Blazing Fire Cooks Oil! Depart, Star Dou Great Forest!

"Does Elder Dugu have a way to resolve this?" Qin Yao asked from the side.

The corners of Dugu Bo's mouth curled up, his face revealing the confidence characteristic of the Poison Douluo.

He reached out to brush his waist, and a small black medicine bottle appeared in his hand.

"The poison the Young Mistress is using has 'Seven-Leaf Withered Heart Grass' as its main ingredient. This herb has a mild nature, which is why it is so discreet. What I have in this bottle is venom extracted from the tail stinger of a 'Red-Tailed Fire Scorpion'. After being refined through my special techniques, the manic nature of the fire poison has been removed, leaving only the property of stimulating blood flow."

Dugu Bo handed the black bottle to Qian Renxue.

"If the Young Mistress needs to accelerate the date of Xueye's death, you only need to mix this liquid into the original poison. It will not change the colorless and odorless nature of the original, but it will act like pouring oil on a fire, instantly triggering the toxicity of the 'Seven-Leaf Withered Heart Grass'."

"With just one drop, the vitality within Xueye will be drained in a short time. Furthermore, the manner of death will appear extremely natural, as if he simply withered away from old age; even the gods themselves could not detect that it was poisoning."

Qian Renxue's eyes lit up as she took the black bottle and toyed with it in her hand.

She had not dared to increase the dosage over the past few years for fear of arousing the suspicions of the imperial physicians. Now, with this catalyst from Dugu Bo, the initiative was completely in her hands.

"Very good. Elder Dugu, you have helped me a great deal." Qian Renxue put both bottles of poison away.

Dugu Bo waved his hands repeatedly: "The Young Mistress is too kind. Being able to relieve the worries of the Young Mistress and the Holy Son is this subordinate's duty."

With Dugu Bo's guarantee, the final shortcoming in Qian Renxue's undercover plan was completely resolved.

As for Xue Beng, who pretended to be a wastrel, Qin Yao actually felt that he wasn't pretending at all—he was a genuine wastrel.

Given Xue Beng's character, it wouldn't be difficult to set up a scheme for him to die in a woman's bed.

Immediately, Dugu Bo tactfully bowed and took his leave. As for the Fourth Worship, Qin Xiong, he had already left the garden long ago.

Inside the large stone pavilion of the garden, only Qin Yao and Qian Renxue remained once more.

Qin Yao pulled Qian Renxue into his arms again, letting her lean against his chest.

Qian Renxue did not resist, obediently pressing against him and feeling that rare sense of stability.

Qian Renxue tilted her head 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 accompany me?"

Her expression was very much like a little girl acting spoiled.

Qin Yao agreed without hesitation: "Of course, no problem. However, if you go to the Star Dou Great Forest, what will happen here at the imperial palace?"

Qian Renxue chuckled, her fingers tracing circles on Qin Yao's chest:

"Don't worry, I have a body double. Every time I go out to hunt for a soul ring, it is done this way."

Qin Yao grabbed her mischievous hand and leaned close to her ear: "Since Sister Xue'er has everything arranged, I will come to pick you up early tomorrow morning."

Her warm breath hit his earlobe, and Qian Renxue's cheeks flushed slightly as she gave him a gentle push:

"Stop it, Grandfather is still watching from the shadows."

Qin Yao held her tighter, not caring at all: "What is there to fear? Grandfather is practically dying for us to hold the wedding sooner."

The two shared a moment of tenderness in the stone pavilion.

Although Qin Yao possessed the maturity of an adult, he could not help but feel a sense of closeness when facing Qian Renxue.

His hands became slightly more daring, causing Qian Renxue to pout and scold him repeatedly until she finally chased him out of the Crown Prince's Residence with a blushing face.

The night breeze was cool, and Qin Yao walked through the streets of Heaven Dou City, feeling quite refreshed.

Qin Xiong emerged from the shadows, patting Qin Yao's shoulder with a face full of smiles:

"Good grandson, well done! Now my big brother can finally put one of his worries to rest."

Qin Yao straightened his sleeves:

"Grandfather, come with us to the Star Dou Great Forest tomorrow. The Star Dou Great Forest is not like the Sunset Forest; there are Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts in the depths."

Qin Xiong patted his chest in assurance: "That goes without saying! If anything happens to you and Xue'er, my big brother would never forgive me."

In the blink of an eye, it was the next morning.

In the backyard of Dugu Manor, Qin Yao had just finished washing up when Dugu Yan walked in carrying breakfast.

She had changed into a tight-fitting purple and black outfit today, which accentuated her tall, fiery figure.

She placed the tray on the table and leaned in close to Qin Yao, her delicate nose twitching twice.

Qin Yao glanced at her: "Are you a dog? What are you sniffing?"

Dugu Yan curled her lips: "Where did His Highness go last night? There is such a strong scent of perfume on you, and it's quite high-end, too."

Qin Yao picked up a steamed bun and took a bite, his tone indifferent:

"Don't ask about things you shouldn't. I am going to the Star Dou Great Forest today; it will take at least ten days, or perhaps half a month. You stay at the manor and cultivate properly with your grandfather."

When Dugu Yan heard he was leaving, the curiosity on her face instantly turned into disappointment:

"What is His Highness going to the Star Dou Great Forest for? Can't I go along to serve you?"

"You are currently a step behind in strength; your primary task is to focus on your cultivation."

Qin Yao struck her down without mercy.

Although Dugu Yan was reluctant in her heart, she knew that what Qin Yao said was the truth.

She nodded. "Understood, Your Highness."

After finishing his breakfast, Qin Yao called Dugu Bo over to give him a few instructions, incidentally telling him to hurry and finalize the matter regarding Ye Lingling with the Ye Clan, before departing from Dugu Manor.

Ten miles outside Heaven Dou City, in a secluded forest.

By the time Qin Yao arrived, Qian Renxue was already waiting there.

She had not disguised herself as Xue Qinghe today, but had instead restored her original appearance.

Dressed in a simple golden gown with her blonde hair cascading down like a waterfall, that noble and cold temperament still made it impossible for one to look away.

Snake Lance Douluo and Pufferfish Douluo stood guard behind her. Seeing Qin Yao approach, the two bowed respectfully.

Qin Xiong also descended from the sky, landing beside Qin Yao.

"Sister Xue'er, have you been waiting long?" Qin Yao walked forward and naturally took Qian Renxue's hand.

Qian Renxue struggled for a moment, but when she couldn't break free, she let him be. She glanced at Qin Xiong and said in a low voice:

"Greetings, Fourth Granduncle."

Qin Xiong grinned from ear to ear. "Good, good, good! The Young Mistress looks truly beautiful in this attire today."

Qian Renxue felt a bit embarrassed by the praise and changed the subject.

"Xiao Yao, how are we getting there? Taking a carriage is too slow; it would take at least half a month."

A flash of purple light erupted from Qin Yao's back, and a pair of dark purple, crystalline wings instantly unfurled. Faint purple flames burned upon the bone wings, and the surrounding air immediately became scorching hot.

"We fly there, of course." Qin Yao tightened his grip on her hand. "Sister Xue'er, want to race?"

Seeing this, Qian Renxue was not one to be outdone.

Golden light burst forth from her back as her Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul Possession took effect, the sacred aura instantly suppressing Qin Yao's purple flames by a margin.

"A race it is. You're only a Spirit King; your spirit power consumption will definitely be faster than mine." Qian Renxue gave a light huff, her wings gave a fierce flap, and she transformed into a streak of golden light, soaring into the sky.

Qin Yao let out a loud laugh, his Amethyst Bone Wings beating with force as he transformed into a purple streak, following closely behind.

Watching the two disappear into the horizon, Qin Xiong turned to Snake Lance and Pufferfish and said:

"The two of you bring up the rear; this old man will go ahead to scout the path."

With that, Qin Xiong transformed into a ball of raging flames and vanished from the spot in an instant.

Snake Lance and Pufferfish looked at each other, having no choice but to resign themselves to urging their spirit power to keep up.