Yu Xiaogang frowned slightly and said, "I just want to find out the truth. Xuan Ming's Martial Soul is so strange; there must be a secret behind it. If I don't find out, I won't be able to eat or sleep in peace."
Flender sighed, " Xiaogang, there are too many forces involved in this matter. The advice given by Chief Meng Shenji is something that the Heaven Dou Imperial Family and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect definitely know about! And the Great Soul Arena, Xuan Ming Soul Fighting in their territory for so many years, those people must also know about Xuan Ming's situation."
"Furthermore, anyone can see that Xuan Ming's Martial Soul is very strange, but there haven't been any negative rumors circulating. Obviously, this must be the Heaven Dou Imperial Family and the Seven Great Families of the Great Soul Arena exerting their influence! Everyone is keeping quiet. If you rashly make a big fuss about this, you'll be courting death!"
Yu Xiaogang was silent for a moment, then said, "I understand your concerns, but I can't just give up like this. I've studied Martial Soul for so many years, and I've never seen such a special Martial Soul before. The secret hidden behind it might change our understanding of Martial Soul."
Flender grew anxious, " Xiaogang, even if you don't think about yourself, you should think about Xuan Ming! He's currently on the rise, and if this gets out, it will be a fatal blow to him. Moreover, those who want to get rid of him will definitely use this as an excuse to make a big fuss."
Qin Ming quickly chimed in, " Grandmaster, Xuan Ming is a man with his own ideas. He chooses to solve problems in his own way, and we should respect his choice. Besides, he hasn't done anything immoral; he's just using life-or-death battles to obtain energy to nourish his Martial Soul."
Yu Xiaogang looked at Flender and Qin Ming, and his heart wavered.
"Let me think about it some more," Yu Xiaogang finally said.
Flender and Qin Ming exchanged a glance, knowing that Yu Xiaogang needed time to process what they had said.
They could only hope that Yu Xiaogang could come to his senses as soon as possible and not fall into this dangerous vortex again.
Heaven Dou Royal Academy
Almost half a month has passed since their last meeting at the Pope's Palace, Xuan Ming has returned to his previous cultivation routine.
The Pope's visit to Heaven Dou City was on official business, and the Heaven Dou Imperial Family and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect have been very busy lately. Only Yue Guan occasionally brings Hu Liena to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy late at night for private meetings.
After all, given his current status, it's really inconvenient for him to easily go and stay in the Martial Soul Holy Temple, especially at this juncture, as it would have a negative impact.
As night fell, the training ground on the back mountain was shrouded in a faint moonlight. The surroundings were quiet, broken only by the occasional chirping of insects.
As usual, Xuan Ming came here alone to cultivate.
The training atmosphere at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy is really not good. It's already quite relaxed during the day, and at night, you can hardly see anyone on the training ground.
Xuan Ming sat cross-legged under an ancient tree in the corner of the training ground, his eyes slightly closed, immersed in cultivation, with faint fluctuations of Soul Power flowing around him.
Suddenly, a soft footstep broke the silence.
Xuan Ming slowly opened his eyes and saw Yue Guan leading Hu Liena towards him.
"Can't you take a break? I'm tired just looking at you," Yue Guan couldn't help but complain.
Every time they met, Xuan Ming's Soul Power fluctuations never stopped!
"We dare not stop," Xuan Ming said.
"If I stop, I'm afraid I won't want to move anymore."
He was very tired, but like a long-distance run, he didn't dare to stop until he reached the finish line.
He might slow down occasionally, but if the rest period is too long, he won't want to run anymore.
"Alright, you two talk, I won't get involved." Yue Guan patted Hu Liena on the shoulder, turned and walked away.
Hu Liena moved gracefully to Xuan Ming's side and sat down, leaning on his shoulder. The moonlight shone on her, giving her a silvery glow, making her even more charming and beautiful.
"You haven't used the Nine-Tailed Fox Heart Lotus yet?" Xuan Ming asked.
Hu Liena shook her head. "The teacher always carries it with her, saying it's still very dangerous, and she'll give it to me after she's dealt with it."
Xuan Ming paused for a moment, then said, "You find a way to get that thing out, and I'll try to see if I can handle it."
Since the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox's resentment stems from lust, perhaps the Lovesick Heartbreak Red can resolve this issue.
Just as Hu Liena was about to respond to Xuan Ming, a gentle yet authoritative voice suddenly rang out. "It seems I've arrived at the wrong time; I've disturbed you both."
Xuan Ming and Hu Liena turned their heads at the same time, and saw Xue Qinghe dressed in a gorgeous white robe, looking like a ghost in the moonlight, slowly walking towards them.
He wore a faint smile, but his eyes held a depth that was hard to fathom.
Of course, there's also the right hand, clenched tightly behind his back until his knuckles turn white.
Xuan Ming stood up, his expression calm but inwardly wary. "Your Highness is too kind. May I ask what brings you here so late at night?"
Xue Qinghe walked closer, his gaze sweeping over Xuan Ming and Hu Liena, and said with a smile, "I haven't seen this young lady before, won't you introduce her?"
"It's not very convenient." Xuan Ming silently stepped in front of Hu Liena.
"Oh?" Xue Qinghe's lips curled up slightly, but the smile did not bring any warmth.
"I heard you've been going to the back mountain every night lately, and you don't let anyone follow you. I thought you were busy with your cultivation, but I never expected you to be here secretly meeting a beauty."
"I'm curious, what would Yanzi and the others think if they found out?"
"Just don't let her know, right?" Xuan Ming said calmly.
Xue Qinghe's eyes twitched slightly. "How can you do this to them?"
"What makes you say that, Your Highness?" Xuan Ming countered.
"Don't you know how devoted they are to you?" Xue Qinghe said.
"And yet you did this behind their backs?"
"This kind of thing? What kind of thing?" Xuan Ming asked, puzzled.
"What could be going on between a lone man and woman in a place like this late at night?" Xue Qinghe said.
"It seems I've spent far more time alone with His Highness the Crown Prince. What's going on between us then?" Xuan Ming asked calmly.
"You..." Xue Qinghe was speechless for a moment.
"That's true, but it wouldn't look good if word got out that you two, a man and a woman, were alone together in a place like this."
"Why would you want to spread this?" Xuan Ming asked, puzzled.
"Didn't we choose this location precisely to avoid being known? Or does His Highness intend to spread this matter?"
Xue Qinghe's expression froze. "I..."
"If Your Highness is interested, please feel free to do so," Xuan Ming said.
"Anyway, one more rumor about me won't make a difference."
"..."
What kind of atmosphere is this?
Not far from the training ground, Yue Guan looked at Xuan Ming and Xue Qinghe, who were inexplicably facing off, with a strange expression.
Why does Xue Qinghe appear like a resentful woman who successfully caught her husband cheating but is ultimately helpless?
wrong!
Xue Qinghe is covered in Qian Renxue!
"Hiss!" Yue Guan gasped and turned to look at the Snake Lance.
" Qian Renxue wouldn't... be this exciting, would she?"
"Were they caught red-handed having an affair?"
"No, when did they start this?"
Snake Lance Douluo rolled his eyes at Yue Guan speechlessly, not wanting to say anything.
He had just asked Yue Guan to quickly remind Hu Liena to hide, but this guy said there was no rush. He was curious how Xuan Ming planned to explain this.
Now it's all good!
curious?
Curious my ass!
It'll be fun if they start fighting!
Chapter 166 The Truth
"It seems there really is something going on between you two."
Xue Qinghe narrowed his eyes slightly. After being mercilessly rebuked by Xuan Ming, he felt an inexplicable anger burning in his heart, and his irritability kept rising. His tone of voice was no longer as polite as before.
"Your Highness, this is my private matter," Xuan Ming said calmly.
Xue Qinghe took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, and put on that seemingly gentle yet sharp smile again. " Xuan Ming, I didn't come here today to argue with you about these trivial matters. I have something important that I want to discuss with you alone."
"Speak freely," Xuan Ming said.
Xue Qinghe glanced casually at Hu Liena standing to the side, raising an eyebrow slightly. "This matter is of great importance; the fewer people who know about it, the better."
Seeing this, Hu Liena tactfully stood up. " Xuan Ming, I'll wait for you over there."
After saying that, she walked away to a spot not far away, but her gaze kept turning to Xuan Ming, her eyes filled with worry.
"And when did this happen?" Xue Qinghe turned her head slightly, her gaze fixed on Xuan Ming.
"Is this the important matter His Highness the Crown Prince spoke of?" Xuan Ming asked.
"That's one of them." Xue Qinghe's expression remained unchanged.
"Given your current status, you cannot associate with such shady characters."
"What is my identity?" Xuan Ming asked.
What does "neither fish nor fowl" mean?
"Your Highness, would you mind explaining this?"
Xue Qinghe frowned, "You..."
"Could you please explain?" Xuan Ming asked again.
Xue Qinghe took a deep breath. "Now that the Pope is in Heaven Dou City, the situation is complicated, and you are under the spotlight. If you rashly make excessive contact with these people of unknown identity, it will inevitably cause turmoil."
" Hu Liena is from the Spirit Hall, and she is the Pope's disciple," Xuan Ming said calmly.
Is there a problem with me contacting her?
Xue Qinghe was slightly taken aback, clearly not expecting Xuan Ming to expose Hu Liena's identity so directly, but he quickly regained his composure. "Does Qian Renxue know?"
"What does this have to do with her?" Xuan Ming retorted.
Do I need to report everything I do to her? Or do I need her permission for everything?
Xue Qinghe frowned slightly. "Don't you think it shouldn't be like this?"
Xuan Ming laughed in exasperation, "Shouldn't that be?"
"What does Your Highness mean by this?"
"Does she think I'm just a dog she keeps?"
Xue Qinghe's expression changed slightly, and he quickly realized he had misspoke. "That's not what I meant, I..."
"If Your Highness has nothing else, I shall take my leave." Xuan Ming's expression turned cold.
"It's getting late, Your Highness, you should rest early."
After saying this, Xuan Ming turned and left, heading in the direction where Hu Liena was.
Xue Qinghe stood there, fists clenched, and after a moment of silence, he turned and left.
"Their relationship... is a bit troublesome." Yue Guan's playful expression vanished, replaced by a serious look.
Why does this atmosphere feel so much like when Qian Xunji and Bibi Dong had their falling out?
The Snake Lance Douluo ignored Yue Guan and quickly followed Xue Qinghe away.
He contacted the Great Enshrined because he noticed the relationship between the two was becoming increasingly strained.
If this continues, something really bad is going to happen!
The Crown Prince's Residence.
As soon as Xue Qinghe returned to the Crown Prince's residence, he went straight into the study, his face so gloomy it seemed like it could drip water.
"Have they been meeting there in secret all this time?" Xue Qinghe's voice was low, tinged with anger and accusation.
The study was silent; no one responded.
"I'm asking you a question, Elder She Long." Xue Qinghe frowned, raised his voice, and asked again.