Chapter 34: Qian Renxue's Test
Xue Qinghe waved his hand and smiled gently:
"No need for formalities. I have long heard of the Royal Fighting Team's reputation, and I have come today to see them and also to take a look at the outstanding young generation of the Empire."
Qin Ming quickly explained:
"Your Highness, this is the Royal Fighting Team. They have always performed exceptionally well in the Great Soul Arena."
Xue Qinghe's gaze swept over everyone, finally settling on Ye Xuanming.
"You must be Ye Xuanming?" Xue Qinghe spoke up. "I've heard of you. You reached over level 20 in soul power at the age of eight. You are indeed a genius."
"Your Highness is too kind."
Ye Xuanming's heart was filled with alarm bells, but he maintained the proper respect on the surface.
He knew very well the true identity of the "Crown Prince" before him—Qian Renxue, the Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall.
Qin Ming realized Xue Qinghe's purpose and quickly said, "Your Highness, since you wish to speak with Ye Xuanming, we will take our leave."
"Teacher..." Dugu Yan was a little worried, after all, the Crown Prince's status was what it was.
Ye Lingling also looked at her with a worried expression.
Ye Xuanming shook his head slightly at the two of them, indicating that it was alright.
Yu Tianheng was quite direct: "Your Highness, our Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus family has always been neutral."
The words were spoken politely, but the meaning was very clear.
Xue Qinghe didn't mind and nodded gently. He hadn't come here for Yu Tianheng.
Although the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan is known as one of the three upper clans, it only has one titled Douluo, and Qian Renxue doesn't take the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan seriously.
After Qin Ming and the others left, Xue Qinghe waved to signal the guards behind him to also step down.
Only Ye Xuanming, Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, and Xue Qinghe remained in the vast training ground.
"Your Highness, is there anything we need to discuss privately?"
Ye Xuanming took the initiative to speak, saying that since it couldn't be avoided, it was better to face it directly.
"Don't be nervous, I'm just more interested in child prodigies."
Xue Qinghe walked towards the pavilion next to the training field. "Let's find a place to sit down and talk."
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling stayed close to Ye Xuanming, clearly not intending to leave.
Xue Qinghe noticed the two girls' behavior and chuckled, "It seems Ye Xuanming is quite popular."
"Sister Yanzi and Sister Lingling are both my good friends."
Ye Xuanming answered frankly.
The four sat down in the pavilion, and Xue Qinghe's gaze lingered on Ye Xuanming for a moment.
"I heard that you reached level 28 in soul power at the age of eight. Such a speed of cultivation is rare even on the mainland."
"It was just luck."
Ye Xuanming responded modestly, but in his heart he was pondering Qian Renxue's true purpose.
"Luck?" Xue Qinghe shook his head. "Talent is luck, but to be able to bring one's talent to this level is definitely not just luck."
Dugu Yan couldn't help but speak up from the side: "Of course, Xuanming is amazing! Even Yu Tianheng was no match for him just now!"
"Yanzi…" Ye Lingling gently tugged at Dugu Yan's sleeve.
Xue Qinghe looked at Dugu Yan with great interest: "Miss Dugu, you have a very high opinion of Ye Xuanming."
Dugu Yan puffed out her chest: "Xuanming saved my life, so of course he's the most powerful!"
"A life-saving grace?" Xue Qinghe looked surprised. "Could you tell me what happened?"
Ye Xuanming's heart tightened; it was not a good thing for such private information to be unearthed.
"It was just something I did while hunting souls."
"So that's how it is. No wonder Miss Dugu values you so much; it turns out you were a hero saving a damsel in distress."
Xue Qinghe smiled slightly, then changed the subject: "I heard that your martial soul is the mutated Blue Silver Grass?"
"Yes," Ye Xuanming nodded in agreement.
"Can I see it?" Xue Qinghe asked gently.
Ye Xuanming nodded. His martial soul wasn't a secret, so he immediately released the Life Blue Silver Grass.
Golden vines danced in his hands, radiating a faint aura of life.
Xue Qinghe carefully observed the blue silver grass, and was deeply shocked.
This quality of martial soul has completely surpassed the scope of ordinary plant-type martial souls.
"Truly extraordinary."
Xue Qinghe sincerely praised, "This kind of martial spirit quality is rarely seen even in royal records."
Ye Xuanming put away his martial spirit: "Your Highness is too kind."
"I have never received a reward."
Xue Qinghe's expression turned serious. "Ye Xuanming, my Crown Prince's residence needs someone like you. Would you be willing to come to my residence and lend me a hand?"
Upon hearing this, both Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling were stunned.
An invitation from the Crown Prince's residence is an honor that many people would rather die for.
"Your Highness, I am still just a student," Ye Xuanming politely declined.
"Your student status is not conflicting. You can continue your studies at the academy, and you only need to contribute when the empire needs you."
Xue Qinghe continued to persuade him.
"Moreover, after joining the Crown Prince's Palace, you will gain access to the best cultivation resources in the empire."
Dugu Yan muttered to herself, "Xuanming has no shortage of cultivation resources..."
Although the voice was very soft, everyone present could hear it clearly.
Xue Qinghe keenly caught this information.
An eight-year-old child doesn't lack cultivation resources, does he?
It seems that Dugu Bo has already invested in the young man before him.
With an investment from a Title Douluo, Ye Xuanming certainly doesn't lack resources.
Xue Qinghe abandoned his probing stance and slowly said:
"My invitation is still valid. If you change your mind, you can come to the Crown Prince's residence to find me at any time."
Ye Xuanming nodded: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness."
Xue Qinghe stood up and straightened his robes:
"Let's stop here for today. I hope you can give me more surprises next time we meet."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xue Qinghe suddenly turned around and stared at Ye Xuanming.
"By the way, Ye Xuanming, with your temperament, which path would you choose?"
Should I remain a carefree Soul Master, or... contribute my share to the Heavenly Dou Empire?
After Xue Qinghe left, the training ground fell into a brief silence.
Ye Xuanming stood there, his brows furrowed, quickly processing the conversation he had just had.
Cooperation with Qian Renxue was inevitable, after all, the Tiandou Empire possessed the Vast Ocean Universe Cover, a core item passed down from the Sea God.
The person closest to the Vast Ocean Universe Cover was naturally Xue Qinghe.
Although Emperor Xueye is not terminally ill, he has definitely been poisoned.
On the other hand, although Prince Xuexing was also very powerful, Dugu Bo had no intention of risking his life for someone else.
Dugu Bo's help to Prince Xuexing was more about repaying a favor.
Dugu Yan noticed Ye Xuanming's furrowed brows and quickly walked over to pat him on the shoulder.
"Xuanming, don't be afraid. No matter what happens, Grandpa will take care of it."
Her tone was relaxed.
"Moreover, His Highness the Crown Prince has an excellent reputation. The Heavenly Dou Empire has produced a genius like you, so it's no surprise that he'd try to win you over."
Ye Lingling also walked to Ye Xuanming's side and gently comforted him, "His Highness the Crown Prince seems to be a very kind person, he shouldn't make things difficult for you."
Ye Xuanming shook his head, his expression returning to normal.
"Thank you, Sister Yanzi and Sister Lingling. That's not what I'm worried about."
He turned and walked out of the training field. "Let's go back first."
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling exchanged a glance and quickly followed.
The three walked out of the training ground, and Dugu Yan suddenly stopped.
"By the way, Xuanming, why didn't you accept the Crown Prince's invitation just now?"
Dugu Yan looked puzzled.
"Joining the Crown Prince's Palace is something many people dream of."
After all, very few people at the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy are commoners. For example, the members of the Royal Dou Team, except for Dugu Yan, all have families with titles from the Heavenly Dou Empire.
As for Dugu Yan, with a grandfather who is a titled Douluo, she doesn't need these things.
Ye Xuanming thought for a moment, "I'm still young, and I don't want to get involved in political struggles too early."
"Political struggle?" Dugu Yan's eyes widened. "The Crown Prince isn't asking you to rebel; he just wants to recruit talent."
Ye Lingling chuckled softly from the side: "Yanzi, you're thinking too simply."
"How is it simple?" Dugu Yan retorted. "My grandfather always said that capable people will be respected wherever they go."
Ye Xuanming shook his head, not continuing the topic.
Just as the three of them reached the entrance of the academy, a familiar figure suddenly appeared in front of them.
"Xuanming, did the Crown Prince just come to see you?"
Dugu Bo's voice carried a hint of urgency; he had clearly rushed over.
"Grandpa!" Dugu Yan exclaimed in surprise as she approached him. "Why are you here?"
Dugu Bo patted his granddaughter's head, but his attention was entirely on Ye Xuanming.
"I just learned that the Crown Prince has come to the academy, so I came to see him."
Ye Xuanming nodded. "Senior, His Highness the Crown Prince did come and wanted to recruit me into the Crown Prince's residence."
"You agreed?" Dugu Bo's tone instantly became tense.
"No, I refused."
Upon hearing this answer, Dugu Bo visibly breathed a sigh of relief.
"You're right. You're too young to get involved in complicated things."
Dugu Yan, standing to the side, asked in confusion, "Grandpa, is there a problem with His Highness the Crown Prince?"
Dugu Bo looked around and lowered his voice, saying, "Yanyan, some things are not as simple as they seem on the surface."
Ye Lingling also curiously perked up her ears.
"His Highness the Crown Prince is indeed wise, but…" Dugu Bodun paused, "The Heavenly Dou Empire is a very complex place, and I do not wish for you children to be exposed to it too early."
Ye Xuanming chuckled inwardly. Dugu Bo was right; the Heavenly Dou Empire was indeed a very deep place.
After all, even the Crown Prince is a member of the Spirit Hall.
"Senior Dugu, what should we do now?"
"What? What should we do?" Dugu Bo asked, puzzled.
Ye Xuanming explained:
"His Highness the Crown Prince said the invitation is still valid. If I refuse too bluntly, will it arouse suspicion?"
Dugu Bo pondered for a moment, "That is indeed a problem."
Dugu Yan suddenly spoke up: "Why don't you go and have a talk with His Highness the Crown Prince, Grandfather?"
"Nonsense!" Dugu Bo glared at his granddaughter. "I, a titled Douluo, went to the Crown Prince to discuss Xuanming's matter. Isn't that blatantly telling others that there's something wrong with Xuanming?"
Ye Lingling suggested softly, "Then let's put it off for now. Xuanming's most important thing right now is cultivation. We can talk about the rest later."
Ye Xuanming nodded in agreement: "Sister Lingling is right. My power is still weak, so I can't rush things."
Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan nodded in satisfaction.
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(End of this Chapter)