Qian Renxue: You've Got Guts

Lin Zhiruo was only half-convinced by Xiao Han's words.

She guessed that Xiao Han was up to something again.

Xiao Han said with a serious expression,

"Mom, I really have arranged a time to meet with the Crown Prince. And I'm about to do something that can change the fate of our Skywater Team members. I'm going to help Skywater Academy win the Soul Master Tournament."

This time, Xiao Han did not want to hide anything. He planned to tell Lin Zhiruo the truth.

Only then would Lin Zhiruo willingly go with him to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

Lin Zhiruo was deeply shocked by Xiao Han's words.

Surpassing Thunder and Divine Wind, the two academies that had always weighed heavily over them, was Skywater Academy's goal.

With the powerful Spirit Hall Academy around, winning the Soul Master Tournament was an unattainable dream for them.

Yet Xiao Han's goal was to lead the team to victory.

Such bold words left Lin Zhiruo utterly confused.

"Xiao Han, what are you talking about? What exactly do you mean?"

"Mom, I know you'll definitely oppose this. But I still have to do it. I want to avenge my dead parents and lead the academy to win the Soul Master Tournament. Although my innate talent is decent, it's far from enough. I have to become stronger. A few years ago, when you, Bing'er, and I went to Sunset Forest to gather herbs, I caught the scent of Immortal Herbs. They were inside Dugu Bo's poison array."

Lin Zhiruo instantly understood what Xiao Han meant, and fury immediately surged through her.

"You brat, after all these years, you're still thinking about those rare herbs there! It's not like you haven't seen Dugu Bo's strength. Is he someone we can afford to provoke?!"

"Mom, don't get angry yet. Let me finish."

Seeing that Lin Zhiruo had fallen silent, Xiao Han continued,

"Actually, I've been planning this for several years. The last time I went to see Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, I not only obtained the 'Immortal Herb Compendium,' but also learned a very important piece of information."

"What information?"

"Prince Xue Xing holds a birthday banquet every year on October Sixth. Dugu Bo is close with Prince Xue Xing, so he will definitely attend that day and remain at the Prince's Mansion all day."

"So, you plan to go to Sunset Forest on October Sixth and enter Dugu Bo's poison array?"

Xiao Han nodded.

"Sunset Forest is only two hundred li from Heaven Dou City. One day is more than enough for us. Besides, I've already developed an Antidote Pill that can counter the Jade Phosphor Serpent Poison."

Lin Zhiruo pondered for a moment.

She knew that once Xiao Han set his mind on something, even she could not stop him.

But this was truly too dangerous.

One wrong move, and both she and Xiao Han would die in Sunset Forest.

"Xiao Han, if that's the case, then the Crown Prince already knows about your plan?"

"That's right. The Crown Prince, Prince Xue Xing, and Dugu Bo are not on the same side. They're even opposed to one another. That's why he's willing to help me. I went to Heaven Dou City to see him precisely to confirm whether Dugu Bo would remain at Prince Xue Xing's mansion that day."

Lin Zhiruo fell silent again.

After a long while, she sighed.

"Xiao Han, I know that once you've made up your mind, you'll definitely do it. I can't just watch you walk into danger. I'll go with you."

"Thank you, Mom. You're the best to me!"

"Enough. I really don't know when you'll stop being so willful."

Although Lin Zhiruo was furious, she could not stop worrying about Xiao Han and decided to accompany him to Sunset Forest.

Ten days later, the two arrived in Heaven Dou City.

It was October Fifth.

Xiao Han went to the imperial palace alone to see Xue Qinghe.

Nearly a year had passed since they last met, and Xue Qinghe was delighted to see Xiao Han again.

Over the past year, Xiao Han had grown quite a bit taller. He no longer looked as youthful as before, and there was now a touch of resolve on his face, making him seem like a handsome young man chasing the wind.

"Xiao Han, you still came."

"What? Does Your Highness not want me to come?"

Xue Qinghe smiled.

"I truly would rather you not take such a risk, but I knew you would do it anyway."

"Of course. I've thoroughly studied that 'Immortal Herb Compendium.' It can finally be put to use."

"You truly are someone worth helping. I admire your courage. Let me tell you some good news: I've confirmed it. Dugu Bo has accepted the invitation and will appear at the Prince's Mansion tomorrow."

"That's wonderful. I've waited for this day for years."

Xiao Han's heart brimmed with anticipation.

Xue Qinghe continued,

"Since I've already helped you, I might as well see it through to the end. I can guarantee that, no matter what happens, Dugu Bo will not appear in Sunset Forest tomorrow. One day should be enough for you, right?"

"Thank you, Your Highness. One day is enough."

With Xue Qinghe's assurance, Xiao Han felt even more at ease.

He knew that many experts secretly guarded Qian Renxue, including powerful Titled Douluo such as Snake Lance and Pufferfish.

Even if Dugu Bo left midway through the banquet, Qian Renxue could send someone to stop him from heading to Sunset Forest.

Xue Qinghe took a sachet from his pocket and handed it to Xiao Han.

"This is for you."

Xiao Han smiled sheepishly.

"Your Highness, I only mentioned it casually last time. You really took it to heart?"

"Of course. I said I would give you one, so naturally I would keep my word."

"Thank you, Your Highness. You're very thoughtful."

Xiao Han hurriedly accepted it.

Xue Qinghe smiled faintly.

"Stay in Heaven Dou City tonight. Tomorrow morning, I'll go to the Prince's Mansion. Once I see Dugu Bo, I'll have someone fire a signal arrow into the sky to notify you. Then you can head to Sunset Forest."

"Alright. Your Highness has thought of everything."

"I hope you can gather the herbs you seek, perhaps even Immortal Herbs."

"Mm, thank you."

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

After meeting Lin Zhiruo, Xiao Han told her everything that had been discussed with Xue Qinghe.

Lin Zhiruo felt somewhat puzzled.

"Xiao Han, why is the Crown Prince helping you so much? You haven't known each other for long. This is only your third meeting."

"Mom, there's a feeling called hitting it off at first sight. She and I are fated to meet, and we get along well, so she's willing to help me."

"Perhaps he sees your potential. Forget it, let's not talk about that for now. Let's find somewhere to stay and wait for his message."

"Mm."

The two then found an inn in the city center and stayed there.

Early the next morning, they indeed heard the shrill whistle of a signal arrow.

"Mom, that's the signal from the Crown Prince. Dugu Bo is already at the Prince's Mansion. Let's leave for Sunset Forest immediately."

"Alright!"

The two flew toward Sunset Forest at tremendous speed and arrived in less than an hour.

"Xiao Han, aren't you tired from flying so fast?"

"Not at all. Mom, take this Antidote Pill. Let's enter the poison array quickly."

"Mm. We must leave this place before nightfall."

"Alright."

After taking the Antidote Pills, the two flew directly into the Jade Phosphor Serpent Poison Array set up by Dugu Bo.

Xiao Han knew that finding the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well would not be difficult. It was located at the very center of Sunset Forest.

There was an inverted cone-shaped valley there, with dense heat rising from it. The heat carried a faint smell of sulfur.

"Xiao Han, what exactly are you looking for? Didn't you say there were herbs you wanted inside this poison array? There doesn't seem to be anything here!"

"Mom, I found it. Look, it's right there in that valley."

Xiao Han did not explain further. He shot toward the valley at high speed.

He knew that the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well lay at the bottom of that valley.