Back at the bottom of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, Ye Lingling reported the results to Qin Yao.
"Level 41. I've finished absorbing my fourth Soul Ring, and its attributes match my Martial Soul perfectly."
Qin Yao nodded.
"Good."
Just one word.
Ye Lingling lowered her head, twisting the hem of her clothes between her fingers, as if she still wanted to say something.
"Your Highness, I..."
"If you're about to thank me again, you can save it." Qin Yao leaned back. "The best way to thank me is to grow strong enough to help me as soon as you can."
Ye Lingling pressed her lips together and nodded hard.
Dugu Yan patted Ye Lingling's shoulder.
"You'll get used to it. His Highness never lets anyone thank him after he's done them a favor. It's kind of awkward."
Qin Yao said, "Be quiet."
Dugu Yan immediately shut her mouth, though she was still grinning from ear to ear.
She had completed the task His Highness had entrusted to her. She had hunted a 4,800-year-old Soul Beast all by herself, swiftly and cleanly, without dragging things out.
His Highness's "good" had been just one word, but Dugu Yan could tell it meant he approved.
She liked the feeling of earning Qin Yao's approval.
Actually, it wasn't just that.
Dugu Yan herself couldn't quite explain it. Whenever she looked at Qin Yao's profile—that cold face that paid no attention to anyone—her heart would give an inexplicable little leap.
When had this feeling started?
Probably during the days they'd spent cultivating at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.
Every day, without fail, Qin Yao had guided her in using her Soul Skills. His tone was always even, and he never said a word more than he needed to, but every sentence struck right at the heart of her problems.
She had secretly watched Qin Yao cultivate. Purple Soul Power flowed around him, purple crystal patterns creeping across his arms as a faint violet glow enveloped his entire body.
He looked beautiful.
But she also knew His Highness had a fiancée.
The Young Master of Spirit Hall, Qian Renxue.
The First Worship's granddaughter. The inheritor of the Angel Martial Soul. In status, strength, and looks, she was beyond Dugu Yan's reach.
So Dugu Yan had never said it aloud.
As long as she could stay by His Highness's side and work for him, that was enough.
Qin Yao was about to resume cultivating when a rush of air sounded from above the valley floor.
Someone was coming.
Dugu Yan immediately stepped in front of Qin Yao, Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Soul Power gathering in her palm.
Ye Lingling retreated behind them as well.
The newcomer leaped down from the cliff above and landed steadily on the rocks at the bottom of the valley. It was Snake Lance Douluo.
Dugu Yan lowered her guard.
Snake Lance Douluo hurried forward, dropped to one knee, and presented a wax-sealed letter with both hands.
"Your Highness the Holy Son, the Young Master ordered me to deliver this letter overnight."
Qin Yao took the letter and turned it over in his fingers, recognizing Qian Renxue's Crown Prince's Private Seal.
He broke the seal and pulled out the paper.
There were only a few brief lines.
Three days from now, at the palace banquet, the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud would be presented as a state gift. Everything was going smoothly. The letter was signed with Qian Renxue's secret code.
Qin Yao folded the paper and tucked it away. The corners of his mouth lifted before he could stop them.
"Elder Snake Lance."
"Your subordinate is here."
"Wait a moment. I'll write a reply for you to take back."
Snake Lance Douluo said, "Yes."
Qin Yao rummaged through the storage pouch of his Soul Tool at his waist and pulled out a blank sheet of paper and a pen.
Dugu Yan curiously leaned closer, wanting to see what His Highness would write.
Qin Yao put pen to paper.
He didn't write a word.
He dipped the pen in ink and carefully drew a heart in the middle of the paper.
Then he lifted the pen, folded the paper, slipped it into an envelope, and handed it to Snake Lance Douluo.
"Take it back."
Snake Lance Douluo accepted it with both hands. Though he had no idea what was inside, years of serving the "Crown Prince" had taught him not to ask a single unnecessary question.
He turned and leaped up the cliff. After a few bounds, he vanished from the valley entrance.
Dugu Yan stared for two seconds, then her eyes widened.
"Your Highness, you didn't just draw a picture, did you?"
Qin Yao kept a straight face. "Did you see?"
"No, I didn't see anything!"
Dugu Yan waved her hands frantically, but she was holding back laughter so hard that her face had turned red.
"Your Highness, I never knew you could be so... so..."
"So what?"
"Nothing!"
Dugu Yan hurriedly shut her mouth and dragged a bewildered Ye Lingling far away.
Only when they were well out of earshot did Dugu Yan whisper to Ye Lingling.
"Lingling, you don't know? His Highness has a fiancée! That letter just now was from her, and His Highness replied with nothing but a heart. He didn't write a single other thing!"
Ye Lingling opened her mouth. "Just a heart?"
"Just a heart!"
Dugu Yan covered her mouth, her shoulders shaking with laughter.
"Who'd have thought someone who's usually so cold could be... hahaha... such a romantic!"
From the bottom of the valley, Qin Yao's voice drifted over. "Dugu Yan, I can hear you."
Dugu Yan's laughter cut off at once.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
The palace banquet was set for the hour of the Rooster at Chengming Hall in the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.
Qin Yao changed into formal attire, trading his fitted black outfit with dark purple patterns for a long black-and-gold robe. Dark purple crystal lion patterns were embroidered into the fabric, and a black belt with gold clasps was cinched around his waist. His long purple-silver hair was half-tied with a black jade hairpin, the rest draped over his shoulders.
At a height of 1.9 meters, dressed like this and paired with his stern face and the oppressive aura of his Beast Martial Soul, he could easily pass for twenty.
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling followed behind him.
Dugu Yan wore a fitted purple-black outfit edged in silver. Her dark green hair was swept back, and the silver chain set with purple crystals around her neck gleamed brightly.
Ye Lingling had changed into a sky-blue dress. Her blue hair fell down her back, and she had removed the black veil that covered her face.
Her beautiful blue eyes stood out under the lamplight, her long lashes fluttering as she nervously clutched her sleeve.
"Don't be nervous."
Dugu Yan took her hand.
"Just follow His Highness. No one will dare give you trouble."
Ye Lingling murmured an acknowledgment, but her palms were still coated in a thin layer of sweat.
The three of them got out of the carriage in front of the palace's main gate.
The eunuch assigned to escort them had been waiting for some time. He led them all the way to Chengming Hall.
Chengming Hall was the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace's main banquet hall, second in grandeur only to Golden Throne Hall.
The great hall blazed with light. Gilded brocade cloth covered the long tables, which were laid with more than thirty exquisite dishes.
It was a small banquet, attended only by the imperial family's inner circle and a few high-ranking ministers.
Xue Ye sat at the head of the table, his white-and-gray beard neatly groomed. The golden swan patterns on his imperial robe glimmered in the candlelight.
"Xue Qinghe" sat at Xue Ye's right, in the first seat. He wore a blue cloth robe, his hair tied with a blue band. He sat ramrod straight, his expression calm in just the right way.
But the moment Qin Yao stepped through the hall's entrance, "Xue Qinghe's" eyelid twitched.
This little rascal had cleaned up rather nicely today.
Qin Yao walked to the center of the hall and cupped his hands in salute to Xue Ye.
"Qin Yao, Holy Son of Spirit Hall, thanks Your Majesty for the banquet."
His voice was steady and confident, neither servile nor arrogant.
Xue Ye studied him for a few moments, then gave a slight nod.
The boy was still in his teens, yet already nearly as tall as the grown generals in the hall.
His purple-silver hair and dark purple eyes gave him a steady, composed air.
"Holy Son Qin, there's no need for ceremony. Please take your seat." Xue Ye's voice was neither warm nor cold. "This is a family banquet. Make yourself at home."
Qin Yao acknowledged him and was shown to the second seat on the left.
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling sat behind him with the other attendants.
Prince Xue Xing sat in the third seat on the right. His expression was sour, but he didn't say a word.
Several of the ministers present had heard at least something about how he'd been turned away at the Martial Soul Sacred Hall two days ago.
Now, seeing Qin Yao in person and remembering how he'd been publicly subdued in front of the Ye Family Medical Clinic, Prince Xue Xing felt as if something were lodged in his chest.
Xue Beng wasn't there.
His confinement order hadn't been lifted, so he couldn't even leave the palace gates.
The banquet proceeded with perfect courtesy.
Xue Ye was every bit the emperor he had been for decades, keeping the atmosphere smooth as polished glass from start to finish.
They talked about harmless topics: Heaven Dou Empire's recent progress in training Soul Masters, the longstanding friendship between Spirit Hall and the Heaven Dou Empire, and changes in Soul Beast populations across the lands.
Qin Yao played his part well. He joined the conversation when appropriate and raised his glass when expected, showing just the right measure of restraint and courtesy.
"Xue Qinghe" occasionally added a comment to smooth things over, subtly steering the conversation in Qin Yao's favor.
Neither of them exchanged so much as a private glance. Their coordination was as flawless as if they had rehearsed it countless times.
After several rounds of drinks,
Xue Ye set down his cup and gave a signal to the elderly eunuch beside him.
The eunuch understood and clapped twice.
Two attendants entered through a side door, carrying a nanmu tray. A piece of bright yellow brocade covered the tray, and resting steadily on top was a three-dimensional, triangular object of deep blue.
It looked unremarkable, but Qin Yao recognized it at a glance: the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud.
Xue Ye raised his hand, signaling the attendants to bring the tray before Qin Yao.
"Holy Son Qin."
Xue Ye had spent most of his life on the throne, and he was a master of polished speeches.
"This is the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, passed down by the ancestors of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family. It has been in our possession for several hundred years, yet I have never been able to unravel its secrets.
"Today, I present it to the Holy Son. First, out of gratitude for the longstanding friendship between Spirit Hall and the Heaven Dou Empire; second, as an apology from me, on behalf of my foolish son, for the offense he caused you."
The words were gracious, and the gesture behind them generous.
Qin Yao rose and walked over to the tray.
He reached out and lifted the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud.
"Your Majesty's generosity is well received. Qin Yao will remember it."
Qin Yao placed the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud in his Soul Tool storage pouch, then turned and saluted Xue Ye.
"It was a minor misunderstanding, not worth dwelling on."
Satisfaction showed on Xue Ye's face.
Though Qin Yao was young, he knew how to give others face. He wasn't greedy; after accepting the gift, he had immediately offered Xue Ye a way to save face.
Neither side mentioned Xue Beng's name again the entire evening.
It was as though nothing had ever happened.
The banquet ended in a warm and harmonious atmosphere.
When Qin Yao led Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling out of Chengming Hall, the night wind met them, carrying the chill of early autumn.
Ye Lingling let out a long breath of relief. Her palms, clenched all evening, were slick with sweat.
Dugu Yan leaned close and lowered her voice.
"Your Highness, what's that Vast Sea Cosmic... whatever it's called actually for?"
Qin Yao didn't slow down.
"I'll tell you when we get back."
The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud.
The thing the Heaven Dou Imperial Family had kept for hundreds of years without figuring out—it was perfectly clear in the original story: the Heart of the Sea God!
Before you continue