Half a year slipped quietly by amid the radiance of Angel Divine Light and the sweat of cultivation.
Lin Ye successfully helped Qian Renxue pass the first three stages of the Angel God Trial unscathed.
Vast divine power tempered their bodies and deepened the bond between their souls.
The trial paused for a time, allowing the two a brief respite to recover their strength of mind.
Two figures, one black and one gold, descended from the sky, entered the still-bustling Heaven Dou Imperial City, and headed straight into the depths of the Imperial Palace.
Inside the Imperial Study, flickering lamplight stretched their shadows long.
The real Qian Renxue had already shed her disguise as "Xue Qinghe," revealing her own dazzling, icy beauty and majesty.
A double whose appearance closely resembled her former male guise stood respectfully before the desk, reporting recent developments in a low voice.
"...Her Highness the princess...has been visiting Moonlight Pavilion Academy frequently of late."
The double spoke clearly and respectfully.
"She has grown...quite close to a student named 'Tang San.'"
Qian Renxue sat in the seat of honor, tapping her slender fingers twice against the desk's gold-threaded brocade covering.
She raised her eyes, those pupils like tempered gold turning precisely toward Lin Ye, who stood quietly to one side, leisurely admiring a map of the empire's territory on the study wall.
The light reflected like scattered stars in his deep black eyes.
A cold, knowing curve formed at the corner of Qian Renxue's lips. Her voice rang clear as icy jade striking a chime as she voiced her deduction:
"Lin Ye."
She called to him.
"It seems...those few Shrek rats lucky enough to remain scurrying about out there..."
Her fingertip slowly traced over the name "Tang San."
"...are about to slip back into that rat's nest