Hearing this, Ye Yu let out a faint laugh.
"Your Highness, how could I ever hate you, let alone leave you?
All that I've achieved today began with your help — when you allowed me to enter Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
In my heart, you will always be the most important benefactor of my life.
No matter who you are, or what your true identity may be, none of that matters.
What I care about has always been you."
Ye Yu spoke with firm sincerity.
"And, in fact, I realized long ago that Your Highness is actually a woman."
As he said this, Ye Yu activated his second Martial Soul — Spirit Eyes.
A dazzling azure light shone from his eyes.
At the same time, nine scarlet Spirit Rings rose one after another beneath his feet, circling around him.
"Although my Martial Soul was originally only Blue Silver Grass, now I have gained a new one — these eyes!"
Pointing at his sapphire-like eyes, Ye Yu's handsome face broke into a faint smile.
"These eyes allow me to see through illusions.
So when I returned last time, I had already seen through Your Highness's disguise."
"But to me, that doesn't matter.
As long as it's you, that is enough."
"Ye Yu…"
Hearing his words, Qian Renxue's beautiful eyes turned misty. A deep wave of emotion welled up within her.
"Then, Your Highness — what you said just now… was it true?"
"That you would do anything for me?"
With a teasing smile tugging at his lips, Ye Yu added, "Since I already know who you really are, I'd like to see your true appearance.
Your Highness is so beautiful… won't you show me?"
Qian Renxue's cheeks instantly flushed crimson.
She was shy, yet a spark of pride and joy glimmered inside her heart.
If Ye Yu wanted to see her true self, then it meant he must truly like it.
"…Of course."
Biting down gently on her lip, Qian Renxue released the disguise of her Seraphim Spirit Bone.
In a flash of golden radiance, her form began to change.
Her height remained the same, but her once masculine figure softened into graceful curves.
Short golden hair flowed into lustrous golden locks cascading over her shoulders.
The once sharp androgynous features gave way to arched willow brows, phoenix eyes filled with hidden majesty, a delicate straight nose, rosy lips, and a face that carried both heroic spirit and breathtaking beauty.
When the golden light finally faded, Ye Yu was momentarily stunned.
Even though his Spirit Eyes had glimpsed her true face before, the Seraphim Spirit Bone's aura of light had always obscured the details.
Now, seeing her fully revealed — vivid, flawless, and utterly radiant — his heart skipped a beat.
"Your Highness… you are truly beautiful."
Ye Yu couldn't help but praise aloud.
"May I ask… what is your real name?"
Blushing even deeper, Qian Renxue lowered her gaze. Her voice was soft, crisp, and utterly enchanting.
"My true name… is Qian Renxue.
You can call me Xue'er."
"Qian Renxue…"
"The pure white snow atop the thousand-zhang peaks…"
"What a beautiful name."
Ye Yu smiled, his tone filled with genuine admiration.
"Then, from now on — when it's just the two of us — I'll call you Xue'er."
"…Mn."
Qian Renxue nodded lightly, cheeks still aflame.
A few days later, after the deaths of Tang Chen and Tang San, Emperor Xue Ye passed away. Qian Renxue successfully ascended to the throne as the new emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire, in her guise as Xue Qinghe.
Upon taking the throne, she declared Prince Xue Xing and Crown Prince Xue Beng guilty of conspiring with the Clear Sky Clan to overthrow the throne. Both were executed.
Originally, the evidence for such a charge had been thin.
Qian Renxue had even considered finding a scapegoat "temporary culprit" to make the case hold.
But with Tang Chen and Tang San both killed, the dead could not defend themselves.
Thus, the crime was sealed — Prince Xue Xing and Xue Beng were guilty beyond question.
The Clear Sky Clan, by association, bore the weight of an enormous accusation: plotting to usurp the Heaven Dou throne.
As the saying goes—
Sitting at home, yet the blame falls from the sky!
But since the Clear Sky Clan had already been branded traitors, Qian Renxue had to assert her imperial authority.
So, shortly after her enthronement, she ordered Ye Yu to lead the RoRoyal Knights and the Heaven Dou imperial Spirit Master regiment to annihilate the Clear Sky Clan.
It was to be Heaven Dou's vengeance against their "treacherous scheme."
Riding upon the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion, Ye Yu led the charge.
With the map obtained from Tang Hao, he guided the forces directly toward the secluded mountain where the Clear Sky Clan resided.
After passing through vast stretches of forest, the sound of marching feet and galloping hooves echoed through the valleys.
At the foot of the mountain lay a village — the outpost of the Clear Sky Clan, inhabited by their branch family disciples.
"Stop! Who goes there?!"
Alarmed, the branch disciples immediately summoned their Martial Souls, attempting to block the invaders and buy time for their clan to react.
Ye Yu stood atop the back of the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion, gazing coldly at the village.
"This place is filled with the remnants of the Clear Sky Clan.
Kill them all."
At his command, the Royal Knights and the Spirit Master regiment surged forward like a tide.
Beside Ye Yu stood Dugu Bo, Ye Zhilan, and Ling Zhantian.
The Royal Knights raised their lances in unison, murderous intent blazing as their thundering charge shook the earth, rushing into the branch village.
At the same time, Ye Zhilan released her Martial Soul — Nine-Heart Begonia.
Two yellow, two purple, and five black Spirit Rings shone brilliantly beneath her feet.
Years ago, Ye Zhilan had already been a Spirit Douluo.
Now, under Ye Yu's aid — just as Ling Zhantian had advanced to a Titled Douluo — Ye Zhilan too had broken through to the Titled Douluo realm, aided by a rare immortal herb.
With the peerless healing abilities of her Nine-Heart Begonia, the Royal Knights and imperial Spirit Masters fought without suffering a single casualty.
By the battle's end, the entire branch village was slaughtered—every Clear Sky Clan disciple slain.
The village itself was reduced to ruins.