"Greetings, Your Highness!"
As voices came from outside—
A man who looked to be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight entered. He had handsome features, a straight nose, and square jaw. Clad in a clean blue robe, he gave off a refreshing aura. His long black hair was neatly tied with a blue ribbon, draping behind his head. Although his clothing was plain, his temperament was anything but.
"Greetings, Your Highness!"
Everyone present bowed one after another.
"Teacher, there's no need to be so formal!"
Xue Qinghe smiled and helped Ning Fengzhi up.
"Everyone, please rise."
"Greetings, Teacher."Xue Qinghe bowed to Ning Fengzhi.
"You too, rise. What brings you here?"Ning Fengzhi asked gently.
"Didn't Teacher recently acquire two fine items at the auction? I came to take a look. But I didn't expect to hear and see something even more interesting. That tree just now—was that knocked down by this treasure?"
Xue Qinghe's eyes lit up when he saw the black, unassuming object in his teacher's hand.
"Your Highness really came at just the right time. This treasure is called a soul-guided gun. As long as one has soul power, it can launch an attack!"
Ning Fengzhi fired a shot to demonstrate for Xue Qinghe.
"So that's how it is!"
Xue Qinghe was shocked—such a small item, yet with such great power. Even better than those so-called hidden weapons.
"Three million gold soul coins for the blueprint? Who invented it?"Xue Qinghe asked curiously.
"Let me introduce you!"Although reluctant, Ning Fengzhi pointed to Zhang Fan:
"This is Zhang Fan, a student of Shrek Academy and captain of the Shrek team. Thirteen years old, and already at level 57—an absolute monster, right?"
"So young?!"
Xue Qinghe turned to the young boy—so handsome, so young, and capable of creating something this miraculous. Truly a monster of talent.
"The hidden weapons before—were those also made by Shrek Academy students? This feels even better! And it has endless potential!"
Ning Fengzhi fondled the soul-guided gun lovingly:
"Alright, we're set—three million. Can you give me this one for free?"
"Sure! Of course!"Zhang Fan nodded.
"Teacher, you can't hog all the benefits. We're partners—I'll also contribute 1.5 million. That way, when we mass-produce it, we split fifty-fifty!"
Xue Qinghe was clearly enamored with the new toy and didn't want it slipping away.
"Why is Your Highness suddenly visiting me today?"
Ning Fengzhi was somewhat speechless. After all, this was the crown prince—and his student. He had no choice but to agree.
"Haha, just had the sudden urge to visit!"
Xue Qinghe chuckled affably."Thank you, Brother Zhang Fan, for creating such an extraordinary weapon!"
He came up beside Zhang Fan, studied his face, walked behind him, and observed him from head to toe.
Zhang Fan was left somewhat speechless.
"Your Highness… what are you doing?"Zhang Fan asked in confusion.
"Hmm, just curious—how could such a handsome guy think of such a brilliant invention?"
Xue Qinghe stared at Zhang Fan thoughtfully.
"Just lucky, I guess."Zhang Fan replied with a mysterious air.
"I heard the Royal Battle Team lost to Shrek Academy in Soto City. Was that your team?"Xue Qinghe asked.
"Yeah."Zhang Fan nodded.
"Didn't expect Your Highness to care about such things!"
"Hmm, just heard it in passing. But turns out it's true. With geniuses like you, of course as the crown prince I must sing your praises! Not only are your forging skills amazing, your talent is sky-high too. I'm seriously impressed."
Xue Qinghe's eyes practically sparkled as he looked at Zhang Fan.
"You flatter me."
Zhang Fan hadn't expected Xue Qinghe to be so enthusiastic.Of course, he also knew that Xue Qinghe was actually Qian Renxue in disguise.She carried a faint fragrance—not something a typical man would have. Only someone with a sharp nose like him would notice.
Zhang Fan proceeded to introduce Shrek's group to Xue Qinghe.
Xue Qinghe met everyone with a smile.
She clearly had a fondness for geniuses.
Then, her gaze returned to Zhang Fan—he was the one she cared about the most.
Such a once-in-a-generation genius… he made her heart race.
Ding! Plot Modification Mission Triggered.
[Xue Qinghe thought: "A peerless genius like Zhang Fan must be drawn in… Should I recruit him as a brother?"]
Zhang Fan smirked mischievously and modified "recruit" to "regard", and "brother" to "lover."
Ding! Plot successfully modified. Plot has gone off the rails. Reward: 200 modification points.
Xue Qinghe now thought: A peerless genius like Zhang Fan must be roped in… Should I regard him as a lover?
At that moment, something shifted—her gaze toward Zhang Fan changed, becoming soft and affectionate.
To others, it still looked like admiration between brothers.
But to her, it was something more—like she'd met a lover from a past life.
"It feels like… we've met somewhere before."She said affectionately.
"Uh... Brother Fan really is irresistible. Even the crown prince seems to really like him!"
Xiao Wu commented, though something about it felt... off.
"Hmm, a man…"Zhu Zhuqing muttered, catching Xiao Wu's awkward pause.
"…"Xiao Wu was speechless.
"Haha… alright then. Since everyone's here, let's eat together. Since His Highness likes the soul-guided gun so much, let's each put up 1.5 million. When they're manufactured, we split evenly!"
Ning Fengzhi turned to Xue Qinghe:
"We'll also split the craftsmen, then begin mass production!"
"Deal!"Xue Qinghe nodded.
They then moved to the guest hall of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
At the massive dining table—
Xue Qinghe sat directly to Zhang Fan's left, which left Xiao Wu annoyed. That was her usual seat.
But… this was the Crown Prince. She couldn't exactly argue.
Still, that look the prince gave Brother Fan—like he was about to devour him… it really didn't sit right.
Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing all felt like they'd just spotted a love rival.
"Ba—Brother Zhang Fan!"
Xue Qinghe had almost said "baby," but managed to stop herself. A hint of red crossed her face.
"Here, have some fish."
She picked up a piece of fish and placed it on Zhang Fan's plate.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Zhang Fan smiled—it really was a weirdly sweet experience.
Ning Fengzhi, meanwhile, felt that something was… off with Xue Qinghe today. But he couldn't quite pinpoint what.
After the meal, Zhang Fan followed Ning Fengzhi and Xue Qinghe to the forging room of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
There, he guided the craftsmen—otherwise, they wouldn't know where to begin.Such a novel item had to be taught by someone who had actually made it.
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(End of Chapter)