A Wise Man Submits to Circumstances

"Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Yun Chen bowed to Qian Renxue and obediently greeted her. The servants of the Crown Prince's residence had dressed him up, putting him in fine silk robes and adorning him until he looked as delicate and adorable as a carved jade doll.

Yun Chen had originally thought that awakening the Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff martial soul would make him tall and powerfully built, turning him into a burly man.

To his surprise, the changes were not that dramatic. His body had merely become more toned and sturdy. Perhaps because he was still a child, Yun Chen remained fair and tender-looking.

Qian Renxue could not resist squishing Yun Chen's slightly chubby cheeks a few times. They felt exceptionally good to the touch.

Yun Chen looked at Qian Renxue resentfully. She seemed to realize that her behavior was somewhat inappropriate, lightly coughed twice, and changed the subject.

"Alright, Little Chenchen. Today, you'll enter the palace with me to meet my imperial father—the current ruler of the Heaven Dou Empire, Emperor Xue Ye."

Yun Chen obediently nodded. In truth, he was still somewhat anxious inside. He had yet to obtain his first soul ring and become a true soul master.

Perhaps sensing Little Chenchen's anxiety, Qian Renxue spoke calmly after they boarded the carriage.

"Little Chenchen, there's no need to rush about your first soul ring. First, cultivate using the method Uncle She taught you. Once your realm has stabilized a little more, we'll go obtain a soul ring."

Yun Chen nodded.

Meanwhile, above a suburban area, a weary figure emerged from a cluster of flowers swirling in the air like chrysanthemum petals.

The newcomer was Yue Guan. He had rushed here from Spirit City through the night without daring to pause for even a moment. Gazing at the distant Heaven Dou City, he finally relaxed.

"I've finally arrived. I'm exhausted."

But in the next instant, Yue Guan froze, because a languid-looking middle-aged man had appeared before him.

Clearly, this man was someone Yue Guan knew. Of course, that familiarity was one-sided—Yue Guan knew him, but he did not know Yue Guan very well.

"Lion Douluo..."

"Yue Guan, you should go back. You can't take this child away. That's what the Hall of Worship says."

Lion Douluo spoke casually, even yawning in the middle of his sentence.

"Lion Worshiper, taking Yun Chen away was an order from the Spirit Hall's Pope. Besides, we are both members of Spirit Hall. Even if we take Yun Chen away, it would only add another fighting force to Spirit Hall."

Seeing that Yue Guan still dared to argue, Lion Douluo snorted coldly. His lion-like temper suddenly flared.

The aura of a Rank 97 powerhouse erupted instantly.

Terror appeared on Yue Guan's refined face. He immediately retreated several hundred meters, a helpless bitter smile appearing at the corner of his lips.

The gap between Rank 95 and Rank 97 was like an impassable chasm.

Yue Guan could not even withstand Lion Douluo's soul pressure alone.

"Yue Guan, I am very angry right now. I'll give you only two choices."

As he spoke, Lion Douluo held up two fingers.

"First, fight me. If you win, we'll do as you say."

"Second, get the hell back where you came from right now."

"And while you're at it, tell that madwoman Bibi Dong that she isn't qualified to order the Hall of Worship around, much less our young lady!"

After Lion Douluo said this, Yue Guan hurriedly put on a conciliatory smile. A wise man submits to circumstances. He had never truly believed that this mission could be completed in the first place.

Now that Lion Douluo had said this, he could take the hint and back down. At most, Bibi Dong would scold him a little when he returned. But if he truly angered Lion Douluo, he might have to leave half his life here today.

For a few thousand a month, why risk his life?

"Lion Worshiper, I'll do as you say. However, I have a letter here, personally written by His Holiness the Pope, which is to be delivered to an undercover agent within the Heaven Dou Empire. What do you think?"

"A letter?"

"Give it to me. I'll deliver it."

Lion Douluo raised his brows and curiously accepted the letter Yue Guan handed him. However, he did not open it. Others might not know, but he knew about the secret relationship between the undercover agent and Bibi Dong.

"Then my mission is more or less complete. This subordinate takes his leave."

Chrysanthemum Douluo fled in a flash, running so quickly that Lion Douluo was left speechless, the corner of his mouth twitching.

"This Chrysanthemum Douluo really is quite a character."

Inside Emperor Xue Ye's imperial study, Emperor Xue Ye sat in the seat of honor, studying the somewhat uneasy Yun Chen below with great interest.

Qian Renxue was currently disguised as Xue Qinghe and sat to one side. Officials and ministers of all ranks surrounded her, conversing incessantly.

Though they appeared to be talking, most of the attention in the entire imperial study was actually fixed on Yun Chen, as though they were looking at a giant panda.

It made Yun Chen's skin crawl.

"You're Yun Chen, right? Come forward."

Emperor Xue Ye looked at Yun Chen for quite some time before slowly speaking. The moment he opened his mouth, all conversation in the room ceased, and everyone's attention focused on Emperor Xue Ye and Yun Chen.

To be honest, Yun Chen was somewhat nervous. Still, he timidly glanced at Qian Renxue—or rather, Xue Qinghe.

This was perfectly in line with the image of a child who had never seen the world, instinctively searching for someone familiar.

Qian Renxue gave him an encouraging look and nodded.

If Qian Renxue had a satisfaction meter above her head right now, Yun Chen would have seen it rise by another notch.

Qian Renxue did not know what she was feeling right now. In any case, whenever Yun Chen instinctively sought her help, she felt very happy.

Yun Chen deliberately put on a stern little face, adopting the serious air of an adult as he slowly walked up to Xue Ye.

"Your Majesty."

"Mm, I heard you wish to contribute to the empire?"

Xue Ye spoke with a smile.

"Yes. Our headmaster said that the empire raised us, so when we grow up, we must remember to contribute to the empire and repay its kindness."

"Mm, well said! What a fine sentiment—repaying kindness. You truly are a good child."

As Xue Ye looked at Yun Chen before him, the more he looked, the more satisfied he became. After all, who would suspect that the words of such a child were false?

"Then, little Yun Chen, would you be willing to live with His Majesty from now on?"

Old Yuan, the prime minister who had remained silent at the side all this time, finally spoke. The moment he did, he struck at the heart of the matter.

If Yun Chen truly went to live with Xue Ye today, then the major noble families would have to reevaluate Yun Chen's position in the future.

Yun Chen said nothing, instead deliberately showing the nervousness and helplessness of a child.

His gaze occasionally flicked toward Xue Qinghe, as though he were seeking help.

Old Yuan inwardly cursed. Everyone here was a stranger to Yun Chen; only Xue Qinghe was somewhat familiar. For a child who had grown up without parents, that sort of dependence could be fatal.

Of course, Yun Chen was only pretending, but he played the part convincingly.

The somewhat gloomy expression on Qian Renxue's face curved into a smile once more. As she looked at Yun Chen, there was a trace of barely perceptible satisfaction in her eyes.

"N-No... I want to stay with Brother Qinghe."

Wearing Xue Qinghe's face, Qian Renxue's smile grew even brighter.

"Father, there are too many rules in the palace. Yun Chen is a rather mischievous child; he certainly wouldn't be comfortable living there. It would be better for him to stay with me."

As Qian Renxue said this, her teeth were clenched tightly. Though her tone was calm, everyone could sense the undercurrent beneath it.

"Very well... Qinghe, you are older. From now on, you must treat Yun Chen well."

"Of course, Father. Your son understands."

The tense atmosphere eased somewhat, and only then did Xue Ye announce the main matter of the day.

"Yun Chen is a gifted youth of impeccable background."

"He possesses a loyal heart and the will to serve his country."

"I hereby proclaim my reward: Yun Chen is granted the title of Marquis, hereditary in perpetuity. The title shall be provisionally bestowed for now, with formal investiture upon his sixteenth birthday."

"At the same time, he shall receive royal funding and be treated on equal footing with a prince."

"Finally, after obtaining his first soul ring, he may enter the imperial treasury and choose one item."

These three great rewards could not have been more generous.