Xue Qinghe's Invitation, Lin Yichen's Deliberation

By the time Lin Yichen stepped out of the room, it was already evening.

The sun was indeed setting in the west.

Hu Liena stood by the door, licking her lips with her arms crossed, looking as though she were enjoying a good show.

Lin Yichen's heart skipped a beat. She couldn't have heard all those sounds, could she?

But I always isolate the sound before doing that. She shouldn't have been able to hear anything, right?

Just as Lin Yichen was musing to himself, Hu Liena spoke.

"An hour. A full hour.

"Your aura was unstable the entire time. Though you blocked out the sound, our martial souls have already resonated with each other.

"Your soul power was extremely unstable, just like mine was back then. That mingling, exchanging aura... I didn't need to think to know what you were doing in there."

Lin Yichen scratched his head awkwardly, his voice a little hesitant.

"Well..."

Before he could finish, Hu Liena waved a hand to stop him.

"Why are you saying all that? I've already accepted Little Yan, let alone this one.

"To be honest, I really wanted to kick the door in and join you just now..."

Bold as ever... Lin Yichen couldn't help admiring her.

Seeing the alternating shades of green and white on Lin Yichen's face, Hu Liena finally burst into laughter.

"Look at you, Junior Brother. You're just too adorable, hahaha...

"Alright, alright, enough of that. I'll go see the Crown Prince with you later."

Upon hearing that, Lin Yichen first let out a breath of relief, then immediately tensed up again.

He was relieved because Hu Liena was not angry, but tense because she wanted to come along.

"Why are you going? Isn't that inappropriate? His Highness only invited me... What if your going makes him unhappy?"

"How is it inappropriate?" Hu Liena tilted her head, her tone light and casual.

"His Highness invited the Spirit Hall delegation. I'm a member of Spirit Hall's Golden Generation.

"Just like you, I'm also His Holiness the Pope's disciple. Isn't it perfectly normal for me to go?"

Her words were flawless.

Lin Yichen opened his mouth but could find no reason to refute her, so he could only nod.

Moon-Gazing Teahouse was on the eastern side of Heaven Dou City, not far from the Great Spirit Arena. It took about fifteen minutes to walk there.

By the time Lin Yichen and Hu Liena arrived, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo were already there, waiting at the entrance to the teahouse.

Seeing Hu Liena arrive, Chrysanthemum Douluo paused in slight surprise before looking at Lin Yichen with a mischievous grin.

Ghost Douluo merely gave the two of them an expressionless glance before speaking in his usual tone.

"His Highness the Crown Prince is already on the second floor."

Lin Yichen nodded and took Hu Liena's hand as they headed upstairs.

It made Hu Liena's heart feel sweet.

On the second floor, a man in black stood beside Xue Qinghe, his features obscured from view.

Yet he was utterly respectful toward Xue Qinghe.

"Young Master, I have looked into them. They are from Pope Hall, and they happen to be our enemies. If you try to win him over like this, I'm afraid..."

Before Snake Spear Douluo could finish, Xue Qinghe cut him off.

"Not necessarily. A genius seen only once in a thousand years—if we can draw him to our side, it will benefit us.

"I once saw fishermen by the sea. They had a saying that was quite good.

"The bigger the waves, the more valuable the fish!"

Snake Spear Douluo nodded. "Young Master is wise!"

Xue Qinghe pointed to a small corner nearby. It was pitch-black without any light, the most concealed spot in the entire room.

"Hide there later and await my orders."

Snake Spear Douluo nodded deeply, answered, "Yes," and withdrew.

At the stairway, Lin Yichen was still holding Hu Liena's hand.

Lin Yichen suddenly halted and glanced at her from the side.

"There is a very powerful aura. It isn't someone we can afford to provoke."

Hu Liena said nothing, only tightened her grip on Lin Yichen's hand.

The two went up to the second floor side by side. Lin Yichen pushed open the door and entered. Xue Qinghe was seated at the tea table by the window, holding a teacup in one hand in a relaxed posture.

"Master Lin has arrived? Please, take the seat of honor."

Xue Qinghe was exceedingly courteous, entirely lacking the arrogance one would expect from a noble prince.

Noticing Hu Liena, Xue Qinghe gave a soft "Oh?"

"This is..."

"Hu Liena, my Senior Sister," Lin Yichen said. "She is also a member of Spirit Hall's Golden Generation and another personal disciple of His Holiness the Pope."

"I'm his woman."

Hu Liena suddenly cut in, her tone firm.

Xue Qinghe froze for a moment, then laughed.

"Welcome, welcome. I thought only Master Lin would be coming, yet you have such a beauty by your side. I have been remiss.

"Looking closely, it seems Master Lin is quite fortunate in love."

After saying this, Xue Qinghe's gaze shifted back and forth between the two of them.

Hu Liena did not understand such roundabout remarks.

She immediately hooked her arm around Lin Yichen's and puffed out her chest, declaring her claim.

It made Xue Qinghe laugh once more.

"Since that is the case, let us dispense with the pleasantries. Master Lin, I invited you here today because I have something to discuss."

Is it finally coming?

Lin Yichen drew a deep breath inwardly. Holding the teacup in both hands, he leaned back in his chair and looked at Xue Qinghe.

"Master Lin, what do you think of Heaven Dou City? Or rather, what do you think of the imperial family?"

Lin Yichen lifted his teacup, took a sip, and said, "Heaven Dou City is bustling and prosperous, and its people live and work in peace. It is a fine city.

"As for the imperial family, they govern diligently and are by no means harsh toward soul masters.

"It truly deserves to be called a model of a peaceful and prosperous age."

Xue Qinghe nodded, revealing a sincere smile. He truly enjoyed hearing those words.

So the assimilation plan is working?

He extended a finger and lightly tapped the tabletop.

"Since Master Lin thinks so highly of Heaven Dou City, I would like to invite you to remain here for a few more days after the exchange tournament concludes."

Lin Yichen raised an eyebrow, pretending to be puzzled.

"Remain for a few days?"

"Heaven Dou Royal Academy's teachers and resources rank among the best on the entire continent.

"Although Master Lin studies under Spirit Hall, you are still young. Exposure to more different systems will not harm your cultivation.

"In my capacity as the Crown Prince of Heaven Dou, I invite you to stay at the Royal Academy for a while. Whether it is sparring or exchanging ideas, consider it a change of environment."

Lin Yichen did not answer immediately.

He lowered his head and looked at the tea in his cup, considering the feasibility of the plan.

If he remained in Heaven Dou City, he would inevitably spend several more days with Dugu Yan.

If he took this chance to make contact with Dugu Bo and entered the immortal herb redemption code to redeem immortal herbs,

his strength would rise to another level.

More importantly, Lin Yichen thought of the herb garden in the Frostflower Record.

To him, it was an even greater treasure trove.

He looked down at his left arm.

Would Madam Frostflower's herb garden contain medicine that could completely cure my left arm...?

Lin Yichen let out a helpless sigh, but made up his mind.

"I accept, Your Highness. I will remain here for a few more days."

In truth, the most important reason for agreeing was...

He truly could not bear Bibi Dong's advances any longer...