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Qian Renxue's true identity was the Young Mistress of Spirit Hall, and her fundamental interests lay with Spirit Hall's gains and losses. Yet, the identity she was using to converse with Su Wen was that of the Tian Dou Empire's Crown Prince.
This conflict of identity left her feeling rather conflicted.
"If this Su Wen mentions that 'exceeding-limit spirit ring absorption' theory, which Spirit Hall has already classified as a secret, how should I view him..."
If he told her, would it mean Su Wen was a two-faced traitor, coming to suck up to her as the Crown Prince after taking Spirit Hall's benefits? Or would it mean Su Wen had been genuinely won over by her "Crown Prince's" charisma?
"Or perhaps, when that woman made the arrangements, she permitted him to reveal the theory to me, as a way to join my faction?" This was the scenario Qian Renxue hoped for the least.
As far as anyone knew, Su Wen was not supposed to be aware of Crown Prince Xue Qinghe's true identity.
If he leaked the theory, it would be tantamount to giving it to the Tian Dou Empire.
Su Wen had developed the theory, so he naturally had the right to spread it. But Qian Renxue, as the future leader of Spirit Hall, wouldn't be wrong to be displeased with him for it.
"In that case, Su Wen will demonstrate for Your Highness."
Sitting cross-legged on the floor, Su Wen began to enter a state of cultivation.
"..."
Qian Renxue was somewhat taken aback.
Where's your theory?
Weren't you going to tell me a theory?
Why did you sit down and start cultivating?
But she was, after all, Qian Renxue, not the real Xue Qinghe. Her spiritual power and her perception were far beyond what the 'Xue Qinghe' persona should possess.
After Su Wen entered his cultivation state, she was stunned for only an instant before she sensed it.
She took a deep breath, calming the fluctuations in her heart.
"A spirit power circulation pathway!" she was certain.
Su Wen made no effort to conceal it. He even activated his spirit power fluctuations, making them more obvious for her to sense.
"Young Mistress, it's a spirit power circulation pathway. And it's extremely complete and complex, in no way inferior to the Hall's latest research," the Porpoise Douluo transmitted mentally from his hidden position.
His words were, in fact, quite an understatement.
In his opinion, the spirit power circulation within Su Wen's body wasn't just "in no way inferior"; it was superior by several grades.
It didn't just form a complete loop; the pathways even seemed to be interconnected, forming an entire system that ran throughout the body. It could probably even be partially circulated during combat!
This Su Wen... could he really be a genius in theoretical research?
In addition to the exceeding-limit absorption theory, he actually had this hidden achievement.
Qian Renxue's perception was just as sharp. Possessing the head-piece spirit bone from the Angelic Set, her perception was even stronger than the Porpoise Douluo's.
However, Xue Qinghe, the cultivation 'rookie', shouldn't possess such perception.
'Xue Qinghe' put on a puzzled expression, waiting quietly as Su Wen completed one circulation cycle, and then waited for his explanation.
"Your Highness, during my cultivation, I discovered that spirit power has numerous pathways it follows within the body, and these pathways are all interconnected, like a complex system." Su Wen, while praising her acting skills, took the initiative to explain. "I found that the standard meditation methods taught to Spirit Masters don't include a summary of spirit power circulation, so I mapped out a pathway on my own."
"Oh? A spirit power circulation pathway?" 'Xue Qinghe's' eyes lit up as he looked at Su Wen in surprise.
Seeing this, Su Wen appeared pleased that the Crown Prince understood the significance, and he also showed a hint of pride in his own achievement.
"Your Highness, this is the result of my research. A spirit power circulation pathway. By circulating one's spirit power along this path during daily meditation, cultivation efficiency can be increased by twenty percent!" Su Wen said confidently.
Qian Renxue put on a shocked expression.
Clever kid. It's a good thing I can see through you. If the real Xue Qinghe were here, he would have been completely duped by you.
This complete circulation pathway... it would increase cultivation efficiency by far more than just twenty percent.
It was at least forty percent!
And it wasn't just for daily meditation. It could likely be maintained at a basic level during combat and even daily life, greatly enhancing a Spirit Master's endurance...
"No wonder Su Wen's endurance is so terrifying..." she inexplicably recalled the rumors of Su Wen's stamina.
Spiritual power was one aspect, but this spirit power circulation pathway was the real main reason.
Qian Renxue didn't believe for a second that Su Wen hadn't accurately calculated the efficiency of his own pathway.
In her view, Su Wen was intentionally lowballing the number, revealing just enough to gain 'Xue Qinghe's' support—a 'reasonable' percentage.
And this action by Su Wen won her favor.
"This Su Wen still has Spirit Hall in his heart."
The hidden Serpent Lance Douluo also felt that Su Wen knew how to act with discretion.
He had entered Tian Dou Royal Academy with a hidden identity, joined the Crown Prince's faction, and was seeking benefits, but he did so with restraint. He didn't just hand over everything to the enemy; instead, he revealed just enough to gain sufficient appreciation and reap the rewards...
They, who had just been agonizing over how to view Su Wen if he had revealed the exceeding-limit absorption theory, now tossed that question aside.
How could a true scholar, a theoretical genius, only have one theory to his name?
'Crown Prince Xue Qinghe' was all smiles, his gaze full of appreciation for Su Wen.
"Su Wen, you are excellent!" He even showed a side of himself that was inconsistent with his usual persona, laughing out loud as he praised him.
After the praise, he recovered his usual composed demeanor, though his eyes still betrayed his admiration.
"Spirit power circulation pathways... My Tian Dou Empire also has research in this area. I can make arrangements for you. The Imperial Family's research findings in this field can all be made available to you!" he declared with a grand wave of his hand.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
"Just call me Big Brother Xue."
"Yes. Thank you, Big Brother Xue."
Xue Qinghe smiled.
...
"Little Wen, why did you join the academy's research institute?" Xiao Zhan asked, his expression a mix of confusion and bafflement.
When the Crown Prince left, he had immediately issued an order to transfer Su Wen to the Tian Dou Royal Academy's research institute.
What on earth did you do?
How did you manage to snag such a huge benefit just like that?
Setting aside the research materials in the institute, just joining it gave one access to a massive amount of resources.
The Imperial Family's investment in the research institute was no small sum.
It was rumored that three years ago, a project had required a spirit bone for its research, and the Imperial Family had actually selected a decent one from its treasury and sent it over.
Su Wen, however, wore an expression that said, "but of course."
"Naturally, His Highness the Crown Prince felt my talent was extraordinary and wanted to provide me with the best cultivation conditions."
"Oh, cut the crap." Xiao Zhan swatted Su Wen lightly on the head. "Kid, you didn't reveal anything you shouldn't have, did you?"
"Uncle Zhan, rest assured. I know my limits."
"That's good."
...
Spirit Holy Temple.
Salas stared in silence at the order that had come from the Elder Hall. It stated that Su Wen was to be added to the 'Spirit Power Circulation Pathway' research project and given full access to all its findings.
"This Su Wen... had more to offer?"
The order came from the Elder Hall, so its source was obvious—it had to be Qian Renxue's will.
Salas didn't believe Qian Renxue would add Su Wen to the circulation pathway project for no reason.
To make Qian Renxue react like this after just one meeting, Su Wen must have had some significant achievements in this area.
Salas was somewhat displeased.
This Su Wen... he hadn't said a single word about it.
"Jie jie jie... Kid, you probably don't realize it, do you? Even if you latch onto the Crown Prince, you can't escape the grasp of my Spirit Hall!"
(End of this chapter)