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Xue Qinghe, accompanied by her two Titled Douluo guardians, discreetly left the Heaven Dou Palace. Once outside the city and hidden within the depths of a quiet forest, her body glowed with a radiant golden light.
When the light dissipated, the noble young man was gone, replaced by a stunning woman in her twenties.
Her complexion was as fair as snow, her aquiline nose and slender phoenix-like eyes exuding a regal, commanding aura. Despite her serene golden gaze, her appearance captivated with unparalleled beauty.
She wore a golden imperial gown, its seamless design crafted from what appeared to be woven golden threads. The style was austere yet elegant, with a high collar concealing her long, graceful neck. Her golden hair flowed freely down her back, contrasting starkly with her meticulously arranged attire.
Since the purpose of her journey was to hunt for a soul ring, Qian Renxue reverted to her true form. Though she didn't mind disguising herself as Xue Qinghe, she preferred her original appearance when unnecessary formalities weren't involved.
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Meanwhile, Nan Feihuang's group had arrived at the nearest town on the outskirts of the Star Dou Forest.
As night fell, they found an inn and booked rooms for their stay.
At dinner, Lan Xue ordered a table full of dishes. Most of the group ate at a normal pace, except for Dian Wei, who was famished. His appetite was immense, far beyond that of an average person.
Fortunately, as a member of the royal household, resources weren't an issue. Had he been a commoner, even the stipends provided by the Spirit Hall wouldn't have sufficed to feed him.
Still, hungry as he was, Dian Wei hesitated to eat until his lord began.
Nan Feihuang smiled and placed a large chicken leg and pork knuckle into Dian Wei's bowl. "Er-Lai, no need to hold back. We're not in the palace, so don't worry about courtly etiquette. Eat to your heart's content."
"Hehe, thank you, my lord!" Dian Wei grinned and promptly grabbed the food with his hands, forgoing utensils entirely.
Nan Feiling sipped her tea with a sigh. "How disgraceful. This princess must distance herself from such a brute."
In her eyes, Dian Wei had no redeeming qualities beyond his fighting prowess. His uncouth behavior was an embarrassment to the royal family. Thankfully, they hadn't encountered any familiar faces tonight.
Unfortunately, fate had other plans.
The inn's door creaked open, and three figures entered.
At their head was a golden-haired woman whose ethereal presence immediately drew every gaze in the room.
The group's appearance rivaled that of Lan Xue and Nan Tianchen's entrance earlier, leaving the innkeeper bewildered.
"What's going on today? So many important people showing up in my little establishment!"
Nan Feihuang's eyes were drawn to the golden-haired woman. Though it was his first time seeing her, something about her felt oddly familiar. Her breathtaking beauty made it clear she wasn't an ordinary person.
As Nan Feihuang studied her, Qian Renxue was also observing him.
"Nan Feihuang? What's he doing here?" she thought, her gaze calm but tinged with surprise.
She quickly deduced his confusion. "Of course. He hasn't seen my true form before. No wonder he looks puzzled."
Lan Xue rose gracefully and approached the trio, her eyes landing on the two men flanking the golden-haired woman.
"Fancy meeting you here. Truly a pleasure," she greeted warmly, her tone polite yet guarded.
The two men were none other than Snake Spear Douluo and Porcupinefish Douluo, members of Spirit Hall's Nine Titled Elders.
Though their presence was typically veiled in secrecy, Lan Xue recognized them immediately.
During her youth, she had spent some time at Spirit Hall and had been introduced to these two by none other than her old friend Bibi Dong. While their strength had stagnated over the decades, increasing only from Rank 91 to Rank 92, Lan Xue herself had surpassed them, rising to a rank they would never achieve.
"It's you!" Snake Spear Douluo's expression tightened. He hadn't expected to see Lan Xue here.
Once, she had addressed them as seniors, but now she stood as their equal—or perhaps even their superior.
Understanding the delicacy of the situation, the group refrained from openly addressing each other's identities. In a crowded public space, revealing the presence of so many Titled Douluo could cause unnecessary chaos.
Lan Xue signaled the innkeeper for a private room and extended an invitation. "Since fate has brought us together, why not join us for a chat?"
"Very well. It would be rude to refuse such hospitality," Qian Renxue replied with a composed smile.
The three followed Lan Xue into the private room. Once seated, Nan Tianchen couldn't help but voice his curiosity.
"Snow, who are these three?"
Lan Xue introduced them with a slight smile. "These two are Spirit Hall's esteemed elders, Snake Spear Douluo and Porcupinefish Douluo."
Nan Tianchen's eyes widened in shock. He hastily bowed. "It's an honor to meet such esteemed figures!"
A Titled Douluo's status far exceeded that of a small kingdom's monarch, standing on par with emperors of great nations.
"Greetings, esteemed elders!" Nan Feiling, Nan Feihuang, Zhang Lao, and Xu Rong all followed suit.
Nan Feihuang, however, was inwardly processing something else entirely.
"So, these two are She Long and Ci Xue. That golden-haired beauty must be my dear 'Snow Big Brother.' I didn't expect her true form to be this stunning. Her elegance is a stark contrast to Lingqi's spirited and heroic charm. One is divine and pure; the other is valiant and bold."
Snake Spear Douluo nodded slightly. "No need for formalities. May I ask what brings you here?"
Nan Tianchen quickly replied, "I recently broke through to Rank 80, and two of the children have also reached Rank 30. We've come to the Star Dou Forest to acquire their soul rings."
She Long offered a polite nod. "Congratulations on your breakthrough, Your Majesty."
His tone was calm, betraying no real enthusiasm. To him, a mere Soul Douluo was hardly worth getting worked up over.
What did catch his attention, however, were the children. Barely eleven or twelve years old, and yet already at Rank 30? Their talent rivaled—or even exceeded—that of Spirit Hall's Golden Generation.
No wonder his young mistress had spoken so highly of them after her visit to the Ancient Thunder Kingdom. This small nation clearly harbored immense potential.
"If nurtured properly," he mused, "these children could grow into formidable Titled Douluo. This kingdom might prove more valuable to Spirit Hall than anticipated."
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