"Uncle Cixue, please have Uncle Shelong come back!"
"As for investigating Xia Wuyou, I believe 'certain people' should be more anxious than we are."
Qian Renxue already had an answer in her heart.
Whether it was the Heaven Dou Imperial Family Xue Family, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, or even the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan—
Until they uncovered Xia Wuyou's identity and background, none of them would act rashly.
If Xia Wuyou truly belonged to Martial Soul Hall, then whoever played the "bird that sticks its head out" would offend him to the death, and that would undoubtedly cut off their own retreat completely.
With no room for reconciliation, that "bird" would easily become a target for Martial Soul Hall, a perfect example to kill the chicken and scare the monkeys.
But if Xia Wuyou wasn't from Martial Soul Hall, they'd be even less willing to be that bird.
They wouldn't want to offend a young man of such strength, boundless potential, and a future that was practically guaranteed to become a Peak Douluo proficient in the Space Attribute.
Xia Wuyou was still in the prime of his youth, hot-blooded and impulsive. If they truly made an enemy of him, there was no guarantee he wouldn't hold a grudge for life.
Right now, the situation was awkward. They couldn't kill him, and even if they could beat him, they couldn't catch him. They had no way to deal with Xia Wuyou at all.
"Yes, Young Master! I understand!"
Hearing Qian Renxue's orders, Porcupine Douluo nodded.
"Heh! Xia Wuyou, just what identity and background do you have?"
"A man as powerful and outstanding as you—I, Qian Renxue, will definitely recruit you to my side!"
Qian Renxue's gaze burned with intensity.
Clearly, Xia Wuyou had piqued her curiosity.
Reaching the Seven-Ring Spirit Saint at twenty-five, with a spirit ring configuration of Three Purple Three Black One Red—even she, who had awakened the Six-winged Angel Spirit and possessed Innate Level 20 Spirit Power, and who was the Young Master of Martial Soul Hall, couldn't achieve that.
"Young Master, I'm afraid that will be very difficult."
"Xia Wuyou's origins are likely far from simple."
"He might be from some hidden ancient family or major power."
"Perhaps even one that isn't much weaker than our Martial Soul Hall."
Porcupine Douluo hesitated, analyzing cautiously.
Compared to the Heaven Dou Imperial Family Xue Family, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan—these three factions suspected Xia Wuyou was from Martial Soul Hall.
But he, Cixue, was a Title Douluo elder of Martial Soul Hall, and the Qian Renxue before him was the Young Master of Martial Soul Hall. How could the two of them not know whether Xia Wuyou belonged to Martial Soul Hall?
"Heh! Uncle Porcupine, who can say for sure about such things? If the identity of Heaven Dou Empire's Crown Prince Xue Qinghe can't recruit Xia Wuyou, isn't there still the identity of Martial Soul Hall's Young Master?"
"With Xia Wuyou's talent and potential, becoming a Title Douluo is a certainty. Even reaching the ninety-ninth-level Peerless Douluo would be effortless, and even the legendary godhood isn't impossible. He's worth every effort I can make to recruit him!"
Even if Xia Wuyou's background was extraordinary, so what?
Qian Renxue was still brimming with confidence.
Setting aside that woman Bibi Dong for now—
The Elder Hall had nine Title Douluo elders.
The Worship Hall, with its Peak Douluo and Peerless Douluo, had seven elders.
That made sixteen Title Douluo in total, plus their Angel Family and the legacy left by their ancestor, the Angel God.
With Martial Soul Hall's astonishing strength and heritage, it wasn't something any random hidden family, sect, or even an empire could contend with.
If it weren't for the fear of provoking a strong backlash and united resistance from the Two Great Empires, the Upper Three Sects, the Lower Four Sects, and even the entire Soul Master World and countless ordinary people—
She wouldn't have had to spend years undercover in the Heaven Dou Empire. Martial Soul Hall would have long since swept across the continent like a thunderbolt, completing the goal of unification ahead of schedule.
"Ninety-ninth-level Peerless Douluo?"
"Level 100 Godhood?"
"Hiss! This Xia Wuyou is truly terrifying!"
Hearing Qian Renxue's words, Porcupine Douluo was shocked to the point his scalp went numb.
If anyone else had said this to him, he'd probably have sneered.
You misfits think you can reach the ninety-ninth-level Peerless Douluo?
You small fry think you can achieve Level 100 Godhood?
If you're so amazing, why don't you fly to the sky?
But the one saying these words was their Martial Soul Hall's Young Master, from the Angel Family that had once produced a god—so he had no choice but to believe it.
"Uncle Porcupine, prepare a gift for me. Tomorrow, I'm going to Yanhuang Academy to personally recruit Xia Wuyou."
Qian Renxue made her decision on the spot.
She would go to Yanhuang Academy tomorrow to meet Xia Wuyou in person.
"Yes, Young Master! I understand! I'll prepare it right away!"
Hearing Qian Renxue's orders, Porcupine Douluo silently slipped out of the room.
After sorting through Xia Wuyou's largely worthless information, Qian Renxue left the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace and headed straight into the depths of the Heaven Dou imperial palace.
Upon meeting Xue Ye in the study, Qian Renxue briefly presented Xia Wuyou's intelligence and stated in a flat tone the possible origins of his identity.
After listening to "Xue Qinghe's" report, Xue Ye spoke in a deep voice.
"Qinghe, what do you think of Xia Wuyou?"
Clearly, Xue Ye was testing "Xue Qinghe's" judgment.
As the crown prince of an empire, one must not only be capable of handling complex state affairs but also possess the insight to judge people and the ability to discern the situation. Any person or matter that could affect the empire's stability must be seen through in advance, whether to win them over or recruit them.
Even if it meant making enemies or opposing them, one had to first understand their background and stance. Never wait until they had grown strong and stood against the empire before reacting belatedly.
Xue Ye's question was meant to test "Xue Qinghe's" ability to interpret intelligence and, more importantly, to see if he could weigh the pros and cons with the foresight of a future sovereign.
"Xue Qinghe" lowered his eyes in thought for a moment, then spoke steadily.
"Father, I believe that while Xia Wuyou currently poses no clear threat, our royal family cannot afford to let our guard down entirely. After all, we cannot determine whether he comes from Martial Soul Hall or what his motives are for seizing Blue Tyrant Academy."
"I originally planned to visit Yanhuang Academy tomorrow, which would also give me a chance to meet Xia Wuyou in person. After all, written intelligence always has its gaps; face-to-face contact will allow me to probe his background more directly."
"When the time comes, I only need to test Xia Wuyou and see his views and attitude toward Martial Soul Hall. If he avoids the topic, shows evasive expressions, or speaks with approval, then we must be doubly vigilant. If he clearly opposes Martial Soul Hall, then we can temporarily set aside some of our caution."
"In this way, I can both ascertain Xia Wuyou's identity and stance without completely antagonizing him. This approach is far more efficient than sending people to investigate openly or covertly, and it also prevents our royal family from being caught too off guard in unexpected situations."
In the quiet study, "Xue Qinghe" spoke with ease.
Hearing "Xue Qinghe's" analysis, Xue Ye's expression remained calm.
After pondering for a long time, as if making a decision, Xue Ye spoke...
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