Shen Hanyu and the Snow Empress stood at the periphery of the crowd. They couldn't clearly see the specific situation inside, but they could vaguely hear some muffled voices.
Amidst the clinking and swaying of wine glasses, the atmosphere was quite relaxed and cheerful. Many noble young ladies with swaying postures approached Shen Hanyu's direction, holding wine glasses, but when they got close, they were all scared away by the icy aura emanating from the Snow Empress.
Shen Hanyu took a sip of the slightly bitter wine, looking at the lively scene, and said with some amusement:
"This doesn't feel like a birthday banquet at all. It's more like a conference for nobles to solidify their interests. Everyone here has their own purposes, they're all thousand-year-old foxes, each with deeper schemes than the last."
The Snow Empress slightly frowned and said:
"When are we leaving?"
She didn't like such occasions. Compared to bustle and splendor, she actually preferred being alone with Shen Hanyu.
Shen Hanyu tilted his head back and drank the last sip of wine, then said:
"Let's take the three girls and go. This kind of occasion isn't suitable for them."
The Snow Empress nodded slightly and was led by Shen Hanyu as they walked toward the other side.
Qian Renxue, who was mingling in the venue, caught sight of the two leaving, and her eyes flickered. She then whispered something into the ear of the maid beside her, after which the maid quickly left the banquet hall from the rear.
At the same time, another gaze locked onto Shen Hanyu and the Snow Empress.
It was a young figure with orange-red long hair and a rather handsome, clean appearance. However, his Playboy aura, combined with an arrogant, eyes-above-all expression, made him somewhat distasteful.
The Fourth Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Beng.
A prince skilled at disguising himself with some cunning. Although he disguised himself this way due to pressure from Qian Renxue, the evil deeds he committed could no longer be excused as a mere disguise. It could only be said that while pretending, he had also exposed the deepest evil in his heart. His reputation in the Heaven Dou Empire had practically rotted into the sewers.
Beside him stood a white-haired old man with a somewhat sinister and fierce appearance, dressed in the grand red ceremonial robe befitting a prince, his eyes filled with calculation and strategy.
"Uncle, those two..."
Xue Beng turned around, but his gaze didn't fall on Prince Xue Xing. Instead, it was fixed firmly on Qian Renxue, who was engaged in pleasant conversation in the distance.
Prince Xue Xing pressed down on Xue Beng's shoulder and said in a low voice:
"Those two have no simple identities. Informants report that they have deep connections with Tianshui Academy and are very likely the even stronger Titled Douluo. As for that woman, there is still no information about her, but she is absolutely not a simple character either."
If Shen Hanyu knew they were describing him this way, he would probably have serious doubts about their intelligence network.
Ever since his battle with Sword Douluo, he had almost stopped hiding his existence and had fully appeared in the continent's view. Although reliable and accurate information was pitifully scarce, the top forces had still learned some things.
A glint flashed in Xue Beng's eyes as he said:
"Can they be used by us?"
A trace of mockery appeared in Prince Xue Xing's eyes before he said solemnly:
"What capital do you think you have to make a Titled Douluo work for you? Did everything I taught you go toward women?"
If he truly had no other choice, he absolutely wouldn't have chosen this brainless Xue Beng.
Xue Beng subconsciously said:
"But Uncle, can't you command Poison Douluo?"
Prince Xue Xing's expression grew even darker.
In the past two years, Dugu Bo's attitude had become increasingly cold. If not for the debt of saving his life still binding them, given Dugu Bo's personality, he would have long turned against them.
A single life-saving favor was clearly no longer enough to maintain their cooperative relationship. A breakup was only a matter of time.
"Don't mention this matter again. Remember, never speak of what I told you to any outsider, understand? If you reveal even the slightest abnormality, not even I can protect your life..."
Prince Xue Xing said gravely.
Xue Beng responded in a low voice, but his gaze couldn't help drifting toward the direction where Shen Hanyu and the Snow Empress had left.
...
After some searching, Shen Hanyu finally found Shui Bing'er and the other two girls among a group of young men and women.
The three girls stood out greatly among their peers, giving off a feeling of standing out like cranes among chickens.
Other acquaintances nearby, such as Feng Xiaotian and the others, were also staying with their own teammates, rarely interacting with these noble youths from Heaven Dou City or other regions.
Shen Hanyu sensed a gaze filled with hostility falling on him. Glancing from the corner of his eye, he found it was another familiar face.
Deep purple short hair, enchanting temperament, tall figure, it was none other than Dugu Yan.
Shen Hanyu raised an eyebrow. If he remembered correctly, he had only met this woman once.
Looking at the young man she was holding, with black short hair and a heroic face, his aura was powerful yet calm, giving off a dangerous feeling.
Thunder spirit power combined with draconic aura, if nothing unexpected, this was Yu Tianheng.
Dugu Yan's gaze remained fixed on him, and even Yu Tianheng was staring intently at Shen Hanyu with clear hostility.
Shen Hanyu directly ignored the two. His relationship with Dugu Yan wasn't deep; he had previously given her two immortal herbs, raising her martial soul to the Snake Emperor level and further improving her cultivation talent. Now her soul power was at the Soul Ancestor level, even higher than Yu Tianheng's.
As for why Yu Tianheng felt hostility toward him, Shen Hanyu couldn't care less. Now, even if Yu Tianzhen came, he couldn't do anything to him, let alone a mere Yu Tianheng.
When the three girls saw Shen Hanyu and the Snow Empress, they all gathered over. Shen Hanyu cleared his throat and said:
"There's nothing here for us. Let's go."
Joy appeared on the three girls' faces as they nodded in agreement. The other four members of the Tianshui team were chatting with several girls off to the side, seeming quite sociable. Shen Hanyu didn't disturb them and led the Snow Empress and the three girls toward the palace exit.
Random movement within the imperial palace was not allowed, especially at such a special time, yet Shen Hanyu and the others encountered no obstructions on their way out—it was completely unimpeded.
Near the palace gate, a woman dressed as a maid suddenly appeared and blocked their path.
"Young Master Shen, my Highness has something to give you and asked me to convey that you can find him with this token for any matter..."
The little maid respectfully handed a golden token engraved with a swan to Shen Hanyu.
Shen Hanyu raised an eyebrow, accepted the token, and nodded.
The little maid didn't linger, gave a slight curtsy, and slowly departed.
Shen Hanyu toyed with the cool golden token in his hand. Cold energy gathered at his fingertip, forcing out an extremely fine strand of golden soul power, which then slowly dissipated.
Shui Bing'er and the other two girls looked at each other, curiously staring at the golden token...
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