Heaven Dou Crown Prince Xue Qinghe-Qian Renxue's Shock

In the bedroom.

Dugu Yan leaned against the door panel.

The coolness of the wood seeped through her clothes, calming her feverish mind a little.

She took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled.

Then look up and look ahead.

The pale green, semi-transparent Light Screen was still suspended there, floating in the air, about 1.8 meters above the ground.

The edges glowed faintly, like will-o'-the-wisps on a summer night.

There was text scrolling in the center of the screen, but it was blurry and indistinct.

Dugu Yan stared at it for a full minute.

When did this thing appear?

Just seconds before Yu Tianheng confessed his feelings.

It suddenly popped out and blocked her view.

She initially thought she was seeing things, or that she was hallucinating from overexertion during cultivation.

But it never disappeared; it's still here now.

"What exactly are you?!"

She spoke, her voice sounding somewhat abrupt in the quiet bedroom.

The Light Screen is not responding.

The text continued to scroll, blurry and indistinct, as if viewed through frosted glass.

Dugu Yan took two steps closer.

Up close, I could make out the words; they seemed to be some kind of... conversation?

Heaven Dou Imperial Palace

The Xue Ye.

His face was as white as paper, with two dark circles under his eyes.

It was only noon, but he was already wearing a thick fleece robe and carrying a hand warmer.

His voice was weak and he had to stop and catch his breath after saying just a few words.

He looked terminally ill.

"Ah, your style."

He looked up at the man sitting opposite him, Ning Fengzhi, the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Ning Fengzhi wore a moon-white long robe today. The fabric was crisp, and the cuffs were embroidered with a subtle pattern of Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.

He sat upright, with his usual gentle smile on his face, but upon closer inspection, a hint of weariness was visible in his eyes.

"His Majesty."

The sound was clear and melodious, like the gentle tapping of a jade chime.

"What about the Spirit Hall..."

Xue Ye coughed again, his shoulders trembling.

"There's been a lot of activity lately. The Balak Kingdom and the Silves Kingdom are both expanding their Spirit Hall Main Hall."

He paused, catching his breath.

"I heard... the Soul Master subsidy has been increased again."

Ning Fengzhi did not respond immediately.

He picked up the teacup beside him, lifted the lid, and the steam rose up, softening his features.

I blew on it and took a sip.

The tea is excellent; it's the Snow Peak Silver Needle, a special tea supplied to the Heaven Dou Imperial Family.

But when I drink it, it always tastes bitter.

"It has improved."

He put down his teacup, the porcelain clinking softly against the wooden table.

"The monthly subsidy is 30% higher than in our Heaven Dou Empire, and low-level Soul Master can receive it simply by registering with the Spirit Hall."

"This is poaching!"

Xue Ye raised his voice, which triggered another cough.

A servant quickly stepped forward to offer him a handkerchief, but he waved it off and took it himself to wipe his mouth.

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger."

Ning Fengzhi spoke in a calm tone.

"The Spirit Hall is wealthy, powerful, and has a deep foundation. Offering these resources will indeed attract a large number of free Soul Master."

"And what about us?"

The Xue Ye stared at him.

"What should we do with the Heaven Dou Empire? Just stand by and watch?"

"..."

Ning Fengzhi silent.

The hall fell silent.

Only the Xue Ye, and the faint sound of the palace guards changing shifts could be heard from afar outside the window.

"Unity."

Ning Fengzhi suddenly uttered two words.

"What?" Xue Ye didn't hear clearly.

"Unite all forces that can be united."

Ning Fengzhi raised his eyes and glanced at the young man standing with his hands at his sides on one side of the hall.

"For example, the Upper Three Sects: the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and the Clear Sky Sect."

"..."

The young man standing there remained silent, simply observing everything with cold eyes.

Xue Qinghe.

Crown Prince the Heaven Dou Empire, the most valued son of Xue Ye, and also a disciple of Ning Fengzhi.

He was dressed in a white robe with gold patterns in the style of Crown Prince, with a tall and straight posture and a handsome and gentle face. Standing there, he looked exactly like "the crown prince should be".

He listened quietly from the moment he entered the hall.

She would occasionally add tea for her father or serve snacks to her teacher; her manners were impeccable and flawless.

It wasn't until Ning Fengzhi mentioned the Upper Three Sects.

Xue Qinghe's fingers paused almost imperceptibly.

His hand, which was reaching for the teapot, froze in mid-air, then fell back down naturally in an instant.

The smile on his face remained unchanged; even the curve of his lips was just right.

"Clear Sky Sect..."

Xue Ye smiled wryly, "How many years have they been in seclusion since what happened with Tang Hao? We haven't even seen a single outer disciple. How can they possibly unite?"

"We have to give it a try."

Ning Fengzhi said.

"And the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, the family's younger generation's Yu Tianheng Yu Yuanzhen, Yu Tianheng, is also at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

"Yu Tianheng?"

Xue Ye thought for a moment.

"Is he the one who confessed to Poison Douluo's granddaughter in the Academy Square today?"

"Yes."

Ning Fengzhi nodded.

"I heard he confessed his feelings to Dugu Bo's granddaughter, Dugu Yan, in public, and she rejected him."

Xue Ye shook his head. "Young man..."

He hadn't finished speaking.

Xue Qinghe, who was standing to the side, suddenly changed his expression.

Very subtle changes.

The gentle smile still lingered on his face, but the calm water in his eyes seemed to have been rippled as if a stone had been thrown at it.

His eyelashes fluttered, his back tensed for a moment, then immediately relaxed.

It was so fast it seemed like an illusion.

"Father, teacher."

Xue Qinghe suddenly spoke, his voice still gentle and courteous.

"Your Majesty, I am suddenly feeling unwell and would like to take my leave to rest for a while."

Xue Ye was taken aback.

"Not feeling well? You were fine just now?"

"Perhaps I handled too many tasks last night; I feel a little dizzy."

Xue Qinghe raised his hand and rubbed his temples naturally.

"It's alright, you'll be fine after a rest."

"Then go and rest."

The Xue Ye waved his hand.

"Your health is of utmost importance. Should we call the imperial physician?"

"No need to trouble yourself."

Xue Qinghe bowed respectfully.

"Your subject takes his leave."

He turned and walked out.

His steps were steady, and the arc of his robe brushing the ground was perfectly even.

Ke Ning Fengzhi noticed that the fingertips of his hand, which was hanging at his side, were slightly curled inward.

Those were his disciple's unconscious little movements when he was nervous.

Xue Ye withdrew his gaze and sighed, "Qinghe is just too hardworking. He always stays up late to handle government affairs, and he won't listen to any advice."

Ning Fengzhi smiled gently, "Qinghe is indeed a diligent child."

Xue Qinghe did not return to the East Palace.

He went straight out of the palace and boarded the Crown Prince's carriage.

As soon as the carriage curtain was drawn, the gentle yet weary expression on his face vanished instantly.

His gaze turned cold, as if it had been frozen solid.

"Return to the residence."

He gave orders to those outside, his voice devoid of emotion.

"Take the fastest route."

The driver responded, and the carriage wheels rolled over the stone road, moving at a speed 30% faster than usual.

Xue Qinghe —or rather, Qian Renxue —leaned against the interior wall of the carriage.

She pressed her fingers against her brow, pressing so hard that her knuckles turned white.

The Light Screen was still there before my eyes.

They haven't disappeared since they suddenly popped out of the main hall.

Floating in mid-air, semi-transparent.

Qian Renxue's heart pounded in her chest, again and again.

Having infiltrated the Heaven Dou Empire for so many years, she lived in the heart of the enemy with this face and this identity.

Every day, I act, carefully considering every word and calculating the angle of every smile.

She survived assassination attempts and dealt with suspicion.

She even personally dealt with several royal courtiers who doubted her identity.

But nothing had ever made her scalp tingle like this.

What kind of Soul Skill is this?

Illusion? Mental Interference? Or some kind of never-before-documented ability?

It seems that neither Xue Ye nor Ning Fengzhi noticed.