Chapter Thirty: The Number One Spy of Douluo Continent! Xue Qinghe? Qian Renxue!

Early the next morning, Lu Yu’s dormitory received an unexpected visitor.

Meng Shenji!

The Chief of the Education Committee of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy had come to visit in person. This served as clear evidence that the extraordinary soul ring configuration Lu Yu had displayed the previous day had significantly elevated his status within the academy. This was exactly what he had intended; having joined the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, he knew that to secure greater benefits and cultivation resources, he had to demonstrate his value.

However, what Lu Yu did not expect was that accompanying Meng Shenji was a young man he did not recognize.

The youth appeared to be in his late twenties, handsome with golden hair and dressed in luxurious attire. His demeanor was elegant and composed, lacking the arrogance typical of the nobility, and instead, he projected a sense of natural approachability.

"Lu Yu, this is His Highness, the Crown Prince of our Heaven Dou Empire! He heard about your accomplishments and has come to visit you personally today!"

Meng Shenji introduced him, his eyes filled with unconcealable shock. He never imagined that Lu Yu’s talent would actually attract the attention of the Crown Prince himself. Most importantly, the Prince was so humble as to visit in person, showing Lu Yu immense respect. Even Prince Xue Xing, usually known for his overbearing nature, would act timid and cautious in the presence of this Crown Prince, not even daring to breathe loudly.

With Emperor Xue Ye aging and frail, this Crown Prince had already seized nearly half the power of the empire. It was common knowledge that once the Emperor passed away, this Prince would undoubtedly become the next ruler of the Heaven Dou Empire, with no one capable of contesting his claim.

Upon hearing the introduction, Lu Yu was equally shocked. However, it was not because of the visit itself, but because he realized that, despite his best efforts, he had failed to avoid contact with the Spirit Hall before he was strong enough to face it. Others might not know, but Lu Yu was well aware that the person standing before him, Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, had long since been replaced by Qian Renxue, daughter of the Pope of the Spirit Hall. It was no exaggeration to say that this impostor was the most dangerous spy on the entire Douluo Continent.

Despite these thoughts, Lu Yu quickly composed himself and bowed respectfully but without sycophancy. "Greetings, Your Highness."

Xue Qinghe waved his hand, smiling gently. "No need for formalities. I came today simply to meet the greatest genius of our Heaven Dou Empire."

"The greatest genius?" Lu Yu paused.

Meng Shenji explained with a smile, "After yesterday’s competition, your story has spread throughout Heaven Dou City. You are now officially recognized by the empire’s soul master community as the top genius of the younger generation! An eleven-year-old three-ring Soul Venerable, with a thousand-year second soul ring—on these two points alone, no one can compare to you!"

Lu Yu realized the situation. After Meng Shenji finished speaking, he glanced at Xue Qinghe and tactfully added, "Your Highness, Lu Yu, please continue your conversation. I still have matters to attend to at the Education Committee..."

Xue Qinghe nodded. "Please, Chief Meng, go ahead."

Once Meng Shenji left, Xue Qinghe gestured for Lu Yu to sit on the sofa. "Do not be so formal. I am here today both as myself and as a representative of the royal family. I have a few questions for you."

Lu Yu noticed that Xue Qinghe’s fingers were slender and delicate, with barely visible knuckles. Although the disguise was perfect—having held up for over a decade without a single flaw—the finer details of a woman were difficult to replicate perfectly. Still, based on these subtle details alone, no one would ever suspect that Xue Qinghe had been replaced.

Lu Yu withdrew his gaze and said softly, "Please ask away, Your Highness. I will answer everything I know."

A flash of light crossed Xue Qinghe’s eyes as he went straight to the point. "How were you able to absorb a thousand-year soul ring as your second?"

Lu Yu thought to himself that this was expected. Outwardly, he remained calm. "When I awakened my martial soul, I possessed innate full soul power. When I obtained my first soul ring, I had not yet received formal training in soul beast knowledge. I could not distinguish the specific age of soul beasts, so I wandered the Soul Hunting Forest aimlessly. By a stroke of luck, I discovered a cave and accidentally consumed a fruit, after which I fell unconscious. When I woke up, I found my physical condition significantly enhanced; I could easily kill ordinary hundred-year soul beasts with my bare hands. I obtained a soul ring from an Ape of Great Strength, and only later did I realize the beast was six hundred years old—far exceeding the limit a soul master should be able to withstand for their first ring. I theorized that the limit of a soul master's absorption is related to their physical fitness, so I focused on training my body. Combined with the effects of that fruit, I decided to attempt a thousand-year ring upon reaching level twenty, and to my surprise, it succeeded!"

This was a story Lu Yu had prepared in advance. If he couldn't provide a reasonable explanation for his limit-breaking configuration, he would inevitably be suspected of harboring major secrets. It was better to provide a half-truth that seemed logical, as it would avoid unnecessary trouble.

Xue Qinghe listened intently and asked about the appearance of the fruit. Lu Yu fabricated a description, knowing that neither the Heaven Dou Empire nor the Spirit Hall would ever be able to find it.

"The age of a soul ring is related to the soul master's physical condition..." Xue Qinghe murmured before adding, "Lu Yu, I must ask you not to reveal this to anyone else!"

As he spoke, Xue Qinghe handed a metal bracelet to Lu Yu. "If your theory is proven correct, it will greatly enhance the overall strength of the empire's soul masters. You have contributed to the empire, and the empire will not treat you poorly. There are three million gold soul coins inside; please accept this as a token of appreciation from me and the Emperor."

Lu Yu did not refuse. It was clear the Prince had come prepared, knowing that as someone of common origin, the prize money of one hundred thousand gold soul coins would not be enough to sustain him at the Heaven Dou auctions. After accepting the bracelet and offering his thanks, Lu Yu heard Xue Qinghe ask, "Lu Yu, what is your opinion of the Spirit Hall?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Yu’s gaze sharpened. If someone else were asked this question, they would likely pledge their loyalty to the Heaven Dou Empire without hesitation. But Lu Yu knew full well that the Crown Prince standing before him was actually the daughter of the Pope of the Spirit Hall!

After a moment of contemplation, he replied candidly, "The Spirit Hall is a sacred place for soul masters, so naturally, I yearn for it. However, I am a citizen of the Heaven Dou Empire. I was born and raised here, and even if I were to join the Spirit Hall in the future, my heart would remain with the Empire."

Lu Yu’s answer was clever. By framing the Spirit Hall as a "sacred place," he acknowledged its status, but by declaring himself a citizen of the Heaven Dou Empire, he pledged his loyalty to the "Crown Prince." This way, Xue Qinghe would believe that Lu Yu did not harbor ill will toward the Spirit Hall, but still felt a sense of belonging to the Heaven Dou Empire.

In short... he was signaling that the Spirit Hall still had an opportunity to win him over.