Lion Douluo's Departure, Ning Fengzhi Is Coming?

The next morning.

"Did you talk it out?"

Lion Douluo stood quietly with his arms crossed, leaning against a stone pillar in the pavilion. A teasing smile curled at his lips as he looked at Qian Renxue.

"Mm, we talked it out."

"This child will stay undercover with me."

Lion Douluo frowned slightly, his gaze toward Qian Renxue filled with confusion.

"Why? With talent like his, returning to Spirit Hall would mean even greater cultivation from our Hall of Worship."

"Or do you only see him as an ordinary genius?"

"Of course not. His talent is beyond doubt. He might even reach Grandfather's level."

Qian Renxue hurriedly objected, her gaze drifting slightly. Even though Yun Chen was not here, she still feared that Lion Douluo's words might cause him to misunderstand.

Xue'er thinks very highly of this child...

No, Xue'er seems to have some special feelings for that Yun Chen.

No wonder... She doesn't want her little lover to leave.

Qian Renxue appeared composed on the surface, but inwardly she was thoroughly irritated, because Lion Douluo's teasing gaze kept sweeping over her from time to time.

"Enough, Grandpa Lion."

"I need people on my side as well, and Yun Chen's presence can further strengthen my influence."

"And more importantly, if you take Yun Chen away now, I won't be able to explain it to Xue Ye."

Qian Renxue stumbled over her words at first, but the more she spoke, the smoother they became. By the end, even she believed what she was saying.

Lion Douluo nodded. He had only come this time on Qian Daoliu's orders. Taking Yun Chen away would have been ideal, but if Qian Renxue refused, then naturally they would follow her wishes.

Since Qian Renxue said he could help her, Lion Douluo would not press her on exactly how. He would simply do as she wished.

"Then, regarding resources..."

That was the real issue.

There was naturally no need to say anything about Qian Renxue herself. Everything she used was supplied by the Hall of Worship's finest resources.

"Give him the highest-grade resources. At the same time, in the name of Spirit Hall's Young Master, I will grant him a title."

"From now on, even within Spirit Hall, his name will be top secret. His codename will be Regent."

Lion Douluo narrowed his eyes slightly. He understood Qian Renxue's meaning. This was equivalent to announcing to everyone in Spirit Hall that Yun Chen was under Qian Renxue's protection, that he was her most trusted subordinate, and that all of Yun Chen's provisions would be on par with Qian Renxue's.

The Qian Family had been passed down for over ten thousand years, possessing a profound foundation. Moreover, because Bibi Dong, an outsider to the family, controlled Spirit Hall, much of Spirit Hall's accumulated resources had been transferred to the Qian Family's Hall of Worship.

That was why, in the original story, Bibi Dong could not even hand out a single spirit bone to her disciple.

Even if she wanted to give one out, the Hall of Worship would block her. In the end, they were only released under the name of prizes for the Soul Master Tournament champions. Of course, Tang San ultimately reaped the benefits.

Much of Spirit Hall's resources were useless to Qian Renxue. Take spirit bones, for example—Qian Renxue possessed a complete set of Angel spirit bones.

The high-quality ten-thousand-year and even hundred-thousand-year spirit bones that Spirit Hall had accumulated over the years were naturally of no use to Qian Renxue.

But they could not possibly be given to anyone else. At present, there were only two members of the younger generation on the Hall of Worship's side: Qian Renxue and Yun Chen.

Since Qian Renxue had no use for them, there was no need to say who would get to choose from those spirit bones.

Regent? Why that title? Shouldn't it be Holy Son?

Although Lion Douluo found the title somewhat strange, he did not dwell on it and merely nodded.

Qian Renxue was actually a little embarrassed. She did not know how to explain the title Regent, but fortunately, Lion Douluo did not pursue the matter.

"Xue'er, take care of yourself."

"When you have the chance, return to Spirit Hall sometime soon. The elders all miss you very much."

"I will relay Yun Chen's matter to your grandfather. When you return to Spirit Hall, bring him with you."

"Your grandfather will have to assess him as well. If he is suitable, your grandfather still has several hundred-thousand-year spirit bones."

As the saying went, a hint was enough.

Lion Douluo's meaning was already clear. Regardless of how their relationship developed, they acknowledged Yun Chen's talent, because that was indisputable. But his character still needed time to be tested.

Cultivation resources could be provided, but for rare top-tier treasures like spirit bones, they still had to be cautious. Qian Daoliu himself would have to give his approval.

"Grandpa Lion, aren't you going to take Yun Chen as your disciple?"

Seeing Lion Douluo about to leave, Qian Renxue voiced the doubt in her heart. After all, Lion Douluo had said that the main purpose of this trip was to take Yun Chen as his disciple.

"No. There isn't enough time."

"Oh, right. Our spy planted in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has reported."

"Ning Fengzhi will bring Bone Douluo to your residence this afternoon."

"There's a high chance they're coming for Yun Chen."

With that, Lion Douluo's figure flashed, and he vanished from the spot.

Only Qian Renxue remained, her brows slightly furrowed.

"Xiao Qing, Xiao Qing."

By the time Qian Renxue returned to the study, she had already resumed Xue Qinghe's appearance. His brows were faintly knit as he urgently called Xiao Qing's name twice. Outside, a young woman in green hurried over.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, what is it?"

"Did my teacher, Sect Master Ning, send over a calling card yesterday?"

"He did, Your Highness. I'll have a servant bring it to you at once."

Upon hearing this, Xue Qinghe's brow furrowed even deeper. He suddenly slammed his hand on the table and glared at Xiao Qing in anger.

"Insolence! My teacher sent a calling card, yet you did not present it to me immediately!"

"You did not even inform me of it."

"What are your intentions?"

Qian Renxue was not actually that angry, but she deliberately seized this chance to lose her temper. This Xiao Qing was no simple person. She had been personally assigned by Xue Ye years ago as a palace maid to supervise and instruct her. Her purpose was obvious enough—she was a blatant spy planted at Qian Renxue's side.

"Your Highness, this servant... this servant would not dare."

"Hmph! You wouldn't dare? What is there that you would not dare to do?"

"Do you think I don't know? You control the Crown Prince's residence's flow of funds, profiteering from it and secretly lining your own pockets."

"Did you think I was unaware of it all?"

When she said that last sentence, Qian Renxue practically roared it. Xiao Qing was so frightened that she dropped straight to her knees.

"Crown Prince Brother, what happened?"

At that moment, Yun Chen slowly walked in from outside. Seeing the scene before him, he had many doubts in his heart, but he did not ask right away.

Instead, he slowly walked over to Qian Renxue, sat on the small stool beside her, and watched with great interest.

"Little Chen, when faced with someone corrupt and lawless, someone who shows no respect for their sovereign, how do you think they should be dealt with?"

Qian Renxue was both testing Yun Chen, wanting to see the child's true nature, and using him to play along.

No matter what, Yun Chen had been a twenty-year-old college student in his previous life. There was no way he could fail to understand something this obvious. He glanced at Xiao Qing, who was trembling on the floor, and roughly understood what had happened.

"Then she must be punished."

"Oh? Tell me, then. What punishment should she receive?"

Qian Renxue was actually somewhat pleased, but she continued along with Yun Chen's words. From time to time, she glanced at Xiao Qing on the ground, making Xiao Qing tremble even more violently.