Parting on Bad Terms, Preparing to Make a Move

"Oh?"

Qian Renxue looked at Ning Bei in surprise. She had thought that these nobles and Sect disciples all feared Spirit Hall like tigers and wolves. She had originally planned to use her identity as a prince to remind him of the threat Spirit Hall posed to the Heaven Dou Empire and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, using that as an excuse to ask for a method to improve children's aptitude. She had not expected Ning Bei to view Spirit Hall this way.

"Brother Ning's view truly surprises me. You must know that Spirit Hall is the enemy of the major Sects and the two great empires."

Ning Bei gave her a deep look before speaking.

"To organizations that fear being annexed by Spirit Hall, it certainly is an enemy. But if one can establish a long-term and stable partnership with Spirit Hall, then that may not be the case. What do you think, Xue... Big Brother?"

After hearing Ning Bei's words, Qian Renxue's expression became complicated and shifted constantly. She felt that he was implying something, yet she could not tell what. Surely he could not know her true identity? But if he did not, was it not somewhat inappropriate to say such things to a prince of the Heaven Dou Empire?

She then decided to end this conversation and make plans later.

"Hmph, Brother Ning is still young and does not understand Spirit Hall's terrifying nature. Let us talk another day. Brother Ning can also return and ask your father what he thinks."

With that, she put on an indignant expression and walked out of the private room.

Ning Bei curled his lips at the sight. Were you getting addicted to acting?

That was right. Ning Bei wanted to give Qian Renxue a hint, gradually letting her know that he had already figured out her identity. In any case, with Di Tian around, he was not afraid of her tearing off all pretenses.

Ning Bei had already decided to support Qian Renxue in becoming the one who called the shots in Spirit Hall and the two great empires. Then, with the strengthened Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, he could make her wary and maintain a good cooperative relationship.

That was far better than being dragged into war with Spirit Hall by Little Rascal.

Of course, that madwoman Bibi Dong had to be removed. Otherwise, who knew what that deranged lunatic might do?

After this meeting ended, Ning Bei also planned to return to the Sect.

On the other side, after Qian Renxue returned to the prince's residence, she brooded over their earlier conversation.

"Did that guy see through my identity, or does he simply admire what Spirit Hall does?"

Just as she was thinking, Black Shadow appeared beside her once more.

"Young Master, that kid's soul power fluctuations have already reached level 55. This is truly far too terrifying."

This voice disrupted Qian Renxue's thoughts, and her pupils widened.

"What? Is that true? How is that possible?"

Qian Renxue could hardly be blamed for making such a fuss. After all, she possessed the Six-Winged Angel Spirit and had Innate Soul Power at level 20. Even so, at nearly thirteen years old, she had yet to touch the threshold of Soul King, while Ning Bei had already overtaken her on a curve.

Black Shadow was the one among the two Titled Douluo Qian Daoliu had sent to protect Qian Renxue who wielded the snake lance.

At this moment, he nodded, confirming the authenticity of the news.

"Young Master, there can be no mistake. Shall I catch up to him now and kill him?"

Qian Renxue raised a hand to stop him after hearing that.

"We truly cannot allow him to keep growing. But this time definitely will not work. I invited him to a banquet, only for him to die on his way back. Then I would no longer be able to remain a prince, and all these years of work would be ruined. Wait until I become Crown Prince before finding an opportunity to act."

"Yes, Young Master."

Snake Lance Douluo considered it and felt that Qian Renxue's words made sense. Besides, there was no need to rush the assassination of Ning Bei. To a Titled Douluo like him, level 50 and level 60 did not make much difference.

After Snake Lance disappeared into the darkness, a trace of coldness appeared in Qian Renxue's eyes.

"Kid, do not blame me for being ruthless. Who told you to be so strange? It would be one thing if you might know my identity, but your soul power has also risen far too quickly."

After returning to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Fengzhi directly summoned Ning Bei to the Study.

"How did it go, Bei Er?"

"You guessed correctly. What happened at this morning's Spirit Awakening Ceremony has already been exposed. Xue Qinghe wants to obtain the method for improving children's aptitude."

Although he had already suspected as much, Ning Fengzhi's eyes still flashed with coldness upon hearing Ning Bei reveal the truth.

"It seems I have been too merciful. Those rats in the Sect have also grown far too restless."

"So, how did you handle it?"

Ning Bei shrugged.

"Just as we discussed before. I said I do not participate in management and know nothing about it."

Ning Fengzhi was still confident in Ning Bei's way of handling matters, and he nodded.

"There is no need to take it too seriously. If he wishes to ascend to the position of Crown Prince, he will not come into conflict with us. Go back and rest early."

After bidding Ning Fengzhi farewell, Ning Bei walked along the path back to his room, unable to stop himself from considering how he should truly lay everything out with Qian Renxue later and then embark on a path of mutually beneficial cooperation.

His Divine Sense swept over the black-gold scale lying within the Necklace, and Ning Bei felt slightly reassured. Even if Qian Renxue did not believe him and wanted to resort to foul play, he still had Di Tian as his trump card. If it truly came to that, he could summon Black Dragon down from the heavens. Neither Pufferfish nor Snake Lance would be able to do anything.

First, he could capture those two bottom-ranking Titled Douluo, then go reason things out properly with Qian Renxue. That was also an option.

As Ning Bei pondered this, he unknowingly returned to his residence, and something wrapped around his feet.

Looking down, he found that it was a tiny Ning Rongrong.

"Brother, you're finally back! I want to hear a story—the story of a God King sacrificing his beloved."

Looking at those bright, shining eyes, Ning Bei smiled knowingly. Casting aside the trivial matters in his heart, he picked her up.

"Let's go. I'll tell Rongrong a story."

Holding Rongrong, he walked back into the room.

"Last time, the God King was beaten flat on the ground, gazing at his beloved with a face full of hope."

Early the next morning, Ning Bei planned to visit Sunset Forest Town to see Dugu Yan, whom he had not seen in a long time. The last time they met, she had already reached level 35 Soul Power. Following Ning Bei and Dugu Bo's advice, she intended to properly refine her Soul Power before taking the Three-Pattern Azure Spirit Pill and the Purple Heart Obstacle Breaking Pill.

Before he reached the small courtyard, a slender purple figure happened to open the gate, seemingly about to head out for something. The moment she saw Ning Bei's familiar figure, her eyes lit up, and she trotted over before leaping into his arms.

"A Bei, you're back!"

Feeling the softness of her delicate body, Ning Bei teased, "Chubby Yanzi, looks like you've been eating well lately. You've gained several pounds."

The familiar soul-snatching pinch struck his waist, making him grimace in pain.

The girl puffed out her cheeks and pulled away from Ning Bei.

"Are you asking for a beating? I obviously lost several pounds."

Ning Bei inwardly cursed his loose tongue, while a practiced ingratiating smile appeared on his face.

"Yes, yes, yes, I felt wrong. Yanzi has definitely gotten much lighter."

Dugu Yan seemed to have forgotten what she had been going out to do. She welcomed Ning Bei into the courtyard, her green eyes studying him curiously.

"Are you a Soul King now?"

"That's right. I found a 20,000-year-old Golden Branch Sunflower, and my Soul Power increased quite a bit."

"Really? That's wonderful."

Dugu Yan was also delighted by the increase in her beloved's strength.