After settling his affairs in the chat group, Wu Tong bid farewell and withdrew his consciousness. He hadn't forgotten today's main agenda.
"Young Master, His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived."
The voice of maid Xiao Yun reached Wu Tong's ears just as he exited the chat interface. His eyes lit up with barely contained excitement upon hearing the news.
The spirit beasts I requested have finally arrived!
In one fluid motion, Wu Tong flipped off his recliner and turned to Xiao Yun. "Where is Brother Xue now?"
Startled by his sudden movement, Xiao Yun quickly composed herself. "Young Master, His Highness is waiting for you at the training grounds."
Without another word, Wu Tong strode toward the training field located in the right wing of the front courtyard.
...
Soon, Wu Tong arrived at his private training facility. Noticing the slightly ajar doors, he pushed them open without hesitation.
Inside, a golden-haired young man stood with his back turned, circling the workout equipment while making appreciative noises.
Watching Xue Qinghe's silhouette move between the machines, Wu Tong's imagination momentarily ran wild—the prince's figure superimposed with his true form:
Fitness Instructor Version of Qian Renxue.jpg
Shudder
Wu Tong violently shook his head to dispel the mental image.
Seeing that Xue Qinghe hadn't noticed his arrival, Wu Tong called out, "Brother Xue!"
"Ah, Brother Wu Tong, you're here."
Recognizing the address, Xue Qinghe turned with a smile that confirmed Wu Tong's identity.
"Brother Xue, could we... change how you address me? That title always feels awkward."
Wu Tong's expression darkened slightly. The unnatural formality had grated on him for years, but only now did he have the standing to request a change.
"Very well." Xue Qinghe acquiesced without protest.
There was history behind this peculiar address. Three years ago, Wu Tong had offended Xue Qinghe, who retaliated by adopting this stilted form of address to needle him. At the time, lacking both influence and power, Wu Tong had no choice but to endure it. Over time, it became habitual.
After Wu Tong became a Trial Candidate, Xue Qinghe had intended to normalize their address but lacked an appropriate opportunity. Wu Tong's request provided the perfect opening.
"Good, that's settled then."
Wu Tong exhaled in relief, missing the fleeting amusement in Xue Qinghe's eyes.
"Brother Xue, what do you think of my training facility?"
Noticing how Xue Qinghe lingered by the equipment—clearly waiting for an explanation—Wu Tong found the prince's curiosity somewhat endearing.
"Brother Tong's ingenuity never fails to impress. If I'm not mistaken, each apparatus serves a distinct training purpose? Combined, they must provide comprehensive physical conditioning."
Xue Qinghe's royal upbringing had honed his discernment. Just from their designs, he could deduce each machine's function, deepening his appreciation for Wu Tong's intellect.
Brother Tong?
Wu Tong stiffened momentarily before relaxing.
Well... it's still better than "Brother Wu Tong."
Adopting an expression of approval, Wu Tong launched into explanations: "Exactly right. This barbell trains upper body strength, the pull-up bar develops forearm power, the treadmill enhances leg muscles..."
Xue Qinghe nodded attentively throughout the demonstration, the two falling into an oddly harmonious rhythm.
Only after completing the tour did Wu Tong remember his original purpose. When Xue Qinghe showed no initiative, he broached the subject directly: "Brother Xue, about the spirit beasts you promised..."
Xue Qinghe started slightly. "My apologies. These training apparatuses quite distracted me from my main purpose."
With a wave of his hand, the prince's spatial soul tool glowed, depositing two spirit beasts onto the open training ground.
Wu Tong's gaze sharpened. A flower and a cicada lay half-dead on the floor.
The flower was utterly black—petals, stamens, sepals, stem, roots, even the sap oozing from its wounds—yet paradoxically, upon closer inspection, the blackness seemed to contain every color imaginable, distinctly layered.
No mistake. The Voidbloom Flower—exactly as described in ancient texts: a black that contains all colors.
This unique characteristic had seared itself into Wu Tong's memory.
"Multicolored black... five vein patterns on the petals... a fifty-thousand-year Voidbloom."
Having verified the flower, Wu Tong turned his attention to the cicada—and winced at its pitiful state.
Its razor-sharp mouthparts had been severed at the base, eliminating its offensive capability. Fresh wounds marked its head where horns had been broken off, golden ichor still seeping from the injuries.
The cicada's most striking feature—wings that shimmered with iridescent beauty like crafted jewels—were now crisscrossed with sword scars, rendering them useless. All six legs had been amputated, leaving it unable to stand. Nine ghastly puncture wounds marred its body.
Yet despite these grievous injuries, the creature clung stubbornly to life.
Wu Tong felt no particular sympathy—it was just a spirit beast, after all. His focus remained on identification.
"Hexagonal eye pattern... golden exoskeleton... seven-colored wings, translucent and thin—legendary speed... jade-like cranial horn... six-foot tail... sixty-thousand years old."
His examination complete, Wu Tong confirmed this was indeed the Spirit Treasure Cicada he sought—an exceptionally rare sixty-thousand-year specimen at that.
"Magnificent! A genuine Voidbloom and Spirit Treasure Cicada. My deepest thanks, Brother Xue."
Unable to contain his joy, Wu Tong offered sincere gratitude.
Xue Qinghe waved off the thanks with princely grace. "No need for formalities. We both know I'm here for the promised compensation."