On this day, Dugu Feng received a notification from Old Snake: Crown Prince Xue Qinghe had invited him to serve as a Guest Minister at the Prince's Mansion.
This took Dugu Feng by great surprise.
What was Qian Renxue trying to do?
Could she be attempting to win over the Dugu Family?
The offer wasn't exactly low either.
As far as he knew, only Soul Emperors or stronger experts were qualified to serve as Guest Ministers in Qian Renxue's Prince's Mansion.
Once Qian Renxue ascended the throne, these Guest Ministers would become the new nobility of the empire!
With Xue Ye the Great gravely ill, countless officials and Soul Masters were already aligning themselves with Qian Renxue.
The honey offered by Qian Renxue had to be accepted—otherwise, he would become a thorn in her side.
Dugu Feng held neither dislike nor fondness for Qian Renxue.
During his first participation in the Six Great Families' resolution in Suotuo City, Ghost Douluo, Yang Wushuang, and the Elephant Armor Sect had conspired to take action against the Dugu Family—Qian Renxue must have been involved.
There was a conflict of interest between them.
But ever since the Dugu Family appeared unaware of the poison affecting Xue Ye the Great, Qian Renxue had not targeted them again.
Dugu Feng judged that Qian Renxue was different from Bibi Dong.
Bibi Dong sought to destroy all other forces before finally annihilating the Qian Family.
Qian Renxue, however, likely aimed to subdue these forces, employing gentler methods.
Whether to expose Qian Renxue years later would depend on the situation at that time.
At the very least, the Dugu Family's current strategy was to maintain a low profile and develop in secret until a Titled Douluo emerged.
Qian Renxue probably would not move against the Dugu Family for now.
What required vigilance, instead, was Bibi Dong's Soul Hunting Operation.
The best approach was to delay Bibi Dong's Soul Hunting Operation, buying more time for his own growth.
Such thoughts raced through Dugu Feng's mind.
Gently stroking Ning Rongrong's hair with his right hand, he said, "Rongrong, the Crown Prince has invited me to be a Guest Minister. Do you think I should accept?"
Without a second thought, Ning Rongrong replied, "Brother Xue has great talent and vision, and he highly values talented Soul Masters. Winning you over means winning over the younger generation of the Heaven Dou Empire. It shows he has good judgment!"
Ning Rongrong was quite familiar with Xue Qinghe and saw right through Qian Renxue's intentions.
Yet she showed no displeasure, clearly approving of Dugu Feng becoming a Guest Minister.
"Since you agree, Rongrong, I'll go meet him right away!"
With those words, Dugu Feng rose from the sofa.
Ning Rongrong helped straighten his clothes before he left the mansion and headed for the palace.
With the Crown Prince Token in hand, Dugu Feng passed through unimpeded and entered the Prince's Mansion.
Upon receiving the guard's report, Qian Renxue immediately came out to the main hall to welcome him.
"Brother Feng, this is the first time you've used my token to see me, isn't it? I gave you this token nearly ten years ago!"
Qian Renxue remarked with a smile, though there was a hint of reproach in her tone.
Though they had met on various occasions, this was truly their first private, one-on-one meeting.
"Please don't blame me, Brother Xue," Dugu Feng said, cupping his hands in salute. "I've never been fond of participating in noble gatherings. When I accepted your token back then, it was because I sensed your sincerity—you struck me as different from the rest. Now, nearly a decade later, you've become the Crown Prince admired by all in Heaven Dou. How could I not come eagerly upon receiving your invitation?"
Dugu Feng's attitude delighted Qian Renxue.
It seems there is hope in winning over the Dugu Family.
"Brother Feng, please."
Qian Renxue took Dugu Feng by the hand and led him into a side hall.
Dugu Feng could tell this was a tea room specifically for receiving guests, with no distinction between primary and secondary seating.
"Please!"
Dugu Feng and Qian Renxue sat facing each other on opposite sides of the tea table.
After seating herself, Qian Renxue began brewing fragrant tea with elegant and fluid movements, displaying noble grace.
"Brother Feng, please have some tea!"
"Thank you, Brother Xue."
The aroma of the tea filled the air, refreshing and invigorating.
Qian Renxue showing such courtesy to him made Dugu Feng curious about what she would say next.
"Brother Feng, what do you think of the empire's current situation?" Qian Renxue smiled faintly and asked candidly.
Dugu Feng was momentarily stunned, then played dumb: "Brother Xue, if you're asking about matters in the Spirit Master World, I could chat with you about that. But when it comes to political matters, I'm not familiar with them!"
Qian Renxue shook her head with a light laugh. "I forgot that Brother Feng only cares about cultivation.
Actually, the empire's situation is closely related to the Spirit Master World.
The two great empires on the continent stand north and south, with frequent conflicts along their borders, their relationship as incompatible as fire and water.
The emperor of Star Luo is a Titled Douluo, giving them a slight advantage in strength.
Yet the Spirit Master World's power is actually weaker than Heaven Dou's. All three Upper Sects are in the Heaven Dou Empire - do you know why?"
Dugu Feng shook his head.
Qian Renxue continued: "The Upper Three Sects weren't born as such - they grew and developed in the empire's relaxed environment."
The empire interferes little with the Spirit Master World, allowing soul master families, academies, and sects to flourish like a hundred flowers blooming.
Star Luo Empire is different. The Star Luo royal family wishes to conquer all soul masters.
Those who refuse to submit have been wiped out, with only a few sects surviving within Star Luo's borders thanks to the Spirit Hall's support!"
Dugu Feng nodded, knowing Qian Renxue spoke the truth. He echoed in agreement: "Star Luo Empire is unfriendly to the Spirit Master World!"
"Star Luo's consolidation of power is ultimately aimed at unifying the continent.
The Dai Family wants to unify the continent, and so do I.
Since becoming crown prince, I've made it my mission to encourage the development of the Spirit Master World, strengthen Heaven Dou's power, and defeat Star Luo Empire.
Brother Feng, will you assist me?"
Qian Renxue stood up and faced the window, projecting an image of great ambition.
She wanted to display her ambitions to Dugu Feng.
At the same time, she was drawing a comparison between the Heaven Dou and Star Luo royal families.
Her goal was to make Dugu Feng understand that if the Heaven Dou royal family unified the continent, they would continue supporting the growth of soul master families.
But if the Star Luo royal family achieved unification, the outcome would be entirely different.
She had already thought it through - when dealing with geniuses from great families like Dugu Feng,
relying solely on sincerity and friendship would only maintain an ordinary relationship.
But by uniting through shared goals and the pioneering spirit of youth, she could definitely make Dugu Feng stand completely on her side.
"Brother Xue's great ambition commands admiration, but I'm only at Soul King level now - I'm afraid I can't be of much help to you!"
Dugu Feng said helplessly.
Qian Renxue immediately laughed: "Developing national power, strengthening the military, and leading campaigns - those are naturally my responsibilities.
All I need from you, Brother Feng, is to cultivate as quickly as possible to Soul Douluo level.
I believe with your strength, even when you reach Soul Douluo, you might be able to challenge the Dai Family's Old White Tiger!"
"Moreover, I believe in your influence within the Spirit Master World, Brother Feng. As long as you support me, there is nothing we cannot accomplish together!"
Qian Renxue displayed an ambition akin to that of an emperor.
This took Dugu Feng by surprise.
He sensed this was Qian Renxue's genuine aspiration. For a woman to constantly harbor ambitions of dominating the continent truly made Dugu Feng view her in a new light.
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