Heaven Dou City was one of the Douluo Continent's three great cities, and it looked the part—everywhere you walked, the buildings dwarfed what you'd see in smaller towns. Every street felt alive.
Yin Xuan paused outside a busy blacksmith shop, eyeing the storefront. "Is the owner around?" he called out.
"That'd be me." A burly, shirtless man who looked strong enough to bend iron with his hands emerged from behind the counter, grinning. "What can I help you with, young man? Need something forged?"
"Actually, I'm here to sell something." Yin Xuan pulled out the Hair Crystal he'd taken from Flender. "It's a top-quality Hair Crystal. Interested?"
The man's eyes lit right up as he leaned in closer. "Plate Crystal Hair Gold? Now that's not something you see every day!" He examined it, clearly impressed. "Alright, how much do you want for it?"
"One thousand gold coins," Yin Xuan said without hesitation.
The man's face fell a little, and he muttered under his breath, "Kid knows the market..."
After a minute of silent thinking, he spoke up again. "Nine hundred gold coins. That's my best offer. Plate Crystal Hair Gold's great, but barely anyone uses it these days, and my shop's one of the biggest in town. You're not gonna find a much better deal anywhere else, I promise."
"Deal." Yin Xuan passed over the crystal.
The man beamed, rubbing his hands. "Excellent! Hold tight, I'll grab your money."
Something about the way he said it sounded odd, but Yin Xuan just shrugged it off. Honestly, getting nine hundred gold coins for something he couldn't use was a solid trade. Much better to turn it into cash for things that might actually help him later.
The blacksmith was back in no time, carrying nine heavy pouches. "Nine hundred gold," he said, pushing them over. "Count it if you want."
Yin Xuan did, methodically, and when everything checked out, he gave a nod. "Thanks."
"Oh, thank you! If you ever get more like this, bring it straight to me!" The man grinned so hard it looked like his face might split in two.
Yin Xuan nodded politely and left. He'd made up his mind—he'd head to the city center, right to where Crown Prince Xue Qinghe lived.
He was going to try his luck, see if he could use Xue Qinghe's position to get into the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Not just for the school itself, but to get close to Dugu Yan.
Honestly, what other option did he have? Showing off at the Great Spirit Arena? Too risky—those two purple spirit rings of his would draw a ton of unwanted attention. Sticking with Xue Beng? Pointless. Tang Yuehua's help? That'd be nothing but trouble. She probably wouldn't even believe him, especially since he didn't have the Clear Sky Hammer Spirit—his Blue Silver Emperor had mutated into the Dark Blue Silver Emperor, and that was a whole other story.
So, Xue Qinghe it was. As Crown Prince, if Yin Xuan managed to forge a connection, doors would open.
The Crown Prince's Palace sat at Heaven Dou City's heart, right next to the Imperial Palace. Palaces and pavilions stretched out in all directions, golden tiles shining fiercely in the afternoon sun. Wealth on display, no question.
Yin Xuan handed his visiting card, Spirit Master Handbook, and a hundred gold coins to the attendant. The man sighed and shook his head. "His Highness loves talent, but he's not someone anyone can just walk up to. You're a commoner—and meeting him is next to impossible. Save yourself the trouble."
The crowd waiting nearby glanced over with nothing but disdain. Nobody thought much of someone like Yin Xuan trying to meet the Crown Prince.
He just stood quietly, ignoring it all as the sky faded to dusk. Gradually, the other visitors left, but Yin Xuan stayed right there.
Eventually, the attendant returned. "His Highness will see you. Come along."
Yin Xuan's eyes snapped open. He stayed calm and followed the servant, unfazed by the whispers passed around behind him. They all looked confused. Maybe jealous.
The palace was huge, and it took a dozen turns before they finally reached the main hall. "The Crown Prince is waiting inside," the servant said, stepping aside.
"Thank you." Yin Xuan nodded, looked at the grand entryway, and walked in under the silent scrutiny of several guards.
Inside, a young man in white and gold robes sat on the throne—blond, with a smile that looked as warm as the first day of spring.
Crown Prince Xue Qinghe's eyes glinted when Yin Xuan entered. That smile widened even further. "You may rise," he said, after Yin Xuan bowed and greeted him.
Xue Qinghe picked up the Spirit Master Handbook. "This is yours?" he asked.
Yin Xuan nodded. "Yes."
"It lists your age here." Xue Qinghe eyed him up and down. "You've hit rank twenty-six spirit power this young? It's not surprising if you were eighteen, but you don't look it. And... your spirit, 'Shadow Demon Grass'? I haven't heard of it."
Yin Xuan met his gaze without blinking. "I do have Innate Full Spirit Power. I just train in places thick with plants, and it boosts my progress. That's how I got here."
He flicked his hand and summoned his Dark Blue Silver Emperor. Two purple rings appeared, cold and glowing.
Xue Qinghe leapt to his feet in shock. "Two thousand-year spirit rings? How are you not dead?!"
Yin Xuan just shrugged. "Was close."
The Prince stared for a moment, then sat down, speaking quietly. "What do you want?"
"Entry to the Royal Academy," Yin Xuan said plainly. "But they only accept nobles or people with big recommendations."
Xue Qinghe laughed. "Straightforward—I like that. Much better than the flattery I get from most!" He looked at Yin Xuan, thoughtful. "But why should I help you?"
"Whatever you need done, just say the word," Yin Xuan replied, voice even.
"Let me think…" Xue Qinghe tapped his finger on the armrest, then grinned suddenly. "Give me a smile."
Yin Xuan frowned. "I don't really smile."
Xue Qinghe pouted. "No fun. Where are you from? Family? If you need help, just ask."
"My mother died when I was born. I don't have anyone else," Yin Xuan answered, eyes blank.
"You have anywhere to stay?" Xue Qinghe pressed.
"No." Yin Xuan shook his head.
"Then stay in the palace tonight. Tomorrow, I'll take you to the Royal Academy myself." Xue Qinghe smiled again.
"Thank you," Yin Xuan said, keeping it simple.
A maid stepped forward, and Yin Xuan followed her out.
Once he was gone, Xue Qinghe picked up the Spirit Master Handbook again, studying it. "Shadow Demon Grass… must be a mutation. He probably made up the name. With these cultivation levels, I'd have guessed he was born with rank twenty spirit power."