"What?"
"That old geezer Tai Tan actually agreed to work with you, Imperial Concubine?"
Bai He was rather surprised. After all, even after breaking away from the Clear Sky Sect, the Strength Clan still believed in the Clear Sky Sect in private.
"Patriarch Bai He, there's no need to doubt us. The reward we offered is definitely enough to move Patriarch Tai Tan."
Bai He gave a meaningful look at Ye Yunxi, who stood before him like a true fox spirit.
Such a stunning woman, with the strength of a Soul Saint and such a deep, calculating mind. No wonder the Crown Prince wanted to take her as his Imperial Concubine.
As for the demands Ye Yunxi had made, he couldn't possibly refuse them.
Bai He drew a deep breath, stood up, and bowed. "We accept Your Highness the Imperial Concubine's terms."
"Glad to hear it. Now that you've agreed, we'll be partners from here on out."
Seeing that Bai He had agreed, Ye Yunxi didn't want to linger any longer.
But her eyes happened to fall on Bai Chenxiang, who was secretly watching her from the side.
When Bai Chenxiang realized Ye Yunxi had noticed her, she immediately fled, blushing.
"Then, Patriarch Bai He, someone will come to take care of these matters later. We won't keep you any longer."
For now, she had brought two great clans into the fold. All that remained were the other two.
Bai He escorted them to the edge of the forest, then turned back toward the Speed Clan. He still had plenty of matters to handle.
Once they had left the Speed Clan's territory, the two leaped back to where their horses were.
Only then did Qian Renxue finally speak. "Ye Yunxi, why are you a Soul Saint?"
"Why didn't I notice before?"
"Your Highness, sometimes it's better not to know certain things. Knowing them would only be bad for you."
Ye Yunxi swung up onto her horse and shot Qian Renxue a flirtatious glance. "The stronger I am, the better for you, isn't it? Are you worried that now that I've grown stronger, you won't be able to keep me in check?"
"My dear husband~"
Her breathy voice sent a shiver through Qian Renxue. His ears flushed red as he said, "Don't call me 'husband' now. Why don't you call me that in everyday life? And put on your veil. Don't just take it off whenever you feel like it."
"Your looks attract far too much attention. I don't like other people seeing you."
"Your Highness, aren't you being a little too possessive?" Ye Yunxi blinked at him with a pitiful look.
"That's just how I am. Put your veil on right now, and don't take it off again."
Thinking back to their visits to the Strength Clan and the Speed Clan, Qian Renxue recalled how many people had been sneaking glances at Ye Yunxi. It had left him terribly uncomfortable.
He had to admit that he really did care how Ye Yunxi felt about him.
Just then, the system's notification rang out in Ye Yunxi's mind.
[Ding! Main Quest progress updated: Successfully brought the Strength Clan and the Speed Clan into the fold!] [Rewards issued: Silver Dragon Nirvana Crystal (Contains pure dragon-origin power. It has a natural restorative effect on the Silver Dragon King and her bloodline. It can nourish a dormant origin, repair damage to the divine soul, and proximity can awaken the Silver Dragon King's consciousness.)] [Side Quest triggered: Ice Silkworm Sacrifice] [Quest requirements: Find the million-year soul beast Sky Dream Ice Silkworm and trick it into willingly offering itself as a sacrifice.] [Quest hint: The Sky Dream Ice Silkworm is currently imprisoned in the Star Dou Great Forest. It's sleepy by nature, simple-minded and easy to fool. Its weaknesses are a fear of hassle and a love of comfort.]
"Silver Dragon King? Sky Dream Ice Silkworm?"
Venturing into the Star Dou Great Forest alone would certainly be dangerous, but if she could trick the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm into sacrificing itself to her...
Then she'd have her Eighth Soul Ring lined up—and it would be a Million-Year Soul Ring.
As she was lost in thought, Porcupinefish Douluo suddenly stepped between them.
"Young Master, the palace has been urging you to return. The Preliminary Tournament is about to end."
"You've been away for a while, and Xue Ye seems quite displeased with you."
Porcupinefish Douluo recounted everything that had happened recently.
Qian Renxue understood the gist of it. Wasn't it simply because he had sent Xue Xing and Xue Beng to prison?
Of course he'd be unhappy.
As for the other two clans, they would have to wait until later to bring them into the fold.
He glanced at Ye Yunxi. "We're going back!"
"Going back? That's just you. I have something to take care of, so I'll be leaving for a while."
Hearing that Ye Yunxi was leaving, Qian Renxue felt inexplicably displeased. But he couldn't stop her. Ye Yunxi was already a Soul Saint, and she was incredibly fast. He couldn't hold her back.
"If you're leaving, put on your veil. Don't let anyone else see you out there."
Qian Renxue spoke in a commanding tone.
"Goodness, I know, I know. Your Highness the Crown Prince is so possessive!"
Ye Yunxi grumbled, pulled out her veil, and put it on.
The pale pink veil covered most of Ye Yunxi's face, leaving only her pair of watery, peach-blossom eyes visible.
Her gaze shimmered, and her charms only grew stronger. The faint outline beneath the veil added a touch of mystery. Qian Renxue's heart stirred again, and his possessiveness grew even stronger.
But before he could say another word, Soul Power stirred beneath Ye Yunxi's feet. She used Lingbo Microsteps and vanished in a blur, leaving behind only a lilting laugh:
"Your Highness, I'll bring you a surprise when I get back~"
Qian Renxue watched her disappear into the distance and couldn't help sighing.
That little temptress always left whenever she wanted, without giving anyone a say.
Though he couldn't help worrying about her, he knew that with her current Soul Saint strength and her uncanny speed, ordinary people couldn't hurt her. He really couldn't stop her—and there was no need to.
"Young Master." Porcupinefish Douluo stepped forward and bowed. "Would you like me to keep an eye on Her Highness the Imperial Concubine in secret and ensure her safety?"
Qian Renxue shook his head, his expression complicated. His voice held a hint of displeasure as he replied, "No need."
"She's a Soul Saint now, and she's fast. Even an ordinary Soul Douluo might not be able to catch up with her. If she runs into danger, you might not be of any use."
Qian Renxue paused, a hint of approval difficult to detect in his tone. "She's capable of standing on her own now. If she wants to go out, stopping her would only upset her."
Porcupinefish Douluo nodded and said no more.
Inside, however, he was utterly shocked. Had the Young Master just said she was a Soul Saint?
When had Her Highness the Imperial Concubine become a Soul Saint?
Qian Renxue mounted his horse. In the end, he couldn't resist looking once more in the direction Ye Yunxi had gone before turning his horse around. "Let's go. We're returning to Heaven Dou City."
Now that they had brought the Strength Clan and the Speed Clan into the fold, there was no need to rush with the Defense Clan and the Breaking Clan.
The Preliminary Tournament of the Soul Master Tournament was about to end, and Xue Ye was waiting for him to return and give an explanation. He couldn't delay any longer.
The sound of hooves faded into the distance. Meanwhile, Ye Yunxi rode leisurely in the direction of the Star Dou Great Forest.
"I'm only one step away. Now I just need to find the Emperor Auspicious Beast."
Finding the Silver Dragon King through the Emperor Auspicious Beast would be a safer bet.