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About ten minutes later, Tang Chuan was led into a spacious and bright reception hall. The room was around one hundred square meters, with a floor made of large celadon jade tiles polished to a mirror shine. Four carved wooden screens stood in the corners, and the simple furnishings gave the hall a sense of royal grandeur.
"Esteemed guest, please wait. His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, will be here shortly," the guard said respectfully after leading Tang Chuan inside. He bowed slightly, exited the hall, and gently closed the door.
Tang Chuan quickly looked around before sitting in a chair. A moment later, he heard steady, unhurried footsteps from outside the door. The door opened, and a young man in a golden-edged robe walked in. The man had short golden hair tied back and a handsome, gentle face. It was Qian Renxue, disguised as Xue Qinghe.
"Brother Tang, long time no see. I apologize for making you wait," Qian Renxue said with a smile, a subtle glint in her eyes as she looked at Tang Chuan.
"Brother Xue, it's been a while," Tang Chuan replied, immediately standing up. He cupped his hands slightly, his expression respectful but natural.
Qian Renxue smiled and waved her hand. "Brother Tang, there's no need to be so formal. We don't have to be so reserved with each other."
She walked to the main seat and sat down, her gaze on Tang Chuan, her tone curious. "However, Brother Tang, how did you know I was the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire?"
Tang Chuan's lips curved slightly, and he explained with a smile, "That's not a difficult thing to figure out. When I enrolled, I often heard Teacher Sun Buyu mention the words 'Your Highness' many times.
In the Heaven Dou Empire, there are only two people who are respectfully called 'Your Highness': one is Xue Beng, who I beat on my first day. The identity of the other person is naturally not hard to guess." A playful smile touched his eyes as he spoke.
Qian Renxue was slightly startled, then she laughed heartily, clapping her hands. "What a Brother Tang, truly quick-witted and observant."
She then grew more serious. "But you didn't come here today just to talk, did you? What's the purpose of your visit?"
"Actually, it's nothing major," Tang Chuan said, making up a story. "I've recently become interested in pharmacology. My spirit is the Blue Silver Grass, and I have a certain healing ability. I thought I'd try to combine that with medicine.
But I know very little about the medicinal herbs on the continent, especially some Heaven and Earth Treasures, which I only halfway understand. I've searched through all the books in the academy's library but haven't found a single book that systematically records this kind of information.
So I thought, Brother Xue, you are widely experienced and have a rich collection of books, so perhaps I could ask you for a medicinal record about Heaven and Earth Treasures to look at."
Qian Renxue frowned slightly, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes. "Suddenly studying pharmacology? And wanting to read books about Heaven and Earth Treasuresā¦" Her intuition told her that Tang Chuan probably wasn't just simply interested in learning medicine.
However, she didn't let her thoughts show. Instead, she nodded slightly and replied in a gentle tone, "So that's what this is about. Brother Tang truly has an extraordinary heart-nature. You're not just focused on cultivating your spirit, but are also thinking about how to broaden its potential. I'm impressed."
Qian Renxue paused, a hint of regret in her tone. "However... you really asked at a good time. Although I have many books, I don't currently have any that specifically detail Heaven and Earth Treasures.
But if you truly need it, I can send someone to help you look for it. As long as it exists, I will definitely find a way to get it for you and then send someone to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy to deliver it. How does that sound?"
"Then, thank you very much, Brother Xue." Hearing this, Tang Chuan's eyes lit up with joy, and he stood up and cupped his hands. His purpose in coming here was to bet that Qian Renxue would definitely have a way.
With the foundation of Spirit Hall, how could they not have books about Heaven and Earth Treasures? Even if Spirit Hall didn't, there was still Chrysanthemum Douluo. He would definitely have books about Heaven and Earth Treasures.
"No need to thank me; saying thank you between us is too formal." Qian Renxue waved her hand.
Just then, Tang Chuan lightly stroked his soul tool, and with a flash of light, he took out an exquisite, pale-golden brocade box.
"Hmm? What is this?" Seeing this, Qian Renxue raised an eyebrow, showing some confusion.
Tang Chuan handed her the brocade box, laughing in a relaxed tone. "This is some dried rabbit meat I made myself. You once said in the Star Dou Great Forest that my roasted rabbit meat was good. I thought, since I'm coming to ask you for a favor, I couldn't come empty-handed, so I made some new snacks for you to try."
"Dried rabbit meat?" Taking the brocade box, Qian Renxue gently lifted the lid, and a fragrant aroma wafted out. Inside, neatly arranged, were dark brown pieces of dried meat, each meticulously cut and subtly glistening with oil.
"Brother Tang, I didn't expect you to have such a soft spot for rabbit meat," Qian Renxue said with a slight curve to her lips, picking up a piece of dried rabbit meat to tease him.
"If you don't like it, I'll switch to roasted chicken next time," Tang Chuan said with a faint smile.
"Like it? Why wouldn't I like it?" Qian Renxue chuckled, picked up a piece, and slowly chewed it. Immediately, a tender and mellow flavor spread between her lips and teeth. The meat was firm but not dry, fragrant but not greasy, leaving a lingering taste.
"Hmm? The taste really is good. Your craftsmanship is wasted on being a Spirit Master; becoming a chef would be most promising."
"A Spirit Master has to eat, too. You can only fight on a full stomach," Tang Chuan said with a serious expression and a playful shrug. "Don't you agree? Hahaha."
After that, the two of them sipped tea and chatted, the atmosphere relaxed and natural, filled with laughter.
Half an hour later, Tang Chuan slowly walked out of the Crown Prince's mansion. His face was calm, his steps were steady, and he departed directly.
Meanwhile, in the reception hall, Qian Renxue sat alone in the main seat, lightly stroking a teacup, her gaze fixed on the tea, seemingly lost in thought.
A moment later, a golden light flickered slightly before her, and a man in a golden robe with a spear suddenly appeared. It was Snake Lance Douluo.
"Young Lord," Snake Lance Douluo said respectfully, kneeling on one knee.
Qian Renxue slightly raised her eyes. "Go back to Spirit City and find Elder Yue Guan. Tell him I need to borrow his Immortal Grade Treasure Record."
"Understood, Your Highness." Hearing this, Snake Lance Douluo was slightly startled, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he just nodded silently. His figure flickered and, like a golden streak, he disappeared instantly.
At the same time, on the other side, Tang Chuan was walking back to Heaven Dou Royal Academy. The sky was getting late, and pedestrians on the street were sparse. He chose a secluded path leading to the back gate of the academy. This path was flanked by high walls and dense vegetation. A cool breeze occasionally rustled the leaves.
Suddenly, Tang Chuan's steps halted. His body subtly trembled, and he felt an inexplicable chill rise from the soles of his feet, spreading up his spine and making him shiver.
"It's summer now, why would I feel cold?" he thought. "No, someone's here?"
He frowned and looked around. The path was silent, but the air was cold and oppressive, as if something was secretly watching.
And at that moment, Tang Chuan suddenly noticed a person standing about ten meters ahead of himāan old man in a green robe. His eyes were as cold as a venomous snake's, making it difficult to look directly at him.
Seeing the newcomer, Tang Chuan's expression tensed. "Dugu Bo?! Why would he suddenly come looking for me? I haven't even been to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well yet."
Before he could think further, Dugu Bo's cold, deep voice rang out. "Boy, are you the one who told my granddaughter you could cure the poison in her body?"
"Yes, Senior, this junior did indeed say that..." Tang Chuan did not panic. He nodded gently and cupped his hands slightly.
He had not finished speaking when Dugu Bo, with a flash of green light, appeared before him like a ghost. A terrifying spirit power pressure emanated from Dugu Bo's body and crashed down on Tang Chuan.
It felt like Mount Tai pressing down on him, causing the space to momentarily stagnate. Tang Chuan felt his internal organs violently shake, as if struck by a heavy hammer. His knees went weak, and he nearly knelt down, finding it extremely difficult to even speak.
"You have a close relationship with Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, and I am a guest of Prince Xue Xing." Dugu Bo's snake-like eyes stared fixedly at Tang Chuan. His voice was cold, deep, and bone-chilling. "Tell me, why should I believe you're not trying to harm my granddaughter?"