Dugu Manor, Dugu Bo

For this reason, "Xue Qinghe" was not annoyed, because she understood the rules of the Eight Great Families.

Forget about growing relatively close to the Crown Prince—even making friends depended on the person.

They were this strict, unaffected by any outside factors!

As long as they had no friends or promises outside, they could avoid a great many troubles!

For example, if a close friend was preparing to take revenge, and his enemy happened to be exceptionally powerful...

Should they help, or not?

What if it implicated the family afterward?

A whole host of troublesome matters would arise from that.

This was also why the Eight Great Families had such principles of conduct. One careless misstep could lead to an irredeemable end!

Bonds?

The Eight Great Families stood united; they had plenty of bonds among themselves. There was simply no need to form bonds with outsiders!

"Xue Qinghe" sized Neuvillette up twice more. This man's circumstances were so similar to hers.

He had no playmates at all. Even making friends was restricted.

Still, Neuvillette had a far better fate than she did. At the very least, he did not need to disguise himself as someone else.

After a brief sigh of sentiment, "Xue Qinghe" had no other thoughts about it. In her eyes, talent and strength were what truly mattered.

Appearance, temperament, and the like were merely embellishments.

Just as men felt pleased when they saw beautiful women, women felt the same upon seeing handsome men. That was all.

It was not affection, merely instinct.

"Your Highness, if there is nothing else, then I shall take my leave."

Neuvillette said this without betraying any emotion.

Upon hearing this, the corners of "Xue Qinghe's" lips lifted slightly. She found the man before her increasingly interesting.

"There is nothing else. Neuvillette, if you have the time, you may visit the Crown Prince Residence."

"Xue Qinghe" said politely.

Without her token, could one simply enter the Crown Prince Residence whenever one pleased?

She had no intention of giving Neuvillette a token. Those words were merely polite formalities.

"If the opportunity arises, I will certainly pay a visit. I only hope Your Highness will not find me a nuisance then."

"The green hills remain unchanged, and the waters flow on. Though mountains are high and roads far, let us part here. Farewell!"

Without waiting for "Xue Qinghe" to respond, Neuvillette turned and left.

If the person before him had truly been Xue Qinghe, saying a few more words would have been no issue. Unfortunately, "he" was not.

Qian Renxue was far too career-driven. If he interacted with her too much and she developed the intention to recruit him, that would become a serious problem.

One had to know that when this woman wanted to recruit someone, the look in her eyes could not be concealed!

Even if it was the son of the man who had killed her father, so long as she took a liking to him, she could recruit him even at the cost of sacrificing loyal ministers from years ago!

One could imagine just how terrifying she was!

Seeing Neuvillette leave just like that, "Xue Qinghe" stood there in a daze for a while, even the smile on her lips freezing.

Under her management, the name Xue Qinghe should have enjoyed an excellent reputation. Yet the other party still had no interest in conversing further. The Eight Great Families truly carried their principles through to the end!

"Not bad. These people will not become obstacles in my path."

As long as she changed her perspective, her concept, and her identity, Neuvillette's actions were practically perfectly aligned with Qian Renxue's thoughts.

Shaking her head, Qian Renxue stopped dwelling on it. How could she have so much time to focus on some young man?

Time passed, and in the blink of an eye, it was time for the appointment with Dugu Bo.

That day, Lakesius brought Neuvillette directly toward Dugu Bo's residence.

Although Dugu Bo had not wished to accept a title from the Heaven Dou Empire, Prince Xue Xing had once saved his life. Left with no choice, he accepted this so-called marquis title.

Within Heaven Dou City, Dugu Bo had a marquis residence bestowed by Xue Ye: Dugu Manor.

Dugu Manor was different from usual that day. Its gates stood wide open, as though welcoming some guest.

Because of his solitary nature, Dugu Manor had very few servants. Naturally, it was impossible for him to personally welcome guests. Even Prince Xue Xing, his lifesaver, would not be personally received by him.

That was why the gates of Dugu Manor were left open.

When Lakesius and Neuvillette arrived at the entrance of Dugu Manor and saw this, grandfather and grandson exchanged glances and smiled. This Dugu Bo was truly interesting.

They nodded without saying anything, then walked in one after the other.

Before long, they reached the reception hall, where Dugu Bo had already been waiting for quite some time.

Dugu Bo had a lean face, with dark green hair and pupils. His pupils in particular looked very much like the eyes of a venomous snake hunting its prey.

His gaze merely swept over Lakesius before settling on Neuvillette.

Dugu Bo very much wanted to know what sort of person—and what reason—was worth giving a ten-thousand-year soul bone as a meeting gift!

Even if that soul bone was only just over ten thousand years old, its value was still considerable!

One would not know without looking, but one would be shocked upon seeing him!

For some reason, when Dugu Bo looked at Neuvillette, his heart palpitated slightly, and he felt an urge to submit!

As a Titled Douluo, he quickly found the reason: his martial soul was at work!

Ever since his martial soul had evolved into the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor, it had become one of the most elite martial souls.

Such a situation should have been almost impossible, yet it was happening now!

Dugu Bo could not help but look at Neuvillette twice more, becoming even more puzzled!

"Sit!"

Dugu Bo made an inviting gesture with his right hand, indicating that the two should take their seats.

As the host, how could he possibly let his guests remain standing while they spoke?

After Lakesius and Neuvillette sat down, the former finally said, "Your Excellency Dugu, this is my grandson, Neuvillette. We came today precisely because of my grandson's matter."

"Oh? What matter might that be?"

At that moment, Dugu Bo was extremely interested in Neuvillette. If Neuvillette could make his martial soul submit instantly, then should they become enemies, he might not even be able to exert eighty percent of his strength!

This is fucking bizarre!

If they could not be friends, then there was only...

"Grandson, you tell him."

Lakesius did not know why Neuvillette had sought out Dugu Bo, so naturally, he could only let Neuvillette explain.

"Alright, Grandfather!"

After responding to the old man, Neuvillette then said calmly, "Your Excellency Dugu, we came today only to make a deal with you."

"Please do not rush to refuse. This deal can help you, as well as your descendants, resolve the problem with your martial souls!"

The moment those words came out, even Lakesius was stunned!

Grandson, do you hear what you are saying?

If he had known Neuvillette would say this from the start, he absolutely would not have helped!

A problem with his martial soul? Dugu Bo had cultivated to become a Titled Douluo—what problem could his martial soul possibly have...

The air seemed to grow several degrees colder...