A Sudden Change of Heart, Qian Yi Comes Knocking

The atmosphere at the academy was exceptionally lively, with golden flags fluttering in the wind at the mountain gate as a team of elite imperial guards marched in.

"His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!"

Following the loud announcement, Xiao Qinghe walked into the campus with a steady gait under the respectful gazes of the academy guards.

His face was as handsome as polished jade, his temperament elegant and gentle, and the corners of his lips were curled into a smile that made people feel as if they were bathed in a spring breeze.

"Greetings, Your Highness."

Yu Tianheng and his group had just been planning to head out for a stroll.

As a result, they ran into Xiao Qinghe, so they hurriedly saluted him, temporarily putting aside their plans to leave the academy.

Xiao Qinghe raised his hand with a gentle expression, his gaze sweeping over the young geniuses standing before him.

His voice was as smooth as water: "You all need not be so formal. I have come to the academy this time because you are the elite geniuses of the entire continent, the pillars of our future, and the ones my father places his greatest hopes upon."

"Father King has high expectations for me..."

"If you have any requests, feel free to bring them up."

His words were flawless, simultaneously maintaining the dignity of the royal family and providing great encouragement to the team members.

However, deep within Xiao Qinghe's dark pupils, there was a hint of imperceptible disappointment and urgency.

He was searching through the crowd, yet he did not see that person.

The figure in his mind!

"Are all the members of the Royal Fighting Team here?" Xiao Qinghe asked, seemingly casually.

Dugu Yan stepped forward, her clear voice echoing in the quiet corridor: "Your Highness, our captain, Lin Chen, is currently in seclusion."

"We just returned from the Star Dou Great Forest, and the captain... he had a profound realization."

"A profound realization?"

Xiao Qinghe's heart stirred, and a strange glint appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"Since it is for the sake of cultivation, I naturally cannot disturb him."

Xiao Qinghe smiled and waved his hand toward the academy guards.

"You all go ahead and busy yourselves. I have also taken a liking to the academy's quiet atmosphere and would like to walk around alone, and perhaps see... if I might have the fortune to run into the captain of the Royal Fighting Team."

The group did not dare to disobey and had to withdraw.

Xiao Qinghe walked alone on the quiet forest path, looking as if he were strolling aimlessly, but in reality, his perception was fully open.

Why do I feel like His Highness is coming for Lin Chen...

Dugu Yan felt a lingering sense of unease.

At this moment, in the secluded training grounds at the back of the academy.

Lin Chen was sitting cross-legged amidst the surging sword intent, his forehead covered in a dense layer of sweat.

"Hmph!"

He frantically circulated his soul power.

Along with the movement of the celestial energy within his body, it transformed into countless golden ancient characters, forcibly suppressing the violent energy that was about to surge into the sky.

"The final step!"

Lin Chen let out a low growl.

"Rise!"

The majestic sword intent almost manifested into physical light.

The transparent Zhu Xian Sword floated behind Lin Chen, completely merging with his physical body.

Armor covered his entire body, carrying a cold, metallic luster.

At this very instant, a terrifying sword intent capable of destroying all things erupted with him as the center!

"Hmph!"

A streak of sword light, black as ink yet shimmering like a galaxy, actually slashed directly toward the nine heavens.

That sword light contained an ancient aura that seemed capable of erasing the very laws of this world.

"Such... sword intent?! How terrifying..."

Xiao Qinghe, who was walking not far away, froze, his golden pupils shrinking instantly.

Even with the body of a Seraphim soul master, in that instant, he felt a bone-chilling coldness—it was a tremor from the depths of his soul.

"Zhu Xian... could it be the Zhu Xian Sword he mentioned in the diary?"

Xiao Qinghe stared fixedly at the sword light that had pierced the sky, his heart churning with monstrous waves.

Such destructive power was definitely not something that could be unleashed by the Soul Hall alone.

It really is...

A martial soul of terrifying power, truly a peerless treasure.

Ling Yun slowly opened his eyes, a lingering sword intent still radiating from his body, his veins surging with a profound sense of power.

Forty-nine levels!

"My soul power has broken through by two levels directly; the harvest is not bad."

"By fully activating the peerless treasure, both my own sword intent and my soul power receive a massive boost for a short period."

Ling Yun muttered to himself.

"Who is there?"

Ling Yun looked toward the distance, catching sight of a clear figure.

Qian Qinghe calmed his heart, a faint smile on his face as he walked toward Ling Yun.

"Forgive the intrusion. I was passing by and saw sword light piercing the heavens from this location, so I came to take a look."

Qian Qinghe's smile remained gentle, but his eyes held a depth that felt like he was appraising a treasure.

Ling Yun stood up, not performing any formal court etiquette, merely waving his hand slightly.

"Passing by, Your Highness? You've been making quite a stir outside the gates, surely that has disturbed your leisure."

Ling Yun thought to himself.

It's obvious you came here specifically for me, isn't it?

Qian Ling'er also possesses her own diary.

"Haha, it is nothing... Brother Ling Yun's talent is extraordinary; you are truly the foundation of the empire."

Qian Qinghe took a step closer, his tone mysterious, "The sword strike Brother Ling Yun just unleashed had a hint of the power to destroy all things. Such talent..."

"If you remain in the academy, are you not wasting your own potential?"

Ling Yun saw through the probing nature of his words.

He was now certain that this Qian Qinghe was indeed targeting him. At this moment, Ling Yun was sure of it.

The three people who have diaries:

Gu Ruo, Bi Biyao, and Qian Ling'er.

"Not bad, they are all goddesses of the highest order."

Ling Yun returned to his senses, responding to Qian Qinghe with a calm expression.

"Your Highness is too kind."

"A tree that stands above the forest will be destroyed by the wind. If you are too prominent, if you are targeted by those with malicious intent, I fear there will be endless trouble. What do you think, Brother Ling Yun?"

"Malicious intent?"

Qian Qinghe's gaze narrowed slightly, then his smile became even more brilliant.

"Brother Ling Yun is overthinking it. Under the protection of the empire, you are naturally safe, unless... that is a corner of the world that even the empire cannot reach."

"That is not necessarily true."

Ling Yun stared at Qian Qinghe's beautiful eyes, saying with a half-smile, "Sometimes, the greatest danger is often lurking right by one's side... and the other person who has a diary, Your Highness?"

"..."

Qian Qinghe's heartbeat skipped a half-beat at this moment.

Looking into Ling Yun's eyes that seemed to pierce through the void, killing intent and curiosity tangled in his heart.

In the end, it turned into a helpless sigh.

"Sigh... I really have no way to deal with him."

Qian Ling'er knew that Ling Yun had half-guessed that she also had a diary.

He felt a sense of relief, knowing that he would not act against him.

At this moment, Meng Yiran walked over.

"Ling Yun, two people have arrived outside the academy wanting to join the academy and join the battle team... Old Teacher Qin is not here, and as the team captain..."

"It seems to be people from Shrek Academy that we saw before."

Ling Yun paused slightly, also feeling a bit curious.

"People from Shrek Academy? Who wants to join the team?"

Ling Yun also began to find things getting interesting. Could it be that these two people from Shrek Academy also possess their own diaries?

"Your Highness, why don't you join me for a look?"

Ling Yun extended an invitation.

"Very well." Qian Qinghe nodded slightly.