The Red-Clad Archbishop

"Good!"

Qin Yao stepped forward and personally helped the two of them up.

"From today on, you are my people."

Qin Yao's movements were gentle.

"Since you are my people, you are naturally under my protection. Never mind a prince; even Great Emperor Xueye cannot touch a hair on your heads."

Hearing this, Dugu Yan felt a surge of exhilaration in her heart.

She thought with satisfaction that the bastard Xue Beng had finally kicked an iron plate this time.

However, Xue Beng had Prince Xue Xing standing behind him, a prince with deep roots in Heaven Dou City and the absolute trust of Great Emperor Xueye.

But then she reconsidered: His Highness the Holy Son now had the entire Worship Hall backing him, so dealing with a prince and a royal uncle should be no problem at all.

"Lingling, Clan Head Ye."

Qin Yao's voice interrupted Dugu Yan's train of thought. "Since you have chosen me, I will naturally ensure your safety."

He paused, then continued, "Lingling, in three days, I will go with you to see exactly what Xue Beng is trying to pull."

Ye Lingling nodded gratefully, and Ye Shutang bowed once more to express her thanks.

"However, I still have some matters to attend to recently, so I will remain in Heaven Dou City for the time being."

Qin Yao arranged, "When I return to Martial Soul City, you will accompany me.

In the meantime, I will arrange for you to hold a position at the Martial Soul Sacred Hall in Heaven Dou City tomorrow."

Ye Shutang listened quietly, having no objections to this arrangement.

Qin Yao pondered for a moment and added:

"Clan Head Ye, given your strength and the unique nature of your martial soul, ordinary positions are not suitable. You shall start by holding the rank of Red-Clad Archbishop."

As soon as these words were spoken, the medical clinic fell into instant silence.

Ye Shutang was completely stunned.

Red-Clad Archbishop?

Within the system of Martial Soul Hall, that was already an absolute high-level position.

In the provinces, a Red-Clad Archbishop was the highest authority of the local Martial Soul Hall.

Even in imperial capitals like Heaven Dou City and Star Luo City, they were the second-in-command, second only to the Platinum Bishop.

Dugu Yan also opened her mouth, her face full of disbelief.

Her grandfather was a Title Douluo, yet he only held the title of Elder in Martial Soul Hall.

Aunt Ye was merely a Soul Emperor, yet she was being directly appointed as a Red-Clad Archbishop?

This was enough to show that Qin Yao's regard for the Nine Heart Begonia had reached an unfathomable level.

Qin Yao naturally had his own considerations.

A top-tier healing-type soul master had a strategic value that, at times, even exceeded that of a Title Douluo.

Moreover, Qin Yao could see that Ye Shutang was not yet old; as long as she cultivated diligently and with the aid of immortal herbs, she would naturally reach the Title Douluo realm. A Nine Heart Begonia at the Title Douluo realm would be immensely valuable.

Who could guarantee they would never be injured in their lifetime?

Especially in high-level combat, a super healer capable of instantly turning the tide of battle was the ultimate dream of every faction.

Of course, healing alone was not enough; amplification and support were equally important.

It was a pity that Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was too stubborn; otherwise, he might have found a way to make contact.

Perhaps, after finishing the business in the Heaven Dou Empire, it would be time to take a trip to the Star Luo Empire to meet the Star Crown Sect, which had become the royal family of the Star Luo Empire over the past few years.

With Ye Lingling's affairs settled, the sky gradually darkened.

At Ye Shutang's repeated insistence, Qin Yao stayed for a simple meal.

At the dinner table, the atmosphere was much more harmonious. Ye Shutang asked about Dugu Yan's cultivation at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, her words filled with concern.

After dinner, Qin Yao rose to take his leave.

Before departing, he said to Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan:

"Lingling, if you do not wish to continue staying at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, you may withdraw directly.

You can go to the Sunset Forest to cultivate with Yanzi—I will have Dugu Bo watch over you—or you can go to Martial Soul Hall's own Soul Master Academy for further study. It is all up to you."

Ye Lingling nodded, and the last trace of confusion about her future vanished.

Leaving the clinic, Qin Yao's figure flickered a few times and disappeared into the night.

Crown Prince's Residence, back garden.

Qin Yao bypassed all the visible and hidden sentries with practiced ease, landing silently beside the stone pavilion.

A golden figure was already waiting there.

Qian Renxue had changed out of her elaborate court robes into casual attire, her long golden hair draped loosely over her shoulders, shedding some of the Crown Prince's majesty for a touch of feminine softness.

Seeing Qin Yao, she took the initiative to walk toward him, allowing him to pull her into his embrace.

The two held each other in silence for a while before Qin Yao spoke, briefly recounting what had happened at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy during the day.

"Xue Beng?" Qian Renxue leaned against his chest, her tone laced with disdain. "That idiot who knows nothing but eating, drinking, and playing—he dares to touch your people?"

"He is indeed an idiot, but Prince Xue Xing behind him is not."

Qin Yao released her and led her to the stone pavilion to sit down.

"Prince Xue Xing has been working against me all these years, relying on the favor of Xueye to trip me up at every turn. A Xue Beng who only knows how to indulge in pleasure is the perfect pawn for him to flaunt the majesty of the royal family."

Qian Renxue said coldly, "However, he has miscalculated if he thinks he can use the Nine Heart Begonia to bolster his own strength."

"Since I have already taken the person in, this matter must be resolved," Qin Yao said.

Qian Renxue looked up, her golden hair shimmering with a soft luster under the moonlight. "How do you intend to resolve it? Kill Xue Beng directly? That would be unwise. Although the old man Xueye is seriously ill, he is not yet senile. There is only one prince left now, Xue Beng; if he were to die unexpectedly, there would be a thorough investigation. The lockdown of Heaven Dou City would be detrimental to our plans."

"I have my own sense of proportion," Qin Yao said.

Qian Renxue looked at him and suddenly chuckled, "You, you are always so overbearing."

Qin Yao pulled Qian Renxue tighter, his arm circling her waist to press her firmly against him. "If I weren't a bit overbearing, how could I have won the heart of Sister Xue'er?"

His voice was low, carrying a warm breath that brushed against Qian Renxue's ear.

Qian Renxue's body stiffened slightly, and a faint, imperceptible blush crept onto her cheeks. She pushed gently against Qin Yao's chest, but without any real force.

"Always such a glib tongue."

Her voice carried a hint of coquettish reproach, making it impossible to tell if she was pleased or angry.

Qin Yao let out a low laugh and rested his chin on the top of her head, feeling the texture of her silky hair.

"By the way, Sister Xue'er, what is your soul power level now?" Qin Yao asked suddenly.

"Just finished absorbing a soul ring, stabilized at level sixty-two." Qian Renxue leaned into his embrace, her voice muffled. "What about you? We haven't seen each other for over half a year; you must have made rapid progress again."

"Not bad, level fifty-three." Qin Yao's tone was flat, as if he were mentioning something trivial.

Qian Renxue, however, lifted her head from his chest.

Level fifty-three?

She remembered that just over half a year ago, he had only just broken through to level fifty-one.