Chapter 90: Handprints on Qian Renxue and Xue Beng's Faces
"If you want to make a mark in the Soul Master Tournament over a year from now..."
"Then only Heaven Dou Imperial Academy and the Five Elemental Academies are suitable!"
"However, the Five Elemental Academies each have their own teaching philosophies and team-building concepts. It would be difficult for you and Rongrong to be accepted. If I step in, I could indeed help you gain entry into one of them, but your joining their existing teams would make you seem out of place."
"Heaven Dou Imperial Academy would have been the best choice for you. However, you were just expelled from there, so there's no need to grovel to get back in."
"Perhaps the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan could fund..."
Hearing Su Mo's words, Ning Fengzhi began to analyze the situation. Ultimately, he found none of the options suitable. Just as he was about to suggest simply buying an academy with potential for the two to train in, he was interrupted.
"Sect Master, Crown Prince Xue Qinghe is here to visit!"
Before Ning Fengzhi could finish speaking, a disciple entered to deliver the message.
"Oh? Qinghe is here? Then let him in!"
Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi naturally wouldn't let the Crown Prince wait and instructed his disciple to invite him in.
"Su Mo, let me introduce someone to you. He's my disciple and also the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Qinghe!"
"As for the academy matter, we'll discuss it later."
Ning Fengzhi turned back with a smile and spoke to Su Mo.
"So it's Senior Brother coming to visit!"
"I haven't seen Senior Brother in a long time either!"
At this point, Ning Rongrong smiled lightly.
Clearly, Ning Rongrong was familiar with Xue Qinghe.
This was only natural—Xue Qinghe was Ning Fengzhi's disciple, so there was no reason for Ning Rongrong not to know him.
"Listening to Uncle Ning, I'd like to meet Crown Prince Xue Qinghe as well!"
Su Mo smiled casually, showing no objections.
However, he hadn't expected Xue Qinghe—or rather, Qian Renxue in disguise—to show up at such a coincidental moment.
"Is Xiaoxue coming?"
Swoosh!
Before Su Mo could process the situation, Bibi Dong's excited voice echoed beside him. Her figure appeared immediately, and she darted outside.
Through Bibi Dong's perspective, Su Mo quickly saw the disciple leading two people in their direction.
One of the figures was naturally Qian Renxue disguised as Crown Prince Xue Qinghe.
The other figure, however, surprised Su Mo—it was Prince Xue Beng.
At this moment, Xue Beng, following behind Qian Renxue, walked with his head slightly lowered. Occasionally, when he lifted his gaze and caught a glimpse of Qian Renxue's back, a faint, hidden gloominess would flicker in his eyes.
As Xue Beng lifted his head momentarily, Su Mo noticed a conspicuous handprint on his face—it was clear that the slap had not been light!
"Tsk tsk, was he slapped by Emperor Xue Ye, or was it Qian Renxue?"
Su Mo chuckled inwardly.
As for Prince Xue Beng, the future Emperor Xue Beng, Su Mo didn't harbor much fondness.
A person who had learned to disguise himself from a young age was undoubtedly someone deeply calculating... but wait, something felt off.
As he pondered over Xue Beng's character, Su Mo suddenly felt a vague sense of unease.
Upon reflection, he realized—hadn't he himself been pretending in front of Bibi Dong since he was a child?
Doesn't that mean he's just as scheming as Xue Beng?
No, no, that's not it. Although both of us are acting out of self-preservation, I haven't done anything cruel or immoral. Xue Beng, on the other hand, has done plenty—bullying the common people and abducting innocent women to maintain his persona as an arrogant, debauched noble.
Su Mo silently mused to himself.
In any case, he just didn't like Xue Beng—that much was certain.
Xiao Xue...
Meanwhile, Bibi Dong floated in front of Qian Renxue, her expression filled with excitement as she looked at her daughter.
Even though Qian Renxue was disguised as Xue Qinghe, Bibi Dong knew very well that this was her child standing before her.
Unfortunately, Qian Renxue couldn't see or hear her.
When we're in front of my teacher and Rongrong later, you must sincerely apologize—do you understand?
Walking ahead of Xue Beng, Qian Renxue spoke in a calm but commanding tone, one that brooked no argument.
The news about the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's little princess bringing her boyfriend back to the clan had naturally reached Qian Renxue, Ning Fengzhi's disciple, immediately.
Curious, Qian Renxue had gathered information about Su Mo, wanting to see what qualities this man possessed to capture the attention of Ning Rongrong and even earn the approval of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
After her investigation, there were several things about Su Mo that stood out. His second soul ring was a millennium-level soul ring, and his impressive record at the Great Spirit Arena in Soto City was enough to make Qian Renxue take notice. Furthermore, Su Mo could perform a Martial Soul Fusion Skill with Ning Rongrong, which astonished her even more.
However, beyond these surface achievements, Su Mo's innate soul power was only at level 2—a talent that seemed unlikely to win over someone as discerning as Ning Fengzhi.
There must be other secrets about this Su Mo.
Qian Renxue instantly deduced that Su Mo had hidden depths that had earned Ning Fengzhi's approval.
This made sense. After all, someone capable of absorbing a millennium-level soul ring for their second ring had to have secrets.
If she hadn't learned about Su Mo and Ning Rongrong's ability to perform a Martial Soul Fusion Skill, Qian Renxue might have suspected that Su Mo was deliberately approaching Ning Rongrong with ulterior motives.
As it stood, with the recognition of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, no one would dare target Su Mo openly for his secrets. At least, not on the surface.
And if, one day, other soul masters achieved a similar feat of absorbing a millennium-level soul ring for their second soul ring, it would further shield Su Mo from suspicion.
In short, Qian Renxue found herself increasingly intrigued by Su Mo.
Regardless, as Ning Rongrong's chosen partner, he was someone she needed to meet.
Through her investigation, Qian Renxue also discovered that Su Mo and Ning Rongrong had initially tried to join Heaven Dou Imperial Academy but had been thwarted by Xue Beng.
When Qian Renxue learned about this, she was naturally furious.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan held more influence within the Heaven Dou Empire than even she, the Crown Prince.
For Xue Beng to have driven Ning Rongrong out of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy was outrageous. Furious, Qian Renxue had sought out Xue Beng and given him a hard slap, leaving the mark that was still visible on his face. Now, she had brought him along to apologize.
I didn't know Ning Rongrong was part of the Shrek team!
Xue Beng, hearing Qian Renxue's command, hurriedly replied with a bitter expression, trying to explain himself.
He truly felt wronged—had he known Ning Rongrong was involved, he never would have acted so recklessly.
So, this is an apology visit, huh?
Su Mo now understood Qian Renxue's purpose for bringing Xue Beng along.
As expected of Qian Renxue—she's fully immersed in the role of Xue Qinghe.
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