Did Brother Qinghe Have Something He Couldn't Speak Of?

"Brother Xiao, please sit down!"

Xue Qinghe smiled and invited Xiao Xuan to sit down, then personally poured him a cup of tea.

"I heard that Brother Xiao has been training in Sunset Forest for the past two months. He must have gained a lot."

Haha, not bad, at least the trip wasn't a complete waste.

Xiao Xuan smiled and accepted the teacup.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Xue Qinghe took the initiative to bring up the important matter.

"By the way, Brother Xiao! We've finally made some progress on that Thousand-Year Lone Bamboo you asked me to inquire about!"

"Oh?"

Xiao Xuan immediately perked up.

"Brother Qinghe, have you found the whereabouts of the Thousand-Year Lone Bamboo?"

"This time, we can't be completely certain."

Xue Qinghe smiled and shook his head, then handed a piece of intelligence to Xiao Xuan.

"According to the information I've received, a Soul Hunting team once discovered what appears to be the 3,000-year-old Lone Bamboo in the Star Dou Great Forest."

However, this information has not been confirmed, so it is for your reference only.

"Star Dou Great Forest?"

Xiao Xuan's eyes lit up slightly.

What a coincidence!

He was preparing to head to the Star Dou Great Forest to find suitable Soul Beast to upgrade his Soul Ring.

Now that we have a clue about the Thousand-Year Lone Bamboo, it's a good opportunity to search for it along the way!

Thinking of this, Xiao Xuan immediately smiled and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.

"Haha! Brother Qinghe, thank you so much this time!"

"Brother Xiao, you're too kind!"

Xue Qinghe waved his hand.

"We're friends now, why be so formal?"

"Haha! In that case, I won't stand on ceremony with Brother Qinghe from now on!"

Xiao Xuan nodded with a smile.

After finishing their business, the two chatted for a while.

Until one moment, Xue Qinghe suddenly spoke with a smile:

"By the way, Brother Xiao, do you have a girl you like these days?"

"Um?"

Xiao Xuan was slightly taken aback, then didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

"Brother Qinghe, why did you suddenly ask about this?"

"Haha! I was just asking casually."

Xue Qinghe chuckled softly.

"Brother Xiao, you possess such strength at such a young age. If you are interested, I can introduce you to a few noble ladies from Heaven Dou City."

No, no, no!

Xiao Xuan quickly waved his hand.

"Brother Qinghe, I'm only twelve or thirteen years old. Isn't it a bit too early for me to be thinking about these things?"

"Haha! That's true!"

Xue Qinghe couldn't help but chuckle.

"I almost forgot, Brother Xiao is still just a teenager."

"However, many noble young men in Heaven Dou City are already engaged at your age."

"That's them, I have no intention of doing that."

Xiao Xuan shook his head dismissively.

"Let's leave these things to fate. We'll talk about it when we meet the right person."

"Oh?"

Xue Qinghe immediately became interested.

"I wonder what kind of girl Brother Xiao likes?"

Well...

Xiao Xuan stroked his chin.

"It's best if she's pretty, but we also have to get along."

Ideally, we should be able to get along easily and comfortably, and chat and laugh together whenever we have free time.

"If you're constantly scheming and plotting against each other, how tiring would that be?"

Upon hearing this, Xue Qinghe's smile faltered slightly.

Is it easy to get along with?

No need for backstabbing or intrigue?

For some reason, these words touched him deeply.

After all, being in the royal family, he was constantly exposed to all sorts of schemes and tests.

Moreover, he himself harbors a secret that must never be known to outsiders!

However, he quickly concealed this unusual feeling.

"Haha! Brother Xiao, you see things very clearly."

"That's for sure!"

Xiao Xuan smiled and picked up his teacup.

But after taking just one sip, he suddenly remembered something.

"Wait! Brother Qinghe!"

"Um?"

Why are you so worried about my marriage?

Xiao Xuan looked at him with a half-smile.

"If I remember correctly, Brother Qinghe hasn't married the Crown Princess yet, has he?"

"..."

Xue Qinghe paused slightly in the hand holding the teacup.

Upon seeing this, Xiao Xuan was immediately amused.

"Haha! Brother Qinghe, you're not even married yourself, and you're already thinking of introducing me to girls?"

"Could it be... that Brother Qinghe has some unspeakable secret?"

"Cough cough!"

Xue Qinghe nearly choked on his tea.

"Brother Xiao, what are you saying?"

"Haha! Just kidding, just kidding!"

Xiao Xuan smiled and waved his hand.

Xue Qinghe shook his head helplessly.

"Brother Xiao, you may not know this, but in the royal family, marriage is a very complex matter, and it cannot be decided solely based on personal preference."

"I see!"

Xiao Xuan nodded, feigning surprise.

"It seems that ordinary Soul Master like me are much more carefree, able to do whatever we want!"

"In that respect, I do envy Brother Xiao somewhat."

Xue Qinghe smiled and sighed.

The two then chatted for a while longer.

Before parting, Xiao Xuan smiled and said:

"Brother Qinghe, thank you so much for your hospitality today! I'll treat you to a nice meal sometime when I have more time!"

"Haha! Then it's a deal!"

Xue Qinghe smiled and nodded, personally seeing him off from the Crown Prince's residence.

Watching Xiao Xuan's receding figure, the smile on his face did not immediately disappear.

Come to think of it, it's been a long time since I've had such a relaxed chat with someone.

Especially Xiao Xuan.

Despite knowing his identity as the crown prince, he still dared to joke with him, and even teased him about his marriage!

This feeling is quite interesting.

Thinking of this, Xue Qinghe's lips curled up slightly.

"Xiao Xuan... he's quite an interesting fellow!"

On the other side...

After leaving the Crown Prince's residence, Xiao Xuan was in a good mood as well.

Although the exact whereabouts of the Thousand-Year Lone Bamboo were not obtained this time, at least new clues were found.

More importantly, the message happened to point to the Star Dou Great Forest!

"It seems this trip to the Star Dou Great Forest is truly unavoidable!"

Xiao Xuan smiled slightly, then quickened his pace and headed towards his residence.

Next, it's time to get ready to set off as soon as possible!

Three days later.

Heaven Dou City.

After preparing the necessary supplies for his journey to the Star Dou Great Forest, Xiao Xuan finally decided to set off.

Before leaving, he made a special trip to say goodbye to Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan.

Upon learning that he was preparing to travel to the Star Dou Great Forest alone, Dugu Yan immediately became somewhat worried.

"Little Brother Xiao Xuan, do you really not need us to go with you?"

Don't worry!

Xiao Xuan smiled and waved his hand.

"This isn't my first time going out to gain experience, there's nothing to worry about!"

"Hmph! All you do is show off!"

Dugu Yan rolled her eyes at him, annoyed.

Dugu Bo, standing to the side, stroked his beard and offered a reminder:

"Boy, the Star Dou Great Forest is not like the Sunset Forest; the dangers within far exceed your imagination. Even with your current strength, you must not be careless!"

"Don't worry, Senior Dugu, I know what I'm doing!"

Xiao Xuan nodded with a smile.

After chatting with the two for a few more minutes, he bowed and took his leave.

Not long after, a figure left Heaven Dou City alone and headed towards the Star Dou Great Forest.