Preparing to Go to Heaven Dou City

He glanced at the sky, then at the reunited family of three, and smiled at Oscar.

"Little Oscar, now that your father and mother are here, I'll return to the palace first. Take them back to the residence and let them rest. Spend some time with them. I'll come see you again in a few days."

Oscar knew that Xue Tianxing wanted to leave time for his family to be together, so he quickly nodded.

"Okay! Tianxing, I'll take my parents home first. I'll come to the palace to find you another day!"

Xue Tianxing smiled and waved. He watched Oscar link arms with his parents, excitedly pointing out the buildings along the road as they walked. Their figures gradually disappeared into the crowd by the city gates. Only then did he turn around and head toward the palace with his attendants.

After returning to the palace, Xue Tianxing went straight back to his own residence. The moment he sat down, he fell into thought—Oscar had already been successfully brought under his wing. The most urgent matter now was obtaining the Immortal Herbs from the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well.

There were many treasures hidden within that patch of Immortal Herbs. Whether it was the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum that could increase Soul Power or the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass that could temper the body, they were vital to both his and Oscar's growth. He absolutely could not miss them.

But the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well belonged to Dugu Bo. That Old Poison had an erratic temperament and was fiercely protective of his own. Taking Immortal Herbs from beneath his nose would be no easy task. Xue Tianxing might not even be able to get close to the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well.

Xue Tianxing paced around the hall, repeatedly searching for a breakthrough. At last, his gaze landed on the documents on the table—records containing information on the major families of the Heaven Dou Empire. Among them was the name of Dugu Bo's granddaughter, Dugu Yan.

"I've got it. I still have to start with Dugu Yan!"

Xue Tianxing clearly remembered that in the original story, Dugu Yan was around six years younger than Tang San. When Tang San participated in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Tournament at fourteen, Dugu Yan was roughly twenty. He himself was seven now, so Dugu Yan should be thirteen or fourteen at present, just at the age when she had joined the Heaven Dou Royal Academy of Soul Masters.

If he could go to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy of Soul Masters and find a way to recruit Dugu Yan to the Barak Kingdom, wouldn't he then be able to come into contact with Dugu Bo naturally?

The more Xue Tianxing thought about it, the more feasible the plan seemed.

For one thing, he would not need to venture deep into Heaven Dou City and could simply remain near the academy outside the city. For another, he was the prince of the Barak Kingdom. Although Barak and Heaven Dou were nominally of the same lineage while secretly harboring their own agendas, the title of "family" still stood. The Heaven Dou Imperial Family would not dare openly move against him. His safety would be guaranteed.

Xue Tianxing even began considering the details—he would bring Oscar along when the time came. If he could not win Dugu Yan over himself, then Oscar could give it a try!

The current Oscar was no longer the country boy from the original story who wore rough cloth clothes. After changing into fine garments, his features were clear and handsome. He looked like quite the dashing young lad. A honey trap might not fail.

Moreover, Oscar was a rare Food System genius. He might become an auxiliary-system Titled Douluo in the future. Someone like Dugu Bo, who valued strength so highly, might not mind having such a grandson-in-law.

It would also keep Oscar from becoming a simp, killing several birds with one stone.

Having made up his mind, Xue Tianxing began waiting for the right opportunity.

Half a month passed in that wait—he first found a chance to tell Oscar about going to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy of Soul Masters. Oscar had always obeyed Xue Tianxing without question, and he also wanted to go out and see the world, so he agreed immediately.

Once things were settled with Oscar, Xue Tianxing took the excuse he had prepared long ago and went to Xue Zhe's study.

"Father King, I want to visit the Heaven Dou Royal Academy of Soul Masters."

Standing before Xue Zhe, Xue Tianxing put on a curious expression and continued.

"I heard that it is the best Soul Master Academy in the Heaven Dou Empire. I want to see their teaching methods and exchange ideas with the students there, broadening my horizons."

Xue Zhe had been reviewing memorials. At those words, his hand paused. He looked up at Xue Tianxing, his brow instantly furrowing.

"Go to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy of Soul Masters? No!"

Xue Zhe refused without even thinking, his tone firm and absolute.

"You are the crown prince of Barak and the future of the kingdom. What kind of place is Heaven Dou City? That old fox Xue Ye is deeply calculating. What if he gets crooked ideas about you? Better safe than sorry. We cannot take this risk!"

Xue Tianxing had expected his objection. He hurriedly stepped forward, grabbed Xue Zhe's arm, and began pleading persistently.

"Father King, I'm only going to take a look. I won't even enter the city. I'll just stay at the academy for a few days and come right back. Grandpa Liu will come with me, and with him protecting me, nothing will happen! Besides, taking a look at Heaven Dou's Soul Master Academy would also help us plan for Barak's academy in the future!"

But no matter what he said, Xue Zhe would not relent. His expression darkened even further.

"No means no! If you want to learn about Soul Master Academies, Barak has academies too. Why must you go to Heaven Dou? This is not open for discussion!"

Seeing that pleading was useless, Xue Tianxing understood that he simply could not produce a reason on the surface for why he absolutely had to go to Heaven Dou.

He could not exactly tell Father King that he wanted to find Dugu Yan, then head to Dugu Bo's Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well to take Immortal Herbs, could he?

If he said that aloud, Xue Zhe would think he was insane.

Left with no choice, Xue Tianxing could only put on a disappointed expression, lower his head, and sigh.

"Alright, Father King. I understand. I won't go."

Only after seeing him compromise did Xue Zhe's expression ease somewhat. He rubbed Xue Tianxing's head.

"That's more like it. Once you are older and your Soul Power is stronger, you can go wherever you want. For now, focus on cultivating in the palace."

"Mm."

Xue Tianxing obediently responded, then turned and left the study.

But the moment he stepped outside, the disappointment in his eyes vanished completely. A crafty smile curled his lips—Father King would not let him go, but did that mean he could not go by himself?

His legs belonged to him. As long as he planned carefully enough, he could sneak out quietly. Once he obtained the Immortal Herbs and returned, what could Father King say?

Xue Tianxing walked back toward his residence while making calculations in his mind.

The more he considered it, the more feasible it seemed. Xue Tianxing's steps became lighter—he was determined to obtain the Immortal Herbs of the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well!

When night deepened and the lights of Barak City gradually went out, only the palace patrol guards remained, walking back and forth with lanterns in hand.

Xue Tianxing stayed in his residence, listening until the footsteps of the patrol outside gradually faded away. Only then did he quietly push open the window.

He swiftly summoned his Ice Phoenix Spirit. The icy blue wings behind his back slowly unfolded, making almost no sound.

With a light tap against the windowsill, he floated out like a feather. Under the cover of night, he nimbly avoided the patrol guards' sight and flew toward the palace walls.

After leaving the palace, Xue Tianxing headed straight for Oscar's residence.

Oscar had long since packed a simple bag according to the message Xue Tianxing had secretly sent earlier. He was sitting anxiously in his room, waiting.