First Meeting with Meng Hongchen

Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy.

After much deliberation, Xu Tianming still brought Ye Guyi here, leading her into the Mingde Hall, which held absolute authority in the field of soul tools across the entire continent.

However, as a precaution, he had Ye Guyi put on a mask before entering.

After all, there were Evil Soul Masters from the Holy Spirit Cult lurking within the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy.

Once inside the Mingde Hall, Xu Tianming thought it over carefully and decided it was best for Ye Guyi to keep the mask on.

Although there were no Evil Soul Master moles within the Mingde Hall, there were certainly people loyal to his second brother, Xu Tianran.

If this second brother, whose specific attitude remained unclear, were to learn of Ye Guyi's existence, there was no telling what kind of trouble it might bring upon Xu Tianming.

Although Xu Tianming did not technically meet the requirements for entry into the Mingde Hall, his status as a prince ensured that rules had to obediently make way for power.

After passing through the core experimental area without obstruction, Xu Tianming felt a slight awkwardness when none of the busy researchers bothered to look up or acknowledge him, but he did not take it to heart.

After all, the primary purpose of his trip was to find his uncle's student, Xuan Ziwen.

Being accepted as a student by the continent's number one soul engineer, Kong Deming, was proof enough of Xuan Ziwen's talent. In the original setting, this man was already an eighth-rank soul engineer upon his first appearance, and he later independently developed the "Ice Extreme War God Armor," the prototype for the battle armor in the Douluo Dalu III worldview.

It was only later, due to irreconcilable differences in philosophy with Jing Hongchen and the temptation of the Tang Sect's hidden weapon manual provided by Huo Yuhao, that he abandoned the Sun Moon Empire and joined the Tang Sect.

But since he now possessed the advantage of foresight, he would naturally prevent this from happening again.

Judging by the fact that his second brother, Xu Tianran, had not yet ascended to the position of Crown Prince, it was clear that Huo Yuhao had not yet begun his rise. This meant there were at least several years to build a rapport with Xuan Ziwen.

With such an advantageous head start, Xu Tianming believed there was no reason for him to fail.

However, there was always a possibility of the unexpected.

Even if things did not go as hoped in the end, Xu Tianming could at least prevent Xuan Ziwen from leaving the Sun Moon Empire.

This was his bottom line.

No matter the reason, betrayal was something he could never tolerate.

Just as Xu Tianming was recalling his conversation with his uncle from the previous night and trying to remember where Xuan Ziwen's laboratory bench was, a confused female voice suddenly came from behind him:

"Who are you two? Why are you standing here? How come I've never seen you before?"

Following the voice, he saw a stunningly beautiful young girl with long, wine-red hair and ice-blue eyes, dressed in the standard uniform of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy. She was standing with her arms crossed, staring at Xu Tianming and the masked Ye Guyi beside him with wary eyes.

Though slightly dazzled by the girl's beauty, Xu Tianming quickly adjusted his mindset and tossed his waist token toward her:

"This is my identification token. We are here to find Xuan Ziwen. If you know where he is, please take us to him directly."

Hearing the cold, detached tone of Xu Tianming's command, dissatisfaction welled up in the girl's heart:

This guy is good-looking, but why is his personality so terrible? Didn't his elders teach him that when asking for a favor, one should use a polite tone and a sincere attitude?

Thinking this, the girl immediately wanted to lecture him.

However, the words died on her lips. Instead of lashing out, she first glanced at the token she had just caught.

At that one look, she was completely stunned.

The token was cast from mysterious gold; it felt heavy in her hand, with a warm, smooth texture, and it emitted a matte, dark-gold luster under the sunlight.

The front was embossed with a rising sun, its rays spreading layer by layer from the center outward. In the middle of the sun disk coiled a four-clawed python, its body winding with distinct, fine scales. The python's head was raised, and its eyes were inlaid with grain-sized cinnabar-colored gemstones, glowing like flames.

Flipping it over, the back featured a crescent moon, the arc cold and clear. Beneath the moon, a line of vertical small characters was engraved: Imperial Fourth Prince Tianming, specially commissioned.

This was an imperial identification token!

Realizing this, the girl froze for a moment, and then cold sweat broke out all over her body.

That was close! I almost offended a prince!

Looking at it this way, the attitude the other party had just displayed was perfectly reasonable.

After all, with the status of a Sun Moon prince, he truly didn't need to consider his tone or attitude when asking someone to do something.

Thinking back carefully, the prince had actually been quite polite; he had even included the word "please" when asking her for help.

He had already given her, Meng Hongchen, plenty of face!

At this thought, a smile immediately bloomed on Meng Hongchen's beautiful face. She returned the token, which symbolized power and status, to Xu Tianming with both hands and bowed slightly:

"So it is Your Highness the Fourth Prince. This subject had eyes but failed to recognize you. I fear I may have offended Your Highness, and I hope for your forgiveness."

Seeing her actions, which were full of aristocratic grace, and hearing her refer to herself as "this subject," Xu Tianming immediately realized that this girl's identity was not simple either:

"It is a small matter, no harm done. Since you recognize my identity, may I ask whose daughter you are?"

"This subject is Meng Hongchen, granddaughter of Jing Hongchen. It is my honor to guide Your Highness."

Hearing this answer, a look of genuine interest finally appeared in Xu Tianming's eyes.

At first glance, he had only thought her beautiful, but he hadn't expected her to be Meng Hongchen!

One of the legendary "Peerless Pair" of the Sun Moon Empire, famous in the original work!

After awakening the memories of his past life, Xu Tianming had intended to make contact with Meng Hongchen, though he hadn't expected their first meeting to happen in this manner.

However, since his primary plan at the moment was not to build a relationship with her, he simply nodded.

Therefore, after Meng Hongchen finished her introduction, Xu Tianming merely gave a faint nod to show he understood, then steered the matter back on track:

"Where is Xuan Ziwen? If you know, take me to him; if not, please feel free to go your own way."

Despite being prepared for the same tone as before, Meng Hongchen still felt a twinge of discomfort deep down.

Ever since she was a child, every boy she had encountered—aside from her brother—had been captivated by her stunning beauty. Some had even gone so far as to abandon their dignity, kneeling before her like dogs just to win her favor.

Although she had rejected every one of them without exception, deep in her heart, she secretly enjoyed the feeling of being the center of attention.

Yet today, a boy of nearly her own age showed absolutely no interest in her beauty!

Even though she knew it wasn't right, Meng Hongchen couldn't help but feel a competitive spirit rising within her.

She refused to believe that there was anyone in this world who could truly resist her exquisite looks!

Having made up her mind, Meng Hongchen offered a sweet smile, deliberately pitching her voice higher as she replied in a sugary tone:

"Teacher Xuan's location... I remember now. It's over that way. Your Highness, please follow me."

At the same time, she thought to herself:

I'm only doing this to prove my own charm, definitely not because I've taken a liking to the Fourth Highness's looks!