The Matter of Cooperation

Qian Renxue tugged at her hand, but failed. She immediately said again:

"Let go!"

Lin Li came to his senses and stopped exerting force with his hand.

"Do you think I care? I was just sensing the Martial Soul and didn't notice."

"Heh heh."

Lin Li rubbed his nose, realizing that he seemed to have failed to fool her again.

Actually, the feel was pretty good.

"Next, let's discuss the specifics."

Qian Renxue pushed Lin Li's legs off the sofa, then sat down there herself.

"First, you can't reveal any information about me to anyone in any way. Also, when I need you to do something, you can't refuse me."

"No way!" Lin Li frowned. "We're partners. Do you take me for a servant? And you're saying I can't refuse your arrangements?"

Qian Renxue fell silent for a moment before rephrasing herself:

"Then you have to take the Crown Prince's side and make sure everyone sees it."

"That's fine."

There was no actual loss involved. Taking a side didn't mean becoming a staff adviser at the Crown Prince's Residence.

"Good. I have no other demands for now. Let's go."

Qian Renxue was about to stand when Lin Li grabbed her hand.

"Wait, I haven't stated my demands yet."

"You have demands too?"

Qian Renxue looked at Lin Li in surprise. She had genuinely forgotten about this, but immediately relaxed. It was good that he had demands; that way, she wouldn't have to worry about being unable to control him.

"I heard that Spirit Hall has an elder named Yue Guan who has conducted extensive research into flowers and plants. I want the information related to his research."

"That's possible, but you need to tell me why."

"I have a friend..."

"Heh!" Qian Renxue quickly moved close to Lin Li and placed the white feather against his lips. "I told you, don't lie to me. You can't fool me."

Lin Li silently thought, This is bad.

At this distance, from this angle...

It was truly a devastating blow for Lin Li, who had been single all his life across both lifetimes.

"Ahem..." He turned his gaze away and coughed twice before telling the truth. "It's because I obtained a treasure that looks like a flower or plant, but I don't recognize it. So I need to learn more about this field."

Qian Renxue thought it over after hearing this. Lin Li probably wasn't lying, but he had most likely concealed some information instead of telling her everything.

Based on what he had experienced some time ago, he had probably gone to the Sunset Forest and found some flower- or plant-type treasures, thereby increasing his strength... But what kind of flower or plant could increase his strength by that much?

Besides, if his strength had already increased, why did he still need to find Yue Guan?

Unless there were an especially large number of flowers and plants growing in that place, all of them treasures with heaven-defying effects!

Then, thinking of this, could Lin Li have met Poison Douluo Dugu Bo at that time? After all, medicine and poison were closely related, and Dugu Bo should also understand something about medicinal herbs.

She had to get Yue Guan to take a look and see whether there really were flowers and plants with astonishing effects. It was highly likely that there were.

"No problem. Within half a month, you'll get what you want."

Qian Renxue stood up, leaving a trace of fragrance lingering beneath Lin Li's nose.

Immediately afterward, her Soul Skill activated again, and her appearance returned to that of Xue Qinghe. After sensing that her Martial Soul was no longer as agitated as before, she left with satisfaction.

"Why are you still lying there? Remember our agreement. You need to stay by my side."

Hearing that male voice, Lin Li came to his senses and stood up as well.

"Seeing me like this, you seem rather disappointed?"

Xue Qinghe raised an eyebrow and asked while looking at Lin Li's expression.

"People naturally yearn for beautiful people and things. That's normal."

Seeing Lin Li's frank expression, Xue Qinghe instead looked a little unnatural. He then pulled Lin Li's hand again and led him outside.

"Remember, don't let the truth slip."

"Relax. I'm not as stupid as you think."

The two left the lounge and appeared in the VIP Room again. Xue Ye and the other three were still waiting in the same place.

"Qinghe, what's this?"

Xue Ye looked at Xue Qinghe with confusion.

Ning Yang, meanwhile, looked at Lin Li with equal curiosity.

His gaze fell on their joined hands, and his expression became somewhat strange... Couldn't they hold hands somewhere else? Why did they have to hold hands? And they were both men.

"Imperial Father, Teacher, Qinghe was discourteous earlier..." Xue Qinghe paused before continuing, "It was because Brother Lin's talent is exceptional and stirred my heart, so we went to have a little talk."

Lin Li felt Xue Qinghe's hand twitch, as if signaling him.

No wonder she ignored propriety and refused to let go. She didn't trust me and thought I might say the wrong thing.

Lin Li looked toward the ruler of the Heaven Dou Empire, performed an imperfect salute, and said frankly, "The Crown Prince is learned and talented, inspiring my admiration. Therefore, I ask Your Majesty to permit a commoner like me to spend more time communicating with the Crown Prince."

Upon hearing this, Xue Ye thought, The opportunity came quickly indeed. He immediately reached out and patted Lin Li on the shoulder.

"You needn't call yourself a commoner. I'll issue an edict now and confer the title of viscount upon you. Once I return to the palace, I'll have someone draft the memorial and complete the formal procedures!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Sect Master Ning said earlier that matters between young people should be handled by young people themselves, so I fully approve of you befriending the Crown Prince... However, there are many rules in the palace. How about this? I'll grant you a gold token, allowing you free entry to every place outside the harem, including the Crown Prince's East Palace."

As he spoke, Xue Ye directly handed Lin Li a gold token engraved with the character "Xue."

Lin Li looked at the token in his hand and thought, Xue Ye is truly generous.

I didn't do anything, yet I gained a noble title and a token.

A status and an official position were different. An official position bound someone to the empire, but possessing a noble status did not require participation in any imperial affairs. It essentially offered only benefits.

As for this token, aside from the harem—a place filled entirely with women—he could go anywhere in the entire Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.

Lin Li knew that apart from the harem, there was another place in the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace that had women in it, as well as a Title Douluo.

Although his mind was filled with thoughts, Lin Li's movements did not slow at all. He immediately saluted and thanked Xue Ye for granting him the token.

"Hahahahahaha! Good!"

Xue Ye looked at Xue Qinghe and Lin Li.

"I still have affairs to handle, so I'll return to the palace first. Crown Prince, be sure to take good care of the future pillar of the empire!"

"I obey Imperial Father's command."

After giving Xue Qinghe his instructions, Xue Ye looked at Ning Fengzhi. "Sect Master Ning, come with me."

Ning Fengzhi maintained his refined smile. After glancing at Ning Yang, he left with Xue Ye.

Ning Yang naturally understood his father's meaning: he wanted him to stay with the Crown Prince and Lin Li. As it happened, that was exactly what he had been thinking as well.

Brother Lin is still young. He absolutely cannot be led astray by Xue Qinghe, who favors men. I must pay closer attention.

Xue Qinghe looked at the two of them and smiled. "We achieved a great victory in today's Arena Tournament and became friends with Lin Li. It is truly my honor! Why don't we go to the East Palace and hold a feast? I will certainly entertain you both properly!"

"I'm afraid that would be inappropriate. It's already getting late. If we go to the palace to hold a feast now, I'm afraid there won't be enough time."

Ning Yang refused. If they went to the East Palace, he would have no suitable reason to follow them.

Seeing the two of them seemingly at odds, both occasionally glancing at him, Lin Li felt that he had one head but two headaches.

"Actually, I've already made an appointment with Poison Douluo, so I'm afraid I can't accompany the Crown Prince tonight."

"In that case, let's arrange it for next time."

There was some displeasure in Xue Qinghe's eyes.

He said he would cooperate with me just now, but then he turned around and refused. She could tell that Lin Li was only making an excuse.

It doesn't matter. The harder something is to obtain, the more challenging it is. Sooner or later, I'll bring him under my command...