Xue Qinghe, a Man with a Woman's Face

Outside the main hall, the three watched Lin Hai and Ning Rongrong leave.

Gu Rong snorted, his tone revealing a hint of dissatisfaction. "That kid still held back from us after all. What use are those Sleeve Arrow and crossbows, with all those rare metals? He squeezed the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's value dry."

Ning Fengzhi shook his head with a smile, "Uncle Bone, the gap between us and the Spirit Hall is too great, we are not on the same level to begin with."

"The agreement is not yet formally finalized, but he has already handed over all the promised items to us, which shows his sincerity. With Rong Rong by his side, her future will surely be brighter, so there is no need to be greedy for more."

Chen Xin spoke up at this moment, his tone calm but getting straight to the point. "Old Bone, what you care about is the abolition of sect privileges, isn't it?"

Gu Rong glared at Chen Xin and said, "The privileges of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect are no different from those of ordinary nobles. All their businesses are legally operated. They may seem superior, but the respect and fear they earn are only earned through their strength."

What he said was indeed true. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect never dabbled in illegal activities; it neither wanted to nor needed to. The inherent characteristics of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul were truly a gift from heaven.

Although most disciples in the sect are proud and arrogant, they would not abuse their power to bully others. Despite their high status in the Heaven Dou Empire, they are actually far more low-key than ordinary nobles.

Now that a new power has suddenly risen above the sect, Gu Rong is not used to it and is just grumbling. After all, before this, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Heaven Dou Empire only had a cooperative relationship.

Lin Hai was completely unaware of the conversation between the three. He first escorted Ning Rongrong back to the academy, and then went alone to the Spirit Hall of Heaven Dou City in Heaven Dou City to find the messenger and the Platinum Bishop Salas.

He first informed the two of the results of the negotiations with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and then wrote a letter while instructing Salas not to soften his attitude when facing Ning Fengzhi, lest Xue Ye see through his scheme.

In the letter, he detailed the agreement reached with Ning Fengzhi and hoped that the Spirit Hall would send two Douluo, Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo, to Heaven Dou City to discuss the implementation details.

At the same time, he specifically mentioned the matter of Hidden Weapon and the Divine Craftsman Lou Gao, and attached most of the Hidden Weapon blueprints. Only a few top-level Hidden Weapon that could threaten Titled Douluo were left behind, such as the Buddha Fury Tang Lotus, the Storm Pear Blossom Needles, and the Peacock Plume.

These powerful Hidden Weapon must be strictly controlled. Moreover, forging them would be extremely difficult for other blacksmiths, so he plans to gather the materials and do it himself.

The hardest, Heart-Chilling Iron Essence? The most resilient Deep Sea Silver Mother? Heh, the Floating and Sinking Pearls is the perfect cure for all who dare to defy it!

He placed the letter and blueprints in a wooden box and entrusted it to a messenger to take back to Spirit City.

Salas warmly invited him to lunch, and during the meal, he didn't forget to complain about Ning Fengzhi:

"That old fox is really rude. His Highness the Saint Son talked to him all morning, but he didn't even offer him lunch. What a scoundrel!"

Lin Hai shook his head and chuckled, "It was my insistence to leave. But your attitude is just right. Keep it up when you face Ning Fengzhi in the future."

Salas respectfully agreed. He was not a sycophant; he became the head of the Spirit Hall of Heaven Dou City in Heaven Dou City entirely due to his outstanding abilities and compatible temperament.

But he held Lin Hai in the highest esteem, even bordering on worship. In his view, Lin Hai had made immense contributions to the Spirit Hall's current success. He believed that Lin Hai would surely lead the Spirit Hall to unify the continent and reach new heights in the future.

If this were his previous life, he would probably be Lin Hai's "die-hard fan".

After having dinner with his "fans," Lin set off for the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. He hadn't seen that "beautiful snake" for six years; if he didn't go see her soon, she might have been seduced by that Little Dragon Cub, Yu Tianheng.

As Lin Hai approached the academy, he released his Spiritual Power to determine the Teleportation coordinates. He then keenly sensed two rather unusual individuals approaching the academy from behind.

The man appeared to be in his early twenties, dressed extravagantly, with an ethereal air and exceptionally handsome features—a strikingly androgynous beauty. The moment Lin Hai saw him, he was reminded of a Japanese actress he had greatly admired in his past life—

Amami Yuki!

The other was a burly old man clad in golden armor; his appearance will not be described here, but what caught Lin Hai's attention most was his strength—

Titled Douluo!

Even the slow-witted Lin Hai could guess their identities at this moment.

It was Xue Qinghe, the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, and his bodyguard Porcupine Douluo.

Thinking it was fate, he deliberately slowed down and maximized his friendliness, preparing for an "unexpected encounter" with Xiao Xue.

As the three passed each other, Xue Qinghe turned around as he had expected. In just one glance, he was attracted by Lin Hai's appearance, temperament, and the approachable charm he exuded.

'Can there really be someone with such outstanding bearing in this world?' Xue Qinghe instinctively exclaimed in admiration, then looked towards the academy gate not far away: 'Could they be a student of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy?'

As if sensing his gaze, Lin Hai turned his head and smiled slightly at him.

"Young man, are you studying at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy?" Xue Qinghe asked gently.

Lin Hai shook his head. "I'm here to find someone, but I don't know if I can get in. I heard that the students of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy are all from noble families, so the gatekeepers must remember them."

"Whether you remember me or not, you will definitely get in," Xue Qinghe said confidently.

"Oh? Why is that?" Lin Hai feigned confusion, then suddenly realized, "I understand, because I'm traveling with you, right?"

"That's one reason." Xue Qinghe nodded, then shook his head and said, "But even without me, you can still go in."

"The Heaven Dou Royal Academy is a noble academy, and from your appearance and demeanor to your clothing, no one would think you are not a nobleman."

"Even if they don't know you, the guards here are all good at spotting things and would never cause trouble for themselves. At most, they'll report your entry into the academy."

Lin Hai nodded; he hadn't actually thought of these things before.

Such a situation would be absolutely impossible within the Spirit Hall Academy. Even if Qian Renxue were to return, she wouldn't be able to set foot inside without a token or someone of sufficient status within the Spirit Hall accompanying her.

As they talked, the two arrived at the academy gate. Upon seeing Xue Qinghe, the gatekeeper hurriedly bowed. "Greetings, Your Crown Prince!"

Xue Qinghe waved his hand. "No need for formalities."

The three entered the academy, Lin Hai looked surprised. "So you are... He has met His Crown Prince before!"

"Just call me Brother Xue. How shall I address you, young man?" Xue Qinghe asked.

"My name is Lin Hai."

"Lin... Lin Hai?" Xue Qinghe's expression changed slightly, and the old man beside him also turned to look at him, his expression somewhat strange.

Meeting Lin Hai's curious gaze, Xue Qinghe forced himself to remain calm and said:

"Oh, your name is the same as one of my friends."

'Tsk tsk, is this a fabricated friendship, or a long-standing spiritual connection? Hearing my name, he's probably feeling resentful!' Lin Hai chuckled inwardly, but outwardly mocked himself:

"That's not surprising. There are probably quite a few people with that name in every city."