The Fourth Prince—Xue Beng

Jun Xuehan withdrew the Silver Dragon Spear in his hand and let out a soft breath, but a faint glimmer of delight flashed through his eyes. He had actually created a Self-Created Soul Skill: Dragon Spear Wind and Rain. Although Dragon Spear Wind and Rain was still very crude at the moment, it would only grow stronger as he continued refining it.

Dragon Spear Wind and Rain's current shortcomings were its massive Soul Power consumption and relatively long charging time. Its advantage, however, was that it could be used for both group attacks and Single Target Attacks. Moreover, compared to his First Soul Skill, Blazing Fire Striding Cloud, Dragon Spear Wind and Rain was only stronger, not weaker.

Standing before his door, Jun Xuehan quietly pondered the issues with his Self-Created Soul Skill and ways to improve it.

Meanwhile, in Heaven Dou City, Ci Xue was secretly watching a youth clad in Heaven Dou Royal Academy attire. The youth wore an arrogant, overbearing expression, his gaze constantly sweeping over his surroundings. He looked every bit the spoiled young master.

This youth was Xue Beng, the Fourth Prince of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family and a notorious playboy in Heaven Dou City.

Xue Beng wound his way through Heaven Dou City, repeatedly entering and leaving various Pleasure Houses. Only after confirming that no one was following him did he arrive before Prince Xue Xing's Mansion. He pushed open the Main Door and walked inside.

Watching from the shadows, Ci Xue could not help but chuckle inwardly. The young mistress is being too cautious. Xue Beng is a typical playboy who frequents all sorts of Pleasure Houses.

Despite his thoughts, he still slipped into the Prince's Mansion in secret and kept watch over Xue Beng, seeing whether he could find a reason to make a move against Heaven Dou Royal Academy through him. He also wanted to confirm whether Xue Beng truly was a playboy, so the young mistress could rest easy.

As he watched Xue Beng walk straight into Prince Xue Xing's room, Ci Xue concealed himself in the shadows and eavesdropped on the voices within.

Inside the room, Xue Beng sat before Prince Xue Xing and asked, "Uncle, how much longer do I have to keep pretending? If this goes on, everyone in Heaven Dou City is really going to think I'm a playboy."

Prince Xue Xing furrowed his brow slightly and said, "If you want to stay alive, then you can only pretend to be a playboy. And not only must you pretend—you must make everyone believe you are one. As for how long you need to keep this up, I don't know either. So far, I have only found a few scattered clues, with no real substance to them. If we want to bring down Xue Qinghe, we need solid evidence that leaves him with no room to deny it."

Prince Xue Xing's voice carried a trace of helplessness. The clues he had uncovered were not very useful. At most, they allowed him to infer that certain events benefited Xue Qinghe the most, but they could not prove that Xue Qinghe had done them.

"Uncle, I have no problem pretending to be a playboy, but I can't keep pretending forever, can I?" Xue Beng sighed, his voice equally full of deep helplessness.

"This matter cannot be rushed. We can only wait patiently," Prince Xue Xing said, gently shaking his head, his eyes thoughtful.

In the shadows, Ci Xue listened to their conversation in utter astonishment. Xue Beng really is pretending. The young mistress truly is as perceptive as ever.

With that thought, Ci Xue remained hidden and did not move, quietly waiting. The matter of whether Xue Beng was truly a playboy had already been settled, but he had yet to find a reason to act against him.

It was not until Late Night that Ci Xue left the Prince's Mansion and returned to the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace, where he reported everything to Qian Renxue in full detail.

Listening to Ci Xue's report, Qian Renxue gave a soft laugh. A faint cold glint flashed through her eyes before vanishing as she said calmly, "Let him continue pretending to be a playboy for now. We cannot act too frequently. Also, spread the reason you found throughout Heaven Dou City, and send a Challenge Letter to Heaven Dou Royal Academy while you are at it. Do not show yourself. Just make sure the letter is delivered."

Ci Xue nodded lightly and immediately went to handle the matters Qian Renxue had instructed.

Time flew by, and before anyone realized it, Three Months had quietly passed.

In Heaven Dou City, rumors concerning Xue Beng, the Fourth Prince of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, had become countless. What had begun as a single rumor had now spread into an unknown number of different versions.

Even Xue Ye, the Emperor, within the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace had been alarmed. At first, Xue Ye had not wanted to concern himself with the matter. After all, his youngest son Xue Beng's reputation as a playboy was already well known throughout Heaven Dou City. But when Heaven Dou Royal Academy was challenged because of Xue Beng, Xue Ye finally began taking the matter seriously.

This matter could be either major or minor. If it truly escalated, the worst outcome would be the Heaven Dou Imperial Family losing all face. Even if the matter were handled properly, Heaven Dou Royal Academy's reputation would still suffer somewhat. This was undoubtedly the last thing Xue Ye wanted to see.

"Qinghe, let us go to Heaven Dou Royal Academy and take a look. This concerns our imperial family's honor. Heaven Dou Royal Academy can only win; it cannot lose," Xue Ye said softly as he looked at Xue Qinghe below him.

"Father Emperor, rest assured. Imperial Uncle has managed Heaven Dou Royal Academy for many years, and it has no shortage of geniuses. Our Heaven Dou Royal Academy can absolutely not lose," Xue Qinghe declared with utmost confidence, his expression exceedingly serious.

"Even so, that unfilial son Xue Beng has caused quite a commotion. We should still go and see for ourselves. It will also serve as an inspection of Heaven Dou Royal Academy's results." Xue Ye rose directly to his feet and walked toward the palace exit.

Xue Qinghe quietly followed behind Xue Ye.

Over these Three Months, no one understood better than he did just how greatly Jun Xuehan's strength had increased. Added to the arrangements he had made within Heaven Dou Royal Academy, it was practically impossible for Heaven Dou Royal Academy to win.

At his residence in Heaven Dou City, Jun Xuehan was adjusting his condition. Over the past Three Months, not only had his combat experience and techniques improved greatly, but his Soul Power had also risen by two full levels. He had advanced from a thirteenth-rank Soul Master to a fifteenth-rank Soul Master.

Furthermore, his Self-Created Soul Skill, Dragon Spear Wind and Rain, had become increasingly refined over those Three Months. It no longer required charging, consumed far less Soul Power, and its attack power had increased by around ten percent.

She Long appeared beside Jun Xuehan and looked at him as he adjusted his condition. "Xuehan, you will need to go to Heaven Dou Royal Academy by yourself later. I cannot accompany you any longer. But rest assured, the young mistress has already arranged everything. The referee is one of ours, so just fight without holding back. You do not need to worry about anything else."