"Although the young lady wasn't exposed, Snake Lance and Pufferfish both were." Golden Crocodile Douluo still looked worried. "If the two of them continue guarding her, and the other party notices them again, it would be tantamount to exposing her."
"That's why I'll go there myself," Qian Daoliu said.
A level ninety-nine Peerless Douluo had appeared, and so close to Qian Renxue at that. How could Qian Daoliu not worry?
No matter what, he had to make the trip.
First, to protect Qian Renxue.
Second, he wanted to look into Beiming Yuan and that Peerless Douluo, and ideally learn something about their backgrounds.
"Big brother, you..."
"Golden Crocodile, I'll leave Spirit Hall in your hands for the time being."
Qian Daoliu patted Golden Crocodile Douluo on the shoulder and instructed him, "My departure must be kept secret. No one else can know, especially that woman."
"All right, big brother. Rest assured."
Golden Crocodile Douluo nodded firmly.
Qian Daoliu gave a slight nod. Golden light flashed around him, and he vanished.
Inside the Pope's Palace, a stunningly beautiful woman looked at several pages of a letter in her hands, an unusual glimmer in her violet eyes.
"Beiming Yuan..." The woman's red lips parted as she murmured the name. Her slender fingers tapped lightly on the table, as though she were pondering something.
Then she continued reading, her gaze lingering for a few extra seconds on phrases like "one yellow, one purple, one black" and "Peerless Douluo."
The woman seemed calm, but some shock rippled through her heart, along with a trace of inexplicable worry.
This woman was none other than Bibi Dong, the current Pope of Spirit Hall.
"Your Holiness, Elder Snake Lance has arrived."
Chrysanthemum Douluo's voice came from outside.
"Greetings, Your Holiness!" Snake Lance Douluo bowed, smiling wryly to himself.
He had only just finished speaking with Chrysanthemum Douluo and copying those materials when Bibi Dong summoned him. He truly hadn't even had time for a sip of water.
Bibi Dong looked up, her indifferent gaze settling on Snake Lance Douluo. "Snake Lance, tell me everything from beginning to end," she said calmly.
"This..." Snake Lance Douluo hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Your Holiness, this matter began with Heaven Dou Royal Academy and Blazing Fire Academy..."
Since Qian Daoliu hadn't told him to keep it secret, he would tell her everything.
Chrysanthemum Douluo listened from the side, his expression betraying nothing, though he was secretly shocked.
After Snake Lance Douluo finished, he stood obediently in place, not daring to leave without permission.
Bibi Dong pondered for a moment. "First, deliver the copies of the ancient books. For the time being, you and Pufferfish should stay away from her to avoid exposing her."
"Yes, Your Holiness."
Snake Lance Douluo acknowledged the order and took his leave.
"Yue Guan, what do you think of this matter?" Bibi Dong asked, looking at Chrysanthemum Douluo.
"Your Holiness, I think it may be possible to make contact with this Beiming Yuan. He likely comes from some reclusive clan or sect."
"If he can cooperate with our Spirit Hall, it would be a great help in advancing our future plans."
So said Chrysanthemum Douluo.
Bibi Dong thought for a moment, then neither nodded nor shook her head. Instead, she said, "You may leave. I need to think about it some more."
"Yes."
Chrysanthemum Douluo acknowledged her and left as well.
Soon, Bibi Dong was the only person left in the hall.
She sensed the presences around her, then vanished in a flash, without even having time to look at the documents on her desk that still awaited her review.
"Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud." In his hotel room, Beiming Yuan stared at the triangular Soul Tool in his hand, lost in thought.
The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud was also known as the Sea God's Heart, the core of the Sea God Trident.
Without the Sea God's Heart, the Sea God Trident could not display the might of a divine weapon. It would be nothing more than a great trident weighing 108,000 jin.
"...I'd better put it away for now."
After some thought, Beiming Yuan decided not to touch the Sea God's Heart for the time being, mainly because he still lacked the ability to deal with that strand of the Sea God's Divine Sense.
Although the current Sea God was not Sea God Tang San, he didn't want to gamble on it.
Beiming Yuan casually tossed the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud into the Ice Jade. As long as he didn't take the initiative to claim it as his own, it would remain "dormant," so there was no need to worry about "activating" the Sea God's Divine Sense inside.
Once he was capable of dealing with that strand of the Sea God's Divine Sense, the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud would no longer be called the Sea God's Heart. It should be called the "Ice God's Heart."
"Knock, knock, knock..."
A knock sounded at the door.
Beiming Yuan went over and opened it. Seeing a well-dressed woman, he asked in confusion, "Can I help you?"
"Greetings, young master. I'm from the crown prince's residence..."
The woman smiled and explained why she had come.
It turned out that Qian Renxue had found an ancient book on rare flowers and herbs and hoped Beiming Yuan would visit the crown prince's residence.
Beiming Yuan was naturally happy to accept the invitation.
The Heaven Dou Grand Hotel wasn't far from the imperial palace, and it wouldn't take long to reach the crown prince's residence. The carriage ride took less than half a shichen.
"Young Master Yuan, what do you think?"
Inside the crown prince's residence, Qian Renxue looked at Beiming Yuan with a gentle smile.
This time, there was no one else present, only her and Beiming Yuan.
Beiming Yuan glanced at the ancient book on plants in his hands and smiled. "Although I don't know much about plants, I do know a little. I imagine this ancient book will make Xue'er very happy."
It was the right thing. It contained not only descriptions of medicinal ingredients but also information on Immortal Herbs, complete with illustrations, effects, methods of consumption, and other details.
"I'm glad you like it, Young Master Yuan." Qian Renxue smiled and poured Beiming Yuan some tea.
Beiming Yuan took a small sip and smiled. "This is no ordinary thing. It's surprising that the Heaven Dou Empire has such a treasure in its collection."
"The Heaven Dou Empire has a profound foundation, and there are many remarkable people among its common folk. They recorded these rare flowers and herbs, and I had their records compiled into this ancient book," Qian Renxue explained with a smile.
"You've put a great deal of thought into this, Your Highness." Beiming Yuan smiled faintly. "You have a good personality. You're suited to being a friend."
"The Heaven Dou Empire will always be your friend, Young Master Yuan."
Qian Renxue's eyes flickered, as though she were probing for something.
"The Heaven Dou Empire can hardly be considered a friend." Beiming Yuan shook his head and said mildly, "When I say friend, I mean you alone, not the empire behind you."
"It's Qinghe's honor." Qian Renxue smiled, a trace of satisfaction passing through her eyes. Those were the very words she had wanted to hear.
It was enough for him to be friends with her. There was no need to bring the Heaven Dou Empire into it.
Beiming Yuan was dealing with the person, not the matter, which suited her perfectly.
"May I ask if you're familiar with the current situation on the Douluo Continent, Young Master Yuan?" Qian Renxue asked as she refilled his tea.
"A little."
"And what do you think of it, Young Master Yuan?"
"Would Your Highness like to hear the truth or a lie?"
Beiming Yuan smiled meaningfully.
"You may call me Qinghe, Young Master Yuan." Qian Renxue smiled and continued, "Naturally, Qinghe would like to hear the truth."
"The truth often isn't very pleasant to hear."
Holding his teacup, Beiming Yuan ran his fingertips along its side and said calmly, "My view is that neither your Heaven Dou Empire nor the Star Luo Empire has any need to exist."
"Because neither of you measures up to Spirit Hall."