Seeing Flender close the door, Ye Tian smiled faintly.
At least the man knew his place.
With that, he ignored the outside world and focused entirely on refining the pill.
After two days of continuous refinement, the process had reached its final step—removing the fire element.
Pill refinement required fire to fuse the essences of various rare materials.
But fire itself contributed no nutritional value to the pill.
If mishandled, it could even scorch the ingredients, reducing them to useless ash.
Most failures in pill refinement stemmed from this very issue.
...
Outside the door, Flender peered through the crack, observing Ye Tian's movements.
To his surprise, Ye Tian's expression wasn't as tense as he'd expected.
His actions were fluid, without the slightest hesitation.
This sight left Flender slightly stunned.
"Ye Tian's skill is already at a master's level," he remarked gravely.
Beside him, Liu Erlong nodded in agreement.
"Two days ago, Xiao Wu mentioned Ye Tian to me."
"That young man's talent in medicine and pill refinement is undoubtedly the greatest on the continent."
"Unfortunately, according to Xiao Wu, Ye Tian doesn't plan to stay long in Heaven Dou City."
"Otherwise, our Shrek Academy might have tried to recruit him."
Flender chuckled wryly and shook his head. "With Ye Tian's abilities, he might not even spare us a glance."
"Just the other day, Crown Prince Xue Qinghe personally visited Shrek Academy to see him—and even he left empty-handed."
A talent like Ye Tian couldn't be forced.
Shrek Academy was just that—an academy. It didn't hinge on Ye Tian's presence.
With him, the academy might thrive even more.
Without him, it would continue as usual.
"Why are you all gathered outside?"
A dignified voice interrupted them.
Prince Xue Xing, clad in noble attire, strode forward with his guards.
As soon as he spoke, his expression shifted.
He sniffed the air, his eyes widening. "This is…"
Though Flender inwardly resented the prince—who had once looked down on him in his lowest moments—he maintained a respectful tone.
"Your Highness, Ye Tian is refining a pill inside."
After a brief pause, he added, "It seems to be at a critical stage."
Hearing this, Prince Xue Xing halted his steps.
His calm demeanor gave way to visible anxiety.
"I can only hope Ye Tian succeeds," he sighed.
As a father, his heart ached even more than Ye Tian's—this concerned his daughter's life.
...
Eastern Palace, Imperial City.
"Your Highness, Prince Xue Xing has gone to Shrek Academy again."
She Long reported the news to Qian Renxue, who sat dazed at her study desk.
He was puzzled.
Normally, to maintain her image as a refined crown prince, Qian Renxue never spied on Prince Xue Xing.
But since returning two days ago, she had changed.
She ordered all their spies to monitor officials who opposed them.
"It seems Ye Tian is treating Xue Lanlan," Qian Renxue murmured, a faint smile curling her lips.
Resting her chin on her hand, she looked up at She Long.
"You must be wondering why I'm suddenly watching Prince Xue Xing."
She Long didn't hide his thoughts. He nodded slightly.
"Prince Xue Xing is guarded by many experts. A brief surveillance might go unnoticed."
"But if prolonged, he will inevitably find out."
If Prince Xue Xing discovered their surveillance, his guard would rise.
And then, any future moves against him would become far more difficult.
Qian Renxue's smile didn't fade. She clapped twice.
Two figures emerged from the shadows behind her.
Recognizing them, She Long gasped.
"Porcupinefish Douluo! Ghost Douluo! Why are you here?!"
Both were elders of the Pope's Hall.
The mission to infiltrate Heaven Dou City had always been the Elder Hall's responsibility—the Pope's Hall never interfered.
The two factions had always kept their distance.
Ghost Douluo smirked at She Long.
"Our primary mission is to find Ye Tian. The secondary one is to assist Qian Renxue."
A week ago, after a thorough investigation, the Pope's Hall had finally learned from a melon farmer outside Spirit Hall City that a girl with a scorpion braid and a young man had mentioned heading to Heaven Dou City.
Upon hearing this, Bibi Dong immediately ordered Ghost and Porcupinefish to rush to Heaven Dou City and locate Ye Tian.
They arrived yesterday and went straight to the Eastern Palace to meet Qian Renxue.
Ghost had hoped to seek her assistance—after all, Qian Renxue had been undercover for years. Her intelligence network far surpassed anything they could muster alone.
To his surprise, Qian Renxue already knew Ye Tian's whereabouts.
Learning that Ye Tian was temporarily staying at Shrek Academy eased Ghost's worries.
But he couldn't approach Ye Tian there—too many at Shrek Academy knew him.
His appearance wouldn't ensure Ye Tian's safety—it might even endanger him.
So, they stayed at the Eastern Palace.
Qian Renxue stood gracefully, leaning forward with her hands on the desk.
"Two days ago, my sister launched an attack on the Clear Sky Sect."
"Correct," Ghost confirmed, glancing at She Long.
This was part of the news he had brought.
And it was somewhat related to Ye Tian.
After listening to Sea Witch and Xiao Bai's recollections, Bibi Dong deduced that the girl with the scorpion braid was almost certainly Xiao Wu.
And Bibi Dong knew Xiao Wu's background all too well.
After all, her ninth spirit ring had come from killing Xiao Wu's mother.
Their hatred was irreconcilable.
And Xiao Wu's boyfriend was the son of Clear Sky Douluo.
Bibi Dong couldn't bear to imagine what would happen if Ye Tian fell into Xiao Wu's hands.
So, immediately after analyzing the situation, she mobilized the entire Spirit Hall's elite forces and personally led the assault on the Clear Sky Sect.
She Long's face paled.
"The Clear Sky Sect may have withdrawn from the world, but it remains the strongest sect on the continent."
"If the Spirit Hall attacks them… the continent will plunge into war!"
The major powers had been in a tense standoff.
If not for their balance of power, war would have erupted long ago.
The three great clans were interconnected—attacking one would send the others into panic.
Once that happened, they would openly declare war on the Spirit Hall!
Realizing this, She Long looked up at Qian Renxue.
"Young Master… are you planning to—?"
Qian Renxue's expression was calm as she picked up the sword on her desk.
With a shing, she unsheathed it, staring at the gleaming blade.
"Someone has to do the dirty work."
"Let me be the villain who kills the emperor."
She Long fell silent for a moment before speaking again.
"Right now, Prince Xue Xing is at Shrek Academy, treating his daughter. His guard is at its lowest."
"This is the perfect time to strike."
"Exactly." Qian Renxue narrowed her eyes and took out an exquisite tiger tally from her storage pouch, slapping it onto the desk.
"I've prepared everything."
"This is the tally to mobilize the city defense troops. I stole it from His Majesty's chambers this morning."
After over a decade undercover, she couldn't bring herself to change how she addressed him.
In some ways, Emperor Xue Ye had indeed played the role of a father to her.
He had taught her much.
But their opposing sides made them inevitable enemies.
Originally, Qian Renxue had planned to steal the tally for the imperial guards as well.
But then she reconsidered—given General Li Chao's unwavering loyalty to Emperor Xue Ye, even with the tally, the guards wouldn't obey her.
So she abandoned the idea.
She pushed the tally toward She Long.
"In half an hour, take this to General Luo Feng of the Tiger's Might Division."
"Tell him His Majesty is on the verge of death. To prevent chaos in Heaven Dou City, he must deploy the city defense troops to seal the streets—no one is allowed outside."
"Yes."
She Long's expression turned solemn, the weight of the mission pressing on him.
But he knew—Qian Renxue had spent ten years undercover for this moment.
There was no room for failure.
Qian Renxue then turned to Ghost and Porcupinefish.
"You two will go to Shrek Academy to protect Ye Tian."
"His life is more important than mine."
The three men stiffened.
Ye Tian was important, but was she not equally so?
"I disagree!" Ghost refused outright.
"Shrek Academy has no Title Douluos, and no one knows Ye Tian's identity. Sending one Title Douluo is enough for protection."
"Don't belittle yourself, Xue'er. In Her Holiness's eyes, you are her daughter—your life matters just as much!"
Qian Renxue remained impassive.
"This operation is critical. If I enter the palace alone, no one will suspect me."
"If I'm guarded by Title Douluos, it will only raise alarms."
"The matter is settled."
"Don't forget—for this mission, I am in command."
Using her authority, she silenced the three men.
There was no denying Qian Renxue's boldness—venturing alone into the palace to orchestrate a coup.
But it was also true that going alone increased her chances of success.
Of course, the risks were immense.
If she failed, death was almost certain.
Ghost, She Long, and Porcupinefish fell into a heavy silence.
Finally, Porcupinefish spoke.
"Don't be too pessimistic. What if we succeed?"
"Besides, as Xue'er mentioned last night, Shrek Academy hosts the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's young mistress, the Star Luo Empire's crown prince, and other nobles."
"If we secure them, even if Xue'er's identity is exposed, we can use them as bargaining chips to force a prisoner exchange."
Ghost sighed. "It seems this is our only option."
He knew once Qian Renxue made a decision, it was nearly impossible to change.
"Time is life. We move now." Qian Renxue's gaze was resolute.
Before leaving the study, she glanced back at She Long.
"Remember—wait half an hour before contacting General Luo Feng."
The imperial army's communication was swift.
If they acted too soon, word might reach Emperor Xue Ye.
And then, all would be lost.
...
Imperial Palace.
Walking beside Qian Renxue, Prince Xue Beng grumbled,
"Elder Brother, didn't we just visit Father this morning? Why drag me here again?"
"Lady Wan'er at Drunken Fragrance Pavilion is waiting for me! If I'm late, she'll make me drink penalties!"
His demeanor was that of a spoiled playboy, seemingly indifferent to his father's illness, concerned only with pleasure.
Hearing this, Qian Renxue smirked inwardly.
If not for Ye Tian revealing Xue Beng's act, she might have believed it.
Outwardly, however, she wore a look of disappointment.
"Spending your days in revelry—what kind of behavior is that?"
"Elder Brother's reprimand is justified," Xue Beng drawled, feigning nonchalance.
Inside, he sneered. If I weren't acting like this, I'd have been dead long ago.
The two entered the palace together.
On the way, they encountered General Li Chao leading a patrol.
Seeing only the crown prince and Prince Xue Beng, he paid them little mind.
After a brief greeting, he continued on his way.
Once Li Chao was gone, Xue Beng asked,
"Elder Brother, why visit Father twice in one day?"
By law, even as princes, they weren't permitted to enter the emperor's chambers without summons.
But this rule was largely ignored.
After all, who would dare punish a prince for it?
"Don't ask unnecessary questions."
Qian Renxue's cold glance silenced him.
Xue Beng knew his elder brother was usually gentle and patient.
His current irritability was unusual.
In truth, Qian Renxue's heart was in turmoil.
She knew what she was about to do.
Every time she thought of ending Emperor Xue Ye's life—after ten years of playing his son—an indescribable sorrow gripped her.
It was why she had waited so long, hoping he would pass naturally.
Then, she could ascend the throne without bloodshed.
But Bibi Dong had robbed her of that chance by attacking the Clear Sky Sect first.
This would force the Heaven Dou Empire to take sides.
And once the empire declared war on the Spirit Hall, her coronation's impact would diminish greatly.
Earlier, in the study, when she told Ghost her life mattered less than Ye Tian's, it was also a silent protest against Bibi Dong's actions.
But once the operation began, there was no turning back—like an arrow loosed from its bow.
"Father… rest in peace."
Qian Renxue sighed inwardly, her resolve hardening.
(End of Chapter)