Chapter 179: The Shy Qian Renxue
Xue Beng was taken away, and Bishop Salas, having no intention of further provoking Emperor Xue Ye's anger, also departed.
A prince participating in the actions of evil soul masters—should word of this spread, Emperor Xue Ye's troubles would be endless. Salas had no intention of keeping it secret for him.
Once all the people from Wuhun Hall had left, Emperor Xue Ye struck his fist hard against the wall beside him, as if trying to vent his fury.
After a long while, he picked up the book again.
Blood Demon Ritual—those four scarlet characters seemed to possess a strange allure.
Emperor Xue Ye narrowed his eyes slightly, silently storing the book into his soul tool.
Not far away, hidden in the shadows, Luo Ling watched this scene, a wicked smile curling on his lips.
A prince could be an evil soul master—so could an emperor.
…
At Blue Tyrant Academy, the final round of the promotion tournament had ended, with Shen Feng Academy emerging victorious.
Tang San had already returned early, anxiously waiting for Yu Xiaogang's return.
Before long, Yu Xiaogang, Flender, and Zhao Wuji came back to the academy.
Seeing Yu Xiaogang, Tang San's face lit up. "Teacher, did you succeed?" he asked eagerly.
Yu Xiaogang nodded. "There were some complications, but overall, it went smoothly."
"Xiaogang," Flender suddenly spoke up, "earlier, at the prison—you said Xue Beng was one of us. What did you mean by that?"
He had wanted to ask earlier on the way back. Xue Beng was a student of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, and they had even clashed at its gates once.
"Xue Beng?" Tang San paused upon hearing the name.
Yu Xiaogang sighed and recounted everything that had happened outside the prison.
"So, the so-called Original God chose Xue Beng, wanting to help him ascend to the throne and use that to expand the Original God Sect's influence?"
Tang San and the others exchanged baffled glances. They couldn't understand why the Original God would choose a useless, spoiled prince like Xue Beng.
Was it simply because of his royal status? If one wanted to support a prince, wasn't Crown Prince Xue Qinghe the better choice?
But then Tang San shook his head. The crown prince was the disciple of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's master—if the Original God had chosen him, it would have been detrimental instead.
After all, Luo Ling was a member of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
"That's how it is," Yu Xiaogang nodded, "but Xue Beng was likely caught by now."
"He won't expose us, will he?" Tang San asked with a frown.
"He shouldn't know our identities. Flender, Zhao Wuji, and I all wore masks."
Yu Xiaogang shook his head, then quickly added, "Enough about that. We've already secured the prisoners from the jail—let's begin your sacrifice ceremony, Tang San!"
…
As Tang San began his preparations for the sacrifice, Luo Ling arrived at the Crown Prince's mansion.
Qian Renxue received him personally.
What had happened at Wuhun Hall's prison had already reached her ears: Xue Beng had been imprisoned and proven to have connections with the evil soul master group responsible for the raid.
The obstacle standing between her and Xue Qinghe's succession was gone. Now, all she had to do was wait for Emperor Xue Ye's death to rightfully inherit the throne.
"How did you pull it off? Xue Beng really had ties with that so-called Original God?" Qian Renxue was puzzled. She never believed that foolish prince would truly dare associate with such forces.
This was clearly Luo Ling's handiwork.
"Did you forget my sixth soul skill?" Luo Ling smiled and took a sip of tea.
"Your sixth soul skill?" Qian Renxue blinked, then realized. "You mean—the illusion?"
Luo Ling nodded. A strange crimson gleam flashed in his eyes, and in an instant, their surroundings melted away, replaced by an endless darkness.
In that darkness, a shadowy phantom floated midair.
"I am the Original God! Become my follower!"
"I can grant you everything you desire—power, wealth, authority, even eternal life!"
The voice from the phantom was irresistible, full of seductive power. For a moment, Qian Renxue couldn't tell illusion from reality.
A few seconds later, the darkness shattered like broken glass, and they were back in her room.
Coming to her senses, Qian Renxue gasped in awe. "That's a terrifying ability."
She hadn't noticed at all that what she saw had been illusion. To plunge someone unknowingly into such a dreamscape—it was frightening indeed.
Luo Ling only smiled silently.
"So, the Original God Sect was actually founded by Yu Xiaogang?" Qian Renxue asked again.
"That's right." Luo Ling nodded.
"You're not involved in it, are you?" she asked meaningfully, giving him a long look.
His mastery of illusion was too practiced, his knowledge of the sect's inner workings too precise, and his cultivation speed far too fast—it was suspicious.
"Don't compare me with trash like Yu Xiaogang," Luo Ling said dismissively.
"The Original God Sect was founded by Yu Xiaogang. Behind it are him, Flender, and Zhao Wuji."
"I've never used the sacrificial ritual—and I have no need to."
"As for how I know their secrets…"
He paused, then smiled faintly.
"It's simple—every move Yu Xiaogang makes is under my surveillance."
"Surveillance?" Qian Renxue asked in shock.
"Exactly." Luo Ling's smile deepened, and there was something in it that made Qian Renxue feel uneasy.
"That's enough for now," he said casually, waving a hand to change the subject. "Since I've already taken care of Xue Beng for you, as promised—how will you thank me?"
Luo Ling stood and stepped closer to her, their faces only inches apart.
Qian Renxue's cheeks flushed crimson. Avoiding his gaze, she stammered, "What… what do you want?"
"Shall we try merging together?" Luo Ling whispered beside her ear.
Qian Renxue's eyes widened in shock, and she immediately pushed him away.
"Pervert!" she snapped, her face even redder than before.
Luo Ling's smile widened further—she had misunderstood on her own, but he found her reaction amusing.
And her shyness wasn't born from anger. In Luo Ling's eyes, she wasn't truly resisting; instead, she seemed unconsciously drawn to him.
This was the subtle influence of his martial soul—anyone who spent time with him would unknowingly grow fond of him.
"What are you embarrassed about? I meant—don't you want to try a Martial Soul Fusion technique with me?" Luo Ling teased, shrugging with a playful grin.
Qian Renxue froze entirely.
(END CHAPTER)
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