The Balance Was Broken, Preparations for a Backup Plan

Upon hearing the good news Xue Qinghe had brought him, Xue Ye was overjoyed, laughing so hard he rocked back and forth.

Although it somewhat diminished the royal dignity, for a seedling with the potential to become a Title Douluo-level combatant, losing a bit of royal dignity was no great loss.

"Qinghe, you have done very well."

"Over the years, I have seen all your efforts. You truly are a fine Crown Prince."

"You must nurture Yun Chen properly."

"You must also pay attention to his temperament and guide him well, so that he may offer his loyalty to the Empire."

"He could become your right-hand man in the future."

As Xue Ye spoke, an involuntary tenderness appeared in his eyes. When he looked at Xue Qinghe, there was both gratification and a trace of barely perceptible pain.

"Yes, Father. Rest assured, I will certainly do so."

Xue Qinghe gave an elegant, deep bow, then took his leave from Xue Ye's bedchamber.

Xue Ye watched Xue Qinghe's departing figure in silence for a long while. The joy of having just gained a genius had faded somewhat, and his eyes were filled with irrepressible complexity.

In his view, this son of his was good in every way. He had ability and cunning; he was simply too cold-blooded.

Several of his brothers had fallen by his hand, and Xue Ye had seen it all.

Yet he did not hold it against Xue Qinghe. After all, royal succession had always been cruel. Since Xue Qinghe had been able to deal with his brothers, it proved that he possessed enough ability to shoulder the burden of the Heaven Dou Empire.

"Your Majesty, I humbly request permission to speak."

An elderly, white-haired man slowly entered, dropped to one knee, and offered his counsel to Xue Ye.

"Elder Yuan? Speak."

"In this minister's opinion, His Highness the Crown Prince's influence has grown increasingly powerful. It may very well threaten the imperial authority."

"Insolence! Elder Yuan! You are the current Chancellor—how dare you speak so rashly of the Crown Prince?"

Elder Yuan still kept his head lowered, but a complicated expression flashed through his eyes, along with helplessness, unwillingness, and pain.

He understood Xue Ye's thoughts. He no longer had any other choice, and now the Crown Prince had proven his capability and methods. Even if he posed a threat, what could be done?

At the end of the day, the Crown Prince was still one of Xue Ye's own family.

And which monarch's succession had not been accompanied by bloodshed? Even though the transfer of power in the Heaven Dou Empire had always been comparatively mild, that was only in comparison to the Star Luo Empire.

Had Xue Ye not killed several of his own brothers when he ascended the throne, leaving only Xuexing alive?

But the Crown Prince's voice in court had already nearly reached the same level as the Emperor's.

The two could still maintain a temporary balance.

Yet Xue Qinghe had recruited another genius with innate full soul power. A genius of this caliber was practically a massive boost to Xue Qinghe's standing.

Without question, some of the neutral factions in court would lean further toward Xue Qinghe because of this in the future.

After all, the emergence of a Title Douluo was no trivial matter. Which great family would not want closer ties with a Title Douluo?

"Your Majesty, we must try our best to bring that genius under our control."

"Otherwise, if the Crown Prince grows too powerful... we must guard against unforeseen developments..."

Hearing this, Xue Ye also fell silent. How could he not understand such reasoning?

A genius with the potential to become a Title Douluo had pledged himself to the Crown Prince's residence. In the eyes of the great nobles of the Heaven Dou Empire, he was practically a future pillar supporting the entire empire.

Who would not want to curry favor with him? And who did not know that the Crown Prince's position would only become more secure?

This contest beneath the surface had begun the moment this information was released.

"Elder Yuan, you make a valid point."

"But this child was brought in by Qinghe, so it would not be appropriate for us to interfere."

To his surprise, Elder Yuan merely chuckled before speaking.

"Your Majesty, at the end of the day, that genius is only a child."

"The Crown Prince's residence has limited resources. What do you think would happen if we could offer him better ones?"

Xue Ye's eyes lit up, and he nodded repeatedly. After all, when it came to wealth, no one could compare to the Heaven Dou Empire—not even the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Moreover, on Soul Land, many things could not be bought even with money.

"Then grant him status and position as well."

"A child from an orphanage receives such attention. His status and position would be given by Your Majesty—would he not be grateful?"

"Hahahaha, good! We'll do it that way!"

"Elder She, Elder Ci, there is nothing suspicious about this child's identity, correct?"

In Qian Renxue's study, an incomparably beautiful woman sat in the seat of honor.

Her skin was fair as snow, her nose high and straight, and her phoenix eyes slender. Her peerless features carried a faint chill, exquisitely beautiful as though a celestial maiden had descended to earth.

It was Qian Renxue, with her disguise removed.

She Long and Ci Xue stood quietly before her, reporting in low voices.

Yun Chen had already been arranged in a side room of the Crown Prince's residence and was resting.

"No problem. The two of us examined him with soul power. That child is indeed human."

"That's good. I truly didn't expect a super soul beast to become a human's martial soul."

She Long and Ci Xue exchanged glances, each seeing the shock in the other's eyes. They had not expected it either, and a long silence followed.

Though they had never imagined that a super soul beast could become a human's martial soul, they could already picture how powerful a soul master with such a super martial soul would be.

"Elder She, how did the letter I asked you to deliver to my grandfather go?"

"Miss, rest assured. I have already delivered the letter."

"But while I was in Spirit City, I also heard some rumors. The Hall of the Pope may send people over."

"Most likely, they're coming for Yun Chen."

With a crack, the pencil in Qian Renxue's hand snapped. Her gaze instantly turned icy. If this were an animated world, flames would already have been shooting from Qian Renxue's head.

She Long and Ci Xue looked at their noses and then their hearts, lowering their heads in perfect tacit understanding.

Clearly, their young mistress was angry.

"All right, I understand."

"Elders, go and rest first."

"Also, look into the relevant information. Yun Chen will likely be hunting for his soul ring within the next couple of days. Make preparations and choose the best one for him."

"Yes, Miss. Leave it to me. Rest assured."

She Long was the first to speak, taking on the task.

His martial soul was half beast-type and half weapon-type. As such, his knowledge of beast-type martial souls was also extensive.

Moreover, his talent had not actually been that outstanding. The reason he had managed to reach the rank of Title Douluo was because he had worked out the correct path for himself.

By adding soul rings, he had successfully altered some of his martial soul's disadvantages.

Thus, She Long considered himself to have a considerable degree of knowledge about soul beasts.

Besides, the Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff's strength was right there for all to see, so there was no need to focus too much on using soul rings to influence the martial soul.

They only needed to choose soul beasts with similar attributes, as well as powerful bloodlines and high innate strength.

"All right, Elder She. I'll leave this matter to you."

"Tomorrow, I'll first take him to meet Emperor Xue Ye. We'll talk about the rest afterward."

The night was slightly cool, and the moon hung like frost.

Qian Renxue strolled through the pavilions of the Crown Prince's residence. Moonlight fell across her face, making her golden hair gleam like glass—crystal-clear and translucent—rendering her all the more sacred and noble.

Perhaps because her thoughts were in turmoil, Qian Renxue unknowingly wandered to the side room where Yun Chen was staying.

Thinking of that adorable little fellow again, she could not help curling her lips into a smile. Since coming to the Heaven Dou Empire to infiltrate it, few people had praised her appearance.

First, others did not know she was a stunning beauty. Second, even those who knew did not dare praise her because of her status—or perhaps simply did not wish to.

Yun Chen was the first to say my eyes were beautiful.

A child's innocent praise always brought joy and could make one forget many worries.

Qian Renxue raised her head to gaze at the sky. Her smile gradually faded, replaced by an inescapable sorrow and melancholy.

"Grandfather, Father..."