The Xishui Alliance, one of the three major underground forces of the Sun Moon Empire, had always been led with finesse by Feng Ling. Compared to Zhongli Wu, her abilities in negotiation and reading people were far superior.
More importantly, Feng Ling had noticed something others hadn't: subtle changes in Ye Xishui.
While Long Xiaoyao and Zhongli Wu were oblivious, Feng Ling, as a fellow woman, could discern deeper truths.
Ye Xishui had grown more alluring and exuded an air of charm and sensuality she hadn't displayed before.
In the past, Ye Xishui would never have worn such provocative high heels or stockings. Though she tried to conceal it, her micro-expressions and subconscious movements didn't escape Feng Ling's sharp eyes.
Piecing together her observations and what she had learned about Qian Ran during her investigations, Feng Ling arrived at a conclusion:
Case solved.
She didn't suspect Ye Xishui of having an affair with Qian Ran, but it was obvious that Ye Xishui had employed her beauty in some kind of transaction with him.
This explained why, even after returning to the Holy Spirit Sect, Ye Xishui hadn't fully reverted to her old self.
While Long Xiaoyao and Zhongli Wu wouldn't entertain such thoughts, Feng Ling, as a peer and rival of Ye Xishui, saw through it immediately.
It was often said that like recognized like. Ye Xishui and Feng Ling were two of the most powerful and striking women in the world, and they naturally understood each other's tactics.
To Feng Ling, Ye Xishui wasn't as impressive as she appeared. She had always relied on her unparalleled beauty to manipulate men. From Long Xiaoyao and Mu En to Zhongli Laogui, Ye Xishui had enchanted them all.
In Feng Ling's eyes, Ye Xishui had built her entire life on the dividends of her beauty.
Now, after consuming the Snow Youth Pill, Ye Xishui's allure had reached unprecedented levels. How could someone like Qian Ran, a young man with raging hormones, resist her?
This time, Ye Xishui had likely played the same card, relying on her looks to seal the deal with Qian Ran.
"What a fox spirit," Feng Ling muttered, gritting her teeth.
She didn't think poorly of Ye Xishui's tactics—she just felt competitive. If Ye Xishui could manipulate Qian Ran with her looks, why couldn't she do the same?
Feng Ling prided herself on being just as beautiful as Ye Xishui, if not more so. Whatever Ye Xishui was willing to do, Feng Ling could do better. If someone as esteemed as Ye Xishui could resort to seduction, why should Feng Ling hold back?
Qian Ran, oblivious to Feng Ling's plotting, was back in the Sun Moon Empire casually strolling through the academy with Tangerine.
His presence calmed the nerves of Xu Tiannan's spies. Seeing Qian Ran apparently settled and not planning to flee, they finally relaxed.
But in the imperial palace, Xu Tiannan was growing increasingly uneasy.
Although the Holy Spirit Sect maintained surface-level cooperation, Xu Tiannan could sense their waning interest in him.
For years, Xu Tiannan had relied on the Holy Spirit Sect to rise above his siblings. Without their backing, he was nothing.
If the Holy Spirit Sect abandoned him, Xu Tiannan knew his enemies would devour him.
His survival until now had been solely thanks to their protection.
This realization drove Xu Tiannan to the brink. Gone was his usual calm, calculating demeanor. Now, he was desperate, his focus entirely consumed by his alliance's crumbling foundation.
At this point, Xu Tiannan no longer cared about eliminating Qian Ran. If the Holy Spirit Sect no longer supported him, what did it matter if Qian Ran became the empire's enemy?
The real threat was his loss of power.
What infuriated him even more was the sneaking suspicion that Qian Ran was somehow behind the Holy Spirit Sect's shift in attitude.
After all, the timing was too coincidental. Everything seemed to have changed after his last meeting with Zhongli Wu.
"Damn it! Why is everything connected to Qian Ran?"
Xu Tiannan roared, flinging the teacup his servant had just brought him against the wall. The porcelain shattered, a reflection of his fraying composure.
Without power, his cunning meant nothing. If the Holy Spirit Sect turned their back on him, his aspirations for the throne would collapse instantly.
"I'm sure it's Qian Ran. That bastard must be responsible!"
Xu Tiannan clenched his fists in rage. His instincts told him that Qian Ran had somehow sabotaged his relationship with the Holy Spirit Sect.
For years, Xu Tiannan had trusted his intuition, and it had served him well. This time, he was certain it wouldn't fail him.
"Qian Ran, so you've been strutting around my estate because the Holy Spirit Sect is behind you?"
It all made sense now. Qian Ran's audacity—his open flirtations with maids and public displays of affection with Tangerine—was rooted in confidence.
The realization hit Xu Tiannan like a slap to the face.
He was the clown all along.
"Your Highness, what has upset you so?"
A familiar voice rang out, and Xu Tiannan looked up to see Qian Ran lounging casually on the roof, a smug grin on his face.
Seeing Xu Tiannan's rage, Qian Ran could barely contain his amusement. He hadn't even bothered to hide anymore—there was no point.
Without the Holy Spirit Sect, Xu Tiannan's grand ambitions were laughable.
Sure, in the original timeline, Xu Tiannan had manipulated the Holy Spirit Sect to consolidate power before ruthlessly discarding them. But that Xu Tiannan had the full support of the sect.
Now? Without their aid, Xu Tiannan's cunning was useless. His more ambitious brother alone would be enough to bury him.
At this moment, Xu Tiannan was nothing but a pawn, and Qian Ran didn't see the need to mask his disdain.
In time, this estate would be Qian Ran's playground. He could come and go as he pleased, take what he wanted, and do as he wished.
If Xu Tiannan wanted to survive, he'd have to grovel.
"You! It's you!" Xu Tiannan roared, his eyes bloodshot as he stared at Qian Ran reclining on the rooftop like he owned the place.
The realization that Qian Ran no longer even pretended to respect him only fueled his fury.
(End of Chapter)