Douluo: Starting with an Engagement to Zhu Zhuqing

Chapter 32: Another Encounter with Dai Yaming

As the sun set behind the mountains, Dai Yao waded out of the water and returned to his quarters after letting his clothes dry a bit. Thanks to Zhang Xiaofan's help, the academy's construction team had arrived the day after Dai Yao's confrontation with Feng Wutong to build his house.

At Dai Yao's request, the house was modestly constructed with basic wooden beams and ceramic tiles. He simply didn't have the funds for anything grander. Feng Wutong's assessment? "This doesn't look like a noble's residence at all."

Changing into fresh clothes, Dai Yao called out in the direction of Feng Wutong's cottage. "It's time for dinner!"

Since the academy's dining hall was on campus, going there every day was time-consuming and, in his view, cut into valuable training hours.

With a cheerful call, Feng Wutong appeared from her cottage, a streak of red flashing as she used her spirit power to soar towards the academy. Dai Yao, unable to fly, activated Burst Step and sped through the trees after her.

The Academy Dining Hall

Upon arrival, the distinction between nobles and commoners was evident. The first floor was bustling with the loud chatter of commoner soul masters, joking and laughing. Meanwhile, the nobles dined on the quieter second floor, where only the soft clinking of utensils against plates could be heard. Now and then, the nobles would glance down at the commoners with contempt, exuding an air of superiority that irked those below.

"What are they so smug about? They just happened to be born into privilege," someone muttered in envy.

"One day, I'll become a noble myself!" another declared.

Amid the noise, Dai Yao and Feng Wutong entered the dining hall.

"As a prince, you should head to the second floor," Feng Wutong reminded him.

Dai Yao climbed the staircase, but as soon as he stepped onto the second-floor landing, he was blocked.

"Get down! This isn't a place for your kind," a guard snapped, reaching out to push him.

In response, Dai Yao produced a purple-gold academy card and coolly asked, "Now, may I dine on the second floor?"

The guards exchanged glances of shock, their expressions suddenly deferential.

"Our apologies! Please, come in!"

Dai Yao overlooked their initial rudeness; he knew his clothes didn't scream nobility, and the guards were simply enforcing the academy's social rules. Just as he was about to step forward, someone else blocked his path—Fatty, Dai Yaming's henchman.

Pointing at the floor beneath them, Fatty sneered, "The Second Prince has ordered that this floor isn't for you. You belong downstairs."

From a distance, the Second Prince, Dai Yaming, watched with a smug smile.

Dai Yao recognized the malice in his expression and cursed himself for letting his guard down after his recent breakthrough. This wasn't going to end well.

"Just look at you," Fatty said with exaggerated disdain. "You don't even look like a prince—more like a beggar! Coming to dine in a noble hall—how disgraceful!"

Around them, the noble students nodded in agreement, unwilling to share their dining space with someone dressed as plainly as Dai Yao.

Since Dai Yao had invoked his princely status to counter Fatty's insult, Fatty now turned to Dai Yao's appearance to justify his exclusion, aligning himself with the collective pride of the nobility. With Dai Yaming backing him, there was little chance he'd face consequences.

"And what if I insist on dining here?" Dai Yao replied, his calm tone barely masking his growing fury.

"A prince who isn't allowed to dine with nobles," he thought. "What a farce!"

Fatty responded with a sneer as he activated his spirit power. With his martial spirit invoked, two yellow spirit rings shimmered around him, and an intimidating pressure filled the air.

"Are you going to leave on your own, or should I show you the way?"

Their confrontation drew the attention of those below. People looked up, curious about the commotion.

"When did the empire get a Fourth Prince? I've never heard of him," someone asked.

"He was recently granted the title. Looks like he's having some trouble with the nobles," a more informed student explained.

Understanding that he stood no chance against Fatty's spirit power, Dai Yao bit his lip and slowly descended the stairs. Dai Yaming leaned over the railing, his smile taunting as he called down, "You once told me I'd regret how I treated you. But I don't feel any regret at all!"

Ignoring the Second Prince's taunts, Dai Yao knew that dignity was something he'd have to claim on his own. Right now, he wasn't strong enough to take on the Second Prince, and time was what he needed most. Given enough time to reach his potential, he knew Dai Yaming would be no match for him. For now, he would endure.

On the first floor, the commoner students began to murmur.

"What happened? Why was the Fourth Prince sent down?"

"How disgraceful. A prince, humiliated like this. If it were me, I'd fight back, even if it cost my life," another student scoffed, looking down on Dai Yao.

Finding an empty seat, Dai Yao ignored their remarks and began his meal.

"A noble, dining among commoners? That's the funniest thing I've seen!" someone jeered.

Many in the hall threw derisive glances his way. Nobles were always so aloof; seeing one forced to eat with commoners was too good an opportunity to pass up.

"Enough!" A fiery figure pushed through the crowd and approached Dai Yao.

"Everyone faces setbacks. Where's your sense of compassion?" Feng Wutong scolded.

"Oh, defending him, are you?" someone sneered. "Do you want to be the prince's little princess?"

"Just because you stand up for him doesn't mean he'll remember you," another taunted. "All nobles are heartless; he won't care about your kindness!"

Angry at their baseless assumptions, Feng Wutong bristled, ready to retaliate. But a hand on her shoulder stopped her.

"Thank you for your kindness," Dai Yao said, his voice calm. "But this is my problem, and you shouldn't get involved. It won't do you any good."

Dai Yao's face betrayed none of the humiliation he'd just endured. He left the dining hall slowly, casting one last look at the second floor. Dai Yaming was watching him, raising a glass in mock salute, his expression thick with disdain.

Exhaling deeply, Dai Yao stepped outside, ready to return to training—when he saw someone entirely unexpected standing there.

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