Qian Renxue suddenly asked, "From Brother Feng's tone, it seems you hold that Tang San in high regard?"
As they spoke, the two gradually approached the Crown Prince's residence.
When they reached the expansive square in front of the residence, Dugu Feng said, "The son of the Clear Sky Crown, possessing both his father's talent and aura. If Brother Xue had watched the Soul Duel between the Shrek Academy Team and the Royal Fighting Team that day, you'd view him in a new light. He's the core of the entire Shrek Academy Team, with the bearing of a true powerhouse!"
Dugu Feng praised without reservation.
"Oh? Hearing you say this, I'll have to pay close attention to the Shrek Academy Team's matches in this tournament. But speaking of which, I can't help but complain about my younger brother. The Shrek Academy Team was about to join the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy last time, but he drove them out!"
As they entered the Crown Prince's residence, Xue Qinghe wore an expression of exasperation—both doting on his younger brother yet frustrated by his lack of ambition.
Dugu Feng thought to himself: Qian Renxue's disguise had become second nature to her. She might truly believe herself to be Xue Qinghe now.
Inside the residence, Qian Renxue didn't lead Dugu Feng to the main hall. Instead, they strolled through the grounds—a more fitting activity for young people. The Crown Prince's residence was vast, with abundant flowers and pleasant scenery.
"Brother Xue, I sincerely hope you can bring Tang San to Heaven Dou's side. He represents the future of the Clear Sky Sect. You may not know this, but the Shrek Academy Team includes Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing. Their identities are surely clear to you, and their presence beside Tang San is no coincidence. Moreover, the Clear Sky Sect has always supported the Star Luo Empire, which is unfavorable for us in Heaven Dou. For the future of the Heaven Dou Empire, we must win Tang San over!"
Dugu Feng spoke earnestly, considering Heaven Dou's interests.
Qian Renxue's expression turned solemn. After some thought, she said, "Since Brother Feng holds him in such high regard, after the preliminary round's opening ceremony, I'll have my teacher introduce me to Tang San."
She wanted to see for herself what made this Tang San so remarkable.
"Let's not talk about Tang San anymore. How is your cultivation progressing, Brother Feng? Last time we met, I could roughly sense your level. Now I only feel your aura is profound and unfathomable—it's like facing a senior expert!"
Though Qian Renxue's tone was casual, her true purpose was to probe. In truth, this was her genuine impression. While she publicly displayed weak strength, her actual power had reached Soul Emperor level. Yet even with her Soul Emperor cultivation, she sensed danger from Dugu Feng's presence.
"Brother Xue, aren't you aware of the Dugu Family's Martial Soul Defect? I might as well tell you—the faster we cultivate and the stronger our Soul Skills become, the sooner we might die. My uncle died from losing control of the toxins within him. Right now, I'm racing against death itself!"
Qian Renxue immediately looked at Dugu Feng with pity. She patted his shoulder encouragingly. "Brother Feng, having emerged from Slaughter City at such a young age, I believe you can reach Titled Douluo like the Jade Phosphor Crown. My teacher, Sect Master Ning, possesses the world's top Support Martial Soul. If you ever need assistance, I can ask him to help you."
"Your concern touches me, Brother Xue. If that day truly comes, I'll certainly seek you out."
Dugu Feng pondered what Qian Renxue's true attitude toward the Dugu Family was.
Several years ago, when she had just poisoned Xue Ye the Great, she must have been worried that the Dugu Family would interfere.
That was why she immediately decided to eliminate them.
She had even ordered the Elephant Armor Sect, Yang Wudi, and Ghost Douluo to ambush the Dugu Family on their way to Suotuo City.
But that operation had been thwarted by Dugu Shuo's schemes.
Later, Dugu Bo had been targeted by Chrysanthemum Douluo, leading to a fierce battle between them. Dugu Bo had been rescued by Ning Fengzhi.
After Dugu Bo became more cautious in his movements, Spirit Hall had not made any further moves against them.
Even now, the Dugu Family had not detected the poison in Xue Ye the Great.
Qian Renxue should have lowered her guard against the Dugu Family by now, right?
Dugu Feng tried to think from Qian Renxue's perspective.
Based on her later actions, her goal was simply for Xue Ye the Great to die naturally without any complications, allowing her to smoothly ascend the throne and complete her usurpation.
However, just as Xue Ye the Great was nearing death, Tang San had intervened.
But if everything had gone according to Qian Renxue's plan, after her peaceful succession, she would surely have sought to win over the Soul Master families in Heaven Dou City.
Moreover, Qian Renxue was arrogant, believing she would one day become a top-tier powerhouse like Qiandao Liu. Thus, her approach toward geniuses was primarily one of recruitment.
Dugu Feng concluded that the Dugu Family had not yet made it onto Qian Renxue's list of targets that must be destroyed.
Having figured this out, Dugu Feng's smile grew more genuine.
Yes, this was the way.
The Dugu Family needed to minimize their presence.
Their public image should be that of a cultivation-focused family, dedicated solely to refining their Martial Souls.
They should appear indifferent to politics and power struggles.
Qian Renxue found her conversation with Dugu Feng quite pleasant.
Moreover, Dugu Feng showed great respect toward her as "Elder Brother Xue."
This also gave Qian Renxue a better understanding of the Dugu Family—a clan struggling with a Martial Soul Defect.
With this perception, Qian Renxue felt the threat posed by the Dugu Family had significantly diminished.
Instead, they could be recruited as a sharp blade.
After a while, Dugu Feng left.
A figure emerged behind Qian Renxue—a man of average height and build, though his expression was somewhat sinister.
"Ci Xue, what do you think of Dugu Feng?"
Without turning around, Qian Renxue already knew who it was.
Thorned Blood Douluo's expression was grave.
"I only know that Dugu Feng's cultivation talent is extraordinary.
A kind of spiritual toxin surrounds him, capable of blocking mental detection.
This is an ability only Dugu Shuo possesses, yet Dugu Feng has already achieved it at the Soul Ancestor stage.
I don't know if it's just my imagination, but the poison from these two father and son feels even more dangerous than Dugu Bo's!"
Qian Renxue chuckled.
"No wonder I also sensed a threat. Impressive, impressive.
What a peculiar family!
Let's see what surprises he can bring me in this Soul Master Competition.
As for Tang San, Tang Hao must be protecting him in secret. Don't alert them prematurely.
Let me and my teacher try to win him over first!"
Qian Renxue commanded.
Ci Xue's expression darkened.
"Young Master, the Clear Sky Sect's strength has already exceeded everyone's expectations. We cannot allow Tang San to continue growing unchecked!"
Qian Renxue turned to glance at him helplessly.
"Do you think I don't understand this? To win a hundred battles, one must know both the enemy and oneself. My identity as the Crown Prince is the perfect cover to recruit Tang San and gather intelligence on the Clear Sky Sect!"
She knew this very well.
Tang Hao was the murderer of her father, and the Spirit Hall was responsible for the death of Tang San's mother.
The hatred between them was irreconcilable.
Of course, in Qian Renxue's eyes, she could set aside these grudges for the sake of unifying the continent.
But she could never overlook the strength of the Clear Sky Sect.
They were an obstacle to her ambition of unification.
If this obstacle could not be removed, she would never achieve her dream of ruling the continent.
(End of Chapter)