Yue Guan added,
"What's even stranger is that she's supposedly the Imperial Concubine of Xue Qinghe, the Crown Prince of Heaven Dou, yet she acts recklessly and without restraint. Not only did she openly clash with Xue Qinghe, she also dared to incite the audience to place bets in the arena, and even got close to Nana, testing her with every word."
"Oh?"
Bibi Dong's fingertips tapped lightly on the armrest of her throne. Her voice was cold, touched with a hint of curiosity.
"A mere Imperial Concubine of Heaven Dou has such ability? Even you, Hu Liena, couldn't resist her charms?"
She leaned forward slightly, a trace of puzzlement flashing in her violet eyes.
"What is her Soul Power Level? What is her Martial Soul?"
"This disciple couldn't determine her exact Soul Power Level. I only sensed that she was at least a Soul Emperor."
Hu Liena shook her head.
"As for her Martial Soul, I didn't see her use it. But judging by the aura around her, it's likely a fox-type Martial Soul of the same origin as mine, and perhaps of a higher rank."
Yue Guan chimed in. "She should have a powerful protector by her side. Xue Qinghe clearly values her greatly. More importantly, she seems to know the situation in Heaven Dou inside out. She even dared to publicly defame Xue Qinghe, yet he was still powerless to do anything about it."
Bibi Dong fell silent for a moment, then curled her lips into a cold smile.
"Interesting. Xue Qinghe is the Crown Prince, yet he indulges a woman to such an extent. Ye Yunxi is either truly innocent and carefree, or a deeply hidden player."
She paused, then gave her order. "Yue Guan, go to Heaven Dou City in person and find out everything about Ye Yunxi: her background, her Martial Soul, and her true strength. If she's just an ordinary fox-type Soul Master, there's no need to bother with her. But if she has another force backing her, or poses a threat to Spirit Hall..."
At that, Bibi Dong's gaze suddenly sharpened.
"Dispose of her."
"Yes, Your Holiness the Pope!"
Yue Guan bowed and accepted the order. In an instant, he vanished from the hall.
Watching Yue Guan's departing figure, Hu Liena couldn't help thinking of Ye Yunxi's dewy, peach-blossom eyes and the way her breath had been sweet as orchids when she leaned close. Her cheeks warmed.
She shook her head, suppressing the inexplicable feelings, and bowed.
"Teacher, I'd also like to go to Heaven Dou City and assist Elder Yue Guan."
Bibi Dong glanced at her and said coolly,
"No need. Stay in Spirit City and focus on your cultivation. Prepare for the upcoming Soul Master Tournament finals. Yue Guan can investigate Ye Yunxi on his own."
"Yes."
Hu Liena didn't dare say more. She could only respectfully step aside.
Three days later
Crown Prince's Mansion
Qian Renxue had spent three days soothing Ye Yunxi's mood.
This time, she was genuinely scared. Whenever the little vixen got upset, she was a real handful to appease.
"Yunxi, how about calling me 'husband'?"
Qian Renxue looked at Ye Yunxi, who was sitting beneath a tree and eating.
"Didn't I call you that yesterday? You want me to say it again? Are you trying to take advantage of me?" Ye Yunxi retorted.
"Me, take advantage of you? You're my wife, and I'm your husband. Calling me that won't make you lose a piece of flesh."
Qian Renxue was genuinely frustrated, with nowhere to vent. If Ye Yunxi would just call her that, she'd feel a lot better.
Perhaps it was a kind of desire to conquer her.
"I'll call you that when the time is right. Right now, you should be thinking about how to secure the Strength Clan's cooperation. Have you figured out how to deal with Tai Tan, their clan leader?"
"Do you need me to go with you? Looks like you can't manage it on your own."
Ye Yunxi smiled teasingly, stood up, and brushed the leaves off her clothes.
There was no way Qian Renxue could handle it alone. Shrek Academy hadn't officially joined Blue Tyrant Academy yet.
So Tai Tan of the Strength Clan hadn't met Tang San yet. This was a good opportunity to make their move.
Ye Yunxi's retort left Qian Renxue speechless. Seeing the smug, raised-brow look on her face, she could only sigh helplessly.
"Fine, I'll take you along. But when we get to the Strength Clan, don't cause a scene. Do as I say."
"Don't worry~"
Ye Yunxi patted her chest and shot Qian Renxue a flirtatious wink.
"When I step in, I guarantee that old Tai Tan will see you in a whole new light."
As soon as she finished speaking, the system's mechanical yet domineering notification suddenly rang in her mind.
[Ding! Main quest triggered: Submission of the Strength Clan] [Quest requirements: Assist Qian Renxue in successfully reaching a cooperation agreement with the Strength Clan, and get Tai Tan to recognize the sincerity of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family's offer] [Quest rewards: One Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring; unlock the advanced form of the Fox Flame Flowing Light Dress (charm effect +30%, with an added earth-fire affinity buff, suited to forging environments)] [Reminder: To ensure the quest's success, the system will forcibly change the host into the advanced form of the Fox Flame Flowing Light Dress. No manual action required~]
"Holy crap! System, what are you doing?!"
Ye Yunxi flew into a rage, furiously cursing in her mind:
"I just changed into something comfortable! Forcing a change of clothes is so disrespectful, hey!"
She had just started to resist when an invisible force seized control of her body. Her ordinary clothes vanished in an instant, replaced by the upgraded Fox Flame Flowing Light Dress.
The skirt was even more ornate than before. Silver threads interwove across its crimson gauze, like flickering tails of flame. Tiny flame patterns adorned its hem, and with every step, sparks seemed to shimmer across it.
A delicate nine-tailed fox emblem was embroidered at the collar and cuffs, glowing with a faint, gentle light.
What was worse, the dress came with a built-in waist-cinching effect that accentuated her graceful figure even more. The faint silhouette of a nine-tailed fox appeared and disappeared behind her, giving her an alluring yet spirited air.
"Why did you suddenly change clothes?"
Qian Renxue noticed the change and turned to look. She froze.
Ye Yunxi stood before her in a red dress, its colors shimmering. Against the skirt, her skin looked even fairer, and her peach-blossom eyes seemed to hold sparks of fire. She was both charming and dazzling, stirring an inexplicable heat in Qian Renxue's heart.
Ye Yunxi puffed out her cheeks in anger, tugged at her skirt, and muttered,
"I don't know!"
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. The system was a downright bandit. And yet, the Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring reward was impossible to refuse. At Soul Saint rank, level 70, she was just missing a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring to boost the power of her Soul Skills.
"Bandit!!!"
[System notification: Host, please depart as soon as possible. The Strength Clan's stronghold is three hundred li from Heaven Dou City. Departing today is recommended to seize the initiative~]
"Yeah, yeah, I know!"
Ye Yunxi roared in her mind, but could only wear a look of utter despair. "Let's go, let's go. The sooner we deal with Tai Tan, the sooner I get my reward. I don't want to spend time in this dress in a forge full of metal shavings!"
Seeing her puffed-up, helpless expression, a trace of amusement flickered in Qian Renxue's eyes. She held out a cloak. "Put this on. It's windy on the road."
Ye Yunxi raised an eyebrow, took it without hesitation, and draped it over herself. Its warmth wrapped around her body, just enough to make up for the dress's thinness.
"At least you have a little conscience."
Ye Yunxi gave a huff and strode out first, her steps almost skipping.
"Hurry up and follow!"
Thanks to Super Goblin King for the tip.