I'm Just a Child

The group entered the palace. Qian Renxue sat in the seat of honor, while She Long and Ci Xue stood to her left and right. Jun Xuehan swept his gaze around, then sat down directly when he spotted a seat.

Ci Xue glared and said, "Did the Young Mistress tell you to sit? Yet you sat down anyway. Don't you know there is a distinction between master and subordinate? Has no one ever taught you manners?"

Jun Xuehan gave Ci Xue a calm look and said evenly, "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince did not seem to tell me to remain standing either. And you said it yourself—there is a distinction between master and subordinate. His Royal Highness is the master, and he has said nothing. Yet you spoke first. Is that not overstepping your bounds?"

Jun Xuehan's voice was cold and devoid of emotion, causing Ci Xue to pause slightly.

"Xuehan is still young. If there was anything improper in his words, Elder Ci Xue, please do not take it to heart," Qian Renxue said calmly, clearly unconcerned by Jun Xuehan taking a seat.

Hearing Qian Renxue's gentle voice, Ci Xue could not help feeling surprised. Was this still that proud Young Mistress? Why did she seem somewhat different?

Still, Ci Xue said nothing further. On the surface, Qian Renxue's words gave him a way out, but their true meaning was to side with Jun Xuehan.

"Young Mistress, this is the information on Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Three of the academy's Education Committee members are already our people. However, Heaven Dou Royal Academy is currently under Prince Xue Xing's control. Replacing Prince Xue Xing and taking control of the entire Heaven Dou Royal Academy will not be simple," Ci Xue said, taking out a dossier on Heaven Dou Royal Academy and handing it to Qian Renxue.

Qian Renxue quietly examined the dossier and nodded lightly without speaking.

Is this really so difficult? Just find an excuse involving Fourth Prince Xue Beng, then have a genius sweep through the talents at Heaven Dou Royal Academy. While the royal family loses face, use that excuse found on Xue Beng to secretly suppress Prince Xue Xing. Because of the royal family's reputation, Xue Ye will naturally replace whoever controls Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Then we can seize control of Heaven Dou Royal Academy when the opportunity comes, can't we? Jun Xuehan thought silently, his expression remaining unchanged, as though he had heard nothing at all.

Qian Renxue stopped flipping through the dossier and looked toward Jun Xuehan, quietly considering the thoughts she had just heard.

Fourth Prince Xue Beng was currently a wastrel. Whether that act was real or fake, finding an excuse involving him would be extremely easy. Then, using that excuse, they could sweep through Heaven Dou Royal Academy and disgrace the royal family before secretly suppressing Prince Xue Xing with the excuse found on Xue Beng.

With Xue Ye concerned about the royal family's reputation, the person controlling Heaven Dou Royal Academy would naturally need to be replaced. Given her influence in the Imperial Court, replacing Prince Xue Xing and taking control of Heaven Dou Royal Academy would practically be a certainty.

Every step of the process was linked together. If handled properly, it could even weaken Prince Xue Xing's influence in the Imperial Court to a certain extent.

The only question was, where would they find a genius capable of sweeping through Heaven Dou Royal Academy?

Qian Renxue silently pondered. When her gaze fell upon Jun Xuehan, a sharp glint flashed through her eyes. She closed the dossier in her hand and slowly repeated the plan she had just considered.

"Two Elders, who do you think should be sent to sweep through Heaven Dou Royal Academy?" Qian Renxue asked calmly, though her gaze was fixed on Jun Xuehan.

"Young Mistress, among the people we brought, most are no longer considered part of the younger generation. Even those who still qualify as part of the younger generation lack the ability and talent to sweep through Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Although you possess such talent and ability, Young Mistress, one person can only do so much," Ci Xue said softly. Noticing Qian Renxue's gaze, he turned his own eyes toward Jun Xuehan.

"In terms of talent, Xuehan seems suitable. But he only acquired his Soul Ring not long ago and does not yet possess the strength to sweep through Heaven Dou Royal Academy," She Long said thoughtfully, likewise looking at Jun Xuehan.

Jun Xuehan froze slightly when he noticed their gazes. Why are you all looking at me? I'm just a six-year-old child. Obviously, it's inappropriate to send me for something like this, isn't it? And why is the plan Qian Renxue just described so similar to what I was thinking? It isn't exactly identical, but it's basically the same. Hearing his thoughts, Qian Renxue smiled and slowly said, "Xuehan's talent is sufficient, but his current Soul Power is not enough for him to sweep through Heaven Dou Royal Academy. However, I think we can let Xuehan give it a try. If we alter the rules somewhat, it may not be impossible. Before that, though, Xuehan will need three months of special training, and we can make preparations during that time as well."

After hearing Qian Renxue's words, Jun Xuehan pondered for a while before saying, "I don't think I can do it. I'm only a level-thirteen Soul Master right now, while Heaven Dou Royal Academy should have Soul Elders and even Soul Ancestors. The gap in strength seems far too great."

Jun Xuehan knew his own situation best. Up to this point, he had only fought three times. The first had been before his Martial Soul awakened, against a Hungry Wolf, and he had only won a miserable victory.

The second time, he had used She Long as a sparring partner, while the third had been against Qian Renxue, ending in an unquestionable crushing defeat.

When he was inferior to his opponent in Soul Power, experience, and technique, no matter how high his talent was, he still needed time to grow.

Although Qian Renxue had proposed three months of special training, the time seemed far too rushed. In three months, his Soul Power could only rise by a few levels at most, and his combat experience would only improve somewhat.

"I think you can. You do not necessarily have to sweep through them all; winning will be enough. Besides, this will also be an opportunity for you to grow. Fighting and competing against others will be far more effective for your growth than shutting yourself away to train," Qian Renxue said lightly, her eyes fixed on Jun Xuehan with utter seriousness.

Jun Xuehan paused slightly. His cold face remained expressionless, but inwardly, he thought, I'm really just a child. Why do you have to fix your eyes on me? Forget it. I'll give it a try. As long as I do my best, that's enough. Hearing his thoughts, Qian Renxue silently said, You're a child? Aside from your age, nothing about you resembles a child. If I could not hear your thoughts, even I would have been fooled by your appearance.