The Crown Prince 'Xue Qinghe', Qian Renxue!

"Coming for me?"

Dai Chengfeng raised an eyebrow slightly. "I only just arrived in Wu'an City and haven't even crossed the threshold of the City Lord's Mansion, yet Heaven Dou Empire has already surrounded the city?"

"Is their intelligence network that good, or..."

The corners of Dai Chengfeng's lips curved up into an intrigued smile. "Interesting!"

With that, Dai Chengfeng turned and headed toward the city gates. "Come on, let's go take a look at the city wall!"

Zhu Fan hurriedly followed, staying close behind Dai Chengfeng with a wary look in his eyes.

Watching their backs, Zhu Yan wore a bitter expression. "Heaven Dou Empire could have come at any time, yet they had to come right after Fourth Prince entered the city..."

"What are we supposed to do now?"

"If anything happens to Fourth Prince in Wu'an City, then when those above hold me accountable, I'm afraid even my parents, wife, and children will suffer along with me!"

"Now I can only hope that this is all just a coincidence. Sigh!"

After a while, Zhu Yan shook his head and hurried after the two, breaking into a jog.

At the same time.

Outside Wu'an City, Heaven Dou Empire's army surged toward Wu'an City like a torrent of steel. Military banners bearing the emblem of Heaven Dou Empire snapped loudly in the wind.

The soldiers wore heavy armor and carried sharp spears. Cold metallic glints flashed beneath the sunlight, exuding a murderous aura.

Inside the central Main Tent.

The atmosphere had become stiflingly oppressive.

A Blonde Boy was bent over, staring at the map spread across the desk. His face was handsome, yet carried a hint of cold ruthlessness.

He was none other than Xue Qinghe, the current Crown Prince of Heaven Dou Empire.

His pale, slender fingers lightly tapped the spot marked Wu'an City on the Map as he murmured, "So this is Wu'an City?"

Then, he slowly straightened up and crossed his arms, his brows tightly furrowed as his gaze traveled along the mountains and rivers depicted on the Map.

"Sure enough, easy to defend but difficult to attack."

At this moment.

An old general clad in heavy armor, with snow-white hair and beard, strode out from the ranks.

He came before Xue Qinghe, dropped to one knee, and cupped his fists with a worried expression. "Crown Prince!"

"This old man knows that Your Highness has only just been named Crown Prince by His Majesty, and your foundation is not yet stable."

"By volunteering to come to Wu Ping City, you seek a great victory that will make His Majesty and the court officials see you in a new light."

"However..."

"Mobilizing thirty thousand troops so rashly this time is still far too risky."

"For many years, our two nations have maintained a delicate peace through mutual understanding. Once that balance is broken, those guys from Spirit Hall, who have been watching us like tigers, will surely seize the opportunity to act. The Consequences would be unimaginable..."

"Enough!"

Xue Qinghe, who had been studying the Map, raised a hand to cut off the old general. "Old General Li, say no more."

"I am certain Spirit Hall will not interfere."

"Besides, Star Luo Empire has repeatedly provoked Heaven Dou's border over the years. Are we supposed to let them bully Heaven Dou as they please, while Heaven Dou is forbidden from retaliating?"

"As long as we do not occupy Wu'an City."

"Even if Star Luo Empire harbors tremendous resentment, once the deed is done, they will have no choice but to swallow this loss in silence."

Old General Li still refused to give up and tried to persuade him further. "But the Star Luo Emperor is iron-blooded and unyielding. How could he so easily swallow—"

"Enough!"

Xue Qinghe slammed his palm onto the table. The teacup jolted into the air, and tea splashed out.

His Eyes were filled with displeasure, his face dark as he shouted, "This Crown Prince has made his decision."

"Old General Li, are you defying my orders?"

In an instant, the old general's heart trembled. He sighed helplessly, slowly rose to his feet, and cupped his fists. "This old minister would not dare..."

"This old minister will go make preparations for the siege."

"Mm, go."

The old general turned around and left the Main Tent with heavy steps.

As the old general departed, a rugged middle-aged man suddenly emerged from the shadows. His entire body was encased in golden armor, while his hair was crimson as blood.

Looking at Xue Qinghe, he said, "Young Master, that old guy truly doesn't know what's good for him. Shall I go and..."

As he spoke, the man raised a hand and made a throat-slitting gesture.

Xue Qinghe gently shook his head. "Forget it."

"Compared to that old guy, I'm much more interested in Dai Chengfeng, the Star Luo Empire's Fourth Prince!"

Pufferfish Douluo was slightly taken aback, then suddenly understood. "So that's how it is!"

"This is why, despite being able to launch a surprise attack earlier, Your Highness waited until Dai Chengfeng entered the city today before sending troops?"

Xue Qinghe nodded slightly, a meaningful smile curling at his lips. "A prince who once came infinitely close to that position, only to suddenly be stripped of his title and exiled here."

"Do you think he would be willing to accept that?"

A trace of ruthlessness flashed through Pufferfish Douluo's eyes. "Him? I don't know..."

"But if it were me, I definitely wouldn't be content. I'd want to reclaim everything that belonged to me!"

At that, he looked up at Xue Qinghe again. "So, Young Master, are you planning to win him over for Spirit Hall?"

"After all, although his martial soul's potential was exhausted due to conflicts between his Soul Rings, that was merely the Star Luo Empire's assessment..."

"Spirit Hall has many methods. We may not be unable to remedy it."

Xue Qinghe smiled and nodded, then shook his head. "It won't be that simple. He is a prince, after all."

"Besides, before this, I knew nothing about Dai Chengfeng's character or temperament. I had no way of knowing whether he could be used by Spirit Hall."

"This time, I merely wished to test him."

"If he truly remains unwilling and still possesses some ambition, then he may be worth using. But if he is nothing but mud that cannot be shaped, I can't be bothered wasting my efforts."

"After all, taking Wu'an City and securing my position as Crown Prince are the highest priorities."

"As for him?"

"He is merely an incidental matter. Waiting a few extra days is no trouble."

Pufferfish Douluo's face was full of admiration as he clasped his hands and praised, "Young Master is wise and thorough in your considerations. I am impressed!"

Xue Qinghe chuckled softly.

At that moment, a soldier's loud report came from outside the tent. "Crown Prince, our thirty thousand soldiers have all assembled and await your command at any time!"

In an instant, Xue Qinghe's gaze sharpened like an eagle's. He strode out of the Main Tent, mounted a tall white warhorse, and gave a loud command.

"By my command, all troops attack the city!"

Rumble, rumble, rumble—!

The Heaven Dou soldiers marched out, their footsteps uniform as the earth trembled.

Elsewhere.

Dai Chengfeng and the others had already ascended the City Wall.

Looking at the Heaven Dou soldiers outside the city, densely packed and charging forward like a tidal wave, every one of them clad in heavy armor with weapons gleaming coldly and siege equipment in tow, Zhu Yan felt uneasy.

"It seems Heaven Dou Empire is serious this time!"

As he thought this, he cautiously moved closer to Dai Chengfeng, his voice trembling slightly.

"Your Highness, what... what should we do?"

"They have a full thirty thousand troops, and it is obvious they are all elite armored soldiers."

"Our city has only a little over ten thousand defenders, but most of them are old, weak, sick, or disabled. The truly battle-capable troops number barely over a thousand. The disparity is far too great."

"How about I send a unit to escort you and Lord Zhu Fan out of here first?"

Dai Chengfeng's expression was calm as still water. His deep gaze swept back and forth through the Heaven Dou army, searching for its commander.

At the same time, he said indifferently, "Have me leave first? Men of the Star Luo Empire may die with honor, but never live in disgrace."

"I'll stay right here and see what tricks they can pull!"

"Go arrange the soldiers to defend the city, and tell them that I, the Star Luo Empire's Fourth Prince, stand with them!"

As he spoke.

Dai Chengfeng suddenly spotted the blonde boy at the center of the enemy formation, riding a white horse and surrounded by the crowd. His pupils abruptly contracted.

"Qian Renxue?!"