The Crown Prince Hosts a Banquet, The Smiling Tiger's Probe

The person sent to deliver the invitation was a steward from the East Palace. His attitude was extremely respectful, claiming that the Crown Prince had heard of a peerless genius emerging from the academy and, feeling delighted, had specially arranged a private banquet at the most famous restaurant in Tiandou City, the Moonlight Pavilion, to chat with this future pillar of the empire.

The words were beautifully spoken. Not a single flaw could be found.

But in the eyes of Xue Yao, a transmigrator, this exquisite invitation was even more terrifying than a death warrant from the King of Hell!

Who was Xue Qinghe?

Hidden beneath that gentle, refined, and humble skin was the daughter of the former Pope of the Martial Soul Hall—Qian Renxue!

A ruthless, peerless character who had lurked for over a decade to usurp the power of the Heaven Dou Empire, personally poisoning two princes to death! Even the Fourth Prince, Xue Beng, who feigned madness and stupidity, had been forced by her to act like a wastrel just to save his own life.

This is trouble...

Xue Yao tossed the invitation onto the table and rubbed his temples.

He had been far too prominent lately.

Six years old, Innate Full Soul Power, a viscount personally enfeoffed by the Emperor, breaking through to level fifteen in three months, and possessing a terrifying Self-Created Soul Skill.

Such monstrous talent naturally made Emperor Xue Ye beam with joy. But in the eyes of "Xue Qinghe," this was absolutely a massive variable that could affect the future of the situation.

The trap Qian Renxue had set today was nominally a dinner invitation, but in reality, it was to "inspect the goods."

She was testing whether this genius could be used by the Martial Soul Hall or if he was wholeheartedly loyal to Emperor Xue Ye.

If the result of the inspection was the latter...

Xue Yao was almost certain. After finishing this meal tonight, by tomorrow, his teacup or food would contain a chronic, mixed poison that even Poison Douluo could not detect.

Can I refuse to go?

The moment this thought surfaced, Xue Yao extinguished it.

Refuse? That would be showing disrespect to the Crown Prince, which would not only provoke the dissatisfaction of Emperor Xue Ye but also implicitly tell Qian Renxue: I am guarding against you.

To a meticulous and ruthless character like Qian Renxue, any form of defense was a path to death.

It seems I have to play the part of an Oscar winner tonight.

Xue Yao took a deep breath. His gaze gradually returned to calm, even carrying a hint of the "naivety" and "flattered surprise" appropriate for a six-year-old child.

Since he couldn't hide, he would go and meet this smiling tiger in sheep's clothing.

Night fell.

In the Elegant Pavilion on the top floor of the most prosperous building in Tiandou City.

The environment here was extremely serene, devoid of the clamor outside, with the scent of precious incense flowing through the air.

Led by the East Palace guards, Xue Yao pushed open the door to the Elegant Pavilion.

Inside, a young man wearing moon-white robes and a golden crown stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the night view of Tiandou City.

The young man had a handsome face and a gentle, jade-like temperament. He carried no airs of a crown prince, instead exuding an affinity that made one feel like they were bathed in a spring breeze.

Even though Xue Yao knew the truth, he was secretly shocked by this perfect disguise.

If Qian Renxue didn't win an Oscar for this acting, it would be a waste of talent.

"Your humble subject Xue Yao pays respects to the Crown Prince."

Xue Yao stepped forward and performed a standard aristocratic bow, portraying a commoner genius who was suddenly summoned by the Crown Prince—a mix of nervousness and pride—to perfection.

"Haha, Brother Xue Yao, there is no need for such formalities in private. Sit, quickly."

Xue Qinghe turned around, a very gentle smile on his face. He walked over personally, pulled out a precious sandalwood chair, and gestured for Xue Yao to be seated.

"I heard His Majesty mention that an incredible little genius had appeared in the academy. Seeing you today, you truly are a hero among the youth."

As Xue Qinghe laughed, he personally poured a cup of warm fruit wine for Xue Yao.

"Your Highness is too kind. It is merely good luck." Xue Yao took the cup with both hands, bowing his head slightly, appearing well-behaved.

The two took their seats.

Several exquisite dishes were brought in by maids, who then respectfully retreated and closed the door.

Inside the Elegant Pavilion, only the two of them remained.

"Come, try this. It is the signature dish of the Moonlight Pavilion." Xue Qinghe greeted him warmly, his tone like that of an older brother caring for a neighbor's younger brother.

After a few pleasantries, Xue Qinghe set down his chopsticks and brought up a topic, seemingly at random.

"By the way, I heard about what happened at the academy this afternoon."

Xue Qinghe chuckled, a hint of appreciation flashing in his eyes. "That girl Dugu Yan, relying on the fact that her grandfather is Poison Douluo, usually holds her head high in the academy. I didn't expect that today, she would be reduced to tears by just a few words from you."

"At six years old, not only is your soul power astonishing, but your mind and eloquence are also so sharp. Brother Xue Yao, you truly surprise me time and time again."

Here it comes!

Xue Yao felt a sudden chill in his heart.

This was a test of his intellect.

If he appeared too smug or displayed deep cunning, Qian Renxue's vigilance would undoubtedly skyrocket.

"Your Highness is too kind."

Xue Yao scratched his head, putting on a look of slight embarrassment.

"Actually, I was quite scared at the time. That green snake of hers was so huge, and it was emitting poisonous gas. I'm only level fifteen; there's no way I could have beaten her."

Xue Yao blinked, his tone carrying a bit of the cunning and pride typical of a child.

"But when I was reading in the Royal Library before, the book said, 'Attacking the heart is paramount.' I calculated her age and realized it was shameless for someone so much older than me to come looking for trouble. So, I just laid it all out on the table. I didn't expect her to be so concerned about her reputation that she'd just run off."

This explanation was half-truth, half-lie.

It both explained how he could have said those things and packaged himself as a child who, "while clever, would still be afraid when faced with absolute force."

As expected.

Hearing this explanation, the trace of hidden scrutiny in Xue Qinghe's eyes faded slightly.

"So that's how it is. Reading more books is indeed a good thing." Xue Qinghe nodded with a smile.

Xue Qinghe picked up his wine cup and took a light sip.

The atmosphere inside the Elegant Pavilion seemed to undergo a subtle change at this moment.

"Brother Xue Yao, since you enjoy reading, you must have read quite a few historical records regarding the situation on the continent, right?"

Xue Qinghe looked out the window, his tone gradually becoming drawn-out.

"On the surface, the continent is calm. But my Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire have been in constant friction for years. And between the two empires, there is the unfathomable Martial Soul Hall."

Speaking of this, Xue Qinghe turned his head, his deep eyes staring straight at Xue Yao.

"In recent years, Martial Soul Hall has continuously recruited civilian soul masters, and its influence has grown increasingly vast. It even shows a trend of vaguely surpassing the two great empires. His Majesty is worried about this day and night."

"You are a Viscount personally conferred by His Majesty, and you are a future pillar of our Heaven Dou Empire."

Xue Qinghe's voice became extremely soft, even carrying a hint of earnest consultation.

"If it were you, facing the current friction between the two empires and Martial Soul Hall, what choice would you make?"

Xue Yao remained calm on the surface, even picking up a piece of food with his chopsticks and putting it into his mouth. But a thin layer of cold sweat instantly broke out on his back.

This question was a death trap!

If he were an ordinary noble youth, facing this "heart-to-heart" from the Crown Prince, he would surely have his blood boiling. He would have patted his chest on the spot and guaranteed: "This subject will surely pledge his life to Heaven Dou, trample Martial Soul Hall underfoot, and share the burdens of His Majesty and the Crown Prince!"

But if Xue Yao actually dared to say that, he guaranteed he wouldn't live past this month.

What Qian Renxue needed right now was a genius who could be used by Martial Soul Hall, not a die-hard loyalist who was devoted to the Heaven Dou royal family!

But if he did the opposite and spoke well of Martial Soul Hall, or even showed signs of leaning toward them, that would also be suicide.

In front of someone posing as the Heaven Dou Crown Prince, praising the hostile faction excessively not only failed to fit his current persona, but would also make Qian Renxue think he had ulterior motives and was deeply calculating.

Inside the Elegant Pavilion, it was so quiet that only the sound of breathing could be heard.

Xue Qinghe rotated the wine cup in his hand, a gentle smile hanging on the corners of his mouth, waiting quietly for Xue Yao's answer.