Xue Ye, Completely Hoodwinked

Seeing Zhao Ming agree so readily, Qian Renxue's smile deepened. She reached out and ruffled his hair, saying gently, "Alright, then I'll make the arrangements right away.

"Heaven Dou Royal Academy's enrollment season has already passed, but recommending a student in the name of the Crown Prince's Palace won't be difficult. Rest well over the next couple of days. Once the paperwork is done, I'll personally take you there to register."

Zhao Ming nodded.

Just as Qian Renxue was about to turn and leave, she suddenly seemed to recall something. She stopped, took out a crystal ball, and held it out to Zhao Ming for him to test his soul power.

Zhao Ming placed his hand on the crystal ball, and it filled thirty-three slots.

"Level thirty-three already? As expected of a ten-thousand-year third soul ring! When I absorbed my third soul ring, I was only at the peak of level thirty-one," Qian Renxue said with a sigh.

Three days later, after the morning court session ended, the civil and military officials of the Heaven Dou Empire filed out of the Golden Throne Hall, discussing the military and political matters raised in court that day in small groups.

Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, however, did not leave with the other officials. Instead, he crossed the long palace corridors alone and arrived outside the imperial study.

Inside the imperial study, Xue Ye the Great was reclining against his dragon throne with his eyes closed in rest.

He was advanced in years, yet his head of white hair was still combed meticulously. The golden threads embroidered on his imperial robe glimmered beneath the candlelight.

Hearing footsteps, he slowly opened his eyes. His clouded yet still sharp gaze settled upon the refined and gentle figure at the doorway.

To be fair, Xue Qinghe was an impeccable crown prince.

Whether in his conduct at court or in his interactions with officials and nobles, there was not the slightest fault to be found.

In Heaven Dou City and throughout the entire empire, the crown prince's reputation was plain for all to see.

The common people adored him, the officials trusted him, and even those provincial lords who had always held their heads high would raise a thumb when speaking of His Highness the Crown Prince.

But the more perfect the crown prince was, the more likely he was to threaten imperial authority.

Xue Ye the Great was old, but he was not senile.

More than anyone, he understood what a young, capable crown prince beloved by the people meant to an aging emperor.

Throughout the history of the Heaven Dou Empire, crown princes forcing their way into the palace or murdering their fathers to seize the throne had never been rare.

What was more, in Xue Ye the Great's eyes, Xue Qinghe had directly killed his two brothers for the position of crown prince. Though there was no evidence, and though the deaths of those two princes had appeared to be accidents on the surface, a thorn had always remained in Xue Ye the Great's heart.

Still, caution was one thing; Xue Ye the Great would not do anything excessive.

At present, Xue Qinghe was the only one fit to inherit the throne. The Fourth Prince, Xue Beng, was a wastrel who knew only how to eat, drink, and indulge himself. He was utterly unfit for great responsibility. In the end, the empire's future still had to be placed in Xue Qinghe's hands.

With that thought, Xue Ye the Great suppressed his complicated feelings and put on a kindly smile. "Qinghe, what brings you to see me today?"

"Xue Qinghe" bowed slightly, his tone respectful yet composed. "Father Emperor, I came today to report something. The gifted young man Zhao Ming, whom I recruited into my residence, successfully obtained his second soul ring not long ago. His soul power has now reached level twenty-two."

At those words, a sharp gleam flashed through Xue Ye the Great's clouded old eyes, and he sat up straighter. "Oh? A level twenty-two Grand Soul Master at seven and a half years old? Qinghe, is this true?"

"Absolutely." "Xue Qinghe" smiled faintly. "I personally tested his soul power. He is indeed at the peak of level twenty-two, only a step away from level twenty-three."

The smile on Xue Ye the Great's face fully blossomed, even the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes smoothing out. He clapped his hands and laughed. "Good! Excellent! A level twenty-two Grand Soul Master at seven and a half years old—this child truly is a genius among geniuses!

"Qinghe, you may have recruited a future Titled Douluo for the empire! As expected of the crown prince of my Heaven Dou Empire. With such discernment and courage, I am greatly pleased!"

"Xue Qinghe" lowered his head slightly, his tone humble. "Father Emperor, you praise me too highly. I merely did what was expected of me. As crown prince, it is my duty to discover and cultivate talent for the empire."

Xue Ye the Great nodded in satisfaction. Just as he was about to offer a few more words of encouragement, he heard "Xue Qinghe" continue, "Father Emperor, I did not come merely to report Zhao Ming's soul power level. I also wish to ask your permission for something. I would like to recommend Zhao Ming for admission to Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

At those words, Xue Ye the Great was first taken aback. Then his gaze toward Qian Renxue gained a deeper meaning.

Heaven Dou Royal Academy's nominal headmaster was he, the emperor, but its actual overseer was Prince Xue Xing.

Xue Xing was Xue Ye the Great's younger brother, as well as one of the three most influential figures in the Heaven Dou Empire's imperial family. He held considerable power in his hands.

Though the relationship between the crown prince and Xue Xing appeared harmonious on the surface, Xue Ye the Great knew perfectly well about their secret rivalry.

Under such circumstances, Xue Qinghe was actually willing to send the genius he had recruited into Heaven Dou Royal Academy—to Xue Xing's territory? Was he not afraid that Xue Xing would interfere and win Zhao Ming over? Or was he simply that confident in Zhao Ming's loyalty?

No, that was not it.

Looking into Xue Qinghe's clear and open eyes, Xue Ye the Great suddenly understood.

It was not that the crown prince was unafraid. Rather, he simply had not placed his personal gains and losses first.

What he considered was the empire's benefit. By allowing Zhao Ming to enter Heaven Dou Royal Academy, receive the empire's finest education, and forge deep ties with the empire, he would be better able to serve it in the future.

For that, the crown prince was even willing to risk Xue Xing winning over the talent he had personally recruited.

Such breadth of mind, such vision, such sincere devotion to the empire caused the thorn that had lingered in Xue Ye the Great's heart for years to loosen slightly.

He burst into laughter, his voice freer and more genuine than before. "Good! Good! Qinghe, I am greatly pleased that you possess such awareness!

"Rest assured, I will give your royal uncle a warning and make sure he does not entertain any improper thoughts. Zhao Ming is a talent you discovered. No one will be able to take him from you."

"Xue Qinghe" bowed. "Thank you, Father Emperor."

Xue Ye the Great waved a hand, then added, "Go on. Oh, and since Zhao Ming is enrolling, I cannot be stingy. Convey my verbal decree: the imperial family will grant Zhao Ming one thousand gold soul coins each month as living expenses.

"Furthermore, he is specially permitted to claim one item from Heaven Dou Auction House free of charge each year. This child is a future pillar of the empire. Naturally, I must cultivate him properly."

Heaven Dou Auction House was the largest auction house in the Heaven Dou Empire. It contained countless rare treasures—soul bones, pills, soul tools, heavenly treasures, and more. Every year, quite a few precious items appeared there.

The right to claim one item for free each year was no minor reward.