"Brother Yu, Brother Shi, Yu Feng, Sister Lingling, and Sister Yan, I won't be training with you today. I think a guest is waiting for me in my room." Tianlin waved goodbye with a smile and left the training grounds.
"Wait, why did Xiao Tian say goodbye to all of you but completely ignore me?" Oslo grumbled in dissatisfaction.
"Because your ridiculous behavior makes Xiao Tian want to punch you every time he sees you," Shi Mo retorted mercilessly.
"Tch, what do you mean by ridiculous? I'm just maintaining my handsome image!" Oslo said while pulling out a mirror. "Could it be my hairstyle is messy today and that's why Xiao Tian doesn't like me?"
"You'd better not say that in front of him. I'm worried Xiao Tian might pull out his Suppressing Demon Sword and chop you down. Seriously, I'm not joking," Ye Lingling said in her usual cold tone.
Oslo immediately deflated, realizing that among the seven of them, he was indeed the least liked.
...
After parting ways with the group, Tianlin went straight back to his dormitory, where he found the door wide open, a clear sign that someone had entered.
Sure enough, Xue Qinghe was sitting by his desk, flipping through his notes.
Fortunately, it wasn't his diary—otherwise, all his secrets would have been exposed. But then again, he didn't keep a diary. After all, who writes a diary? Only proper people don't.
"Brother Xue, what brings you here?" Tianlin stepped forward and asked.
Hearing Tianlin's voice, Xue Qinghe put down the notes she was holding and smiled. "I came to see you. I've heard about what happened with Orf. Such a big commotion, yet you didn't come to me for help. You know I could've handled it perfectly for you. Look at the tension now between the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and the Barak Kingdom."
Tension? Isn't that exactly what you wanted?
Tianlin thought sarcastically but said aloud, "I understand, Brother Xue. I was impulsive this time. If I encounter trouble again, I'll come to you first."
"That's more like it. In the future, just come to me whenever something happens." Xue Qinghe nodded in satisfaction. This was exactly what she wanted—to make Tianlin increasingly dependent on her. That way, even if she revealed her true identity as Qian Renxue someday, Tianlin might still choose to follow her and abandon the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
She was a woman with a strong desire for control. Once she decided to win someone over, they could only belong to her.
However, there was one thing that dissatisfied her. Sending Tianlin to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy was meant to bring them closer together, but it was also supposed to create conflict between Tianlin and Yu Tianheng—future guardian Douluo of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan versus the heir of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. If the two became enemies, it would inevitably strain relations between their clans. That's why she had tried to sow discord during their time at the clan.
What she didn't expect, however, was that not only did Tianlin and Yu Tianheng not become enemies, but they even became friends through their connection with Ye Lingling, completely derailing her plans.
"Unruly boys need proper discipline!" Qian Renxue thought maliciously.
Tianlin suddenly felt a chill, as though some dangerous predator had locked onto him.
"By the way, Xiao Tian, I noticed from your notes that you've been researching soul beasts with elemental attributes, haven't you?" Xue Qinghe asked. Her keen observation had allowed her to deduce Tianlin's research focus from his records on soul beasts.
Tianlin saw no reason to deny it and replied directly, "Yes, my sword needs to grow by absorbing soul rings with various elements."
"I see. So right now, your sword only contains the water attribute. No wonder it can't fully unleash the power of a divine martial soul!" Xue Qinghe nodded in understanding. It all made sense now why Tianlin was so focused on elemental soul beasts. To accelerate the fusion of their martial souls, perhaps she would need to lend a hand.
When she returned later, she'd have Uncle She retrieves some information on soul beasts from Spirit Hall. Their collection of soul beast data was undoubtedly the most comprehensive on the continent.
"By the way, Brother Xue, is there anything else you need?" Tianlin asked, secretly hoping that Xue Qinghe would leave soon. Being around her was incredibly stressful.
"There's one more thing. Come, let's go to bed," Xue Qinghe suddenly said, standing up and walking to the bed.
Tianlin's jaw dropped in shock. Was Qian Renxue planning to force herself on him? He was only seven years old; his little brother hadn't even fully developed yet. Wasn't this way too soon?
It wasn't until Xue Qinghe sat cross-legged on the bed and began circulating her soul power that Tianlin realized he had misunderstood. Xue Qinghe merely wanted to cultivate together.
"Come, Xiao Tian. Sit in front of me and place your palms against mine. I feel like our martial souls have a high degree of compatibility. We might not only be able to fuse but also assist each other in cultivation," Xue Qinghe explained.
Tianlin understood the potential benefits of this. It was similar to how Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong would later use their martial soul fusion ability, Haodong Power, to cultivate. This method was far more efficient than training alone.
Without hesitation, Tianlin sat in front of Xue Qinghe and pressed his palms against her.
In an instant, their soul powers merged seamlessly.
Xue Qinghe was overjoyed and immediately began using the Angel Meditation Technique, while Tianlin instinctively employed the Nuwa Emperor Meditation Method.
With two top-tier meditation techniques and the additional boost from their martial soul fusion ability, their cultivation speed skyrocketed.
Two hours later, both of them emerged from their meditative state.
Tianlin felt that his soul power had increased significantly. If they continued cultivating together like this, he'd reach level 20 in no time.
On the other hand, Xue Qinghe hadn't gained as much as Tianlin. While her cultivation speed had indeed improved, the difference wasn't dramatic—mainly because her soul power was far higher than Tianlin's. With such a vast gap, she could only help Tianlin, while Tianlin's assistance to her was negligible.
However, what delighted her was that thanks to the interaction with the Nuwa Emperor Meditation Method, her soul power had been purified. For her, this was even more important than increasing her soul power, as it directly affected her future inheritance of a god's position.
"What an amazing fusion ability! It not only enhances cultivation but also purifies soul power. Xiao Tian, you're truly my lucky star!" Xue Qinghe exclaimed, pulling Tianlin into an embrace.
Tianlin couldn't help but notice how flat Xue Qinghe's chest was. Was it because Qian Renxue hadn't developed yet, or was her transformation ability so perfect that even this part shrank when she became Xue Qinghe?
"Xue Tian, why don't you move out of the dormitory and come live in the Eastern Palace with me? You've already experienced how strong our fusion ability is. Even though we can't fully unleash a martial soul fusion skill yet, with effort, we'll achieve it one day," Xue Qinghe said excitedly.
"No need, Brother Xue. I'd rather stay in the dormitory. My friends are there, and I don't want to be apart from them," Tianlin quickly refused. Living with Xue Qinghe? His secrets would be exposed in no time.
Xue Qinghe's brow furrowed. She wanted to say, You don't need friends—having me is enough.
Unfortunately, as the wise and virtuous crown prince, not the headstrong young lady of Spirit Hall, she could only say, "Fine, but promise me you'll come to the Eastern Palace every few days."
"This fusion ability benefits both of us greatly. We can't miss such an excellent opportunity to cultivate!"
Tianlin knew this was Qian Renxue's bottom line. If he refused again, she might send a Titled Douluo to abduct him. So, he quickly nodded in agreement, finally satisfying her.