Very few people in Spirit Hall knew of Lin Fan's identity as a "Prophet."
Only key figures such as Qian Xunji, Bibi Dong, and Qian Daoliu were aware of it.
Lin Fan had always kept a low profile. If it weren't for the need to trade for cultivation resources, he wouldn't have interacted with them at all.
After all, talent alone wasn't enough to cultivate; resources were essential.
Otherwise, there was no way he could've reached Titled Douluo from just innate rank 6 soul power in forty years.
Even those with an innate rank 8 or above might not necessarily become Titled Douluo in forty years.
"I remember Father once told me that before I was even born, a Prophet foresaw my existence," Qian Renxue muttered in a daze, slowly regaining her composure.
When Lin Fan was still in Spirit City, Qian Renxue hadn't been born yet. Lin Fan had deliberately left about a year before Yu Xiaogang's departure to avoid getting caught up in future turmoil.
"Young Miss, this man is extremely strange. Back then, his strength wasn't particularly high, yet both the Supreme Pontiff and the High Priest regarded him with great respect. No one knew exactly when he disappeared from Spirit City," Snake Lance Douluo recalled.
"And oddly enough, he looks the same now as he did then—still like a man in his mid-twenties, showing no signs of aging."
Hearing this, Qian Renxue's heart skipped a beat.
"Elder Snake, wait. If he's that mysterious, does that mean he might already know about my undercover identity here?"
The thought made her shudder.
If Lin Fan were truly all-knowing, then her secret as an undercover agent in Heaven Dou City might already be exposed.
Qian Renxue didn't dare continue that line of thought. The idea of being thoroughly seen through by someone she'd never met was utterly unsettling.
"I'm not sure," Snake Lance replied gravely.
"He's too strange. But from what I saw, he didn't even glance your way earlier. I doubt anyone can instantly uncover your identity without even exchanging words. Otherwise, wouldn't no one have secrets before him—including myself?"
Qian Renxue pondered for a moment, then said decisively,
"No, we must test him. We need to find out whether he knows about me or not."
"If he suddenly exposes me to Emperor Xue Ye one day, all my years of effort will go to waste!"
She loathed this feeling of having her fate in another's hands.
Snake Lance then asked cautiously,
"Young Miss, I also heard that the Supreme Pontiff secretly ordered Elder Ghost to search for him over the years. Should we notify Her Holiness?"
"Her? Why is she looking for him?" Qian Renxue frowned.
"I don't know the specifics. I only overheard that the Prophet once made prophecies for Her Holiness as well. She likely wants to find him to seek answers," Snake Lance explained.
Honestly, no one could guess what Bibi Dong truly thought.
Qian Renxue paused, then shook her head.
"No need to alert her for now. I'll first test this Lin Fan myself to see if he knows about us."
"If he knows everything, I'd like to ask him myself—why does she treat me so coldly, not even as well as her disciples?" Qian Renxue thought to herself, her expression darkening.
"Let's return for now. We'll visit again after lunch," she said, leading Snake Lance back to their residence.
…
After lunch, Lin Fan calmly said to Tang Yuehua,
"Someone might come looking for you soon. Why don't we take a walk in the garden instead of staying upstairs?"
"Huh? Who would come looking for me?" Tang Yuehua blinked in surprise, then chuckled wryly.
"Seriously? You even predicted this? You are like a fortune-teller. Do I even have any secrets left in front of you?"
Lin Fan smiled helplessly.
"I'm not a deity. I just happened to notice during the morning class that a young man in ornate robes had a silver-armored guard. I figured they might come visit you."
"A silver-armored guard? That must be from the palace. And the young man would be the Crown Prince." Tang Yuehua quickly caught on and chuckled softly,
"Likely, they heard I took three days off and came to check in."
But then, she suddenly frowned and scolded,
"By the way, your behavior during class this morning was unacceptable!"
"Eh? That harsh? It was my first time attending your class, you know." Lin Fan chuckled bitterly.
"Hmph! I must be strict with you. I hope you behave better in the afternoon session."
"Yes, my dear Teacher Yuehua."
"Tsk! Stop teasing me!"
Just as Lin Fan and Tang Yuehua were walking in the garden, Qian Renxue arrived at Moon Pavilion with Snake Lance Douluo.
Ode, the steward, went out to greet them.
"Your Highness, you're back again?"
He was puzzled—after all, they had just left this morning.
Qian Renxue smiled politely,
"Steward Ode, His Majesty sent me to deliver some supplements to Lady Yuehua. Could you kindly show me where she is?"
"She's in the garden at the back. I'll take you there."
"Much appreciated."
Soon, they arrived at the garden, where Lin Fan and Tang Yuehua were strolling.
"See? Here they come," Lin Fan said calmly.
"Let's go greet them," Tang Yuehua nodded.
"Lady Yuehua, His Highness is here to see you," Ode announced.
"Snow Qinghe greets Lady Yuehua." Qian Renxue bowed gracefully.
"You may leave us, Steward Ode."
Ode respectfully excused himself and returned to the main hall.
Tang Yuehua greeted calmly,
"Your Highness must be very busy. To what do I owe the honor of your visit today?"
Qian Renxue replied with a gentle smile,
"Father heard that Lady Yuehua took three days off and feared you might be unwell. He sent me to visit on his behalf."
As she spoke, her gaze drifted toward Lin Fan.
Tang Yuehua accepted the gift courteously.
"Please thank His Majesty for his concern."
Feigning ignorance, Qian Renxue asked,
"I don't believe I've seen this gentleman before."
Tang Yuehua smiled faintly,
"This is my beloved, Lin Fan. He has been traveling across the continent, so it's quite normal that Your Highness hasn't met him before."
She then introduced Lin Fan to Qian Renxue.
Lin Fan stepped forward and greeted with a polite smile,
"Greetings, Your Highness."
Qian Renxue kept her polite facade, but there was a subtle probing tone in her words,
"So this is Lady Yuehua's beloved. Strange that I've never heard of Mister Lin before, even after so many years."
Before Lin Fan could reply, Tang Yuehua coldly snorted and spoke first,
"Hmph, what's so special about him? He's just a swindler wandering around outside. I caught him a few days ago and made him stay here to study etiquette and music with me to rein him in."
Qian Renxue was secretly frustrated.
"Does Tang Yuehua know about Lin Fan's prophetic identity or not? It's hard to probe with her around…"
Besides, every time she spoke, Tang Yuehua would respond instead, making it impossible to directly test Lin Fan.
Qian Renxue gave up for now, smiling gracefully.
"Well, I shouldn't disturb your afternoon rest. I've delivered Father's gift, so I'll take my leave."