Refusing to Take a Disciple; Qian Renxue Takes the Initiative

Tang Wutong was somewhat surprised as well. From the corner of her eye, she glanced at Lu Yuan.

After thinking for a moment, Lu Yuan signaled with his eyes for her not to agree.

If Qian Renxue became Tang Wutong's disciple, that would be troublesome.

If she frequently visited Grand Mansion Academy in the future, many things could easily be exposed, and the consequences would be unimaginable.

Tang Wutong understood immediately. A gentle smile appeared on her face. "His Highness the Crown Prince is exceptionally talented, but I have long since lost any intention of taking on more disciples. I ask Your Majesty's forgiveness."

Xue Ye looked disappointed. He had not expected the headmaster of Grand Mansion Academy to refuse.

If it were anyone else, who would give up the chance to become the future imperial tutor?

Qian Renxue's expression was complicated. To be honest, she had not wanted to become Tang Wutong's disciple in the first place.

Yet when she truly heard the other woman refuse to accept her, it instead stirred a trace of competitiveness within her.

The Xue Qinghe she had disguised herself as might not have possessed top-tier talent, but he held considerable prestige in court.

Taking her as a disciple should have benefited Tang Wutong as well.

Yet she had refused so decisively. Why exactly was that?

Xue Ye forced a smile. "No matter. Since Your Excellency is unwilling to take Qinghe as your disciple, then so be it."

"Qinghe, accompany Your Excellency around the palace. I shall not keep you all any longer."

"Yes, Father Emperor."

Qian Renxue answered, then raised a hand to gesture for Lu Yuan and Tang Wutong to leave the hall with her.

Before long, the three arrived in a resplendent side hall.

Qian Renxue motioned for them to sit, smiling as she said, "Headmaster Tang, this junior has always been curious about your cultivation."

"It is truly difficult to imagine that, despite looking so young, you have already become a Titled Douluo."

"Of course," she added, "if it is inconvenient to discuss, that is fine. This is a Soul Master's private matter, after all."

Tang Wutong blinked and smiled faintly. "Your Highness, my cultivation is not particularly high. I am only level ninety-seven, with the title Dragon Butterfly."

"If His Majesty asks you about it, you may answer him that way."

Qian Renxue's expression shifted slightly.

She had not expected Tang Wutong to possess such cultivation.

Level ninety-seven was no small matter.

Moreover, she had already learned that Tang Wutong possessed six black and three red Soul Rings. Such a configuration was simply terrifying.

That meant she might be like Bibi Dong, possessing Twin Martial Souls.

Only Twin Martial Souls could allow one martial soul to possess such a terrifying Soul Ring configuration.

Of course, it could not be ruled out that the Soul Ring age boosts came from some god's trial!

Looking at her face again, Tang Wutong seemed even younger than Bibi Dong!

If only she could be recruited by Spirit Hall.

What a pity...

Qian Renxue composed herself and smiled slightly. "Headmaster Tang is too modest. Level ninety-seven—there are likely only a handful in the world with such cultivation."

"No wonder you are unwilling to take me as your disciple. I suppose my talent is limited and beneath your notice."

Lu Yuan said, "Your Highness, there is no need to belittle yourself. My teacher does not look down on you. She simply does not wish to involve herself in court affairs and only wishes to stay far away from such disputes."

"Is that so?"

Qian Renxue's gaze shifted to Lu Yuan as she tested him. "Little Brother Lu Yuan, for someone like Headmaster Tang to take you as her disciple, your talent must surely be extraordinary, yes?"

"My aptitude is average. There is nothing worth mentioning." Lu Yuan waved his hand, unwilling to say more.

"Little Brother, it would not do for you to brush me off like this."

Seeing him avoid the subject, Qian Renxue only became more curious.

Seeing that she would not let it go, Lu Yuan felt speechless. "Your Highness, my martial soul is the Sky-Holding Spear. I am eleven years old, and my Soul Power Level is thirty-two."

Even if he did not mention his Soul Power Level, Qian Renxue would surely be able to tell. There was no need to hide that.

But he absolutely could not tell her his real age.

He had no choice. By relying on pills all the way, coupled with absorbing Soul Rings, his Soul Power had soared from level ten to level thirty-two in less than a year, directly entering the difficult stage of cultivation.

If he said he was only six, it would be far too shocking and might cause unnecessary trouble.

Lu Yuan simply claimed that he was eleven.

In any case, his body had been greatly accelerated by the power of his Soul Rings. He looked about the same age as an eleven- or twelve-year-old child, though his face was slightly more childish.

Qian Renxue's eyes lit up, and she praised him with a smile. "Little Brother, your talent is rare in this world. No wonder the headmaster accepted you into her school."

"If there is an opportunity, how about we address each other as brothers?"

"That would not be appropriate, would it?" Lu Yuan had not expected Qian Renxue to be so proactive.

Why did it feel rather stifling?

Well, she had lurked in the Heaven Dou Empire for over a decade, and upon encountering a young talent like Tang San, she had practically thrown herself at him.

Lu Yuan's features had not fully matured yet, but the structure and contours of his face had already begun to show.

After being transformed by the Ice Dragon King's martial soul, his looks would only surpass Tang San's.

Being a little proactive seemed normal...

"It is fine."

A gleam flashed through Qian Renxue's eyes. She raised her hand and draped an arm around his shoulders, laughing softly. "Little Brother Lu, I sincerely wish to befriend a genius like you."

Lu Yuan's body stiffened slightly. Without drawing attention to it, he moved her hand from his shoulder and said calmly, "Your Highness flatters me."

"I can hardly be called a genius. I was merely fortunate enough to be accepted as my teacher's disciple. I truly do not deserve Your Highness's high regard."

Seeing his deliberate avoidance, understanding flickered through Qian Renxue's eyes. She smiled faintly. "Little Brother Lu, why be so distant?"

"Very well, I will not force you. I only hope that we may interact more often in the future."

Tang Wutong laughed softly. "We will, Your Highness. If there is nothing else, I shall take little Lu Yuan and bid farewell first."

Seeing this, Qian Renxue no longer pressed the matter. "Very well, then I shall not keep you any longer."

"Take care on your way. If you have time in the future, you are welcome to visit the Eastern Palace at any time, so that I may fulfill my duties as host."

Tang Wutong nodded slightly and took Lu Yuan's hand as they left the palace.

Not long after,

Two figures suddenly appeared before Qian Renxue.

Qian Renxue asked, "Did that Tang Wutong discover you?"

"Young Mistress, her strength far surpasses ours. We cannot be certain."

After pondering for a moment, She Long said, "However, even if she discovered that we were watching, she would only assume we were people sent by the royal family to monitor her. She should not grow suspicious of anything else."

Qian Renxue had anticipated his answer, and the concern in her heart eased.

"Eleven years old, level thirty-two, a spear martial soul. What do you think of Lu Yuan's talent?" Qian Renxue looked toward her two subordinates.

She Long thought for a moment. "Judging solely by his Soul Power Level, this man's talent is extraordinary. He does not lose to Spirit Hall's Golden Generation and may perhaps be even stronger."

"Yes. If only he were a member of Spirit Hall." Qian Renxue sighed softly.

Elsewhere.

Lu Yuan and Tang Wutong walked through the streets of Heaven Dou City, their striking appearances drawing frequent glances from passersby.

Tang Wutong said, "My lord, that crown prince is not simple. She seems to be a woman, with a special disguise covering her body and concealing her true appearance."

"This method of concealment is quite advanced. Ordinary Titled Douluo would be completely unable to see through it."