Personally Appointed

Personally Appointed

Dawn light was faint, and thin mist curled through the air.

Feng Yao slowly exhaled a breath of stale air. The blue Soul Power swirling around him receded like the tide. He patted his robes, and "Fuxi" gleamed with a clear, cool radiance in the morning light.

The instant he stepped out of the Mimicry Training Ground, a purple figure happened to turn around the corner of the corridor. Dugu Yan leaned lazily against a carved stone pillar.

"Morning, Sister Yan." Feng Yao's lips curled slightly.

"Morning." Dugu Yan responded languidly, then continued, "Hurry up and get yourself ready. We're going to the Education Committee soon."

Holding "Fuxi," Feng Yao asked with a puzzled expression, "Did something happen?"

"Why are you playing dumb?" Dugu Yan cast him a sidelong glance with her violet eyes, Jade Phosphor poison flickering faintly around her fingertips. "Such a huge commotion yesterday—Shrek was driven out, Teacher Qin resigned, and Yu Tianheng withdrew from the academy." She suddenly lowered her voice. "The three Education Committee members submitted an overnight memorial impeaching Prince Xue Xing. Now Xue Ye has transferred authority over the academy to His Highness the Crown Prince."

Feng Yao thoughtfully brushed a finger over the zither strings. "What does that have to do with us?"

"You silly boy." Dugu Yan suddenly leaned closer, her fragrant breath brushing his ear. "A new team leader is taking office, and the team captain must be chosen again. His Highness the Crown Prince has been worrying over how to cultivate trusted aides. I'd say the captaincy is yours for the taking."

Feng Yao shook his head and smiled. "You're joking, Sister Yan. I have no interest in fighting for power and profit."

"But you defeated Yu Tianheng with the strength of three rings. Other than you, who could be captain?" Dugu Yan said with a soft laugh.

A helpless smile appeared on Feng Yao's face. His long fingers idly toyed with the zither strings. "Sister Yan, why do I feel like you're enjoying my misfortune?"

Dugu Yan narrowed her violet eyes and playfully twirled a wisp of poison mist around her finger. "What? Being personally appointed as captain by the Crown Prince wrongs you?" She suddenly lowered her voice. "Or are you afraid of offending Grandpa?"

"This..." The strings beneath Feng Yao's fingertips trembled softly. "Senior has shown me kindness. Wouldn't this mean opposing him?"

"You silly boy." Dugu Yan suddenly laughed, the Jade Phosphor Snake Poison refracting an eerie glow beneath the sunlight. "Grandpa making a move against a few children yesterday was already an exception. He won't help him with matters like this again." She paused meaningfully. "As long as you don't intend to kill Xue Xing, it doesn't count as opposing Grandpa."

Feng Yao nodded thoughtfully. "Fuxi" shimmered beneath the morning light. "I understand." He bowed slightly. "Then allow me to change first. I'll go to the Education Committee shortly."

Dugu Yan watched his departing back, her purple hair swaying gently in the morning breeze. In the distance, a skylark swept past the golden dome of the Education Committee and flew toward the rising sun.

After washing up, Feng Yao hastily ate breakfast and headed to the Education Committee. Morning light filtered through stained-glass windows, casting a riot of colors across the gilded doors.

Knock, knock, knock—

Long fingers tapped lightly on the door, and Meng Shenji's gentle voice immediately came from within. "Come in."

Feng Yao pushed open the door and paused in surprise. The members of the Imperial Dou Team were already standing in formation. Xue Qinghe sat at the head of the room, his pale moon-white robes making him appear as gentle and refined as jade. The three Education Committee members stood respectfully behind him, while Zhi Lin was signaling at Feng Yao with his eyes.

"Please forgive me, Your Highness." Feng Yao hurried forward, "Fuxi" tracing an elegant arc against his chest. "This student has arrived late."

Xue Qinghe raised a hand with a smile. "No matter. The team members already explained that your cultivation method differs from theirs, and you spend longer meditating. It seems you made another breakthrough last night?"

Without betraying any reaction, Feng Yao withdrew his hand into his sleeve. "Your Highness is perceptive." From the corner of his eye, he saw Dugu Yan giving him a sly wink.

Bai Baoshan stepped forward at the right moment, his round face piled with smiles. "Since everyone is here, how about—"

Yet Xue Qinghe suddenly rose to his feet, the Jade Pendant at his waist giving a crisp chime. He walked before Feng Yao and, to everyone's astonishment, personally helped up Feng Yao, who was still holding his salute. "I summoned everyone here today because there is an important matter to discuss."

Xue Qinghe wore a gentle smile as his gaze slowly swept over everyone present. "What happened yesterday was truly my failing. I did not discover the changes in time." His tone was earnest, as though he genuinely regretted Prince Xue Xing's actions.

Feng Yao stood silently with lowered eyes, but his thoughts were crystal clear. How could this "His Highness the Crown Prince" possibly have been unaware of Shrek's arrival? It was simply that, to Qian Renxue, Shrek held too little value. Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing came from Star Luo, while Ning Rongrong was the young sect leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. None of them were easy to win over. As for Tang San and the others...

"Yu Xiaogang's entanglement with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, and the bond between Flander and Liu Erlong..."

Feng Yao gently stroked the strings as he pondered inwardly. Those tangled relationships were destined to make Shrek a tasteless piece of chicken—hardly worth eating, yet a waste to discard.

There were not many people left worth recruiting, and they were all still very young. For a long-term investment with no visible returns, opposing every noble lord was not in Qian Renxue's interests. Thus, using the situation to trick the Dugu Bo card out of Xue Xing's hand was also a fine choice.

Xue Qinghe's voice pulled him back from his thoughts. "Three committee members, do you have a suitable candidate to recommend as team leader?"

From the corner of his eye, Feng Yao saw Dugu Yan's thoughtful expression. Compared with youths burdened by complicated backgrounds, a Spirit Master like himself with no foundation might better suit this "Crown Prince's" tastes. Moreover, Dugu Bo was a Spirit Master of immense strategic importance.

The corner of Feng Yao's mouth lifted almost imperceptibly. He could feel Xue Qinghe's probing gaze fixed upon him. The scrutiny and curiosity hidden within that gaze were far more complex than the surface gentleness suggested.

Just as Feng Yao's thoughts began to drift, Meng Shenji's aged yet steady voice sounded. "Your Highness, this old man recommends Teacher Sun Buyu for the position of team leader."

Xue Qinghe's gentle gaze swept over the Imperial Fighting Team. "What do you all think?"

Everyone answered in unison, "We shall follow the arrangements of His Highness the Crown Prince and the Education Committee members." Their voices echoed through the spacious office hall.

"Very good." Xue Qinghe nodded slightly, the Jade Pendant at his waist swaying softly with the motion. "Then Teacher Sun shall serve as team leader. As for the captain..." He deliberately paused, his gaze drifting among the group.

In an instant, every team member's eyes focused on Feng Yao without prior agreement. The feat of a three-ring Spirit Master defeating a four-ring Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Spirit Master was still unbelievable even in retrospect. Had they not seen it with their own eyes, anyone would have dismissed it as absurd fantasy.

"It seems public opinion is unanimous." A profound glint flashed through Xue Qinghe's eyes. "Student Feng, what do you think?"

Feeling the burning gazes around him, a trace of helplessness flashed through Feng Yao's eyes. He stepped forward and offered an elegant salute. "Honored by Your Highness's and my fellow students' favor, Feng Yao is willing to serve with all his strength."

"Good!" Xue Qinghe clapped his hands and laughed lightly, the golden embroidery on his sleeves glittering in the sunlight. "Then I look forward to Captain Feng leading the Imperial Dou Team to shine brightly in the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament."

"I will not disappoint Your Highness's expectations." Feng Yao bowed again, concealing the thoughts in his eyes as he lowered his gaze. He knew that, from this moment onward, he had officially stepped onto this chessboard of power.

Xue Qinghe lightly flicked his sleeve and rose, the pearls on his jade belt gleaming with a warm luster in the morning light. "It is rare for me to find time to leave the palace today. Would Student Feng be willing to accompany me on a tour of Heaven Dou City?"

Feng Yao's gaze shifted slightly. He instinctively brushed the strings, making Fuxi emit a clear tremor against his chest. "It would be this student's honor to accompany Your Highness and help you relax." His lips curved faintly. "It would also be a fine chance to ease the fatigue from recent cultivation. This student has Your Highness to thank for it."

"Student Feng truly is exceptional." A trace of appreciation flashed through Xue Qinghe's eyes. "Not only has your Soul Power progressed rapidly, but you have also mastered Madam Yuehua's court etiquette so thoroughly."

"Your Highness overpraises me." Feng Yao bowed elegantly, the faint ice-blue patterns on his cuffs appearing and vanishing.

At this moment, Sun Buyu hurried in. Learning that he had been entrusted with such an important post, he was so excited that he repeatedly bowed. "Thank you for Your Highness's cultivation! I will certainly give it my all!"

After Sun Buyu led the Imperial Fighting Team away, Feng Yao followed Xue Qinghe onto the gilded carriage. Four snow-white steeds raised their heads and neighed, while the Heaven Dou Imperial Family emblem carved into the carriage shaft shone brilliantly under the sun.

As the carriage curtain fell, Feng Yao sharply noticed the soundproofing Soul Tools concealed within the walls. Xue Qinghe personally poured a cup of clear tea and pushed it before him. Amid the curling tea fragrance, unfathomable undercurrents hid within those seemingly gentle eyes.

The carriage moved smoothly through the broad streets of Heaven Dou City. Xue Qinghe's slender fingers lightly rubbed the rim of his teacup as he asked casually, "I heard that Student Feng is quite close to Senior Poison Douluo?"

Feng Yao gently plucked a string, producing a clear note. "Senior Dugu is kind to others and has given this student much guidance." He raised his eyes to meet Xue Qinghe's probing gaze, and the sky and clouds beyond the window reflected in his amber eyes.

"Kind?" Xue Qinghe chuckled, a fingertip tracing the rim of his cup. "Few can earn the regard of this Poison Douluo. Yet even he could not have imagined that Student Feng possessed only innate level-four Soul Power, could he?"

Feng Yao's heart stirred, and the strings trembled unconsciously. He feigned alarm. "Please forgive me, Your Highness."

Xue Qinghe smiled meaningfully. "What is there to forgive? There is no need to be nervous. Student Feng's zither skill is extraordinary. May I ask who taught you?"

"It is merely a shallow family technique." Feng Yao answered modestly. At the same time, he lightly tapped the zither body with a finger, and a wisp of ice-blue Soul Power silently seeped into the strings. "Compared to that, this student would rather know why Your Highness has taken such an interest in me."

A trace of surprise flashed through Xue Qinghe's eyes before transforming into appreciation. "Student Feng is indeed refreshingly direct." He raised his cup and took a light sip. "I have always cherished talent, especially hidden talent like yours."

The carriage was passing through Heaven Dou City's busiest marketplace. Noisy voices drifted in through the window. Peddlers' cries and children's laughter intertwined, only making the silence within the carriage more pronounced.

Feng Yao suddenly said, "Having come this far, this student understands the importance of judging the situation. If Your Highness needs a handy 'zither,' this student happens to excel at playing music. But if what Your Highness wants is a 'blade'..."

Xue Qinghe asked thoughtfully, "What is the difference?"

"A zither is 'cherished' by nobles, while a blade will eventually break." Feng Yao spoke slowly, a trace of helplessness flashing through his eyes.

Xue Qinghe's pupils contracted slightly, then he broke into a smile. "What a fine understanding of the times." He set down his teacup, and its jade base met the sandalwood tea table with a crisp sound. "Then would Student Feng be willing to play a piece for me?"

Feng Yao understood. His fingers flowed across the strings. "With pleasure. However..." He raised his eyes and looked directly at Xue Qinghe. "This student would rather perform a duet with Your Highness."

"A duet? Why?" Xue Qinghe asked in confusion.

"I need to resolve Your Highness's doubts." Feng Yao said softly.

At those words, anticipation flashed through Xue Qinghe's eyes. Feng Yao laid "Fuxi" across his lap and plucked the strings. Hummm— A deep sound wave echoed through the carriage.

In just an instant, shock appeared on Xue Qinghe's face. The rich Bass Note still created a marvelous resonance within his chest, as though his five viscera and six bowels were faintly trembling with the sound waves. As Feng Yao's long fingers continuously moved across the strings, a strange warm current began to circulate through his Meridians.

What marvelous zither sound. It can actually resonate with my five viscera and six bowels, tempering my body through the zither sound. What a genius idea. Is this how he cultivates? Xue Qinghe carefully sensed it.

As the speed of Feng Yao's fingers changed, he could feel that warm current actually carrying his Soul Power into circulation. Soon, he made a startling discovery—his Soul Power was changing.

Is this meditation? No, no...

As the zither sound faded, Xue Qinghe immediately felt light and refreshed within. He looked at Feng Yao with immense satisfaction. He clearly understood Feng Yao's action and intention. This was not only Feng Yao's letter of allegiance, but also a display of his value.

Yet Feng Yao felt his entire body go numb. Though he knew that the Xue Qinghe before him was actually a woman, Xue Qinghe still appeared to be a man. Being stared at so fervently by a man...

"Your Highness's internal organs have some minor issues. One must remember: joy harms the heart, anger harms the liver, excessive thought harms the spleen, sorrow harms the lungs, and fear harms the kidneys. Your Highness tends toward excessive thought and sorrow, so you must take greater care. This subordinate has already treated them for you." Feng Yao said with a smile.

A trace of awkwardness flashed across Xue Qinghe's face. He immediately changed the subject. "This is the first time I have felt the profundity of zither sound. I never expected it to have supportive healing effects as well."

Seeing Xue Qinghe change the subject, Feng Yao understood. He smiled and said, "The method Spirit Masters commonly use to induce vomiting and expel poison is to use Soul Power to shake the five viscera and six bowels. Zither sound is also fundamentally a force of vibration. The two work along similar lines."

Gradually, Xue Qinghe's expression became stern. Although the Spirit Bone within his body concealed him well, the fact that Feng Yao could use zither sound to treat these minor issues in his body meant...

Xue Qinghe scrutinized Feng Yao, trying to discern something from his face, but Feng Yao's expression seemed entirely unsurprised.

Could it be that his zither sound did not discover it? Xue Qinghe wondered inwardly.

"Is Your Highness still feeling unwell anywhere?" Feng Yao met Xue Qinghe's gaze without the slightest evasion.

Xue Qinghe shook his head slightly, though his eyes continued secretly assessing Feng Yao in an attempt to find some flaw. "I only feel much lighter inside. If not for Little Feng, I would not have known that my body had these problems."

"It is good that Your Highness is well." Feng Yao smiled with concern.

Seeing that the concern in Feng Yao's eyes did not seem false, Xue Qinghe could not help feeling warmth in his heart.

"Then what did you mean earlier by performing a duet?" Xue Qinghe asked in confusion.

"Did Your Highness not sense the circulation route of the Soul Power within your body just now?" Feng Yao asked with surprise.

"I did sense that my Soul Power underwent some changes, but what does that have to do with the circulation route?" Xue Qinghe asked, puzzled.