Three Years Later

"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect... was wiped out by the Star-Plucking Tower?"

People stared blankly at the newly replaced plaque, unable to believe it.

Thinking of the enmity between the two factions, even the dullest among them understood what had happened.

Though it was hard to believe, everyone came to the same conclusion.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had once been one of the Upper Three Sects, yet it had now been annihilated by the Star-Plucking Tower.

It seemed that the Upper Three Sects would henceforth become one tower and two sects.

The news spread rapidly, first throughout the Heaven Dou Empire, then into every street and alley across the continent.

In an instant, the entire soul master world boiled as fiercely as freshly heated water.

For a time, the Star-Plucking Tower's reputation was unrivaled...

Three years later

The warm morning sun filtered through the branches, spilling onto the roof of a small, ancient building.

It was still that little tavern on the edge of Star Dou Forest. As usual, two voices laughing and chatting drifted from within.

Seeing the delight written across Qian Renxue's face today, a faint smile appeared on Qin Shiyuan's lips.

He took a small sip of amber ale and asked gently.

"It seems Crown Prince, you are in a very good mood today?"

"May I ask what good fortune you encountered? Could you share it with me?"

At his words, Qian Renxue controlled Xue Qinghe's face and gave a chuckle.

"Even if you hadn't asked, I was just about to share it with you, Qin."

It seemed that only when she was alone with Qin Shiyuan could she be this unguarded.

"You should remember that three years ago, I went to the Star-Plucking Tower and met that mysterious Tower Master Qin, right?"

"That Tower Lord was quite kind. He made only one small request of me, then gave me two immortal-grade Immortal Herbs that were almost impossible to find in this world."

"Tell me, wasn't he foolish?"

"Y-Yes, quite foolish."

Hearing Qian Renxue's joking words, Qin Shiyuan's lips twitched, and he could not manage a smile at all.

"After consuming those two Immortal Herbs, my Martial Soul mutated, and my cultivation speed soared by leaps and bounds."

"Yesterday, my Soul Power broke through again. I'm a Soul Saint-level expert now!"

At that, a concealed glint flashed through Qin Shiyuan's eyes.

A Martial Soul mutation?

Since Qian Renxue had put it that way, she certainly was not referring to that fabricated Swan Martial Soul.

With that thought, the curve of Qin Shiyuan's lips rose a little further.

He did not know which aspect of the Angel Martial Soul had mutated.

But judging from Qian Renxue's reaction, it was at least a beneficial mutation. That was enough.

At that moment, seeing Qin Shiyuan lost in thought, Qian Renxue seemed to suddenly recall something.

Her previously exuberant mood abruptly fell, and a trace of loneliness appeared in her eyes.

"Unfortunately, the energy contained in the Immortal Herbs is too much for you to bear."

"Otherwise, it would have been nice if they could make your Martial Soul mutate too."

Hearing this, Qin Shiyuan smiled openly and shook his head.

"Crown Prince, I appreciate your kindness."

"You think too highly of me. I'm merely a commoner without so many aspirations. As long as I have enough to eat and warm clothes to wear, I'm content."

"Besides, isn't it nice for me to stay in this tavern every day and chat with Crown Prince whenever we have the time?"

"I'm used to being lazy. If you really made me go out and fight, wouldn't that cost me my little life? Please spare me, Crown Prince."

"Hahahaha! True! Very true! I was being shallow."

Seeing Qin Shiyuan's pitiful expression at the end, Qian Renxue burst out laughing.

"Indeed. Countless people would give anything to live as leisurely as Brother Qin, yet cannot have it."

"Take that Tower Master Qin from the Star-Plucking Tower. After wiping out the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, he was hailed as one of the three new great powers, and he certainly seemed infinitely glorious."

"But managing such a large group of people must take no small amount of effort."

As she spoke, Qian Renxue suddenly paused, amusement appearing on her face.

"Come to think of it, I only just realized that you and Tower Master Qin even share the same surname."

"I heard that Tower Lord is quite young as well. Could you perhaps be some long-lost blood brother of his?"

"How could that be?"

Qin Shiyuan's lips twitched. Secretly marveling at a woman's sixth sense, he hurriedly denied it.

"If I had any connection to such a big shot, I wouldn't be lying around here and growing mold every day."

"Hahahaha! It was just a joke. Why are you so nervous?"

Time passed quickly amid their laughter and conversation. Gradually, the sun rose high in the sky, and it was time for Qian Renxue to leave.

"All right, affairs in the palace are busy. If I don't return soon, Father Emperor will probably scold me."

Qian Renxue rose with a smile, waved at Qin Shiyuan, and prepared to leave.

"Brother Qin, the weather is cold. Make sure to warm the wine in advance tomorrow. I'll come again to have a good talk with you."

"Tomorrow... Crown Prince, tomorrow may not be possible."

Qin Shiyuan hesitated for a moment and sighed inwardly.

"Hmm? Why not?"

Qian Renxue was momentarily stunned. Over all these years, Qin Shiyuan had rarely said something like this.

"Sigh, my family misses me dearly. I may need to travel far for the next few days and return home to visit them."

"Visit your family?"

Qian Renxue froze for a moment. After understanding, she forcibly concealed the disappointment in her eyes and carefully asked.

"Is it far? How long will you be gone?"

"It isn't far, but I may need to stay home for several days. At most a month, at least half a month."

"Ah?"

Upon hearing that length of time, Qian Renxue let out a cry.

She remembered that, in all these years, this would be the longest Qin Shiyuan had ever left.

"Then wouldn't that mean I won't be able to see... drink your wine for an entire month?"

Qian Renxue forced herself to look at the wine cup on the table, her eyes brimming with deep reluctance.

Anyone unaware of the truth might have thought this Crown Prince was a madman addicted to drink.

Seeing her like this, Qin Shiyuan's heart inexplicably trembled as well.

Suppressing the urge to simply stay, he sighed softly and said helplessly.

"It can't be helped. I cannot defy my family's wishes. I can only personally mix wine for Crown Prince as an apology after I return."

"Hmph, at least you still have a conscience."

Qian Renxue lowered her head. The emotions mixed into her voice were utterly at odds with her casual words.

"Forget it. Then set out quickly. Go early and return early. Don't keep me waiting too long."

As she spoke, seemingly unable to wait any longer, she did not bid Qin Shiyuan farewell as she usually did.

With her head lowered, she quickly walked out of the tavern.

Yet in the instant Qian Renxue turned away, Qin Shiyuan still saw it.

That faint, heartrending redness in her eyes...

After collecting himself, Qin Shiyuan returned to his usual cold tone.

"Shi Nian, how long has Tang San been in the City of Slaughter?"

As his words fell, that familiar gaunt figure appeared in the tavern once more.

"Exactly a year and a half."

"A year and a half? Then he should be quite familiar with that fox by now..."