Golden Crocodile Douluo turned to Ling Han. "Young friend, join Spirit Hall. More precisely, join the Worship Hall. With your strength, you could easily take my place."
In truth, Golden Crocodile Douluo had a faint sense that Ling Han might even be strong enough to become the Great Enshrined.
But Golden Crocodile Douluo was not Qian Daoliu. He had no right to make that offer on his behalf.
"Sorry, senior. I have no plans to join another faction for now. If all goes well, I'll establish one of my own someday."
Ling Han's refusal came as no surprise to Golden Crocodile Douluo.
He had never expected a few words to bring Ling Han into the Worship Hall. As long as things stayed as they were and Ling Han continued to support Qian Renxue, that was enough.
"Then would you be willing to work with us, young friend?"
Golden Crocodile Douluo still hoped to bring them closer.
Ling Han looked at him and smiled knowingly.
"Senior, you seem to have forgotten. Haven't we been working together all along?"
Golden Crocodile Douluo paused, then burst into hearty laughter. "Hahaha! Yes, of course. Silly me!"
In the Heaven Dou Empire, within the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace.
Xue Qinghe had changed back into Qian Renxue. As she listened to Snake Lance Douluo's report, she stared at the golden-haired beauty in the mirror, lost in thought.
"Brother Ling, so you knew all along?"
Qian Renxue gazed at her reflection and murmured to herself.
She had always believed no one in the world could see through her disguise.
But today, Golden Crocodile Douluo had sent word that Ling Han had known her true identity all along. The news left her both startled and delighted.
She was startled that she had never noticed.
As for her delight...
Part of it came from knowing Ling Han was on her side.
And the rest...
Perhaps it came from that strange affection born deep in her heart over their long time together.
Qian Renxue did not know what to call the feeling. She only knew she had never experienced anything like it before. It was wonderful, something to look forward to.
"Send someone to bring Brother Ling here. It's time to tell him the truth."
Now that she knew Ling Han was aware of her true identity, Qian Renxue saw no reason to keep hiding it.
After two years together, Qian Renxue believed she knew Ling Han well. He was dependable, someone she could trust with everything.
Ling Han had barely returned to the academy when a messenger arrived with Xue Qinghe's invitation. He knew at once what Qian Renxue had in mind.
"So the little angel is finally ready to come clean?"
Ling Han made a few preparations and set out for the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace.
Inside the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace, Qian Renxue remained in her true form. Dressed in a splendid golden gown, she sat before a mirror, studying her face.
"Will he... like me this way?"
Qian Renxue murmured to herself.
"Don't worry, Young Master. Your beauty is unmatched. Any man would be moved."
Snake Lance Douluo hurried to reassure her.
"Uncle She, you don't need to say that. If he's the sort of man who falls for a pretty face, he wouldn't be worth trusting."
Just then, a servant announced Ling Han's arrival.
Qian Renxue felt her heart pounding.
She had kept this from him for two years. Would Ling Han be angry?
Yet he had seen through her the moment they met and said nothing for two years. Why?
Ling Han found his way to the door and knocked.
"Qinghe, I'm here."
No one answered, but the door opened a crack.
Ling Han pushed it open and stepped inside. There, seated before him, was a graceful figure.
Long golden hair fell to her waist, and she wore a splendid golden gown with an air of sanctity.
Her skin was smooth as cream, her face radiant as a peach blossom.
Her eyes were like the blazing sun, at once warm and holy.
She was so beautiful she seemed like an angel descended from heaven.
Ling Han and Qian Renxue met each other's eyes and shared a smile of understanding.
Qian Renxue was pleased by Ling Han's composure.
Unlike other men, he did not fixate on her looks.
In truth, after seeing a peerless beauty like the Snow Empress, Ling Han rarely found himself awestruck by a woman's appearance.
"Brother Ling, you're here."
The words came out a little stiff. She was no longer playing Xue Qinghe; she was herself again.
Ling Han showed no great surprise. He found a stool, sat down, and said with a hint of teasing, "I suppose I can't call you Qinghe anymore?"
Qian Renxue smiled. "Brother Ling, you saw through me long ago, didn't you? Why did you never expose me?"
Ling Han spread his hands. "Why would I? The person I've supported all along is the crown prince who cares about the people. Whether you're a man or a woman—even whether you're truly Xue Qinghe—what difference does it make to me?"
Qian Renxue smiled in understanding. Ling Han's way of thinking suited her perfectly.
"I'm sorry, Brother Ling. I hid it from you for two years and only found the courage to tell you today."
"It's all right. Everyone has secrets they don't want to share. I do too."
Only Qian Renxue and Ling Han were in the room, along with She Long standing at her side.
At last, Qian Renxue had spoken the secret she had carried for so long. She felt much lighter.
"Brother Ling, do you like me this way?"
She asked in a half-joking tone, though his answer mattered a great deal to her.
Qian Renxue could already guess—or perhaps she had begun to realize—that what she felt for Ling Han was no longer as simple as friendship.
Ling Han thought for a moment, then gave her a thumbs-up. "I do. To me, you're as beautiful as an angel."
That simple, direct answer caught Qian Renxue off guard, despite all the responses she had prepared.
Ling Han had answered so openly and plainly, quite unlike what she had imagined.
Still, she liked his answer.
"I'm glad you do, Brother Ling. It's time I told you who I really am."
Qian Renxue rose from her seat and paced slowly around the room as she spoke.
"My real name isn't Xue Qinghe. It's Qian Renxue."
"My grandfather is Qian Daoliu, the former Angel Douluo. He is one of the three Limit Douluos of this age and is said to be invincible in the sky."
"That's right. I come from Spirit Hall, and I belong to the Six-Winged Angel lineage."
Once she had said it all, the weight on Qian Renxue's heart vanished. She had finally been honest with Ling Han.
"So you came to the Heaven Dou Empire and took the crown prince's place to gain control of it?"
Qian Renxue shook her head. "That isn't all. The dream I told you about before came from my heart. Whether I'm Qian Renxue or Xue Qinghe, that dream will never change."
"I want the people of this world to live happy lives. I want a nation that puts its people first, where the country is at peace and everyone has a home and a livelihood."
"Only by becoming emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire can I make that dream a reality within its borders."
"But my true dream has never been limited to the Heaven Dou Empire. It reaches across the entire continent!"
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