The night passed without incident. The next morning—
Meng Shenshou came to the valley with news. "Xiao Hai, His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived. He represents the royal family to commend our team for its results. I already told him the team is on holiday. When he heard you were here in the valley, he asked to visit you personally."
"Uncle Meng, since it's a visit, bring His Highness to my residence," Yang Yunhai replied.
"Alright." Meng Shenshou nodded and went back with the message.
Not long after, Qian Renxue, with two guards at her side, followed Meng Shenshou into the valley.
"Brother Yang, long time no see." She smiled as Yang Yunhai stepped out with two women to welcome her.
Yang Yunhai smiled. "Uncle Shenshou, Brother Qinghe, please come inside."
"I won't intrude," Meng Shenshou waved. "The academy has matters I still need to handle."
"Very well." Yang Yunhai nodded, then led Qian Renxue into the house. Her two guards remained outside as sentries.
After a few polite words about the tournament, Zhu Zhuqing cut in at the right time. "Yun, you two talk. Sister Yan and I will return to our rooms to cultivate."
"Alright." Yang Yunhai nodded, watching the two women leave before turning back. "Brother Qinghe, shall we talk upstairs?"
Qian Renxue smiled. "Good!"
Soon, the two sat on the sunlit top floor balcony. Qian Renxue picked up the tea before her, took a sip, and spoke first, tone calm.
"It seems your teacher has already told you my true identity."
Otherwise, Zhu Zhuqing wouldn't have deliberately left with Dugu Yan, and Yang Yunhai wouldn't have suggested an upstairs talk.
"In fact, I knew even earlier," Yang Yunhai said with a smile.
Qian Renxue's fingers tightened slightly, though her expression didn't change. "Oh? Then enlighten me."
"The first time we met, I noticed you were a woman, and from Spirit Hall. Later, when Dugu Bo sought me out, I learned from him that the former Pope of Spirit Hall had a daughter who supposedly died young. Calculating the years, her age matched yours exactly."
Qian Renxue stayed silent, then asked, "How did you see through my disguise? And how did you deduce Spirit Hall?"
'Because I read the script.' Yang Yunhai only shrugged, then spun nonsense. "Tell me, what man carries the scent of flowers on his body? Those familiar with Xue Qinghe might ignore it, but I was not familiar, so it piqued my curiosity. And as for Spirit Hall… I had just applied to join Heaven Dou Royal Academy under Salas, and the very next day I ran into the Crown Prince. That memory stuck."
'Suspicion born from an outsider's perspective…' Qian Renxue mused, then said, "Those are conjectures, strung together they may hint at something, but they are flimsy, not proof."
"On their own, of course not," Yang Yunhai agreed. "But add one more premise, and it changes everything."
"What premise?" she asked.
"You are not Xue Qinghe." Yang Yunhai's voice was calm.
Her brow furrowed.
"You don't understand men—that's the first thing," Yang Yunhai continued. "As Crown Prince, a man over twenty, yet never once linked with a woman? Is that reasonable?"
"Indeed, it is not," Qian Renxue admitted without hesitation.
For an ordinary cultivator, abstinence could be explained by devotion to training. But a Crown Prince? Impossible. A man with no interest in women would draw suspicion about both his orientation and the dynasty's future succession. Unless, of course, the Prince was not a man at all.
'This could even stir Xue Ye's doubts… I'll need to arrange for a female soul master to enter the palace soon,' she thought.
'Quick to catch on. Not stupid at all. So why did the original become such a lovestruck fool?' Yang Yunhai mused.
"Second, your behavior is too flawless," Yang Yunhai said. "So flawless it felt like an act from the very first time I saw you. For years, Heaven Dou has heard no rumor of any vice, no trace of indulgence, only endless praise. Tell me, is that humanly possible? Sometimes the lack of flaws is the greatest flaw. And you—your perfection was too obvious."
Qian Renxue fell silent again, then nodded slightly. "Too obvious indeed."
These doubts were enough to mark his guess as certainty. Clever men always plan against the possibility.
"And third…" Yang Yunhai went on. Her heart sank.
"There's more?"
"An unexpected clue," Yang Yunhai said. "Years ago, when Xue Ye and his ministers debated the choice of heir, most favored the second prince. Yet two days later, he suddenly died. The next year, the third prince also died. Both poisoned. And the only beneficiary was—"
Her body stiffened. The implication was clear.
"And fourth," Yang Yunhai said evenly. "I heard from Dugu Bo that both died from poison. And any poison, even subtle ones, needs a carrier. Truly no trace left behind?"
Qian Renxue's eyes narrowed. 'He guessed it. I used incense as the carrier—incense only I used in the palace. That was a flaw. If discovered… I'll need to refine this plan further.'
"And fifth," Yang Yunhai continued. "The fourth prince Xue Beng's reputation as a wastrel is well known. But Prince Xue Xing seems to dote on him. When Shrek Academy's people came to join Heaven Dou Royal Academy at Qin Ming's invitation, Xue Beng tried to block them. Then Prince Xue Xing himself stepped in to oppose. You think that was coincidence?"
Qian Renxue's pupils shrank. 'Xue Beng's debauchery is only a disguise. He and Prince Xue Xing aimed to undermine my influence. Yet I… never realized. But Yang Yunhai did.'
Her teeth clenched unconsciously. Strength, comprehension, strategy… she was behind in all three.
"So tell me, do you still think your purpose today will succeed?" Yang Yunhai asked evenly.
Her eyes widened—this was a test. He had exposed not one, but five points, not just confirming her identity but also showing her weakness. He was sending a message.
"Why not?" Qian Renxue smiled faintly, eyes glowing with a mix of approval and conquest. 'Such a genius—only I am worthy to recruit him, not Bibi Dong or her disciple Hu Liena.'
"You know well who the Soul Master Tournament champion reward is meant for. Your teacher and uncle have served Bibi Dong for years—what did they gain? Even you, submitting theory after theory—did she reward you? That is where I differ from Bibi Dong. Join the Worship Hall under me, and you'll have status and soul bones alike."
"Sounds good." Yang Yunhai smiled. "But not enough. I want one more thing."
"What?" she asked.
"The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, Heaven Dou's national treasure."
"Done," Qian Renxue said without hesitation. "As long as you help me ascend the throne, it's yours."
To her, a soul tool was worth far less than binding Yang Yunhai and three Titled Douluo. Later, once she secured power, reclaiming it would be easy.
"You will ascend," Yang Yunhai said. "But before that, you'll have to make a choice."
"What choice?" she asked.
"You'll know when the time comes." He smiled. "I can only say—it will only benefit you."
"Fine." Though curious, Qian Renxue nodded. "Then I'll wait for that day."
Yang Yunhai rose. "Come, Brother Qinghe, let's go downstairs."
They descended, and Qian Renxue soon departed.
…
Meanwhile, in Sunset Forest at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well—
"This… this…" Chrysanthemum Douluo was dumbstruck.
Soon, he and Dugu Bo were busy transplanting immortal herbs, with Chrysanthemum Douluo lecturing on their properties.
When they came to the Black Jade Divine Bamboo, Dugu Bo sighed. "Alas, to cure my poison, Xiao Hai lost his chance to consume this treasure. Such a pity."
Chrysanthemum Douluo blinked, then smirked. "Actually, he already did."
"!!?" Dugu Bo froze, then flushed.
"Enough. Back then, you two weren't close. It's normal he kept it from you. Just think what he gave us—the most suitable herbs for both of us. Isn't that enough?"
"True." Dugu Bo's scowl faded.
Later, back in the valley at night, Dugu Bo returned the jade gourd. "One thing I must tell you all—Xiao Wu of Shrek Academy is actually a 100,000-year transformed soul beast."
"!!?" Chrysanthemum Douluo gasped. "Old Poison, is this true?!"
"Naturally," Dugu Bo nodded. "In Suotuo City's arena I sensed it clearly. Afterward in Heaven Dou City, the aura was hidden, likely by Tang Hao's means."
"Then we must capture her," Chrysanthemum Douluo said at once.
"Zhuqing is most suitable," Ghost Douluo added bluntly.
Dugu Bo nodded. "After the tournament ends, we'll act. Not now—Tang Hao lurks nearby. And in the academy she's too well protected. Too risky now."
"Agreed," Chrysanthemum Douluo said. "Once caught, hide her in your storage soul tool."
"Settled, then," Dugu Bo said.
Later that night, back in the house, Yiner looked downcast.
"Don't be sad, Sister Yiner," Dugu Yan consoled. "With her bond to Tang San, even if we left her alone, she'd still oppose us. We are already mortal enemies. And as soul masters, we must hunt soul beasts for rings. Some things cannot be avoided."
Yiner nodded slightly. "I know… it's just that cultivation is so hard. I feel pity."
But she understood—the law of nature was survival of the fittest. Even she, once reborn into flesh, would need to hunt soul beasts again.
"Enough. Don't dwell on it. Let's cultivate," Yang Yunhai said. He pulled Yiner close, then raised his head. "The future can wait. For now, we must grow strong. Only strength lets us protect ourselves and choose our path."
"Mm." They all nodded.
Soon the room was filled with the glow of cultivation.
…
Meanwhile, in the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's hall—
Bang!
The Grand Elder slammed the table. "This Yang Yunhai has no regard for our clan. With his current talent, he'll be a threat in the future. He must be eliminated."
Another elder said, "Better capture him quickly. His mastery of so many lightning skills—he must have unique insights."
A third added, "Why not seize his parents first?"
"Silence, Seventh!" Clan Chief Yu Yuanzhen roared. "Would you have us kidnap commoners and throw away generations of reputation?"
"Exactly," another elder agreed. "Such disgrace would see us mocked across the soul master world. And you forget—Yang Yunhai was abandoned as an infant. Why would he care about such parents?"
The seventh elder fell silent.
"For now, we wait until the tournament ends," Yu Luomian declared.
"Agreed," the elders nodded one after another.
"Then it's settled. Meeting adjourned," Yu Yuanzhen said coldly.
(End of Chapter)
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