Xue Qinghe? Qian Renxue Sets Her Sights on Ning Yuan

No one around them dared to speak. Who would dare undermine Xue Beng?

Xue Beng was still adding fuel to the fire with his tearful complaints, but Qian Renxue did not hear a single word.

Her gaze swept over his badly swollen cheek, then shifted to Ning Yuan and Zhu Zhuqing standing some distance away.

Finally, it settled on Zhou Hu, whose expression was caught between shock and uncertainty. In an instant, she understood what had happened.

She knew Xue Beng's character far too well.

Every day, he harassed female students at the academy gates and stirred up trouble.

If what he said were true, why would Zhou Hu be standing there looking so guilty?

If this youth had truly dared to publicly assault royalty and spout such nonsense, Zhou Hu would have taken him down already. Why would he have waited for her to arrive?

When she had arrived, she had happened to see Ning Yuan take Zhou Hu's palm strike head-on without losing ground.

She knew Zhou Hu's strength perfectly well: a level sixty-six assault-type Battle Soul Emperor, his martial soul was Mad Bear, and his body was forged with fierce, tyrannical hard techniques.

Though he had not used his full strength in that strike, it was still not something an ordinary person could withstand.

Yet that youth had remained where he stood, retreating only half a step without even releasing his martial soul.

Her gaze fell on Ning Yuan as she sized him up from head to toe.

He was tall and slender, with an immature face. He looked no older than twelve or thirteen.

A twelve- or thirteen-year-old boy had taken a level sixty-six assault-type Soul Emperor's palm strike head-on without releasing his martial soul and had only retreated half a step.

Qian Renxue's fingers curled slightly within her sleeve.

What did that mean?

It meant that this youth's physical strength was at least at the Soul Emperor level.

And he was only twelve. At most, he had awakened his martial soul six years ago.

To temper his body to the point where he could withstand a Soul Emperor's frontal strike in six years was beyond what the word genius could describe.

After painstakingly managing Heaven Dou's situation for so many years, she knew all too well what she lacked.

This youth named Ning Yuan possessed the talent, temperament, and courage she needed.

Qian Renxue made her decision in just a few breaths.

She had to protect this person.

"Young sir, is the matter truly as my fourth brother described?"

Qian Renxue's voice was gentle, with not the slightest trace of anger as her gaze rested on Ning Yuan.

"Your Highness, it is not."

Ning Yuan's tone was neither servile nor overbearing.

"My name is Ning Yuan. I came with my friend to take the academy examination. The Fourth Prince harassed my companion in the street and even had his men attack us. I was forced to defend myself and only then retaliated. So many people here can testify to it."

Qian Renxue glanced around and understood the course of events.

"Xue Beng." Qian Renxue turned toward him, her tone turning cold as all previous gentleness vanished without a trace. "You harassed a female student in public, gathered people to cause trouble, and still dare lie to my face? Are you trying to use your elder brother as a weapon?"

Xue Beng was instantly dumbfounded. "Big Brother! I didn't! He's slandering me!"

"Do you need me to bring everyone present back and interrogate them one by one?" Qian Renxue glanced at him. The pressure in her eyes made Xue Beng shudder at once. "Zhou Hu, tell me. What exactly happened?"

Cold sweat immediately broke out on Zhou Hu's forehead.

How could he dare deceive the First Prince? He promptly dropped to his knees and recounted everything exactly as it had happened, not daring to conceal in the slightest that Xue Beng had harassed them first and struck first.

Xue Beng's face went pale instantly.

"You! You ungrateful bastard!"

"Enough." Qian Renxue cut him off coldly. "You caused trouble in public and bullied examination candidates. Go back and copy the Imperial Household Rules a hundred times. You are confined for one month, and you are not to leave the house without my order."

"Big Brother! I..."

Xue Beng still tried to argue.

"What?" Qian Renxue raised an eyebrow. "Do I need to take you to see Father Emperor and have him punish you personally?"

Xue Beng trembled in fright. Xue Ye was the person he feared most, so how could he dare argue further? He could only glare venomously at Ning Yuan, gritting his teeth.

Only one vicious thought remained in his heart.

Just you wait! This isn't over! Once you're in the academy, I'll have plenty of ways to deal with you!

After saying that, he covered his face and fled in disgrace with Zhou Hu and his lackeys.

Everyone around them was dumbfounded.

No one had expected the First Prince not to help his own younger brother, but instead take the side of an outsider.

Qian Renxue turned back around, a gentle smile returning to her face as she cupped her hands toward Ning Yuan.

"Young Master Lin, I failed to discipline those under my command and allowed my fourth brother to disturb you and your friend. I apologize on his behalf."

"Take the examination without worry. I will put in a word for you. No one will dare obstruct your process behind the scenes. If anyone dares trouble you, simply give them the name Xue Qinghe."

The moment she said that, the crowd erupted.

The First Prince was personally backing this youth? What kind of outrageous luck did this kid have?

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Ning Yuan cupped his hands in thanks. When his gaze swept over Qian Renxue's neck, he could not help but complain inwardly. She really put effort into this disguise. Even the Adam's apple looks real. What a pity—she's a woman.

Qian Renxue felt inexplicably uneasy under his gaze.

That youth's eyes were too bright, as if they could see through her disguise, making her uncomfortable.

But she did not show it. She merely smiled and nodded before turning to leave.

After walking a short distance, she gave the personal guard beside her a look and lowered her voice.

"Investigate that youth named Ning Yuan. Find out where he came from, his background, and who else is in his family. The more detailed, the better."

"Yes."

The guard accepted the order and quietly withdrew.

Ning Yuan stood where he was, watching Qian Renxue's retreating figure with a faint smile on his lips.

Zhu Zhuqing stood beside him, looking at his profile. At last, the stone hanging over her heart fell away.

She had worried that offending a prince would prevent them from entering the academy. Now, it seemed that not only could they enter, but the First Prince would protect them as well. This youth, who always seemed so carefree, appeared to have no problem he could not solve.

The first step had succeeded.

He had connected with Qian Renxue, entered Heaven Dou Royal Academy, and could later find an opportunity to approach Dugu Bo, seize the immortal herbs of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, and dismantle Shrek Academy's lineup.

The first piece had finally been placed on the board.

Ning Yuan mused inwardly.

Venom yawned: [Whether it works out or not doesn't matter. That First Prince looked so tender and smooth just now. I wonder if his brain tastes good...]

Ning Yuan: [...]

"Let's go." Ning Yuan tilted his head and lifted his chin at Zhu Zhuqing. "It's our turn for the examination."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded and followed behind him toward the examination platform.

Meanwhile, Xue Beng, hiding behind a distant tree, stared at Ning Yuan's back with eyes as venomous as a snake's.

"Ning Yuan, is it? Just you wait... Once you're in the academy, I'll make you wish you were dead!"

After resolving Ning Yuan's predicament, Qian Renxue did not leave immediately. Instead, she watched from afar as Ning Yuan and Zhu Zhuqing walked up to the examination platform.

She watched Ning Yuan stand before the examiner and calmly release his martial soul.

Two yellow and two purple soul rings slowly rose beneath his feet.

A four-ringed Soul Ancestor???

Everyone drew in a sharp breath.

Where had this monstrous genius come from? Four rings at twelve?

Even the prodigies of those top sects and factions probably could not compare to him.

Even the top geniuses of the major powers only reached four rings at fifteen or sixteen.

With that soul ring configuration on display, what was there left to test?

Qian Renxue completely lost her aloof appearance. She covered her mouth in shock, her beautiful eyes wide open.

She had known Ning Yuan was a peerless genius, but she had underestimated just how extraordinary he was.

If she had merely admired his talent before, then after seeing Ning Yuan now, she was absolutely determined to recruit him under her command.

"No. I absolutely cannot let Xue Huan take a genius like this away!!!"