Chapter 22:
Lin Bai silently communicated with the system.
"Martial spirit keyword: Guangming. Start searching."
He had a good idea of who he was looking for. When it came to light-attribute martial souls on the Douluo Continent, the Seraphim martial soul was second to none.
After more than a year of training, Lin Bai had reached level 20 soul power. With the help of visualization diagrams, his mental strength was now formidable enough to overpower a Fourth Ring Soul Sect expert. At this point, only one person in the Angel Clan met his training requirements—Qian Renxue.
Inside an illusory, cold sea of consciousness, a soul body identical to Lin Bai appeared. The system's power shielded him from detection, allowing him to observe the outside world without Qian Renxue realizing his presence.
Lin Bai's gaze swept over his surroundings—a magnificent palace, lavishly adorned. The owner of this consciousness sat on a chair that exuded a light, woody fragrance, idly toying with a seal in his left hand. His lips moved slightly, his voice calm and refined.
"The third brother is dead too? What a pity. Prepare everything—I will send him off."
Xue Qinghe's expression remained unwavering. In the royal family, familial bonds were weak at best. Even more so in his case—he was an imposter. He had orchestrated the third prince's poisoning himself.
Next, if he found an opportunity to eliminate Xue Beng, his position as the crown prince would be unshakable. The Tian Dou Empire would become the property of the Spirit Hall.
An old man emerged from the shadows behind Xue Qinghe.
"As you command."
His name was Thorn Blood, but in reality, he was Cavalry Douluo of the Spirit Hall. Disguised as Xue Qinghe's old servant, his primary role was to protect Qian Renxue and assist in concealing her true identity. Ordinary servants were rarely permitted near the Eastern Palace, leaving arrangements solely in his hands.
Qian Renxue nodded before leaving the palace. Once she was gone, Lin Bai remained silent, deep in thought.
Unlike Zhu Zhuqing, who had been desperate for help and easy to approach, Qian Renxue was different. Undercover within the Tiandou royal court, she lived cautiously, ever-vigilant. Gaining her trust would take time.
There was no rush. Lin Bai decided to observe first—waiting for Qian Renxue to train. If she summoned her angel martial spirit, he could assess its efficiency and devise a contact strategy accordingly.
Not long after, Xue Qinghe gave the order for the prince's departure. Among the empire's many princes, only the crown prince lived in the palace. The rest had separate residences in Tiandou City, and so the funeral would be held outside.
"Your Highness, everything is prepared."
Thorn Blood saluted before vanishing into the hall.
Xue Qinghe placed down his seal, rose, and exited the palace. A carriage awaited outside. He boarded, and the driver guided it toward the Third Prince's residence.
The mansion was eerily quiet. Stepping out of the carriage, Xue Qinghe wore a sorrowful expression.
In the aristocratic circles of the Tiandou Empire, few arranged marriages before adulthood. The third prince had died unmarried, so his funeral arrangements fell to Emperor Xue Ye's younger brother, Prince Xue Xing.
"Uncle, my condolences," Xue Qinghe said, his voice heavy with grief. "I wish to see my third brother one last time. Am I too late?"
His act was impeccable. Anyone who saw his sorrowful expression would believe in his genuine mourning.
But Prince Xue Xing wasn't so easily fooled.
The crown prince's eldest brother had died before. Now the third prince was dead as well. If Xue Beng followed suit, Xue Qinghe would be the sole heir. Even Emperor Xue Ye wouldn't be able to change that.
Xue Xing remained composed, but a dark suspicion took root in his mind.
"The coffin has yet to be sealed," he said. "Go ahead."
"Then I will not disturb you further, Uncle."
Xue Qinghe entered the mansion and followed the attendants to the hall where the body lay in state. He shed a few tears, performed the funeral rites, then left, citing overwhelming grief.
The guests, moved by what they believed to be genuine brotherly love, whispered amongst themselves about the prince's kindness and righteousness.
Xue Xing, however, watched coldly. His gaze fell upon Xue Beng, who stood nervously in a corner. His heart sank. If Xue Qinghe truly was responsible for Xue Lin's death, would he spare Xue Beng?
Pulling the younger prince aside, Xue Xing lowered his voice.
"Xue Beng… don't you find your third brother's death suspicious?"
Meanwhile, unaware of Xue Xing's growing doubts, Xue Qinghe returned to the palace. He met with ministers, handled state affairs assigned by Emperor Xue Ye, and only by late evening did he retire to his chambers.
Sitting cross-legged on his bed, he prepared to cultivate.
Lin Bai frowned.
Even with two Titled Douluo standing guard outside, Qian Renxue had no intention of shedding her disguise. She was using the Swan martial spirit inherited from the Xue family instead of her true Angel martial spirit.
Her skull soul bone granted her a "Disguise" ability, allowing her to mask her martial spirit. As long as she didn't unleash her full power, even the royal family remained unaware. After all, the Swan martial spirit was auxiliary-type, and no royal had ever cultivated it to a high level—certainly not to Soul Saint or Titled Douluo rank.
If Qian Renxue continued using the Swan spirit, Lin Bai wouldn't be able to observe any light-attribute aura. Would this trip be in vain?
No. He had to make contact.
His voice resonated within her mind.
"Poisoning two princes to secure the throne—does that align with the true meaning of the Angel Martial Spirit?"
A sudden jolt.
Qian Renxue's eyes snapped open.
"Who's there? Show yourself!"
Hearing the outburst, Snake Spear Douluo and Thorn Blood burst into the room, their spiritual senses sweeping the area.
Lin Bai remained silent.
Qian Renxue's expression darkened. "Didn't you hear? Someone spoke to me."
The two Douluo exchanged glances, then shook their heads.
Thorn Blood considered whether an external force had transmitted the voice into the room.
"Snake Spear, stay with the young master. I'll search outside."
"Understood."
Snake Spear Douluo summoned his weapon and stood guard. Thorn Blood disappeared in an instant, spreading his soul power to scan the surroundings.
After a quarter of an hour, he returned, his expression grim.
"Young Master, I found nothing."
Qian Renxue exhaled slightly, her expression easing. She still trusted the elders of the Spirit Hall. If they couldn't find anything, it meant there was no one nearby.
"Very well. You may go."
Thorn Blood hesitated but ultimately bowed and left.
Once outside, he sent a voice transmission to Snake Spear.
"We're not sleeping tonight. We'll take turns standing watch."
"Agreed."
Lin Bai smirked inwardly.
Let the game begin.
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