After escaping from the harrowing night in Wuhun City, Ling Ye didn't linger for a moment, pushing his speed to the limit and returning to Tiandou City overnight.
After all, Bibi Dong's emotions are unpredictable, and she might just change her mind and try to take him down.
He has his own plans and naturally doesn't want to waste time on these things.
Only after stepping into the guest courtyard arranged for him by the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace and feeling the relatively safe atmosphere around him did he slowly breathe a sigh of relief. However, the extremely complicated look in Bibi Dong's eyes and the image of Dong Ye's giggling kept flashing through his mind.
My mind is in turmoil.
He pushed open the bedroom door and was surprised to find a slender figure standing by the window with her back to him, gazing at the hazy moonlight outside.
It is "Prince Xue Qinghe", or rather, Thousand-foot Snow.
She seemed to have been there for a while; upon hearing the door open, she slowly turned around.
In the candlelight, she shed some of her disguise, revealing a stunningly beautiful face, yet carrying an undeniable weariness and aloofness.
Upon seeing Ling Ye, a barely perceptible flicker of emotion flashed in her eyes, but it was quickly concealed.
The two looked at each other, and for a moment neither of them spoke.
A subtle and complex atmosphere permeated the air, containing the scheming of collaborators, the strange tacit understanding of those who shared secrets, and the indescribable entanglement left behind after that intimate night.
Finally, Qian Renxue broke the silence first. She walked up to Ling Ye, looked up at him, and said in a voice that revealed neither joy nor anger: "Where did you go? You... have her scent on you."
A woman's intuition is frighteningly sharp, especially towards the woman she considers her lifelong enemy.
Ling Ye's heart skipped a beat, but he neither denied it nor explained in detail. He simply said, "I went to take care of some personal matters, and they've been taken care of."
Qian Renxue narrowed her beautiful eyes slightly, as if trying to see something from his face, but Ling Ye's eyes were as deep as an ancient well, without any ripples.
She suddenly chuckled softly, a smile tinged with self-deprecation and other emotions, and reached out her slender hand to gently caress Ling Ye's chest.
"It seems your 'personal matters' are more important than our cooperation?" His tone carried a hint of resentment and provocation.
Ling Ye grabbed her restless hand, feeling its cool touch, while his other hand wrapped around her slender waist, pulling her closer to him.
He didn't answer her question, but instead lowered his head and kissed her soft yet cold lips.
Qian Renxue did not refuse; she felt her soul power being activated once again.
This is something she has always looked forward to.
The circulation of soul power is accelerated a thousandfold.
It drove her absolutely crazy!
His soul power increased more than it usually does in a month.
She found it incredibly amazing! Although she didn't know why!
And it seems that only in this way can she find her true self.
"It can make your soul power increase even faster!"
"I want you to give it your all!"
She gently pinched Ling Ye's back with her fingers.
Ling Ye smiled slightly but ignored him.
Instead, it will intensify the storm!
It was as if they wanted to confirm each other's existence in this way, and dispel the gloom and uncertainty in each other's hearts.
Desire and scheming intertwined in a strange way at this moment.
Countless hours passed, and an ambiguous atmosphere filled the palace.
Qian Renxue leaned lazily against Ling Ye's chest, her fingertips unconsciously drawing circles on his chest, the previous sharpness seemingly disappearing for the time being.
For her, all she needs is to come back!
"Alright, let's get down to business." Ling Ye patted her back, steer the conversation back on track.
He knew that Qian Renxue wouldn't be waiting for him here for no reason; after all, she had another identity and needed to handle many matters.
Qian Renxue also composed herself, regaining some of the composure of a crown prince, and said, "The empire has just announced that a new continent-wide advanced soul master competition will be held in Tiandou City in three months."
Ling Ye's eyes flashed: "The Continental Advanced Soul Master Tournament?" This is an important plot point in the original work.
"Not bad." Qian Renxue sat up, her eyes flashing with a sharp light. "This competition is of extraordinary significance. Leaving aside the Star Luo Empire for now, the focus is on the Spirit Hall. They will definitely send their strongest team to try to retain the championship and demonstrate their dominance over the continent. And according to intelligence, the one in the Papal Palace seems to attach great importance to this competition."
She paused, then looked at Ling Ye: "I need you to represent the Heaven Dou Empire in the competition. Or rather, to form a team with you as the leader to participate in this tournament."
"Oh?" Ling Ye raised an eyebrow. "Let me, someone of unknown origin, represent the Heavenly Dou Empire? Your Highness, aren't you afraid of inviting trouble?"
Qian Renxue smiled slightly, her smile brimming with confidence and calculation: "I have witnessed your strength firsthand. Your value far outweighs the risks. Besides, aren't we 'cooperative' partners? This is an excellent opportunity for you to make your official debut, build your reputation, and at the same time severely suppress the arrogance of the Spirit Hall and those disobedient forces."
She leaned close to Ling Ye's ear, lowered her voice, and said with a hint of coldness, "For example, Tang San, who has been jumping around lately and has gained some fame with his cleverness and hidden weapons, and his Shrek Academy. I really dislike them and hope you can eliminate them directly."
Ling Ye instantly understood Qian Renxue's intention.
This is to use him as a sharp blade to eliminate dissidents and strike at rivals on a stage under the spotlight, while simultaneously binding him completely to the war chariot of the Heavenly Dou Empire.
For him, this is also an excellent platform.
Under the watchful eyes of the entire continent, one can display absolute strength, crush so-called geniuses, gain fame, and even take the opportunity to implement some plans, such as getting closer to certain people in the Spirit Hall, or sending a more special "surprise" to His Holiness the Pope.
"Okay." Ling Ye nodded in agreement almost without hesitation. "I will participate, and I will win the championship."
Qian Renxue seemed somewhat surprised by his quick agreement, but more so satisfied: "Very good. I will arrange the spot for you in the Royal Academy. As for the team members, you can choose them yourself; the Empire will provide all the necessary resources. I hope to see a team that can sweep everything away."
"Don't worry." Ling Ye's lips curled into a confident smile. "I won't let you down."
Several suitable candidates had already begun to emerge in his mind.
Zhu Zhuqing, Dugu Yan... perhaps we could also add the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School who is full of curiosity about him?
A team he personally built, capable of astonishing the entire continent, is about to take shape.
The winds of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Tournament have already begun to blow.
Various forces are at play, and undercurrents are swirling beneath the surface.
Ling Ye, as a powerful variable, will officially step onto this magnificent stage.
The show is about to begin.
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(End of chapter)