Fated Undercurrents, Plans Cannot Keep Up With Changes

"This hurdle is cleared. My safety is guaranteed for the time being. Finally, I can focus on steady cultivation while planning my next moves."

Chen Jieqi let out a long sigh of relief as he walked out of the Crown Prince's Residence.

He knew in his heart that the next time he stepped into this mansion, he would likely have to face a showdown with Qian Renxue.

After all, their martial souls shared the same origin and even had the potential for fusion; that Angelic Young Master would never pass up the chance for dual cultivation.

And this, as it happened, was exactly what he wanted.

Cultivating together would not only exponentially increase their cultivation speed but also allow them to build rapport, step by step increasing the probability of a martial soul fusion.

With the Six-Winged Angel being a god-tier martial soul, now that it had encountered one that could rival it, Qian Renxue had no reason not to be tempted!

After Chen Jieqi left the Crown Prince's Residence, the news spread like wildfire through all the major powers of Heaven Dou.

Inside the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Fengzhi tapped his fingertips against the desk. As he looked at the intelligence report sent by his scouts, his eyes were filled with admiration.

"This Chen Jieqi's talent is truly one in a million. Not yet twelve and already a Soul Ancestor, with a calm and reserved temperament.

If nothing goes wrong, he will be the next Tang Chen, perhaps even going further."

Gu Rong, the Bone Douluo beside him, nodded in rare agreement upon hearing this.

"Since this child has the protection of Dugu Bo, is close to the Crown Prince, and even has the favor of the royal family, the future landscape will likely extend far beyond Heaven Dou."

Ning Fengzhi shook his head slightly, his tone carrying a hint of caution.

"The more gifted one is, the easier it is to become a pawn in the games of others.

Let us observe for now and see if he can stand firm in this chaotic situation.

If he truly can soar to the heavens, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect may well gain another ally."

Thinking of his own daughter, Ning Fengzhi couldn't help but shake his head.

It was a pity that Rongrong had run off to Shrek Academy, otherwise, having her go to Heaven Dou Royal Academy to make contact wouldn't have been a bad idea.

Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

Inside the council hall, Yu Yuanzhen gripped a letter while the elders beside him wore varying expressions.

An elder dressed in black martial attire sneered, his tone filled with the arrogance characteristic of the Blue Lightning family.

"Just a commoner brat who latched onto Dugu Bo and shamelessly curried favor with the Heaven Dou Crown Prince—is he worthy of being called the 'next Tang Chen'?" He slammed his hand onto the desk, the dragon might spreading faintly.

"My Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon is the number one beast martial soul in the world. That Holy Light martial soul of his is nothing but a flashy, unorthodox trick!"

Yu Yuanzhen raised his eyes, hiding a trace of impatience, though he did not refute the claim.

Another elder, steady and prudent, frowned and said, "Sect Master, this child fought Yu Tianheng and won..."

"And what if he won?"

Yu Yuanzhen interrupted him, his tone cold and hard.

"It only means Tianheng lacks experience and has yet to fully master the mysteries of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon."

He set the letter down and tapped his fingertips on the desk twice. The movement was light, yet it made everyone present feel more chilled than the elder's earlier outburst.

At the same time, within the Clear Sky Sect, the Star Luo Empire... all major powers received the news.

Some were dismissive, some quietly noted the name, and others began to calculate, where this boy who had suddenly emerged would place his pieces on the future chessboard of the continent.

"Two elders, what are your thoughts on the matter of Chen Jieqi today?"

The one who spoke was Qian Renxue, now back in her golden-white palace attire. She sat upright in the main seat, speaking to the empty hall as if she already knew someone would respond.

As soon as her voice fell, the space distorted silently. Two black shadows condensed out of thin air, slowly revealing themselves with the pressure of Title Douluo.

The tall, thin elder spoke first.

"The child's martial soul is pure, his temperament is firm, and his talent is monstrous. If nothing goes wrong, he will be the next Tang Chen.

If he can be recruited, he will be a great asset to the Young Master. If not, he must be eliminated as soon as possible; we cannot leave future trouble behind."

The other short, stout elder bowed and cupped his hands, his tone cautious.

"This subordinate suggests reporting this matter to the Worship Hall and requesting the Great Worship to make the decision!"

These two were none other than the personal bodyguards of Qian Renxue.

The tall, thin one was Snake Lance Douluo She Long, a level 92 Power Attack System Title Douluo whose martial soul was the Snake Lance, known for his ruthless and sharp style.

The short, stout one was Pufferfish Douluo Ci Xue, a level 92 Control System Title Douluo whose martial soul was the Pufferfish, specializing in toxins and defense.

The two complemented each other perfectly, one for offense and one for defense.

"No need for now. There is no reason to disturb Grandfather's quiet cultivation over such a trivial matter."

Qian Renxue raised her eyes, a flicker of unquestionable determination flashing through her golden pupils.

"I will subdue him myself—in the name of Qian Renxue, not as 'Big Brother Xue'."

Her gaze was sharp and firm, wearing the expression of one who already held victory in her grasp.

As the image of Chen Jieqi looking up in devout reverence, shouting "Revere the glory of the Angel," flashed through her mind, the corners of her lips curled upward involuntarily.

"Young Mistress, wouldn't that be too risky?

The risk is too great; it would be far too easy to expose your identity!"

Snake Lance Douluo She Long could not help but speak up, his tone filled with worry.

"Rest assured, Elders, I have my own sense of judgment."

Qian Renxue's tone softened, yet it remained resolute.

"Besides, I am not doing it right now. I will observe for a period of time first."

"Then... should we ask for instructions from the Great High Priest?"

Pufferfish Douluo Ci Xue added cautiously.

"Hmm~!?"

Qian Renxue's tone rose sharply, her golden eyes sweeping over the two.

"Do I need to repeat myself a second time?"

"As you command!"

The two Title Douluo bowed and said.

Qian Renxue looked out toward the hall, her tone as cold as ice.

"It has been so long; is the Pope's Palace about to receive the news as well?"

"Yes, Young Mistress!"

She Long replied in a deep voice.

"Send a message back for me. Tell that woman, I have my own arrangements for this person, and she is not to interfere!"

She deliberately emphasized the term 'that woman', a trace of hostility toward Bibi Dong flashing in the depths of her eyes, her tone filled with an unquestionable air of dominance.

"Understood, Young Mistress."

Ci Xue bowed to accept the order. Before turning to leave, he said in a low voice to She Long:

"During this time, the Young Mistress's safety depends on you."

She Long clapped his hands, his tone carrying a hint of mockery.

"You can rest easy regarding the Young Mistress's safety; it would be even more secure without you."

Ci Xue did not argue with him, simply bowing once more before his figure flashed and vanished, leaving behind only a faint ripple of soul power.

Back at the academy, Chen Jieqi was leaning against his couch, his eyes unfocused.

At this point in time, Tang San and that rabbit should have already stepped into Suotuo City, becoming members of that group of "monsters" at Shrek, right?

I just wonder if they have gone to the Star Dou Great Forest to hunt the third soul ring for Oscar?

Just as he was thinking this, the Naaru Brand between his brows suddenly pulsed.

It was not the throbbing of mutual attraction he felt when facing Qian Renxue, but a sharper, more instinctive repulsion.

It was like light and darkness meeting in the same body of water; no words were needed to know that they could not coexist.

Chen Jieqi frowned and raised a hand to press against his brow.

What... is this?

The Heart of the Naaru had never reacted like this before.

It was not hostility, yet it was deeper than hostility, as if two planets were traveling on the same orbit, destined for only one to survive.

Tang San.

The moment this name surfaced in his heart, that sense of repulsion suddenly sharpened for an instant, then dissipated without a trace, as if it had never existed at all.

Chen Jieqi opened his eyes, the listlessness in them completely fading, replaced by a touch of profound gravity.

He had originally thought that his desire to intercept the Star Dou Great Forest was merely a utilitarian calculation to "weaken a future opponent,"

But now it seemed... things were not that simple.

That thousand-year Man Faced Demon Spider, and the Eight Spider Lances about to break through the skin on Tang San's back, Even if he couldn't use them himself, he could not let Tang San obtain them.

It wasn't just because "treasures should not be used to aid the enemy."

It was because... his martial soul, his principles, and his destiny were all telling him the same answer, This person must not be allowed to grow smoothly and without hindrance.

He remembered clearly that in the original story, when the Shrek group went to hunt a soul ring for Oscar, they would stop at a small hotel along the way and run into the ignorant and arrogant Blue Sunshine Academy.

Even better, at this juncture, Tang Hao should still be lurking in the shadows, not yet by Tang San's side, making it the perfect time to fish in troubled waters.

"Should I go join the fun?"

Chen Jieqi suddenly muttered to himself, a glimmer of eagerness flashing in his eyes, And the mark between his brows, which had been dormant, lit up ever so slightly for a brief moment.

As if in response.

Meanwhile, somewhere in the Star Dou Great Forest, thousands of miles away.

Our "child of destiny" Tang San was sitting cross-legged in the dense forest, his soul power surging as he focused entirely on absorbing the soul ring of the Man Faced Demon Spider.

The light purple soul ring patterns traveled along his meridians, finally converging on his back, where the outline of the Eight Spider Lances slowly took shape beneath his skin.

At the same time, Chen Jieqi at Tiantou Academy suddenly frowned.

The originally docile light elements seemed to have been stirred by something, becoming restless and uneasy, It took him twice his usual effort to suppress that inexplicable interference.

Carrying bone-piercing sharp pain and a greedy desire to devour, it embedded itself bit by bit into his bones and soul power meridians.

The excruciating pain following the breakthrough swept through his entire body, and coupled with the urgency of finding Xiao Wu weighing on his heart, Tang San had no time to pay attention to the restlessness deep within the Eight Spider Lances that craved to devour life and soul power.

He simply gritted his teeth, focusing all his attention on stabilizing his soul power and breaking through his rank.

Yet, at a certain moment, for a fleeting, almost imperceptible instant, The budding Eight Spider Lances on his back suddenly trembled slightly, as if sensing some distant existence.

Tang San did not notice.

He only felt that for that split second, the flow of his soul power slowed down for a moment, before returning to normal.

And in Tiantou City, thousands of miles away, the mark on Chen Jieqi's brow happened to dim for an instant.

Neither of them knew of this "connection" at that moment.

But the Heart of the Naaru knew, and the Eight Spider Lances knew.