Xue Qinghe's Little Gift

Meanwhile, Xiao Wu and the others' sparring matches were also drawing to a close.

After taking the Immortal Herbs, Xiao Wu's abilities had improved tremendously in every aspect, making her exceptionally powerful. In particular, the Autumn Dew Water That Sees Through had greatly strengthened her Spiritual Power, vastly increasing the potency of her charm skill. Yu Tianheng had been unprepared and was caught off guard by Xiao Wu, resulting in his defeat.

As for Ning Rongrong, although her Soul Power Level was far below Ye Lingling's, their support roles were different, so it could not be considered a loss.

The most surprising one was Zhu Zhuqing. Though she only possessed the strength of a two-ring Soul Master, she was able to fight the three-ring Osler, and her speed even seemed to surpass his slightly.

Mu Yuan could tell that Zhu Zhuqing had fully grasped the Soul Power control techniques he had taught her. A layer of Soul Power was attached to her legs, greatly enhancing Zhu Zhuqing's speed and combat ability.

In the end, sweat beaded across Zhu Zhuqing's face as she used her slight speed advantage to slash Osler's neck, claiming victory. However, Osler's follow-up attack also severely injured Zhu Zhuqing.

Ye Lingling promptly healed them both, mending their injuries.

Zhu Zhuqing weakly rose to her feet and silently walked behind Mu Yuan.

She did not say a word, and her face still wore its usual detached expression.

Mu Yuan said to her, "Your technique was quite good. It seems, Zhuqing, that you can begin the next stage of training. But it was only a sparring match. Don't push yourself so hard next time."

Zhu Zhuqing rarely smiled. "Xiao Wu won. I didn't want to embarrass you either."

At that moment, Dugu Yan finished refining the Immortal Herb.

Her martial soul had evolved, and her Soul Power had also broken through to level forty.

"Thank you, Mu Yuan!"

Dugu Yan happily hugged Mu Yuan. Of course, it was only an ordinary hug.

Xiao Wu, who had just defeated Yu Tianheng, saw this scene, and the pride on her face instantly vanished.

This is bad. I haven't even succeeded yet, and these people are already trying to steal Mu Yuan from me. How awful! Even if they want to steal him, they should at least wait until after I've succeeded!

Xiao Wu hurriedly ran to Mu Yuan's side.

Ning Rongrong, standing amid the crowd, looked at Mu Yuan surrounded by everyone. She had originally planned to confess her feelings to him today, but she hesitated once again.

So many people surrounded Mu Yuan, and she could not compare to any of them.

Not only did she have no advantages, she had once deeply hurt Mu Yuan. Did she truly still have a chance?

But if she did not say it today, her chances in the future would only grow slimmer.

"Brother Mu Yuan, I actually..."

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

Someone walked in.

Mu Yuan recognized him. He was an official from the Crown Prince's residence.

The man looked around, spotted Mu Yuan among the crowd, and respectfully said, "Mr. Mu Yuan, His Highness the Crown Prince invites you over to catch up."

A short while later, Mu Yuan arrived at the Crown Prince's residence.

He entered the estate. He had been here several times before and already knew the way well.

Further inside, the fragrance of tea wafted through the air. Xue Qinghe, his golden hair gleaming, was brewing tea.

When he saw Mu Yuan arrive, Xue Qinghe smiled. "Xiao Yuan, since you've come to me, I won't stand on ceremony and greet you formally. Hurry and try this new tea I've acquired."

Mu Yuan did not stand on ceremony either. He had a good relationship with Xue Qinghe—at least, they were quite close while Xue Qinghe held this identity.

Mu Yuan stepped forward and sat beside Xue Qinghe, accepting the teacup. Inside were leaves of a bluish-green hue.

After taking a sip, he could feel gentle Soul Power nourishing his entire body, accompanied by a faint electric current traveling through the meridians throughout his body.

Xue Qinghe asked, "Well? This is the treasured tea of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. It is said that drinking it regularly can nourish Soul Power and temper one's meridians. Even their clan leader is reluctant to drink much of it!"

Mu Yuan smiled. "Not bad, not bad. It's about the same as the portion Yu Luomian gave me a couple of days ago, except mine tasted fresher. It seems the tea he gave Senior Brother Qinghe was last year's old tea."

Hearing this, Xue Qinghe could not help but say, "How outrageous. I even pleaded for him before my father, yet he gave me old tea. Next time, I must demand an explanation from him."

Mu Yuan said, "When the time comes, he'll definitely argue, 'Your Highness the Crown Prince, this tea tastes better the older it gets!'"

Xue Qinghe could not help laughing. He leaned closer and put an arm around Mu Yuan's shoulders.

"Xiao Yuan, then you must let your senior brother here taste that new tea of yours, so I can refute him."

Mu Yuan shook his head teasingly. "Senior Brother Qinghe, your junior brother just returned. As my senior brother, you should be hosting a welcoming feast for me. How can you take advantage of your junior brother instead?"

Xue Qinghe smiled and ordered the tea table cleared away before having exquisite dishes served.

"The banquet has long been prepared, and it is all Xiao Yuan's favorite food. Besides that, your senior brother has also prepared a mysterious gift for you. I will reveal it later."

Hearing this, Mu Yuan became somewhat curious about Xue Qinghe's mysterious gift.

However, Xue Qinghe firmly insisted on revealing it only after they had eaten.

As they ate, the two chatted casually.

There were no royal formalities, only the relaxed conversation of two friends.

Xue Qinghe did not ask about Mu Yuan's experiences during this time. Instead, he spoke to Mu Yuan about what he himself had gone through lately.

Some were ordinary everyday matters, while others were secrets involving struggles for power.

Logically speaking, such matters should not have been disclosed to outsiders.

Yet Xue Qinghe still told Mu Yuan about them.

Mu Yuan also knew that Xue Qinghe was trying to win him over, but he did not dislike it.

At least so far, Xue Qinghe had always treated him very well. As a friend, Mu Yuan acknowledged him.

After the meal, a servant whispered something into Xue Qinghe's ear. Xue Qinghe said, "All right, Xiao Yuan, the gift is ready. Come with me."

Mu Yuan followed Xue Qinghe into an imperial carriage, and they arrived at the Heaven Dou Auction House.

This was the largest auction house in the Heaven Dou Empire. From its name alone, it was not hard to guess which faction stood behind it.

As the Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe had the most luxurious private room.

The two entered the private room.

Xue Qinghe took out the auction catalog for this session, flipped to a page near the middle, and said, "Xiao Yuan, bid on this item later."

Mu Yuan looked over. It described a palm-sized sapphire cube. Though it could be considered valuable, it did not seem particularly special to people of their standing.

Xue Qinghe saw Mu Yuan's confusion and explained.

"Xiao Yuan, this item is actually called the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud. It is a precious Soul Tool that combines offense and defense, and it is also one of the national treasures of our Heaven Dou Empire. It may not be of much use to you, but it can provide considerable protection to those around you. I think Xiao Yuan, you should need it."

Mu Yuan's heart trembled slightly.

The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud—of course he knew about it. It was far more than just a Soul Tool; it contained the Sea God Inheritance. However, only someone with the proper qualifications could trigger it.

Xue Qinghe actually wanted to give this to him. Mu Yuan truly had not expected it.

"Senior Brother Qinghe, then why..."

"Why is it appearing at an auction, right?" Xue Qinghe shook his head. "Father is too rigid. They call this thing a national treasure, but it is not actually that valuable to true experts. I asked him to grant it to you, but he refused. So I could only send someone to find another way, take it from the treasury, and disguise it like this. That way, junior brother, you can obtain it reasonably!"

As he spoke, Xue Qinghe blinked mischievously at Mu Yuan.

"I'm the Crown Prince. After His Majesty dies, I'll be the emperor. Taking my own things doesn't count as stealing, does it?"