Qi Lin looked at Qian Renxue's sincere expression and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
She really puts on a convincing act. If he hadn't been able to see through her disguise, he might've also believed that the person before him was a virtuous and talent-hungry crown prince.
Still, since Qian Renxue had shown such courtesy, Qi Lin was willing to give her some face.
He lazily smiled and said, "Since Your Highness puts it that way, it would be rude of me to decline."
"After all, having a prince as a friend—doesn't that mean I can walk sideways through Heaven Dou City?"
Qian Renxue burst out laughing. "Haha! Since you're willing to be my friend, then there's no need to call me 'Your Highness' anymore."
"How about this—since I'm a few years older than you, just call me Brother Xue from now on."
"Sure thing!"
"Then I'll be in your care from now on, Brother Xue."
Seeing his reaction, a glint flashed in Qian Renxue's eyes, and the corner of her mouth curled up slightly.
This, too, could be considered laying the groundwork to recruit Qi Lin in the future.
As a peerless genius with no clan or backing, and no vested interest in the Heaven Dou Empire, Qian Renxue was fairly certain that Qi Lin had little emotional attachment to the empire.
With that in mind, as long as she continued to build a connection with Qi Lin and increase his favorability, even if her identity were to be exposed one day, Qi Lin would likely still take her side.
To be fair, before Qian Renxue's love-struck phase began, her intelligence and judgment were indeed top-tier.
The two chatted a while longer—yet another subtle probe from Qian Renxue to test Qi Lin's attitude toward Spirit Hall.
To her surprise, Qi Lin seemed to have a rather favorable impression of Spirit Hall.
Hearing this, Qian Renxue was quite pleased internally, though she didn't let it show. Instead, she asked in a puzzled tone:
"If you think so highly of Spirit Hall, why didn't you go teach at Spirit Hall Academy instead?"
Qi Lin paused to think for a moment, then replied with a smile, "Maybe being a teacher here is just more fun."
After all, this place was full of iconic characters from the original work—Dugu Bo, Qian Renxue, and so on. If he went to Spirit Hall Academy, he wouldn't have the chance to meet them.
What kind of logic is that?
Qian Renxue couldn't wrap her head around Qi Lin's reasoning, but she didn't press further. As they were about to part ways, she took out a jade token from her waist. It was engraved with the royal crest of the Heaven Dou Empire and handed it to Qi Lin.
"Little brother Qi Lin, this token is my personal sigil as the crown prince. If anyone in Heaven Dou Academy dares mess with you, just show this token—no need to give face to anyone."
"And of course, with this token, you'll have unrestricted access to the Crown Prince's Manor."
"You're always welcome there."
Qi Lin accepted the token and examined it.
It was carved from pure jade, smooth and cool to the touch.
Tossing it lightly in his hand, he smiled. "In that case, I'll graciously accept this token."
Qian Renxue smiled in satisfaction.
"Well then, Qi Lin, let's end our talk here for today."
"I rushed over just to meet such a talented young man like yourself, even putting aside state affairs. If I've been a poor host, I hope you won't mind."
From her tone to her posture, Qian Renxue gave off a warm and pleasant aura, like a spring breeze.
No wonder people said she had the bearing of a wise ruler—those weren't empty words!
Qi Lin waved his hand with a grin. "State affairs come first, Brother Xue. Go take care of your business—it's not like we won't see each other again."
After seeing Qian Renxue off and watching her figure disappear into the distance, Qi Lin finally returned to his dorm.
Meanwhile, back at the Crown Prince's Manor, as soon as Qian Renxue sat down, two figures silently appeared by her side.
One was tall—over two meters—and stood like a javelin, exuding a sharp, invisible pressure.
The other was of average height and build, appearing like a regular old man, without the fierce edge of the taller one.
"Young master, what do you think of this Qi Lin?" the tall elder asked in a low voice. "Is he really as monstrous as the secret letter claimed?"
"Qi Lin is even more terrifying than the letter suggested. His talent surpasses even mine," Qian Renxue said calmly.
"What?!" Both elders' pupils contracted sharply. The tall one spoke again in a grave tone. "Young master, are you joking?"
These two old men had guarded Qian Renxue for years. No one knew her talent better than they did.
She was only twenty-two and already at Rank 66 Soul Power. And that was with her having to split her time with government duties, leaving little time to cultivate.
To them, her talent was nearly unparalleled in history.
But now, she claimed someone else was even more gifted?
How could that be?
Qian Renxue shook her head. "I'm not joking. Qi Lin's soul power isn't Rank 50 like the letter said—it's Rank 58!"
"Fifty-eight?!"
The two elders cried out in shock, their faces filled with disbelief.
Thirteen years old and already Rank 58?
Was he trying to defy the heavens?
When they were thirteen, they had only reached Rank 30—and they were Title Douluos!
After a while, the two recovered and frowned.
"Young master, with such frightening talent, if we can't recruit him, it would be best to eliminate him early."
Qian Renxue waved her hand nonchalantly and smiled.
"No need. We get along well. Recruiting him is just a matter of time."
"Besides, from my subtle probing, he not only doesn't reject Spirit Hall—he even seems to have a bit of goodwill toward it."
The two elders nodded in approval.
"That's excellent."
On the other side, news of the crown prince's visit to Qi Lin quickly spread throughout Heaven Dou Academy.
Inside a palace on the academy grounds—
As a prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Beng naturally had a palace to himself at Heaven Dou Academy.
But right now, that palace was anything but calm.
Crash!
A priceless celadon vase smashed to the floor, shards flying.
"Xue Qinghe! Again with Xue Qinghe!" Xue Beng's eyes were bloodshot, veins bulging on his forehead. He kicked over a nearby table, letting out a low growl filled with suppressed rage.
"That Qi Lin—he's only thirteen and already Rank 50! If he sides with Xue Qinghe, how can I ever compete with him?"
"Why? Why do all these geniuses hold Xue Qinghe in such high regard?"
"He's just a hypocrite!"
As he shouted, Xue Beng couldn't contain himself. He suddenly grabbed a ceremonial sword hanging on the wall.
A cold gleam flashed as he slashed wildly at the furniture around the room.
When he shattered a mirror, his twisted reflection stared back at him from the fractured glass.
Rage. Jealousy. And a trace of—
Fear!