What About Starting with That Child?

Ning Fengzhi also slowly shook his head, his gentle voice carrying an unprecedented solemnity.

"Qinghe, His Majesty is absolutely right. Bibi Dong is a man of unfathomable depth and ruthless decisiveness; he should not be underestimated."

"Her affection for the Holy Son of the Spirit Hall may be genuine, but the fact that she brought Holy Son to the Heaven Dou and stationed him at our Empire's highest academy is itself an extremely strong signal and a huge variable."

"If we truly believe she was just 'playing around,' we might not even know why we're about to die."

The interface of Chen Xin was cold and indifferent, and the sound was like metal clashing against stone.

"The Spirit Hall's wolfish ambitions are common knowledge. Bibi Dong's trip must have some ulterior motive. We must be extremely vigilant."

Gu Rong also gave a muffled groan in agreement.

Qian Renxue sighed inwardly, but on her face she showed an expression of learning and bowed her head slightly.

"Father and teacher are right; it was my oversight. But..."

Qian Renxue raised her head, her gaze sweeping over the worried faces of the crowd.

"The enemy is in the dark while we are in the light. If the Pope remains secluded and keeps a tight rein on things, how can we possibly ascertain his true intentions? We can't continue to be on the defensive like this, waiting to be killed. If this continues, the people will live in fear, which will be detrimental to the country."

Xue Ye paced back and forth irritably, leaving only the heavy sound of his footsteps and the suppressed breathing of the others in the study.

Anxiety, like a tangible vine, Wrap everyone's heart.

Unknown threats are often more terrifying than open warfare.

Just as the atmosphere was about to freeze, Xue Ye suddenly stopped, and a glint of light suddenly shot out from his cloudy eyes.

Xue Ye suddenly turned around, her gaze fixed intently on Ning Fengzhi, her voice tinged with urgency and excitement as a sudden thought flashed through her mind.

"Sect Master Ning! If we can't find a breakthrough with Bibi Dong, then... what about starting with that child?"

All eyes instantly focused on Xue Ye. Ning Fengzhi's eyes flickered slightly.

"Your Majesty means... Lin Xia, the Holy Son of the Spirit Hall?"

"Exactly!"

Xue Ye nodded vigorously, as if grasping at a straw.

"That little Holy Son Lin Xia is only seven years old! No matter how intelligent he is, or Bibi Dong dotes on him, he is still a child! What is a child's nature? It is curiosity, restlessness, and a Covet companionship!"

"No Bibi Dong tries to guard against it, can she keep this little apprentice constantly on her toes?"

"She sent a maid from the Dugu Family to play with him. Doesn't that show that she also realized this and needed to find the child a playmate?"

As Xue Ye spoke, his thoughts became clearer and his speaking speed increased.

"The message from Meng Shenji clearly states that Bibi Dong summoned Dugu Yan, but did not mention Dugu Bo at all. She only asked her to accompany the Holy Son to familiarize himself with the environment and to play and spar with him!"

"What does this mean? It means that, at least on the surface, Bibi Dong is willing, or rather needs, for Lin Xia to have normal social interactions as a child in the academy! This is our opportunity!"

Xue Ye's gaze swept over Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, and Gu Rong, carrying an air of imperial decisiveness.

"Why don't we Copycat? We can also arrange for children of sufficient status and similar age to approach that young Holy Son!"

"It's not about spying or carrying out any dangerous missions; it's simply about making friends and having them as playmates! Let them accompany Lin Xia as she plays, studies, and gets familiar with the environment at the academy."

"It's easiest for people of the same age to let their guard down, and it's also easiest for them to inadvertently reveal certain... information."

"Where should we choose?"

Ning Fengzhi had already understood Xue Ye's intentions, but his brows did not relax, and his gaze subconsciously turned to Chen Xin and Gu Rong.

The core of this plan is that the child infiltrated into Lin Xia's circle must have a sufficiently noble status to match the status of the Holy Son, while also ensuring absolute safety.

Without hesitation, Xue Ye stated it directly.

"My daughter, Princess Xue Ke! She is the apple of my eye, about the same age as Lin Xia. She has received court etiquette training since childhood, and is intelligent, quick-witted, and well-mannered. With her present, her status, manners, and upbringing are impeccable!"

Xue Ye paused, then looked sharply at Ning Fengzhi.

"And... Sect Master Ning's beloved daughter, Miss Ning Rongrong! The little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, her status is even more noble than that of ordinary princesses."

"Lively and cheerful, innocent and carefree, this kind of child will find it easier to play with Lin Xia, who is the same age! With Xue Ke's composure and Ning Rongrong's liveliness, a two-pronged approach will surely yield twice the results with half the effort!"

"No!"

Before Xue Ye could finish speaking, a resolute shout, like a thunderclap, resounded in the study!

Sword Douluo Chen Xin took a step forward, his sword aura concealed, yet it caused the temperature in the entire study to drop suddenly.

His usually placid face was now covered in frost, and his eyes were sharp as swords, piercing the Xue Ye.

"Your Majesty! How old is Ning Rongrong? She's unruly and spoiled by us. She doesn't understand the concept of prioritizing things at all! Sending her to get close to the Holy Son of the Spirit Hall is like sending a lamb to the slaughter!"

"If I were to carelessly utter a word and anger that female demon Bibi Dong, the consequences would be unimaginable! I, Chen Xin, will be the first to object to this!"

Chen Xin's words were forceful and carried an undeniable protectiveness, as if the Seven Kill Sword on his back would be drawn immediately if anyone dared to lay a finger on Ning Rongrong.

The Gu Rong's massive body suddenly stood up, exuding a heavy and imposing aura, its voice deep and muffled like thunder.

"Your Majesty, even I, an old man, disagree! Ning Rongrong is the lifeblood of my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect! She is too young and should not be drawn into such a treacherous vortex! Letting her grow up carefree is the most important thing!"

The atmosphere in the study instantly became tense and confrontational.

Xue Ye's expression also turned somewhat grim. He understood Chen Xin and Gu Rong's love for Ning Rongrong, but at this moment, the pressure from the empire weighed heavily on his heart like a mountain.

"Uncle Jian, Uncle Gu, calm down!"

Ning Fengzhi raised his hand in time, signaling the two Guardian Douluo calm down. He looked at Xue Ye with a complex and profound expression.

"Your Majesty's plan does have its merits. However, we are not sending Xue Ke and Ning Rongrong on any dangerous missions, much less to spy on military intelligence."

Ning Fengzhi emphasized his words, not only for Xue Ye to hear, but also for Chen Xin and Gu Rong.

"I understand Your Majesty's meaning."

Ning Fengzhi turned to Chen Xin and Gu Rong, his tone softening, conveying reassurance and explanation.

"The outcome of Dugu Yan's summons has already been clearly explained by Meng Shenji. Bibi Dong did not use coercion or bribery, nor did she question Dugu Bo; she simply had Dugu Yan accompany the Holy Son to play. What does this signify?"

"This shows that, at least at this stage, Bibi Dong hopes that Lin Xia's life at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy will be 'normalized,' and she has even taken the initiative to create opportunities for Lin Xia to integrate into the school's peers."

"This is a very clear signal—she doesn't reject, and even encourages, Lin Xia to make contact with the noble scions of the Heaven Dou Empire."

Ning Fengzhi paused, looking at Chen Xin and Gu Rong's still tense expressions, and continued:

"We sent Xue Ke and Ning Rongrong not to make them spies, but to respond to this signal. We want them to be Lin Xia's real playmates, making his life at the Heaven Dou Academy more 'real' and more 'happy'."

"In this process, the children spend every day together, playing and laughing. They naturally become aware of small details about the Pope's daily words and actions, the Holy Son's preferences, and unintentional remarks."

"This information is crucial for us to determine the Pope's true intentions."

"Moreover, this move can also send a message to Bibi Dong that our Heaven Dou Empire has no ill intentions and is willing to treat her with courtesy. Her Holy Son is here and will receive the best companionship and care."