The Crown Prince's Residence
Tang San walked alone through the streets of Heaven Dou City and arrived at the gate of the Crown Prince's Residence.
Four fully armed guards stood at the gate, long swords at their waists, their sharp eyes clearly indicating they were elite soldiers.
Tang San stepped forward, took out the golden token from his pocket, and handed it to the leading guard.
The guard took the token, examined it carefully, and his expression immediately changed.
He held the token with both hands, bowed, and returned it, his tone ten times more respectful than before.
"Please come inside, sir. I will go and inform him immediately."
The guard stepped aside to lead the way, taking Tang San to the reception room in the front courtyard of the Crown Prince's Residence. After bowing, he turned and went out to report.
Xue Qinghe, who was in his office, was racking his brains trying to figure out how to get back at Bibi Dong.
On the desk lay a report from the Heaven Dou Sacred Hall, just delivered to the Spirit Hall Academy: Zhang San had reached level 45, and all three members of the Golden Generation had broken through to the Soul King.
Xue Qinghe rubbed his temples.
Upon hearing the guard's report that someone had come to visit with the Crown Prince's token, Xue Qinghe was slightly taken aback.
She gave the Crown Prince's token to only a few people, and each one was recorded.
Upon hearing the guard's description, the image of a young boy immediately flashed through Xue Qinghe's mind.
Xue Qinghe immediately stood up, straightened his clothes, and hurried towards the reception room.
Before long, Crown Prince Xue Qinghe arrived at the door.
Tang San saw the pale golden figure appear at the doorway, immediately stood up from his chair, flashed a bright smile, and excitedly called out, "Brother Xue!"
Xue Qinghe also revealed a warm smile, a glint of undisguised light flashing in his golden eyes.
She stepped into the reception room, her voice gentle and warm, with a hint of reproach in her tone. "My dear brother, I've missed you terribly these past few years!"
Tang San couldn't help but sigh inwardly: He's really addicted to being a drama queen.
He stepped forward, intending to open his arms and embrace her as he had done years before.
But Xue Qinghe seemed to have anticipated this, and extended a hand to shake hands first.
Tang San had no choice but to change his hug to a handshake.
Of course, Tang San couldn't let her off so easily. He stretched out both hands and held Xue Qinghe's jade-like hands tightly, refusing to let go.
That hand was slender and soft, with skin as smooth as jade.
Tang San's hands were much larger than they had been four years ago, completely enveloping Xue Qinghe's hands in his palms.
"Brother Xue, your little brother misses you very much too!"
Tang San's voice was filled with genuine excitement.
Xue Qinghe wanted to pull her hand away, but felt embarrassed.
Tang San gripped her hand too tightly; the warmth of his palm made her feel a surge of heat, but Tang San's expression was so sincere that he didn't seem to be taking advantage of her.
Her face flushed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure and said reproachfully, "I don't think so. You've been missing for over six years, how could you not send me a single message? More than six years without a trace, I thought something had happened to you."
"Oh, Brother Xue, I'm sorry, but I have my own difficulties." Tang San deliberately showed a troubled expression, sighed, and spoke with a hint of helplessness and guilt.
"You are the crown prince of a nation, with countless affairs to attend to every day. How could I dare to nag you about everything?"
Xue Qinghe nodded, withdrew his hand, and said in a more serious tone, "Oh? So you've come to see me about something? Just say it. We're brothers, no need to be polite. I'll definitely do my best to support you."
Tang San hesitated for a moment, a hesitant expression on his face, and looked at Xue Qinghe, saying, "Brother Xue, have you heard that the Spirit Hall has offered four Soul Bones as a prize for the champion of the upcoming Soul Master Tournament?"
A hint of ruthlessness flashed across Xue Qinghe's face, but she immediately regained her gentle and refined expression and nodded. "There is such a rumor. What, my worthy brother, are you also interested in these four Soul Bones?"
Tang San said, "To be honest, over a year ago, I joined an academy called Shrek Academy. I came here to ask Brother Xue for advice. Do you think I should also participate in this year's Soul Master Tournament? Just in case I get lucky."
A deep light flashed in Xue Qinghe's golden eyes, and then he asked, "Oh? Then what do you think of the Spirit Hall, my worthy brother?"
"This puts me in a difficult position. I'm just a rogue cultivator, how dare I make any comments about the Spirit Hall, the number one power on the continent?" Tang San feigned a troubled expression.
Xue Qinghe waved his hand encouragingly, "Brother, please speak freely. I will never reveal it to anyone. We are brothers, what is there that we can't talk about?"
Tang San pondered for a moment, organized his thoughts, and then slowly began to speak.
"There are good and bad people everywhere, and the Spirit Hall is no exception. The Spirit Hall has effectively balanced the two great empires, reducing the occurrence of war to some extent. Without the Spirit Hall's mediation, Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empire would probably have been locked in a fierce battle long ago. At the same time, the Spirit Hall has also been eradicating Evil Soul Masters on the continent, making an indelible contribution to the stability of the continent. For this alone, the Spirit Hall deserves respect."
Xue Qinghe nodded, a hint of approval flashing in his golden eyes. "And what about the bad guys?"
Tang San sighed and shook his head, "The Spirit Hall is too big; it's impossible for everyone to manage it."
"Those right under our noses naturally wouldn't dare to act recklessly. But the mountains are high and the emperor is far away, and I've heard that many local hall masters, relying on the power of the Spirit Hall, are bullying and causing havoc in their regions."
Tang San paused, glanced at Xue Qinghe's face, and then continued, "For example, the Platinum Bishop Miles, stationed at the Spirit Hall's branch in Gengxin City, is arrogant, greedy, lecherous, and a bully who preys on the weak, relying on the Spirit Hall's power. The people of Gengxin City hate him with a passion."
Xue Qinghe clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white, his face darkening, and his eyes burning with undisguised anger.
The Spirit Hall held a very high place in her heart. She might dislike Bibi Dong, but she couldn't tolerate anyone using the Spirit Hall 'Spirit Hall name to tarnish its reputation.
"Such a thing actually happened." Xue Qinghe's voice was low and somber.
Tang San glanced at Xue Qinghe, seeing the anger in her eyes, and continued, "Yes, but Miles is a favorite of His Holiness the Pope. Who would dare to speak ill of him? Someone of my lowly status, even if I did, who would believe me?"
Xue Qinghe took a deep breath, suppressed the fire, and regained his composure.
"Then what do you think of the two great empires, my brother?" Xue Qinghe changed the subject, his gaze falling on Tang San's face, his eyes filled with a scrutinizing light.
Tang San feigned a frightened expression, deliberately feigning nervousness. "Brother Xue, please don't scare me. You are the Heaven Dou Crown Prince, and I greatly admire you. I dare to speak ill of the Spirit Hall in private, but how could I dare to speak ill of the Empire to your face?"
Xue Qinghe waved his hand, a gentle smile on his face, and said sincerely, "It's alright. As the saying goes, honest advice is hard to swallow. My dear brother, please speak boldly; I am not such a petty person."
Tang San hesitated and probed, saying uncertainly, "Then may I offer this honest advice just this once? Please don't blame me if I'm wrong, Brother Xue."
Xue Qinghe nodded, his expression serious.
Tang San said, "Although the two great empires have not had a large-scale border war for a long time, border frictions have never stopped. Although these frictions are not large in scale, they accumulate and bring devastating damage to civilians and soldiers on the border. Countless families have been torn apart, and countless homes have been destroyed."