Three months passed.
After focused cultivation and burning off most of the resentment in the demon sword, Tian Lin finally broke through the last bottleneck and reached level 69.
At this point, the biggest disadvantage of the ultimate attribute was overcome. With Illusory Water Thunderstorm, he could forcibly break through.
Next was the seventh soul ring—a daunting challenge. Tian Lin would have to face the Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear, a beast as strong as a level 97 Title Douluo, and absorb its ring.
He'd figured out a method, but it only had a 70% chance of success. Tian Lin didn't like to gamble; he needed certainty.
Riding his sword, he flew to Heaven Dou City and landed at the palace gates. With the prince's token from Xue Qinghe, he entered the palace easily.
Xue Qinghe was not in the East Palace but in the Imperial Study. Emperor Xue Ye's health was failing, and she handled most affairs.
No one stopped Tian Lin en route. In everyone's eyes, he was a core member of the crown prince's faction.
He found Xue Qinghe looking worn out, and not as energetic as before.
"Brother Xue, you look tired," Tian Lin said with concern.
"Xiao Tian, you're here. Everyone else, leave," Xue Qinghe dismissed the servants and stood. "Yes, I'm tired, but it can't be helped. Not just daily affairs, but I've had to overturn many of father's old policies."
"If you do that, Xue Beng will use it as a pretext to attack you," Tian Lin cautioned. "Policy changes can wait until you've consolidated power. Otherwise, Star Luo will sense instability in the court. If not for Spirit Hall between you, they'd have attacked."
"It's fine, our differences are inevitable," Xue Qinghe replied. She knew what Tian Lin said was true, but had no choice. Spirit Hall's deadline was near, and she still didn't fully control the court, so had to try other methods.
She glanced at Tian Lin apologetically. She knew he was concerned, but he didn't realize her real aim was to destroy his Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
The plan was almost complete, but Xue Beng's interference gave her a new path.
First, to make the court appear divided, drawing all eyes to the infighting.
Second, to force the generals to choose sides—hers or Xue Beng's.
Both sides were evenly matched, but neither controlled the army. As soon as she started recruiting, Xue Beng would do the same. Most generals, not wanting to be involved, chose to go guard the borders.
As a result, the palace guard was entirely under Xue Qinghe's control. Letting Spirit Hall's people in would now be easy. As Tian Lin had guessed, there was less than a month until the operation began.
Xue Qinghe had turned the struggle with Xue Beng into a way to complete the first stage of the soul hunt plan. Xue Beng, though smart, wasn't on Qian Renxue's level and was being used without realizing.
'Xiao Tian, I'm sorry. I'll try to save your life, and if I must, cripple you and care for you forever. But as for your master and Rongrong, I can't help. For Spirit Hall's plan to unify the continent, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School must fall,' she thought coldly.
Tian Lin saw the guilt in her eyes and understood. He didn't need her apology—when the time came, he'd show no mercy either. Many in Spirit Hall would die by his hand.
But today he wasn't here about the soul hunt operation.
Tian Lin cupped his hands, "Brother Xue, I have a request."
"If I can help, I will," Qian Renxue said. She felt guilty and wanted to make it up to him somehow.
"I'd like to borrow something—the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud," Tian Lin said. Even for the crown prince, this was a difficult request.
Xue Qinghe was surprised. "Xiao Tian, you know that's the national treasure of Heaven Dou Empire!"
"I know. I know it's a lot to ask, but I'll offer something of equal value in return. Please, lend it to me."
Xue Qinghe looked at his determined face. She didn't know what he needed it for, but it was important.
She had studied the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud but was unable to use it. It was little more than a mascot in the empire.
After some thought, she told him to wait, left and returned half an hour later with a blue triangular shield. "Xiao Tian, this is the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud. It's been in the empire for centuries, but no one could use it. If you need it for something, study it first."
"I understand. Thank you, Brother Xue." Tian Lin accepted it and took out a flower. "I promised to offer something equal in exchange—this is it."
Xue Qinghe was more interested in the storage pouch in Tian Lin's hand—it was the one she'd given him when they first met. Even after all these years, he still carried it, though he had better storage tools now. She was touched.
But Tian Lin was focused on introducing the flower: "This is the Yearning Heartbroken Red, the rarest of immortal herbs. Only someone with the truest love in their heart can gain its acceptance. If you ever have a beloved, try offering it your blood and see if it responds."
"This herb has the power of undying vitality. For ordinary soul masters, it can greatly improve aptitude and boost their level by over ten. Even for a Soul Sage or Douluo, it can increase their level by five or six."
"Only for true love? Such a magical thing exists?" Xue Qinghe was intrigued, and with a surge of soul power, spat blood onto the petals.
The flower shone red but dimmed after a short while.
Tian Lin said, "Brother Xue, it seems you have someone in your heart. That's why you could activate the flower, but your feelings are too complicated, not pure enough, so it didn't fully accept you."
Xue Qinghe smiled wryly. "Yes, there's a gulf between us—maybe he'll hate me forever."
Though she didn't gain the flower's full acceptance, Tian Lin wouldn't take it back. It was a farewell gift for so many years of friendship. After the second Asura trial, they might never have such a calm conversation again.
PS: Like Mother and Daughter, both crazy when it comes to love.