Xue Qinghe Arrives

In the afternoon in Heaven Dou City, sunlight slanted through the carved window lattices, cutting distinct patches of light and shadow across the sandalwood table.

Yang Fan was hunched over an ancient tome, his fingertips occasionally turning a page with unhurried, steady movements.

This was a historical record he had borrowed from the Spirit Hall's branch in Heaven Dou City, using the token Ning Rongrong had given him.

He had read the history books compiled by the Heaven Dou Empire before, and many parts were clearly embellished with artistic license; one could only vaguely discern two words between the lines: "cannibalism."

The history of the Heaven Dou Empire was a chronicle of cannibalism played out over hundreds of years by a feudal alliance of vassal states built upon a system of enfeoffment and slavery.

Thinking of the cat-girls sold freely in the original work, and the brothels and pleasure houses frequently visited by the playboys of Douluo, he couldn't help but shudder.

The history book from Spirit Hall was much the same, though it wasn't ordinary people eating people, but spirit masters eating people.

If Spirit Hall were to unify the land, it would inevitably be an era of the Angel God supreme, an era where spirit masters reigned supreme; those unable to possess spirit power would likely be no different from slaves.

One could glimpse Spirit Hall's attitude toward commoners from the scene in the original work where the blind Douluo awakened spirits.

Spirit Hall ultimately represented the interests of spirit masters; a true perspective for humanity wouldn't arrive until the Douluo Federation, two0,000 years later, free from the interference of gods.

"I wonder when someone in this era will finally shout, 'Long live the people.'"

Yang Fan closed the book and sighed.

No sooner had the words left his lips than a steady, unhurried sound of footsteps echoed from the direction of the stairs.

The footsteps were calm and rhythmic, each step landing with an intangible cadence, carrying an innate air of nobility and composure.

"Your Highness."

The Spirit Saint guarding the top of the stairs immediately knelt on one knee, his voice lowered, filled with heartfelt awe.

Yang Fan took the opportunity to put away the ancient book on the table and turned his gaze toward the doorway.

Accompanied by a faint scent of agarwood, a tall, slender figure crossed the threshold and walked slowly into the room.

The visitor appeared to be around eighteen, dressed in a moon-white brocade robe with dark patterns; the collar and cuffs were embroidered with intricate cloud-and-thunder motifs in silver thread, shimmering with a subtle luster in the sunlight.

He was exceptionally handsome, with sword-like brows, star-bright eyes, a high-bridged nose, and a natural, warm smile at the corners of his lips. He was like a piece of warm jade meticulously carved by time, flawless in every way.

This was none other than the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Qinghe.

Xue Qinghe's gaze fell gently upon the youth behind the table.

The moment their eyes met, the air seemed to stagnate for an instant.

Yang Fan remained very calm, a gentle smile playing on his lips.

It was not the quiet of feigned depth, but a sense of indifference that remained unswayed by favor or humiliation.

Those pitch-black eyes were like a bottomless pool of water, reflecting the image of the current Crown Prince.

"Long time no see. I heard that Rongrong came to cause trouble for Brother Yang a while ago?"

Xue Qinghe spoke, his voice clear and pleasant, like a spring breeze. He took the initiative to step forward and extended his hand toward Yang Fan.

Yang Fan looked at the hand offered to him, his expression as calm as water.

To gain a foothold in Heaven Dou City, the medium through which he had cooperated with the Heaven Dou Imperial Family half a year ago was him—or rather, her.

As a transmigrator, he knew better than anyone who this gentle and elegant Crown Prince really was: the heir to Spirit Hall, Qian Renxue.

A woman who was ruthless, lacked love, and was desperate for talent.

He had no intention of provoking her, but everything had been such a coincidence.

The coincidence of seeing Ye Rou being harassed by Xue Beng, the coincidence of being helped by Xue Qinghe after he intervened, and the help in taking Ye Rou in as a maid.

Excessive coincidences were no longer coincidences; Yang Fan knew that it was likely that drop of rare spirit silver that had piqued her curiosity.

The greatest trait of Qian Renxue was her thirst for talent.

Ning Fengzhi, Dugu Bo, Tang San... she had tried to recruit many talents, only for them to eventually stand on the opposite side and stab her in the back.

"It was only last week, so how could it be called a long time?"

Yang Fan reached out frankly and grasped Xue Qinghe's palm.

Their hands met, and after a brief exchange, they let go.

"Does Brother Yang not know that a day apart feels like three autumns?" Xue Qinghe's tone grew even more intimate. "I heard today that Sister Rongrong was here yesterday, so I thought I would come and see."

As he spoke, his gaze remained fixed on Yang Fan's face, his sincerity and concern impossible to find fault with.

Yang Fan gestured and said, "If Your Highness doesn't mind, why not sit and have a cup of tea? It's a long story, so let me make it short."

"You really are as interesting as ever."

Xue Qinghe said with a smile, then slowly sat down opposite him.

At this very moment, it was just like this time yesterday.

Yesterday, the person sitting here was the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect's little witch, Ning Rongrong; today, it was the Heaven Dou Crown Prince, a disguise worn by the Saintess of Spirit Hall, Qian Renxue.

A stick of incense later.

After listening, Xue Qinghe picked up the teapot and poured a cup of clear tea for himself and Yang Fan. "Regarding the treasure appraisal yesterday, Brother Yang and Sister Rongrong both displayed such keen eyes; it truly opened my eyes. I only regret that I wasn't there to preside over the competition for you both myself."

He took a light sip of tea, his gaze deep as he looked at Yang Fan.

"Yesterday, the two of you were technically tied on the surface, but in my view..." Xue Qinghe paused, a meaningful curve tugging at the corners of his mouth, "Brother Yang's eye for 'discarding the superficial to grasp the inner essence' was still a cut above."

Hearing the Crown Prince's assessment, Yang Fan's expression remained calm as he humbly replied, "Your Highness is too kind; Miss Rongrong is simply young and lacks experience."

"I am aware of the Withered-Prosperous Root; if that girl Rongrong wants it, she may have it. As for this ring capable of storing living things, since Brother Yang has taken a fancy to it, I shall gift it to you as well."

As he spoke, Xue Qinghe took an exquisite sandalwood box from his sleeve and gently pushed it toward Yang Fan.

Opening the lid, a piece of metal as crimson as fire lay quietly inside—it was the very Fire-Patterned Profound Gold that Yang Fan had sent to the Crown Prince's residence after the competition yesterday.

"I shall also gift this Fire-Patterned Profound Gold to Brother Yang," Xue Qinghe said, his gaze fixed on him with earnest words. "For a treasure to be covered in dust is a waste of heaven's gifts. Since Brother Yang has the eye to recognize pearls, this is their best destination."

Seeing this, Yang Fan felt a slight stir in his heart; this gesture from Qian Renxue was by no means a simple reward, but an extremely sophisticated attempt at solicitation.

After a brief silence, Yang Fan did not decline, but stepped forward and took the sandalwood box with both hands.

He raised his head, met Xue Qinghe's gentle gaze, and bowed solemnly.

"For such a generous gift from Your Highness, Yang Fan will keep it in his heart." His voice was not loud, yet it carried the firmness of metal and stone. "Since Your Highness trusts me, I will shamelessly accept. In the future, as long as His Highness Xue Qinghe has need of me, Yang Fan will never refuse."

"Good! That is the very promise I was waiting for from Brother Yang!"

Xue Qinghe clapped his hands and laughed, filled with the satisfaction of having his wishes fulfilled.

It had been half a year, and Yang's Treasure Pavilion truly relied on the patronage of the person before him to reach where it was today.

Relying on himself alone, it would have been difficult for Yang Fan to safeguard this wealth.

Whether it was Ye Rou, who possessed business acumen, or the guards with Soul Saint cultivation, Yang Fan did not speak of their origins, but that did not mean he was unaware of them.

When smart people spar, they stop at the appropriate point.

He had also been observing Xue Qinghe—or rather, Qian Renxue—for half a year; this person was indeed capable and possessed excellent conduct. During this stage of development, clinging to this powerful thigh would certainly not be a loss.