First Meeting Xue Qinghe

The next day arrived.

As though nothing had happened the night before, the people of Heaven Dou City went about their usual routines—taking to the streets, setting up stalls, or opening their shops. What had happened on the outskirts had been suppressed by the imperial family.

Tang Chuan sat cross-legged on his bed, faint blue-gold Soul Power constantly surging around him as the Mysterious Heaven Skill circulated without pause. A blue-gold ring appeared behind him, with eight Eight Spider Lances like glazed blades floating in the air.

From the outside, he looked like a god at that moment, the divinity surrounding him growing ever denser.

Knock knock!

"Father, are you in there?"

Everything withdrew into his body. Upon hearing Tang San's voice outside, Tang Chuan went over and opened the door.

"Little San, what is it?"

"Father, someone just told me that the master of Moonlight Pavilion has invited you to meet with her."

Tang San stated the matter without hesitation.

"Moonlight Pavilion? What does she want with me?"

Tang Chuan was somewhat puzzled as well. Tang Yuehua had no reason to seek him out just to have tea, did she? Could it be because of Tang Hao?

But since she knew he could defeat Tang Hao with ease, it was even less likely that she wanted to deal with him. The only possibility was...

Tang Chuan looked at Tang San and immediately understood what she meant.

"Little San, bring Xiao Wu with you and come along."

"Yes, Father!"

Tang San solemnly cupped his hands. Though he did not know whether he would be of any help in such a situation, since his father had said so, he must have had his reasons. Tang San would unquestionably trust his father!

He immediately jogged toward Xiao Wu's room. Watching him, Tang Chuan continued considering whether, if Tang Hao dared show up again later, he should simply kill him or keep those two soul bones.

With those two soul bones, his template progress could probably advance a little further.

Before long, Tang San came over holding the hand of the freshly dressed Xiao Wu.

Now that they had made their feelings clear, the two had become increasingly open about it. Still, they were only children and could not do much—at most, hold hands or hug.

Other than revealing their identities, it seemed there was nothing else left between Tang San and Xiao Wu.

"Let's go. Once we get there, you must not leave my sight. Understood?"

"Understood!"

Tang San and Xiao Wu nodded obediently to show that they understood.

The three of them then headed for Moonlight Pavilion.

As an academy for court etiquette, Moonlight Pavilion occupied an excellent location, situated almost in the most prosperous part of Heaven Dou City's center.

Even so, few people dared approach the place without permission. As somewhere under the imperial family's special attention, commoners naturally were not allowed to wander around freely.

The several-story building was decorated in a style entirely distinct from the surrounding structures—classical and elegant, with a uniquely aristocratic air.

The two words "Moonlight Pavilion" above the main entrance entered the trio's view.

"So this is Moonlight Pavilion? Its master must hold an extremely high status, right?"

"You could say that. The children of those imperial nobles all come here to study court etiquette. Even the current crown prince, Xue Qinghe, studies here."

Tang San nodded upon hearing that. It seemed the master of this place had quite an extensive network.

If she could allow the crown prince to study here, there must naturally be a threshold. Families would have to offer her benefits and build connections before they could send their children here.

Getting close to the crown prince—never mind earning his friendship—even merely overhearing internal information would be immensely beneficial to one's family.

Just then, the sound of metal striking the ground rang out.

They turned to look and saw two rows of heavily armored Heaven Dou Empire soldiers. Some held swords, while others carried sunshades.

The man at their head wore a snow-white brocade robe. He was handsome and gentle, with soft yet upright features. His every movement carried an imperial bearing. By appearance, he truly seemed like a wise crown prince, his aura as cool as snow and as restrained as it was elegant.

"Impudent! Why do you not kneel upon seeing the crown prince?"

A soldier stepped forward, raising his sword to point directly at Tang Chuan. His tone was exceptionally forceful.

Tang San and Xiao Wu instinctively frowned. They had clearly not expected the crown prince himself to appear.

A flash of killing intent passed through Tang San's eyes at the soldier's words. That damn soldier was merely throwing his weight around because of the crown prince. Did he really think that standing beside the crown prince gave him the right to insult Tang Chuan?

Tang San truly wanted to use Guanyin's Tear to assassinate this soldier along with the crown prince!

While Tang San was secretly thinking this, Tang Chuan moved.

He stepped forward and cupped his hands, speaking in an unhurried tone. "My apologies, my apologies. I did not expect His Highness the Crown Prince to be traveling here."

Though his tone and gestures were sufficiently polite, Xue Qinghe could not see any actual respect in them.

She examined Tang Chuan. His sea-blue hair fluttered gently in the breeze, and something like a mark seemed to rest upon his forehead, faint light flowing over it. His blue eyes resembled a tranquil ocean.

Dressed in a white robe, he seemed as flawless as a god, faint blue-gold divine light lingering around his body.

Xue Qinghe narrowed her eyes. She was certain she had not been mistaken. Something had indeed flashed across Tang Chuan's forehead. It was unquestionably a divine trial!

What she did not know was that once Tang Chuan broke through to Rank 99, he would not even need a divine trial—he could become the Sea God directly.

Tang Chuan's current template progress had already earned the favor of Poseidon, the Sea God. It could be said that this divine position was practically already in his pocket.

Xue Qinghe then looked at Tang San beside him. Seeing how remarkably similar the latter looked to Tang Chuan, he was equally shocked.

Just as Education Committee Meng Shenji had said, Tang Chuan already had such a grown son at his age? Truly, one could not judge a person by appearance!

"Hehe, I see that Your Excellency has an extraordinary appearance and dignified bearing. Could you be Tang Chuan, the newly appointed team leader of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy?"

"I am Xue Qinghe, indeed the current Crown Prince. Qinghe's guards were ignorant and offended Your Excellency Tang Chuan. I hope you can forgive them. Why aren't you apologizing at once?"

After thinking for only a moment, Xue Qinghe stopped dwelling on the divine examination and instead decided to close the distance between them.

"Ah, y-yes, I'm sorry, Your Excellency! This lowly one failed to recognize greatness!"

The soldier did not even need to be prompted. Upon hearing the words "Your Excellency," he immediately dropped to both knees, his face beneath the helmet filled with terror.

A weak little soldier like him could not even sense the pressure emanating from Tang Chuan.

"Your Highness, you are quite good."

Tang Chuan's words carried a hint of deeper meaning, but Xue Qinghe failed to catch it, taking them merely as approval of his handling of the matter.

"Qinghe was foolish. However, Your Excellency came to Moonlight Pavilion today because...?"

"The Master of Moonlight Pavilion invited me inside for a talk, but judging by this, it seems the doors have already been closed to visitors?"

As he spoke, Tang Chuan turned to look at Moonlight Pavilion's entrance. The doors, which were usually left open, were now tightly shut, and even the steward who normally guarded the entrance was nowhere to be seen.