Chapter 233: Meeting Qian Renxue
That day, Dugu Feng received a message from Old Snake — Crown Prince Xue Qinghe had invited him to serve as a guest elder at the Prince's Mansion.
This left Dugu Feng astonished.
What was Qian Renxue planning?
Could it be that she wanted to draw the Dugu Family to her side?
The offer was certainly not a low one.
From what he knew, only Spirit Emperors and above qualified to become guest elders of the Prince's Mansion.
And once Qian Renxue ascended the throne, all such guest elders would become members of the new imperial nobility.
Emperor Xue Ye's illness had worsened, and countless ministers and spirit masters were already aligning themselves with Qian Renxue.
The honey she handed out had to be accepted — to decline would be to brand oneself as her enemy.
As for Qian Renxue, Dugu Feng felt neither fondness nor animosity toward her.
When he had first joined the Soto City meeting of the six major families, Ghost Douluo, Yang Wushuang, and the Elephant Armored Sect had conspired against the Dugu Family — surely Qian Renxue had been involved in that plot.
The two sides had conflicting interests.
Yet, ever since the Dugu Family had seemingly "failed to notice" the poison afflicting Emperor Xue Ye, Qian Renxue had stopped targeting them.
Dugu Feng judged her to be very different from Bibi Dong.
Bibi Dong wanted to annihilate all forces before turning on the Qian Family itself.
Qian Renxue, however, seemed intent on subduing those forces rather than destroying them — a far softer approach.
Whether or not he would someday expose her true identity would depend on the situation then.
For now, the Dugu Family's policy was to remain low-key and grow quietly until producing a Title Douluo.
So long as that was the case, Qian Renxue was unlikely to move against them.
It was Bibi Dong's upcoming Soul Hunt Operation that demanded vigilance.
The best course, he thought, would be to delay that operation — to buy more time for his own growth.
As Dugu Feng mulled this over, he gently brushed Ning Rongrong's hair and said, "Rongrong, the Crown Prince wants me as a guest elder. What do you think — should I accept?"
Without hesitation, Ning Rongrong replied, "Brother Xue has great talent and ambition. He values gifted spirit masters highly.
Winning you over means winning over all of the Heaven Dou Empire's younger generation. He's got good vision."
She understood Xue Qinghe well enough to see through Qian Renxue's motives.
But she didn't object — in fact, she fully supported Dugu Feng accepting the offer.
"Since you agree, Rongrong, I'll go meet him, then."
Dugu Feng rose from the couch as Ning Rongrong straightened his robes.
Once ready, he left for the imperial palace.
With the Prince's token in hand, Dugu Feng passed through each gate unimpeded and soon arrived at the Prince's Mansion.
Upon hearing the report from her guards, Qian Renxue personally came out of the main hall to greet him.
"Brother Feng, this is the first time you've used my token to come see me, isn't it? I gave you that token nearly ten years ago!"
Qian Renxue smiled, half-teasing.
Although they had seen each other in various circumstances, this was indeed their first private meeting.
"Please forgive me, Brother Xue," Dugu Feng replied with a courteous bow. "I've never been fond of the nobles' gatherings.
When I accepted your token back then, it was because I could sense your sincerity — you struck me as someone different from the rest.
Now, almost a decade later, you've become a Crown Prince admired by all under Heaven Dou's skies.
Receiving your invitation, I came as swiftly as I could."
His words delighted Qian Renxue.
It seemed her effort to win over the Dugu Family might bear fruit after all.
"Brother Feng, please."
Qian Renxue personally led him to a side hall — a refined tea chamber designed for distinguished guests, with equal seats and no sign of hierarchy.
"Please, have a seat."
Dugu Feng and Qian Renxue sat opposite each other at the tea table.
She began to brew the tea herself, her motions smooth and elegant, embodying the grace of nobility.
"Please drink, Brother Feng."
"Thank you, Brother Xue."
The fragrant steam filled the room, calming the spirit.
Qian Renxue's courtesy intrigued him further. He was curious to see where this conversation would lead.
"Brother Feng," Qian Renxue said with a gentle smile, "what do you think of the Empire's current state of affairs?"
Dugu Feng blinked, then feigned ignorance. "Brother Xue, if it's about the spirit master world, I can talk a bit. But politics? I'm afraid that's outside my expertise."
Qian Renxue chuckled. "Ah, I forgot — Brother Feng focuses solely on cultivation.
But the Empire's state and the spirit master world are closely connected.
The two great empires of the continent stand opposed — north and south, divided by constant border skirmishes.
The conflict is as deep as fire and water.
The Emperor of Star Luo is a Title Douluo himself and stronger personally.
But in the world of spirit masters, Heaven Dou has the upper hand — all three great sects are within our borders. Do you know why that is?"
Dugu Feng shook his head.
Qian Renxue continued, "The Upper Three Sects didn't start as such — they blossomed within Heaven Dou's tolerant environment.
The Empire's light touch allowed spirit master clans, academies, and sects to flourish freely.
Star Luo, however, is different — its royal family seeks to dominate all spirit masters.
Those who refused to submit were annihilated. Only a few sects survived there, protected by the Spirit Hall's influence."
Dugu Feng nodded. She was right, and he said so. "Star Luo Empire is unfriendly to spirit masters."
"Exactly. Star Luo gathers power with only one aim — to unify the continent.
The Dai family wants unification… and so do I."
Qian Renxue rose, turning toward the window, her tone brimming with conviction.
"Since becoming Crown Prince, I have set my heart on strengthening the spirit master world and building an empire capable of defeating Star Luo.
Brother Feng, will you help me?"
Her eyes gleamed with ambition; her bearing radiated imperial resolve.
She deliberately contrasted the two royal houses — to make it clear that if Heaven Dou unified the land, spirit families would thrive.
But if Star Luo succeeded, they would all be crushed under its rule.
She had thought this through well. With people like Dugu Feng, mere friendship or sincerity would lead only to polite respect — not allegiance.
But if they shared a vision, a youthful drive for conquest and destiny — that could unite them fully.
"Brother Xue, your ambition commands my respect," Dugu Feng said with a faint smile. "But I'm only a Spirit King right now. I can't be of much help yet."
Qian Renxue laughed softly. "Building armies and strengthening the nation — that's my task.
All I ask is that you focus on reaching the Spirit Douluo realm as soon as possible.
With your talent, by then you might even rival the Dai Family's White Tiger himself!
And I believe that with your reputation among the younger spirit masters, if you support me, there's nothing we couldn't achieve together."
Qian Renxue's words radiated imperial authority and grand vision.
Dugu Feng was somewhat surprised — this truly was her genuine ambition.
A woman dreaming of conquering the entire continent… now that was something even he couldn't help but admire.
(END CHAPTER)
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