Qian Renxue's Astonishing Wisdom!

Lan Yu and Tang Shan followed Xue Qinghe's footsteps and stepped down from the carriage.

Looking up, they saw a massive estate before them. Its architecture was antique and elegant, and the plaque bore three pale-blue characters written with powerful strokes: "Lanya Pavilion."

A servant bowed and led the way as the three passed through glazed gates and strolled deeper inside along a covered corridor.

"Lanya Pavilion is divided into the outer, middle, and inner courtyards."

Walking ahead, Xue Qinghe turned his head and introduced the place to them. "The outer courtyard is for everyday banquets, listening to music, and leisure. The middle courtyard contains private rooms, reserved for the various powers to hold talks and trade intelligence."

"What about the inner courtyard?" Tang Shan asked curiously.

"The inner courtyard is where Pavilion Master Lan Ya and a small number of Blue Silver Sacred Heart Sect disciples reside. It has never been open to outsiders."

Tang Shan nodded thoughtfully at that.

"Brother Xue, if people are meeting and trading information, why not arrange it in the outer courtyard? Why create a separate middle courtyard?" Lan Yu asked.

Xue Qinghe gave a faint smile and continued walking. "The outer courtyard is crowded and full of prying eyes. If confidential information is overheard or stolen, Lanya Pavilion bears no responsibility."

"The middle courtyard is different. First, the walls of every private room are made of special timber and ore, making them highly secure. Second, anyone who dared steal secrets in the middle courtyard would be openly provoking Lan Ya, a Soul Douluo."

As he spoke, Xue Qinghe turned back around, his tone solemn. "In this era, when Titled Douluo rarely show themselves, the deterrence of a Soul Douluo from the world's number one sect speaks for itself."

As he said this, a trace of mockery flashed through Xue Qinghe's eyes.

Keep pretending. A Soul Douluo is nothing before your family!

Qian Renxue's little performance thoroughly infuriated Lan Yu, who was desperately short on high-level combat power!

Before long, the servant led the three into a private room deep within the middle courtyard.

After they had barely exchanged a few idle words upon sitting down, Xue Qinghe stood and apologized. Claiming that he had matters to attend to, he pushed open the door and left.

In the private room next door.

Xue Qinghe sat upright in the seat of honor, resting with his eyes closed.

A moment later, the door creaked softly, and a tall, thin figure pushed it open and entered.

The man had sunken eye sockets and a high nose bridge. It was none other than Snake Lance Douluo, She Long.

Just as he was about to bow in salute, Xue Qinghe spoke first in a cool tone. "Elder Snake Lance, you came at just the right time."

Before her words had even faded, golden light erupted from Qian Renxue's body. When the radiance dispersed moments later, the handsome, refined, and gentle young man vanished, replaced by a woman with golden hair cascading over her shoulders, an icy and peerlessly beautiful face, and skin fairer than snow.

The young woman stood where she was, a sacred pressure spreading from her body.

"Young Mistress? Why are you..." She Long was slightly startled, unable to understand why Qian Renxue had so rashly revealed her true form here.

Qian Renxue raised a hand, gently brushing the golden strands beside her ear with her fingertips. Her eyes shifted as she suddenly said, "She Long, I'll use the inherited soul bone to disguise you as Xue Qinghe. Then you can introduce me to Lan Yu as your sworn younger sister. What do you think?"

Recruiting Lan Yu under Xue Qinghe's identity was certainly the safest method, but the Heaven Dou Imperial Family still stood between them. If she carried out the Usurpation Plan in the future, it would inevitably place many constraints upon her.

Thus, she had deliberately investigated Lan Yu's background and learned that his father had died when he was young. His mother had vanished when he was six, leaving him and his younger sister dependent on one another.

Children like him were the most starved for affection. When the time came, she could approach Lan Yu as Xue Qinghe's sworn younger sister. With both approaches working together, Lan Yu would surely take the bait obediently.

After all, how could a mere nine-year-old Xiao Chunan resist the offensive of a gentle older sister?

Qian Renxue had tremendous confidence in her own charm.

Lan Yu's talent was exceptional. If properly cultivated, he might one day ascend to the God Realm alongside her. If he proved even more outstanding, becoming partners and remaining together for life would not be out of the question.

Besides, what did a mere ten-year age gap amount to? Once they became gods, even ten thousand years would pass in the blink of an eye.

And she could raise him herself!

At the thought, Qian Renxue seemed to brainwash herself, and a flush actually spread across her face.

She Long lowered his head. Catching sight of his young mistress's strange expression from the corner of his eye, his heart skipped a beat.

What is wrong with Young Mistress? She is the Angel lineage's only heir. Nothing must happen to her.

If something really went wrong, and the Grand Enshriner struck with Angel's Sigh, I'd be done for.

"Young Mistress, if it truly won't work, let Chi Xue do it. My temperament doesn't fit the role!" She Long bent at the waist and spoke cautiously.

She Long, damn it!

Pufferfish Douluo, who had been hiding in the shadows, suddenly tensed upon hearing that, inwardly crying out that things were bad.

"Forget it. You should do it. Chi Xue is too vicious." Qian Renxue lifted her eyes as though considering the matter, then spoke blandly.

Elsewhere.

Tang Shan sat beside Lan Yu, secretly hooking her little hand around his sleeve as she muttered softly, "Why hasn't His Highness the Crown Prince returned yet?"

"He should be back soon. Don't worry." Lan Yu raised his teacup, took a light sip, and answered calmly.

"Alright." Tang Shan nodded helplessly.

The moment she finished speaking, someone pushed the door open from outside. "Xue Qinghe" strode in slowly with a warm smile on his face. Stepping forward, he wrapped Lan Yu in an embrace and laughed. "Worthy brother, have you been waiting long? Today, I'm introducing someone to you."

As soon as he finished speaking, a cold and beautiful golden-haired woman entered from outside. She wore a long palace gown woven with golden thread.

She first bowed to "Xue Qinghe," then turned her gaze to Lan Yu and Tang Shan. Smiling, she said, "You two must be the peerless geniuses my brother spoke of?"

"Worthy brother, this is my sworn younger sister, Xue Qianluo. She is already a high-level Soul King at only nineteen!"

"I imagine that, as fellow geniuses, you'll get along well." Xue Qinghe smiled and patted Lan Yu's shoulder. Then he said, "Take your time talking. I still have matters to handle, so I'll excuse myself first."

With that, Xue Qinghe turned and left without waiting for Lan Yu's reply.

Xue Qianluo? More like Qian Renxue!

Lan Yu raised an eyebrow and thought to himself.

"I heard that little brother Lan Yu possesses extraordinary talent, and that your first three soul rings are all purple. How did you manage that?" Qian Renxue lifted a brow, a smile curling at the corner of her lips.

"Haha, it was just luck."

Is that something I can casually reveal?

"I'm far inferior to Sister Xue, such a heaven-blessed genius." Lan Yu humbly flattered her.

At those words, veins faintly bulged on Qian Renxue's forehead.

To hell with Sister Xue!

Am I really that old?

"Little brother is too modest." Qian Renxue forced a smile, then changed the subject. "You are the Heaven Dou Empire's future pillar!"

"Becoming a Titled Douluo is already a certainty!"

"I only wonder what little brother thinks of the various powers?" Qian Renxue chuckled, her tone carrying a hint of probing.

Here it comes!

"Which powers does Sister Xue wish to ask about?" Lan Yu countered.

"Call me Sister Xiaoxue!" Qian Renxue frowned lightly, a trace of embarrassed irritation flashing across her face.

"Fine, Sister Xiaoxue." Lan Yu smiled helplessly.

Tang Shan squeezed closer to Lan Yu, lifting her little face as she warily examined Qian Renxue.

Qian Renxue ignored Tang Shan's small movements. Leaning forward slightly, she smiled with red lips. "Then let's begin with the Heaven Dou Empire."

"As for the Heaven Dou Empire, its strengths are that its people are simple and honest, while its land is vast and rich in resources."

"Its weaknesses are its shortage of high-level combat power and its excessive reliance on sects. Furthermore, the feudal system grants local authorities too much power, leaving the central government weak. Even if it had an opportunity to unify the Douluo Continent, it would fail because of unequal division of the spoils."

Lan Yu crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair, speaking with ease.

Qian Renxue watched Lan Yu's eloquent manner as a gentle gaze fixed directly upon him.

"What about the Star Luo Empire?" Qian Renxue asked curiously.

"Does the Star Luo Empire even need explaining?"