Qian Renxue Comes to the Academy?

"Then thank you, Rongrong," Ye Xiao said sincerely.

"It's no big deal!" Ning Rongrong waved her hand with great gusto. "Then let's head to the merchant association now, okay? I know there's a large Glazed Tile Merchant Association branch not far from the academy. I'll take you there!"

Thus, Ye Xiao, Huo Wu, and Ning Rongrong left the academy together and headed for the Glazed Tile Merchant Association branch in Heaven Dou City, which belonged to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Walking beside Ye Xiao, Huo Wu watched him discuss what practical supplies to purchase with Ning Rongrong, a smile lingering at the corner of her mouth.

Meanwhile, Ning Rongrong enthusiastically introduced the merchant association's various services and routes, her little face full of excitement.

With Ning Rongrong's help, purchasing and arranging delivery of supplies for Ye Family Village went very smoothly.

The manager of the Glazed Tile Merchant Association branch recognized his young miss. Upon hearing that her friends wanted to look after their fellow villagers, he handled everything with exceptional care. Not only did he offer highly favorable prices, but he also promised to dispatch the most experienced caravan, take the safest route, and provide regular updates on the delivery.

With one worry settled, Ye Xiao felt much more at ease.

The cost was not high, either.

Most of what Ye Xiao bought were everyday necessities. After all, a family would use at most a dozen or so Gold Soul Coins in a year.

There were not many people in Ye Family Village, so the expenses could not amount to much.

Ning Rongrong, the Little Rich Woman, even added some things herself and waived Ye Xiao's shipping fee, saving him a considerable sum.

Carrying a few small gifts they had conveniently bought for several friends at the academy, the three chatted and laughed as they returned to Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

However, the moment they stepped through the academy gates, all three sensed that something was off.

Although the academy was usually strict in discipline, its overall atmosphere was relaxed and lively.

Yet now, quite a few guards in uniform stood along both sides of the road, their expressions solemn.

The passing students and teachers seemed to be walking more briskly than usual, and even their hushed conversations carried a note of caution.

A faint sense of tension filled the air.

"Hm? What's going on?" Huo Wu raised a brow, her red hair swaying lightly as she turned her head. "Did some important figure come to the academy? Look at this display."

Ning Rongrong also rose onto her tiptoes and looked around curiously. "Yeah, there are so many guards. They look like they're... from the Imperial Palace."

Ye Xiao's heart stirred. He stopped a student hurrying past and asked politely, "Senior, sorry to bother you. Did something happen at the academy? The atmosphere feels a little strange."

The student stopped. Seeing that it was Ye Xiao, he recognized that Ye Xiao had become somewhat famous in the academy.

After all, given his age and strength, everyone considered Ye Xiao the academy's future leading figure.

Noticing Huo Wu and Ning Rongrong beside him as well, the student lowered his voice and said with a trace of awe, "You just got back, so you don't know yet, right? His Highness the Crown Prince has come! He's currently discussing matters with the three Commissioners in the Commissioner Building, so the academy has heightened its security."

"His Highness the Crown Prince?" Ye Xiao's eyes trembled slightly.

Qian Renxue!

Qian Renxue, disguised as Xue Qinghe, the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire; daughter of Bibi Dong, the Pope of Spirit Hall; and the future Angel God!

She had actually come to Heaven Dou Royal Academy in person.

Countless thoughts flashed through Ye Xiao's mind.

Qian Renxue usually kept a low profile, presenting herself as gentle and wise. She rarely visited places like academies in person.

Though Heaven Dou Royal Academy nominally answered directly to the royal family, its actual management was largely in Prince Xue Xing's hands.

Prince Xue Xing's relationship with the Crown Prince's faction had always been somewhat delicate. He mainly stood behind Xue Beng.

Why had she suddenly come this time? To seize power?

Was she trying to wrest more control of the academy from Prince Xue Xing and pave the way for the future?

Or was she here for an inspection, to demonstrate the Crown Prince's regard for the empire's future Soul Masters?

Or perhaps... did she have some other, deeper purpose?

No matter what, Qian Renxue's appearance meant that beneath the academy's calm surface, undercurrents had begun to stir.

This future Angel God was deeply calculating and highly capable. Every move she made deserved careful consideration.

"Brother Crown Prince is here?" When Ning Rongrong heard that Xue Qinghe had come, her eyes lit up and delight appeared on her face. "That's great! I happen to have something I want to discuss with him!"

Her reaction made both Ye Xiao and Huo Wu look at her.

Ning Rongrong explained, "Brother Crown Prince... oh, I mean Crown Prince Xue Qinghe. He took my father as his teacher to study statecraft and the path of Soul Masters.

So he's basically my senior brother! We have a pretty good relationship, and he usually takes very good care of me."

As she spoke, there was a hint of smugness on her little face. "Since he's here, why don't we go say hello? And besides... maybe I can put in a good word for you with him, Ye Xiao? Brother Crown Prince is a very good person, and his words carry a lot of weight!"

Ye Xiao understood. Qian Renxue taking Ning Fengzhi as her teacher was indeed an important step in the original story for winning over the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and consolidating her position.

With that master-and-disciple relationship, it was hardly surprising that she was close to Ning Rongrong.

He just did not know how much of that closeness was genuine affection, and how much was calculation.

Huo Wu curled her lips. She had little interest in the royal family or politics, but since Ning Rongrong had suggested it, there was no harm in taking a look.

She was mainly curious what that legendary wise Crown Prince looked like.

Ye Xiao pondered for a moment.

Since Qian Renxue was here, given her disguised identity and her relationship with Ning Rongrong, it was only natural for him, as Ning Rongrong's friend, to go pay his respects.

More importantly, he wanted to see this future Angel God for himself and experience firsthand this deeply concealed Crown Prince.

"Alright, let's go take a look." Ye Xiao nodded. "However, His Highness the Crown Prince is currently discussing matters with the Commissioners. It would be inappropriate for us to interrupt rashly.

Let's wait nearby first. Once they finish, we can ask someone to announce us and see whether His Highness the Crown Prince is willing to meet us."

"Mhm, mhm! Ye Xiao, you're still the thoughtful one!" Ning Rongrong nodded repeatedly, pulled Ye Xiao and Huo Wu along, and headed toward the Commissioner Building at the center of the academy.

[Ye Xiao: Qian Renxue has come to Heaven Dou Royal Academy.]

[Ye Qianxue: Really? Has Mother come?]

[Huo Wu: ??? What's going on? Qian Renxue is here?]

[Ye Qianxue: Mother Huowu, Qian Renxue is Xue Qinghe.]

[Huo Wu: Huh? What the hell? Isn't Qian Renxue a woman? The Crown Prince is a man, right?]

[Ye Qianxue: Mother has an Angel Soul Bone that can alter her appearance. She had already become the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire when she was nine.]

[Huo Wu: Good Fellow! Spirit Hall is trying to steal the country. Interesting.]

[Ye Qianxue: That's right, but Mother Huowu, don't tell anyone else.]

[Huo Wu: I know. I want to see what this legendary woman is really like.]