"I just read it as a story."
Zhao Liuyun's tone was light, though a faint, imperceptible sharpness flickered deep in his eyes.
"Besides, my innate soul power is only a measly Level 5, yet I too dream of becoming a Titled Douluo."
"What difference is there between me and this Titled Douluo from five hundred years ago?"
A resilient and persistent conviction quietly seeped out from his dissipated spiritual power, flowing like a thin stream into Qian Renxue's perception.
He used this to perform a shallow [Hypnosis]—not seeking any specific result, but merely to ensure she perceived his unshakable will.
The so-called conviction—
Qian Renxue's eyes narrowed slightly as her thoughts drifted like flowing clouds.
"Do you want to read this book as well?" Zhao Liuyun took two steps back, seemingly without intent.
He tried to probe her emotions and thoughts.
Just as it had been when facing Dugu Bo, he could peer into nothing. Was it the effect of a soul bone, or simply the gap in their levels? What level was Qian Renxue at right now? Zhao Liuyun remembered she also possessed spiritual soul skills; the spiritual power of the Seraphim certainly wouldn't be weak.
"No." Xue Qinghe's gaze fell upon him like warm sunlight. "I came here specifically for you."
"Level 37. Had the education board not confirmed it personally, it would truly be hard to believe you are only eleven years old."
Eleven and a half, actually. By the time he became a Soul Ancestor, he would be nearly twelve.
He followed this with a light chuckle, sounding somewhat nostalgic. "At that age, I—haha, never mind."
His words carried a hint of self-deprecation, quietly closing the distance between them.
Zhao Liuyun merely laughed inwardly: At that age, weren't you still playing the fool, openly guarding against assassination—
Inwardly mocking, his eyes remained filled with doubt and wariness on the surface.
Xue Qinghe understood this and gave a hearty laugh. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Qinghe."
"The Crown Prince?" Zhao Liuyun stood up and bowed slightly. "Greetings."
"May I ask why you were looking for me?"
"This isn't the place to talk." Xue Qinghe gestured, and the two sat down in a private room within the library.
Zhao Liuyun asked solemnly, "Your Highness—why have you come to seek me out?"
He didn't harbor any particular repulsion toward the Spirit Hall. It was just that joining now offered no benefits, and the things he wanted were currently out of reach. For now, he would simply play along.
Xue Qinghe looked at the handsome youth before him, his smile warm and gentle. "I have simply heard of your reputation as a genius and was astonished by your cultivation and age. I merely wished to see a future pillar of the Empire."
"A future pillar of the Empire—"
Which empire?
Muttering the words twice, Zhao Liuyun's eyes remained clear. "That is still a long way off."
The corners of his mouth tilted up slightly. "Your Highness has an excellent reputation; you are the true future of the Empire."
During his clinic shifts, he occasionally heard those waiting in line chatting, catching various praises the world had for Xue Qinghe.
Zhao Liuyun's face was full of smiles. "I have heard that Your Highness—"
Since we're here, let's flatter each other.
Xue Qinghe seemed quite pleased, the smile in his eyes deepening. "The title 'Crown Prince' sounds too distant. If you don't mind my weak cultivation and the fact that I am a few years your senior, just call me Brother Xue."
Occupying a high position yet remaining humble and polite indeed made it easy for people to feel favorable toward him.
"Brother Xue—"
"Age brings experience. Cultivation isn't your forte, Brother Xue; you are being too modest." Zhao Liuyun didn't talk about anything else, sticking solely to praise.
Then, using the words of others as his mouthpiece, he lauded Xue Qinghe as if he were unique in heaven and earth. He claimed that once the Prince ascended the throne, he would surely be a brilliant ruler the likes of which the Heaven Dou Empire hadn't seen in a thousand years. He spoke so convincingly that even Qian Renxue herself was dazed for a moment: Have I truly done that well?
For a time, the atmosphere was festive and enthusiastic.
However, amidst the laughter, a quiet sigh flickered through the depths of Qian Renxue's heart.
This kind of minor Spirit Master who climbed up from the bottom indeed understood how to read people and judge the situation better than most. His mouth was full of pleasantries, though they provided a fair bit of psychological comfort.
"A clever little rascal."
Qian Renxue silently labeled Zhao Liuyun in her heart.
"A Crown Prince must be open to wise counsel and be diligent in learning. As a standout among Spirit Masters, do you also enjoy reading, Brother Liuyun?"
Seeing that Zhao Liuyun kept rambling about meaningless topics, she took the initiative to steer the conversation in another direction. Since he liked reading—
"Of course!"
Zhao Liuyun's eyes suddenly lit up, as if he had met a kindred spirit. "I believe that books contain the wisdom of those who came before us; they are the essence of humanity distilled through the passage of time."
"Read ten thousand books, and travel ten thousand miles. Only by combining theory and practice can one walk steadily and far on the path of a Spirit Master."
"I love to read wherever I go. Biographies, geographical records, spirit beast compendiums—I read everything. Just to broaden my horizons and increase my knowledge. I turn nothing away!"
Since he had a hobby, she could cater to it.
Qian Renxue's eyes flickered slightly.
There were indeed many methods circulating in the Spirit Master world to "encourage growth by pulling at the sprouts," which could forcibly increase soul power in a short time. But since Zhao Liuyun had a Titled Douluo as a teacher and his past cultivation speed was already fast, he likely wouldn't be so short-sighted as to choose such a self-destructive path.
She would gain his friendship first and then slowly investigate the root of his rapid progress in the future. If he truly had obtained and consumed some kind of celestial treasure, recruiting such a talent would still be worthwhile.
"My estate has a collection of many rare ancient texts that are quite helpful for cultivation."
The Crown Prince's estate naturally didn't have such treasures, but the Spirit Hall did. As the orthodox successor of the Spirit Hall and the sole young master of the Seraphim lineage, requesting a few scrolls of secret archives was just a matter of a single sentence. In the Douluo Continent, strength reigned supreme; while ancient texts were precious, they weren't that important in comparison.
"If you have the leisure, Brother Liuyun, you should come to the estate to take a look."
The words were full of sincerity.
Surprise flashed across Zhao Liuyun's face. "Is Brother Xue's word true?"
As long as it provided general experience, it was fine. Considering the true identity behind the mask, there ought to be some secret texts from the Spirit Hall that were never shared with outsiders.
Xue Qinghe feigned displeasure. "What are you saying, Brother? Would I ever tell a lie?"
"Forgive me, Brother Xue, it was a slip of the tongue," Zhao Liuyun apologized quickly.
The irritation on Xue Qinghe's face softened as he smiled again. "No matter. It was just a natural reaction to something you desire."
"I have heard that your martial soul is extraordinarily magnificent, and its fragrance can calm the heart and soothe the spirit. I wonder if I might be fortunate enough to see its true form today?"
"If Brother Xue wishes to see it, I shall naturally show my humble skill." Zhao Liuyun raised his hand slightly, and a wondrous flower quietly bloomed.
Qian Renxue looked closely. She saw layers of petals unfolding like clouds, their cicada-wing edges flowing with a crystalline luster. Within the light purple mist, tiny sparks of starlight flickered like dreamlike glimmers.
The cold, ethereal fragrance instantly caused her to daze.
As a favored child of heaven with Level 20 Innate Soul Power, she should have been the center of attention, world-renowned, walking beneath the sun as the successor of the Spirit Hall. But to go undercover in the Heaven Dou Empire and play the part of the Crown Prince, all those honors were denied to her. As the Crown Prince, she had to be cautious in word and deed, exhausted every day, and her cultivation inevitably suffered constraints.
Yet, as this wisp of ethereal fragrance surrounded her, Qian Renxue felt the heavy pressure on her heart suddenly lighten. The accumulated gloom seemed to dissolve like ice and snow.
This was the new capability of the martial soul after evolving from consuming the Yearning Heart Through Autumn Dew. Originally, that fragrance only stayed on the surface, making one's mood peaceful, much like a bucket of ice water forcing one to be calm. Now, it seemed capable of penetrating the soul, turning into a wisp of warm wind that guided one naturally into a state of mental clarity.
Ye Lingling was the first to notice this change. It made one's state of mind peaceful, natural, and cheerful; to a certain extent, it had the miraculous effect of repairing spiritual trauma.
"Moonlit Lotus—what a fine Moonlit Lotus."
Xue Qinghe's gaze was burning as he praised loudly. The resolve to recruit Zhao Liuyun became even firmer in her heart.
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