"This information is indeed useful."
Qian Renxue could also spread the word in noble circles beforehand. When the time came, the noblewomen would come to him to place orders, and he could make another profit.
"I imagine Your Highness the Crown Prince has something else to discuss?"
Qian Renxue did not seem to have come solely for business, and she showed no sign of wanting to leave.
"I do."
Qian Renxue was surprised by Gu Wuchen's powers of observation. He was so young, yet he had managed to guess.
"I would like to invite Young Master Gu to study in Heaven Dou City. Whichever academy in the Heaven Dou Empire you wish to enter, I can arrange it."
The moment Qian Renxue finished speaking, Ye Yuan'er grew anxious:
"Your Highness, it isn't right to poach someone like this. The young master has already enrolled in Spirit Hall Academy, and he's the Great Enshrined's disciple. What makes you think you can compete with that?"
This crown prince really was a thousand-year-old fox. How devious!
She actually wanted to poach the young master. Fortunately, Ye Yuan'er had come and could help him decline politely.
"This is between Young Master Gu and me. Bishop, please do not interfere."
Qian Renxue naturally knew that Gu Wuchen had already joined Spirit Hall Academy. She was merely using this as a pretext to see just how strong he was.
Ye Yuan'er's gaze sharpened, but she said no more.
Her responsibility was to look after the young master and guard against people who liked to poach others.
"Your Highness, as Bishop Ye just said, as for joining Heaven Dou Royal Academy, I think I'll pass."
Qian Renxue continued, "May I see your strength, Young Master Gu?"
She was eager to see just how strong Gu Wuchen was today, to be so highly regarded by her grandfather.
Gu Wuchen did not refuse. He rose and went behind the sofa, releasing his presence as an ethereal chill spread through the room.
Qian Renxue watched intently.
In an instant, the Dustless Sword appeared in Gu Wuchen's hand, its blade gleaming with a chilling light as it rang with a series of sword cries.
The next moment, two Thousand-Year Soul Rings appeared beneath his feet.
Qian Renxue's heart pounded, her breathing quickened, and her eyes filled with disbelief.
Thousand-Year Soul Rings!
No wonder Grandfather had said he had surpassed her. A Soul Grandmaster at seven and a half-surpassing her was only a matter of time.
What had this guy eaten growing up?
He can absorb Thousand-Year Soul Rings.
Then his third Soul Ring can be a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring!
There was not only a chill, but also Sword Intent.
How did those two Titled Douluo teach him?!
Afterward, Gu Wuchen withdrew his Martial Soul and Soul Rings.
Qian Renxue suppressed the storm raging in her heart and came back to her senses, looking at Gu Wuchen with admiration:
"Young Master Gu, you truly keep your talents well hidden."
Gu Wuchen smiled. "You flatter me, Your Highness."
As they spoke, Shen Suwei came out of the kitchen, carrying two plates of hot dishes fresh from the stove.
She looked at everyone in the living room, a gentle smile appearing on her face:
"Dinner is ready. Come and sit down."
When her gaze fell on Qian Renxue, she added with a smile:
"Your Highness, you rarely get the chance to visit. Why not have a meal with the Gu Clan? There's no need to leave until tomorrow. We have plenty of rooms, so it's no trouble."
Qian Renxue did not refuse.
She was already full of curiosity about Gu Wuchen, and this was a rare visit to the Far North. She could take the opportunity to learn more, so she smiled and nodded. "Then sorry for the trouble."
The group then took their seats at the dining table.
The table was laden with steaming food, including fresh-chilled ingredients unique to the Far North and hot home-cooked dishes, most of them flavors Gu Wuchen had loved since childhood.
Gu Linchuan warmly welcomed Qian Renxue and brought out some fine wine from his treasured collection. The atmosphere at the table was very convivial.
Gu Wuchen had barely picked up his chopsticks and taken a couple of bites when the Snow Empress's voice rang out in his mind:
"Little Wuchen, bring your sister something tasty. I want to eat too!"
Gu Wuchen's hand paused around his chopsticks, and the corner of his mouth twitched almost imperceptibly. He was utterly speechless.
Before he could respond, the Snow Empress added:
"And I want the meat buns your mother made. Bring two extra!"
Helpless, Gu Wuchen put down his chopsticks and smiled at everyone at the table:
"You all eat first. I'll go see if there are any freshly steamed buns in the kitchen and grab a couple to tide me over."
Shen Suwei quickly reminded him with a smile, "They're keeping warm in the steamer in the kitchen, fresh out of the pot. Take a couple extra. If that's not enough, we can have the kitchen steam some more."
Gu Wuchen acknowledged her and turned toward the kitchen.
He first took out a clean porcelain bowl and filled it with several hot dishes that no one had touched. Then he took two steaming meat buns from the steamer, packed them together in a food box, and hurried back to his room.
As soon as he closed the door, the Snow Empress appeared before him in an instant. Her eyes shone as she stared at the bowl in his hand, and she snatched it away.
"Our Little Wuchen cares about his sister the most!"
"Sister Xue, you really are like a glutton. You eat so much more than I do!" Gu Wuchen said, spreading his hands.
Seeing Gu Wuchen's lamenting expression, the Snow Empress flew into a rage and flicked a finger at him.
"Little Wuchen, if you don't want to say something like that, then don't."
The Snow Empress ate a bun with the hot dishes. "If you dare spout nonsense again, watch out or I'll make your backside bloom!"
The little fellow was getting more and more mischievous. He had held back before, but now he had no such scruples at all.
Seeing how happily the Snow Empress was eating, Gu Wuchen immediately sat down on the edge of the bed to test what kind of boost her power had given his second Soul Skill.
After sensing it for a while, Gu Wuchen still felt that something was missing.
He glanced at the sky outside. It was snowing. With a thought, Gu Wuchen went straight through the window and leaped into the Gu Clan's back courtyard.
He leaped down into the courtyard, which was already covered in white snow, and the presence within him grew ever stronger.
"This is the feeling."
Delighted, Gu Wuchen condensed the Dustless Sword and unleashed Dustless Fleeting Shadow.
He began to transform into a formless snow shadow, achieving traceless, short-range Teleportation through the ice, snow, and cold Qi.
At that moment, the Snow Empress leaned against the window, watching Gu Wuchen with a smile on her face.
"During Teleportation, his body temporarily turns into the elements of ice and snow, and there can be no Soul Power fluctuations or leakage of his presence."
It seemed the second Soul Skill, combined with the awakened effect, was quite good. It really was a divine skill for ambushing people.
There was nothing to fear in the Far North. As long as Gu Wuchen could awaken a domain of his own, anywhere could become the Far North.
Only after three minutes did Gu Wuchen finish and return to his room.
"Well?" The Snow Empress smiled. "My power is pretty good, isn't it?"
"Snow Shadow Instant Movement!"
After comprehending it, Gu Wuchen understood the ability that had awakened within it: he could become a formless snow shadow amid ice and snow, coming and going without a trace at extreme speed.
"Not bad. Sister Xue, if you've eaten your fill, hurry up and leave. I still need to meditate!"
The Snow Empress had originally planned to leave once she had eaten and drunk her fill, but those words immediately displeased her. So you want me to leave, do you?
Hmph, I'll deal with you tonight!
The Snow Empress finished the buns and hot dishes, set the bowl on the table without a word, and turned into a streak of light that entered Gu Wuchen's body.
"She agreed that easily?"