Young Master

This question was truly sensitive, as it touched upon the internal affairs of the Tiandou Empire.

However, since Xue Qinghe was not truly the Tiandou Crown Prince, she merely cast a subtle, guarded glance at Naruto before replying with feigned indifference.

"That is not the case. In my daily life, I, the Tiandou Crown Prince, am quite at leisure. It is only recently that friction has arisen between Spirit Hall and the Tiandou Empire, which is why I have been busy until sunset."

"I see..."

The topic seemed to end there.

But just as Xue Qinghe nodded with a smile, a strange look flashed across Naruto's face, and he spoke up once more.

"Brother Xue, your talent as a Spirit Master is quite remarkable on this continent. Won't this work hinder your cultivation?"

"This... it does a little... but my talent as a Spirit Master is truly average, so losing a few days is of no consequence," Xue Qinghe replied casually, her gaze toward Naruto growing increasingly suspicious.

If he were curious about the inner workings of Tiandou, shouldn't he keep pressing for details?

Why had he suddenly started asking about her own affairs?

"Brother Xue!" Naruto widened his eyes and raised his voice. "How can you think that way? On this continent, strength is king. As the Crown Prince, you should rather sacrifice some official duties than slack off on your cultivation!"

"This... that is true..."

Xue Qinghe's lips trembled, her words becoming stuttered as she vaguely guessed the reason behind his remarks.

It was merely a trivial bit of concern.

For Qian Renxue, the young mistress of Spirit Hall and the Crown Prince of the Tiandou Empire, had she ever lacked for concern in her daily life?

At the slightest sign of trouble, all manner of precious medicinal herbs would fly onto her desk like snowflakes!

But...

But!!

Qian Renxue screamed in internal collapse, enduring her aching throat and biting her lip, suppressing the impending outburst of grievance with as much fury as she could muster.

Stop looking at me with that face while showing concern!

You jerk!

The night had deepened.

Countless citizens had drifted into dreamland, yet the Crown Prince East Palace, shrouded in the pitch-black night, still had several lights burning. Several dark shadows flitted silently across the rooftops.

The patrolling guards remained as usual, completely unaware of the two shadows above their heads.

The two shadows stopped at the Crown Prince's bedchamber, skillfully lifted the secret passage, and entered the room.

The entire bedchamber was spacious, divided into different sections by walls and screens. It remained brightly lit, and a certain golden-haired figure was leaning against a chair.

The two shadows leaped down from the roof, not daring to look—not even daring to glance—at the private spaces, landing politely in the center of the room.

They bowed in unison.

"Young Mistress?"

It was only then that one could see the person living in the Crown Prince's bedchamber was actually a woman.

Her golden hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall. As she slowly turned her head, a pair of slightly irritated, reddened golden eyes on her beautiful face marred the otherwise exquisite work of art, making her appear somewhat more human.

The two experts of the continent gasped, their heads throbbing as they realized what had happened, having heard the entire conversation from start to finish.

Looking away, the two of them spoke in unison, feeling timid.

"Uh... we didn't see anything..."

Seeing this, Qian Renxue glared at them irritably.

She raised a hand to wipe the corners of her reddened eyes and took a few deep breaths to steady her emotions.

She had nearly exposed herself in front of an outsider earlier, and the reason for that exposure was that she had almost lost control of the heartache within her.

A few moments ago, the conversation between the two had still been ongoing.

Qian Renxue had thought she could easily brush him off, but she hadn't expected the brat to be so persistent. He kept asking more and more detailed questions, even going so far as to ask if she had been eating properly, nagging like an old woman.

If anyone else had done this, Qian Renxue could naturally have smiled, remained indifferent, and simply nodded along.

But this person!

Wearing that face!

The more Qian Renxue listened, the more irritable she became. Her hands clenched involuntarily, and the various emotions she had suppressed surged like ocean waves, nearly causing her to slip up.

Still, she had managed to brush him off.

That annoying brat is truly hateful!

At this moment, Qian Renxue felt indignant and couldn't help but curse under her breath.

Her hands clenched subconsciously as she recalled that face. If she ever had the chance, she would definitely tear that person's face to shreds!

Qian Renxue gritted her teeth viciously and made a tearing motion with her hands, but then she suddenly remembered the tenderness that had flowed from those purple eyes and immediately frowned in regret, slowly bringing her hands back together to "close" the torn face.

However...

Wouldn't that be too much of a waste?

Thinking this, Qian Renxue chose to take a step back.

Then she would pinch his face until it was swollen and mangled, and once it healed, she would pinch it until it was swollen and mangled again!

Imagining Naruto looking like a pig's head, Qian Renxue felt her mood improve significantly. She couldn't help but hum a few notes, then leaned back against her chair, lifting her eyes to look casually at Snake Spear and Pufferfish before her.

"Is he settled in?"

The two, who had been playing dead, finally snapped back to reality and acknowledged the order.

"He is settled right next to our residence. The patrolling guards will keep an eye on him as well; if he tries to sneak away, someone will notify us immediately."

"Mm..."

Qian Renxue nodded slightly.

Since this person had already fallen into her hands, she absolutely could not let outsiders snatch him away.

Qian Renxue suddenly hesitated for a moment, then lowered her eyes. A dangerous gaze swept over Snake Spear and Pufferfish, but she shifted the topic directly, "Tell me, could he be..."

Qian Renxue's voice was extremely soft, yet it struck the two men's ears like a thunderclap.

"Young Mistress! That is absolutely impossible!"

Snake Spear, who had been half-kneeling, sprang up, and Pufferfish hurriedly spoke up to explain.

"Over in Spirit City! The Great Elder is watching personally! How could the Pope possibly hide that? That is a ten-month pregnancy! How could she hide it for even a few days?"

How could the sordid affairs among the upper echelons of Spirit Hall be hidden from these Title Douluo, especially since the two of them were personal guards specifically chosen by the Great Elder Qian Daoliu to protect Qian Renxue?

A scandal of this magnitude happening once had already left everyone trembling with fear and anxiety for years, and it had taken countless internal compromises to arrive at the current Pope, who was the first from outside the family.

If it were to happen again?

The Great Elder and the current Pope would surely start a war on the spot, fighting until one of them was dead!

Qian Renxue withdrew her gaze and nodded inwardly. It was indeed so; although Naruto's background was simple, it was clear enough. She only needed to investigate slightly to verify its authenticity.

Calculating the time, it was absolutely impossible for him to be her younger brother.

It was merely a coincidence of appearance.

Seeing Qian Renxue's tightly furrowed brows gradually relax, Snake Spear asked again, "Should we notify the Great Elder, or the Pope?"

"No need."

Without much thought, Qian Renxue waved her hand dismissively, "Why bother them with such a trivial matter?"

"Young Mistress, since you won't notify them... what do you intend to do?" Still feeling a bit uneasy, Snake Spear asked cautiously.

"Heh?"

Qian Renxue couldn't help but sneer.

"What do I intend to do?"

"I have recruited a top-tier genius with innate full spirit power during my infiltration; naturally, I am going to pull him into the camp of our Spirit Hall!"

Qian Renxue already had a draft in her mind regarding this. As soon as she finished speaking, she seemed to recall something. A brilliant light ignited in her bright golden pupils, and she suddenly stood up in excitement.

"No, no, no! It is more than that!"

"The Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament... that is in about six years, right? The one my dear sister's disciple is participating in?"

A sinister, cold smile appeared on the corners of her lips as Qian Renxue lowered her head to ask. Sensing what the Young Mistress meant, Snake Spear and Pufferfish nodded.

"Exactly!"