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The banquet finally came to a close amidst the clinking of glasses and the undercurrents of everyone's thoughts.
Representatives from various factions took their leave one after another, each with their own feelings.
At the entrance of the Spirit Hall Hotel, carriages and horses lined the streets, and ceremonial canopies filled the air, reflecting the sleepless lights of Spirit City and the increasingly unpredictable future of the continent.
Jiang Zhen and his group returned to the luxurious guest room area arranged for them by the Spirit Hall.
Lan Xi carefully helped the unsteady-footed, blushing Bing Di .
Bing Di seemed still immersed in the atmosphere of the banquet, waving their left hand and muttering indistinctly, "Hmm... I can still drink! Yuki... have a drink... hiccup..."
"...This...this little human drink...the taste is...it's really peculiar...hmm..."
Her bright green twin ponytails were a little messy, and her usually aloof and beautiful face was now full of naivety, completely different from her usual arrogant and sharp appearance.
Xue Di followed behind, looking at Ice Empress's drunken state. Helplessly, she raised her hand to rub her smooth forehead, a rare look of headache showing in her usually cold eyes.
Her Bing'er, with her straightforward nature, seemed to have developed a strong interest in "researching" the fine wine brewed by humans. Moreover, she clearly overestimated her ability to tolerate this unfamiliar liquid, forgetting that she could easily dispel the effects of the alcohol with her soul power.
Jiang Zhen looked at Bing Di , who was being half-supported and half-carried by Lan Xi , and asked Lan Xi with some amusement, "Xi'er, didn't she use her soul power to force the alcohol out of her body?"
Lan Xi shook her head, a hint of helplessness on her face: "I don't know either. It seems like... Sister Bing Di really enjoys this feeling?"
She carefully settled Bing Di on the soft bed, gently took off her shoes, covered her with a blanket, and wiped the fine beads of sweat from her forehead with a damp towel.
Watching Lan Xi bustling about, Xue Di said softly, "Alright, Xi'er, you've had a long day. Go back and get some rest. I can look after things here."
Lan Xi nodded obediently and looked at Jiang Zhen.
Jiang Zhen took her hand: "Let's go, Xi'er. Goodnight, Sister Xue."
He nodded slightly to Xue Di , then turned and went back to his room.
...
Deep within the Papal Palace, in Bibidon's bedroom.
Having shed the papal robes and purple-gold crown that symbolized supreme power during the day, Bibi Dong sat in front of her dressing table wearing only a silk nightgown.
The mirror still reflected that stunningly beautiful face, so perfect it seemed unreal, as if time had left no trace on her.
But at this moment, her deep purple eyes no longer held the usual majesty, coldness, and deeply hidden resentment, but were filled with confusion, struggle, and a trace of... a dazedness that even she herself found unfamiliar.
She raised her slender hand, her fingertips gently brushing her cheek against her reflection in the mirror, murmuring softly, her voice so low it seemed only she could hear: "How could I... have become like this..."
Many images flashed uncontrollably through my mind.
That exceptionally talented young man, who was deeply in love with her, once showered her with tender words, but later became resolute and betrayed her...
The shadow of the Qian family father and son, the daughter she was forced to give birth to, yet was unable to love...
These things, which had been tightly binding her heart like poisonous vines, somehow began to loosen.
That gentle singing voice, like a warm spring, injected a barely perceptible vitality into her frozen, lifeless heart.
Although she couldn't eradicate the deep-seated hatred, it did give her an unprecedented moment of clarity, allowing her to see her distorted mind and her unrecognizable life.
This sudden "clearing" brought her immense pain and confusion.
She had always believed she was on the right path of revenge and gaining control of power, but that moment of enlightenment made her deeply question herself.
"Yu Xiaogang...no..." She shook her head forcefully, trying to shake off those chaotic thoughts, and her eyes regained their coldness and determination, but the crack had already been quietly planted.
...
The next day.
The morning sunlight streamed into the room through the delicate window frames.
Jiang Zhen had just finished washing up when there was a soft knock on the door.
Upon opening the door, one could see Xue Qinghe, dressed in the prince's everyday robes and exuding a refined and scholarly air, standing outside.
"Your Highness, so early?" Jiang Zhen stepped aside to let him in.
Xue Qinghe entered the room and said in a gentle tone, "I've heard that Your Majesty also has a residence in Heaven Dou City. I wonder if Your Majesty could travel with... our Heaven Dou royal family's entourage on this trip back to Heaven Dou ?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhen looked at her with a half-smile and suddenly teased, "I say, Miss Qian, we're already back at our own 'home,' are you still reluctant to change out of this prince's disguise? It looks rather awkward."
Qian Renxue was taken aback by his sudden teasing, then her beautiful eyes widened slightly, a hint of embarrassment and annoyance flashing across them.
If it weren't for her grandfather's strict order against making enemies of this person, she really wanted to...
She took a deep breath, glanced around the room and saw no one else inside or outside, and a thought struck her.
A soft golden light swirled around her, and her exquisite disguise faded away like ripples on water, revealing her true appearance.
In an instant, the entire room seemed to brighten up.
Standing in front of Jiang Zhen was a stunningly beautiful woman who looked to be in her early twenties.
Her skin was as white as snow, her straight nose carried a natural nobility, and her slightly slender phoenix eyes shone with wisdom and a faint sense of authority. Her beauty was in no way inferior to that of Bibi Dong and Xue Di , and she also possessed a unique temperament that blended holiness and resilience.
Jiang Zhen looked at her stunningly beautiful face, a hint of appreciation flashing in his eyes. He smiled and nodded, "That's more like it. You're so beautiful, why hide yourself all the time and wear a mask? It's exhausting."
Qian Renxue blushed slightly at his straightforward praise and turned her head away uncomfortably, but inexplicably, she didn't feel much aversion.
Jiang Zhen's playful mood returned. He took out the pale gold honorary ennoblement that Qian Daoliu had given him yesterday, twirled it between his fingers, and continued to tease, "Speaking of which, I now hold the title of honorary ennoblement in your Hall of Offerings. According to seniority, I should be considered to be of the same generation as your grandfather and the others."
"Miss Qian, how about... you call me 'Grandpa' and let me hear it? What do you say? It's a good deal. If you do, I guarantee all your plans in Heaven Dou will go smoothly. How about it?"
His tone was seductive, but his eyes held a mocking glint.
Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue's beautiful eyes widened instantly as she stared at Jiang Zhen in disbelief, her chest heaving slightly, clearly furious at this "shameless" suggestion.
She thought to herself: This guy! His strength is ridiculously high, but his personality is like this... so unserious!
Seeing Qian Renxue's frustrated expression, as if she wanted to lash out but was trying to hold it in, Jiang Zhen burst into laughter and stopped teasing her.
...
Finally, Jiang Zhen and his group embarked on their journey back to Heaven Dou City together with the Heaven Dou royal family's convoy.
This news naturally did not escape the notice of other forces that had not yet completely left Martial Soul City.
As the grand procession, representing the Heaven Dou Empire and the Taiyi Douluo, slowly departed from Martial Soul City, the representatives of various forces once again murmured among themselves, secretly pondering the deeper meaning behind it...