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After exchanging pleasantries with the young man surnamed Qing, Ning Tianchen was led into the residence.
The young man didn't linger for long and left after escorting Ning Tianchen.
Xue Qinghe set down his pen and personally welcomed Ning Tianchen into the study.
"Thank you for your kindness, Crown Prince," Ning Tianchen bowed.
Xue Qinghe feigned a displeased expression. "No need to be so formal—we can address each other as brothers."
With that, he burst into laughter. "Brother Tianchen, you brought glory to the empire by winning the Soul Master Tournament championship, making the empire the center of attention on the continent. The previous rewards, in my opinion, are far from sufficient to express the empire's gratitude. Tell me, is there anything else you desire?"
Ning Tianchen chuckled softly. "When it comes to expressing goodwill, sincerity is key. The empire's rewards were much appreciated by everyone, and I thank you and His Majesty in advance, Brother Xue."
"However, as His Majesty said, the Soul Master Tournament is just a starting point in our lives. Our true journey begins when we step into the world of soul masters."
"The past achievements have already been celebrated; let them fade with the wind. In the future, we will face many more challenges."
The victory banquet wasn't canceled—it was simply moved to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
That day, not only did Beast Academy send congratulatory letters, but several academies near Tiandou City with close ties to Seven Treasures Academy also attended the feast.
The banquet was a resounding success, enjoyed by all.
Unfortunately, due to his status as Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe couldn't mingle freely with outsiders and missed the banquet—a great pity indeed.
Clap clap clap~
Xue Qinghe applauded, satisfied. "Brother Tianchen's humility and calmness truly make you a pillar of the empire. With you around, I feel at ease."
After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Xue Qinghe pulled Ning Tianchen into handling official matters, patiently listening to his unique insights.
In his previous life, Ning Tianchen lived in a peaceful and prosperous society. Many of the policies from that world could also be applied to Douluo Continent.
Some of the more advanced strategies, after Ning Tianchen's explanations, were understood and highly praised by Xue Qinghe.
However, it was unfortunate that Douluo Continent was a world where strength reigned supreme. Many policies favorable to commoners simply couldn't be implemented.
Ning Tianchen felt no regret about this and wouldn't attempt to single-handedly change the entire Douluo Continent.
After all, soul masters were the main theme of this world, and human efforts alone couldn't alter that.
Ning Tianchen stayed in the Crown Prince's residence for two consecutive days. By then, Xue Qinghe had arranged people who could escort Ning Tianchen away at any time.
During this period, Zhang Erhe and Zhao Wuji successfully befriended the merchant and recruited him as a member of the Shadow Guards.
People from all walks of life were a great help in intelligence work. Zhang Erhe also separately recruited the owner of an underground casino as a member of the team.
The remaining task was to test these individuals' loyalty before officially beginning to gather intelligence.
On this day, after finishing their official duties, Xue Qinghe said, "Tianchen, wait here for a moment. I'll have something to discuss with you shortly."
With that, Xue Qinghe hurriedly left the study and headed toward the pavilion in the courtyard.
The pavilion was surrounded by gauze curtains, through which three figures could be vaguely seen, though their identities remained unclear.
From their silhouettes, they appeared to be three men.
Ning Tianchen leaned against the window of the study, lost in thought.
To protect the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect from the Spirit Hall, he needed to speak with Xue Qinghe about his true identity.
But how could he directly expose the other party's identity?
If he did, there was no guarantee he'd leave the Crown Prince's residence alive. Even if Xue Qinghe agreed to negotiate, Ning Tianchen would be at a disadvantage.
After much deliberation, he concluded that only if Xue Qinghe voluntarily revealed his identity could they smoothly discuss the matter in the future.
However, for Ning Tianchen, the Spirit Hall's soul-hunting operation was still five years away—time was running out.
He couldn't possibly wait until just before the Spirit Hall's operation to ask Xue Qinghe to protect the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. Even if Xue Qinghe wanted to help, what could he realistically do in a single day?
---
The three people in the pavilion were none other than Qingluan Douluo, Snake Spear, and Porcupinefish Douluo, who guarded Xue Qinghe.
"Young Master, are you really sure about this?" She Long asked with some concern. (She Long is Snake Spear Douluo's name)
What Xue Qinghe was about to do wasn't anything else—it was revealing his identity to Ning Tianchen and attempting to recruit him.
This was a high-risk decision.
Once his true identity was exposed, unless Ning Tianchen genuinely wished to join Xue Qinghe's side, the moment he left the Crown Prince's residence, Xue Qinghe would be finished.
The worst-case scenario was that Ning Tianchen might pretend to comply and then inform Emperor Xue Ye and Ning Fengzhi after leaving the residence.
If it came to a fight, even the combined forces of 97th-rank Sword Dust Heart, 96th-rank Gu Rong, and Ning Fengzhi's support wouldn't be enough to protect Xue Qinghe.
Moreover, would they dare harm Ning Tianchen if he refused?
Ning Tianchen was personally arranged by Ning Fengzhi. If he disappeared, suspicion would immediately fall on Xue Qinghe. This would still be detrimental to them. It was even possible that Ning Fengzhi might shift his support to Crown Prince Xue Bao.
Xue Qinghe solemnly stated, "Such a genius will surely draw the attention of that woman. This time, she sent a Soul Sage; next time, it might be a Soul Douluo, and the time after that, perhaps Gui Mei himself."
"Only by bringing him under my command can I ensure his safety."
Ci Xue was astonished. "Young Master, why are you concerned about an outsider? He belongs to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect—he would never join the Spirit Hall, let alone serve under you. Such a genius must have pride; how could he willingly submit to someone else?" (Ci Xue is Porcupinefish Douluo's name)
Seeing Qingluan Douluo remain silent, She Long and Ci Xue repeatedly signaled to him with their eyes.
"Third Grandfather, do you disapprove as well?" Xue Qinghe asked.
Having been called out, Qingluan Douluo fell silent for a moment.
This matter was of great importance—he couldn't afford to be ambiguous.
After mentally calculating various outcomes, he slowly spoke. "I believe we can approach this from another angle."
"Third Elder, you mustn't act rashly! Young Master has spent years infiltrating the Tiandou Empire—how can he risk everything for an insignificant person?" She Long and Ci Xue quickly tried to dissuade him.
Qingluan Douluo raised his hand to calm them and continued, "These past few days, while handling official matters with Young Master, Ning Tianchen's ideas have aligned with Young Master's vision. Why not start from this aspect?"
"For someone like him, it doesn't matter who sits on the throne—as long as he sees the people living in peace, he will protect that tranquility."
"I believe that even if Young Master reveals his true identity, as long as he explains his intentions clearly, he might gain Ning Tianchen's support without having to pay any price."
Xue Qinghe was deeply moved.
Indeed, Ning Tianchen's views in many areas coincided with his own.
The compassion Ning Tianchen displayed wasn't just a facade—it was his genuine belief.
Seizing control of the Tiandou Empire wasn't his ultimate goal; unifying the continent was.
What was certain now was that with Ning Tianchen's talent, even if he didn't become the sect leader of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect in the future, he would undoubtedly influence its decisions.
With the support of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and the Spirit Hall, and having secured the Tiandou Empire, the unification of the continent would be unstoppable. The remaining factions were nothing but small fry!
With this in mind, Xue Qinghe clarified his goals.
She Long and Ci Xue sighed repeatedly, neither optimistic about this decision. However, since Qingluan Douluo and Young Master had made a joint decision, they couldn't object.
Next, they discussed many details and contingency plans for various scenarios.
About an hour later, Xue Qinghe returned.
During this time, Ning Tianchen had been deep in thought.
"Brother Xue, the Office of Public Grievances just delivered some memorials—I've already handled them. Take a look?" Ning Tianchen pushed the stack of documents forward.
Xue Qinghe didn't reach for them but smiled faintly. "You're even more diligent than me. If circumstances allowed, I sincerely hope you could take on the role of Crown Prince."
Ning Tianchen didn't respond but instead chuckled. "Brother Xue flatters me. I just figured, since I'm idle anyway, I might as well pass the time by reading some memorials."
Xue Qinghe placed his left hand on Ning Tianchen's shoulder and patted it gently. "Come with me—I have an important matter to discuss with you."
With that, he turned and walked toward the study door.
Ning Tianchen followed, puzzled. "What could be so serious that we need to discuss it in the palace?"
Xue Qinghe didn't reply but led Ning Tianchen toward a secret chamber.
Ning Tianchen grew wary.
In the Crown Prince's residence, aside from him as an outsider, everyone else belonged to the Spirit Hall.
If it were a secret of the Tiandou Empire, Xue Qinghe wouldn't avoid these people. But if it were a secret of the Spirit Hall, why bring him to the secret chamber?
Was this something he should hear?
Suddenly, Ning Tianchen's eyebrows furrowed.
Given the situation, there was only one possibility—the other party wanted to lay all their cards on the table.
If that were the case, unless he joined the Spirit Hall, it would be difficult for him to leave the chamber alive.
Joining the Spirit Hall was out of the question for him—he wouldn't become a lackey serving two masters.
For a moment, he was torn, involuntarily slowing his pace.
This was the best opportunity to come face-to-face with Qian Renxue. Whether or not he could protect the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect depended on this moment. However, whether he could handle Qian Renxue's demands was still uncertain.
Entering the dimly lit chamber, the only light came from oil lamps on the walls. The seemingly endless chamber made Ning Tianchen feel as though this was the longest journey of his life.
His suspicions weighed heavily on his mind, causing him immense distress.
As the chamber door slowly closed, Xue Qinghe's appearance began to change. His short black hair gradually turned golden, and long hair cascaded down like a waterfall, draping over his shoulders.
Her figure gradually became slimmer, and the luxurious robe of the Crown Prince slowly fell away, revealing a golden, gilded dress.
After entering a room, she slowly turned around, her appearance completely transformed—there was no trace of Xue Qinghe left.
Ning Tianchen stopped in his tracks, not the least bit interested in admiring her beauty. With a bitter smile, he said, "So, you've decided to stop pretending altogether? Showing me your true face—is this so I can die with clarity?"
Qian Renxue didn't seem surprised. "As expected, you suspected my identity. Tell me, where did I slip up?"
Her voice carried a hint of laziness, deep and enchanting, making it hard for anyone to refuse her.
Ning Tianchen relaxed his demeanor, leaning against the wall beside him, and spoke calmly. "It's simple—you never go to places men typically frequent. Of course, the persona of Xue Qinghe you've created wouldn't go to such places either. But as a man, your level of self-discipline doesn't resemble that of a Crown Prince—it feels more like preparation for rebellion. Yet, you've never planned to rebel. Moreover, you've never favored any woman."
"This leaves endless room for speculation about your situation. If it were me, I'd suspect either that you have issues in that department—or that you're not a man at all."
These words were just offhand remarks—he couldn't exactly say he had a godlike perspective, could he?
A faint smile appeared on Qian Renxue's lips, and a spark of enthusiasm lit up in her eyes. "You're not only gifted in cultivation but also possess an unusual way of thinking."
After all, who would normally deduce such suspicions from these small details?
Even Emperor Xue Ye had never suspected that Xue Qinghe might rebel.
"I admire you," Qian Renxue said. "Join us. The hundred-thousand-year soul bones you asked that woman for—you can pick whichever you want from my collection."
Ning Tianchen couldn't help but marvel at her boldness.
Hundred-thousand-year soul rings and soul bones were coveted even by Super Douluo-level powerhouses. Yet, coming from her mouth, they sounded as worthless as cabbages at a market.
Of course, this made sense.
Qian Renxue needed to fuse six Angel soul bones—hundred-thousand-year soul bones were beneath her notice.
Could any soul bone compare to a divine-level one?
Ning Tianchen chuckled faintly and shrugged. "Are you really that capable? Who are you, and what faction do you represent?"
"My name is Qian Renxue, and I belong to the Spirit Hall. However, I'm not part of the Pope's Palace—I have nothing to do with that madwoman."
Qian Renxue continued, "I can tell that you're deeply dissatisfied with the empire's rule. Since we share the same goal, why can't we support each other?"
Ning Tianchen countered, "So, your method of achieving your goal is to seize control of the Tiandou Empire and build a new super empire on its foundation?"
Qian Renxue neither confirmed nor denied. "We can achieve our ideals together. And my promises are always valid."
Ning Tianchen knew that everything she did was for the Spirit Hall, to seize power from Bibi Dong. Therefore, her intentions weren't pure.
He certainly wouldn't agree to join her side, but cooperation was something worth considering.
"How can I trust that you'll help me obtain hundred-thousand-year soul rings and soul bones? I can sense the powerful light force within you, but forgive me for being blunt—your aura hasn't reached the Soul Douluo level yet."
"Boy, the promises made by our Young Master have never been broken. Are you doubting our abilities?"
With that, She Long and Ci Xue emerged from the shadows, standing behind Qian Renxue.
Ning Tianchen feigned astonishment. "Title Douluos!"
Qian Renxue spread her arms and spoke confidently, "The strength of Grandpa Snake and Grandpa Porcupinefish is more than enough to restrain a hundred-thousand-year soul beast. However, this isn't the full extent of my forces."
"The one who attacked Yu Xiaogang and his group during the Soul Master Tournament was my second granduncle—a powerhouse at level 98. Is such a strong expert enough to hunt a hundred-thousand-year soul beast?"
Of course, it was more than enough.
The strength of a hundred-thousand-year soul beast was roughly equivalent to a level-95 Title Douluo. However, soul beasts had far superior physical attributes compared to human soul masters. At the same level, soul beasts often performed at a level higher than soul masters.
A level-98 Title Douluo could easily handle not just one hundred-thousand-year soul beast but three simultaneously.
Ning Tianchen said, "If you have the authority to make decisions, that's good. However, joining your side is clearly impossible."
"You—" Ci Xue was about to flare up in anger but was stopped by Qian Renxue.
"Let him continue."
Ning Tianchen spoke leisurely. "Mutual benefit through cooperation—that's what I can accept, and it's my bottom line. For cooperation to work, we must discuss matters on equal footing."
"Hmph, boy, do you know who you're talking to?" She Long sneered but showed no intention of teaching him a lesson.
Qian Renxue's eyes sparkled with admiration. "Courageous indeed. Tell me, how do you propose this cooperation will work?"
Ning Tianchen had already prepared his response in his mind before speaking. "Simple. You help me, I help you—mutual support for mutual progress."
She Long wasn't optimistic about this cooperation.
The premise of cooperation was that both parties were on equal footing. The Spirit Hall was the largest power on the continent, while Ning Tianchen was merely a disciple of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect—not qualified to cooperate with them.
However, Qian Renxue's response and actions were astonishing.
"Then let's have a pleasant cooperation."
With that, she extended her right hand.
Ning Tianchen shook it, and the stone that had been weighing on his heart finally lifted.
Taking the first step made future conversations much easier.
Qian Renxue asked, "Since we're allies, shouldn't we share information with each other?"
Ning Tianchen nodded.
Qian Renxue then asked the question that had long been on her mind: "Who came up with the decision for the Seven Treasures Mall?"
"This seems unrelated to our cooperation!" Ning Tianchen reminded her.
Seeing her determined stance, he shrugged. "Alright, I proposed the general framework to Uncle Ning Fengzhi. As for the details, many of them had nothing to do with me."
Qian Renxue's eyebrows unconsciously rose, and She Long and Ci Xue exchanged glances, their eyes filled with undisguised shock.
The Seven Treasures Mall scheme was the most unsolvable stratagem to appear on the continent in the past twenty years—no contest.
It had even been included in the Spirit Hall's training manuals. Every soul master above Soul Sage rank within the Spirit Hall was required to study the strategies and solutions contained within this stratagem.
As long as people harbored greed, this stratagem would remain unsolvable, a veritable plan for harvesting leeks (easy targets).
Before the Seven Treasures Mall opened, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had sold countless low-end goods and shops in remote areas at high prices, amassing enormous profits.
Yet, just a few years ago, Ning Tianchen was only twelve years old. At such a young age, how could he orchestrate such a world-shaking stratagem? Could he possibly be an ordinary person?
Of course, Ning Fengzhi also played a role. But without Ning Tianchen's proposed framework, Ning Fengzhi would have had nowhere to channel his efforts.
"So, it was you. Heh, this is the foundation of our cooperation."
Ning Tianchen blinked, feeling somewhat at a loss.
Wasn't it just creating a commercial center artificially? Was it really necessary to react this strongly?
He didn't understand others' perspectives, so such thoughts were perfectly normal.
From the shadows, Qingluan Douluo couldn't help but sigh. "Young Master, you've been seen through—don't promise anything else."
Someone capable of proposing such a stratagem could easily see through the naïve Qian Renxue—it was child's play.
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