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Ye Lan rose, walking unsteadily toward the main gate.
Yawning, he unlocked the door, grasped the handles with both hands, and pulled it open with force.
Two figures appeared before his eyes.
Xue Qinghe??
And the other person is??
The moment Ye Lan's gaze landed on the golden-haired young woman beside Xue Qinghe, the air instantly seemed to freeze.
After standing stunned for several seconds, Ye Lan was interrupted by a greeting.
"Brother Ye, it has been a long time. Have you been well recently?" Xue Qinghe said with a warm smile.
"Big Brother Xue, long time no see!" Ye Lan managed to tear his gaze from the golden-haired woman and shift it to Xue Qinghe.
"And this young lady is??" Ye Lan inquired.
"Brother Ye, this is my distant cousin, Xiao Xue! I was hoping you could arrange for her to join the Imperial Fight Team's primary roster. Why don't you see what you think of Xiao Xue's capabilities?" Xue Qinghe stated, getting straight to the point.
Xiao Xue?
Isn't that just Qian Renxue?
The realization struck Ye Lan in an instant.
The reason Ye Lan hadn't immediately thought of Qian Renxue was that, based on appearances, Xiao Xue did not look like she was twenty-one years old at all.
Instead, she had the appearance of an angelic, thirteen or fourteen-year-old girl!
Has Qian Renxue truly abandoned her plan to infiltrate the Heaven Dou Empire?
In that case, shouldn't she be at Spirit Hall right now?
What is Qian Renxue planning by transforming into a young girl to join the Imperial Fight Team's main roster?
Could she actually be intending to crush the Spirit Hall team?
Although a great many questions were swirling in Ye Lan's mind, he did not allow any of them to show on his face.
"Since this is an arrangement from Big Brother Xue, then Xiao Xue's strength must be exceptionally outstanding, correct?"
"Xiao Xue, go ahead and show Brother Ye your strength!" Xue Qinghe instructed.
"Angelic Holy Sword!"
A concentration of golden soul power gathered within Xiao Xue's palm, and a radiant golden holy sword materialized in her hand.
The blade of the Angelic Holy Sword was long and slender, emanating a sacred and incandescent light, as if it were forged from pure, concentrated sunlight.
The hilt was also golden and uniquely shaped, resembling the unfurled wings of a six-winged angel, with exquisitely fine details where the texture of every single feather was clearly visible!
Four soul rings slowly ascended from beneath Xiao Xue's feet: yellow, yellow, purple, and purple!
"Xiao Xue is fourteen years of age this year, a level forty-two Soul Ancestor! Her Martial Soul is the Tool Soul, 'Angelic Holy Sword.' What do you think of her strength, Brother Ye?" Xue Qinghe asked expectantly.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Ye Lan applauded with both hands and smiled, saying, "Miss Xiao Xue's strength is truly humbling. I believe a fourteen-year-old Soul Ancestor has never before appeared on the Douluo Continent, has one?"
Upon hearing Ye Lan's words of praise, the corners of Xiao Xue's mouth tilted upward in a slight smile.
Xiao Xue was incredibly pleased, because she had indeed reached the rank of a level forty-two Soul Ancestor right when she turned fourteen.
Xue Qinghe smiled and said, "Xiao Xue's minor accomplishment is nothing worth mentioning when compared to Brother Ye! After all, Brother Ye is the Azure Emperor who defeated the Soul King, the 'Mighty Giant Ape King,' while at the rank of a Grand Spirit Master!"
Subsequently, Xue Qinghe explained the reason why Xiao Xue wished to join the Heaven Dou Team One.
"After hearing about Brother Ye's terrifying combat prowess, Xiao Xue insisted that she absolutely had to join the Heaven Dou Royal Academy to witness your magnificent style for herself!"
Hearing 'Xue Qinghe's' supportive praise, Xiao Xue's fair, snow-white cheeks flushed with a faint shade of red.
After hearing the explanation from whomever was currently portraying 'Xue Qinghe', Ye Lan thought to himself:
As if I would believe a word of that. The real Qian Renxue can probably defeat a Soul Saint despite being a lower rank, can't she?
It is a known fact that every Soul Saint is capable of using the Martial Soul Avatar ability.
The enhancement a Martial Soul Avatar provides to a Soul Master is completely all-encompassing!
Once the Martial Soul Avatar is activated, a Soul Master's strength will ascend to an incredibly terrifying realm.
Therefore, for Qian Renxue to defeat a Soul Saint as a Soul Emperor is an incredibly formidable feat.
Although it may not be quite as difficult as Ye Lan defeating a Soul King as a Grand Spirit Master, it certainly is not that far behind.
If the difficulty of Ye Lan defeating the 'Mighty Giant Ape King' was a ten out of ten.
Then the difficulty of a Soul Emperor defeating a Soul Saint would also be a nine!
So, 'Xue Qinghe,' you're actually trying to tell me a Soul Saint would admire a Grand Spirit Master like myself??
Ye Lan, feigning ignorance, said, "For a person of Miss Xiao Xue's strength to join the Imperial Fight Team's main roster is a great honor for the team!"
Ye Lan extended his right hand. "Xiao Xue, it is a great pleasure to meet you. My name is Ye Lan."
"I am Xiao Xue, and it is a pleasure to meet you!" Xiao Xue replied, firmly shaking Ye Lan's offered right hand.
However, Xiao Xue's grip was significantly stronger than usual, and furthermore, she made no effort to suppress the Martial Soul Fusion fluctuations emanating from within her body.
On the contrary, she wantonly unleashed the power of her Martial Soul.
On the other side, Ye Lan's own Martial Soul began to stir restlessly within him.
The sensation felt as though Xiao Xue were continuously and deliberately provoking his Martial Soul.
Ye Lan hurriedly withdrew his right hand.
Qian Renxue, what in the world is she trying to do?!
During his initial encounter with Qian Renxue, Ye Lan had subconsciously concealed the fact that he was aware of 'Xue Qinghe's' true identity.
This decision now caused Ye Lan to be caught completely off guard by Xiao Xue's sudden and unexpected appearance.
First round, Ye Lan versus Xiao Xue, a complete and utter defeat!
Observing Ye Lan's strange expression, Xiao Xue laughed inwardly.
Hmph, let's just see how long you can possibly maintain this charade.
Seeing that Ye Lan and Xiao Xue had shaken hands and completed their introductions, Xue Qinghe tactfully took his leave from Ye Lan.
"Brother Ye, seeing as I have now entrusted Xiao Xue to your care, you must promise to take good care of my dear cousin for me!"
After speaking, Xue Qinghe turned and walked down the mountain without a single glance back.
"Wait a moment, Big Brother Xue, what do you mean entrusted!!" Ye Lan shouted, not ready to give up.
Watching the counterfeit 'Xue Qinghe' ignore him and walk farther away, Ye Lan scratched his head in confusion.
Ye Lan looked down at the flawless young woman, Xiao Xue, and asked:
"Miss Xiao Xue, are you not returning with Big Brother Xue? You should know, it is a very dangerous thing for a young woman to be alone with an unfamiliar man."
Xiao Xue covered her mouth and stifled a giggle. What on earth is Ye Lan thinking?!
"Ye Lan, my residence is actually right next to yours!" Xiao Xue said, pointing a finger toward another brand-new courtyard situated beside Ye Lan's own.
Ye Lan was startled when he saw the new courtyard. When was that constructed?
After seeing Xiao Xue, his attention had been focused entirely on her, and he had completely failed to notice that a new residence had appeared next to the courtyard where he lived.
After observing the scale of the new building.
Ye Lan sighed with deep emotion internally.
Is this the true power of the Spirit Hall's 'Crown Prince'?
This is simply the power of wealth!
"What an incredible coincidence, Miss Xiao Xue. My sincerest apologies, I was being presumptuous," Ye Lan said with some awkwardness.
"Ye Lan, how about you give me a tour of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy? I have never been here before!" Xiao Xue said, looking into Ye Lan's eyes with a hopeful expression.
The moment Ye Lan's gaze met Xiao Xue's, it felt as if an electric current shot through the air between them, sending a jolt through Ye Lan's very soul.
Damn it!
Is a fourteen-year-old, perfectly beautiful girl like 'Xiao Xue' a being that any mortal man can possibly resist?
"Of course, please follow me! I will take you to see the places I often visit for inspiration," Ye Lan agreed without hesitation.
Hearing Ye Lan agree to tour the academy with her, the single stray lock of hair on Qian Renxue's head trembled with sheer delight.
A young man and a young woman, two figures with golden hair, strolled peacefully along the mountain's peak.
Suddenly, a gust of mountain wind swept past, and Xiao Xue subconsciously grabbed hold of Ye Lan's right hand.
"Brother Ye, do you often climb this mountain by yourself?"
After Xiao Xue took his right hand, Ye Lan's attention was completely captivated by the restless stirring of his Martial Soul.
Without giving it much thought, Ye Lan replied directly, "Yes, a peaceful state of mind is one of the necessary conditions for achieving efficient meditation."
As soon as Ye Lan finished his reply, Xiao Xue's fingers suddenly squeezed his right hand so intensely that all the blood seemed to rush to his fingertips.
"Miss Xiao Xue? What is the matter?" Ye Lan asked, looking at Xiao Xue's perfect profile with confusion.
Xiao Xue turned her head to meet Ye Lan's gaze and smiled. "Brother Ye, you already know who I am, don't you?"
"Ah? What do you mean by that, Miss Xiao Xue," Ye Lan was stunned.
When did Qian Renxue figure it out? I shouldn't have given myself away.
"The title 'Brother Ye' is what only I would call you, is it not?" Xiao Xue found it quite amusing to see Ye Lan still pretending to be clueless.
Ye Lan awkwardly scratched his head and said, "I truly never expected His Highness Crown Prince Xue Qinghe to actually be a woman in disguise. I must admit, this appearance of yours is far more becoming."
"Is it really!?" Xiao Xue exclaimed, covering her face with her ten fingers as her cheeks instantly flushed a deep red.
To be complimented by the person she admired was, for Xiao Xue, the greatest gift she could ever receive.
"Of course, my eyes would not deceive me!" Ye Lan said, his face not blushing and his heart not skipping a beat, trying to divert Qian Renxue's attention as quickly as he could.
Gazing into Ye Lan's clear golden pupils, Xiao Xue found herself believing him to a certain degree.
But at this moment, the rhythm of her heart was beating faster and even faster.
Xiao Xue quickly suppressed the rising turmoil in her heart, encouraging herself internally:
Xiao Xue, you cannot allow yourself to be so mesmerized by Ye Lan that you lose all focus. You must find out the true reason he kept 'Xue Qinghe's' identity a secret.
Ye Lan watched as Xiao Xue suddenly took a deep breath.
"Ye Lan, did you know from the very beginning that 'Xue Qinghe' was not the true 'Xue Qinghe'?" Xiao Xue asked with great seriousness.
Ye Lan's heart was in turmoil. So, it has finally come to this moment.
He had originally only intended to increase his favorability with Qian Renxue, never expecting that he would actually draw this future Angel God directly to his side.
Ye Lan instantly activated his 'Eight-Sided Exquisite Heart,' pondering for a brief moment.
"That is correct. The very moment I first made contact with you, my Martial Soul began to resonate with the fluctuations of a Martial Soul Fusion."
"Due to a series of fortunate opportunities, my Martial Soul has evolved into a Blue Silver Grass that possesses dual ultimate attributes."
"And for a Martial Soul to be capable of generating a Martial Soul Fusion with an ultimate Martial Soul, it must, by necessity, also be an ultimate Martial Soul."
"In that single instant, I knew that 'Xue Qinghe' was no longer the real Xue Qinghe."
Xiao Xue's heart was in a flurry, and she quickly asked, "Ye Lan, in that case, why did you choose to keep the false 'Xue Qinghe's' identity a secret?"
"Real or fake, what difference does it make? The only 'Xue Qinghe' I know is someone who is kind to others and is fair in both rewards and punishments."
"If the Crown Prince of Heaven Dou were the true Xue Qinghe, I fear he would not have the kind of reputation that the false 'Xue Qinghe' has earned."
"This is quite easy to discern from the characters of the Fourth Prince Xue Beng and Emperor Xue Ye. The current 'Xue Qinghe,' which is to say, Miss Xiao Xue, stands out like a crane among chickens, completely devoid of the vices common to royalty."
After hearing Ye Lan's detailed explanation, Xiao Xue was overcome with happiness.
Indeed, even when she was playing the part of 'Xue Qinghe,' Ye Lan had still held her in very high regard.
Xiao Xue said shyly, "I am not nearly as wonderful as you make me out to be. Besides, I have already escaped from the identity of the Heaven Dou Crown Prince."
Just as Ye Lan was about to open his mouth, he was suddenly cut off by Xiao Xue.
Xiao Xue, as if recalling something, suddenly spoke with great emotion:
"Ye Lan, are you not the least bit curious about who I truly am?"
"Are you not curious about why I chose to impersonate 'Xue Qinghe'?"
"In your eyes, is 'Xue Qinghe' really so perfect?"
"I, 'Xue Qinghe,' have killed many, many people in order to clear the obstacles from my path!"
After loudly venting the emotions pent up in her heart, Xiao Xue turned and ran off into the distance.
Over the past few days, Xiao Xue could have come to find Ye Lan much sooner.
However, the once incredibly decisive Qian Renxue had found herself becoming hesitant.
When 'Xue Qinghe' had finally become 'Xiao Xue,' she suddenly found herself unable to face the many things she had done in the past.
She thought about all the years she had used insidious schemes and cunning tricks to secretly harm so many people.
Would Ye Lan truly accept such a cruel executioner?
Would Ye Lan truly accept this version of Xiao Xue, who used conspiracies and deception to impersonate others?
Would Ye Lan truly accept this imperfect version of herself?
After running for several meters on the verge of breaking down, she was suddenly embraced tightly by a warm body from behind.
Ye Lan held Xiao Xue securely and declared in a loud voice:
"I do not care what 'Xue Qinghe's' purpose was!"
"I do not care how many people you have killed!"
"I only know that you are my Big Brother Xue!"
"Xiao Xue, it must have been incredibly difficult for you all these years, being 'Xue Qinghe,' wasn't it?!"
Hearing his words, Xiao Xue instantly threw herself into Ye Lan's arms and began to cry her heart out.
All the不安 that had been dwelling in Xiao Xue's heart completely vanished in that instant.
She was so happy, so incredibly happy that Ye Lan could accept her imperfect self.
Ye Lan held the soft, golden-haired young woman tighter, gently and rhythmically patting her back.
A long time passed.
The sound of Xiao Xue's crying gradually subsided.
Half an hour later.
"Alright, that's enough now. If you keep leaning against me like this, you might just fall asleep in my arms, Xiao Xue," Ye Lan said gently.
"Ah!!"
A set of teeth marks suddenly appeared on Ye Lan's shoulder.
Xiao Xue let out a cold snort.
Ye Lan scratched his head in frustration. He truly could not fathom the workings of a woman's mind.
Xiao Xue said haughtily, "Considering your satisfactory performance just now, you can count that hug as your reward."
Ye Lan gently pinched Xiao Xue's small cheek.
That is certainly not how you were acting a moment ago!
Xiao Xue puffed out her cheeks, attempting to make Ye Lan release his hand.
Ye Lan, remembering something, feigned ignorance of Xiao Xue's true age and said suddenly:
"Xiao Xue, you are only fourteen years old this year."
"And I am already fifteen!"
"But you had me call you 'Big Brother Xue' for such a long time. Don't you think you ought to make it up to me now?"
Xiao Xue's ears turned bright red. She was not fourteen at all!
If I let Ye Lan find out that I am six years older than him, will he abandon me on the spot?!
With great, conflicted reluctance, Xiao Xue softly called out, "Brother Ye Lan..."
Ye Lan pretended that he hadn't heard her.
"What was that? What did you say?"
Xiao Xue shot a glare at Ye Lan.
"Brother Ye Lan!!!"
After shouting his name, Xiao Xue turned around and ran off into the forest.
Ye Lan had not even had a few seconds to feel happy about hearing 'Brother Ye Lan' before he saw Xiao Xue vanish into the shadows.
Without a second thought, he immediately gave chase into the darkness.
Because Xiao Xue had embraced Ye Lan for a very, very long time, the evening had long since faded into the deep of night.
The sky was blanketed by miles of dark clouds; not even a sliver of the moon was visible.
Within the dark, dense forest, only the chirping of insects could be heard.
Ye Lan instantly activated his Golden Pupils, pursuing in the direction where Xiao Xue had disappeared.
Before long, Ye Lan saw Xiao Xue hugging her knees, squatting on the ground.
"Xiao Xue, what's wrong? Are you not feeling well?" Ye Lan asked in confusion.
Upon hearing Ye Lan's voice, Xiao Xue immediately launched herself into his arms and held on for dear life.
Ye Lan was taken aback as he held Xiao Xue close.
He had never imagined that Xiao Xue, the future Angel God, would actually be afraid of the dark.
The moment he was embraced by Xiao Xue, strands of Blue Silver Grass with golden patterns continuously emerged from his back.
The golden patterns constantly shone with 'Ultimate Light,' bringing illumination to Xiao Xue's heart.
(End of Chapter)