Return to Heaven Dou City

Half a month later, in Heaven Dou City.

"So this is Heaven Dou City? It's so lively!" Xiao Wu looked through the window at the bustling crowds coming and going, her face full of excitement.

"That's right. Welcome to Heaven Dou City." Lin Chen looked at the plaque above the city gate as he introduced the city to Xiao Wu.

Once they entered the city, the extraordinarily lively sights around them instantly left Xiao Wu's eyes darting everywhere.

Shops lined both sides of the street, packed as tightly as fish scales, while all kinds of vendors' cries rose and fell. It seemed there was something different about today; Heaven Dou City was much livelier than usual.

"Lin Chen, look over there! It looks like they're holding some kind of lively event." Xiao Wu pointed excitedly at a crowd so tightly packed that not even water could have gotten through.

Lin Chen looked in the direction she was pointing and answered casually, "There should be a parade today, but we should head back to the Crown Prince's Residence first. I'll show you around Heaven Dou City properly when we have time later."

"What's the Crown Prince's Residence? Is that where you live, Lin Chen?" Xiao Wu blinked and asked curiously.

"More or less. You'll be living there too from now on." After explaining the situation at the Crown Prince's Residence to Xiao Wu, Lin Chen led her inside.

As for Dugu Bo, he had run off as soon as Lin Chen entered the Crown Prince's Residence. There was no need to guess that he had gone to Heaven Dou Royal Academy to see Dugu Yan.

Before long, the two arrived at Qian Renxue's study, where they found Xue Qinghe sitting and handling official business.

"You're back?" Xue Qinghe looked up at Lin Chen with a smile. "Didn't you say you were just going to deliver an Immortal Herb? How did it take you over a month to come back?"

Lin Chen scratched his head with a smile. "It wasn't easy to get a chance to go back, so I thought I'd spend some time with them."

Xue Qinghe nodded. "It's good to go back and visit. But who's this with you?"

Hearing that, Lin Chen hurriedly introduced her. "Her name is Xiao Wu. She's a friend I brought back from Nuoding Academy."

Xiao Wu smiled and greeted him. "Hello! I'm Xiao Wu, Wu as in dancing!"

Xue Qinghe nodded to show his respect. "My name is Xue Qinghe. Since Lin Chen brought you back, I won't interfere further."

After the three exchanged greetings and chatted for a little while, Xue Qinghe had Cao Tian Heng take Xiao Wu to get her room ready, leaving only Lin Chen and Xue Qinghe in the study once more.

Xue Qinghe took a sip of tea and sighed helplessly. "Going back to visit your family is one thing, but why did you bring someone back with you?"

Lin Chen scratched his head, a little embarrassed. "I thought I'd help the Crown Prince's Residence nurture some more geniuses, so I could take some of the burden off your shoulders, Sister Xue."

Qian Renxue said irritably, "You're taking the burden off my shoulders now? Do you have any idea how much trouble you caused me while you were gone this past month?"

"Huh? What did I do now?" Lin Chen scratched his head and asked, his face full of innocence.

"You're doing a fine job of playing innocent." Xue Qinghe tapped the table. "If the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan hadn't come knocking, you really would have fooled me."

At those words, the smile on Lin Chen's face suddenly froze. "Surely it's not because I... Gangzi..."

"So you do know?" Xue Qinghe shot Lin Chen an irritated glance. "Next time, think through the consequences before you do anything. I don't want to keep cleaning up your messes."

"If you were going to visit your family, why did you have to castrate Yu Xiaogang? Do you know how much trouble you've caused me?"

Hearing this, Lin Chen immediately lowered his head. "You can't blame me for that. Gangzi was the one who threatened me. It was self-defense."

"That bit of self-defense of yours succeeded in making the relationship between the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the Heaven Dou Imperial Family deteriorate to its lowest point, especially their relationship with my Crown Prince's Residence." Qian Renxue covered her forehead, at a loss for words.

"Hehe, I didn't mean for that to happen. Besides, aren't you fine, Sister Xue?" Lin Chen scratched his cheek awkwardly.

Qian Renxue snorted. "Just think things through next time. As for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, I'll deal with them. From now on, all you need to do is cultivate properly."

"Don't worry, Sister Xue. From now on, I'll definitely keep a low profile and develop." Lin Chen patted his chest and spoke confidently.

"Let's hope so." Qian Renxue drained her cup of tea, then suddenly remembered something. "Oh, right. Ye Lingling of the Nine Heart Begonia Clan has been looking for you lately. You can go talk to her."

"Ye Lingling? I barely know her. What does she want with me?" Lin Chen scratched his head and asked curiously.

Qian Renxue spoke softly. "I'm not quite sure either, but it probably isn't anything bad. My relationship with the Nine Heart Begonia Clan isn't very good."

"You can see if you can use this opportunity to bring Ye Lingling over to my side. That would count as making up for your mistake."

Lin Chen curled his lip. "After all that, you just have your eye on Nine Heart Begonia's healing ability. Isn't it just a matter of recruiting someone? Easy."

Qian Renxue nodded in satisfaction. "That's all I have to say. You must be tired after traveling for so long, so hurry back and rest."

"Thanks for your concern, Sister Xue." Lin Chen grinned and waved, then swaggered out of the study.

"That brat Lin Chen is getting less and less courteous with me." Qian Renxue curled her lip. Suddenly, a servant's voice came from outside the door.

"Your Highness, we've finished looking into the information you asked me to find on Xiao Wu."

At those words, Xue Qinghe's expression returned to normal. "Come in and report."

"Yes." The servant entered the study and spoke with the utmost respect. "According to our investigation, Xiao Wu obtained a work-study student place at Nuoding Academy from a small village near Nuoding City."

"According to Spirit Hall's records, Xiao Wu's Martial Soul is a rabbit, and she also has Innate Full Soul Power."

"After entering Nuoding Academy, Xiao Wu stayed in Nuoding City for a year without going anywhere else. Most likely, she's just an ordinary person with extraordinary talent, not a spy sent by someone else."

"As for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, that matter has also been handled, but relations have become very strained. I'm afraid there's no chance of easing them."

Xue Qinghe nodded. "Is there any other information? If not, you can call off the investigation into Xiao Wu for now. As for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, just leave them alone for the time being."

The servant shook his head. "No."

"Other than that information, is there anything else you need to report? If not, you may leave," Xue Qinghe asked again.

"As you command." The servant bowed respectfully, then turned and left at a brisk pace.

Watching the servant leave, Xue Qinghe sighed helplessly. "I really do need to keep an eye on that fellow Lin Chen, so he doesn't go stirring up more trouble for me."