imperial palace!"
Du Gu Bo furrowed his brow, wanting to interject, but knowing that doing so would only embarrass Xue Beng further...
He could only secretly think to himself, "This fake Xue Qinghe, his ability to twist words is truly impressive, with just a few short sentences, he has made the surrounding soldiers of the Tiandou Empire lose quite a bit of goodwill towards Xue Beng!"
Clearly visible, many soldiers had already started to whisper among themselves...
"What the Crown Prince says is correct, if Lord Xue Beng doesn't want to participate, he can directly return to the imperial palace!"
"Hmph, I don't understand why His Majesty Xue Ye sent Lord Xue Beng along with the Crown Prince, it clearly looks like he's here to cause trouble!"
"Indeed, I heard previously that Xue Beng had repented and reformed, but seeing him today, it's simply disastrous!"
"Yes, this kind of matter should be left to the Crown Prince, bringing Lord Xue Beng along will only delay things!"
If it weren't for Xue Beng's status as a Prince, they would want to directly drive him away!
Soon, Xue Beng's eyes were filled with bloodshot veins, but he still forcibly suppressed his anger...
Braving the difficulty, he admitted his mistake, "Brother, you are right, we should indeed send a team into Aquipeia Forest, I was too shallow in my thinking just now!"
Although he didn't want to say this, continuing to be stubborn would only cost him!
Only then did Xue Qinghe nod, "That's right, since people from the Xingluo Empire have come to our Tiandou Empire, we should show hospitality there!"
Xue Beng's gaze sharpened, "So, according to brother's idea, what should we do?"
Xue Qinghe looked directly at him, "Just as discussed earlier, send some people into Aquipeia Forest to find the people from the Xingluo Empire, and the leader of the team needs to have a certain strength, and perceptive ability must be strong."
Xue Beng narrowed his eyes, as if noticing something...
Right after, Xue Qinghe spoke again, "I think Senior Douluo of Poison would be a good choice, since we are located outside Aquipeia Forest, there won't be any life-threatening danger!"
Xue Beng unhesitatingly replied, "No!"
"Senior Douluo of Poison is the strongest Titled Douluo in the team, naturally he should be responsible for protecting the entire team, and although our stationed location hasn't encountered any soul beast and abyssal creature attacks, that doesn't mean it is always safe!"
Du Gu Bo also agreed, "Exactly, I think the same. If we are really sending people into Aquipeia Forest for searching, it's better to have someone else lead."
Though the team didn't have a strong Titled Douluo, merely searching, ordinary Soul King or Soul Emperor would already be sufficient.
Xue Qinghe seemed to have anticipated this, and didn't say much, "Fine, with Senior Douluo of Poison's protection, we are indeed more secure."
Then he looked sideways at the other Soul Masters, "Is there anyone willing to lead a team into Aquipeia Forest to search for the Xingluo Empire team?"
"I will report today's affairs truthfully to Father!"
The last sentence was clearly an olive branch thrown...
Soon after, a portion of Soul Masters stepped forward voluntarily...
"Crown Prince, I am willing to enter Aquipeia Forest and search for the Xingluo Empire team!"
"The Crown Prince has already said so, what's there to hesitate about, count me in too."
"Though entering Aquipeia Forest is somewhat dangerous, this trip won't involve going into the Core Zone of Aquipeia Forest, so presumably, the danger level is not that high."
"We are the elite of the Tiandou Empire, merely entering Aquipeia Forest is nothing to fear, besides, aren't there several elite Soul Masters accompanying us?"
Xue Qinghe slightly nodded, generously praising, "Very well, then I trust all of you to enter Aquipeia Forest to find the Xingluo Empire's people, of course, the foremost task is to protect your own safety."
As the words fell, these people did not hesitate at all, immediately heading toward Aquipeia Forest...
Xue Beng walked to Du Gu Bo's side and whispered, "Senior Douluo of Poison, what trick is this fake brother playing?"
"Simply drawing away a portion of people means nothing, or is it that the Xingluo Empire's people really are inside Aquipeia Forest?"
Du Gu Bo also doubtfully replied, "It's very possible, but I suspect his primary goal is to move me away from your side, when he knew it was impossible, he took this action."
However, no matter what, I would never leave Xue Beng's side!
If I leave, that fellow will certainly act against him!
Paused for a moment, "But... his suggestion does have its usefulness, as we really don't know where the Xingluo Empire's people are."
"Let's temporarily watch the situation unfold and see what he's planning."
Or perhaps, really find an opportunity to solve this impostor?
Otherwise, it's always a bit uneasy at heart!
...
Elsewhere, Porcupine Douluo, who was constantly monitoring the campsite, saw a team from the Tiandou Empire leave, his cheeks raised in a sinister smile...
"It seems the Holy Daughter successfully convinced these people to go to Aquipeia Forest to find the Xingluo Empire team."
Early on, he had already communicated with the Holy Daughter, once someone was found leaving the campsite and going into Aquipeia Forest, he must follow them, as far as possible, to do something!
As for what that something is, naturally it goes without saying!
After rubbing his temples, he suddenly erupted with formidable speed, crossing the campsite at incredible velocity, entering Aquipeia Forest...
The whole process did not attract anyone's attention!
Soon, he was already behind the team...
The Soul Sage leading the charge seemed to have sensed something, quickly turning to look...
"Who is it?"
The other Soul Masters also immediately turned their heads, their gazes filled with intense vigilance...
Porcupine Douluo had no intention to hide, "Looks like your luck isn't so good, apologies, but you'll all die here."
Upon hearing this, the Soul Sage immediately rebuked, "Who are you? Do you not know our identities? How dare you speak so presumptuously!!"
Porcupine Douluo's face was full of disdain, "Nothing more than a pack of dogs from the royal household of the Tiandou Empire, if I want to, killing you all would be a mere trifle."
Speaking this, he erupted with a terrifying aura, nine glaring Soul Rings floated beneath his feet...