After resting for several days at Dugu Bo's residence, Ling Ye's injuries had almost completely healed thanks to the powerful restorative abilities of the immortal herbs and the Holy Spirit Puni Martial Soul. In fact, his strength had even improved somewhat as a result of the misfortune.
The alliance with the Dugu family is now solidified. The next step is to proceed with the original plan and make contact with the power center of the Heaven Dou Empire.
The best entry point is naturally the Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, who is currently enjoying great power and influence in the Heaven Dou Empire.
Through the introduction of Dugu Bo, a guest minister of the imperial family, Ling Ye easily obtained an opportunity to enter the Eastern Palace to meet the Crown Prince.
Tiandou City, the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace.
The atmosphere in the study was solemn and somewhat oppressive.
Xue Qinghe sat upright behind his desk, dressed in a bright yellow prince's robe, which made his face look like jade and his temperament gentle and refined, yet his brows carried an undeniable air of authority.
He held a book in his hands, seemingly casually, but the occasional glances he gave Ling Ye were so sharp they seemed to see right through him.
Ling Ye stood below, his expression calm and composed, neither humble nor arrogant.
He was also sizing up this "crown prince".
But upon that brief glance, a slight thought stirred within him.
His spiritual power, after multiple transformations and the blessing of the Holy Spirit Puni Martial Soul, had long since become so acute that it reached an extremely terrifying level.
Furthermore, the Holy Spirit Puni Martial Soul possesses an extraordinary sensitivity to energy, especially the light attribute.
Beneath Xue Qinghe's flawless disguise, Ling Ye vaguely sensed something amiss.
First is the breath.
Beneath that gentle and peaceful exterior, there seems to be a power of light attribute that can be described as the ultimate!
This power was perfectly concealed by an extremely sophisticated secret technique, but it could not escape the innate perception of the Holy Spirit Puni Martial Soul.
This is definitely not the martial spirit aura that an ordinary prince should have!
Secondly, there's the physique and certain details.
The other person's frame seemed to be more slender than that of an average man, and the rise and fall of his Adam's apple was also slightly deliberate. Although the disguise was flawless, it still left a trace in the eyes of someone as perceptive as Ling Ye.
Finally, it's that feeling.
An intuition told me that the other person seemed to possess a completely different soul essence.
"A woman... and an extremely powerful Light attribute martial soul..." Ling Ye instantly came to a conclusion, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
Qian Renxue! An infiltrator sent by the Spirit Hall!
I didn't expect to meet the person in question so soon.
At this moment, Xue Qinghe, or rather Qian Renxue, was also filled with turmoil.
She had already learned about the young man's amazing achievements and mysterious nature through her own channels.
He possesses a suspected god-level martial soul, a golden soul ring, severely injured a Soul Douluo with a single punch, repelled the encirclement and attack of Elders Gui and Ju, and even has a close relationship with Poison Douluo!
Such a person, suddenly arriving in Tiandou City through Dugu Bo's connections and requesting an audience with her, must have a very complicated purpose.
She carefully observed Ling Ye, trying to see through his true nature, but found that he was like a deep pool, impossible to understand!
The fluctuations in soul power seemed to be only at the Soul King level, but those eyes were terrifyingly deep, as if they could see through everything.
Especially when his gaze swept over her, Qian Renxue even had the illusion that he could see right through her, which made her feel a chill inexplicably.
"I have heard that Mr. Ling has recently gained fame and is a remarkable young talent. May I ask what brings you to see me?" Qian Renxue suppressed her surprise and doubt, put down her book, and asked in her disguised voice, a standard princely opening.
Ling Ye smiled slightly, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Highness, you flatter me. I am but a casual Soul Master who has occasionally encountered some opportunities and is unworthy of the title of a talent. I have come to see you for two reasons: first, I have long admired Your Highness's reputation and have come to pay my respects; second, I have heard that the Empire and the Spirit Hall have recently had some friction, and I also have some 'grudges' with the Spirit Hall. Perhaps... there is something we can do to cooperate?"
His words were half-true and half-false, expressing respect while directly pointing out potential common interests, subtly positioning himself as someone seeking cooperation rather than seeking allegiance.
A glint of light flashed in Qian Renxue's eyes.
Cooperation? What arrogance! What right does a Soul King, no matter how talented, have to talk about cooperation with a crown prince?
Furthermore, he openly stated that he had a grudge against the Spirit Hall? Is it true or false? Is he testing something?
"Oh? Cooperation?" Qian Renxue's face showed just the right amount of surprise and a hint of amusement. "Mr. Ling is certainly straightforward. But, I wonder what you mean by 'cooperation'? And what can it bring to the Empire?"
She leaned forward slightly, exuding a sense of pressure, as if she were assessing Ling Ye's worth.
Ling Ye responded calmly, his tone remaining composed: "While I am not particularly talented, I do possess some expertise in Soul Master cultivation, medicine, and elixirs. Perhaps I can recruit some talent for Your Highness, or provide some... special assistance that Your Highness requires. As for what I can bring to the Empire, that depends on what Your Highness needs."
He deliberately spoke vaguely, but hinted at his abilities in "medical skills and elixirs" and "talent recruitment," which are exactly what any power desires.
At the same time, the term "special assistance" carries a deeper meaning.
Qian Renxue's mind raced.
Medical skills and elixirs? Could Dugu Yan's recovery and her close relationship with Dugu Bo be related to this? Recruiting talent? Does this refer to himself, or someone else?
She increasingly felt that the young man in front of her was unfathomable.
"Mr. Ling is indeed an extraordinary person." Qian Renxue smiled, leaned back in her chair, and tapped her fingers lightly on the table. "I am very interested in your proposal. However, cooperation requires sincerity, and even more so, understanding. Why don't you stay in the capital for a few days, so that I can show you some hospitality and get to know you better?"
Her plan was to first keep Ling Ye calm and then gradually figure out his background and true intentions.
Ling Ye naturally understood her thoughts and readily agreed: "That is indeed my wish, but I dare not ask. Then I will trouble Your Highness."
The two exchanged a smile, seemingly amicable, but in reality, each harbored their own calculations and vigilance.
What appears to be an ordinary meeting is in fact the first clash and probing between two top-notch intelligent individuals.
After Ling Ye took his leave, only Qian Renxue remained in the study.
The gentle smile on her face gradually disappeared, replaced by an icy calm.
"Shadow," she said softly.
A blurry black shadow appeared silently in the corner.
"Investigate thoroughly! Investigate everything about Ling Ye! From his birth to now, every piece of information you can find must be included! Especially his 'grudge' with the Spirit Hall, and the details of his relationship with Dugu Bo!" Qian Renxue's voice was cold and authoritative.
"Yes, Master," the shadowy figure replied in a low voice, then vanished silently.
Qian Renxue walked to the window, watching Ling Ye's departing figure. Her beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, flashing with a wise yet dangerous light.
"Ling Ye... who exactly are you? What is your purpose in approaching me? Could it be... another test sent by Bibi Dong?" She muttered to herself, a cold smile curving her lips. "No matter who you are, now that you're in this game, don't think you can get out easily."
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