The Qian Renxue He Had Never Met

"Hidden weapons—weapons used in secret."

Ye Tianxing pulled out the Rusty Iron Needle and stored it away in his Soul Guidance Ring as a collectible.

He entered the house to find it empty. Dust covered the floor, unfinished iron blocks were piled carelessly in the corners, and the bedding had long since become a rat's nest. The moment Ye Tianxing stepped inside, the rats scattered in all directions.

"Looks like Tang Hao and his son really did leave this place."

Ye Tianxing used his spiritual power to investigate and found that the furnishings had been left untouched for a long time. It looked as though no one had lived there for years.

Just then, a Gray Portrait in the corner caught his attention.

"Three people?"

There were three people in the photograph—two men and one woman. Bright smiles bloomed across their faces as they leaned against one another, clearly sharing a close relationship.

"Tang Xiao, Tang Hao, and their younger sister, Tang Yuehua?" Ye Tianxing analyzed.

The photograph was gray and white, its original colors long gone.

Ye Tianxing stored it in his Soul Guidance Ring. After looking around one last time and confirming there was nothing else to gain, he took a step forward and left the rundown place.

Holy Spirit Village check-in successful!

Behind the mountain lay a scenic stretch of land, filled with blooming flowers in a dazzling array of colors.

Ye Tianxing secretly activated the Withered Wood Bow and began searching for the whereabouts of the Blue Silver Emperor and the Blue Silver Emperor soul bone.

Sure enough, a flash of green light lit up not far away.

Delighted, Ye Tianxing walked over with faint anticipation.

Near the cliffside, there was no path ahead—only a rushing waterfall.

Following the hints from the original work, Ye Tianxing dove down, feeling his way through the swift, icy torrent.

A cracking sound rang out beside his ears. At the center of the waterfall, a stone door opened.

Ye Tianxing hurriedly followed it, searching for traces of the Blue Silver Emperor.

The cave was deep, cold, and damp.

Ye Tianxing found no trace of the Blue Silver Emperor here. There was a stone bed, several shelves, and signs that some sort of plant had once been grown here. That earlier flash of green light had come from this place.

Ye Tianxing leaned forward and reached out to touch the soft, damp soil. He discovered remnants within it, while the entire cave was filled with faint life essence.

If the Blue Silver Emperor and the Blue Silver Emperor soul bone were here, Ye Tianxing was certain that his Withered Wood Bow could evolve once again.

"The Blue Silver Emperor and the soul bone really were taken away by Tang Hao. Following the guidance..."

The Withered Wood Bow pointed in a direction. That place was...

"Suotuo City?"

There was little point in remaining in Holy Spirit Village. Ye Tianxing had come to search for clues.

Now that he had learned the whereabouts of the Blue Silver Emperor and the soul bone, Ye Tianxing planned to head to Heaven Dou City first and meet the sister he had never met.

While away from home, it was good to have someone to look out for him.

Ye Tianxing stepped onto the Iron Sword and soared through the air, vanishing from the spot with a whoosh.

The flying speed of the Rusty Iron Sword disguised by the Azure Dragon Sword was not affected in the slightest. In just two days, Ye Tianxing arrived at Heaven Dou City.

Heaven Dou City was the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire, famous throughout the Douluo Continent.

The city walls were tall and majestic. Rows of soldiers holding long spears stood atop the gates, patrolling back and forth with imposing vigor and alert spirits to guard against sudden attacks.

When Ye Tianxing arrived at the city gate, soldiers were checking identification documents.

Heaven Dou City was enormous, its area beyond measure, so many people entered the city every day.

"Ye Fan, martial soul: Iron Sword. What are you doing in Heaven Dou City?" a soldier asked, holding the forged identity token made by Spirit Hall.

"Visiting relatives." After Ye Tianxing answered, he was registered before slowly entering the city.

The streets were bustling with traffic and crowds, lively beyond compare. Strange and distinctive buildings stood everywhere, while countless roadside stalls lined both sides of the streets, packed shoulder to shoulder with people.

Ye Tianxing had no intention of sightseeing. He had many matters to handle during his visit to Heaven Dou City.

There were still half a month before Shrek Academy began its admissions. For the Blue Silver Emperor and the hundred-thousand-year Blue Silver Emperor Right Leg Bone, Ye Tianxing could only do as Qian Renxue, whom he was about to meet, had done—slip into Shrek Academy and wait for a chance to take the Blue Silver Emperor and soul bone away.

Knock, knock, knock—

Knock—

Knock, knock, knock—

Two long knocks and one short knock—the contact signal Qian Daoliu had told him about.

Outside a standalone courtyard of moderate size, Ye Tianxing knocked repeatedly. After waiting a moment, a middle-aged man with a Snake Mark between his brows opened the door and scrutinized him.

"It's me, Ye Tianxing."

Ye Tianxing voluntarily removed his disguise and revealed his true appearance. The middle-aged man before him was Snake Lance Douluo, who was responsible for Qian Renxue's safety. Ye Tianxing had seen him before at Spirit Hall.

"You've finally arrived. There are eyes and ears everywhere in the city. Hurry inside," Snake Lance Douluo said, inviting Ye Tianxing in before vigilantly shutting the gate and sliding the bolt into place.

Curious, Ye Tianxing asked, "Elder Snake Lance, after all these years in Heaven Dou City, how far has your plan progressed?"

Snake Lance Douluo replied, "The Young Mistress killed the three princes who were her strongest competitors and spared only the youngest, Xue Beng. The Young Mistress is now the Crown Prince. Once she inherits the throne in the future, all we need to do now is wait."

"Wait?" Ye Tianxing did not like waiting. He preferred taking the initiative.

Opportunities were found, not waited for. Though the latter had some merit, Ye Tianxing was a man who liked to press forward.

"Wait for that old bastard Xue Ye to die. The Young Mistress can then inherit the throne in order, and it won't be too late to deal with Xue Beng then." Snake Lance Douluo smiled. He had waited far too long for this day.

"I heard that Xue Beng is a good-for-nothing, frivolous prince with an infamous reputation throughout Heaven Dou City. Is it possible that he's putting on an act?" Ye Tianxing warned.

"An act?" Snake Lance Douluo was taken aback. He had never considered that possibility.

"Then we'll find a chance to kill him!" Snake Lance Douluo reacted, his first thought being to kill him and eliminate future trouble.

"And after killing him?" Ye Tianxing asked.

"After?" Snake Lance Douluo did not understand.

"Once Xue Beng dies, Xue Qinghe will become the only prince in line to inherit the throne, and he's already the Crown Prince. With the three who died before him, do you think Xue Ye won't investigate thoroughly? At that point, every suspicion will fall on Xue Qinghe. How do you intend to handle it then?" Ye Tianxing countered.

Snake Lance Douluo had no answer now. His mind was working furiously.

He could not think of any way to resolve the situation. He could only make a desperate stand, carve out a bloody path, and safely bring Qian Renxue back to Spirit Hall.

Even if it cost him his life.

"That is why I spared Xue Beng's life. Just as you said, I could not cut off every path of retreat."

A voice as lovely as heavenly music came from behind him. Ye Tianxing turned toward it and saw a graceful figure seated at a desk, one jade-like hand supporting her flawless profile. Her skin was fairer than snow, her features peerlessly beautiful, and her smooth golden hair cascaded down her back. She lifted her lively, beautiful eyes and smiled. "Little brother Tianxing, you've finally come."