Like Dai Tian Jun, Dugu Feng was equally excited.
His Emerald Dragon Snake had been tracking Dai Tian Jun the entire time, clearly witnessing the deaths of Snake Spear Douluo and Pufferfish Douluo.
This made him view the Star Luo Emperor in a new light. Usually unassuming and reserved, he hadn't even sought revenge when the crown prince died on the arena in Spirit City last time, leading some Soul Masters to look down on him.
But when the time came to act, Dai Tian Jun was decisive and ruthless, taking the enemy's head amidst thousands of troops, earning Dugu Feng's admiration.
At this moment, he was at the dock on the north bank of the Tong River.
This was also where the Heavenly Dou Central Army was stationed, ready to cross the river and attack South Tong Pass City at any time.
Qian Renxue had brought the central army here to wait for the left and right armies to lure the Star Luo Empire's Royal Soul Master Legion out of the city.
Dugu Feng and Qian Renxue were on a watchtower, observing the Tong River flowing westward.
The two sat on bamboo stools with wine placed before them, resembling the scene of discussing heroes over warmed wine.
"Brother Xue strategizes from within a command tent, with a wave of his hand the Star Luo army will be annihilated. You truly have the demeanor of a wise ruler!" Dugu Feng praised.
Across from him, Qian Renxue appeared calm and composed, her expression steady as if unshaken even if Mount Tai collapsed before her.
Paired with the scenery of the great river flowing westward, she indeed possessed extraordinary charm.
"Haha..."
Qian Renxue laughed heartily, picked up the large bowl on the bamboo platform, and downed the fine wine in one gulp.
"Brother Feng, do you know? Someone of my status has been burdened with great expectations since birth.
I started learning etiquette as soon as I could read, began cultivating Soul Power at six years old with almost no rest day or night, and later became embroiled in brutal power struggles.
It's only through being cautious and exhausting all my efforts that I've reached where I am today.
Sometimes I quite envy you - you don't have to consider so many things, you only need to focus on cultivation.
If I had a choice, I'd rather be an ordinary Soul Master, cultivating freely and unrestrained!"
Qian Renxue suddenly felt the desire to confide.
She had been holding it in for too long.
Since childhood, her mother had been cold toward her, and only her grandfather cared for her, making her mature early.
The more mature she became, the more she had to sacrifice.
Since leaving Spirit City at nine to become a spy in Heaven Dou City, her achievements filled her with pride.
But this pride couldn't be shared with others, like wearing fine clothes at night.
This made Qian Renxue quite unhappy.
Now, emboldened by wine, she spoke three parts truth and seven parts falsehood.
Dugu Feng calmly clinked bowls with Qian Renxue and said, "Brother Xue, you're only a Soul King now - your cultivation talent isn't impressive.
If you were just an ordinary Soul Master, you probably wouldn't experience the wonder of rapid Soul Power advancement or reach the pinnacle of Soul Masters!
It would be better to enjoy being an emperor!"
Qian Renxue immediately laughed freely, "Brother Feng, don't underestimate me. My Innate Soul Power is also very high.
But within the royal family, my two younger brothers revealed their Innate Soul Power and were assassinated as a result.
I could only gradually conceal my cultivation talent.
Then after becoming crown prince, I became busy with worldly affairs, delaying my cultivation. Otherwise, my current Soul Power cultivation wouldn't be inferior to yours.
After unifying the continent this time, I'll devote myself fully to cultivation. Shall we make a pact to become Titled Douluos together!"
Qian Renxue's tone was bold, her words half-truth and half-falsehood.
She intended to change Dugu Feng's impression of her.
Now that she had become emperor and no longer needed to conceal herself, she planned to gradually reveal her true strength.
She would display the power of a Soul Emperor after one year, and after a few more years, reveal herself as a Soul Saint, letting people know bit by bit that she had merely been hiding her strength all along.
Dugu Feng feigned surprise. "Excellent! Then I shall await Brother Xue at the realm of Titled Douluo!"
Qian Renxue immediately pointed at Dugu Feng and laughed heartily. "Brother Feng is quite confident!"
In her heart, however, she thought: I'll be waiting for Dugu Feng at the Titled Douluo realm myself.
She was on the verge of breaking through to Soul Douluo.
Once she reached the Soul Douluo realm, she could absorb her second 100,000-Year Soul Bone, which would greatly accelerate her cultivation speed.
When she eventually became invincible and reached the pinnacle of power,
Qian Renxue would definitely reveal her true identity to shock the world.
She wondered how astonished Dugu Feng would be then.
Qian Renxue's eyes grew hazy, slightly intoxicated.
"Urgent military report!"
At that moment, a sharp shout echoed from downstairs.
Qian Renxue and Dugu Feng quickly looked over and saw a powerhouse at the Soul Saint level.
Dugu Feng recognized this person.
He was from the Spirit Hall's direct lineage within the Royal Soul Master Legion, aside from Snake Spear Douluo and Pufferfish Douluo.
His identity had long been cleansed, allowing him to join the Royal Soul Master Legion.
Now, this person appeared extremely anxious, as if fearing the worst.
Dugu Feng chuckled inwardly. It's happening.
Time for Qian Renxue, lost in her grand dreams, to face the harsh reality!
Qian Renxue glanced downstairs and froze.
Why was he here now?
What could have happened to make him so frantic?
"Brother Xue, since there's urgent military business, you should attend to it first!" Dugu Feng said with a smile.
Qian Renxue replied magnanimously, "Whatever the report may be, speak freely! Brother Feng is no outsider!"
If it were any other military matter, there would be no need for urgency.
But the messenger grew even more tense, immediately dropping to one knee. "Your Majesty, I must report to you alone! The intelligence is critical and cannot be leaked!"
"Brother Xue, don't make it difficult for him!" Dugu Feng couldn't help but laugh.
This man was practically dying from anxiety, yet Qian Renxue remained unhurried.
Qian Renxue sobered up considerably, finally realizing the seriousness of the situation.
"These people are too rigid. Brother Feng, how could you be an outsider?
Wait here for me. I'll return shortly!"
Though Qian Renxue had a bad feeling, she maintained her composure perfectly.
She lifted her sleeves and headed downstairs.
Entering a military tent not far from the watchtower, she listened to the report.
"What did you say?!"
Qian Renxue's shrill voice pierced through the tent, audible even to Dugu Feng up in the watchtower.
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
Qian Renxue lost her composure, her furious roars completely unconcealed.
Even her disguised voice as Xue Qinghe wavered, revealing traces of her true feminine voice.
Clattering sounds followed as objects were heard smashing inside the tent.
Dugu Feng stood calmly in the watchtower, a faint smile on his lips.
This must be the greatest blow Qian Renxue had ever suffered.
Surely no less devastating than her failure in the original storyline's Heaven Dou Palace Change.
That previous defeat hadn't cost her any Titled Douluos.
This time, she had lost two Titled Douluos.
Moreover, it was almost certain that without continued support from the Spirit Hall, her plans to unify the continent would be indefinitely postponed.
Most crucially, the exposure of the two Titled Douluos would undoubtedly send the news to both the Clear Sky Sect and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
She would also face suspicion from within the Heaven Dou Empire.
Dugu Feng suddenly felt a pang of pity for Qian Renxue. Just moments ago, she had clearly regarded him as someone close.
Pouring out the grievances in her heart.
Yet he was stabbing her in the back.
Ah, wasn't this somewhat wicked!
Dugu Feng let out an innocent laugh.
(End of Chapter)