Chapter 133: Enticements, Refusals, and the Flames of Ice and Fire
"So, it really is His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince. My deepest apologies."
Although Xiao Qiang had already mentally cursed Xu Tianran's entire lineage, he still maintained a cordial smile on the surface. His current strength was limited—it wasn't the time to make enemies carelessly.
"There's no need to be so polite, Earl Xiao. I've long wanted to meet the young hero who brought glory to our Sun Moon Empire. And now that I've seen you, I understand why. Heroes truly are born young. This is a personal gift from me. Please, do not refuse it."
Crown Prince Xu Tianran gestured, and a guard stepped forward holding a tray with two bottles—one white, the other blue.
"The white jade bottle contains Xuanbing Marrow Fluid, a powerful tonic for ice-attributed soul masters," Xu Tianran explained slowly. "But the item in the blue bottle is even more precious—Tears of the Evil Eye Tyrant, a rare treasure of my Sun Moon Empire. It's a 100,000-year-old spiritual essence that significantly boosts a soul master's mental power."
"Your Highness, as the saying goes—'No merit, no reward.' I haven't even reported my recent matters to my teacher. I truly don't dare accept such a generous private gift."
Xiao Qiang understood clearly: this was no simple gift. It was the Crown Prince's way of pulling him into his faction. And in this era, accepting a powerful man's gift meant acknowledging allegiance. "Taking your things but not siding with you" didn't exist in this world.
If Xiao Qiang accepted the gift, it would inevitably imply that Jing Hongchen—his teacher—was aligned with Xu Tianran. Even if Jing Hongchen never openly supported the prince, public perception would shift. And perception was power.
In the original timeline, Jing Hongchen was dragged into the prince's camp through unclear circumstances. Once inside, he was used, manipulated, and left to suffer. Combined with other misfortunes—some caused by Huo Yuhao—his fate became bitter.
Xu Tianran, however, showed no displeasure at Xiao Qiang's refusal. In fact, he smiled more warmly.
"To resist such temptation… Earl Xiao, you're truly the pillar of our Sun Moon Empire. With your integrity, I believe you won't remain an earl for long—your future may hold a duke's title."
"Your Highness flatters me. I merely got lucky in defeating Shrek and earning this title. A dukedom is far beyond my reach—I don't dare entertain such thoughts."
"Nonsense. In my eyes, Earl Xiao is more than qualified for it." Xu Tianran's tone sharpened with implication. Join me, and I'll make you a duke.
Xiao Qiang understood the unspoken offer perfectly. But he wasn't swayed. Not only was it a carrot on a stick, but even if Xu Tianran promised it openly, Xiao Qiang wouldn't pledge allegiance.
He offered a respectful fist salute and replied, "The title of earl was fortune enough. I don't desire more. I'm content with my current role and prefer to avoid changes."
"Earl Xiao's humility and disinterest in power are admirable," Xu Tianran praised. "But should you ever reconsider, my door is always open to exceptional young talents like you."
"You honor me, Your Highness. I've always followed in my teacher's footsteps and plan to continue doing so."
Using Jing Hongchen as a shield, Xiao Qiang neatly avoided both accepting and directly rejecting the prince's overtures. After offering his farewell, he led his group away.
Only once Xiao Qiang had departed did Xu Tianran's warm expression vanish. His face darkened, twisted by fury, his jaw clenched like he was ready to devour someone.
"Your Highness, Xiao Qiang is too arrogant. He deserves to be taught a lesson," one subordinate muttered coldly.
"Forget it," Xu Tianran said, restraining his emotions. "Anything done now will leave evidence. We can't afford to push Jing Hongchen to the other side."
Although Xiao Qiang had, ironically, extended the Emperor's life with his actions—thus delaying Xu Tianran's ascension to the throne—he couldn't be eliminated just yet. Not without consequence. The Holy Spirit Church's threat still loomed large, and Xu Tianran's current position wasn't as stable as it might appear.
If the Emperor regained strength and remained in power longer, Xu Tianran's dark ambitions might come to light. Everything he had worked for could end up serving someone else.
"Damn it…"
Xu Tianran cursed silently.
Unbeknownst to him, every word he muttered had been captured by Xiao Qiang through mental detection and lip-reading.
"Just as I thought, he's swearing at me," Xiao Qiang muttered with amusement. "Too bad he held back. If he'd actually done something, I could've used it to tighten the noose. Bringing evidence to Jing Hongchen would've been ideal. Oh well—time to find another way."
A Few Days Later – Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well
After several days of travel and careful search, Xiao Qiang and his group arrived at the outer edge of the legendary Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Eyes. Only Xiao Qiang and Xue Di entered, while Mu Qingxue, Nana, and Xiao Lan waited outside.
As soon as they stepped into the mystical spring's domain, Tian Meng's voice echoed in Xiao Qiang's sea of consciousness, filled with disbelief.
"Eight-angled Mysterious Ice Grass, Fiery Apricot Delicate and Sparse, Fragrant Qiluo Fairy, Qiluo Tulip, Eight-petal Immortal Orchid, Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, Starry Spirit Pearl, Earth Dragon Golden Gourd… How did you find this place!?"
"Just lucky," Xiao Qiang replied simply.
He then walked past the Fragrant Qiluo Fairy and approached the Fiery Apricot Delicate and Sparse. At the same time, he activated spiritual sharing, allowing the guardian plant to sense Tian Meng, the Ice Empress, and the Silver Wolf in his spiritual sea.
"Greetings, senior," Xiao Qiang began respectfully. "I am Xiao Qiang. With Tian Meng, a million-year soul beast, I've developed a new soul system—one where soul beasts and soul masters can coexist. Soul beasts no longer need to be hunted. Instead, they can become spiritual partners in the master's cultivation. Should the soul master reach godhood, the spirit follows. Even if not, the soul beast's consciousness can live on in future generations."
After he explained, Tian Meng and the Ice Empress took over, going into deeper detail to prove the feasibility of Xiao Qiang's system and assure the Fiery Apricot of its sincerity.
Once the explanation ended, the fiery plant spirit glared at him.
"Get lost! I'm perfectly fine here. I have no interest in becoming someone's spirit."
Despite the logic and potential benefits, the Fiery Apricot had just reached the 100,000-year mark and still had a long lifespan ahead. With 10,000 years left to live, she wasn't ready to risk everything on a gamble.
Xiao Qiang's eyes narrowed. "Well then, I suppose I'll find someone else to serve as Mu Qingxue's spirit. As for you… never mind. I'll just hunt you down and turn you into a spirit ring."
The Fiery Apricot: "???!!!"