After all, Qian Daoliu's letter to her hadn't mentioned where Qin Yao had gone. It was only natural that Qian Renxue would be puzzled.
A moment later, hurried footsteps sounded outside the door.
"Your Highness!" The black-clad guard from earlier returned and knelt on one knee before the desk.
"We've received confirmed news from Heaven Dou Royal Academy."
Qian Renxue set down the documents. "Speak."
The guard lowered his head and spoke rapidly:
"Not long ago, Dugu Yan got into a conflict with Yu Tianheng on the street. But there was also an unfamiliar young man present. According to eyewitnesses, he was nearly one meter ninety tall, with long, dark purple hair and strikingly handsome features, but his aura was terrifying."
Qian Renxue's fingers paused in midair as she flipped through the documents.
Long, dark purple hair? One meter ninety?
The guard continued his report:
"Yu Tianheng released his Martial Soul and even used a Soul Skill. But that purple-haired young man didn't even summon his Martial Soul. With just one move, he conjured the head of a purple Flame Lion and struck Yu Tianheng down on the spot, leaving him coughing up blood and unconscious. His right arm was even broken."
The study fell so quiet that only their breathing could be heard.
Qian Renxue leaned back in her chair, lightly tapping her fingers on the desk.
One move to defeat Yu Tianheng, a level thirty-seven Soul Master.
A purple Flame Lion's head.
Long, dark purple hair.
Who else could it be but Qin Yao?
"You may leave." Qian Renxue waved a hand.
The guard withdrew and closed the study door behind him.
Only Qian Renxue remained in the room.
She rubbed her brow and let out a long breath.
That brat had actually come to Heaven Dou City!
Had Grandpa sent him to assist her?
Or did he have plans of his own?
Whatever the case, she would have to find a chance to meet this nominal "fiancé" in person.
Heaven Dou City, Dugu Manor.
In the spacious reception hall, Qin Yao sat in the seat of honor, holding a cup of freshly brewed tea.
Dugu Bo stood below him, keeping his posture deferential.
"Your Highness the Holy Son, Yanzi has already withdrawn from Heaven Dou Royal Academy."
"However, I once owed Prince Xue Xing of the Heaven Dou Empire a considerable favor. To avoid trouble, I haven't yet announced that Yanzi has joined Spirit Hall. We're only telling people that I intend to teach her personally."
Qin Yao paused with his tea halfway to his lips.
"Hide her identity? There's no need."
Dugu Bo was taken aback. "Your Highness, this is Heaven Dou City, after all. As for Prince Xue Xing..."
"What does a mere prince matter?"
Qin Yao cut him off.
"Do people from Spirit Hall need to watch their step around some prince of the Heaven Dou Empire? Is he even worthy?"
Dugu Bo fell silent.
Qin Yao's voice remained unhurried.
"Since you've pledged your allegiance to me, from now on, you and your granddaughter need only answer to me.
"As for the favor you owe Xue Xing, find a chance to repay it later. There's no need to wrong yourself by currying favor with him."
After hearing those words, Dugu Bo felt every pore on his body open.
How domineering!
Dugu Bo had been proud and aloof all his life. More than anything, he hated all the twists and turns of social obligations.
Now that the Holy Son of Spirit Hall had promised to back him up, what did he have to fear?
"This old man understands!"
Dugu Bo's voice rang out. "Your Highness the Holy Son may decide everything!"
In a quiet room in the rear courtyard of Dugu Manor.
Ye Lingling held Dugu Yan's hand and looked her up and down, disbelief filling her face beneath the black veil.
"Yanzi, what exactly happened to you today?" Ye Lingling asked urgently.
She had known Dugu Yan for many years and understood her friend's temperament all too well.
In the past, even if Yu Tianheng so much as came a little too close, Dugu Yan would consider the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's reputation and rarely speak so harshly.
But now, Dugu Yan had not only withdrawn from the academy, she had also fallen out with Yu Tianheng in public.
And then there was that purple-haired young man.
He had defeated a level thirty-seven Yu Tianheng with a single move and dared to declare on the street, "If he's crippled, then he's crippled. I'll take responsibility for whatever happens."
Dugu Yan led Ye Lingling to sit by the bed, her slender fingers lightly stroking the Amethyst Bracelet on her wrist.
"Lingling, do you remember how my sides used to go numb whenever it rained?"
Ye Lingling nodded.
Of course she remembered. Every time it happened, Dugu Yan would be in so much pain that her face turned deathly pale. Ye Lingling had tried treating her with the Nine Heart Begonia, but nothing worked.
"That wasn't some strange illness at all."
Dugu Yan drew a deep breath.
"It was a sign of poisoning. Our Dugu Family has passed down the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Martial Soul for generations. Its poison is so potent that it injures the enemy at the cost of harming ourselves. If left untreated, I might not live past thirty."
Ye Lingling clapped a hand over her mouth, her blue eyes wide as saucers.
"But I'm fine now."
A vivid blush appeared on Dugu Yan's fair cheeks.
"His Highness the Holy Son cured the poison in both Grandpa and me, and even evolved my Martial Soul into the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor. I'm already a level forty-two Soul Ancestor."
Level forty-two!
Ye Lingling sucked in a sharp breath.
Just a few days ago, Dugu Yan had barely broken through to level thirty-seven.
In just a few days, she had crossed an entire major realm, and her Martial Soul had even evolved?
That young man's methods were unheard of!
Wait, "His Highness"?
"W-Who exactly is he?" Ye Lingling stammered.
"The Holy Son of Spirit Hall." Dugu Yan enunciated every word.
Ye Lingling felt her mind ring.
The Holy Son of Spirit Hall?
That colossal power, towering above the two great empires and commanding countless Titled Douluo, had actually appointed such a young Holy Son?
No wonder he didn't take even the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan seriously.
Just then, Dugu Bo's deep voice sounded outside the door.
"Yanzi, come out for a moment."
Dugu Yan rose and opened the door, finding her grandfather standing in the courtyard, beaming.
Ever since his poison had been cured, Dugu Bo's sickly green hair had returned to its normal inky black. He looked more than ten years younger.
"Grandpa, does His Highness have an order?"
Dugu Bo laughed heartily.
"His Highness just gave the word. From now on, you and I need only answer to him. There's no need to hide your withdrawal from the academy or the news that we've joined Spirit Hall. If anyone objects, tell them to take it up with His Highness!"
Dugu Yan felt a surge of warmth in her heart.
No need to hide. No need to worry about the Heaven Dou Imperial Family. No need to watch Prince Xue Xing's expression.
The feeling of having someone shield her without reservation was truly addictive.
"Come on. Bring your little friend and meet His Highness in the front hall," Dugu Bo urged.
Inside the front hall.
Qin Yao leaned back in a broad rosewood chair, resting his chin on one hand. His long fingers tapped idly against the armrest.
Dugu Yan entered with Ye Lingling and respectfully bowed.
"Your Highness."
Qin Yao looked up, his gaze settling on Dugu Yan.
The nineteen-year-old girl had a graceful figure, her purple-black fitted clothes outlining every curve. Her cold, proud air was certainly appealing.
"Dugu Yan," Qin Yao said slowly, his voice low. "From now on, I'll call you Yanzi."
Dugu Yan's heart raced, and a faint blush quickly spread across her fair cheeks. She lowered her head slightly, folding her hands in front of her.
"Whatever pleases Your Highness the Holy Son."
Qin Yao rose and walked up to her. His one-meter-ninety height gave him an overwhelming presence.
"Now that you've left Heaven Dou Royal Academy..."
Qin Yao looked down at her.
"What are your plans? Would you be willing to study at Spirit Hall Academy in Spirit City?"
With Dugu Yan's talent and her Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Martial Soul, she would be a promising young talent even at Spirit Hall Academy.
Dugu Yan didn't hesitate for a moment. She snapped her head up and met Qin Yao's gaze.
"I won't go to Spirit Hall Academy."
Dugu Bo was startled. He was just about to reprimand her when Dugu Yan continued:
"I, Dugu Yan, wish to stay by Your Highness the Holy Son's side and serve as your personal guard."
She knew very well that no matter how good the resources at Spirit Hall Academy were, they couldn't compare to the Holy Son before her.
In just a few days, he had cured her poison, given her an Immortal Herb that evolved her Martial Soul, and bestowed a Soul Bone on her.
Following him was the true road to the heavens.
Dugu Bo heard her words and stroked his beard, delighted.
The girl had finally come around.
She knew who the real powerhouse was.
As long as she stayed close to His Highness the Holy Son, the Dugu Family's position in Spirit Hall would be rock solid.
Qin Yao looked at the stubborn young woman before him and gave a soft snort.
He suddenly reached out and lifted Dugu Yan's chin with his long fingers, his gesture imperious.
"You want to stay by my side? Then you can't be useless."
Forced to tilt her head back, Dugu Yan looked into Qin Yao's dark purple eyes, her heart pounding like a drum. They were so close that she could even make out his long eyelashes.
"Today, you were intimidated by a level thirty-seven weakling on the street and didn't dare fight back. I don't want to see that happen again."
Qin Yao released her and turned back toward the seat of honor.
Dugu Yan touched her burning chin, took a deep breath, and answered loudly:
"Yanzi understands! I won't disappoint Your Highness!"
Qin Yao nodded slightly, then turned his gaze to Ye Lingling, who had been standing in the corner the whole time.
To be honest, Qin Yao was even more interested in Ye Lingling.
In Douluo I, the Nine Heart Begonia was called the strongest healing-type Martial Soul. No matter how badly someone was injured, as long as they still had a breath left, the Nine Heart Begonia could drag them back from the gates of death.
He wondered how this pure, peerless healing ability would compare to the Emerald Swan in the Star Dou Great Forest, with its cultivation of several hundred thousand years.
It would be quite good if he could bring the Nine Heart Begonia into Spirit Hall as well.
Before you continue