The Empire's Eldest Prince! Xue Qinghe!

Xiao Xuan waited for a full five days.

Yet there was still no word from Tang San.

He could more or less guess that Yu Xiaogang was meddling again.

His strength had probably been exposed, scaring Tang San away from coming.

"What a shame. He doesn't even have the courage to accept a challenge."

"Just as expected from Yu Xiaogang's teaching—he's even become more cowardly."

"Since I can't beat him up, I might as well head back."

After hearing his elder brother Xiao Chenyu's report, Xiao Xuan silently mocked them.

Still, he did not take it to heart.

He had been away for so many days; it was time to return and cultivate.

After all, the most important thing in life was self-discipline.

Over the past year, Xiao Xuan had often seen the Pope's Palace at four in the morning.

He was considering staying at Xiao Mansion for another two days before returning with Hu Liena to begin working toward Rank 30.

Then Chrysanthemum Douluo's figure slowly appeared before him.

After all, judging by past patterns—

Unless something very important had happened, this man, as his guardian, would not show himself so casually.

Could something have happened without him realizing it?

"Ahem, not showing off today?"

"Can I ask out of curiosity why you keep targeting that... Tang San or whatever?"

"Don't tell me it's just children playing around."

"With your mind, you wouldn't do something so childish."

The moment Chrysanthemum Douluo appeared, his expression was rather strange.

Clearly, he had been fed too much lovey-dovey sweetness over the past few days and had yet to fully digest it.

If Xiao Xuan had returned to Nuoding City a year ago—

And happened to run into the conflict between his brother and Tang San—

Then stepping in to teach Tang San a lesson would have been understandable.

But this time, no one had even mentioned the matter, yet Xiao Xuan still refused to let it go.

Chrysanthemum Douluo had watched the entire thing unfold, and the more he watched, the more something felt off.

Don't be fooled by the fact that this kid was only seven years old.

His maturity was absolutely not something one could judge by treating him as a child.

What child went around flaunting affection like that?

When something was abnormal, there had to be something suspicious behind it. Observing the secrets Xiao Xuan hid was already part of his mission.

Naturally, Chrysanthemum Douluo would not let the opportunity slip by, so he took the chance to ask.

"It's nothing. I just don't like the sight of him."

"Some things are simply destined. There are always people who deserve a beating."

Xiao Xuan shrugged, though inwardly he was rather speechless.

Was this old man really so idle that he had come out specifically to ask about something like this?

Still, from those few words, he could tell—

During that battle a year ago, Tang Hao had detected Chrysanthemum Douluo's presence, but Chrysanthemum Douluo had failed to notice him.

Who was stronger and who was weaker was obvious at a glance.

"Is it really that simple?"

"Are you sure you're not hiding anything from me?"

Chrysanthemum Douluo clearly did not believe him. He curled his lips and raised an orchid finger.

Just looking at Xiao Xuan's expression told him that the boy was definitely concealing something.

It seemed he needed to investigate that Tang San.

Someone surnamed Tang... could it really be such a coincidence?

Ever since their first meeting, Xiao Xuan had actually noticed it.

Chrysanthemum Douluo was the sort of person who loved to overthink and let his imagination run wild.

Those expressions and lines just now had been deliberately meant to bait him.

Sure enough, the wild speculation had started again.

As for whether Tang San's identity would eventually be uncovered—

To Xiao Xuan, it did not make much difference. They would find out sooner or later anyway.

"You didn't come out just to ask about that, did you?"

"Or are you here to urge Senior Sister and me back to training?"

Seizing the opportunity, Xiao Xuan directly changed the subject.

Otherwise, this man might start imagining all sorts of new problems again.

Chrysanthemum Douluo slapped his thigh, as though he had only just remembered the real matter at hand.

He pointed outside and lowered his voice slightly.

"No, I came to inform you."

"Quickly change into formal clothes. Go out and meet someone."

"Somehow, the news leaked. The Great Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire has come to see you..."

Chrysanthemum Douluo's gaze flickered, as if his words were not entirely sincere.

As Bibi Dong's right-hand man, the current Pope's trusted aide—

How could he possibly not know Spirit Hall's plans, or how the news had "leaked"?

The so-called Great Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire was the man called Xue Qinghe.

But in truth, he was Qian Renxue!

It was simply that this information was highly classified.

Although Xiao Xuan had successfully become a disciple, he was only seven years old.

In Chrysanthemum Douluo's eyes, he clearly did not qualify to know such secrets.

So he could only speak vaguely.

Interesting.

Could that woman be here to recruit me?

According to the original plot, Qian Renxue should not learn of her origins until much later.

At this point, she is still secretly competing with Bibi Dong.

Has she already gone so far as to poach people from her own side?

Xiao Xuan pondered silently, his expression equally strange.

He nodded and turned to get dressed.

According to Chrysanthemum Douluo, Hu Liena was currently entertaining the guest for him.

There was no way he could avoid this meeting.

By the time he had finished tidying himself up, Chrysanthemum Douluo had already vanished.

As one of Bibi Dong's confidants, he obviously did not wish to directly interact with Qian Renxue's faction.

"Hehe, it truly is quite a coincidence."

"I had only heard that a genius had appeared in Nuoding City."

"I happened to be hunting nearby these past few days, so I came over to take a look."

"To find him at home, and with the Saintess here as well, is truly an honor."

As Xiao Xuan entered the hall, he happened to hear the two women exchanging pleasantries.

Of course, Qian Renxue was currently disguised as Xue Qinghe and using a male voice.

From what he remembered, the two girls should have known each other when they were young.

But as always, the plan to overthrow the empire was Spirit Hall's highest secret.

Hu Liena was still very young as well, so she could not possibly know those inner details.

And Qian Renxue was clearly concealing them deliberately.

She had not revealed her true identity in public.

Especially with the Heaven Dou Empire's royal guards nearby.

"Xiao Xuan, come over quickly."

"This is the Great Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, His Highness Xue Qinghe."

"He came specifically to see you. You two should have a good talk."

The moment she noticed Xiao Xuan, Hu Liena revealed a radiant smile.

Qian Renxue beside her immediately caught it.

A smile appeared on her face as well, along with a trace of barely perceptible amusement.

Who would have thought his little "sister" had this kind of taste?

"Greetings, His Highness Xue."

Xiao Xuan remained neither servile nor overbearing as he politely greeted him.

While the other party sized him up, he secretly observed her as well.

In truth, with the answer key already in hand, at such close range, it was not hard to notice the differences between a man's body and a woman's.

Still, this girl's acting was indeed impressive.

And since no one had ever considered such a possibility, she had managed to keep up the deception until Tang San exposed her in the future.

"Hehe, no need for such formalities."

"I never expected such talent to emerge from our Heaven Dou Empire."

"Her Highness the Saintess just said you had already reached level twenty-nine. You truly are exceptional among men."

"Just call me Brother Xue. Calling me 'Your Highness' is far too distant."

"It is a pity that you have already joined Spirit Hall."

"But at the very least, we can be friends."

"If you ever need anything in the future, come find me anytime."

With Qian Renxue's intelligence network, she had surely long since investigated Xiao Xuan's martial soul and related details.

Thus, she did not abruptly ask him to display it.

Instead, she lowered her stance and took the initiative to chat, subtly trying to win him over.

It had to be said, she was quite skilled at this move.

If Xiao Xuan had not read the original story, he might truly have been touched.

But he knew that Qian Renxue used the same lines on every exceptionally talented person.

For example, when she first met Tang San in his memories, their conversation had been more or less the same...

? ?I suddenly realized this made it onto PK... Please vote! Please comment!

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(End of Chapter)