"The fragrance soothes the heart, and its elegance is peerless." Xue Qinghe praised repeatedly, feeling utterly amazed. "It truly is a rare and beautiful martial soul; the scent is indeed refreshing to the soul."
It was much like the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum of Ju Douluo Yue Guan. Though both shared the form of a plant, they harbored a profound power that transcended the essence of mere vegetation.
"Everyone who has seen it says the same," Zhao Liuyun agreed.
Under the influence of the fragrance, Xue Qinghe suppressed the surging fervor in his heart and swallowed back further words of probing. Meeting for the first time, ending the conversation here was just right. The value lay in leaving a lingering impression; if they spoke further, it might become abrupt and unsightly. It was better to maintain a good relationship for now to allow for more interaction in the future.
"It seems that human perception of beauty is largely identical."
Taking another deep breath of the floral scent to suppress a fleeting, crude thought of kidnapping the boy, Xue Qinghe felt his mind clear and prepared to depart. Before leaving, he joked, "Junior brother, do not forget. You must come sit in my Crown Prince's Estate in the future. The estate holds ancient records that are greatly beneficial to cultivation, and they are waiting for you."
"Brother Xue, rest assured, I will certainly not forget." Zhao Liuyun looked forward to the countless years of accumulation within the Spirit Hall.
The Clear Sky School had the Nine Absolute Skills, the Great Sumeru Hammer, the Ring Explosion technique, and the Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique, all of which shook the continent. Since the Crown Prince was willing to go to such lengths to recruit talent, he had to produce some real treasures.
Xue Qinghe said, "Then focus on your reading. I won't disturb you further."
As a mole crown prince seeking to usurp a kingdom, Qian Renxue was truly busy, putting in double the effort into management just like all infiltrators who desired to rise to the top.
"Safe travels, Brother Xue." Zhao Liuyun waved farewell. He didn't take the departing figure to heart and soon withdrew his focus, sitting back down to immerse himself once more in his books. Qian Renxue's arrival was merely a small interlude; how could it compare to gaining experience?
"Your Highness." Outside the library, the Crown Prince's attendants and guards had been waiting for a long time. They bowed as he emerged.
"Hard work, everyone." Xue Qinghe encouraged them warmly before issuing a new command: "Send people to gather ancient records from all over, especially those beneficial to cultivation. The more, the better."
An aide whispered a report: "Your Highness, such records are mostly secret legacies of the great sects and clans. Those circulating outside might be—"
"No matter, just do your best." Xue Qinghe smiled indifferently.
How could he not know? He simply needed an official excuse to logically bring out the records from the Spirit Hall. Upon returning to his manor, a secret order was quietly sent back to the Spirit Hall. Those precious records from the Spirit Hall were the true bait to hook Zhao Liuyun.
After finishing his reading in the morning and earning 82 points of general experience, Zhao Liuyun thought it over and went to find Dugu Bo first.
In five months, Dugu Bo had squeezed out the final traces of medicinal power from the Snowy Swan's Kiss. His toxins had increased dozens of times over, and his strength had doubled. He was now confident that if Chrysanthemum Guan came to his door again, the man would only be looking for trouble.
"Teacher, Crown Prince Xue Qinghe has approached me," Zhao Liuyun said directly.
"The Crown Prince?" His soul core was continuously absorbing Heaven and Earth Primordial Energy, so Dugu Bo did not need to consciously cultivate. He was leisurely tending to a garden of poisonous herbs, carefully selecting the quality of each plant. He wasn't surprised at all that his disciple had attracted the Crown Prince's attention.
Dugu Bo asked, "What did you say? I can still protect a single person with a Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum."
The medicinal power of the Ice and Fire Immortal Herbs had been completely refined and was not visible externally. The essence of the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew was contained within his mental strength and eyesight; Zhao Liuyun could already control it so that no anomalies showed, making it hard for ordinary people to detect. Only the growth of soul power could not be hidden from discerning eyes. Strategically revealing an immortal herb that cultivated both the physical body and soul power was exactly what Dugu Bo had planned long ago.
Zhao Liuyun said, "The Crown Prince did not press me about my cultivation level; he only chatted with me for a while. He invited me to the Crown Prince's Estate, saying it houses precious records he has collected over many years."
"Then he has taken an interest in you as a person." Dugu Bo paused his movements, a deep look flashing in his eyes. The old matter of two princes dying in succession flashed through his mind. After a moment of silence, he spoke: "The Crown Prince is not simple. However, since I am here, go if you wish. Making connections won't hurt your future."
He looked up at his disciple, his tone turning stern: "Just remember one thing. No matter what he says, do not agree immediately." Looking at his disciple, Dugu Bo chuckled and took the burden upon himself: "If you encounter something difficult, just use stalling tactics. Say you need to ask me first, and let this old man handle it."
Zhao Liuyun was merely the disciple of a Title Douluo, a genius who hadn't grown up yet. If Dugu Bo spoke, the weight would be entirely different.
"I understand." A smile appeared on Zhao Liuyun's face.
Dugu Bo nodded and asked, "How is your cultivation lately? Any confusion?"
"None. I have been practicing diligently every day and am about to reach Level 38." Zhao Liuyun's voice was calm, but his words were enough to shock the world. This was another reason why he had to reveal an immortal herb. He was cultivating too fast—fast beyond all logic. He couldn't deliberately suppress it and stifle his momentum, nor could he hide his light entirely. As the personal disciple of a Title Douluo, why would he need to be secretive?
"When you reach the rank of Soul Ancestor, tell me what soul beast you need, and I will take you to hunt for a soul ring."
Zhao Liuyun bid farewell to his teacher and returned to the Ye residence. After explaining the situation to Uncle Ye, he did not immediately go to the Crown Prince's Estate. Every morning, he still sat motionless in the Heaven Dou Royal Academy library. It would take time to transfer records from the Spirit Hall, so there was no rush.
Others were also paying attention to this matter. The Fourth Prince, Xue Beng, secretly lamented. On the surface, he still had to maintain the facade of a profligate playboy, unlike Xue Qinghe who could openly associate with talents. More troublesome was that he had no capable subordinates to command. Otherwise, he might one day find himself "easily soluble in water."
The news of Xue Qinghe's order to collect cultivation records did not spread widely. However, as his teacher, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect Leader Ning Fengzhi received this unusual news.
"Sect Leader, Crown Prince Xue Qinghe is collecting cultivation records from all over," an intelligence officer reported respectfully.
"Cultivation records..." Ning Fengzhi mused in a low voice. He knew Xue Qinghe's talent all too well; this move was definitely not for himself. So, was it for someone else? Who in Heaven Dou City was worth such serious treatment? A genius?
"Recently in Heaven Dou City, has any new genius emerged?" Ning Fengzhi wondered aloud and called for another intelligence officer.
"Reporting to Sect Leader, there is no such news."
The report from the Heaven Dou Royal Academy board was a secret, and Zhao Liuyun usually stayed out of the public eye. As for the rumors of Dugu Bo taking a disciple, Ning Fengzhi had long since forgotten them.
"Investigate secretly and see what the reason is behind this."
"Yes."
A black shadow streaked out of the hall like the wind, and another person silently took his place.
Beside them, Gu Rong spoke up: "Fengzhi, I think it's better to just ask Qinghe directly? Our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has countless records—"
Ning Fengzhi shook his head slightly, his gaze profound: "Let's wait and see."
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