A young and exceptionally talented woman from Spirit Hall, seemingly of high status, had taken a liking to the Heaven Dou Emperor, Xue Qinghe?
This was huge news!
Shui Cangyue and the others exchanged glances, with Shui Cangyue even subtly shifting a few steps away.
"Old Ye, did you know about this?"
"Well... back in Hagen City, Miss Qian Renxue mentioned she was His Majesty's close confidante," Ye Mu replied quietly.
Now that he thought about it—damn, noble circles were truly chaotic.
And Xue Qinghe was that impressive? He actually managed to win over a prodigy like Qian Renxue, and it seemed she was even determined to marry no one else.
But was this really something they should be hearing?
Their eyes flickered nervously toward the two Title Douluo standing behind Qian Renxue like guardian deities.
The two remained expressionless, as if they had already anticipated this matter.
Meanwhile, Ye Renxin and Ye Lingling, who had been keeping a low profile, retreated to the side with Dugu Yan.
Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan were close friends, while Ye Renxin had only accompanied Qian Renxue here to persuade Ye Mu to realign with Heaven Dou's rule—something that was easier said than done, given how ineffective Heaven Dou's decrees were beyond the capital.
Ye Lingling watched Qian Renxue chatting with Ning Rongrong, a hint of confusion on her face.
"Yan Yan, did you know about the mutual affection between His Majesty Xue Qinghe and Miss Qian Renxue?"
Dugu Yan and Dugu Bo had joined the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan many years ago, so they should have some insider information.
"Of course!" Dugu Yan nodded. "Rongrong mentioned it to me before. She even said she thought Xue Qinghe would end up alone for life!"
"Who'd have thought he'd actually find someone he likes? That's terrifying."
Ye Lingling: "..."
Was it really appropriate to say this so openly? The person in question was right there, and she was from Spirit Hall—weren't they afraid of getting silenced?
And Ning Rongrong really dared to say anything. Truly the little devil of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, even casually gossiping about the current emperor.
"Ning Rongrong, it's getting late. I won't disturb your reunion any longer."
Qian Renxue's voice drew the attention of Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling, who turned to look.
They saw Qian Renxue slowly rise and address Ye Mu, the ancestor of Hagen City: "Mr. Ye Mu, let's take our leave. There are still some matters I'd like to discuss with you."
"Oh, of course." Though puzzled—after staying here for days, why leave right when the hosts returned? It wasn't like they were thieves—Ye Mu nodded.
"Renxin, Lingling, are you coming with us?" Ye Mu asked.
"No. Now that I've escorted Miss Qian Renxue to the Ye family, my task is complete. I'll be staying with the Shui family for a while."
"You know my circumstances. I'm not exactly welcome in the Ye family."
"Ah..." Ye Mu sighed. "Take care, then."
Ye Renxin was a distant branch of the Ye family, tracing back hundreds of years. Frankly, few even knew she was a Ye.
Combined with her cursed, loner fate, those who knew kept their distance. Otherwise, how could a Soul Douluo like her not be valued?
Qian Renxue had wanted to recruit Ye Renxin, but the latter had no interest in joining any faction.
Moreover, Ye Renxin's reputation was renowned across the continent—any coercion or bribery would have consequences.
And given her past connections with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's Dugu Bo, certain considerations had to be made.
On the surface, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, Spirit Hall, and the Heaven Dou royal family—specifically Xue Qinghe—had substantial trade relations.
Qian Renxue and her group stood, preparing to leave the Shui residence and return to Hagen City.
As for the Extreme North, Qian Renxue decided to wait until the Elder Hall had more information before making further plans.
Just as Qian Renxue reached the door—
"Miss Qian Renxue, as thanks for giving me such a convenient Spirit Hall token, let me tell you one more thing."
"What?"
Qian Renxue turned, looking confused.
"Within the next year, do not venture into the Extreme North to explore any so-called treasures or anomalies."
"Unless the Grand Priest of Spirit Hall personally leads the expedition—even then, there's no guarantee you'll return safely."
Ning Rongrong's words made Qian Renxue's expression shift. "Are you saying the Extreme North has something akin to the Star Dou Great Forest?"
"Hehe, who knows~?"
Tokisaki Kurumi, dressed in gothic lolita attire, twirled her gun with a smirk.
"At the very least, Level 98 is absolutely not enough!"
"Logically, Spirit Hall should have records of this. Even if it's just legends, some might be true."
Human lifespans were too short compared to spirit beasts. Over time, what was once history became myth.
"I do recall a legend about the Extreme North," Ye Mu cautiously interjected.
"Rumors say the Extreme North is ruled by a Snow Empress, a being of ice and snow, and all hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts obey her commands."
As he spoke, his gaze drifted past Ning Rongrong to Shui Cangyue, hoping for clearer confirmation.
Shui Cangyue inwardly sighed.
Yes, it was indeed the Snow Empress—a being comparable to a Level 99 powerhouse. But since Ning Rongrong had only hinted at it, she couldn't outright confirm it to Ye Mu.
"The Snow Empress... I've heard of her. So she's not just a legend?" Qian Renxue mused.
It seemed the Douluo Continent hid many terrifying existences.
After the incident with Di Tian, Qian Renxue had scoured records on spirit beasts—legends, unofficial histories—gathering both useful and dubious information.
"Thank you." The detail about Level 99 was indeed crucial.
With that, Qian Renxue and her entourage departed the Shui residence.
...
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's influence is now firmly established."
On the way back, Qian Renxue's voice carried a trace of resignation.
"Young Lady..." Ci Xue wanted to say something.
"It's pointless. We can't stop them." Qian Renxue smiled self-deprecatingly. "To think I was fooled by a child years ago."
"Ning Rongrong, you're far more troublesome than Ning Fengzhi." After today's conversation, if she still didn't realize she'd been tricked during their first meeting, then her years of undercover work in Heaven Dou would've been for nothing.
"Mr. Ye Mu, don't involve yourself with the Shui family's affairs. Avoid drawing unwanted attention."
"You mean...?" Ye Mu was still confused.
"Shui Cangyue's breakthrough to Title Douluo is closely tied to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan."
"The Shui family has essentially pledged allegiance to them—out of necessity."
"I... understand." Ye Mu nodded.
Title Douluo... When would he ever reach that level?
"Return to Hagen City first. We still have matters to handle." Qian Renxue dismissed Ye Mu—some topics weren't for outsiders.
"Understood." Ye Mu nodded. As a former king, even after stepping down, he knew the unspoken rules.
Suddenly—
A bone-chilling cold swept through the night.
Snow, thick as goose feathers, began falling over the entire Tian Shui City.
An ethereal voice, carrying immense penetrating power, echoed from the depths of the Extreme North:
"I, the Snow Empress, sovereign of the Extreme North."
"Command all humans within these lands to depart within three days. For one year, no human shall set foot here."
"Those who disobey or linger will face the endless pursuit of the Extreme North's spirit beasts—until death."
Qian Renxue and her group froze in their tracks.
Even Qian Renxue, Ci Xue, and She Long could sense the terrifying aura infused in that voice—a mix of extreme cold and overwhelming soul power.
"So... so terrifying..." Ci Xue gulped.