Xue Qinghe reached out and gently covered the hand that was blocking her eyes. "Li Zhexian, you've returned..."
Her voice tried its utmost to remain calm.
Yet could not conceal the joy overflowing between every word.
Without waiting for Li Zhexian to respond, Xue Qinghe pulled him, guiding him to sit on the seat across from her.
Then, she gazed at him closely.
Fair, lustrous skin, a plain white robe, the Qinglian Sword mark between his brows—making the youth seem all the more ethereal and transcendent.
"You… you seem even stronger now," Xue Qinghe said softly.
The corner of Li Zhexian's lips lifted as his gaze swept over the mountain of files on the desk. "These past days, you've been handling the matters of the Spirit Master Tournament?"
Xue Qinghe sighed and nodded.
Then, to Li Zhexian's surprise, she flicked her sleeve, sweeping all the files on the desk onto the carpet.
"During the month you were gone, I had people gather some fine wine. See if it can please the palate of a wine-obsessed fool like you?"
As she spoke,
Her smile was radiant as she reached into her storage-type spirit tool.
Li Zhexian raised his hand slightly.
An invisible, gentle wind rose from the ground, steadily lifting the scattered files back to their original position.
"You should get back to your work."
"We can drink anytime. Don't let me delay your official business."
Xue Qinghe's lips slightly pursed. The expression that had just been full of excitement was dampened by Li Zhexian's words, making her feel deflated.
Seeing this, Li Zhexian's smile deepened. He explained warmly:
"Of course I want to taste your wine."
"If not, why else would I have come to the palace to find you?"
"I just didn't want to delay you. The Xue Qinghe I know is a most diligent Crown Prince."
The words seemed to carry warmth.
Chasing away the dimness between her brows.
Light returned to Xue Qinghe's eyes; she picked up a file, chin raised, and gave a soft hum:
"Hmph, of course, I'm diligent!"
Outside the residence gates, Porcupinefish Douluo and Snake Lance Douluo exchanged a look, each seeing only helpless resignation in the other's eyes.
He's hopeless! The young master is hopeless!
They really wanted to grab that Li Zhexian and ask what kind of mind-confusing spell he had cast on their young master! He had managed to confuse her with just a few words!
...
Inside the residence, it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Li Zhexian glanced at Xue Qinghe, her head buried in files.
Feeling bored and listless, he walked around the hall with his hands behind his back.
Finally, his gaze settled on the windowsill. There was the Rose of Morning Light bathed in light, and underneath the immortal flower, a faded grasshopper woven from grass.
It was understandable that she would cherish the Rose of Morning Light, as it was a rare immortal flower.
But to treat this casually woven trinket with the same care…
Li Zhexian brushed a finger lightly across the flower's petal, tilting his head, his gaze returning to Xue Qinghe.
That woven grasshopper was something he had given Qian Renxue, yet here it was in the Crown Prince's residence.
Luckily, Xue Qinghe was focused on her files and didn't notice him. Otherwise, the cat would have been out of the bag.
"…She'll probably realize it sooner or later," he thought.
Strangely enough, Xue Qinghe suddenly felt the restlessness in her heart disappeared.
The difficult problems that had confounded her just moments before now poured forth with solutions like a spring.
She wrote as fast as a flying pen, working with extreme efficiency.
Before long, she had completed all state affairs.
Putting down the files, Xue Qinghe stretched her stiff waist. Her gaze flowed as she subconsciously looked for Li Zhexian.
But when she looked up, she happened to collide with Li Zhexian's eyes.
Her heart gave a violent jump. Xue Qinghe coughed lightly as if to hide it, and said, "I've finished the files."
After she spoke, she herself didn't even realize the mix of cuteness and naivety in her voice.
It was as if a child who had completed her homework was eagerly awaiting her family's praise.
Li Zhexian's eyes shone with gentle mirth. He raised his thumb without hesitation.
"That's so impressive."
Xue Qinghe's lips lifted unconsciously, then as if recalling something, she asked:
"Li Zhexian, I intend to have the preliminary matches of the Spirit Master Tournament take place at the Great Spirit Arena in Heaven Dou City."
"What do you think?"
Li Zhexian thought for a moment. It didn't seem to be different from the original trajectory of the novel.
In the novel, no accidents occurred during the preliminary matches either. He nodded and said,
"Of course, that will do."
"Well, you are the Crown Prince, such matters are for you to decide."
Xue Qinghe replied vaguely, impatiently moving the files aside.
She took out the fine wine she had prepared for Li Zhexian and also ordered someone to get his favorite dishes from the Imperial Kitchen.
She also had servants bring in dishes she knew he favored.
Li Zhexian also smiled and took out his newly brewed Thunder Lotus Brew. The two of them sat across from each other, had a light drink, and felt extremely comfortable.
One cup of Thunder Lotus Brew down—
Xue Qinghe felt a strange tingling coursing through her whole body.
Faint sparks of lightning flickered across her skin, her hair subtly floating.
Wine flushed her cheeks.
Her eyes glimmered as she gazed at Li Zhexian.
"Li Zhexian, you truly are amazing. Always producing such wondrous immortal brews."
Li Zhexian took a small sip of her wine. "Your wine also has a unique flavor. It's very good."
Xue Qinghe's smile deepened, when suddenly she recalled something, and asked:
"Li Zhexian, I know you love making friends, and enjoy sparring with the strong."
"This Spirit Master Tournament, all your old friends and acquaintances will be there. They will surely be waiting eagerly for your appearance."
"Do... you really not want to go on stage and give it a try?"
Li Zhexian's hand holding the cup paused.
The Spirit Master Tournament…
This grand event where every generation's prodigies of Douluo Continent revealed their brilliance.
To clash with the geniuses of the great academies, among them not a few of his own kindred friends.
To not take part—
Truly felt like something missing.
Yet thinking of the Heaven Dou Imperial Battle Team's seven members, already fully formed—
Li Zhexian thought it best to let things take their natural course.
Xue Qinghe caught the ease in his expression and changed the subject.
"Li Zhexian, in your eyes, how strong is the Heaven Dou Imperial Battle Team now?"
At this,
Li Zhexian's face lit with interest.
Thanks to his influence, their strength far surpassed what it once was.
Yu Tianheng, undaunted by setbacks, further aided by the Thunder Lotus Brew he gifted the Blue Lightning Clan, must have advanced considerably.
Dugu Yan's progress was even more astonishing—having obtained the Blood Swan's Kiss, famed as the most extreme poison, her Spirit Power had surpassed Yu Tianheng's, making her the indisputable core of the team.
Such a Heaven Dou Imperial Battle Team—
Even he was curious how far they could go.
Li Zhexian thought, then said:
"Top three should be no problem."
"The top three…"
Xue Qinghe first thought him conservative.
Then recalling the terrifying power of Spirit Hall's Golden Generation, she sighed in resignation.
In truth, for her own part—
She wished the Heaven Dou Battle Team could seize the championship.
She had lived undercover in the empire since childhood, and felt little sense of belonging toward Spirit Hall.
More than that, this was about the glory of the Heaven Dou Empire itself.
And as its Crown Prince, and Vice Dean of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, such a victory would be her greatest accomplishment.
But without Li Zhexian stepping into the arena—
For the Heaven Dou Battle Team to triumph over Spirit Hall's team was little more than a fantasy.
Especially with so many other formidable teams vying for glory.
Still—
If Li Zhexian chose to let fate run its course, she would never force his hand.
...
As the Heaven Dou Empire officially announced that the "Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament" would be unveiled at the Great Spirit Arena in Heaven Dou City, the tournament date drew near.
This already prosperous imperial capital was filled with surging crowds and boisterous clamor. The entire city was filled with the restlessness of the tournament's eve...