Arrival

As the black-clad men retreated like a receding tide, the Royal Knight Order swiftly regrouped. The teachers leading the various academies finally let out breaths of relief. But before long, everyone's gaze fell on Tang San in the distance—the true target of this sudden attack was now all too obvious.

Dugu Bo turned to the Imperial Fighting Team, warning light glinting in his snake-like eyes. "Get back in the carriages. Don't wander around during the rest period. If someone kidnaps you, this old man may not be able to save you." His gaze swept meaningfully over them. "Some things are better understood in your hearts. Don't bring trouble upon yourselves."

"Yes, Your Excellency." The Imperial Fighting Team bowed in unison, their expressions solemn as they returned to their carriage. Only Feng Yao and Dugu Yan remained where they were.

Feng Yao looked at Dugu Bo thoughtfully. "Senior, even with the stature of a Title Douluo, do you need to be this cautious?" In his memories, Poison Douluo from the original story had been a ruthless figure who dared to fight Ghostly directly.

Dugu Bo shot him an irritated glare. "Now that Yan Yan has drawn a clear line with that brat from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, this old man is nothing but a lonely old fool with no one to rely on." He gave Dugu Yan a meaningful glance. "Maybe one day, I'll even have to beg that Dead Eunuch for help. How could I not be cautious?"

Hearing that, Feng Yao hurriedly offered a placating smile. "Senior is far-sighted." He knew perfectly well that he had indeed played no small part in the breakdown of Dugu Yan and Yu Tianheng's relationship.

Dugu Bo snorted softly and looked toward the Royal Knight Order reorganizing in the distance. "Kid, do you know how many Title Douluo there are on the entire continent?" He lowered his voice. "With so many people here today, other than that old fellow from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, who else dared say even half a word?" Then he looked fondly at Dugu Yan. "This old man is getting on in years. I have to think more about Yan Yan's future."

These words jolted Feng Yao. He suddenly realized that this Poison Douluo, who appeared to act without restraint, actually understood better than anyone how to survive amid the cracks between great powers.

Feng Yao's eyes settled on the luxurious yellow carriage in the distance. He said quietly to Dugu Bo, "Senior, I'll go check on His Highness the Crown Prince."

Dugu Bo curled his lip dismissively. "What is there to see about that boy? He spends all day with Ning Fengzhi, that Old Fox. He probably knows more about the inside story than you do."

Before Feng Yao could respond, Dugu Bo turned to Dugu Yan. His eyes softened at once, and even his voice unconsciously became gentler. "Yan Yan, go rest in the carriage first. Make sure you perform well in the upcoming matches."

Then he turned and glared at Feng Yao, a cold gleam flashing in his eyes. "Remember this, brat. If you run into that Shrek bunch in the arena, beat them half to death for me! Especially that little beast from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan." Old Poison gave a sinister laugh. "I'd like to see what face Yu Yuanzhen will have left to swagger around the Spirit Master world then!"

The corners of Feng Yao's lips rose slightly. He nodded without revealing anything, thinking that the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan likely had not given Dugu Bo any explanation.

"Grandfather!" Dugu Yan's pretty face flushed, and she could not help letting out a coquettish protest. A trace of embarrassed annoyance flashed through her violet eyes.

"Fine, fine, Grandfather won't say any more." Dugu Bo hurriedly waved his hand, looking dotingly at his granddaughter. His figure then dispersed into the air like smoke.

Dugu Yan secretly glanced at Feng Yao. Seeing him staring thoughtfully into the distance, she lightly bit her lower lip before turning and walking quickly toward the carriage.

Feng Yao slowly approached the luxurious carriage trimmed in gilded patterns. Inside, Qian Renxue had her brows tightly furrowed, her fingers clenched around a celadon teacup so hard that fine cracks had appeared across its surface. Even her fingertips had turned white from the force.

"Young Master, that boy is here." From the shadows came Snake Lance Douluo's quiet voice transmission.

Qian Renxue's fingertips trembled as she slowly released the overburdened teacup. When she raised her eyes again, every trace of emotion had been tucked away, leaving only placid calm. "Let him in." Her voice was as cold and composed as ever, as though her earlier lapse had never happened.

Led by an attendant, Feng Yao stepped into the carriage. Within the spacious compartment, Qian Renxue sat in Xue Qinghe's form, though a trace of irritation could not be concealed between her brows.

"Your Highness does not seem to be in a very pleasant mood?" Feng Yao's lips curved slightly, his tone carrying a hint of teasing.

Qian Renxue shot him an annoyed look, deliberately lowering her voice into Xue Qinghe's tone. "The Royal Knight Order was attacked. How could this Crown Prince possibly be in a good mood?"

"Though it was an act of alerting the snake in the grass," Feng Yao said with a soft laugh, "the target of the attack happened to align perfectly with what Your Highness had in mind."

Qian Renxue's pupils contracted slightly, and a complicated expression appeared on her face. "You already know?"

Feng Yao's smile deepened, a crafty glint flashing in his eyes. "Someone who could perfectly replace the heir to an empire, while harboring the same hatred toward the target of this attack." He deliberately drew out his words. "That can only mean Your Highness comes from no ordinary background. Only..."

"Only what?" Qian Renxue's voice suddenly turned cold.

"It seems that some of your authority has slipped into other hands." Feng Yao spoke softly, his gaze meaningfully flicking toward the direction of Spirit City beyond the carriage.

A cold gleam flashed in Qian Renxue's eyes. Her jade-like fingers tightened unconsciously, but in the end, she did not refute him.

"To mobilize two Title Douluo at once," Feng Yao continued, his voice lowering, "I imagine only that Female Pope whom I have never met could command such influence. Let me guess, considering Your Highness's age..."

"Enough!" Qian Renxue suddenly snapped, nearly losing control of her disguised male voice. She stared fixedly at the youth before her, who always seemed able to see through her thoughts, her chest heaving sharply. The air in the carriage seemed to freeze in an instant.

Seeing this, Feng Yao immediately raised both hands in surrender, an ingratiating smile on his face. "Fine, fine, I won't say any more." Then his tone shifted, becoming more serious. "But there is something that may change Your Highness's view of this attack."

Qian Renxue stared at him coldly without saying a word.

"Your Highness, guess what interesting thing I saw outside just now?" Feng Yao blinked, deliberately keeping her in suspense.

Qian Renxue's brows drew tightly together. Finally unable to endure it, she cursed, "Spit it out already!"

Feng Yao calmly lowered his voice. "The teachers leading the various academies actually all recognized where the attackers came from, yet not one of them dared step forward and identify them."

"Of course they didn't dare." Qian Renxue answered instinctively, then suddenly froze. A flash of understanding passed through her eyes.

"You mean..." Her voice softened unconsciously. "The true purpose of this attack was not to kill Tang San, but to test the attitudes of the various powers toward her?"

Feng Yao nodded approvingly. "Perhaps she truly wanted Tang San dead, but even if she failed..." He paused meaningfully. "She could still see some interesting reactions. Like now—everyone is silent as cicadas in winter. If anyone truly dared step forward—say, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—then next time, she would likely kill the chicken to scare the monkeys."

Qian Renxue's pupils narrowed slightly, her fingers unconsciously rubbing the rim of the teacup. Feng Yao's words made her suddenly realize the deeper meaning behind Bibi Dong's actions.

Feng Yao lightly stroked the Fuxi Qin in his arms and smiled. "Your Highness has a close relationship with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. If you truly wish to bring this force under your command..." He paused meaningfully. "I'm afraid you will need to have a proper talk with that person."

At his words, Qian Renxue's slender fingers unconsciously clenched her sleeve. The image of that figure seated high upon the Pope's throne surfaced in her mind. She drew a deep breath, her chest rising and falling slightly. Only after a long while did she slowly loosen her clenched fist, her voice returning to its usual calm.

"I understand."

Those simple words contained far too many complicated emotions. Feng Yao knew that the grievances between this mother and daughter would ultimately have to be resolved by the two of them.

A brief silence fell over the carriage. Their gazes met, and it seemed as though invisible strings trembled softly in the air.

Feng Yao suddenly chuckled, curiosity glinting in his eyes. "Come to think of it, I am rather curious. How exactly did she ascend to that position?"

At his words, Qian Renxue's brows unconsciously furrowed once more, sharpness flashing in her eyes. "What exactly are you trying to say?"

Feng Yao shook his head slightly. "I'm merely curious." He lowered his eyes, his tone carrying a trace of lightness. "I'm looking forward to meeting her. It will help me understand you better."

Qian Renxue's heart suddenly trembled, her golden pupils contracting slightly. She stared into Feng Yao's smiling eyes, an inexplicable flutter rising in her chest, though her face remained cold.

"What you learn from her will only disappoint you."

Feng Yao lightly stroked the strings of the qin. "Perhaps. But..." He raised his eyes to meet Qian Renxue's gaze, his expression gentle yet resolute. "No gold is pure, and no person is perfect. True understanding means choosing to accept someone even after seeing the whole truth, does it not?"

The zither music slowed, and Feng Yao's voice became so soft it was nearly inaudible. "Or is Your Highness afraid?"

Qian Renxue's breathing caught, and her fingers unconsciously dug into her palm. Those words were like a sharp sword, piercing directly into the softest corner of her heart. The walls she had built over many years trembled faintly at that moment.

"Things between us..." Before Qian Renxue could finish, Feng Yao gently pressed down on the strings, cutting off her unfinished words.

He lifted his eyes and gazed at her, warmth and determination filling them. "I will not interfere with your choice." His voice was as gentle as a spring breeze brushing over the strings. "No matter what you decide, I will stand by your side."

Qian Renxue's breath faltered, her fingers curling unconsciously. Feng Yao's words were like a clear spring, quietly soaking into a long-dry corner of her heart.

"Who asked for your support..." she muttered softly, though her tone was no longer as cold and hard as before.

Looking at Qian Renxue before him, wearing Xue Qinghe's refined appearance yet revealing the shy manner unique to a young woman, Feng Yao could not help coughing lightly to hide his awkwardness. The bashful expression on the handsome face of the Heaven Dou Crown Prince truly left him at a loss.

"Ahem, well..." Feng Yao awkwardly looked away, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing the qin strings. "Your Highness should return to your true appearance first. Looking like this..." He made an incomplete gesture, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly.

Qian Renxue also realized the problem at that moment and immediately laughed. A streak of golden light flashed, and Xue Qinghe's disguise receded like a tide, revealing her breathtaking original face. Yet her reddened ears and flickering eyes still betrayed the turmoil in her heart.

"You deserve it," she muttered reproachfully, though her voice had returned to its usual coolness. But the slight upward curve of her lips exposed her good mood.

In the shadows, She Long and Ci Xue looked at each other, each seeing incredulous shock in the other's eyes.

Was this truly the Young Master they had protected since childhood? When had Qian Renxue, who had always been calm and self-controlled, flawlessly concealing her emotions beneath a mask, ever shown such a lively side?

Ci Xue sent a voice transmission. "Should we avoid them for a while?"

"The more it is like this, the more we need to protect the Young Master. What if someone discovers her?" She Long replied through voice transmission.

The two exchanged a glance and nodded, becoming even more vigilant of their surroundings. They feared that something might disturb the rare softness within the carriage. After so many years, this was the first time they had seen the Young Master reveal genuine emotions, rather than being that flawless "Xue Qinghe."

The Heaven Dou Empire's Spirit Master teams continued toward Spirit City, and no further mishaps occurred during the rest of the journey. To ensure their safety, Qian Renxue specially mobilized three thousand elite armored troops from the cities along the route to strengthen the escort. At the same time, she urgently sent orders to Heaven Dou City, dispatching several high-level Spirit Masters to rush over as reinforcements.

The group from Shrek Academy also became much more low-key within the procession.

After several days of travel, the vast procession finally arrived at Spirit City. Due to Spirit Hall's special regulations, Xue Qinghe ordered the armored troops and the Royal Knight Order to camp outside the city, personally leading the fifteen Spirit Master teams into the city.

Compared to the vast Heaven Dou City and the bustling Suotuo City, Spirit City was indeed much smaller, its area not even a tenth of Heaven Dou City's. Yet the shock it brought to the Spirit Masters was no less than that of any imperial capital.

The city walls had been constructed entirely according to the standards of a main city. The towering eighty-meter walls were built from massive blocks of granite and were over thirty meters thick, gleaming with a cold blue-gray luster beneath the sunlight.

Most remarkable of all was Spirit City's distinctive hexagonal layout. Each of its six walls bore a gigantic relief sculpture that echoed the symbols on Spirit Hall's token, representing six supreme Martial Souls. The patrols moving back and forth atop the walls consisted entirely of Spirit Masters directly under Spirit Hall's command, their uniform attire especially conspicuous beneath the sunlight. The entire city resembled a meticulously carved work of art, every part displaying Spirit Hall's profound foundation and supreme authority.

Upon entering Spirit City, they were greeted by an atmosphere of solemn emptiness. Pedestrians were sparse along the broad streets, and shops were even fewer in number.

A bishop wearing a crimson robe had long been waiting for them. Under his respectful guidance, the more than two hundred participating teachers and students were settled in an elegant hotel in the western part of the city.

Carrying the Fuxi Qin in his arms, Feng Yao wandered leisurely through Spirit City's streets. As he walked farther away, he suddenly noticed an interesting layout—the entire city had been built against a mountain, surrounding a towering peak like stars circling the moon.

The mountain was not especially tall, yet it possessed an imposing air. Its slopes had been carefully shaped, and several winding stone stairways could vaguely be seen leading toward the summit. Most eye-catching was the building atop the mountain, its exterior covered in golden material that glittered beneath the sun, shining brilliantly like a sacred crown resting upon the peak.