Chapter 55: Secrets, Decisions, and Shadows of the Spirit Hall
Thanks to Qin Chuan's strong cultivation foundation, the process of refining his body through the fusion of ice and fire was far smoother than what Tang San had experienced in the original tale.
He didn't undergo the same level of agony or torment.
But even so, the scene was still terrifying to behold.
From a distance, Ye Lingling had watched with wide eyes, frozen in place as she witnessed the terrifying changes occurring within Qin Chuan's body. Her heart clenched tightly with fear.
Only when Qin Chuan slowly opened his eyes, consciousness restored, did Ye Lingling finally move—tears falling uncontrollably as she rushed forward and threw herself into his arms.
"Your Majesty, I…"
Her voice trembled, choked by sobs.
"I was really scared just now…"
Qin Chuan was slightly caught off guard. His hands lifted awkwardly but hovered in the air without embracing her.
After a long silence, he spoke gently, "We should go back."
Ye Lingling gradually calmed down. When she lifted her head, her eyes were still red and watery, and her expression was full of embarrassment.
"Your Majesty… please don't tell the crown prince about this…"
Qin Chuan chuckled faintly.
Standing up, he seemed to make a casual decision before handing over the other half of the Immortal Longevity Ganoderma to her.
"Don't refuse," he said calmly. "You deserve it."
Ye Lingling looked at the half piece of precious Ganoderma in her hand, hesitant. After a moment of thought, she spoke softly,
"Your Majesty, you should keep this and give it to the Crown Prince. She must be more suitable for it than I am."
Qin Chuan smiled at her concern.
"You're thoughtful," he said. "But I still have another half, originally prepared for her."
Ye Lingling's eyes widened in surprise. "Then, Your Majesty… you…"
"I don't need it," Qin Chuan replied with a shake of his head.
Then his gaze turned serious.
"Remember, what happened here today must never be spoken of to anyone. The fewer who know, the better."
Ye Lingling nodded immediately and solemnly.
"Yes, Lingling understands."
Then, as if summoning a bit of courage, she lifted her eyes and asked softly,
"Then, Your Majesty… is this our little secret?"
Qin Chuan was momentarily stunned, but then quickly understood her intent.
After a pause, he gave her a complicated look before replying,
"I guess so."
Ye Lingling's eyes lit up with quiet delight.
"Let's go, back to Tiandou City."
Qin Chuan's mood, surprisingly lightened by her reaction, improved visibly. He gently wrapped an arm around her waist and, with a flap of spirit energy, flew with her toward the mouth of the mountain.
Meanwhile, back in Tiandou City, at the Prince's Residence.
As soon as the convoy arrived and came to a halt, Liu Erlong and Flanders stepped down from the rear carriage.
"Your Highness, I'll take my leave," Liu Erlong said softly.
"Mm. I'll wait for your good news," Qian Renxue replied with a calm, elegant smile that exuded warmth and ease.
"I will do my best."
Liu Erlong nodded, taking a deep breath before shifting the topic.
"Your Highness… what are your plans regarding Shrek Academy?"
As soon as the words fell, Flanders, who had followed quietly behind, raised his head with a glimmer of hope.
But Qian Renxue's expression darkened slightly.
Liu Erlong's heart sank.
So… the Crown Prince had made up her mind. Shrek Academy would not be spared after all.
"Dean Liu Erlong, the decision to disband Shrek Academy is not mine alone," Qian Renxue said in a steady, serious tone. "You must know what they've done."
"Colluding with a prince of an enemy nation and breeding altered soul beasts in secret."
"Either charge on its own would be enough to bring down the academy—both together are intolerable at either the imperial or racial level."
"These offenses cross a line that cannot be forgiven."
Qian Renxue's voice was like iron, unshakable and grave.
Liu Erlong fell silent.
Flanders's expression grew more withered, his figure seeming even older, as if a heavy burden was finally crushing him.
He knew she wasn't wrong.
Whether it was betrayal of the empire or their people, Shrek Academy had violated sacred trust.
Still, after so many years of sacrifice, labor, and pride… was it really to end like this?
He had no strength to rebuild it from scratch.
"I understand," Liu Erlong said bitterly.
She turned toward Flanders and looked at him quietly, her voice soft,
"Brother, let's go."
"We'll comply with the Crown Prince's order. Disband Shrek Academy."
Flanders nodded, eyes clouded with emotion.
Just as the two were about to turn and leave, Qian Renxue's voice rang out behind them.
"Wait a moment—"
Both turned their heads.
"There may still be a path forward."
Qian Renxue's voice carried a new tone as a glint of thought flashed through her eyes.
"If Dean Flanders is willing… you can take the students of Shrek Academy and transfer them to the Royal Soul Master Academy."
Flanders hesitated.
"Your Highness," he said hoarsely, "when we first arrived in Tiandou City, our goal was the Royal Soul Master Academy…"
"But we were humiliated in the end."
Qian Renxue frowned slightly.
"I've heard some things about that," she said with a sigh. "Uncle Xuexing indeed overstepped."
She paused for a moment, her tone easing.
"But looking back… perhaps we should thank him. If not for his interference, it might have been the royal family bearing the brunt of Shrek's actions today."
Flanders gave a bitter smile.
That was true. It was a stroke of misfortune that, ironically, turned into a blessing—for the Tiandou imperial family.
Qian Renxue continued,
"If you are still willing, Dean Flanders, I can write a personal letter. Take it with you, and no one at the Royal Academy will dare to make trouble again."
She had her own considerations.
While she had wanted to see Shrek fall, now that Liu Erlong had been won over, it wouldn't hurt to take in a few capable students. Besides—if things ever escalated with the Spirit Hall, having more allies wouldn't be a bad thing.
Flanders fell into deep thought. Finally, he nodded.
It was the best possible outcome he could hope for now.
What he didn't realize was that, with this single nod, the remaining students of Shrek Academy were quietly spared from a calamity they never even knew was coming.
As Liu Erlong and Flanders departed, Qian Renxue's eyes grew cold again. Her gaze turned across the street—to a young eunuch waiting silently by a side alley.
He had clearly been waiting for a while.
"What is it?" Qian Renxue asked, walking toward the back gate.
The young eunuch quickly bowed and saluted.
"Your Highness, His Majesty is waiting for you in the imperial study."
Qian Renxue's eyes narrowed slightly. She reached into her sleeve and discreetly dropped ten gold soul coins into the eunuch's robe pocket.
"Do you know what it's about?"
The crisp jingle of coins brought visible joy to the eunuch's face.
"A messenger from the Spirit Hall arrived this morning," he said quickly.
Qian Renxue's expression darkened.
Spirit Hall.
A cold light flickered in her eyes, and a wary feeling crept into her heart.
"Do you know why they came?" she asked in a low voice.
The eunuch shook his head quickly.
"I'm not sure. But after the messenger left, His Majesty was furious… he smashed several cups in the study."
"Then he instructed me to wait for Your Highness at the residence and send you to the palace immediately upon your return."
Qian Renxue's gaze grew heavy.
The game was starting to change again—and this time, Spirit Hall was making its move.