Qian Renxue Enters Star-Plucking Tower

The warm morning sun filtered through the carved wooden window, casting specks of light across a handsome face.

"Is something the matter?"

The young man reclining leisurely in a rocking chair with his eyes lightly closed suddenly asked the empty air for no apparent reason.

"Master."

A figure dressed in black appeared in response. It was Shi Nian, Star-Plucking Tower's current Second Elder.

"We have just received some news that may interest you."

"Speak."

Qin Shiyuan did not open his eyes, merely uttering a single word flatly.

Yet Qin Shiyuan's manner made Shi Nian's scalp prickle. He did not dare keep him in suspense and immediately said respectfully, "According to the news spreading outside, something major seems to have happened at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect last night."

"Today, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect released word that Sword Douluo Chen Xin, one of the sect's two great guardian deities, betrayed the sect last night."

"He was discovered by the Sect Master and Bone Douluo while attempting to steal the sect's secrets."

"A battle then broke out. After seriously injuring Bone Douluo and severing one of Ning Fengzhi's arms, Chen Xin fled."

"Heh, Ning Fengzhi? Truly worthy of being Douluo's Number One Hypocrite."

"Even his ability to twist black into white has reached such perfection."

Qin Shiyuan slowly opened his eyes, a mocking curve appearing on his lips.

"But I suppose I should thank him. If not for him, how could I have gained a Peak Douluo so easily for nothing..."

"What, is there anything else?"

Seeing Shi Nian still standing where he was, Qin Shiyuan raised his eyelids slightly.

Shi Nian hurriedly answered with caution.

"Yes. Someone from the Heaven Dou Royal Family has come again, saying they wish to meet with you."

"Again? Didn't we refuse them before? From now on, refuse anyone who comes looking for me."

Qin Shiyuan curled his lips, stretched lazily, and lay back down with his back to Shi Nian.

"Um, Master, this visitor is somewhat special. It is the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Qinghe."

The moment he finished speaking, all drowsiness vanished from Qin Shiyuan on the rocking chair.

He turned around, his resentful eyes fixed firmly on Shi Nian.

"You fool, why didn't you say so earlier?"

"Put him first from now on. Report any news about him to me immediately."

"Y-yes, Master. He has already been waiting in Star-Plucking Tower for quite a while. You..."

Shi Nian's voice grew quieter and quieter. He seemed to realize that he had messed up and scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

"I really want to slap you to death!"

As he spoke, the storage ring on Qin Shiyuan's finger flashed, and the Silver Mask he had worn during his rampage through Spirit Hall that day covered his face once more.

Then, with another swift flash, the coarse linen clothes on his body transformed into a silver-white robe in the blink of an eye.

After finishing all this, he turned back to see Shi Nian still standing there in a daze and snapped irritably, "What are you standing there like an idiot for? Hurry up and lead the way!"

"Oh, oh."

A nine-zhang pavilion, winding corridors, eaves rising like pecking birds.

This seven-story tower, which had risen overnight in the center of Heaven Dou City, was so exquisitely constructed that one could not find the slightest flaw.

At this moment, inside the somewhat ancient yet imposing tower, a handsome young man dressed in luxurious attire and crowned with golden hair was wandering around curiously.

He casually picked up an item, but after only a glance or two, he put it back down.

Anyone with sharp eyes could tell that although he was here in person, his thoughts had long since drifted elsewhere.

"Has Tower Master Qin still not replied?"

After waiting a while longer, Qian Renxue finally stopped walking and gently asked the attendant who had been following beside her.

"Not yet..."

Though she had expected it, disappointment still flashed through her eyes.

"Sigh, it seems I will not have the chance to witness Tower Master Qin's elegance today."

"Please help me convey this to your Tower Master: Qinghe has long admired your tower from afar. I have matters to attend to today, so I must take my leave for now. I will come to visit again another day."

After saying that, Qian Renxue glanced at the time, then hurried toward the door.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, please wait."

Just as she was about to step over the threshold, a somewhat flustered voice suddenly called out to her.

She instinctively turned around and saw Shi Nian, who had arrived at just the right moment, standing behind Qian Renxue.

"May I ask, Senior... who are you?"

Qian Renxue had no recollection of ever seeing the man before her, and her expression was slightly puzzled.

With the matter of the Soul Master Competition already settled and Star-Plucking Tower having emerged into the world, Shi Nian naturally had no reason to conceal his identity any longer.

"I am Shi Nian, the steward here and the Second Elder of Star-Plucking Tower."

"Shi Nian?"

Shi Nian had not been well-known enough several years ago to catch Qian Renxue's attention.

Yet the moment she heard the title of Star-Plucking Tower's Second Elder, she immediately recognized the man before her.

"Star-Plucking Tower's Second Elder... Shi Nian?"

Qian Renxue pondered for only a moment before delight suddenly flashed in her eyes.

"Y-You're Can Meng Douluo!"

"This junior pays respects to Can Meng Douluo!"

Only then did Shi Nian dare to guiltily raise a hand and wipe the cold sweat from his brow.

Fortunately, he had stopped Qian Renxue in time. Otherwise, he would have been the one in trouble later.

Whenever he thought of the methods his master had used to subdue him, Shi Nian still could not stop his teeth from chattering.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, my Tower Master wishes to see you. If you are not in a hurry to leave, then come with me."

"Tower Master Qin agreed to see me? But..."

A glimmer of light instantly appeared in Qian Renxue's eyes, but she seemed to recall something the next moment, and her expression became somewhat conflicted.

"Your Excellency Can Meng, this junior has an urgent matter to attend to. I wonder... could you... wait a few breaths for me?"

As she spoke, her face could not help but flush with embarrassment.

Even though Qian Renxue was now the Crown Prince of the empire, asking a Titled Douluo to wait for her was somewhat inappropriate.

What was more, someone even more important was waiting for her now.

"Alright."

"Hm?"

Shi Nian's answer came without the slightest hesitation, leaving Qian Renxue, who had already expected to be refused, momentarily stunned.

This Can Meng Douluo doesn't seem as cold and unapproachable as those people said.

After recovering her senses, she hurriedly thanked Shi Nian, then took out a slip of paper and wrote something on it.

Three breaths later, she rose and quickly walked outside Star-Plucking Tower.

With a wave of her hand, a white pigeon radiating the aura of a Ten-Year Spirit Beast slowly descended onto Qian Renxue's fair hand.

She tucked the note into the small tube attached to the pigeon's claw, then released it into the sky.

"Alright, I've kept you waiting, Senior. Let's go."

Qian Renxue jogged back to Shi Nian's side, smiling apologetically.

Shi Nian nodded thoughtfully at the sight.

He did not ask any questions. Instead, he turned and led the way ahead of Qian Renxue.

The two soon turned into a corridor, but at its end stood a silver-white metal wall.

"This... Your Excellency, did we take the wrong way?"