Qian Renxue Exposed?

The reception room door closed softly, shutting out the noise from outside.

The room was so quiet that the ticking of the wall clock could be heard. The second hand jumped one notch at a time, each movement especially clear in the stillness.

Sunlight streamed through the half-drawn curtains, forming a golden beam between the two of them. Dust drifted slowly within it, like countless tiny stars dancing in the air.

Qian Renxue lifted her teacup and took a light sip, her movements elegant and composed, as though savoring divine nectar. She set the cup down, and its base struck the table with a crisp sound.

She raised her head and looked at Lin Ming with gentle eyes, that signature smile resting on her lips. It was perfectly measured, neither overly warm nor cold and distant.

"Student Lin Ming, I heard you have been making quite a name for yourself at the academy lately. You defeated Yu Tianheng with a single spear strike, obtained a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Ring as your third Soul Ring, and earned the title of Little Spear God. Not bad. You are young and promising."

Lin Ming stood there without arrogance or servility and replied evenly, "Your Highness overpraises me. It was merely luck. Senior Yu Tianheng is quite strong; he was simply not in good condition today, which allowed me to take advantage."

"Luck?" Qian Renxue gave a soft laugh, a trace of amusement in it.

"Defeating the direct heir of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan with one strike is not something luck can accomplish. I have always valued talent. A talent like you should not be buried in an academy. If you are willing, I can provide you with a better platform."

She paused, her gaze growing deeper. A shrewd gleam flickered in her amber eyes, and her tone carried a trace of temptation, like a devil's whisper.

"Join my ranks, and I can guarantee that I will provide every resource you need to cultivate to the rank of Titled Douluo. Soul Bones, Soul Rings, pills, cultivation techniques... As long as you want it, and as long as I have it, it is yours. The Heaven Dou Empire's treasury holds far more resources than any single sect could provide."

If such terms had been offered to an ordinary person, they would probably have dropped to their knees on the spot and called her lord.

The complete cultivation resources for a Titled Douluo were an astronomical sum. Even a powerful faction like the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would have to drain its strength and devote the entire sect's resources to support one.

And Qian Renxue represented the treasury of the entire Heaven Dou Empire. Just thinking about the sheer scale of those reserves was enough to make one drool.

Yet Lin Ming merely smiled and shook his head, a hint of amusement in his expression.

"Your Highness, I appreciate your kindness. However, I am now the son-in-law of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Sword Douluo's personal disciple, so I do not lack cultivation resources. The Sect Master gives me one million Gold Soul Coins each month for cultivation expenses, and I cannot even spend it all. Moreover, Master Sword Douluo occasionally guides my cultivation and gives me rare cultivation materials. To be honest, I currently lack nothing."

Qian Renxue's brows twitched slightly, but she quickly regained her composure. She picked up her teacup and took another sip, trying to use the motion to conceal the fluctuation in her emotions.

"What the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect gives you, I can give you twice as much. Two million Gold Soul Coins a month, along with all kinds of rare resources collected by the Heaven Dou Empire, including Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Bones and Immortal-Grade Medicinal Herbs."

"This is not a matter of money." Lin Ming still shook his head, staring directly into Qian Renxue's eyes. His gaze was sharp as a blade, as though it could see through the heart. "Your Highness, to be honest, I do not think you are being sincere."

Qian Renxue's smile stiffened slightly, and the hand holding her teacup paused as well. "What do you mean?"

Lin Ming stepped forward, bracing both hands on the table and leaning down slightly. He looked at her with burning eyes, and the distance between them abruptly narrowed. They could clearly see their reflections in each other's eyes.

"Your Highness wants me to join your ranks and serve you, yet you are unwilling to reveal even your true identity. What kind of sincerity is that? You expect me to risk my life for someone wearing a mask—how can I feel at ease? What if one day you turn your back on your word? Who would I seek justice from?"

Qian Renxue's pupils suddenly contracted. The smile on her face froze instantly, and her fingers tightened slightly around the teacup, her knuckles turning white.

She stared at Lin Ming for several seconds, trying to find even the slightest flaw, uncertainty, or suspicion in his eyes.