Xue Ye's Arrival

"You handled this matter very well." In the back garden of the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace, after dismissing everyone else and learning of Xiao Yu's existence, Xue Ye nodded at Qian Renxue.

"A Soul Beast that can command birds, speak our language, and possesses extraordinary intelligence... Its value far surpasses that of an ordinary Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast. As an ally, it would be an immense asset to the Heaven Dou Empire; as an enemy..."

Xue Ye did not finish, but the cold glint in his eyes said everything.

Disguised as Xue Qinghe, Qian Renxue bowed slightly, maintaining the Crown Prince's deferential manner. "Your Majesty is wise. I only happened to meet it by chance. This beast is called 'Yu.' Though proud, it is reasonable and not bloodthirsty."

"Regarding yesterday's incident with Xue Beng, Yu would not have acted if the Soul Beasts under his command hadn't provoked it first. It seems... more concerned with its territory and those fruits."

"Fruits?" Xue Ye raised an eyebrow, surprised by that detail. Then he chuckled. "How... interesting. Such a powerful being, yet it has such an ordinary preference."

"That wretch Xue Beng acted recklessly and nearly caused a catastrophe! Three months' confinement and a year's loss of allowance is already lenient, considering his youth. Were those two guards dealt with cleanly?"

"Rest assured, Father. They have been taken care of properly. There will be no loose ends," Qian Renxue answered firmly, her eyes utterly calm.

She knew that the "taken care of" Xue Ye referred to meant the same thing as the "taken care of" she had actually done—only the dead could keep a secret.

"Good." Xue Ye nodded with satisfaction, clearly approving of the Crown Prince's methods.

He pondered for a moment, his gaze turning sharp again. "Qinghe, this beast is of great importance. Since you already have a connection with it, you must maintain it. Whatever it needs, as long as it doesn't threaten the foundations of the empire, we can provide."

"This son will obey," Qian Renxue replied, secretly delighted. This was exactly what she had wanted.

With Xue Ye's explicit support and the resources he was willing to provide, she would have a much better justification for visiting Xiao Yu, and face less resistance.

"Also," Xue Ye said, his voice lowering, "find an appropriate time for me to see this 'Yu' with my own eyes, without disturbing it and with everyone's safety assured."

A beast this miraculous was rarely seen in the world. Even he was curious about what it looked like.

Qian Renxue's heart tightened, but her expression remained composed. "This son understands."

Xue Ye studied the "Crown Prince" deeply, as if trying to see past his calm expression. At last, he nodded slowly. "You've considered this carefully. I'll entrust the matter entirely to you. Make sure everything proceeds smoothly. Go."

"Yes, Father. This son takes his leave." Qian Renxue bowed respectfully and left the back garden.

Nine days later, at the top of Giant Tree Peak in the Royal Soul Beast Forest.

Xiao Yu hovered above the newly built platform, looking down at the army of bird Soul Beasts below. Under Yu Yi's direction, they were expanding their "home" in orderly fashion.

After being strengthened by the Primary Leader Bloodline Secret Medicine, Yu Yi and the other beasts had not only grown much stronger, but had also become significantly more intelligent. They were now much more adept at directing and coordinating the work.

As for Qian Renxue, she had been coming almost every day lately and staying for half the day, as if she never got tired. Xiao Yu found it hard to believe. Aren't you the Crown Prince now? How do you have so much free time? What about your plans?

Xiao Yu had no idea that Xue Ye had given Qian Renxue an extended leave. But he had learned quite a bit about other things, such as the Spirit Master Tournament, which Qian Renxue had told him about.

"Two months? That should be enough." Xiao Yu murmured. At his current rate of leveling, two months would be enough to reach the next stage, and he might even come close to the one after that.

From his conversations with the system, he had learned that his path was based on the kind of progression found in browser games: five forms, with the added visual flair of mobile games.

Leo—Spirit Feather Champion—Spirit Feather Divine Guard—Holy Wing King—Soaring Feather Holy Wing King. That was his evolutionary path.

As for what came after level eighty, Xiao Yu had no idea. In his previous life, he had only learned that much.

As for his current level, nine days and fourteen Cocoa Fruits had brought him all the way to level thirty (0/300).

Exactly level thirty. Who would have thought he had been in this world for less than a month?

Just as Xiao Yu was reviewing what he had gained in recent days, he heard footsteps nearby. He frowned slightly. There were quite a few people. Could Xue Qinghe have brought someone again?

Hearing them, Xiao Yu looked down.

He saw Qian Renxue walking slowly toward him, leading a middle-aged man dressed in plain clothes, his bearing calm and steady.

The man had a dignified face. Though he had deliberately restrained his presence, the easy authority of someone long accustomed to power, along with the scrutiny hidden deep in his eyes, was enough for Xiao Yu to identify him at once: the emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Ye.

Xiao Yu wasn't surprised. He knew how unusual he was, and besides, two guards had been present along with Qian Renxue at the time. There was no way Xue Ye hadn't heard about him. It was only natural that he would come to meet him.

Xue Ye's gaze immediately settled on the figure hovering above the platform.

Even though the "Crown Prince" had described him many times, seeing him in person still made Xue Ye's pupils contract with astonishment.

The sacred feathers, the black-and-white starlight that shimmered around him, his graceful yet imposing posture as he hovered, and the sharp, intelligent eyes calmly watching him... This was certainly no ordinary Soul Beast.

"Father, this is Yu," Qian Renxue introduced at just the right moment.

As soon as Xiao Yu landed, she stepped forward and offered him the fruit in her hand, showing Xue Ye that he meant no harm.

Xiao Yu understood what Qian Renxue was trying to do. He gently took the fruit, tossed it into his mouth, and then turned his gaze to Xue Ye, giving him a slight nod.

At that moment, Xue Ye felt as though he were facing a living person rather than a Soul Beast. He couldn't help but marvel.

"Yu... A good name." His voice was quiet, yet carried a calm authority. "Qinghe has told me about you many times. Seeing you today, I can tell you're truly extraordinary."

"Oh~" Xiao Yu gave a clear, ringing cry in reply.

Xue Ye did not mind Xiao Yu's "rudeness." Instead, it fit his idea of what an intelligent, extraordinary beast would be like.

He looked around, his gaze passing over the bird Soul Beasts at work before finally settling on Yu Yi. A trace of surprise flickered in his eyes. "Truly extraordinary. These Soul Beasts are clearly not intelligent, yet under your direction, they work like well-trained soldiers."

Xiao Yu shook his head. He wasn't the one directing them; most of it was thanks to the Primary Leader Bloodline Secret Medicine.

After looking around and satisfying his curiosity, Xue Ye turned his gaze back to Xiao Yu, a hint of inquiry in his eyes. "I'm curious. How do you view this forest? And how do you view the Heaven Dou Empire?"