A few days later, in Heaven Dou City, the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire.
In the easternmost part of the city, within a luxurious mansion district.
Inside the grand hall of the Elf Clan's residence.
"Achoo…"
"Huh? Could I actually have caught a cold?"
Sitting on the soft and comfortable sofa in the living room, Yunxiao suddenly sneezed, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes.
Logically speaking, with his strength as a Titled Douluo and the unique constitution of the Elf Clan, it should be impossible for him to catch a cold.
If it wasn't a cold, then it must be someone talking about him behind his back.
"Emperor Xue Ye? Ning Fengzhi?"
"Yu Yuanzhen? Or perhaps the Spirit Hall?"
Thinking of the most likely candidates who might be talking about him, Yunxiao muttered to himself.
—Gurgle—Gurgle—Gurgle—
At that moment, Yunxiao's stomach let out a series of protesting growls.
"Forget it, why am I overthinking this?"
Shaking his head, Yunxiao pushed aside his thoughts and headed toward the main entrance.
As he stepped onto the streets of Heaven Dou City, the lively atmosphere of the bustling market greeted him.
Walking down the street, Yunxiao exchanged greetings with everyone he knew.
"Good morning, Young Master Yun! Out for breakfast again?"
"Good morning, Uncle Zhang! How's business been lately?"
"Good morning, Young Master Yun! Are you married yet?"
"Would you like Auntie Li to introduce someone to you?"
"Uh… Auntie Li, that won't be necessary!"
Yunxiao politely declined Auntie Li's kind offer.
In just a few short days since arriving in Heaven Dou City, Yunxiao, with his stunning looks and cheerful personality, had already become familiar with the shop owners near his residence.
As for why he was so close with these shop owners?
Well, it was because he couldn't cook!
Since he couldn't cook, Yunxiao naturally had to find a way to solve his hunger problem.
Coincidentally, there was a food street right near his residence.
After a few visits back and forth, he and the shop owners had gotten to know each other.
Clearly, most of the shop owners on this food street were already accustomed to Yunxiao's presence, treating him as if he were some kind of "great noble."
After enjoying a hearty breakfast, Yunxiao strolled leisurely through the bustling streets of Heaven Dou City.
At that moment, amidst the lively and crowded streets, Prince Xue Xing appeared, dressed in a luxurious and exquisite outfit, surrounded by a group of guards.
Suddenly, his gaze was drawn to Yunxiao's figure.
"Good morning, Your Excellency of the Elf Clan…"
"???"
Just as Prince Xue Xing was about to greet Yunxiao and try to get closer to him, he noticed that Yunxiao had already disappeared.
Prince Xue Xing: "…"
His fists clenched tightly!
Seeing Yunxiao ignore him again and again, his fists clenched in frustration!
As the only prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, the younger brother of Emperor Xue Ye, all he wanted was to greet the Elf Clan's esteemed leader. Yet, the Elf Clan's leader had ignored him.
Anger, trembling, coldness!
Thinking of this, he felt an overwhelming sense of frustration!
In the end, with no other choice, Prince Xue Xing quickly left the place that had made him feel so humiliated.
Back in the grand hall of the Elf Clan's residence.
"Tsk, I didn't expect to run into that annoying Prince Xue Xing!"
After returning to his residence, Yunxiao clicked his tongue in annoyance.
Ever since Yunxiao arrived in Heaven Dou City with Qian Renxue, Prince Xue Xing had been like a persistent burr, frequently "bumping into" him on the streets of the city every few days.
"I wonder how Xiao Xue is doing in the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace!"
Ignoring the annoying Prince Xue Xing, Yunxiao glanced at the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace in the distance and muttered to himself.
Meanwhile, inside the grand hall of the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.
"Qinghe, are you saying...?"
"You just had tea and chatted with His Excellency the Spirit Sovereign...?"
"And then you just casually brought His Excellency the Spirit Sovereign back to Heaven Dou City?"
Emperor Xue Ye looked at "Xue Qinghe," his eyelids twitching uncontrollably.
Just tea and a chat.
A Titled Douluo with an eight-black, one-red Soul Ring configuration—such a terrifying existence—and "Xue Qinghe" had simply brought him back like it was nothing.
Could it really be that easy?
At this thought, Emperor Xue Ye couldn't help but question his life.
If Titled Douluo were really that easy to win over, then his vast Heaven Dou Empire wouldn't be left with only Dugu Bo, the "weakest Titled Douluo."
Moreover, Dugu Bo wasn't even officially part of the Heaven Dou Empire; he was merely a guest advisor.
The kind who could come and go as he pleased.
Dugu Bo: "..."
Dugu Bo: "Should I leave then?"
He racked his brain but couldn't figure out how "Xue Qinghe" had managed to befriend His Excellency the Spirit Sovereign.
"Your Majesty, when I first met His Excellency the Spirit Sovereign, I had no idea he was a Titled Douluo."
"At first, while having tea and chatting with him, I unexpectedly discovered that His Excellency is incredibly wise, knowledgeable about both the heavens and the earth."
"Later, due to some unexpected circumstances, I ended up visiting a brothel with His Excellency..."
"Xue Qinghe," who had already arranged everything, spoke confidently to Emperor Xue Ye.
After all, when it came to a Titled Douluo with an eight-black, one-red Soul Ring configuration, Emperor Xue Ye would naturally send someone to verify the matter in Suotuo City.
"A brothel?"
Upon hearing this, Emperor Xue Ye suddenly had an epiphany.
What could possibly interest a man?
Nothing more than great strength, wealth, status, fine wine, and women.
Visiting a brothel was good, very good indeed! This brothel visit had truly brought a Titled Douluo back to the Heaven Dou Empire.
As for whether His Excellency the Spirit Sovereign might be a spy sent by another faction to Heaven Dou City?
Impossible, absolutely impossible!
Even the Spirit Hall, the foremost power on the Douluo Continent, couldn't possibly cultivate a twenty-year-old Titled Douluo.
Such a prodigious treasure would be treated like an ancestor by any faction and would never be sent out as a spy.
Speaking of spies, it had to be said.
Standing before Emperor Xue Ye was indeed a spy sent by the Spirit Hall.
And not just any spy, but a prodigy with innate twenty-level Soul Power.
"In that case, Qinghe, from now on, you will be responsible for matters concerning His Excellency the Spirit Sovereign."
"You must ensure that His Excellency is firmly aligned with our Heaven Dou Empire."
"Yes, Your Majesty. I understand."
"Xue Qinghe" nodded in response.
At that moment, as if remembering something, Emperor Xue Ye added, "By the way, Qinghe, visiting brothels is still not ideal. There are some potential risks involved!"
"If His Excellency the Elf wishes to visit the brothel in the future, then you should take him to visit Xue Ke."
"Coincidentally, Xue Ke has been frequently mentioning you, saying that you haven't visited her in a long time."
"Xue Qinghe": "..."
"6!"
Good heavens, truly good heavens.
Upon hearing Emperor Xue Ye's words, "Xue Qinghe" inwardly exclaimed in disbelief.
Visiting a brothel isn't good, but visiting Xue Ke is fine?
(End of Chapter)