Chapter 31: Brother Xue

The once-lazy look in Ye Hao's eyes was replaced by a gleam of sharp interest as he observed Xue Qinghe. The prince in front of him was like a walking treasure chest—a mountain of gold and silver.

Xue Qinghe gave a slight smile, refilling his wine cup before offering one to Ye Hao.

Ye Hao waved his hand slightly. "No need; I'm still young and shouldn't drink."

Xue Qinghe chuckled softly, his refined and graceful aura spreading like a warm breeze. "True, children shouldn't drink."

He downed the wine himself, setting the stage for the real conversation. "Your performance in the battle earlier was quite spectacular. I noticed the six wings behind you—are those external spirit bones? Where did you acquire them?"

Ye Hao raised a brow. No wonder he sought me out so deliberately. Why didn't I sense this earlier? 

Oh, that's right—someone conveniently left me to fend for myself earlier.

Xue Qinghe's gaze remained calm, but Ye Hao could feel the intensity of the prince's attention. "Brother Xue, your observation is correct. They are external soul bones from a thousand-year Purple Wing Demon Spider I acquired not long ago."

"Ah, the Purple Wing Demon Spider..." Xue Qinghe murmured, nodding to himself. His mind turned over the connection—his own external soul bone came from the Purple Wing Spider Emperor. The coincidence was intriguing.

The more Xue Qinghe pondered, the more perplexed he became. How could two people look so uncannily alike in this vast world? It didn't make sense. 

System: "Oh, now you want to talk about science?" 

His thoughts drifted back to his childhood. Despite their poor relationship, the undeniable truth remained—she, the woman who bore him, was still his mother. Yet, for reasons he could never fathom, she had always kept him at a distance, refusing even to let him call her "Mom."

As he stared at Ye Hao, Xue Qinghe's thoughts involuntarily returned to her. The resemblance was uncanny, as if fate itself had willed their encounter. 

"Ye Hao," Xue Qinghe began casually, "who are your parents? Where are they from?"

Ye Hao narrowed his eyes slightly. So he's probing me, huh? It's because of my Death Spider Emperor spirit and those six purple wings. 

With a hint of sorrow, Ye Hao replied, "Brother Xue, I've been an orphan since I was young. My parents were killed by wolf bandits, so...

Ye Hao's demeanor made Xue Qinghe pause. For a moment, he felt an uncharacteristic pang of guilt. 

There was no mistaking Ye Hao's Death Spider Emperor martial soul. Xue Qinghe knew its aura better than anyone. Yet the uncanny similarity in appearance was something the spirit alone couldn't explain. 

For a fleeting second, Xue Qinghe couldn't help but wonder: What if Ye Hao were the one truly born of her, and I was the one taken in?

"I'm sorry," Xue Qinghe said softly. "I didn't mean to touch a sore subject."

Ye Hao shook his head with a knowing look. "It's fine. So many years have passed. I've learned to let go of some things."

"By the way," Ye Hao continued, "what exactly did the crown prince summon me here for?"

Xue Qinghe smiled, his demeanor as refined as ever. Dressed in golden silk, his noble air was striking. Across the table, Ye Hao's heart skipped a beat. This person is no ordinary individual.

"It's nothing important," Xue Qinghe replied. "Calling me 'Crown Prince' feels so formal. You're a student of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy and a future hope for our empire. As the Crown Prince, I'll need talents like you to rely on in the future."

His smile deepened. "When I ascend the throne, I'll ensure you're handsomely rewarded for your support. For now, let's set aside titles. I'm older, so call me Brother Xue in private. How does that sound?"

Brother Xue?

Ye Hao hesitated, his expression composed as he bit back his thoughts. Finally, he relented. "Brother... Brother Xue."

"Well said, Little Ye," Xue Qinghe replied warmly.

Sweat trickled down Ye Hao's back. This Crown Prince wasn't someone to be underestimated. As a critical pawn in Spirit Hall's grand chessboard, Xue Qinghe's position was of undeniable significance. 

Ye Hao's twin martial souls were a closely guarded secret. Thanks to the system's handiwork, his Death Spider Emperor martial soul had been seamlessly modeled after Bibi Dong's, even down to his eerily similar appearance. 

Anyone familiar with her would undoubtedly draw connections upon meeting Ye Hao.

"Brother Xue," Ye Hao began, "if there's nothing else, I should return. My teammates are waiting for me."

Xue Qinghe nodded, his smile unwavering. "Go ahead, Little Ye. From what I've heard from the three academy elders, your Emperor Team will soon embark on a training journey across the Douluo Continent."

"That's correct…"

"Such experiences are invaluable. Remember to support me when you return, and I promise you'll be well-rewarded with high ranks and riches. Also, whenever you have time, feel free to visit the palace. My door is always open to you."

With that, Xue Qinghe reached behind him and retrieved a golden token, tossing it to Ye Hao. 

Instinctively, Ye Hao caught the heavy token. Made of solid gold, it gleamed under the sunlight, its weight substantial in his palm. 

One word was engraved upon it: Xue. 

Xue Qinghe's voice was calm but resolute. "This token is unique. No one in the palace except me possesses one. If ever you feel lost, troubled, or simply in need of a listener, the palace gates will always be open to you."

Ye Hao tucked the token away, the weight of it both literal and figurative. Xue Qinghe was clearly intent on forging a bond with him. Moreover, Xue Qinghe's natural ambition was unmistakable—he wouldn't let such a promising ally slip through his grasp. 

"Brother Xue, goodbye!" Ye Hao waved before departing the carriage.

"Farewell, Little Ye. Don't forget our agreement." Xue Qinghe watched him leave, his smile radiating a brotherly warmth.

As Ye Hao disappeared from sight, the smile faded from Xue Qinghe's face, replaced by a contemplative expression. 

"Master Xue, that Ye Hao... he's strikingly similar to Her Grace," came a low voice from the nearby woods. 

A man with a snake spear emerged from the shadows, his tone cautious yet insistent. 

Xue Qinghe's voice remained steady. "Too similar, isn't he?"

The snake spear wielder nodded, his unease evident. He could scarcely believe how closely Ye Hao resembled Bibi Dong. 

"When I first saw him," the man confessed, "I almost thought Her Grace herself had arrived." 

Xue Qinghe's tone turned cold. "Should we inform Her Grace of this matter?" 

After a pause, Xue Qinghe shook his head. "No need. Ye Hao and I share a bond. Since he's acknowledged me as his elder brother, I should fulfill my duty as one."