61: Chapter 61: Wang Dong'er's Jealousy

Qian Renxue stopped and turned to Lu Jing and Wang Donger, saying, "Let's go. I'll take you to see the passage here. It leads directly to the Crown Princes Palace, making it more convenient if you want to see me in the future."

Lu Jing nodded and followed her with Wang Donger and Xiao Wu.

Passing through the corridor deep in the courtyard, Qian Renxue stopped in front of a wall and pressed an inconspicuous brick with her hand.

With a soft "click," the wall slowly moved aside, revealing a deep passage behind it. Luminous pearls hung on the walls on both sides, emitting a soft light that illuminated the path ahead.

"Going through here, it only takes the time for a cup of tea to reach the Study of the Crown Princes Palace," Qian Renxue explained, taking the lead.

Lu Jing and Wang Donger exchanged a glance and followed her inside with Xiao Wu.

The wall slowly closed behind them, cutting off the morning light of the courtyard.

The passage was quiet, with only the echo of the four people's footsteps.

The luminous pearls on both sides of the passage cast a soft glow, stretching the shadows of the four people.

The brick-paved floor was flat and smooth, clearly well-maintained. The sound of footsteps echoed in the long, narrow space, carrying a sense of secrecy.

Qian Renxue walked at the front, her pale gold skirt swaying gently with her steps. The "tap-tap" of her high heels hitting the ground became the only rhythm in this silent passage.

From time to time, she turned her head to introduce the layout of the passage to Lu Jing and Wang Donger, her tone as relaxed as if she were strolling through her own garden.

"This was originally a secret passage left by predecessors. Later, I reopened it, connecting it to a hidden compartment in the Crown Prince's Study."

She pointed to an inconspicuous groove on the left wall and explained, "In an emergency, turning this mechanism allows for a direct retreat from the Study to here."

Lu Jing nodded, his gaze scanning the stone walls on both sides of the passage. Faint patterns were carved on them, where the imperial emblem could be vaguely discerned.

He had to admit that Qian Renxue's layout in Heaven Dou City was much deeper than it appeared on the surface. This secret passage alone was enough to show her meticulous planning.

Xiao Wu wasn't interested in these things. Her attention was entirely drawn to the luminous pearls on the wall. She reached out to touch them from time to time, only to be gently held back by Wang Donger.

The little girl stuck out her tongue and followed obediently, her large eyes full of curiosity.

After passing through the long passage, a stone door appeared ahead.

Qian Renxue pressed the groove beside the door a few times, and the stone door slowly opened, revealing a Study with carved beams and painted rafters.

Sunlight streamed through the carved window lattices, falling onto a desk covered with brocade. The air was filled with the scent of ink and a faint aroma of sandalwood.

"We're here."

Qian Renxue stepped aside to let them in, then walked to the window and pushed it open. Fresh air rushed in as she said, "This is the Crown Prince's Study. Usually, no one comes here."

Lu Jing looked around the Study. The bookshelves were filled with ancient books, and several landscape paintings hung on the walls. It looked no different from an ordinary prince's Study, but upon closer inspection, one could find hidden compartments behind the bookshelves and mechanisms on the table legs, showing defensiveness everywhere.

"Sister Xue'er certainly knows how to hide things," Lu Jing teased.

Qian Renxue turned around, her golden eyes filled with a smile: "In this imperial palace, how can one survive without being extra cautious?"

She walked to the tea table, started brewing tea again, and was the first to speak: "Speaking of which, you didn't come to Heaven Dou City to find me just for a simple visit, did you?"

Her tone carried a bit of teasing, as she clearly didn't believe Lu Jing would come to catch up for no reason.

This guy seemed casual, but in reality, every step he took had a purpose; he would never do anything in vain.

Lu Jing grinned and met her gaze without hesitation: "Sister Xue'er is so beautiful. Even if it were just to see you, what's the harm in making this trip?"

These words were half-true, carrying both teasing and a bit of sincerity.

Qian Renxue's appearance was already world-toppling. Having not seen her for six years, she had shed her youthful innocence and gained more elegance, making it truly hard to look away.

However, these words fell into Wang Donger's ears like a thorn piercing her heart.

She suddenly clenched her fingers, and her face instantly darkened.

Not long ago, this guy was saying he wanted to pursue her, and now he was saying such things to Qian Renxue. It was simply detestable!

Wang Donger glared at Lu Jing and cursed in her heart: Scumbag!

Qian Renxue clearly hadn't expected Lu Jing to say that. She was stunned for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh.

Her golden eyes curved into crescents, and the dimples at the corners of her mouth were faintly visible, instantly dispelling her sense of holiness and adding a bit of coquettishness: "I'm not like those young girls who can be fooled by a few words from you. Tell me, what do you need help with?"

She knew Lu Jing too well. One could listen to this guy's sweet talk, but if you took it seriously, you'd lose.

Seeing she didn't fall for it, Lu Jing stopped teasing, put away his joking expression, and his tone became serious: "I do need a favor—I want to borrow one of the Titled Douluo you have."

"Borrow someone?"

The smile on Qian Renxue's face faded slightly, and she looked at him with some confusion, asking, "What do you need a Titled Douluo for?"

She only had two Titled Douluo under her—Porcupinefish Douluo and Snake Lance Douluo. Both were sent by Spirit Hall to assist her. Although their strength wasn't top-tier, they were genuine Titled Douluo, and ordinary matters didn't require their intervention.

"I've found a treasure land that contains some things I need."

Lu Jing explained, "But to be safe, I need a powerhouse to oversee things, just in case."

Qian Renxue nodded slightly, understanding, but a new question popped up: "Since you need a powerhouse, why not transfer someone from the Elder Hall? Although Porcupinefish and Snake Lance are Titled Douluo, they are only Rank 92. They are far behind those Old freaks in the Elder Hall."

The elders in the Elder Hall were all Super Douluo at least Rank 95 or above, and there were even Limit Douluo like her grandfather. In terms of strength, they were far beyond Porcupinefish and Snake Lance.

"It's not necessary."

Lu Jing shook his head and explained, "Firstly, our trip out was originally for training, and finding this treasure land is just on the way. Secondly, that place is not far from Heaven Dou City, so it's more convenient to borrow someone from you."

The place he was going to was the Sunset Forest, which indeed wasn't far from Heaven Dou City. If he were to transfer someone from the Elder Hall, it would seem like making a big fuss over nothing, which wasn't necessary.

Qian Renxue finally fully understood. She picked up the freshly brewed tea, handed a cup to Lu Jing, and said straightforwardly, "No problem. When are we leaving?"

"Tomorrow."

Lu Jing took the teacup, his fingertips touching the warm cup wall, and replied, "Getting this thing sooner will also set my mind at ease sooner."

Qian Renxue didn't ask further and nodded: "Fine, I'll arrange for someone to go with you tomorrow morning."

The matter was settled, and the atmosphere in the Study relaxed a bit more.

Qian Renxue kept them for lunch at the Crown Princes Palace. They talked and laughed during the meal as if the bloodshed from last night had never happened.

Xiao Wu was very interested in the palace cuisine and ate happily, but Wang Donger had no appetite. She glared at Lu Jing from time to time, making him feel bewildered.

It wasn't until evening that Lu Jing took Wang Donger and Xiao Wu away from the Crown Princes Palace and returned to the inn.

As night fell, an oil lamp was lit in the inn room, its dim yellow light enveloping the small space.

Wang Donger sat on the sofa with her legs together and arms crossed. Her small face was tense, clearly still sulking.

Lu Jing had just finished showering and came out, drying his wet hair. Seeing her like this, he couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong? Who upset our Eldest Miss Donger?"

Wang Donger looked up and glared at him, her tone questioning: "What is that treasure land you mentioned today? Why didn't I know about it?"

She had wanted to ask at the Crown Princes Palace, but with Qian Renxue present, it wasn't appropriate to speak out. Having held it in all afternoon, she could no longer contain herself.

Lu Jing sat down beside her and casually tossed the towel aside: "It's normal that you don't know, because you've never seen it or heard of it."

He paused and said, "That place is in the Sunset Forest outside Heaven Dou City. It has a name: the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well."

"Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well?"

Wang Donger blinked and searched through her mind, certain she had never heard the name before. She asked, "What's in there? Is it a Spirit Beast or a Spirit Bone?"

In her view, a place Lu Jing specifically sought a Titled Douluo to oversee must hide treasures, either powerful Spirit Beasts or rare Spirit Bones.

Lu Jing smiled mysteriously: "You'll know when the time comes. Anyway, it's neither a spirit ring nor a Spirit Bone."

"You're doing this again!"

Wang Donger pouted, clearly dissatisfied with his riddles: "What can't you just say directly? You have to keep people in suspense."

She hated it most when Lu Jing acted like this. Something that could be explained in one sentence had to be hidden, making one's heart itch with curiosity.

Seeing this, Lu Jing explained, "It's not that I won't say, it's just that this thing is hard to describe. You have to see it with your own eyes to know. To be honest, I haven't been there either. I've only seen records in ancient books. I can't say for sure what it looks like or what's inside."

He was telling the truth.

In the original story, the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was the foundation for the Shrek Seven Devils to become gods. The exotic flowers and herbs inside were the key to refining Immortal Plants. However, he hadn't seen it in person after all, and relying solely on written descriptions, it was indeed hard to explain clearly.

Only then did Wang Donger's anger dissipate, knowing he wasn't intentionally hiding it from her, but that it was truly hard to describe.

She huffed and turned away, but couldn't help wondering in her heart what that "Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well" actually looked like.

Early the next morning, as the sky was just beginning to brighten, there was a knock on the inn door.

Lu Jing opened the door to find Qian Renxue standing there, still in her pale gold gown, followed by a stout old man—it was Porcupinefish Douluo.

Lu Jing's gaze lingered on Qian Renxue for a moment, somewhat surprised: "Sister Xue'er, you're coming along too?"

He had originally thought Qian Renxue would only send Porcupinefish Douluo, but he hadn't expected her to come personally.

Qian Renxue raised an eyebrow, her tone carrying a hint of a smile: "What, not welcome?"

"It's not that you're not welcome."

Lu Jing shook his head and asked, "It's just, with you gone, will there be any problems at the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace? What if someone takes the opportunity to cause trouble..."

Qian Renxue was now the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, a sensitive position. If she left the palace for a long time, trouble would inevitably arise.

Qian Renxue waved it off dismissively: "Don't worry, Snake Lance Douluo is watching the palace, nothing will happen. As for your side..."

Her gaze fell into the inn, clearly worried about Xiao Wu.

After all, she was a hundred-thousand-year Spirit Beast in human form. If anything went wrong, it would be no laughing matter.

Lu Jing understood her meaning and smiled: "I'll just take her with us, it won't be an issue!"

Qian Renxue nodded and said no more.

At that moment, Wang Donger came out of the room with a sleepy Xiao Wu.

Xiao Wu rubbed her eyes and was startled to see Qian Renxue, quickly hiding behind Wang Donger, clearly still wary of those golden eyes from yesterday.

Seeing this, a smile flashed in Qian Renxue's eyes, but she didn't step forward. She just said to Lu Jing, "Is everything ready? We should head out."

"Ready."

Lu Jing nodded and signaled Wang Donger and Xiao Wu to follow: "Let's go."

The group of five left the inn and came to an inconspicuous carriage at a street corner.

The carriage looked ordinary but was pulled by four fine steeds. The carriage cabin was spacious, obviously having undergone special modification.

"Get in."

Qian Renxue was the first to board the carriage, while Porcupinefish Douluo naturally took the driver's seat. Lu Jing led Wang Donger and Xiao Wu into the cabin and found it very comfortably arranged, with thick carpets, a small table, and even tea and snacks.

"You certainly know how to enjoy yourself," Lu Jing teased.

Qian Renxue picked up a teacup and took a small sip: "When traveling, one shouldn't mistreat oneself too much."

The carriage slowly began to move, heading toward the outskirts of Heaven Dou City.

The cabin was very quiet, with only the "rumble" of the wheels rolling.

Xiao Wu soon fell asleep again, leaning in Wang Donger's arms, her breathing steady.

Wang Donger pulled back the curtain, looking at the receding street scenes with eyes full of curiosity.

Lu Jing and Qian Renxue chatted casually, mostly about the situation of the Heaven Dou Empire and the current state of Spirit Hall.

Qian Renxue spoke of her layout in Heaven Dou City with a calm tone that nevertheless carried an unquestionable sense of control.

Lu Jing occasionally interjected, offering suggestions that often hit the mark, making even Qian Renxue look at him with surprise.

"You seem to understand the situation in Heaven Dou quite well."

Qian Renxue looked at him, her eyes carrying a bit of inquiry as she said, "I remember you weren't interested in these things before."

"Times change."

Lu Jing smiled and said, "Before, I felt these things were too far from me. Now that I'm involved, I can't just remain completely in the dark."

What he didn't say was that he understood the situation in Heaven Dou not just because of his training over the years, but because he knew the "plot."

Xue Beng's disguise, Emperor Xue Ye's thoughts, Qian Renxue's layout... He knew the direction of this chessboard better than anyone.

Qian Renxue took a deep look at him but didn't press further.

She felt that Lu Jing had changed a lot over the years. Not only had his strength improved rapidly, but his mind had also become much deeper, as if he were hiding many secrets that were impossible to see through.