Lin Chen Exposed, the Crown Prince Sends Someone to Negotiate

At noon the next day, in the Soul Hunting Forest.

The patrol team searched the entire Soul Hunting Forest, but still found no trace of the Light-Feathered Falcon.

"Captain, the two of us searched the whole Soul Hunting Forest, but we didn't find the Light-Feathered Falcon."

"Mm, I understand." The young man addressed as captain nodded.

"Captain, there are traces of the Light-Feathered Falcon fighting over here."

The young man walked over and looked at the tree trunks severed by blades of light. Closing his eyes, he felt the presence lingering in the surroundings.

Before long, the young man slowly opened his eyes and asked gravely, "Judging by the lingering presence, the person who killed the Light-Feathered Falcon was a level-forty Soul Ancestor.

"The Light-Feathered Falcon died last night, and its Soul Ring has already been absorbed."

After thinking for a moment, the young man waved his arm and said gravely, "We can head back. Bring me a list of the Soul Ancestors who entered and left yesterday."

After returning to Nuoding City, the young man saw that there were only three names on the list and couldn't help frowning. "That's impossible. All three of these Soul Ancestors already have their Soul Rings."

"And according to Spirit Hall's records, they're still a long way from the Soul King realm. They had no chance to absorb a Soul Ring."

A young man beside him looked at the list and hesitantly said, "Captain, do you think it's possible someone else absorbed the Soul Ring?"

"You mean..." The young captain's eyes lit up. "A junior accompanying one of them absorbed it?"

"That's right!" The young man nodded and said excitedly, "Of these three Soul Ancestors, the first two left at noon. Only Xiao Chenfeng, the lord of Nuoding City, was confirmed to have stayed in the Soul Hunting Forest."

"And according to the information I uncovered, his six-year-old nephew, Lin Chen, has Innate Full Soul Power. That's why Xiao Chenfeng went to the Soul Hunting Forest to hunt Soul Beasts."

Hearing this, the young captain immediately waved his hand and called for him to stop. "Stop, stop, stop! Don't you think that's a little too far-fetched? If you said it was a Hundred-Year Soul Beast, I'd believe you, but His Highness the Prince raised a thousand-year Soul Beast. Who in their right mind has a thousand-year ring as their first?!"

"Captain, just believe me this once!" The young man's eyes were full of conviction. "According to the information I uncovered, Lin Chen had only just awakened his Martial Soul when he defeated Yu Xiaogang, who has level-twenty-nine Soul Power."

"Although Yu Xiaogang isn't all that strong because of his Martial Soul Mutation, he's still a Soul Grandmaster. If Lin Chen could beat Yu Xiaogang, there must be something extraordinary about him!"

The young captain sighed and said helplessly, "You really do have a vivid imagination, kid. But since you're so insistent, I'll report this information to His Highness the Prince and let him decide."

Late that night, a secret letter was sent from Nuoding City. The following morning, it arrived at the crown prince's residence in Heaven Dou City.

Xue Qinghe casually opened the envelope and read its contents impassively. The steward stood trembling beside him, his forehead covered in cold sweat.

"Hm?" Xue Qinghe seemed to notice something. He frowned slightly and looked up at the steward beside him. "Has the information in this secret letter been confirmed?"

"Y-yes, it has. Could there be something wrong with the letter?" The middle-aged steward wiped the sweat from his face and hurriedly asked.

"I actually hope what it says is true."

A smile curled Xue Qinghe's lips. He looked up at the middle-aged steward. "Pass on my orders. Look into this Lin Chen's background, and send someone to negotiate and invite him to the crown prince's residence."

"Yes..." The middle-aged steward nodded, then turned and left the crown prince's residence.

After the steward left, Xue Qinghe looked at the contents of the letter, a smile curling his lips. "Interesting... Very interesting. I hope this kid called Lin Chen won't disappoint me..."

Three days later, at the city lord's residence in Nuoding City.

Xiao Chenfeng sat in his study, going through official documents. For the past few days, he had been run ragged dealing with Lin Chen's situation.

When he had seen the Light-Feathered Falcon, he had considered the possibility that it was some noble's pet, but he hadn't paid it much mind. At worst, he could just pay compensation.

But when he learned that the Light-Feathered Falcon was the reigning crown prince Xue Qinghe's pet, his face nearly turned as black as charcoal. That was the reigning crown prince! With a single order from him, even ten lives wouldn't be enough for Xiao Chenfeng to lose.

Knock, knock, knock.

Just as Xiao Chenfeng was despairing over his future, Ling Xun suddenly pushed the door open and hurried to his side, muttering something Xiao Chenfeng couldn't make out.

"Speak of Cao Cao and Cao Cao arrives." Xiao Chenfeng sighed and said to Ling Yun, "Let him in."

Before long, a middle-aged man in plain clothes entered the study, his bearing calm and mild. Seeing him, Xiao Chenfeng hurriedly rose to welcome him.

"City Lord Xiao, there's no need to be so reserved." The middle-aged man smiled gently. "My name is Cao Tian Heng. I've come on His Highness the Crown Prince's orders."

A bitter smile appeared on Xiao Chenfeng's face. "His Highness sent someone to Nuoding City because of the Light-Feathered Falcon?"

Cao Tian Heng shook his head. "His Highness did like that Soul Beast very much, but he values talented people more."

Xiao Chenfeng's eyes lit up. "Could it be that His Highness wants to...?"

Cao Tian Heng nodded. "His Highness wishes to meet this young man. If you're willing, City Lord Xiao, a carriage will come for him tomorrow."

Understanding the implication, Xiao Chenfeng asked, "And if he doesn't go?"

"Then it will be as though today's events never happened." Cao Tian Heng smiled. "His Highness won't blame anyone for it. However—"

Cao Tian Heng paused, then continued with a smile, "You should also know just how astonishing Lin Chen's talent is, City Lord Xiao. With talent like his, it would be a shame for him to remain in Nuoding City to cultivate."

Xiao Chenfeng fell silent at those words. Of course he understood what the man meant. He had known it ever since he personally witnessed Lin Chen absorb a Thousand-Year Soul Ring and unleash his first Soul Skill.

Over the past few days, he had thought about Lin Chen's future more than once and wanted to do what he could for him. But with his abilities, it was indeed difficult to offer any useful help.

At that thought, Xiao Chenfeng sighed. "I'll go ask Lin Chen what he thinks. As long as he's willing, never mind tomorrow—he can leave right away today."

Cao Tian Heng smiled and nodded. "Then I'll take my leave. His Highness is looking forward to Lin Chen's arrival." With that, the man turned and left the study.

Xiao Chenfeng stood by the window and watched him leave through the courtyard gate before looking away.

Half an hour later, he sent someone to summon Lin Chen.

"Uncle Xiao, you wanted to see me?" Seeing Xiao Chenfeng's serious expression, Lin Chen grew serious as well.

Xiao Chenfeng didn't beat around the bush. "Someone came to see me today and said that His Highness the Crown Prince wants to meet you."

"The crown prince?" Lin Chen paused, then asked in confusion, "The reigning crown prince, Xue Qinghe?"

Xiao Chenfeng nodded. "That's right. His Highness thinks very highly of your talent. If you don't want to go, I can turn him down for you."