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"Your Highness..." An eunuch walked in trembling, seeing the mess and the prince's icy face, and knelt down in fear.
Qian Renxue took a deep breath, forcing down all her emotions. Her face returned to that gentle and refined expression, though her eyes held a bit more coldness and depth. "Clean this up. If a single word of today's events leaks out, your entire clan will be executed."
"Yes... yes!" The eunuch scrambled to clean up.
Qian Renxue walked to the window, looking in the direction where Mo Bai and Liu Erlong had disappeared. A small golden token engraved with angel wings appeared in her hand. She stroked the token, whispering so softly only she could hear: "Mo Bai... Soul-Forging Douluo... who are you? And what is your goal?"
For the first time, she felt a strong curiosity toward a man, and a sense of attraction she didn't want to admit.
On the carriage leaving the Eastern Palace and returning to the mansion.
Liu Erlong only breathed a sigh of relief once they were clear of the imperial palace grounds, but her eyes were filled with shock. "Master... was the Crown Prince really...?"
"Qian Renxue, daughter of Bibi Dong, Supreme Pontiff of Spirit Hall, and successor of the Angel God." Mo Bai leaned back against the soft seat, resting with his eyes closed, stating a secret that could shake the entire continent in a flat tone.
Liu Erlong gasped. Though she had guessed some of it, hearing it confirmed still shook her soul. The young lady of Spirit Hall had been pretending to be the Heaven Dou Crown Prince for so many years! The conspiracy and ambition behind this were terrifying.
"Then what you did just now..." Liu Erlong remembered Mo Bai's near-flirtatious behavior in the study, her cheeks warming while she also felt a lingering fear. That was the lady of Spirit Hall, the successor of a God!
"I frightened her, but I also piqued her curiosity." Mo Bai opened his eyes, a glint of calculation in his pupils. "A woman like Qian Renxue is high above, exceptionally talented, and carries a heavy burden of mission and expectation. Ordinary methods wouldn't get her attention, let alone shake her. Only by showing absolute strength, seeing her deepest secret, and 'treating' her in a way she has never experienced can I leave a deep impression in her heart."
His lips curled slightly: "Anger, shame, curiosity, alertness, and the instinct of being attracted to the strong... these emotions mixed together will take root in her heart like a seed. When the time is right, this seed will be used by us."
Liu Erlong nodded, only half-understanding. She wasn't good at such complex calculations, but she trusted her Master's judgment.
"However, after this, we have officially entered the vision of the high-level members of Spirit Hall, especially Bibi Dong's." Mo Bai's tone turned cold. "The coming days won't be peaceful. Tell the mansion to increase security. Also, have Rongrong tell her father that I had a 'pleasant conversation' with the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince intends to recruit me, but I politely declined, though we left a good impression on each other."
Liu Erlong took note: "Yes."
Mo Bai needed Ning Fengzhi to know that he was a hot commodity that even the Crown Prince was desperately trying to recruit, ensuring that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's chips would keep increasing.
Sure enough, the next afternoon, Ning Fengzhi personally visited, accompanied by Sword Douluo Chen Xin.
The personal visit of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan Leader to the Mo Mansion was undoubtedly a strong signal to the outside world. Mo Bai received them in the living room.
Ning Fengzhi was as refined and elegant as ever, but the heat and shrewdness in his eyes were stronger than before. He first asked about the details of the banquet yesterday (Mo Bai answered according to his prepared story), then the topic naturally turned to Ning Rongrong.
"Mr. Mo Bai, that girl Rongrong has truly been transformed since following you." Ning Fengzhi said with sincere emotion. "Not only has her soul power surged and her Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Tower stabilized, but her character has also become much more composed. As a father, I am truly grateful."
"Clan Leader Ning is too kind. Rongrong's talent was already exceptional; I only gave her a few pointers," Mo Bai said humbly.
"Mr. Mo Bai is too modest." Ning Fengzhi waved his hand, his expression becoming solemn. "I have come today first to thank you for your cultivation of Rongrong, and second, on behalf of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, I wish to formally form an alliance with you."
He paused, observing Mo Bai's expression, and continued: "Our clan is willing to honor you as a 'Supreme Offering', with a status second only to the Clan Leader, equal to Brother Sword and Brother Bone. The clan treasury, except for core inheritance items, will be open to you. The financial power, manpower, and intelligence network of our clan across the continent can be called upon by you. Furthermore..."
Ning Fengzhi took out a list from his robe and pushed it toward Mo Bai. "This is our initial sincerity. Three ten-thousand-year soul bones—while their attributes might not perfectly match you or the ladies, they can be traded or used as energy sources. A fifty-million gold soul coin credit line that can be accessed at any time. A hundred-man soul master guard unit, with the lowest rank being Soul Elder and the captain being a Soul Saint, which Principal Liu can organize and lead. Finally..." He took out a thicker scroll, "This is a list of industrial secret control rights in major cities of Heaven Dou Empire, parts of Star Luo Empire, and important cities under the jurisdiction of Spirit City, as well as several hidden contact points and intelligence stations."
This gift list was jaw-droppingly heavy. Three soul bones would cause a bloodbath in the outside world; fifty million gold coins could support a small army for decades; and the guard unit plus the intelligence network were solid foundations for power.