Xue Ke and Ning Rongrong Arrive!

Ning Fengzhi's voice carried a persuasive quality unique to politicians.

"This is not about exploiting children, but rather, in the current stalemate, the gentlest, most natural, and least likely to backfire approach to making contact."

"Risk?"

"Have."

"But compared to sitting idly by while the Pope, such a huge destabilizing factor, entrenched in the heart of the empire without any way to deal with him, this risk is worth taking."

"Besides, with Princess Xue Ke accompanying us, our status is equal, so our safety is somewhat guaranteed. Most importantly, we have no other choice."

Ning Fengzhi looked at Xue Ye one last time and said in a deep voice:

"Your Majesty, I agree to this plan. Tomorrow, I will personally escort Ning Rongrong to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. To the outside world, we will say that she is going to experience the academy atmosphere in advance, keep Princess Xue Ke company, and at the same time... make new friends."

Upon hearing this, Xue Ye finally showed a relieved expression, and his tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly.

"Very well! Sect Master Ning is very understanding! I will make arrangements immediately so that Xue Ke can prepare. This matter is settled then."

Xue Ye looked at Chen Xin and Gu Rong, whose expressions remained unpleasant.

"Sword Douluo, Bone Douluo, rest assured, I guarantee in my imperial name that I will ensure the absolute safety of the two princesses! Meng Shenji will also be keeping a close watch on them within the academy."

Chen Xin and Gu Rong exchanged a glance, both seeing deep helplessness and worry in each other's eyes.

They knew Ning Fengzhi was right and understood the empire's difficulties, but the thought of sending their precious little princess to the unfathomable master and disciple of the Spirit Hall weighed heavily on their hearts.

Chen Xin ultimately just snorted coldly, withdrawing his imposing aura, but the warning in his eyes remained undiminished.

Gu Rong sat back down sullenly, no longer speaking, but casting a worried glance at Ning Fengzhi.

Qian Renxue took in all of this, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

Seeing the relieved expressions on Xue Ye and Ning Fengzhi, she felt nothing but irony.

In her view, their meticulously planned "playmate program" was tantamount to sending two naive Xiao Bai to the side of a lazy, dozing lioness with sharp claws and teeth, and her seemingly innocent but actually cunning lion cub.

She could almost foresee Xue Ke and Ning Rongrong being completely captivated by Lin Xia's "harmless" smile, and possibly even being tricked into revealing information about the Heaven Dou Empire.

"I hope you... won't play with fire and get burned."

Qian Renxue murmured silently to herself, but maintained the composure befitting Crown Prince, bowing slightly to Xue Ye and Ning Fengzhi.

"Father, Teacher, this plan is brilliant. If we can discover the Pope's intentions through this, it will be a great boon to the Empire. Your son will closely monitor the Academy's movements and will be ready to provide support at any time if needed."

As night deepened, the glass lamps of the palace cast swaying spots of light on the windowpanes.

Deep within the magnificent castle of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, in the room of a little princess surrounded by endless pampering, the exquisitely beautiful Ning Rongrong was sleeping soundly, hugging a giant plush rabbit doll, completely unaware that her academy experience the next day had been given such a heavy mission.

In the early morning Heaven Dou Royal Academy was shrouded in a thin layer of mist. The rare Soul Guidance Lamp Trees emitted a soft light, illuminating the white stone-paved road as if it were a fairyland.

However, beneath this tranquil scene, undercurrents are surging.

Two ornately decorated carriages, bearing the emblems of the imperial family and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, arrived at the academy's gate almost simultaneously.

The carriage door opened, and Princess Xue Ke and Ning Rongrong stepped out, each surrounded by guards and maids.

Xue Ke was dressed in a light gold palace gown, exuding a gentle and dignified air, with a hint of nervousness from her first arrival.

Ning Rongrong, dressed in a delicate light blue dress, looked around curiously at the empire's top university with her bright, lively eyes, her face showing the usual coquettish charm that comes from being pampered.

"Ning Rongrong, Xue Ke, what brings you here too?"

Dugu Yan was already waiting at the door. When she saw the two of them, she went to greet them with some surprise.

Yu Tianheng, Ye Lingling, and others followed behind her.

Xue Ke skipped forward and took Dugu Yan's arm.

"Sister Yanyan! Father and Uncle Ning Fengzhi said that we can also come to the academy to study for a while and make more new friends!"

Her voice was clear and bright, with a naive air of self-assurance.

Ning Rongrong smiled and nodded, her voice gentle.

"Dad said he wanted me to experience the atmosphere of the academy beforehand, and also to keep Xue Ke company. Oh, and I heard there's a new, interesting... friend at the academy?"

Ning Rongrong's gaze held a hint of inquiry, clearly indicating that she already knew of Lin Xia's existence.

Dugu Yan immediately understood what was going on, and her mind cleared.

She recalled the Pope's entrustment and his radiant smile from the previous day, and a gentle expression unconsciously appeared on her face.

"Yes, it's Lin Xia, the His Highness the Holy Son of the Spirit Hall. She's very young, but extremely cute and easy to get along with."

Dugu Yan deliberately emphasized her cuteness and easy-going nature in an attempt to ease any potential tension.

Yu Tianheng and the others exchanged glances, all seeing the gravity in each other's eyes.

The identity of the Holy Son of the Spirit Hall inherently represents immense pressure and uncertainty.

Just then, Chief Education Commissioner Meng Shenji personally led Bibi Dong and Lin Xia, walking slowly from the direction of the back mountain villa.

Bibi Dong was still dressed in simple everyday clothes, but she couldn't hide her unparalleled elegance and invisible pressure.

She walked with composure, her purple eyes calmly sweeping over the crowd, lingering briefly on Xue Ke and Ning Rongrong, her gaze deep and unfathomable.

Lin Xia followed obediently beside her master, dressed in the iconic silver-white Holy Son robes of the Spirit Hall. Her delicate face and clear eyes gazed curiously at the group of boys and girls who were slightly older than her, with a perfectly harmless smile on her face.

"Greetings, Your His Holiness the Pope! Greetings, His Highness the Holy Son!"

Meng Shenji bowed first, his voice respectful.

Xue Ke, Ning Rongrong, Yu Tianheng, and the others quickly followed suit and bowed, instantly making the atmosphere solemn and reserved.

No need for formalities.

Bibi Dong's clear voice rang out, carrying her usual aloofness. Her gaze fell on Meng Shenji.

"Chief Meng, is everything arranged?"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Meng Shenji quickly replied.

"His Highness the Holy Son, with exceptional talent, has been directly admitted to the Elite Class at the highest level of the academy—the preparatory class for the future Heaven Dou Royal Team."

"Princess Xue Ke and Miss Ning Rongrong also happen to be joining the class today, which is a good opportunity for them to get to know each other."

Meng Shenji carefully observed Bibi Dong's expression.

Bibi Dong nodded slightly, seemingly having no objection to the arrangement.

Bibi Dong looked down at Lin Xia, her voice softening slightly.

"Xiao Xia, go ahead. Follow Chief Meng and experience the teaching methods at the Heaven Dou Academy. Remember to listen to your teachers and get along well with your classmates."

Bibi Dong deliberately emphasized the phrase "get along well" in a slightly imperceptible tone.

"Okay, Master!"

Lin Xia looked up and replied with a bright smile, as if she were just an ordinary child about to go to school.

Meng Shenji secretly breathed a sigh of relief and quickly led the way.

"Your His Highness the Holy Son, Princess, Miss Ning Rongrong, this way please."

Meng Shenji then looked at Yu Tianheng and the others.

"Tian Heng, you should come too."