Seeing him smile happily, Qian Renxue couldn't help but feel her eyelids twitch violently.
No wonder her grandfather repeatedly mentioned in his letters that she must build a good relationship with Han Li, saying that in the future, not only in terms of strength but also in thinking patterns, this guy would be a great help to her.
This guy is very skilled at using underhanded tricks.
Seeing that Qian Renxue wasn't speaking for a long time, Han Li looked at her curiously, "What's wrong? Did I say something incorrect? Or is there something I haven't explained clearly?"
"No, nothing like that. I understand what you mean. I will give it serious consideration. The method you suggested is very suitable for the current situation," Qian Renxue replied seriously.
"Good, as long as you understand. You must know, this is ultimately a world belonging to soul masters. The final deciding factor is very simple: whoever has the bigger fist is in the right. Everything else is just auxiliary; strength is the most important thing," Han Li added.
She will be a companion in the future and one that doesn't require him to worry much.
Otherwise, even as the heir of the Spirit Hall, he wouldn't bother explaining so much to her.
"By the way, your martial soul's fire element has increased quite a bit, right?"
Han Li asked, thinking of something.
"Yes, thanks to that Infernal Delicate Apricot, my control over flames has become much stronger, and I've also advanced several levels," Qian Renxue sincerely thanked Han Li.
"You're welcome," Han Li accepted her gratitude with peace of mind and then stood up.
"I should go now. As for the time and place for our next sparring session, just have someone notify me when you decide."
"Alright, no problem. I also want to see how strong you are now that my grandfather sent you to deal with me," Qian Renxue replied with equal determination, a strong fighting spirit flashing in her eyes.
"You'll find out then," Han Li smiled and refrained from saying anything more to provoke her.
"Alright, Your Highness, today's conversation was very enjoyable. However, I have other matters to attend to, so I won't stay any longer. I hope we have the chance to meet again soon," Han Li cupped his hands and laughed heartily, his voice carrying far.
"Very well, I won't keep you. We hit it off immediately, and I'm sure there will be plenty of opportunities for us to exchange ideas in the future," Qian Renxue responded.
Seeing that his voice had already caused the distant servants to start approaching, Qian Renxue reverted to her Xue Qinghe persona, got up, and went to his side, making a gesture to escort him to the door.
"Alright, it's a deal."
"It's a deal."
After another round of formalities, the servants and Dugu Bo also came closer.
"Alright, Your Highness, there's no need to see me off any further. Grandpa Dugu, let's go."
Han Li declined Xue Qinghe's offer to see him off and turned to look at Dugu Bo.
Dugu Bo nodded towards Xue Qinghe, followed Han Li, and the two of them exited the Crown Prince's Mansion and boarded the Spirit Hall carriage that had been waiting outside.
As soon as the carriage door closed, Dugu Bo couldn't help but look at Han Li.
"You two talked for quite a while."
"No choice, it's part of the task. But you've lived in Haven Dou City for so long; what do you think of Xue Qinghe as the Crown Prince?"
Han Li casually replied without explaining further and instead asked a question.
"He has some imperial demeanor, but he's not ruthless enough," Dugu Bo, who used to be close to Xue Xing, naturally knew a bit about the situation. After some thought, he gave a fairly decent evaluation.
"Yeah, that's quite fitting."
Han Li smiled but didn't continue the conversation. In a few days, the old man would know. He thought he'd give him a little surprise.
The two chatted idly, letting the carriage smoothly carry them towards the Spirit Hall.
...
Meanwhile, at Heaven Dou Royal Academy, in Ye Lingling's villa.
As soon as they met, Dugu Yan introduced Shui Bing'er and Xiu'er to her good friend. The four of them were now sitting on the sofa, chatting.
"Lingling, you have no idea how much I've missed you these past few years. If it weren't for your family not agreeing, I would have kidnapped you."
Dugu Yan, hugging Ye Lingling beside her, snuggled into her arms, expressing her affection.
At this moment, because they were indoors and with close friends, Ye Lingling had long taken off her veil, revealing a cold yet delicate face.
With a faint smile on her face, she looked at her friend's childlike side and gently tidied her hair.
"Yan'er, you've changed so much over the past few years that I almost didn't recognize you."
"As for kidnapping me, that's impossible. You know, the family wouldn't allow it, and it's a fate I can't escape."
Although she still had a smile on her face, her eyes were very calm, and what she said was rather bleak.
"Hey, Lingling, there you go again. Wouldn't it be better to be a bit happier?"
Dugu Yan sat up with a bit of helplessness, glancing at her friend. Ever since she had known Lingling, she had always been like this.
Although she always maintained a cool but kind image in public, only Dugu Yan knew that whenever she was alone or just with the two of them, she would always show signs of sadness or depression.
It seemed that after four years apart, her condition had worsened somewhat.
"Don't worry, Yan'er, I'm fine. I've long come to terms with my fate and chosen to accept it."
"As a member of the Ye family, it's a predetermined matter. If not me, then someone else. It's both a blessing and a curse."
Ye Lingling smiled as she spoke to Dugu Yan, but her words left Shui Bing'er and Xiu'er exchanging puzzled glances.
They hadn't expected that the contemporary heir of the Nine Heart Flowering Apple would be so different from their first impression—she seemed like such an "odd person."
She had a smile on her face, yet her words were filled with sadness. Moreover, her speech had a peculiar tone that, to borrow Han Li's words, had a bit of a "Chūnibyō" flavor.
And that mystical tone was somewhat reminiscent of Han Li's pretentious mannerisms.
Dugu Yan, feeling frustrated, scratched her head and cast a pleading look towards the other two.
Shui Bing'er gently shook her head, indicating she had no experience with such situations.
Suddenly, Xiu'er's eyes lit up as if she recalled a similar character from the stories Han Li had told her.
"How about we take her to see XiaoLi? Maybe he can help."
Upon hearing this, Dugu Yan's eyes also brightened.
Right, why not ask Xiao Li? He's so capable; he should have a solution.
"The Holy Son of Spirit Hall? It's no use, I..."
Ye Lingling had just started to speak when Dugu Yan grabbed her and dragged her towards the door.
"Let's go, we're going to see Xiao Li."
Shui Bing'er and Xiu'er quickly stood up, grabbed the veil that had fallen to the side, and followed.
Though Dugu Yan was in a hurry, she calmed down after bringing her good friend out of the house.
Ye Lingling was different from her. In her concern, she had been a bit reckless, so she decided to bring her back home first and then send someone to notify Han Li at Spirit Hall.
Han Li, who had just returned to Spirit Hall with Dugu Bo, had no choice but to head straight to the Dugu residence again.
...
Heaven Dou City, Dugu Mansion
.
After listening to the three girls' description, Han Li looked over at Ye Lingling, who was quietly sitting on the other side of the hall.
She had put her veil back on, returning to her usual cool demeanor, with no apparent abnormalities from the outside.
Seeing him look over, Ye Lingling nodded slightly at him as a greeting.
"Miss Ye, it's a pleasure to meet you. Would you mind having a chat with me?"
Han Li didn't try to get too close right away; instead, he greeted her quite normally.
Ye Lingling glanced at him, her pleasant voice coming from under the veil: "Of course, I don't mind. You are also Yan'er's friend."
She paused for a moment before continuing, "However, don't take it to heart. I'm fine; Yan'er just exaggerated a bit."
"Hmm, I thought so too," Han Li replied, following her lead, without showing any unusual expression. He didn't mind Dugu Yan poking him in the back discontentedly.
The original work didn't describe Ye Lingling much, but she seemed quite normal.
It was mentioned that she had a rather solitary and cold personality. Even when she was with her familiar teammates, she would choose to stand in the darkest corner of the room.
Yes, loneliness and desolation were mentioned a few times, but she could still normally provide treatment and encouragement to her teammates.
Because of the Nine Heart Flowering Apple, Han Li had once considered her, but after learning about the Ye family's situation, he decisively gave up on the idea.
But now, hearing Dugu Yan's description, something seemed off. It felt like she had symptoms of depression, similar to the "smiling depression" he had once heard about on a variety show in his previous life.
Explaining it was one thing, but treating it? That was no joke.
"Yes, I think Yan'er is overthinking. This is just my destiny; everyone has a predetermined path, like you or me," Ye Lingling seemed to have a strange chemical reaction due to his agreement, unconsciously revealing an abnormal change.
Han Li's expression stiffened.
I didn't agree; don't misrepresent me. Goodness, her condition is more severe than I thought. Could this be a side effect of me taking Dugu Yan away early, leaving her without someone to communicate with, causing this change?
"Do you believe in destiny?"
Han Li pressed on, unable to end the conversation after just one sentence.
"Yes, I believe. No one is closer to fate than the Nine Heart Flowering Apple," Ye Lingling nodded calmly, the desolation in her eyes deepening unintentionally.
"Because your martial soul is always passed down through a single line?" Han Li keenly picked up on the key point in her words.
"Yes, the birth of one Nine Heart Flowering Apple means the fall of another. If this isn't fate, what is it?"
"We are like travelers both blessed and cursed by destiny. The blooming and withering of the flower are set in time. While spreading the beautiful healing to others, we also inevitably bear a certain evil consequence," Ye Lingling murmured with a slightly empty gaze.
Indeed, as the others said, the depressive elements were high, but her somewhat chūnibyō-like statements indicated she could still be saved. It seemed she had been suppressed for too long and didn't know how to vent, leading to these symptoms.
Just like in his previous life, sometimes he would have scheduled "emo" moments at night, only more severe. The crux of the issue is the martial soul, and the Douluo Continent doesn't prioritize mental health.
Her behavior could only be explained as having been provoked, combined with long-term suppression, leading to self-doubt and thus becoming like this.
Did the ancestor of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan also exhibit similar symptoms? Watching her behavior, Han Li suddenly thought of another famous martial soul.
"Your family should have researched your martial soul, right?"
Han Li spoke up, pulling her thoughts back.
"Yes, but there were no results," Ye Lingling shook her head, candidly revealing the outcome. This was something every generation of Nine Heart Flowering Apple inheritors did.
"Then is it possible that your family's inherited martial soul, like the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, is merely a martial soul defect?"
Han Li was careful not to provoke her but guided her thoughts in another direction.
At the same time, he was deep in his mind, calling on his obedient son for specific information.
"My mother and the others say the same, but I believe this doesn't explain everything. It must be the arrangement of fate. Otherwise, after so many years, there would have never been a situation where three Nine Heart Flowering Apple Soul masters existed simultaneously."
Compared to before, Ye Lingling's voice grew louder, as if reaffirming her beliefs.
Han Li had finished communicating with his obedient son and, after hearing her words, his expression grew somewhat peculiar.
"Although it may be presumptuous, I want to ask, Miss Ye, does the Nine Heart Flowering Apple only appear in the main branch of the Ye family? Has it never appeared in other branch families?"
Han Li's question made Ye Lingling pause. After thinking for a moment, she nodded. Because of her martial soul, she had almost gone through all the family records.
Seeing her nod in confirmation, Han Li also nodded but did not continue questioning.
Ye Lingling, seeing him fall silent after his questions, returned to her previous cold demeanor.
Dugu Yan glanced at both of them and left a message for Shui Bing'er and Xiu'er to accompany Ye Lingling before dragging Han Li out of her hall.
"Xiao Li, do you know the reason? Why did you suddenly stop? Lingling, is she okay?"
Dugu Yan asked, somewhat worriedly, looking towards the hall and gripping Han Li's sleeve tightly.
"Her? She's fine, just lacking communication with others and her thoughts have gone astray. As long as she doesn't continue down this path or stop overthinking, the problem can be easily resolved."
"Of course, it may not just be her. The entire Ye family might be in an unusual state right now."
Han Li thought of the information provided by the plane consciousness when he summoned his obedient son, and his expression grew even more peculiar.
The pit this family dug for itself was truly not small.
However, precisely because of this, their current life was relatively stable. It could be said that their predecessors were too "excellent," leading to the present situation.
"Fine? You said the entire Ye family too. What do you mean? Are they all in the same state as Lingling now?"
Dugu Yan was a bit confused.