Qian Renxue, Exhausted in Body and Mind

Pufferfish Douluo spoke in a muffled, resonant voice, "Does Your Highness mean... like today?"

"Precisely." Ye Yang nodded, his eyes carrying a hint of playfulness. "Today was merely the beginning. Doesn't Xue Beng enjoy playing the part of an arrogant, overbearing wastrel who bullies the weak? Then it is only fitting that I, as his elder brother, teach him a lesson."

"Even if Xue Ye finds out, he will only think of me, the Crown Prince, as fair and impartial, keeping the big picture in mind. At most, he might feel my methods are a bit hasty, but he will never suspect anything deeper."

"And as for Xue Beng?" Ye Yang's smile turned cold.

"Does he dare to resist? Does he dare to reveal that he is not the true wastrel he pretends to be? He dares not! He can only continue to play the part of that pathetic fourth prince who gets beaten until he cries for his father and mother, scurrying away in a panic!"

"As time goes by, he will either be driven mad, or his acting will show irreparable flaws under the constant high pressure... When that happens, if something 'accidental' occurs, who could possibly suspect the 'benevolent and impartial' Crown Prince?"

[Ding! Explaining a conspiracy, Mental Power +1]

Serpent Spear and Pufferfish exchanged a glance, both seeing astonishment and a trace of imperceptible chill in the other's eyes.

"Your Highness's plan is brilliant!" Serpent Spear Douluo bowed, his tone carrying a sense of genuine conviction.

"It can continuously weaken the Fourth Prince, consolidate your reputation, and make His Majesty trust you even more. Your subordinate understands how to cooperate."

Pufferfish also said in a deep voice, "Rest assured, Your Highness. We will closely monitor the movements of Xue Beng and his faction to ensure he cannot stir up any trouble."

"Very good." Ye Yang nodded with satisfaction. "Since you know what I need done, you may withdraw. Remember, all of this is part of the plan."

As he said this, the corners of Ye Yang's mouth curled upward slightly.

[Ding! Commanding subordinates, Dignity +1]

"Yes!" The figures of Serpent Spear and Pufferfish seemed to melt into the shadows, vanishing quietly.

The bedchamber returned to silence.

Ye Yang leaned back against the chair and let out a long sigh of relief.

"Heh, being the Crown Prince is truly satisfying! You can beat up a prince in broad daylight and people will even applaud!" He muttered to himself, savoring the thrill of whipping Xue Beng.

"The system's stat points are also quite satisfying—Dignity, Acting, Strength... Tsk tsk, I wonder how much I can farm before I switch back. However..."

His eyes narrowed as he thought of Qian Renxue, who was currently occupying his body.

"That woman should be in my little shack by now, right? I wonder what her expression was when she saw the Radiant Emperor War Dragon and that hundred-thousand-year spirit ring? She must have been scared silly! Hahaha!"

Ye Yang was overcome with amusement, but then he frowned. "Still, I have to be careful. She is the Young Mistress of the Spirit Hall, and her mind is extremely meticulous. As for Old Jack... I hope she doesn't slip up and hurt the old man."

He wasn't worried that Qian Renxue would do anything extreme to his body, as that was her only way back.

But the thought of an "outsider" knowing the secrets within his body still felt unpleasant.

"Forget it, no use thinking about it. There are still nine days left before we switch back. For now..."

Ye Yang stretched, his gaze sweeping over the luxury of the bedchamber. "Time to enjoy this decadent life of a Crown Prince! Someone come here!"

[Ding! Summoning attendants, Dignity +1]

Holy Soul Village

"Ye Yang..." Qian Renxue struggled to utter the name, her eyes filled with extreme complexity—shock, confusion, vigilance, and inquiry... a myriad of emotions intertwined and surged.

"Who exactly are you?!"

She forced herself to calm down and took a deep breath.

Qian Renxue tried to focus her intent, cautiously communicating with her martial soul. She wanted to feel this power more clearly.

Hum—!

The moment her intent touched the Radiant Emperor War Dragon, a vast, boundless power of light surged into her consciousness!

This power was immense, far exceeding the control of her current Spirit Elder level, and it carried a majestic, imperial aura that looked down upon all living things and dominated everything!

"Ugh!" Qian Renxue groaned, her face turning deathly pale in an instant. She felt as if her spirit had been thrown into the core of the sun—scorching, expanding, and nearly overwhelmed by this sudden torrent of power!

The phantom of the Radiant Emperor War Dragon also trembled violently, its light flaring up as an invisible pressure spread uncontrollably!

Bang! Bang-bang!

The simple wooden table and chairs groaned under the sudden, uncontrolled pressure, their legs snapping one after another as they collapsed with a crash!

"Yangyang! What happened?!" Outside the door, Old Jack's anxious knocking and shouting immediately followed.

Qian Renxue was startled and forcibly severed her connection with the martial soul; the Radiant Emperor War Dragon phantom and the blood-colored spirit ring vanished instantly.

Enduring the dizziness and nausea caused by the mental shock, she quickly scanned the chaotic room, cold sweat beading on her forehead.

Damn it! The power went out of control and made too much noise!

"I... I'm fine, Grandpa!"

Qian Renxue tried her best to imitate Ye Yang's usual tone, but her voice still trembled, carrying a hint of weakness she couldn't hide.

"I... I tripped by accident and bumped into the table! The... the lamp fell over too!"

As she answered quickly, she scrambled to lift the overturned furniture, trying to hide the scene.

"You child! How could you be so careless! Open the door and let me see if you're hurt!" Old Jack's voice was full of worry, and his knocking grew more urgent.

Looking at the shattered table and chairs that could never be restored, and listening to Old Jack's genuine concern from outside the door, an unprecedented sense of panic and helplessness welled up in her heart.

"Ye Yang... the 'identity' you left behind is truly... troublesome."

Qian Renxue gave a bitter smile in her heart, took a deep breath, and struggled to calm her churning blood and chaotic thoughts before walking toward the door, preparing to deal with the worried old man outside.

Old Jack entered the room and stared at the dilapidated furniture, completely bewildered. What on earth had happened here?

But seeing Ye Yang unharmed, Old Jack breathed a sigh of relief. Forget it, it must have just been an accident; after all, Xiao Yang didn't even have a martial soul, so how could he have done this?

"As long as you're fine, just get some rest. I'll come back tomorrow to clear this mess up; it's about time I replaced your furniture anyway." Old Jack's concerned voice made Qian Renxue exhale in relief.

It seemed Old Jack hadn't paid much mind to the incident.

Old Jack left the room while grumbling curses at the furniture maker.

Qian Renxue closed the door again and let out a long sigh.

Lying on Ye Yang's bed, Qian Renxue stared at the unfamiliar ceiling, gradually becoming lost in thought. What was she supposed to do now?

Pondering this, Qian Renxue slowly closed her eyes and drifted into a weary sleep; the events of the day had left her physically and mentally exhausted.

An unfamiliar village, an unfamiliar body, and a Ye Yang full of secrets—these were all things that troubled her deeply.