Plotting an Early Succession
The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Tang San got up.
Dugu Yan was still asleep, her smooth arm resting on the spot where he had been using her pillow.
The others were also shirtless, sprawled haphazardly on a "large" bed less than four meters wide.
After eating some breakfast and saying goodbye to Dugu Bo, Tang San walked out of the Dugu Manor.
Upon arriving at the Crown Prince's Residence, with his token in hand, he walked unimpeded through the long corridor, around the back garden, and arrived at the door of that familiar study.
He raised his hand and knocked on the door. Xue Qinghe's gentle voice came from inside. "Come in."
Tang San pushed open the door and went inside, then closed the study door behind him.
In the study, only Qian Renxue, still resembling Xue Qinghe, was sitting at her desk, intently reading some memorials.
When Qian Renxue saw Tang San, her eyes instantly welled up with tears.
She put down the memorial and quickly walked to Tang San's side.
Then, she took Tang San's hand, quickly walked to the back of the study, pushed open the door leading to the secret room, and pulled Tang San inside.
The door to the secret room slowly closed behind them, isolating them from the outside world.
With a thought, Qian Renxue shed her disguise as the Crown Prince, revealing her true appearance.
She still had long, golden hair and fair, delicate skin.
In the three years that followed, she became more mature and more captivating.
Her features showed more composure, less girlish naiveté, and more womanly charm.
Qian Renxue looked at Tang San, her eyes slightly red.
She stepped forward, hugged him tightly, wrapped her arms around his waist, and buried her face in his chest.
Tang San hugged her tightly, resting his chin on the top of her head, inhaling the faint fragrance of her hair.
Dry wood and raging fire.
Without exchanging many words, the two quickly removed their clothes, each wanting to convey their inner longing through the most primal contact.
Everything was understood without being said.
The soft light in the enclosed room cast two intertwined shadows on the wall.
After their passion subsided, the two lay nestled together on the bed in the secluded room.
Qian Renxue leaned against Tang San's chest, and Tang San's arm was around her shoulder.
After a long while, once her breathing had calmed, Qian Renxue finally spoke, "It's been three years. Do you know how much I've missed you?"
Tang San's hand caressed her shoulder. "I miss you too. I think about you every day."
Qian Renxue lifted her head from his chest and looked into his eyes.
She reached out and gently traced her fingers across his cheek, from his brow bone to his chin, as if to confirm if it was really him.
"Where have you been for the past three years? Why haven't you written a single letter? Do you know how worried I've been about you?" Qian Renxue asked resentfully.
Tang San kissed her forehead and began to recount his experiences over the past three years.
A moment later.
"Your Soul Power is now at level seventy-six!" Qian Renxue was very surprised by Tang San's current strength.
"Hmm. And you?" Tang San asked.
Qian Renxue withdrew her hand and nestled back into his embrace. "Level 79, peak. Just one step away from level 80."
Tang San nodded.
Three years ago, she was only at level 73. In three years, she has improved by less than seven levels.
However, this is a seventh-level Soul Saint.
It's important to know that Qian Renxue spends a significant amount of time handling the affairs of the Heaven Dou Empire every day, leaving her with less than half the time that an ordinary Soul Master would have for cultivation.
He thought of Qian Renxue from the original novel.
During the Heaven Dou Palace Coup, her Soul Power was level 77.
Now, with nearly two years until the Heaven Dou Palace Coup, she has already reached the peak of level seventy-nine.
It's clear that she's significantly better than the original character.
Tang San reached out and put his arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him. "Once you break through level 80, you can go and obtain your Eighth Soul Ring."
Qian Renxue nodded, a smile curving her lips.
She nuzzled her head against Tang San's chest, like a kitten that had been petted and felt comfortable.
Tang San gently stroked her back, remained silent for a moment, and then spoke.
"Xue'er, how much longer are you going to lie low?"
Qian Renxue's body stiffened slightly, her tone tinged with confusion and exhaustion. "I don't know. Although Xue Ye's health isn't good, he won't die anytime soon."
Her voice was low, "I want it to end quickly, so that I can be like them, with the chance to be with you forever, even if it means wandering the world together."
Tang San remained silent for a moment.
She couldn't help but sigh inwardly; it seemed unlikely. Her status dictated that she had her own path to walk.
Tang San looked down into Qian Renxue's eyes, where a deep, long-suppressed weariness was reflected.
Seventeen years, the best years of a person's life, were spent in this Crown Prince's Residence.
They cannot show their true selves, cannot form deep friendships, and cannot reveal their true emotions; they must wear a mask and act every day.
"How about we send Xue Ye away ahead of time?" Tang San's voice carried a firm tone.
Qian Renxue paused for a moment, a look of surprise on her face.
"I'd like to, but wouldn't that be a bit cruel?"
Her voice sounded hesitant.
Tang San thought for a moment and comforted her, "We shouldn't be sentimental when undertaking great tasks. Our ultimate goal is to unify the continent and end the conflict."
"The Heaven Dou Empire is riddled with deep-seated problems: the nobility is corrupt, the duchies are fragmented, and the army is in disarray. If it weren't for the Spirit Hall's intervention, it would have been annexed by the Star Luo Empire long ago. Every day Xue Ye is on the throne, these problems will continue to fester. It will be at least another ten or eight years before he dies of natural causes."
He paused, then continued, "As long as our goal is bright, a somewhat brutal process is understandable. What great upheaval in history has ever occurred without bloodshed? What we are doing now is so that more people can live better lives in the future."
Tang San didn't know how he could come up with such a "high-sounding" reason.
But he spoke very seriously and firmly.
Qian Renxue looked at him, then nodded, a resolute glint in her eyes.
"You're right. I need to plan this out carefully."
Tang San nodded and changed the subject.
He asked casually, "Xue'er, do you know if the Heaven Dou Imperial Family has any national treasures?"
Qian Renxue's brows twitched slightly, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes.
She thought for a moment, then said, "Yes, there are. The royal family has passed down many treasures, but if we're talking about a national treasure, there seems to be one called something like... the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud. But it's in the hands of Xue Ye. Why are you asking about that?"
A surge of emotion welled up in Tang San's heart. The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud —that was the key to obtaining the Sea God’s Nine Trials.
"Xue'er, to be honest," Tang San's voice became serious, "I've gained a lot from this trip. Not only has my strength increased significantly, but I've also obtained an incredible opportunity. I've passed the Godhood Inheritance Assessment."
Qian Renxue's pupils contracted sharply, her golden eyes filled with shock.
She sat up from Tang San, the blanket slipping off her body and revealing her fair shoulders.
She stared straight at Tang San, her mouth slightly open, but she couldn't utter a single word.
"You... you're telling the truth?" Qian Renxue's voice trembled slightly.
Tang San nodded, raised his right hand, revealing the small emerald green tree mark on his palm.
"This is Divine Imprint left by the gods."
Qian Renxue stretched out her hands and held Tang San's palms in her hands, looking down at the mark with disbelief in her eyes.
Tang San grasped her hand in return, his fingers threading through hers, their fingers intertwined.
He looked at Qian Renxue with a serious and firm gaze. "Xue'er, the reason I suggested you send Xue Ye away ahead of time, even if it meant launching a palace coup, is because I'm anxious for you to quickly seize power in the Heaven Dou and then immediately return to the Worship Hall to undergo the test of the Angel God. I have great confidence in your ability to obtain the Angel God's inheritance."
Qian Renxue nodded. "Okay, I'll listen to you."