It seemed that Zhi Lin had seen through what Qian Renxue was thinking. He chuckled softly, "Your Highness, why worry? Even if the Prince and the Avalanche Prince truly covet the throne, judging by their current state, they have no backing from His Majesty above nor trust from the people below — they have no solid foundation at all. To Your Highness, this is nothing but a minor skin irritation!"

At Zhi Lin's words, Qian Renxue's pupils contracted ever so slightly!

Qian Renxue did not want anyone to see what she was thinking; Zhi Lin had obviously touched on her taboo!

Yet, despite this, Qian Renxue kept her expression composed, smiled lightly, and said humbly, "What Elder Zhi says is very true, I have been stubborn in my views."

"Have all the students at the academy been notified?" Qian Renxue asked, unwilling to reveal any more thoughts to Zhi Lin, and refrained from dwelling further on the Avalanche matter.

Naturally, Zhi Lin and the other two knew what she was referring to — Qian Renxue had previously told them that after Han Feng and the others arrived at the academy, they should discipline the pampered noble students more strictly. Ostensibly, this was to display royal dignity, but in reality, Zhi Lin and the others understood that Qian Renxue feared those unruly nobles might provoke Han Feng...

After all, over the past few years, Han Feng had repeatedly told Qian Renxue that he disliked the arrogant, haughty attitudes of the noble youths.

"Rest assured, Your Highness!" Bai Baoshan laughed heartily, taking full responsibility. "I have already informed everyone. Tomorrow, when Young Master Han and the others enter the academy, they won't encounter a single student. We have also specially assigned a dedicated teaching area for the entire Shrek Academy. There will be absolutely no cause for discomfort for Young Master Han!"

Qian Renxue nodded in satisfaction, about to say more, but suddenly shivered all over. Her mouth, just opened, slowly closed again. After a moment, she finally spoke to Zhi Lin and the others, "If that is the case, I am at ease. The academy always has many affairs to handle, so I won't keep you any longer!"

The three frowned...

Qian Renxue had clearly wanted to say something else just now, but suddenly dismissed them — it made no sense!

But seeing Qian Renxue's silence, Zhi Lin and the others knew better than to pry and, with lingering doubts, took their leave. "This old man will take his leave!"

Whether it was their imagination or not, Qian Renxue's voice seemed to tremble slightly!?

After they left, Qian Renxue stood up from where she had been seated, took a deep breath, and walked to the lower platform. She knelt neatly on one knee, bowed her head, and spoke in a low, serious tone, "Sister!"

No sooner had she finished speaking than a stunning figure materialized out of the void, naturally taking the seat before Qian Renxue. A staff about two meters long dropped to the floor, emanating an invisible aura of sanctity and nobility that inspired awe and reverence.

This person was none other than the current Martial Soul Hall leader, Bibi Dong!

Qian Renxue didn't understand why Bibi Dong appeared here, but at this moment sweat had already begun to bead on her forehead. A strong sense of foreboding filled her heart.

Bibi Dong said nothing, looking down at Qian Renxue with a lofty air. Finally, Qian Renxue couldn't help but tentatively ask, "Sister, when did you arrive?"

"Heh!" Bibi Dong sneered coldly, the chill in her voice making Qian Renxue's pupils shrink sharply!

Qian Renxue was truly worried that Bibi Dong knew about Han Feng!

Although Qian Renxue tried to conceal her thoughts, Bibi Dong saw through her mind and said meaningfully, "Earlier than you think."

Within the entire Tian Dou royal family, not a single titled Douluo remained. The only spirit guardian was still in the Sunset Forest; the Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo were both within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. To say it plainly, with Bibi Dong's power, as long as she was cautious, Qian Renxue's Crown Prince palace was nothing but a backyard to her!

— The difference between the Crown Prince's guards and the Emperor's guards was enormous, not to mention that Bibi Dong had long since gleaned the layout of the Tian Dou royal family through Qian Renxue!

Hearing Bibi Dong's words, Qian Renxue bit her lip hard, clenching her fists until her nails dug into her flesh, drawing blood without even realizing it!

Qian Renxue had envisioned this situation thousands of times, but when it actually came, she realized just how powerless she truly was.

"Can you tell your sister who Han Feng really is?" Bibi Dong looked at Qian Renxue, and in her cold eyes flashed a fleeting pity — one even she barely noticed, and that was all.

Qian Renxue pressed her lips tightly together, crimson blood dripping from her mouth, unwilling to say a word.

Seeing Qian Renxue's refusal, Bibi Dong snorted coldly, "If you won't speak, then will you let your sister see the letters inside your soul device?"

As soon as Bibi Dong finished, Qian Renxue shuddered violently, staring at Bibi Dong in disbelief, half terrified, half panicked. "How do you know!?"

"Hmph!" Bibi Dong sneered disdainfully, her eyes cold. "Do you think you can fool everyone? Do you think what you've done is flawless? You should know: if you don't want others to know, then don't do it yourself!"

"I'm not afraid to tell you: all these years, I've often sent the Ghost Guardian to watch you. Do you think your every move can escape the eyes of the Ghost Guardian?"

Bibi Dong's voice turned cold. Ever since she sent Qian Renxue to infiltrate the Tian Dou royal family, she would occasionally send the Ghost Guardian to spy on Qian Renxue's situation. Whether this was out of care or inspection, no one knew.

But what was undeniable was that Bibi Dong had long known about Han Feng and Qian Renxue!

"Ghost Douluo!?" Qian Renxue's face turned pale upon hearing Bibi Dong's words. She knew the Ghost Douluo's strength well, and with his strange Martial Soul, infiltrating the Tian Dou royal family without a titled Douluo guarding it was a breeze!

"Why didn't you stop me from the start?" Qian Renxue's voice trembled slightly. She had seriously underestimated Bibi Dong's power and her attention towards her...

Bibi Dong stared at Qian Renxue and slowly said, "Everyone in the Martial Soul Hall has done minor things behind my back. Do you think I have the energy to care about every one of them?"

"But you've crossed the line! I heard from the Ghost Guardian that Han Feng will visit the Tian Dou Royal Academy tomorrow? Are you planning to meet him? Do you know what you're doing? The Tian Dou royal family only has one servant girl named Qian Qian who is dead; there's no princess named Qian Qian!"

"The Martial Soul Hall's century-long plan — do you want to see it destroyed!?"

Facing Bibi Dong's fierce rebuke, Qian Renxue's face was pale, eyes vacant, and with a nearly hoarse voice said, "Then Sister, what do you plan to do with me?"

Bibi Dong frowned at Qian Renxue and said coldly, "With your grandfather protecting you, I dare not dispose of you!"

Qian Renxue fell silent for a moment, then asked again, "Then what do you plan to do with Xiao Feng?"

"If I say kill him, what would you do?" Upon hearing Qian Renxue's affectionate nickname, Bibi Dong's brows furrowed, and she retorted coldly.

Qian Renxue, as if she had long expected this, showed no surprise and calmly replied, "Then I will expose everything the Martial Soul Hall has done to the Tian Dou royal family!"

"Boom!"

"Pfft!"

Right after she spoke, Qian Renxue felt a mountain-like pressure land on her shoulders. Though she was prepared, Bibi Dong's soul power oppression was overwhelming. Within moments, Qian Renxue collapsed to the ground, coughing up a mouthful of blood that stained the floor!

"Are you defying me!?"

Bibi Dong's soul power oppression caused the air in the entire Crown Prince palace to freeze. Looking down at Qian Renxue from above, her words were almost like shards of ice.

Qian Renxue coughed harshly, barely lifting her upper body, supporting herself with both hands while kneeling, her voice cold and clear: "No, I'm begging you!"

Qian Renxue's words stopped Bibi Dong's breath!

Since she could remember, Qian Renxue had never begged Bibi Dong, despite being mother and daughter, they referred to each other as sisters. Bibi Dong never fulfilled her maternal duties, and Qian Renxue lacked filial awareness. Yet today, for Han Feng, Qian Renxue was asking Bibi Dong for help for the first time!

Looking into Qian Renxue's sorrowful, vacant eyes, Bibi Dong seemed to see herself decades ago...

This made Bibi Dong inexplicably irritated. She withdrew her soul power oppression: "I can spare that Han Feng, but you must never meet him! Not until the plan succeeds! All correspondence must cease! Otherwise, don't blame your sister for being ruthless!"

This was already the best outcome Qian Renxue could hope for, so naturally, she did not object: "Thank you, Sister!"

Looking at Qian Renxue's haggard, pale face, Bibi Dong finally softened and said, "Great achievements don't fuss over trifles. Family, love, or friendship — these are just things the weak use to fill their fragile souls. If you want to play the family game, once the plan succeeds, no one will blame you! But before then, you must distinguish priorities!"

Qian Renxue remained silent. Bibi Dong didn't expect a reply, only said, "Take care of yourself!"

With that, Bibi Dong's figure once again dissolved into the void, gradually disappearing from the Crown Prince palace.

After Bibi Dong vanished completely, Qian Renxue ignored whether she had truly left or not, solidifying the spot where Bibi Dong had sat, murmuring sadly and resentfully, "The family game, huh? Coming from your mouth, it really isn't surprising at all..."

PS: Read Advance Chapters at patreon.com/c/Shinazuki