The First Step Toward a Celestial Venerable: You Need a Stockpile of Identities When You're Out

Dressed differently from everyone else, Han Li was not surprised to be stared at by the crowd.

Clad in black amid the sea of white uniforms worn by Heaven Dou Academy's students, he stood out conspicuously. He had to admit that this was a major oversight for someone who always liked to prepare before doing anything.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

When Xue Qinghe approached hand in hand with Ning Rongrong, both the staff member and Han Li spoke up to salute him. The difference was that Han Li was also a noble. He did not need to bow, only lower his head slightly and place a hand over his chest.

"No need for formalities. Rise."

Xue Qinghe smiled and nodded. Although he had addressed both of them, Han Li still noticed a detail: the words were meant for the staff member, but the smile and nod were directed at him.

Impressive. Han Li returned the smile, inwardly marveling. This guy had not gone undercover for nothing. Setting everything else aside, that small detail alone could easily earn a noble's goodwill. His way of treating people was practically maxed out. Even after returning to Spirit Hall, it would remain a universally useful skill for someone in a position of power.

"Why are your clothes different from everyone else's?"

Just as Xue Qinghe was about to speak again, Ning Rongrong beside him spoke first, looking extremely curious.

"In reply to this young lady, I am not yet a student of the academy. I merely came to look around in advance." Han Li glanced at Xue Qinghe. Seeing no reaction from him, he answered.

"Are you coming here to study too?" Ning Rongrong asked solemnly.

Too? Han Li caught the information in her words. So Ning Rongrong had also come to visit this time? "Yes. That is why I came to tour the academy in advance," Han Li replied.

Ning Rongrong was very satisfied with his attitude. She pulled her hand from Xue Qinghe's, circled Han Li once, nodded while swaying her head, then slapped her small chest with a loud thump. Putting on the airs of a boss, she said, "You look pretty good, and your answer pleased me too. If we meet again, I can make an exception and take you on as my underling."

"Uh..."

Han Li was dumbfounded by her actions, caught between laughter and tears. Ning Rongrong was not only a looks fanatic; she was also rather socially fearless.

Xue Qinghe had not expected his little junior sister to do such a thing. A trace of surprise flashed across his face before he pulled her back to his side, bent down, and patted her little head. "Rongrong, don't fool around. And as a girl, you need to mind your manners. You cannot make such unladylike movements in public. If the teacher finds out, you'll be punished with copying the Sect Rules again."

"What do you mean? I wasn't joking. If Dad punishes me, I'll go find Sword Grandfather and Bone Grandfather. Let's see if he still dares to scold me." Ning Rongrong turned her face away and muttered under her breath.

Xue Qinghe straightened up again and looked at Han Li with a touch of apology. "Sorry, little brother. My junior sister is a little mischievous. You needn't take her words to heart. By the way, I still do not know your name."

Only upon hearing the question did Han Li seem to come back to himself. He looked again at the Crown Prince before him, as though he had not heard Ning Rongrong's words at all.

As for the staff member from earlier, he had already slipped away quietly when Ning Rongrong began circling Han Li. He clearly understood the art of self-preservation.

Still, that was fine. It gave Han Li the freedom to handle things as he pleased.

"In reply to Your Highness the Crown Prince, my name is Xiao Yan."

As he answered, Han Li unconsciously rubbed his nose, as though he were somewhat shy.

"Little Brother Xiao Yan, relax. There is no need to be so reserved. Welcome to Heaven Dou Royal Academy. If you encounter any trouble in the future, you may use my name. You are also welcome to visit the Crown Prince's Residence." Xue Qinghe smiled at the youth before him, seemingly holding him in high regard.

Without waiting for Han Li to respond, he continued, "It looks like you have already finished touring the academy and are preparing to leave, so we will not disturb you any longer. I still need to take my junior sister around the academy. Until we meet again."

"Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince. Until we meet again."

Han Li put on an excited expression and saluted once more. This time, however, he bent slightly at the waist to show his attitude.

Xue Qinghe said nothing more and led Ning Rongrong onward, with the guards behind them hurrying to follow.

Han Li had just straightened up and was about to leave when he heard a shout from behind him. "Xiao Yan, right? I'll remember you. You remember this too—I'm Ning Rongrong. Once you enroll, remember to come find me yourself. Otherwise, hmph hmph."

Hearing the threat in the latter half of her words, Han Li turned around and saw Ning Rongrong being pulled forward while turning back to wave her little right fist, wearing a fierce expression. Yet at her age, it only made her seem adorable.

Han Li did not answer. He merely smiled casually and waved before turning toward the gate.

He did not take Ning Rongrong's words to heart. Naturally, he paid equally little attention to Xue Qinghe's remarks. Not only were they not on the same track, but even if they were, he would merely listen and leave it at that. Offering goodwill after asking only for a name and saying he could seek him out if anything happened was still a little perfunctory. Sister, your cultivation was still lacking.

However, he had no intention of reminding him, because from his perspective, he should not know that secret at all, should he? Besides, the person you remembered was Xiao Yan. What did that have to do with Han Li? And since he was already called Han Li, was it not perfectly normal for him to have other names? His stockpile of identities held the names of countless protagonists. Perhaps the next time they met, he would be called Gu Yue Fang Yuan. Han Li's thoughts wandered.

Only when he reached the vicinity of the gate did Han Li see the staff member who had vanished earlier reappear.

Seeing Han Li look at him, the man gave an embarrassed, awkward smile. As the guide, slipping away in secret had indeed been improper. But Han Li did not seem inclined to pursue the matter, and he would not go looking for trouble himself. He did not want to refund the money.

Ignoring the staff member, Han Li walked directly out through the gate, handed the temporary pass to the guard, and headed toward the carriage.

There had been a bit too much unexpected excitement today. He needed to head back, lest he run into more trouble.

The return journey was even faster than the trip there. Thanks to that Gold Soul Coin, the coachman drove both swiftly and steadily. However, to his disappointment, even after the two got out and their backs disappeared into the crowd, he did not receive a second tip.

Rather than having the coachman take them directly back to Spirit Hall, Han Li and Rosa Go got out by the roadside, wandered around casually for a while, and only then returned to Spirit Hall without drawing attention.

After dismissing Rosa Go, Han Li returned to his room and threw himself onto the soft bed.

Lying face down with his eyes closed, Han Li began summarizing the intelligence he had gathered today.

First, Dugu Bo had only left the day before yesterday, and his destination was unknown. However, according to the servants, this was common and followed a regular pattern. Generally, he would not return for at least seven days. At this moment, there was a strong chance that he was suppressing his poison at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

Second, based on the information Salas had provided, the Ye Family's situation was neither good nor bad—neither high nor low. They could be considered Heaven Dou nobles with deeply entrenched roots, though somewhat forcibly so. Although the relationship between the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Heaven Dou Empire had improved in recent years, causing some impact on them, no one would choose to antagonize the strongest healing Soul Masters.

Third, Moonlight Pavilion was doing very well. That could be seen from the noble forces entering and leaving it, as well as its guards. Moreover, he did not believe Xue Ye was unaware of Tang Yuehua's identity. That made things interesting. Judging from Xue Qinghe's conduct, the Heaven Dou Empire and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect should currently be in their honeymoon period. Still, that had nothing to do with him for the time being, so there was no need to concern himself with it.

Fourth, the so-called geniuses of Heaven Dou Royal Academy were even weaker than he had imagined—or rather, they were utterly vulnerable. As for Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling, he had merely observed them in passing. His so-called fondness for them existed only when they were two-dimensional characters; he had not been bewitched by lust to that extent.

In summary, the plan could be carried out, but the specific circumstances would depend on the situation when they found Dugu Bo. His absence from home added some variables to the plan, but overall, the impact was not significant.

Ye Lingling and the Ye Family would be abandoned for now. They were not something he could pry loose casually. Perhaps because there had not been enough time for things to develop, the young ladies of the two families had not yet become a bridge of communication. The relationship between the Dugu Family and the Ye Family was not as close as he had imagined.

The Ye Family was a proper family clan, and its external environment for survival was much better. It was even more stable than the Dugu Family, which was supported by only one person. Any unusual movement would be easily noticed. Furthermore, a force that others had built over so long would certainly not be easily abandoned, and the Heaven Dou Empire would absolutely intervene as well.

In that case, it was not like the Dugu Family at all, with only Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan, free to come and go as they pleased. After all, no one would lightly threaten a Titled Douluo, even if his individual strength was the weakest among them.

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