40: Xue Qinghe? No, Qian Renxue!

Heaven Dou City was the imperial capital of the Heaven Dou Empire.

At the same time, it was also the most prosperous city in the Heaven Dou Empire, not far from Sunset Forest.

After setting out from the outskirts of Suotuo City, Neuvillette and Lakesius did not linger much along the way. They raced all the way toward Heaven Dou City.

About ten days later, the two arrived at their destination.

Along the way, Neuvillette also encountered Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing, who were hurrying back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Of course, he merely glanced at them from afar and paid them no mind.

Given the speed at which the two women traveled, they naturally could not compare to Neuvillette and Lakesius.

They had set out more than half a month earlier, yet were still caught up by them.

It would take them at least another week or so to reach Heaven Dou City.

There were still five days until the time agreed upon with Dugu Bo. For the time being, Neuvillette and Lakesius stayed in Heaven Dou City.

That day, Neuvillette walked alone through the streets of Heaven Dou City.

It was his first time in Heaven Dou City, so it was necessary to take a look around. The novel's descriptions of Heaven Dou City had only covered a rather limited side of it.

They could not be taken as the whole picture.

Lakesius was different. There was not a single major city in the entire Heaven Dou Empire that he was unfamiliar with.

As the patriarch of one of the Eight Great Families, and the operator of a major force like the Soul Arena, he naturally needed to understand every major city.

Neuvillette's attire had not changed much. As he walked down the street, passersby occasionally cast their gazes toward him.

Neuvillette paid them no attention and simply observed the buildings within Heaven Dou City.

Unlike modern architecture, the buildings of Heaven Dou City resembled products from the seventeenth century on the other side of Blue Star.

Majestic, grand, and incomparably lavish.

Even the homes inhabited by ordinary citizens were far from simple.

Of course, could anyone living in a place where every inch of land was worth its weight in gold like Heaven Dou City truly be simple?

"Heaven Dou City is indeed prosperous, but it lacks much of the liveliness of ordinary life."

There were almost no street vendors in the city. Most pedestrians passing by were dressed in bright, lavish clothes, and their manners were exceedingly refined, yet much of the everyday bustle of human life was absent.

Any random passerby could be a Soul Master or a noble. Even a major city like Suotuo City could not compare with it.

Neuvillette walked as he sighed in admiration.

In terms of architecture, Heaven Dou City was known as the pinnacle of Douluo Continent. Even Spirit City and Star Luo City did not possess buildings as majestic and spectacular as those of Heaven Dou City.

This also revealed something from another angle: the nobles of the Heaven Dou Empire truly knew how to enjoy themselves better than those of Star Luo.

Just then, a blond, blue-eyed "young master" walked up beside Neuvillette.

Every step he took seemed carefully calculated.

Every movement exuded the air of a great noble. He appeared gentle and refined, giving others the impression that he was easy to get along with.

"Little brother, this should be your first time in Heaven Dou City, right?"

These words caused Neuvillette to subconsciously look toward the newcomer.

This "young master" wore a friendly expression and was likewise sizing Neuvillette up.

"Yes. Heaven Dou City truly deserves to be the imperial capital of the empire. I have only taken a brief look around, yet I already have many thoughts."

Neuvillette nodded as he spoke.

The other party bore no ill intent, so naturally he would not refuse his goodwill. The two chatted like old friends.

After a while, the "young master" seemed to think of something. He clasped his hands toward Neuvillette and said warmly, "I am Xue Qinghe. May I know little brother's name?"

"Of course, this may be somewhat presumptuous. It is only because I feel an instant rapport with you, brother, that I..."

Before "Xue Qinghe" could finish speaking, Neuvillette shuddered once, then again!

Well, damn!

Could it really be this much of a coincidence?

He had wondered what was going on. While the two chatted earlier, at least several nobles had looked in their direction with eyes full of envy.

So the person before him was Heaven Dou's Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe!

My ass!

She was Qian Renxue!!

"Pfft~"

What an instant rapport. First she called him little brother, then she called him brother...

Why had Qian Renxue set her sights on him?

And even taken the initiative to greet him?

After thinking it over briefly, Neuvillette shook his head. With his appearance and bearing, he was absolutely a "protagonist" even in a crowd.

Not to mention that he was walking alone down the street.

It was perfectly normal for someone to notice him.

Neuvillette waved his hand and said, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, you jest."

At this point, Neuvillette clasped his hands again and continued, "I am Neuvillette, the Chief Judge of the Suotuo City Great Soul Arena. For Your Highness the Crown Prince to converse so pleasantly with commoners like us, you are truly approachable..."

Strictly speaking, he had not received a noble title from the empire. The old man Lakesius was the same, so they naturally counted as commoners.

Of course, as an absolutely neutral force, they could not accept rewards from either the Heaven Dou Empire or the Star Luo Empire.

Upon hearing this, "Xue Qinghe" was first stunned. The Chief Judge of Suotuo City? This person named Neuvillette was actually from the Soul Arena?

Moreover, judging by his attire and bearing, he did not seem like an ordinary staff member.

It seemed she had encountered a member of one of the Eight Great Families.

As expected of an inheritor of a reclusive family. This bearing, this appearance... yet remaining hidden from the world was such a waste!

The reason she had come up to strike up a conversation with Neuvillette was merely because she wanted to get acquainted with him.

As for the fact that he knew her "identity," Qian Renxue was not surprised.

It was not as though Xue Qinghe being the Heaven Dou Crown Prince was some secret. Could there possibly be another person named Xue Qinghe in the Heaven Dou Imperial City?

As a member of the Eight Great Families, there was nothing strange about him knowing her identity.

"Little Brother Neuvillette, meeting is fate. I feel an instant rapport with you. Calling me Your Highness the Crown Prince is far too distant. Besides, we are not in the palace, so there is no need for such formality!"

"Xue Qinghe" waved his hand as though he did not care much for that identity, then continued, "If little brother is willing, you may call me Brother Xue!"

"Xue Qinghe" smiled warmly, the very picture of kindness and approachability.

Seeing this, Neuvillette shook his head and said, "Thank you for Your Highness's kindness, but there are many rules in my family. Please forgive me, but I cannot accept."

The reason the Eight Great Families had survived until now was because they favored no side and offended no side.

Destroying the Eight Great Families would incur enormous losses and simply would not be worth it. They merely operated Soul Arenas peacefully, never meddled in other affairs, and never involved themselves in the disputes of Douluo Continent.

Whoever became king or hegemon, they would not participate.

Who would be bored enough to wipe out a force like that!?

As soon as these words were spoken, "Xue Qinghe" instantly understood. Her previous guesses had all been correct...