Xue Qinghe's Doubts

At that moment, the young man's gaze shifted naturally to Tang San beside Ning Fengzhi, and he said warmly:

"This must be the Brother Tang San whom Uncle Ning often mentions and praises so highly, correct?"

Though Tang San did not know the other man's exact identity, judging by his bearing and his relationship with Ning Fengzhi, he knew he was no ordinary person. He immediately cupped his hands politely in reply:

"You flatter me, sir."

Ning Fengzhi smiled as he introduced them.

"Xiao San, let me introduce you. This is His Highness Xue Qinghe, the current crown prince of the Heaven Dou Empire."

The crown prince?

Tang San's heart stirred slightly, but his expression remained calm. Neither servile nor overbearing, he bowed again in a more formal salute.

"So it is Your Highness the Crown Prince. Tang San has been discourteous."

Xue Qinghe hurriedly stepped forward and raised a hand to support him. His smile became even warmer, his words full of praise and undisguised recruitment.

"Brother Tang, please rise.

"Although I did not witness your valiant performance in the arena myself, Uncle Ning has praised you to me many times.

"Now that I have seen you in person, your reputation is indeed well deserved.

"We are about the same age, so why trouble ourselves with such formalities?

"If you do not mind, call me Brother Xue. Calling me 'Crown Prince' only makes us seem distant."

Under Ning Fengzhi's guidance, the three took their seats and began exchanging pleasantries over fragrant tea. The atmosphere appeared harmonious.

The conversation naturally revolved around the tournament that had just concluded. Xue Qinghe spared no praise for Shrek Academy, especially Tang San's performance.

Yet during their conversation, both Xue Qinghe and Ning Fengzhi keenly noticed that no matter how they guided the topic, Tang San never once took the initiative to mention his father, whose name had shaken the continent.

Xue Qinghe could not help casting Ning Fengzhi an inquiring look. Ning Fengzhi, too, shook his head ever so slightly, indicating that he was equally puzzled.

After a brief moment of thought, Xue Qinghe decided to take the initiative.

He sighed softly, his voice filled with sincere regret and admiration as he steered the subject toward Tang Hao.

"Brother Tang, speaking of it, your father, the Clear Sky Douluo, once dominated his era. What a peerless hero he was!

"Though I was young and did not have the chance to witness his glory at his peak, whenever I heard others speak of him, I could not help but yearn for it.

"Sadly... ah, Heaven envies the gifted. Later, he actually... vanished without a trace. It was truly a tremendous loss to the entire soul master world."

As he spoke, he carefully observed Tang San's reaction.

To his and Ning Fengzhi's surprise, the simulated Tang San's response was extraordinarily indifferent.

He merely nodded slightly, lifted his teacup for a small sip, and replied in a polite yet distant tone:

"Brother Xue overpraises him. My father's past is like passing clouds. It is not worth mentioning."

He showed no intention whatsoever of following up on the matter, as though he had merely heard some distant tale unrelated to himself.

Xue Qinghe was even more astonished. He could only turn another subtly pleading look toward Ning Fengzhi.

Ning Fengzhi sighed inwardly, knowing that some of the groundwork and plans they had originally envisioned would likely be impossible to carry out. Choosing his words carefully, he asked directly:

"Xiao San, you... are you truly not curious at all about what happened to your father back then, his experiences, or where he went afterward?

"There may be many unknown secrets involved."

The simulated Tang San set down his teacup and looked up at Ning Fengzhi. That faint, calm smile still rested on his lips as he spoke evenly.

"Uncle Ning, I appreciate your and Brother Xue's good intentions.

"However, I already know everything about my father's past, all that he experienced, and the choices he made...

"I must trouble you both not to worry about me."

[You know, but I don't! They obviously know crucial details—perhaps even the truth about Father and Mother! Just keep talking!]

Tang San, watching from the sidelines, nearly shouted aloud within his consciousness, filled with anxiety and helplessness.

Even someone as consistently calm and composed as Tang San was thrown somewhat off balance by his simulated self at that moment.

He longed to learn everything about his father and mother. This was clearly a perfect opportunity, yet his simulated self had brushed it aside so casually.

Hearing the simulated Tang San's unequivocal answer, Xue Qinghe and Ning Fengzhi exchanged an extremely discreet glance.

Each saw the flash of astonishment in the other's eyes, along with deeper regret and helplessness.

Since things had come to this, the two men, both well versed in the art of social interaction, no longer pressed the matter to avoid provoking Tang San's displeasure.

They smoothly shifted the conversation to other subjects, and the atmosphere returned to its superficial harmony and warmth.

Several rounds of tea passed, and time slipped quietly away.

Seeing that the timing was about right, Xue Qinghe extended an invitation to Tang San.

"Brother Tang, we have had such an enjoyable conversation that it is nearly noon before we know it. Why not stay for lunch before returning?"

Tang San politely declined. "Thank you for your kindness, Brother Xue.

"However, there are still classes at the academy, and my companions are waiting for news. I should return first."

A trace of appropriately timed regret crossed Xue Qinghe's face, but he did not insist, displaying complete understanding.

He smiled slightly and gracefully took out a palm-sized gold token from his robes, exquisitely crafted.

Upon the token, the royal crest of the Heaven Dou Empire could vaguely be seen, gleaming with a warm and noble luster in the light filtering through the window.

"Then I will not keep you any longer."

Xue Qinghe held the gold token out to Tang San, his tone sincere.

"Take this token. Consider it a keepsake.

"If you encounter any difficulty in Heaven Dou City or anywhere within the empire in the future, no matter how great or small, you may bring this to the palace and seek me out."

Ning Fengzhi also spoke up at the right moment, his tone gentle.

"Xiao San, accept it.

"Qinghe is acting out of sincerity and means nothing else by it."

Seeing Ning Fengzhi say so as well, Tang San knew that further refusal would only seem affected, so he accepted the gold token with both hands.

He thanked Xue Qinghe again. "In that case, Tang San will humbly accept it. Thank you, Brother Xue."

After carefully putting away the gold token, Tang San bid them farewell.

Ning Fengzhi and Xue Qinghe escorted him together to the entrance of the teahouse, watching his upright figure disappear into the crowd on the street.

Suddenly, as though remembering something, Xue Qinghe turned to Ning Fengzhi and asked in a probing tone:

"Teacher, when you spoke with Tang San just now, you seemed to mention that he had a teacher who was not Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang?

"May I ask who this master is, capable of teaching such a disciple and passing down such a Self-Created Soul Skill?"

Upon hearing Xue Qinghe's question, a flash of amazement and complexity passed through Ning Fengzhi's eyes. His gaze seemed to pierce through the teahouse window and see that world-shaking, solitary figure.

"Him..."

Ning Fengzhi spoke slowly, a trace of emotion in his voice.

"His name is Fu Shiyan.

"He is someone... who has never entered the view of any major power, yet can be called a peerless genius."

He paused slightly and looked at Xue Qinghe. "Speaking of which, his teacher is about your age, Qinghe."

Upon hearing this, Xue Qinghe became even more interested in Tang San's mysterious teacher.

In truth, during the banquet earlier, he had already taken notice when he accidentally learned from Ning Fengzhi and Tang San's conversation that the Self-Created Soul Skill which had stunned the entire audience had been taught by this teacher.

Now that Ning Fengzhi said the man was actually about the same age as himself, his curiosity grew even stronger.

Ning Fengzhi did not keep him in suspense and calmly explained everything he knew.

"This year, he should be around twenty-six."

"Like Tang San, his Martial Soul is Blue Silver Grass. However, from what I have observed, his Blue Silver Grass seems to have undergone an exceptionally beneficial mutation, far beyond ordinary Blue Silver Grass."

"He is extraordinarily handsome, with an ethereal and refined bearing.

"To be honest, Qinghe, when I first met him, I was briefly under the illusion that he did not belong to this mortal world."

(Though he still fell slightly short compared to you esteemed readers.)

"However, compared to his appearance, his talent is what truly inspires admiration—one could even call it... terrifying."

Hearing this, Xue Qinghe maintained his proper smile on the surface, but inwardly dismissed it.

[Twenty-six? Only three years older than me. Terrifying talent? Is there truly anyone in this world whose talent can surpass mine, Qian Renxue's?]

Yet Ning Fengzhi's next words struck like a thunderclap, instantly freezing the composure on Xue Qinghe's face and stirring monstrous waves within his heart.