Beneath Yang Teng's seemingly utterly sincere explanation, and with his supporting claim that "everyone at Skywater Academy uses it,"
Xue Qinghe still had doubts, but outwardly, he was at least able to believe him, and nodded.
"So that's how it is. It really has such a miraculous effect..."
Xue Qinghe turned his gaze back to the dark wooden box. His tone had returned to its usual warmth, though a faint blush still lingered on his ears.
"I suppose I... was simply ignorant. Brother Yang Teng, you've given this to me so generously. I'll accept your kind intentions."
He reached out and took the wooden box. As his fingertips touched the grain of the wood, he could sense the energy contained within—especially pure and tranquil after its special treatment.
If it was really as Yang Teng had said... then this item's value was probably far beyond that of ordinary rare treasures.
As Xue Qinghe pondered this in secret, Yang Teng also let out a small sigh of relief.
Tap, tap, tap...
A series of light, measured footsteps approached from a distance.
Yang Teng's ears twitched. The "sincere" expression he'd worn while dealing with Xue Qinghe vanished in an instant, his brows and eyes brightening as he looked up toward the sound. A radiant smile had already curled his lips.
"Xiao Na! Over here, over here! Come on, come on!"
A peerlessly beautiful silver figure had stopped to look their way.
Gu Yuena was still dressed simply, her silver hair cascading like a waterfall and her violet eyes clear. But in the shop's warm yellow light, with colorful desserts covering the table, she seemed less imposing than she had on the field and more like a quiet presence amid the bustle of everyday life.
Hearing Yang Teng call her "Xiao Na" so affectionately—almost too affectionately—Gu Yuena's cool cheeks took on the faintest blush.
She still wasn't used to Yang Teng's utterly unabashed way of addressing her.
Gu Yuena's gaze lingered on Yang Teng for a moment, then naturally shifted to Xue Qinghe across from him.
Xue Qinghe had already composed himself. When Gu Yuena looked over, he had risen first, wearing the flawless, gentle smile of the Heaven Dou Crown Prince as he greeted her.
"Miss Gu Yuena, I'm Xue Qinghe, the eldest prince. A pleasure to meet you. Your Element Control on the field today was truly astonishing."
Gu Yuena walked lightly to the table and gave Xue Qinghe a slight nod.
"Your Highness, you flatter me. Gu Yuena."
Her introduction was exceedingly brief. Her gaze passed calmly over Xue Qinghe's face, and a faint trace of doubt flickered deep within those violet eyes, which seemed capable of seeing through the void.
Xue Qinghe was exceptionally perceptive! He caught the brief scrutiny and doubt in Gu Yuena's eyes almost instantly.
His heart gave a sudden jolt, and an even stronger thought struck him.
No, something's wrong! That feeling... Could she really have noticed something? That shouldn't be possible! My disguise Soul Bone Skill is flawless, and Gu Yuena is only a Soul King right now!
Xue Qinghe truly wasn't sure what to think. Why did dealing with Yang Teng and Gu Yuena always leave him feeling uneasy?
But Xue Qinghe had spent years infiltrating the Heaven Dou Imperial Family. Though his thoughts rippled, not a trace showed on his face.
Gu Yuena sat down beside Yang Teng. Her gaze fell on the table, covered with an array of cakes, each one delicately shaped and adorable. Her cool eyes seemed to brighten ever so slightly.
She picked up the clean little silver fork Yang Teng had prepared for her, chose a cake decorated with bright red strawberries and snowy white cream, carefully cut off a small piece, and put it in her mouth.
Watching her, Xue Qinghe couldn't help smiling to himself. He even felt a strange, adorable contrast.
Who would have thought that such a cool young woman would look so focused—and even a little satisfied—when faced with desserts?
"Eldest Prince Xue."
Yang Teng's voice pulled Xue Qinghe back from his brief reverie.
"Did you need something from me?" he asked bluntly. It was too unlikely that they had just happened to meet.
Xue Qinghe quickly gathered his thoughts, suppressing the peculiar feeling Gu Yuena had stirred in him. His expression grew more serious.
He nodded and looked at Yang Teng frankly. "To be honest, there is something I may need your help with."
"Oh? Let's hear it." Yang Teng leaned back, adopting the air of someone ready to listen.
Xue Qinghe lowered his voice slightly. "Recently, clashes along the border between the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire have been frequent. Star Luo's forces are powerful and fierce in battle, and our troops have been at a disadvantage almost everywhere."
His brows drew together, revealing just the right amount of worry for his country.
"Conventional tactics have failed to break the deadlock, so I thought of the incredible spatial control you demonstrated, Brother Yang Teng."
"Could your spatial abilities support a tactical strike by a small but exceptionally elite force?"
Gu Yuena, who had been quietly eating cake, paused slightly. She raised her violet eyes and looked at Xue Qinghe, then at Yang Teng. A glimmer of understanding flashed in her eyes.
So this was what the Crown Prince had in mind: using spatial abilities for a strategic offensive. It was a good idea.
Yang Teng rubbed his chin, pretending to ponder while rapidly calculating in his mind.
"Hmm..."
After a moment of thought, Yang Teng slowly spoke beneath Xue Qinghe's expectant gaze.
"Transmitting a large army all at once is beyond what my current cultivation can manage. The energy cost would be too high, and it wouldn't be stable. However..."
He changed tack, a confident smile curling his lips.
"If it's an elite squad making a surprise attack, I could give it a try. As for the number... around a hundred at a time should be no problem."
"A hundred people?!"
Xue Qinghe's body trembled slightly, his eyes lighting up with delight. He almost lost control and raised his voice.
He had expected that Yang Teng might be able to transport ten or twenty elite Soul Masters for an assassination or sabotage mission. That alone would have been an enormous strategic advantage.
He hadn't expected Yang Teng to say a hundred! The destructive power and strategic value of that would grow exponentially!
"Brother Yang Teng, do you really mean it? A hundred at a time?!"
Xue Qinghe couldn't help asking again, his voice hurried with excitement.
One hundred! I thought he could manage a dozen at most! I have to bring such a talent into Spirit Hall's camp, no matter the cost. I absolutely cannot leave him to the Heaven Dou Empire.
Yang Teng nodded firmly.
Xue Qinghe drew a deep breath, forcing down his excitement, then broke into a warm, eager smile.
"Excellent! If you truly help me resolve this border crisis, the imperial family will certainly reward you. Gold Soul Coins, cultivation resources, a noble title... Whatever the empire can provide, we'll offer generously in gratitude!"
But Yang Teng merely crooked his mouth at this promise and rubbed his palms together.
Yang Teng spoke unhurriedly.
"Could I ask Your Highness to pass a message to His Majesty first?"
Xue Qinghe was in a good mood and immediately replied, "Of course, Brother Yang Teng. What would you like me to say? I'll pass it on."
Yang Teng leaned forward slightly and looked Xue Qinghe in the eye as he spoke clearly.
"If I really manage to resolve the empire's border crisis when the time comes... could I ask His Majesty for some special Soul Tools as a reward?"
"Soul Tools?"
Xue Qinghe visibly froze, the smile on his face faltering for a moment.
He had imagined all sorts of things Yang Teng might ask for: a vast sum of Gold Soul Coins, rare Soul Bones, help hunting high-level Soul Rings, or even a prosperous fief... But he'd never expected Yang Teng to want Soul Tools.
In this era, many Soul Tools found in ancient ruins were powerful, but exceedingly rare and difficult to operate.
Overall, Soul Tools were far less valuable or appealing than resources that could directly improve one's strength or noble titles that symbolized power and status.
Xue Qinghe couldn't help asking, puzzled, "Brother Yang Teng, Soul Tools certainly have value, but the imperial treasury may hold treasures that would help your cultivation more directly... Are you sure you want to prioritize Soul Tools?"
Yang Teng only smiled faintly, his gaze deep and unreadable.
Soul Tools? What he really wanted wasn't any ordinary Soul Tool. He wanted the "Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud" hidden deep within the imperial treasury!
To be honest, he might not even care for it, but he clearly remembered the original course of fate: Tang San had used this very object to earn the Sea God's recognition, begin the Nine Trials of the Sea God, and eventually inherit the Sea God's position.
There was no way he'd let Tang San have it. I may never use it, but I can't let him have it!
"Heh, Tang San..."
Yang Teng sneered inwardly.
You sanctimonious hypocrite. The Sea God Inheritance? The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud? You can forget about ever getting them in this lifetime.
Before you continue