Discovered

Shrek Academy

At the rear mountain, Chen Xuan was training by the river, developing a new spirit ability. Suddenly, he froze, his face shifting as a flood of memories and information surged into his mind.

When his shadow clone dissipated, everything it had experienced was transmitted back to him.

"Used my pupil technique once, huh..." After processing the memories, Chen Xuan was a little surprised. Considering the situation and time constraints, it made sense.

Fortunately, as long as he didn't use the pupil technique against Spirit Saints, Spirit Douluos, or Titled Douluos, the energy consumption wasn't too great.

Chen Xuan frowned slightly. Against spirit masters of the same rank, his Mangekyō Sharingan could be used ten times or more. However, when challenging higher ranks, the number was halved—at most, two or three uses before blindness would set in.

"It really is one less use each time," he sighed. If only he had infinite ocular power, he wouldn't need to worry about such limitations.

Previously, he had unlocked Hashirama's cells. With them, even if he went blind, his sight and ocular power could be restored. However, while Hashirama's cells had many benefits, their risks were immense. Injecting them into his body could potentially turn him into a tree, leading to his demise.

Unless it was a life-or-death situation, he wouldn't risk it. The stakes were far too high.

As for Yu Xiaogang's death, word would spread soon. Chen Xuan couldn't predict how Shrek Academy would react.

The Next Day

Chen Xuan arrived as promised at the Crown Prince's East Palace to meet Xue Qinghe alone.

"Brother Chen, you came after all," Xue Qinghe greeted, his handsome and elegant demeanor matched with freshly brewed tea, prepared in anticipation of the meeting.

The palace had a few halls and chambers, its design resembling ancient architecture.

Upon entering, Chen Xuan swept his gaze around the room. There was no one else present—not even palace maids. It was evident that Xue Qinghe had deliberately dismissed them.

"This setup... Is he planning something against me?"

Having suffered once before, Chen Xuan couldn't help but be cautious. Women could be cunning and ruthless, after all. A man needed to protect himself when out in the world.

"Brother Chen, no need to be tense. Sit down and have some tea," Xue Qinghe said with a gentle smile.

Chen Xuan glanced at the teacup. The tea's clear green hue seemed harmless, without any suspicious substances visible.

Still, having been traumatized before, Chen Xuan wasn't about to touch that tea.

Unbothered, Xue Qinghe continued, "Brother Chen, you are outstanding, exceptionally talented, and possess a broad vision—exactly the kind of individual the empire needs. On behalf of my father, I welcome you to join us."

He stood up and extended a hand, slender and fair, more delicate than most women's hands.

Chen Xuan rose as well, shaking hands briefly while exchanging pleasantries.

Not one to beat around the bush, Chen Xuan got straight to the point: "Your Highness, am I joining the empire or your faction?"

The words caused Xue Qinghe's eyes to flash coldly for a brief moment, his expression stiffening. However, his excellent self-control quickly restored his composure, leaving no evidence of discomfort.

"Brother Chen, what do you mean by that?" Xue Qinghe asked with a faint smile, sipping his tea as he observed Chen Xuan.

Xue Qinghe didn't believe this young man could see through his disguise.

The unique traits of his Seraphim martial spirit, combined with the complete Angelic God Spirit Bones, allowed him to replicate Xue Qinghe's appearance flawlessly. This wasn't an illusion or mimicry; it was entirely real. Even his grandfather, Qian Daoliu, an Ultimate Douluo, hadn't noticed anything amiss.

"Just what the words imply," Chen Xuan replied ambiguously, testing the waters.

While Chen Xuan and Tang San both possessed strong spiritual power, neither could detect Qian Renxue's disguise. Chen Xuan's goal was simple: to determine if Qian Renxue and that extraordinarily beautiful woman were the same person or merely connected, and whether this was all an intentional ploy to antagonize him.

"What gave it away?" Xue Qinghe asked nonchalantly, sipping his tea without concern.

Chen Xuan's sharp gaze caught a fleeting coldness deep in Xue Qinghe's eyes.

For now, Chen Xuan wasn't foolish enough to expose Xue Qinghe as Qian Renxue. Doing so offered no advantage.

Xue Qinghe remained supremely confident that no one could uncover his true identity. He assumed Chen Xuan was alluding to the Crown Prince's private ambitions instead.

Calm and composed, Xue Qinghe said, "Brother Chen, from your tone, it seems you're dissatisfied with the empire. Or perhaps you have greater ambitions?"

Chen Xuan replied, "Indeed, while the Heaven Dou Empire appears glorious on the surface, that light comes at the cost of its people. Commoners live in hardship, and in this regard, the empire falls far short of the Spirit Hall."

Since Xue Qinghe had raised the topic, Chen Xuan offered his honest assessment.

This wasn't baseless criticism. It was the reality and the Achilles' heel of both the Star Luo and Heaven Dou Empires: the poverty of their commoners.

Unable to awaken their martial spirits, commoners with spirit power lacked the opportunity to become spirit masters. Even those who succeeded received no financial support. Over time, the spirit master population dwindled, leaving the empires' collapse a matter of time.

In contrast, Spirit Hall provided free martial spirit awakenings and offered monthly stipends to spirit masters, explaining why their ranks were the strongest on the continent.

"Brother Chen, you hold Spirit Hall in high regard," Xue Qinghe remarked with a playful smile. "But are you aware that Spirit Hall demands annual financial tributes from the empires and kingdoms?"

"Of course. The funds Spirit Hall allocates to spirit master stipends come from the empires and kingdoms. I see no issue with that," Chen Xuan replied, openly siding with Spirit Hall.

At this point, Xue Qinghe understood clearly: Chen Xuan might physically be in the Heaven Dou Empire, but his heart was with Spirit Hall.

The woman who favored this genius certainly had good judgment.

"Brother Chen, it seems you despise the emperor's actions. Are you aware that such sentiments border on treason?" Xue Qinghe smiled faintly, studying Chen Xuan's expression.

"Your Highness, we're on the same side. Since you're inviting me to join the empire on your behalf, let's not beat around the bush," Chen Xuan replied, preferring directness over aristocratic subtlety.

Xue Qinghe chuckled. "Brother Chen, I admire your straightforwardness. You suit my tastes."

He had already planned to recruit Chen Xuan as a trusted subordinate. A talent like this wasn't something he'd let slip away.

"One last question: why do you wish to rebel?" Xue Qinghe asked, his eyes glinting with curiosity.

Chen Xuan swept his sleeve dramatically and declared, "A true man born under the heavens cannot remain long in servitude!"

Xue Qinghe's eye twitched at the audacity. This kid's ambition was outrageous—he actually dared to voice his desire to become Emperor of Heaven Dou in front of the Crown Prince himself.

…

By noon, Chen Xuan and Qian Renxue reached an understanding. Leaving the East Palace, Chen Xuan returned to Shrek Academy.

For now, all his entanglements in Heaven Dou were resolved. During his absence, Xue Qinghe would ensure his sister's safety.

Back at the academy, Chen Xuan headed to the rear mountain to continue his training. As he passed through a forest, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.

"Xiaowu?"

In his line of sight, Liu Erlong was leading Xiaowu out of the academy and toward the rear mountain. Something seemed off.

Xiaowu looked uncharacteristically subdued, her head down and expression heavy with worry.

Chen Xuan concealed his aura and decided to follow, curious about what was happening.

Keeping a distance of about thirty meters, he hid behind a large tree.

What he overheard left him utterly stunned, his eyes wide with shock. His entire body tensed as his mind reeled from the explosive revelation.

Liu Erlong's expression was grim, her eyes filled with a mix of anger and frustration. Her trembling finger pointed at Xiaowu.

"Xiaowu, tell me the truth! Is the child in your belly Tang San's?"

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