The Crown Prince Is Ill! Find Him a Crown Princess!

"Isn't that old news from years ago? My second uncle works in the palace."

"Come closer. I'll whisper it to you!"

At the yellow-haired young man's words, everyone leaned in, their faces full of curiosity.

"I'm telling you, the Crown Prince's that part doesn't work!"

"So now you know why His Majesty insists on replacing him with that wastrel, the Fourth Prince, right?"

"Oh—so that's why!"

Realization dawned on everyone's faces, and they began making all sorts of grand pronouncements about the matter:

"No wonder he still hasn't taken a Crown Princess after all these years. We haven't even heard any rumors about him..."

"I thought His Highness had some other unusual proclivities."

"..."

Their voices weren't loud, but how could they escape the ears of Soul Masters, whose hearing was far sharper than ordinary people's?

"You're the one with unusual proclivities! Your whole family has them!"

Qian Renxue was so furious she couldn't eat another bite.

Ling Xiao, meanwhile, was beside himself with laughter.

"Look at that. They're all worried about your lifelong happiness!"

"Why not just go along with public opinion and find yourself a Crown Princess soon? Then no one will gossip about you anymore!"

"Teacher, are you joking? Why would I need a Crown Princess? This is obviously slander, a plot, a scheme!"

Having been Crown Prince for so many years, Qian Renxue immediately caught a whiff of conspiracy.

"Right. This must be a rumor spread by Xue Xing and the others to damage my reputation!"

"Oh, is that so?"

Ling Xiao continued offering terrible advice.

"Then all the more reason to find a Crown Princess and slap them in the face, isn't it?

I think Shui Bing'er would be perfect. She knows her manners and how to conduct herself.

Bring her into the palace, and she'll be one of us. I can even help her win the Soul Master Tournament!"

"That would put the rumor to rest and deal a blow to Heaven Dou Team, which would naturally be a slap in Prince Xue Xing's face!

Oh, and there's also Martial Soul Hall Team. That would be a huge boost to your reputation!

Just imagine Bibi Dong's expression then. It would be priceless, wouldn't it?"

"Teacher, is that any way to tease your own disciple?"

Qian Renxue chided him.

She thought Ling Xiao was just making fun of her, but on second thought, his suggestion did make some sense!

At the thought of seeing Bibi Dong's furious, resentful expression, she felt a little guilty pleasure.

No, no. How could she think that way?

If she dragged Shui Bing'er into this, wouldn't her own identity be exposed?

Besides, what kind of idea was this?

How could she, a girl, marry another girl?

Wouldn't that be unfair to Shui Bing'er?

"Forget it. I'm done eating. I'm going back."

Qian Renxue had lost her appetite. After paying the bill, she stormed off.

But when she thought of that old fox Xue Xing plotting against her while she was in seclusion cultivating, she was furious. She had to get back at him.

Still, Ling Xiao's suggestion was far too outrageous.

She absolutely couldn't do that.

As she was thinking it over, she turned a corner and came face-to-face with the furious Titan and his son.

"Heh, kid. I never expected this!"

"We spent days lying in wait for you without catching sight of you, and then we run into you now of all times. What a small world!"

Titan's eyes blazed with fury.

First, this brat had snatched the Essence of Stars he'd long coveted. Then he'd gravely injured his young master. Just now, Salas had nearly taken him away, too. If they hadn't stopped him with everything they had, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect hadn't stepped in, things could have ended in disaster!

Now was the perfect time to settle both old and new scores!

Qian Renxue frowned. She'd almost forgotten about the auction, and couldn't believe this man was still so relentless.

"Senior, we don't know each other. May I ask why you've stopped me?"

"If there's nothing else, I'll be on my way!"

She thought they'd only caught a fleeting glimpse of her before, and she'd changed her appearance somewhat. As long as she firmly denied it, they wouldn't be able to prove she'd been at the auction.

But she didn't know that Titan had been watching her for a long time. The Star Sword in her hand had confirmed her identity beyond doubt.

He'd only lost track of her because too many people had been keeping an eye on her lately!

"Heh, we don't know each other?

Have you forgotten what happened at the auction?

Have you forgotten nearly getting my young master killed just now?"

"Since you've forgotten, let me jog your memory!"

With a furious roar, Titan swung his boulder-sized fist at Qian Renxue!

Fortunately, all the training she'd undergone these past few days hadn't been for nothing.

Qian Renxue braced herself against the immense pressure, drew the Star Sword in a flash, and used the force of her blade cutting through the wind of his fist to leap away.

Titan's fist slammed into the ground, leaving a crater three or four meters wide.

Several nearby vendors and passersby were caught in the blast.

Some lost arms or legs; others fell unconscious on the spot.

"Help! Murder! Run! A Soul Master is killing people!"

"Help me! Somebody, help!"

The entire night market descended into chaos.

"Senior, you're attacking someone in the street. Aren't you afraid the Heaven Dou Empire will punish you? Aren't you afraid Spirit Hall will hunt you down?"

Qian Renxue's eyes blazed with fury.

"Heh. They're just a few ants. So what if the Heaven Dou Empire and Spirit Hall find out? At most, they'll put on a show."

Titan snorted.

"Besides—none of that concerns you anymore."

Before, he might have kept a shred of reason and fear.

But now he couldn't afford to care about any of that.

All he wanted was to kill Qian Renxue, avenge his young master, and reclaim the divine weapon that should have been his.

"Damn it!"

Qian Renxue gripped the Star Sword tightly. Seeing the innocent people nearby writhing and crying out in pain, fury and resentment surged within her!

Reason told her she should flee now and settle the score another time.

But then she remembered what he'd said.

The Heaven Dou Empire and Spirit Hall might not pursue the matter too seriously.

Snake Lance Douluo and the others probably wouldn't risk getting involved to deal with him, either.

If she wanted revenge, it might be ages before she got the chance.

"All right, stop agonizing over it. Leave this to me!"

Ling Xiao's voice rang out.

If he didn't step in, Qian Renxue might still escape, though she'd have to pay a price.

But he was sick of seeing these two vermin lurking in the shadows day after day.

"Teacher, you're going to step in?"

Qian Renxue asked excitedly.

"Are you going to use my body again?"

But at the thought, a strange sensation spread through her.

"Heh. Two little bugs aren't worth the trouble!"

Ling Xiao sneered and flicked a finger.

Two tiny flames instantly crawled over Titan and his son.

Titan suddenly felt as if he'd been plunged into an icy abyss, while a flame seemed to be burning inside his organs.

It was as though his insides were about to be burned to a crisp.

"Father! Save me—"

Tainuo's face twisted in agony. He let out a faint, mosquito-like cry, then turned into a cloud of ash that drifted away on the night wind.

"Tainuo!"

"Ahhh! Damn it! What is this? What kind of demonic trick did you use, brat?"

Titan roared as his Soul Power erupted, one Soul Ring after another appearing around him.

But he still couldn't withstand that strange force.