With just one sentence, Tang Lan completely changed Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong's attitude.
"The place I'm heading to has a god's inheritance. Even if I don't obtain a god's position, I can still undergo divine trials and receive divine blessings—at the very least, a God-bestowed Soul Ring."
Gu Rong: (●—●)
Ning Fengzhi: (●—●)
There's such a good thing?!
"The child is grown up. It's time for her to explore the world." Ning Fengzhi's expression shifted instantly. "From now on, I'll leave Rongrong in your care, Brother Lan."
"Is there anything else you need prepared?" Gu Rong asked with concern. "Should I have that cowardly old bastard drain some blood and send it to Sunset Forest?"
Damn!
That's some next-level consideration!
"That won't be necessary." Tang Lan chuckled. "This trip is mainly for divine trials to accelerate cultivation. Combat won't be needed for now."
For now?
The two instantly caught the keyword and were about to press further—
Until they saw Qian Renxue approaching.
They tacitly dropped the subject.
A Private Conversation
"Bone Douluo, Uncle Ning." Qian Renxue greeted them politely. "Qinghe has a private matter to discuss with Sect Master Tang. May I?"
"Of course, Qinghe." Ning Fengzhi grinned. "Bone Uncle, let's go check the list with Hall Master Niu."
Gu Rong nodded slightly, and the two left.
Qian Renxue then took out a pendant, infused it with soul power, and activated a barrier.
A shield to block external eavesdropping.
Only then did she say, "Xiao Lan, your acting skills are impressive. Even I was fooled."
She was, of course, referring to soul spirits.
"That was a pleasant surprise." Tang Lan replied smoothly. "The Titan Giant Ape and Azure Bull Python were facing a great calamity and had no confidence in surviving it. When I came to Star Dou Forest to hunt for a soul ring, I happened to run into them, and well…"
He gestured around him—the outcome was self-evident.
"And the fief?" Qian Renxue pressed. "Why didn't you tell me at the time?"
Perhaps realizing that her tone was a bit harsh, she softened her words—
"If you had told me that the fief near Star Dou Forest was unclaimed, I could have fought for more land for you."
That one sentence made Tang Lan raise an eyebrow!
Wait a minute!
Something's off about Qian Renxue!
Although, under Tang Lan's intentional guidance, he had "won her over" with a hundred-thousand-year soul bone, their relationship had remained that of close confidants.
But the way Qian Renxue was acting now…
Felt more like…
She was resentful about being kept in the dark?
Or rather—hurt from not being trusted?
What kind of relationship breeds this kind of reaction?
…Could it be that she actually likes me?
Hmm.
It makes sense.
Qian Renxue was a genius among geniuses—born with innate rank 20 soul power and a god-bestowed martial soul.
Her grandfather was Qian Daoliu, the Great Worship of Spirit Hall and a 99th-rank Peerless Douluo.
Very few men could catch her eye.
But Tang Lan?
A six-ring Soul Emperor at 13 years old!
Since Qian Renxue had been neglecting her cultivation due to her undercover mission, she was probably only around Soul Emperor level right now too.
He was younger than her, had better talent, was a leader of a major sect, and had founded the Spirit Transmission Pagoda.
With such excellence, it was hard not to be interested.
Now the Question Is…
'If Qian Renxue really likes me, should I accept her?'
As he pondered, his mouth didn't slow down.
"When you ascend the throne in the future, the Tang Sect Spirit Transmission Pagoda will naturally serve you. Whether I told you or not doesn't change the outcome."
A perfect deflection.
Qian Renxue didn't press further on that topic. Instead, she said—
"Since Xue Beng intends to compete for the throne, why don't we find an opportunity to eliminate him? That way, you won't have to keep spying on him."
At this moment, Tang Lan was absolutely sure—Qian Renxue liked him.
Otherwise, why would she bring this up?
After all—his undercover mission was going smoothly.
Why would she create unnecessary complications?
Not to mention…
Could she even discuss assassinating a prince with just anyone?
But then again—
The "Love-struck Fool Syndrome" is a time-honored tradition in the "Romance Continent."
It all made sense now.
Tang Lan thought it over.
If Xue Beng died, Qian Renxue would be the only heir to the throne.
At that point, he could "expose" her true identity, install a "puppet emperor", and later force that puppet to abdicate…
On the monarch-ruled Douluo Continent, emperors naturally carried a "faith halo."
That would make it even easier to harvest faith energy.
It all checked out. ✅
Tang Lan flashed a genuine smile, like a ray of sunshine, making Qian Renxue's eyes brighten.
"I have no right to interfere in your royal affairs."
He first distanced himself from the matter—
Then smoothly shifted the conversation—
"But Xue Beng is indeed too immature."
"Entrusting the Heaven Dou Empire to him? He might not even be able to maintain stability, let alone expand its borders."
"You, Qinghe, are far more suitable. You have courage, wisdom, and vision. You are destined to be a wise ruler for the ages."
His flawless flattery made Qian Renxue's lips curl into a pleased smile.
"Then, I'll have to trouble you to endure this role a little longer."
"I'll start making the necessary arrangements once I return."
Tang Lan agreed readily.
And didn't mention a word about his impending year-long disappearance.
Qian Renxue happily deactivated the barrier and left with a light step.
She didn't even bother asking more about soul spirits.
Because—
Didn't Tang Lan just say it?
"When I take the throne, the Tang Sect will be mine to command."
Hmm.
Tang Lan wasn't lying to Qian Renxue.
—As long as she could hold onto the throne.
If she lost power halfway, well, that wouldn't be his fault.
'No wonder this place is called the Romance Continent. One love-struck fool after another…'
'But if the love-struck fool is obsessed with me, that's actually kinda nice.'
'Good rating! 👍'
Final Preparations
Not far away, Zhu Zhuqing had already gathered the entire team, lined up and waiting for Tang Lan.
"Same routine—head inside for a bit."
Tang Lan tapped each of them with the Boundless Sea Sealing Soul, sending them into the Blue King.
Finally, it was the two Ice and Snow Emperors' turn.
"Have you two finished making arrangements with Ah Tai for the Extreme North?" Tang Lan asked.
Snow Emperor simply nodded, offering no further explanation.
Tang Lan sent them into the Blue King as well.
Then, he turned to Zhao Wuji.
"How's the Spirit Transmission Pagoda setup in the Extreme North coming along?"
"The Min Hall members have already set out." Zhao Wuji replied smoothly. "As planned, there will be a hundred-thousand-year soul beast waiting for them at the border."
A hundred-thousand-year soul beast?
That basically guaranteed success.
But to be safe, Tang Lan still gave a few extra instructions.
"The Titan Snow Demon King is on our side. Even though it's in the Extreme North's core area, Titan Snow Demons are spread throughout the region. If anything happens, go to them."
"If Tang Sect encounters an enemy they can't handle—if Spirit Hall goes completely insane and attacks—ask Xue Qinghe for reinforcements."
"As for any other blind fools, let the Old Poison take a stroll in front of their sects and family homes."
"We'll do our best to return before the Elite Tournament, but if we're late, just register us as a seeded team."
"And don't slack on your own cultivation. Eat a few more of Yang Wudi's fire-attribute pills."
"..."
After confirming that nothing was overlooked,
Tang Lan nodded to Zhao Wuji and Wang Dali,
Then turned towards Star Dou Forest and picked up Da Ming,
Before transforming into a streak of blood-red light, tearing through the sky in an instant—
Arriving above Sunset Forest.
The Tang Sect disciples in their uniforms stood out sharply at the forest's edge.
But there was no rush to join them just yet.
Tang Lan first released Da Ming.
"Sunset Forest is yours to handle from here." Tang Lan instructed. "You've already connected with the Old Poison and the others. If any problems arise, go to them."
Da Ming nodded and set off on his new mission.
Meanwhile, Tang Lan activated the Blue Silver Life Domain—
Scouting for high-aged soul beasts to drain for soul bone energy.
Since his next destination was Sea God Island, he needed full reserves.
But—
Sunset Forest's soul beast density was nowhere near that of Star Dou Forest, and the quality wasn't as high as the Extreme North.
Tang Lan estimated that it would take about two days to fully charge up.
That made him frown slightly.
He was just about to send word to the Tang Sect disciples outside to have them set up camp when—
A sudden flash of inspiration!
Got it!
(End of Chapter)