Just then, another knock sounded at the door.
Eve lifted her gaze.
"Come in."
The door opened, and a blond youth stepped inside. His bearing was dignified, his posture straight, his face handsome yet restrained.
It was none other than Xue Qinghe, the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire.
Without hesitation, he walked forward and went down on one knee.
This act no longer held any symbolic weight—ever since Qian Renxue had twisted the deepest layers of his cognition, obedience toward Eve had become as natural as breathing.
"Your Highness," Xue Qinghe said respectfully, his voice calm and measured. "I have come to report on recent events at the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy."
Eve gestured lightly. "Speak."
Xue Qinghe raised his head slightly.
"Following your instructions, I have now full control of the academy under the guise of reform. Several professors have been replaced, and the influence of Prince Xue Xing has been weakened." His eyes flickered briefly. "However, an incident occurred."
He proceeded to recount the events in detail—about a group of geniuses along with some strong teachers that were going to enroll in the academy, but due to Xue Xing's meddling they left.
"At present," Xue Qinghe concluded, "Xue Xing's actions are becoming increasingly overt. If allowed to continue, he may disrupt the stability of my ascension. Do you believe it is necessary… to remove him?"
The word remove was spoken softly, without emotion.
Qian Xunji's expression tightened slightly, but Eve remained relaxed.
'Wasn't it just the scam Academy Shrek.....'
She shook her head faintly.
"No," Eve replied calmly. "Xue Xing must remain alive—for now."
Xue Qinghe hesitated. "But his interference—"
"Is precisely what I need," Eve interrupted, her tone gentle yet absolute.
She leaned forward slightly.
"Your ascension must be flawless," she said. "Without bloodshed, without suspicion, without leaving behind any excuse for dissent. Xue Xing's existence provides the perfect contrast. After reaching the throne all the previous misgivings can be pinned on him."
Eve continued, "As long as he lives, every scheme, every shadow maneuver, every accusation can be attributed to internal royal conflict rather than an external force."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"When you ascend the throne while he still draws breath, no one will dare question the legitimacy of your position."
Xue Qinghe bowed his head. "I understand."
"And remember," Eve added, "you do not need to defeat him."
She smiled.
"You only need to let him reveal himself."
"Yes," Xue Qinghe replied immediately. "I will follow your will."
Eve waved her hand lightly. "You may go."
Xue Qinghe stood, bowed once more to Eve—and briefly to Qian Xunji out of courtesy—before turning and leaving the room.
The door closed softly behind him.
Eve's lips curved into a faint smirk.
she thought coldly, 'Xue Beng, propped up by Xue Xing…pretending to be a wastrel, '
'You both are excellent toys. Let the two of you tear at each other for the throne.'
'Xue Xing… you cannot be allowed to die so early.'
Her gaze shifted.
With a flick of her wrist, Eve retrieved a palm-sized, bizarre object.
It had a triangular form, its body crystal-clear blue, as though carved entirely from flawless sapphire. Within it pulsed a radiant azure light, accompanied by strange and profound energy fluctuations. Ripples like water waves spread continuously across its surface.
This was the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud—a divine relic once enshrined within the Heaven Dou Royal Family's treasury.
A fragment of Sea God authority lingered within it.
Yet surrounding that divine intent were powerful, distorted thoughts. If anyone attempted to probe it with spiritual consciousness from the outside, they would hear nothing but mad murmurs—chaotic whispers akin to waves crashing against a broken shore.
The Sea God's divine intent within was completely sealed, unable to perceive anything beyond the artifact itself.
This was Qian Renxue's handiwork.
Now standing at Level 100—wild godhood, she had overwritten outside laws of the relic.
Because of this, Poseidon could no longer locate the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, nor sense its existence within the mortal world.
Eve's fingers tightened slightly around the artifact.
'Qian Renxue instructed me to bring this to a certain area in the Sunset Forest…'
Her eyes gleamed faintly.
'Is she planning to deal with the Sea God's remaining divine consciousness herself?'
A dangerous light flickered in Eve's gaze.
'Or… is she preparing a stage for something far more terrifying?'
----
Sunset Forest
Amidst an open clearing deep within the forest, the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud lay exposed upon the earth.
Suddenly, the suppressive thought barriers surrounding it silently dissipated—like mist under the morning sun. The distorted murmurs vanished, and the imprisoned Sea God Posiedon's divine consciousness stirred.
For the first time in a long while—It could sense again.
The forest trembled.
A vast oceanic aura, immense and ancient, surged outward. It carried the weight of tides, the majesty of endless seas, and holiness of divine authority. Sacred light mixed with deep blue radiance, washing over the clearing like an invisible wave.
Yet Poseidon paid no attention to the ancient trees, the spirit beasts retreating in terror, or the trembling earth beneath him.
His gaze fixed upon a single figure.
Seated calmly atop a smooth rock was a young woman.
Golden hair cascaded down her back like molten sunlight, her purple eyes deep and unfathomable. She sat with perfect poise, one hand resting lightly upon the hilt of a golden sword, its blade embedded into the ground beside her. Her posture was relaxed—yet carried an indescribable authority.