Chapter 52: Sequential Plots to Secure the Imperial Throne

Because of that battle at the Great Soito Soul Arena, even with Qin Ming's strong recommendation, the group still chose not to go there.

However, a few days later, when Nian Yun was returning from a trip to Heaven Dou City, he brought back news that the Blue霸 Academy was recruiting teachers and accepting only commoner students. After some discussion, they decided to move the entire academy there.

After a full day of traveling, the group had no choice but to stay at an inn located a hundred miles outside Heaven Dou City.

"Knock, knock—"

Hearing the sound, Nian Yun got up and walked over.

"Click."

The sound of the lock opening echoed, but before Nian Yun could pull the door open, it was shoved inward by an external force. Nian Yun sidestepped to avoid it, though his left hand instinctively reached out to catch Ning Rongrong, who was about to tumble forward because her sudden push hadn't startled him as intended.

"You're a defense-type soul master, how can your reflexes be this fast?" Ning Rongrong, leaning against Nian Yun's left arm at an angle, complained with obvious displeasure.

"Alright, get up now, and pull the door shut on your way," Nian Yun said as he helped her up and turned toward the head of the bed.

Seeing this, Ning Rongrong's cheeks flushed slightly as she looked at Nian Yun, her hands instinctively crossing over her chest.

Having retrieved his belongings, Nian Yun turned around and, seeing this scene, was momentarily speechless. He walked over slowly and handed her the box in his hand. "I saw this on my way back. A gift for you."

"Oh." Ning Rongrong forced down her blush, letting out a slight sigh of regret before finally taking the box.

"Hiss~~"

After tearing off the simple paper seal and opening it, a green radiance instantly flooded the room.

"Nian Yun, what is this?"

"This is the Cockscomb Cockscomb Tulip, the king of immortal herbs. I haggled with an old farmer for half the day to buy it on my way back." As he spoke, Nian Yun even wore an expression of deep distress over his depleted purse.

"An immortal herb! For me?"

"When I went to Heaven Dou City this time, I didn't plan on giving gifts to just anyone. If you don't want it, I can give it to someone else."

Seeing that Nian Yun wasn't just joking and that his hand was already reaching out, she hurriedly pulled the herb into her embrace. "I want it! Who said I didn't want it?"

Nian Yun smiled and pulled his hand back. "Then you should stay in the room and properly absorb it."

Ning Rongrong nodded, cradling the immortal herb as she climbed onto Nian Yun's bed, while Nian Yun seated himself at the table and chair nearby.

Night fell.

Throughout the entire inn, only a single room continued to glow with a green light.

As the morning light streamed in, the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda blossomed with radiance. Gazing at this sight, her exquisite eyes widened in sheer disbelief, her mind continuously wondering if she were dreaming.

"Ah~~, is it morning already?" Nian Yun, who had spent the entire night dozing off at the table, prepared to stand up and stretch his aching body.

Just as he rose—*thump*—his back was suddenly slammed into by a heavy force. The momentum drove his lower abdomen straight against the edge of the table, and a curse slipped involuntarily from his lips.

"Nian Yun, thank you," a soft voice murmured near his ear.

Prying away the arms wrapped tightly around his waist, Nian Yun took a few deep breaths and turned around.

The moment he turned, that exquisite face closed in, and intoxicating red lips left a deep red imprint upon his cheek.

Fearing she might fall, Nian Yun instinctively caught the hurling Ning Rongrong in his arms.

Before long, after leaving the mark, Ning Rongrong took one more deep breath against him before slowly pulling away. "Thank you, Nian Yun."

"It seems the boost to you was quite substantial, even letting you break through directly to a Soul Elder. Congratulations."

With tears of excitement gleaming in her eyes, Ning Rongrong nodded and then proudly displayed her nine-storied Glazed Tile Pagoda to Nian Yun.

"Nine stories!"

"Yes! Although the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is hailed as the continent's premier support-type martial soul, we were previously utterly unable to break through the seventy-th-level bottleneck. But now, now..."

Seeing that Ning Rongrong's emotions were running a bit high, Nian Yun said nothing more, stepping forward to gently wipe the tears from the corners of her eyes. In response, Ning Rongrong threw herself once again into his embrace.

---

Heaven Dou Royal Academy

"Fourth Highness, how do you do?"

Noticing Xue Beng wandering around with his usual group of lackeys, Nian Yun approached and greeted him cheerfully.

Compared to Nian Yun's enthusiasm, Xue Beng and his followers reacted like mice encountering a cat, paralyzed with terror. Remembering the events of that day, Xue Beng immediately squeezed himself deep into the crowd of his subordinates.

"Yun Nian, I know you have backing, but don't get too arrogant. I am the Fourth Highness of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family."

"Arrogant? How could that be? I merely wanted to make friends with the Fourth Highness."

Facing Nian Yun's amicable smile, the panic on Xue Beng's face intensified. "What is your purpose? What exactly do you want?"

Taken aback by the sudden question, Nian Yun blinked. "Ah—didn't I just say? I apologize for any offense caused previously, and genuinely wish to be friends with the Fourth Highness."

This reply so exasperated Xue Beng that he couldn't help roaring, "Do you even know that you're Xue Qinghe's man? And you're coming over to be friends with me?"

"Is there a problem with that? Besides, what do you mean by 'I'm Xue Qinghe's man'? It's true that he showed me favor, but does that automatically make me his person? I truly just want to be friends with the Fourth Highness."

Nian Yun's eyes radiated youthful innocence and ignorance, causing Xue Beng to harbor deep doubts. *Is this brat genuinely an idiot, or is he just putting on an act?*

"I wonder if the Fourth Highness would do me the honor of letting me treat you to a meal, considered as an apology for what happened that day."

Just as Xue Beng was still hesitating, a crowd had already gathered around them, with voices murmuring about what a stroke of luck it would be to befriend Yun Nian.

Hearing the clamor closing in from all directions, Xue Beng found his composure cracking. Pushing past the lackeys in front of him, he figured his imperial status alone should deter Yun Nian from trying anything too outrageous.

"Since you are so sincere, this prince will reluctantly agree. However, I get to choose the location."

Naturally, no problem."

Bowing slightly to Xue Beng, Nian Yun turned and walked away through the parting crowd.

On the other side of the imperial palace

"Knock, knock—"

Prince Xue Xing: "Enter."

"Clack."

An armored soldier pushed the door open and stepped inside. "Your Highness, His Highness the Crown Prince invites you to attend a family banquet tonight."

"A family banquet? Xue Qinghe? Did something happen over at the academy?"

"Reporting to Your Highness, at noon today in the central plaza, Yun Nian invited His Highness Xue Beng to a banquet as an apology."

*Smack!*

Hearing this, Prince Xue Xing slammed his hand down on the table and looked toward the setting sun outside the window. "Immediately dispatch men to notify the Poison Doula, and assemble the guards!"

"Clang—"

"Reporting to Your Highness, the Poison Doula went to the Sunset Forest a few days ago and has not yet returned."

Xue Xing's pupils dilated, his voice rising a pitch higher as he strode out in extreme anxiety. "Assemble the troops at once! We depart immediately!"

"Clop—"

"Understood."

Outside the restaurant

Because Xue Beng still harbored lingering suspicions, he had ultimately brought along a few of his followers.

"The Fourth Highness needn't be so nervous. Though it's just a few extra mouths to feed, this is certainly going to cost me a pretty penny." Watching those gluttons, Nian Yun chuckled and shook his head.

Catching the underlying sarcasm in Nian Yun's words, the group felt a surge of anger. Yet, sensing the glint of purple lightning flashing in Nian Yun's eyes, they dared not voice any dissatisfaction and could only follow haughtily behind Xue Beng's coattails.

Barely had they taken their seats when a waiter approached and handed over a menu.

Xue Beng reached out to take it, but Nian Yun intervened, stopping him. "There's no rush, Fourth Highness. Someone else hasn't arrived yet."

"Someone else? Who?"