After all, a duke, an imperial teacher, an executive vice-president!
This seemed to be the highest honor for those outside the royal household!
"Since that's the case, let's give Brother Ye Feng some more time to consider. As long as you wish, our Tiandou Empire's doors will always be open for you, and the position will be kept for you."
Xue Qinghe said.
He still left a way out for Ye Feng.
"Okay."
Ye Feng agreed.
After all, with the royal household, one must find a way to descend gracefully, right?
One shouldn't outright refuse too obviously!
"Alright, then I won't disturb Brother Ye Feng's training. Let's go, Earl Goose."
Xue Qinghe said.
He then prepared to leave with the white-haired elder by his side.
"Goodbye, Prince Xue Qinghe!"
Everyone bid farewell in unison!
"Hmm??"
Suddenly, they saw Xue Qinghe stop in his tracks!
"Ah, I just remembered something."
Xue Qinghe turned around after stopping.
"What is it, Prince Qinghe? Is there anything else you wish to instruct?"
Seeing Xue Qinghe approaching, Ye Feng asked with a puzzled look.
"Brother Ye Feng, I see that it's almost lunchtime now. How about we have a meal together?"
Xue Qinghe checked the time and asked Ye Feng.
Everyone only then realized that it was indeed nearly noon.
"This…"
Ye Feng hesitated.
"Haha, Brother Ye Feng, don't worry. We'll just have a simple meal and not talk about other matters. After all, we are friends, aren't we?"
Xue Qinghe, as if seeing through Ye Feng's hesitation, said immediately.
Of course, his words were mainly meant for a certain person following him!
"I usually eat nearby, which may not suit Your Highness Crown Prince's palate."
Being a person of understanding, Ye Feng instantly realized what Xue'er was thinking; he guessed that the prince wanted to find some time to chat leisurely with him.
He responded at once!
"What are you talking about, Brother Ye Feng? The Crown Prince isn't a tiger with particular tastes. Aren't we all just people? What you can eat, I can eat too!"
Xue Qinghe said to Ye Feng at that moment.
"Since Your Highness Crown Prince does not mind, how could I spoil your enjoyment?"
Ye Feng spoke up.
"Earl Goose, I'll go have lunch with him and meanwhile think of ways to probe what he's really thinking. We can meet later this afternoon at the usual place."
Xue Qinghe whispered to the elder beside him.
"That's fine. The lad is indeed a rare talent. If we grasp this well, I believe it could significantly enhance the fortune of the Tiandou Empire."
The elder nodded.
"Everyone handle your own lunch. We'll proceed with training this afternoon as per the requirements!"
Meanwhile, Ye Feng said to the members of the Tiandou Royal Academy Douluo Team.
"Understood!"
The members answered in unison.
And so, Ye Feng left with Xue Qinghe.
And the elder also disappeared.
No one knew where they had gone.
"This way please, Your Highness Crown Prince."
Ye Feng maintained a refined and courteous demeanor.
"Feng, you really are becoming naughtier!"
Soon, they arrived at a rather secluded restaurant.
At that moment, Xue Qinghe regained her female voice.
Of course, this was after making sure no one was around.
If others knew she was of the female sex, all her plans would go awry.
"Haha, it's you who are being naughty, Xue'er, aren't you? Just now, you were resorting to all sorts of persuasion and pressure. Aren't you afraid that I might really join the Tian Dou Imperial Academy?"
Ye Feng asked with a smile.
"I had no choice but to act that way. The one by my side just now is a Titled Douluo and also the most trusted elder of Xue Ye, someone who fought alongside him to conquer and protect the realm. Although he appears to be protecting me, he is actually surveilling me. Don't I need to put on a good show?"
Xue Qinghe said to Ye Feng then.
They soon entered a courtyard next to the secluded restaurant.
This was Qingfeng Tower's courtyard, belonging to Ye Feng and his group.
It was absolutely safe.
Now, Qingfeng Tower's properties were spread throughout the entire Tiandou Empire, including Spirit City.
Some were also in the Xingluo Empire.
This was his early strategic planning in property investments.
Of course, Ye Feng wouldn't be foolish enough to tell others that he was the actual owner behind Qingfeng Tower's various enterprises.
They had issued a kind of VIP card for their industries.
Guests holding special VIP cards received different treatments.
Eating, resting, stuff like that, it's all in a private, exclusive space.
In short, dining in a private room.
There are also large private suites and such.
But with time so short, Xue Qinghe didn't have the chance to change back into women's clothes.
They chose the best private room location on the rooftop.
"It seems being a crown prince is not an easy role to play,"
Ye Feng sighed.
"Of course it's not easy! There are so many troubles!"
Xue Qinghe had an extremely helpless look on his face.
"Haha, it certainly is tough, but our Xue'er is quite the actor. The scene you just pulled off scared me."
Ye Feng sat across from Xue Qinghe with a smiling face as he spoke.
"Feng, you scared me too! You've actually advanced to the Soul Sage level. Come on, tell me, what level are you exactly now?"
Xue Qinghe looked at Ye Feng with the demeanor of a little woman.
Her expression was as if she had just caught her husband hiding a stash of private cash.
In private, in front of Feng, she was Qian Renxue, not some crown prince.
So she reverted completely to her own feminine demeanor.
If she had enough time, she would even want to change back into women's clothes to be her true self.
Unfortunately, she had agreed to go back in the afternoon.
Mainly because the time was too pressing, and Emperor Xue Ye would suspect something.
So she had to manage it well.
"With some good luck, I'm now at level 74,"
Ye Feng said.
He had nothing to hide from Xue'er.
"Level 74, wow! That means your combat strength has increased substantially!"
Qian Renxue looked at Ye Feng with interest.
"Want to have a spar?"
Ye Feng's eyes slightly hardened as he asked.
"Cough, cough,"
Qian Renxue gave an amused smile.
The meal was served quickly.
Meanwhile, on the other side.
"How is it going?"
A man's voice could be heard.
It was low and a bit muffled.
And it carried an air of authority that seemed impossible to refute.
"Things aren't looking too optimistic. The kid doesn't seem very interested,"
an elder with white hair at his temples replied.
If at this moment people from the Tiandou Royal Academy Douluo Team were present, they would be incredibly surprised.
Because this person was none other than Earl Goose, the crown prince's personal escort.
"Oh? How so?"
The man asked with some curiosity.
He was none other than Emperor Xue Ye.
Earl Goose was actually responsible to him and the entire Imperial household of the Tiandou Empire.
"Your highness Crown Prince repeated the conditions as Your Majesty requested. In the end, the other party declined, citing a lack of confidence and experience, and said that for now he only wants to lead his team to win the matches,"
Earl Goose responded.
"Lack of experience as an excuse? Could it be he's looking down on our Tiandou Empire?"
At this moment, Emperor Xue Ye had an unusual expression.
"It seems he doesn't want to be restricted to any place. Now the crown prince is dining with him while also trying to gauge what's truly on his mind, whether it's the insufficiency of the conditions that's the issue."
Earl Goose answered.
"Insufficient conditions? Duke and Imperial Teacher titles are already very high offers! And we're even allowing him to manage the Tiandou Imperial Academy! What else does he want, our entire Tiandou Empire?"
Emperor Xue Ye looked annoyed as he heard this.
He had approached Ye Feng with utmost sincerity.
"It's still unclear for the moment. Let's wait for the news from the crown prince in the afternoon,"
Earl Goose replied.
"Alright then, this afternoon inquire with Qinghe and see what the situation is. Remember, if there's even a slight hint that this person leans towards the Martial Soul Hall, take immediate action!"
Emperor Xue Ye made a slicing gesture as if issuing an order for an execution.
If such a person could become a friend, it would be fine.
But if he became an enemy, it would mean endless trouble.
Instead of that, better to cut him down immediately!
To prevent a potential threat!
"Understood,"
Earl Goose nodded and then took his leave.
Meanwhile, Ye Feng and Qian Renxue had already arrived in a secluded deep mountain forest.
...