A Chess Match, Qian Renxue's Probing

The two stepped into the Crown Prince's bedchamber one after the other, and the attendants silently pulled the palace doors shut.

Within the vast hall, only Fang Xuan and Xue Qinghe remained, seated across from one another.

He smiled silently to himself.

An hour ago, he had stepped through these palace gates as a "commoner, Fang Xuan," yet now, as he sat back down, his status had been set in ink as a "Crown Prince's aide."

While called an aide, in the eyes of others, he was a direct subordinate personally promoted by Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, forever bound to the royal family.

He did not care for titles or ranks that had yet to be decided or discussed.

No matter how beautifully packaged a title might be, it was ultimately only for those outside the palace walls to see; to him, it held no practical use.

Xue Qinghe wore moon-white casual robes today, her hair bound by a silver crown. The upright, self-restrained air typical of a Crown Prince had softened, making her appear more like an older brother from next door.

The maidservant served tea and retreated, leaving the hall so quiet that one could hear the occasional soft pop of the lamp wicks.

"I didn't have any urgent business in calling you here."

Xue Qinghe picked up the teacup before her, gently brushing aside the floating leaves with the lid, her gaze fixed on Fang Xuan through the swirling steam.

"I simply wanted to give you a heads-up on a few things."

Any power would be lenient toward a genius, and she naturally understood this principle. Thus, from beginning to end, she had maintained a posture of showing great respect to the talented, including now.

"I am a few years your senior; in private, you may call me Brother Xue, and I shall call you Brother Fang Xuan. How does that sound?"

The real Xue Qinghe was the same age as Qian Renxue, who was now around twenty-three—a full five years older than him.

Yet, knowing the other party was a woman, being treated as a brother by her made Fang Xuan feel rather strange.

It was as if he were craving her body, while she was trying to talk to him about pure friendship.

However, since she had no intention of revealing her true identity, he could hardly expose her, could he?

Life is truly a play, and it all depends on one's acting skills.

Since she wanted to act, he would play along. If she didn't mind, he certainly wouldn't resist.

In any case, when the truth was eventually revealed, he would see who felt more awkward then.

After a moment of hesitation, Fang Xuan looked up and offered Xue Qinghe a perfectly measured smile.

"Then I shall defer to your wishes, Brother Xue."

Just like that, Fang Xuan and Qian Renxue had inexplicably become brothers.

Xue Qinghe seemed quite pleased with this form of address, and the distance in her eyes thinned a little further.

She picked up the teapot again and refilled half of Fang Xuan's cup, her movements fluid and natural, devoid of any princely arrogance.

"Regarding the Soul Tools, you need not be anxious."

She took the initiative to steer the conversation back to business.

"The concepts you proposed do sound quite attractive, and I can catch a glimpse of that future through them."

"But I am also well aware of the difficulties involved. I imagine it is a very long road, one that might not reach its end even after exhausting the efforts of an entire generation."

"So, you need not feel burdened; just do what you can."

Fang Xuan nodded in agreement.

He knew full well that while the future of Soul Tools was brilliant, given the current craftsmanship, materials, and understanding of the Spirit Master system on the Douluo Continent, trying to bridge a technological gap of tens of thousands of years by his own hand was nothing short of a pipe dream.

Xue Qinghe's shrewdness lay in this: she was willing to be patient for this long-term vision, but she would never stake all her chips on it.

Her true plan had always been "Fang Xuan" himself.

"Let us set the Soul Tools aside for a moment."

Xue Qinghe changed the subject, her expression growing more reserved.

"I invited you here today for another matter I needed to inform you of—do you remember those people you had a conflict with in Suotuo City?"

Fang Xuan's hand, holding the teacup, paused slightly before he took a sip as if nothing were wrong.

"Those from Shrek?"

"Correct. Tang San, Xiao Wu, Dai Mubai, Oscar, Ma Hongjun, Zhu Zhuqing..."

Xue Qinghe's tone was flat as she listed these names, as if reading a list of inconsequential cargo.

"Everyone from Shrek has been received by Ning Fengzhi at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

"I only received the news a few days ago. Calculating the time, their arrival in Heaven Dou City should be just a few days before your wedding."

Fang Xuan's brow furrowed slightly; he had long anticipated the arrival of Tang San and the others.

When he had first seen Ning Rongrong, he had guessed they might have already arrived in Heaven Dou City, though he couldn't be certain without seeing them.

Now, hearing it from Xue Qinghe confirmed his suspicions.

Presumably, Ning Fengzhi's appearance on his wedding day had been planned well in advance, likely with the intention of mediating and winning him over.

It was just that the other party hadn't expected Yu Yuanzhen to appear suddenly, which had directly disrupted their original plan.

"There is one among them called Yu Xiaogang."

Xue Qinghe seemed to see through his thoughts and continued, "That person has already been taken away by those from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. My people haven't been able to uncover the specifics yet. However, given Yu Yuanzhen's temperament, since he personally stepped in to intercept the man from Ning Fengzhi, it surely isn't as simple as just catching up on old times."

Hearing this, Fang Xuan fell silent. It was worth noting that Dugu Bo had only just gone to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan to use that person as leverage not long ago.

Now that the person had appeared here, it was no different than walking straight into the line of fire. It was unlikely that being forcibly taken away this time would end well for him.

This was completely beyond Fang Xuan's expectations. After all, he hadn't even prepared to make a move against Shrek yet, but he had inadvertently caused them to suffer a major setback.

One could only say that the world is unpredictable, and things rarely go as planned.

"As for the others," Xue Qinghe said, lifting her eyes to look directly at Fang Xuan, "they have officially entered the Heaven Dou Royal Academy today. They passed the assessment and have become registered, official students."

As her voice fell, the grand hall turned silent, and Fang Xuan's brow furrowed even deeper.

Tang San... their entry into the academy meant that they would be in Heaven Dou City from now on, seeing each other constantly.

Given Tang San's nature, the grudges from their time in Suotuo City would never be wiped clean. And for what purpose had Ning Fengzhi agreed to let them into the academy?

"Many thanks for the information, Brother Xue." Fang Xuan withdrew his gaze, his expression returning to its usual composure. "I will remember this favor."

Xue Qinghe waved her hand, a smile reappearing on her face.

"Since you call me brother, there is no need for thanks."

She stood up and walked to the window, turning her back to Fang Xuan. Her voice carried a hint of contemplation that others would find difficult to detect.

"Heaven Dou City is vast, vast enough to hold countless intentions; yet Heaven Dou City is also small, small enough that everyone who steps foot here will eventually cross paths."

"You only need to remember—no matter when, there is always a door left open for you on my side."

Fang Xuan looked at Xue Qinghe, understanding clear in his heart.

He knew that behind this door lay the abyss of Spirit Hall, but he was in no hurry for the moment.

The stage had been set, and the actors were taking their places one by one. He only needed to perform his own part steadily; before the final curtain, it remained to be seen who would have the last laugh.

Fang Xuan stood up and cupped his hands in farewell to Xue Qinghe.

"Then I shall take your kind words to heart, Brother Xue. It is getting late, so I shall take my leave."

Xue Qinghe did not rise, merely giving a slight nod.

The tightly shut doors of the hall opened once more. Watching Fang Xuan's departing back, the corners of Xue Qinghe's mouth curled into an intriguing smile.

"Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, it is time for a new player to take the board and face you."

"I hope you do not lose too miserably."