My dear junior sister, what exactly are you up to? You've been with Aotian for so long, and you still can't figure out where you stand?
Suddenly sticking your nose into matters between the sect and the state...
His eyes narrowed, and he unconsciously cracked his knuckles.
And where did you hear that old man was planning to establish an academy in Sun Moon...?
Only a few of us know about this. Secrets make success... Tsk.
"I understand. How is Xiao Meng doing now?"
Xu Qing was still worried about Meng Hongchen. After all, if anyone's friend of three years suddenly ran into an emergency—
And that emergency involved you, too. Anyone would worry, wouldn't they?
That was what Xu Qing thought:
He and Xiao Meng were just ordinary good friends. Their friendship's little boat was bound to sail straight ahead! Braving wind and waves! It would never capsize.
Jing Hongchen's office.
He held up the Soul Tool communicator, unable to figure out how to answer for a moment.
"Xiao Meng is now..."
"Feeling awful!! She needs Xu Qing!!!" Xiao Meng lowered her voice until it was barely more than a breath.
Heh heh, Brother Xu is coming!!
All that arguing with Grandpa hadn't been in vain!
The Body Academy? How could that possibly work? The imperial family kept an eye on every move the great clans made.
Without some real benefit, how could it ever succeed?
So I, Xiao Meng, thought of getting Brother Xu to join the academy.
With Brother Xu there, Sun Moon's chances of taking first place would double! Saying we had a ten-out-of-ten chance would be too shocking, so let's say ninety-nine percent.
With that as support, the imperial family could turn a blind eye.
Grandpa really was getting old. He hadn't even thought of that.
"Uh... The situation is a little... complicated. How about this: I'll pick you up after work, and we can discuss everything in person. How does that sound?"
Jing Hongchen still found it hard to say. He was afraid of ruining his reputation in his old age!!
He could have quietly arranged everything for the Body Academy, but his own selfish motives had gotten the better of him.
That was right. How could the Hall Master of Mingde Hall fail to pull off something like this?
Both the underworld and the respectable world would show him some deference. They wouldn't? Then don't use Soul Tools anymore. All the patents belonged to Mingde Hall!
Besides, the imperial family had known for years that Mingde Hall and the Body Sect were in contact. That regent, Prince Xu, was even one of the buyers behind the scenes!
Especially when it came to the potions whose main ingredient was Whale Rubber!
They'd made perfect use of its side effects, hitting the prince right where it mattered.
Even if it didn't work... that was only true for the prince...
And the prince... was also someone who refused to believe it wouldn't work...
So those extravagant, pleasure-seeking royals had already become dependent on Body Potions. Why wouldn't they agree to an academy being established in Sun Moon?
And as for this old man... How could I not see what you were thinking, Xiao Meng?
It was written all over your face.
A young talent like Xu Qing had to be snapped up before someone else got to him.
Sorry, Brother Poison. You're doing this for your child, and I... am doing it for mine, too.
I had no choice but to resort to this, and leak the news that you were planning to open an academy.
In the end, it was all so Xu Qing could compete. More or less the same thing, more or less...
"Mm... Sorry for the trouble, Hall Master Jing. The address is the Red Rose Hotel. Just have the front desk contact me through the Soul Tool communicator when you arrive."
Beep, beep...
Xu Qing ended the call, rubbing a fingertip over the smooth metal surface as he sank into thought.
But where was he supposed to find the time to think?
Ice Empress was already furious!
A furious Ice Empress!
"Xu Qing!!" She gritted her teeth, wishing she could lunge at him and take a bite. "Let this empress go!"
The emperor of the Far North would not suffer such desecration!
"Tap, tap..."
Xu Qing lightly tapped the Big Brother Phone in his hand, looking thoughtful.
Plans never kept up with changes...
Bringing someone along was such a hassle, and now I'm actually going to school.
It's been ages since I went to school.
"How about this." Xu Qing put away the Big Brother Phone and dismissed Self, freeing Ice Empress. "Let's be honest with each other."
As he spoke, Xu Qing started to get up. Ice Empress clearly misinterpreted his movement.
"Heh heh heh. Honest about what? What could you and I possibly have to be honest about?"
She clenched her delicate fists, feeling how frail this body was, and said resentfully:
"Don't you just want this empress? Come on, then! But I won't make it easy for you!"
You vile human! Dying together with this empress would be too good for you!
If you dare touch me, I'll immediately use the Soul Power I've stored up to attack my Soul Core!
Even if it burns up my spiritual sea, I'll still—
"Do you want to know where Snow Empress is, you lost little Ice Jade Empress Scorpion...?"
Xu Qing stood a meter away from Ice Empress. They said this distance made strangers who were on their guard feel comfortable.
His eyes were half-lidded. He leaned forward slightly, looking down at Ice Empress's reaction with interest.
Without the Spirit Soul Method... without the blessing of fortune, how am I supposed to get you to willingly offer yourself as a sacrifice?
And the Mystic Ice Marrow doesn't seem to have had any effect on you.
Sorry, but I have no choice but to resort to this.
After all... you don't want to die, but I don't want to die either...
Did Xu Qing really seem like a carefree, thoughtless person?
From the first second he arrived in this world, his memories had been returning. It wasn't until he awakened at six that he truly remembered everything.
He also understood what kind of situation he was in now.
So far, he was certain he'd taken two great opportunities: Sky Dream Ice Silkworm and Electrolux.
Their fortunes would certainly shift! And that would inevitably attract the attention of the God Kings.
What would happen next? Xu Qing didn't know.
But he had no choice. Even if he didn't seize them, he wouldn't be safe. My very existence is already a variable, and the butterfly effect is influencing this continent every moment.
Rather than follow the predetermined script, I might as well enter the game myself... Maybe then I could...
"Xu Qing, do you think this empress will believe your lies?! Do you think this empress can't tell you're trying to fool me?!"
Ice Empress was like a kitten whose tail had been pulled.
"And you dare bring up Xue'er?! Her disappearance absolutely has something to do with you humans!!"
Ice Empress had already reached her conclusion!
She'd worked it out based on what she knew, and the fact that Xu Qing looked completely unafraid of Snow Empress coming to settle accounts with him.
He wasn't the slightest bit afraid of the Far North. He'd simply barged into the Far North Core Area with brazen, reckless, lawless audacity!
He'd captured this empress, humiliated A-Tai, and hunted the Titan Snow Demon Clan...
There was no way she'd believe Xu Qing knew nothing!!
She was so angry that her eyes turned red. The accumulated ice-attribute Soul Power flowed out of her almost unconsciously.
Her hair glimmered faintly, a deep, translucent blue flowing through it. Strands of ice crystals also gathered around her beautiful, wide eyes.
They looked just like two little blue butterflies kissing the corners of her eyes.
Xu Qing thought this peculiar change was rather interesting.
"What do you know, Xu Qing!! If you don't give this empress a proper explanation, I'll—"
Before she could finish her threat, the Soul Power she'd stored up ran out.
Before you continue