Your Highness, You Smell So Good

Even though this copy of the "Immortal Herb Compendium" was not the original, Xiao Han was still delighted. There was no real difference between a copy and the original.

With it, he would be able to accurately identify all kinds of Immortal Herbs.

Xiao Han carefully put the book back into the box.

"Thank you, Your Highness. I, Xiao Han, will remember this kindness."

Xue Qinghe smiled faintly.

"Xiao Han, haven't you noticed anything strange?"

"Your Highness, are you referring to this book? It seems not to be the original."

"That's right. It isn't the original, but a copy made from it. Spirit Hall regards it as one of its treasured books and does not wish for too many people to see it, so they kept the original for themselves. I went to great lengths to get this copy for you."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Xiao Han bowed to Xue Qinghe again, expressing his gratitude.

"No need to be so polite. Since I promised you, I will definitely follow through."

Xiao Han wanted to take the opportunity to ask about Dugu Bo, so he gathered his courage and asked,

"Your Highness, I have another question. I wonder if it would be appropriate to ask."

"What is it? Just say it."

Seeing how straightforward Xue Qinghe was, many of Xiao Han's concerns faded.

"Your Highness, do you know the whereabouts of Poison Douluo Dugu Bo?"

At those words, Xue Qinghe frowned.

Dugu Bo was Prince Xue Xing's retainer, and the two shared a close relationship.

Prince Xue Xing had always supported the Fourth Prince, Xue Beng, and secretly competed with Xue Qinghe.

Therefore, like Prince Xue Xing and Xue Beng, Dugu Bo was an enemy Qian Renxue wished to eliminate.

"Xiao Han, why are you asking about Dugu Bo's whereabouts?"

"Your Highness, to be honest, the last time my mother and I went looking for medicinal herbs in Sunset Forest, we encountered Poison Douluo. At the time, we didn't know it was his territory. He had set up a poison formation there, and the herbs I had been searching for were inside it."

"What? You encountered Dugu Bo?"

"Yes. That was two or three years ago. My mother identified herself as the vice dean of Skywater Academy, and only then were we able to leave safely."

After hearing Xiao Han's explanation, a barely perceptible trace of disdain appeared on Xue Qinghe's face. He was somewhat displeased by Dugu Bo's act of claiming part of Sunset Forest as his own.

"As far as I know, Dugu Bo is somewhat cold and arrogant. It was truly fortunate that you provoked him yet managed to leave unharmed."

"Yes, I never expected that we had trespassed onto his territory."

"Since when did Sunset Forest become Dugu Bo's territory? From the sound of it, you still intend to go there to gather herbs. Are you truly not afraid of death?"

Xiao Han smiled dismissively.

"Your Highness, the reason I asked about Poison Douluo's whereabouts is because I want to go when he isn't there."

"Dugu Bo has a rather strange temperament, and his whereabouts are unpredictable. However, in recent years, he has stayed at Prince's Mansion every October Sixth, because that is the day my imperial uncle holds his Birthday Banquet."

"October Sixth, Prince Xue Xing's birthday. He stays there the entire day?"

"Yes, that has been the case in previous years."

A surge of delight rose in Xiao Han's heart.

Given Dugu Bo's relationship with Prince Xue Xing, he would certainly attend the Birthday Banquet held by Prince Xue Xing.

He could use the day Dugu Bo was absent to go to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and pick Immortal Herbs.

Xiao Han understood that Qian Renxue's willingness to tell him this meant she trusted him quite a bit.

He edged a little closer to Xue Qinghe and said softly,

"Your Highness, you'll keep my inquiries about Poison Douluo secret, right? If word gets out, my little life will be finished."

"Oh? Little Brother Xiao Han, so you're afraid of death too."

There was a hint of teasing in Xue Qinghe's tone, making Xiao Han even more brazen.

"Of course I am. That's Dugu Bo, a man who kills without batting an eye."

As Xiao Han spoke, he moved even closer and boldly sniffed at him.

"Your Highness, you smell so good. What fragrance are you using?"

Xue Qinghe awkwardly took two steps back.

"It was made by people in the palace. I don't know what ingredients it contains either. If you like it, I'll bring you a bottle next time."

"Sure. Thank you, Your Highness."

"No need to thank me."

Although Xue Qinghe's true identity was female, she did not take the closeness of this eleven- or twelve-year-old boy to heart, believing it was unintentional.

"By the way, do you really plan to enter Dugu Bo's poison formation on the day my imperial uncle holds his Birthday Banquet? As far as I know, his Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor Poison is incomparably lethal. You should be careful."

"Your Highness need not worry. I know a little about medicinal herbs. Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor Poison won't trouble me."

Xue Qinghe nodded slightly, and a trace of admiration appeared in his gaze as he looked at Xiao Han.

"It seems you are very confident. Still, for safety's sake, it would be best to come find me before you go there. Confirm that Dugu Bo is absent before going."

"Alright."

Heaven Dou City was only two hundred li from Sunset Forest. To Xiao Han, who possessed Flight Ability, that distance was nothing.

Only after confirming that Dugu Bo was not in Sunset Forest would his situation be safe.

It was now late November, and nearly a year remained until October Sixth of the following year.

He could make good use of this time to thoroughly study the "Immortal Herb Compendium" and learn more about Immortal Herbs.

Xiao Han placed the wooden box into his Soul Tool.

"Your Highness, thank you for helping me. I will definitely find an opportunity to repay you in the future. My mother and senior sister are still waiting outside the palace, so I'll be leaving now."

"Mm, go on. Until next time."

This was Qian Renxue's second time meeting Xiao Han, and she was becoming increasingly interested in the boy before her.

She felt that Xiao Han was exceptionally bold and would certainly become someone extraordinary once he grew up.

Afterward, Xiao Han bade Xue Qinghe farewell and left the hall.

Qian Renxue had helped him tremendously. Not only had she obtained the "Immortal Herb Compendium" for him, but she had also provided crucial information about Dugu Bo.

He thought to himself that if he could successfully obtain the Immortal Herbs, he would give Qian Renxue a suitable one to repay her kindness.

Seeing Xiao Han return with a smile on his face, Lin Zhiruo said,

"Xiao Han, it looks like the Crown Prince has already gotten that book for you."

"Mm."

"He actually took this matter to heart. I wonder what sweet talk you used, you little brat."

Xiao Han chuckled.

"Mom, I moved him with sincerity."

"Stop showing off. Let's get going."

"Mm, off to Ice Sealed Forest."

The four of them happily rode in a Carriage toward Ice Sealed Forest.

The journey from Heaven Dou City to Ice Sealed Forest was long, and it took them twenty days to arrive.

Along the way, Xue Wu and Shui Bing'er cultivated diligently.

Xiao Han, meanwhile, spent more of his time studying the "Immortal Herb Compendium" and learned about quite a few Immortal Herbs.

The group of four entered Ice Sealed Forest.

Shui Bing'er was about to obtain her first Thousand-Year Soul Ring.

Friends, an earlier issue has been revised. Shui Bing'er was set to have innate Soul Power at rank 9. After awakening her martial soul, she fell ill and spent more than half a year improving her physical condition. She only cultivated for three or four months, raising her Soul Power by one rank and reaching rank 10 alongside the protagonist. Shui Yue'er had innate Soul Power at rank 7.