"Elder Dugu, do you have a way to solve it?" Qin Yao asked from the side.
The corners of Dugu Bo's mouth lifted, and the confidence of Poison Douluo appeared on his face.
He reached to his waist and produced a small black medicine bottle.
"The poison the Young Master gave Xue Ye was made with Seven-Leaf Withered Heart Grass as its main ingredient. The herb is mild, which makes it difficult to detect. This bottle contains venom extracted from the stinger of a Red-Tailed Fire Scorpion. I refined it using a special method of my own, removing the volatile fire poison and preserving only its ability to stimulate the flow of blood and energy."
Dugu Bo handed the black medicine bottle to Qian Renxue.
"If the Young Master wishes to hasten Xue Ye's death, just mix this liquid into the poison you used before. It won't change the poison's original colorless, odorless nature, but it'll be like pouring oil onto a raging fire, instantly activating the poison in the Seven-Leaf Withered Heart Grass."
"Just one drop will drain the vitality from Xue Ye's body in a short time. And the death will look completely natural, as if his life had simply run its course. Even an immortal wouldn't be able to tell he was poisoned."
Qian Renxue's eyes lit up. She took the black medicine bottle and turned it over in her hand.
For the past few years, she hadn't dared increase the dosage, afraid of arousing the imperial physicians' suspicions. Now, with Dugu Bo's catalyst in hand, she had complete control.
"Excellent. Elder Dugu, you've been a great help." Qian Renxue put both bottles of poison away.
Dugu Bo waved his hands repeatedly. "You flatter me, Young Master. It's my duty to serve you and the Holy Son."
With Dugu Bo's assurance, the final weakness in Qian Renxue's undercover plan had been thoroughly addressed.
As for Xue Beng, who was pretending to be a playboy, Qin Yao was certain he wasn't pretending at all. He really was a playboy.
Given the way Xue Beng behaved, it wouldn't be difficult to set things up so he died in a woman's bed.
Dugu Bo then tactfully cupped his hands and took his leave. Fourth Worship Qin Xiong had already left the garden.
Once again, only Qin Yao and Qian Renxue remained in the stone pavilion in the vast garden.
Qin Yao slipped an arm around Qian Renxue's waist again and drew her against his chest.
She didn't resist, leaning obediently against him and savoring the rare sense of security.
Qian Renxue tilted her head up to look at Qin Yao.
"Xiao Yao, I plan to go to the Star Dou Great Forest tomorrow to hunt for a Soul Ring. Will you come with me?"
She looked just like a girl acting coy.
Qin Yao agreed at once. "Of course. But if you're going to the Star Dou Great Forest, what about the imperial palace?"
She gave a soft laugh and traced circles on Qin Yao's chest with a finger.
"Don't worry. I have a substitute. I do this every time I go out to hunt for a Soul Ring."
Qin Yao caught her wandering hand and leaned close to her ear. "Since you've got everything arranged, Xue'er, I'll come get you first thing tomorrow morning."
His warm breath brushed her ear. Qian Renxue's cheeks turned faintly red, and she gave him a gentle push.
"Stop that. Grandpa's watching from the shadows."
Qin Yao held her tighter, unconcerned. "So what? Great-Grandpa can't wait for us to get married."
The two lingered together in the stone pavilion for a while longer.
Though Qin Yao had the maturity of an adult, he couldn't help feeling a little closer to Qian Renxue.
He let his hands get a little too bold, making Qian Renxue protest shyly again and again. In the end, she chased him out of the Crown Prince's Residence, her face flushed.
The night breeze was cool as Qin Yao walked along the streets of Heaven Dou City, in high spirits.
Qin Xiong appeared from the shadows and, grinning, clapped Qin Yao on the shoulder.
"Good job, grandson! Big Brother can finally put one of his worries to rest."
Qin Yao straightened his sleeve.
"Grandpa, come with us to the Star Dou Great Forest tomorrow. It's not like the Sunset Forest. There are Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts in its depths."
Qin Xiong thumped his chest in assurance. "Of course! If anything happens to you or Xue'er, Big Brother will never forgive me."
In the blink of an eye, it was the next morning.
In the back courtyard of Dugu Manor, Qin Yao had just finished washing up when Dugu Yan came in carrying breakfast.
Today she wore a tight-fitting outfit of purple and black, its cut accentuating her tall, curvaceous figure.
She set the tray on the table, then came close to Qin Yao and sniffed delicately.
Qin Yao glanced at her. "Are you a dog? What are you sniffing?"
Dugu Yan curled her lip. "Where did Your Highness go last night? You reek of perfume, and it's a pretty high-class scent, too."
Qin Yao picked up a bun and took a bite, his tone calm.
"Don't ask questions you shouldn't. I'm going to the Star Dou Great Forest today. I'll be gone at least ten days, maybe half a month. Stay at the manor and focus on cultivating with your grandfather."
The moment Dugu Yan heard he was leaving, her curiosity turned to disappointment.
"What is Your Highness going to the Star Dou Great Forest for? Can't I come along and serve you?"
"You're going to the Star Dou Great Forest? Your strength is still lacking. Your first priority is to work hard at cultivating."
Qin Yao didn't pull his punches.
Though Dugu Yan was reluctant, she knew he was right.
She nodded. "All right, Your Highness."
After breakfast, Qin Yao summoned Dugu Bo and gave him a few instructions. He also told him to hurry to the Ye Clan and settle the matter concerning Ye Lingling. Then he left Dugu Manor.
Ten li outside Heaven Dou City, in a secluded grove.
By the time Qin Yao arrived, Qian Renxue was already waiting there.
She wasn't disguised as Xue Qinghe today; she had returned to her original appearance.
She wore a simple golden dress, her golden hair cascading down like a waterfall. Her noble, aloof air still made it impossible to look away.
Snake Lance Douluo and Porcupinefish Douluo stood behind her. When Qin Yao arrived, they greeted him respectfully.
Qin Xiong also descended from the sky, landing beside Qin Yao.
"Xue'er, have you been waiting long?" Qin Yao walked over and naturally took Qian Renxue's hand.
She tried to pull free, but couldn't, so she let him be. Then she looked at Qin Xiong and spoke softly.
"Hello, Fourth Grandpa."
Qin Xiong beamed. "Good, good, good! Young Master, you look so beautiful dressed like this."
Qian Renxue grew a little embarrassed at the praise and changed the subject.
"Xiao Yao, how are we getting there? A carriage would be too slow. It'd take at least half a month."
A flash of purple light appeared behind Qin Yao, and a pair of crystalline, dark-purple bone wings spread open. Faint purple flames flickered across them, and the air around them immediately grew scorching hot.
"We'll fly, of course." Qin Yao tightened his hold on her hand. "Xue'er, want to race?"
Qian Renxue wasn't about to back down.
Golden light blazed behind her as her Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul possessed her. Its sacred aura immediately suppressed Qin Yao's purple flames.
"Fine, let's race. You're only a Soul King, so your Soul Power will run out faster than mine." Qian Renxue gave a soft snort, beat her wings, and shot into the sky like a streak of golden light.
Qin Yao laughed aloud, his Amethyst Bone Wings beating powerfully as he transformed into a streak of purple light and followed close behind.
Watching the two disappear into the distance, Qin Xiong turned to Snake Lance and Porcupinefish.
"You two cover the rear. I'll go ahead and scout the way."
With that, Qin Xiong turned into a ball of flame and vanished in an instant.
Snake Lance and Porcupinefish exchanged glances, then resigned themselves to urging their Soul Power onward.
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