Became Qian Renxue's Only Friend!

For some time afterward, Jiang Yu and Qian Renxue developed an unspoken understanding between them.

Whenever Jiang Yu came to this Blue Silver Grass forest to cultivate, Qian Renxue would hear of it and come here as well.

Qian Renxue did nothing, merely standing quietly some distance away beside the cultivating Jiang Yu, feeling the pure and vast life force radiating from the countless Blue Silver Grass plants as he cultivated.

Taking a breath of that fresh air, Qian Renxue immediately felt the exhaustion of the entire day melt away, while her taut nerves relaxed as never before.

Sometimes, Qian Renxue would also chat with Jiang Yu for a while.

She would confide the troubles she encountered to Jiang Yu.

And Jiang Yu, drawing on the experience and knowledge of two lifetimes, could always pinpoint the heart of the problem and offer appropriate advice.

This made Qian Renxue value Jiang Yu even more. At times, she even forgot her identity as an undercover agent and truly regarded Jiang Yu as the only confidant she could open up to.

That day, Jiang Yu had just finished cultivating and slowly opened his eyes.

The moment he opened them, he saw Qian Renxue smiling at him from not far away.

"Little Brother Jiang Yu, you're done cultivating! Try this!"

"These are lotus pastries made by the royal palace's imperial chef. They taste quite good!"

Carrying an exquisite food box, Qian Renxue walked over and lifted the lid. Inside were several delicately shaped pastries that carried a faint lotus fragrance.

At this moment, Qian Renxue bore none of a crown prince's airs. She interacted with him just as ordinary friends would.

Qian Renxue had been sent to the Heaven Dou Empire at a young age to carry out an infiltration mission.

The people around her were either subordinates or politicians approaching her with all manner of ulterior motives.

It could be said that Qian Renxue did not have a single true friend by her side, nor anyone she could confide in.

Jiang Yu's appearance was about to fill that emptiness in Qian Renxue's heart.

"Thank you, Brother Xue!"

Jiang Yu smiled as he accepted a lotus pastry and took a bite. It was crisp upon entering his mouth, sweet without being cloying—truly a rare delicacy.

As for the fake crown prince before him, Jiang Yu genuinely regarded her as a friend as well.

Although he clearly knew that this gentle, jade-like "Xue Qinghe" was actually Qian Renxue, the Spirit Hall Holy Maiden.

But so what?

Jiang Yu had never made friends based on someone's identity or background.

After chatting for a while, Jiang Yu finished the last bite of lotus pastry, wiped his hands, and suddenly spoke.

"Brother Xue, I may be leaving for a while tomorrow."

"What?"

The smile on Qian Renxue's face instantly froze. She blurted out, "You're leaving? Why? Did you run into some trouble? Tell me. In Heaven Dou City, there's nothing I can't handle!"

Hearing that Jiang Yu was leaving, Qian Renxue reacted intensely. Clearly, she was terrified that Jiang Yu, her only friend, would disappear just like that.

Seeing how nervous she was, Jiang Yu smiled and waved his hand.

"Don't worry, Brother Xue. It's nothing serious."

"I'm only going to hunt a soul ring. My soul power has already reached level twenty."

Hearing that he was merely going to hunt a soul ring, Qian Renxue visibly let out a great sigh of relief, and her tense body relaxed.

"So that's it. Hunting a soul ring is a serious matter. Do you need help?"

"I have several powerful soul masters in my residence. They can help you hunt a soul ring and ensure nothing goes wrong!"

Qian Renxue immediately suggested.

Hearing Qian Renxue's words, Jiang Yu refused without hesitation.

"No need. I can do it by myself."

Jiang Yu's martial soul had already evolved into the Blue Silver Emperor.

Moreover, Jiang Yu's first soul ring was a thousand-year soul ring, and he had mastered the Tang Sect's secret arts. Obtaining his second soul ring alone would absolutely not be a problem.

Besides, Jiang Yu had far too many secrets. The slightest exposure could bring endless trouble.

"Hunting a soul ring alone? How can that be! Hunting soul rings is extremely dangerous!"

Qian Renxue still insisted.

Jiang Yu was one of Qian Renxue's few friends, and she valued him greatly. She did not want to lose him.

"Please trust me, Brother Xue."

Jiang Yu's tone was exceedingly firm.

Seeing Jiang Yu's confident and resolute expression, Qian Renxue fell silent for a moment.

Through their interactions over this period, Qian Renxue knew that once Jiang Yu made up his mind, it was difficult to change it.

In the end, Qian Renxue could only nod helplessly.

"Fine... but you must be careful in everything."

"Don't worry, Brother Xue."

Jiang Yu said with absolute certainty.

The next day, at first light, Jiang Yu packed his belongings and left Heaven Dou City, heading toward Star Dipper Forest.

Meanwhile, at the Heaven Dou Crown Prince's residence.

"Young Master, Jiang Yu has left Heaven Dou City and is heading alone to Star Dipper Forest," Snake Spear Douluo said.

"Mm... Snake Spear Douluo, follow him and protect him in secret."

After giving it some thought, Qian Renxue spoke.

Although Jiang Yu had said that he could complete the soul hunt himself, Qian Renxue was still somewhat worried.

Therefore, she intended to have Snake Spear Douluo, who was by her side, secretly protect Jiang Yu.

"This... Young Master, our mission is to protect your safety."

Snake Spear Douluo hesitated before speaking.

Hearing this, Qian Renxue frowned and continued:

"What danger could I possibly face within Heaven Dou City? Besides, isn't Porcupinefish Douluo still here?"

Qian Renxue's voice was not loud, yet it carried an unquestionable majesty.

"Yes! This subordinate obeys!"

Sensing Qian Renxue's determination, Snake Spear Douluo did not dare raise any further objections. With a flash, he vanished from the study.

Star Dipper Forest.

Jiang Yu darted swiftly through the woods, carefully searching for traces of soul beasts.

Jiang Yu's goal this time was very clear: a thousand-year plant-type soul beast whose soul ring could enhance the toughness of the Blue Silver Emperor.

Jiang Yu's first soul ring skill, Blue Silver Descent, could summon Blue Silver Grass.

But Blue Silver Grass was still Blue Silver Grass; it lacked toughness and sturdiness.

Therefore, Jiang Yu needed a soul ring that could make up for this weakness.

After half a day of searching, Jiang Yu quickly found his target.

It was a vine. Its entire body was dark gold, its surface gleaming with a metallic sheen, as though it were a plant made of metal.

"This is!? A thousand-year Adamantine Vine!..."

Jiang Yu instantly recognized it.

The Adamantine Vine was a plant-type soul beast renowned for its toughness and hardness.

At the same time, after observing it carefully, Jiang Yu discovered that this Adamantine Vine was roughly eighteen meters long.

"Each meter of an Adamantine Vine is equivalent to one hundred years!"

"An eighteen-meter Adamantine Vine is an 1,800-year soul beast!"

"This soul ring is perfect for me!"

Jiang Yu thought to himself.