From Nuoding City, Ye Yu had arrived at Heaven Dou City.
He had two primary goals.
One was to find a way to acquire extensive knowledge about soul beasts, and from there, identify plant-type soul beasts with life-attribute enhancements that could further strengthen the origin and potential of his Blue Silver Vine martial soul—even after absorbing their soul rings.
His second goal was to find a way to get close to Dugu Yan.
Ideally, he wanted to successfully court her—live off her support a little—and through that, gain access to Dugu Bo, the greatest angel investor on the Douluo Continent, and ultimately obtain the Immortal Herbs from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
As a transmigrator, Ye Yu was well aware—
Since Tang Buddha hadn't yet picked the place clean, there was no way he'd miss out on the greatest opportunity on the continent: the herbs within the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well!
Of course, courting Dugu Yan wouldn't be that simple.
He didn't know her at all.
If he tried lurking around Dugu Manor and attempted to strike up a random conversation, and Dugu Bo found out, Ye Yu suspected he'd end up as fertilizer.
The best option was clearly to enroll at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, become classmates with Dugu Yan, and then slowly win her over.
That was the safest and most reliable approach!
Ye Yu refused to believe it—
If Yu Xiaogang, a man with zero ability and full of hypocrisy and shamelessness, could seduce Bibi Dong and Liu Erlong, then surely he—armed with modern romantic knowledge, emotional intelligence, and expert-level strategies—couldn't fail to win over Dugu Yan!
But enrollment at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy typically required noble status, which Ye Yu lacked. His innate talent wasn't enough either.
That left him with one option—seek out Qian Renxue and hope for a stroke of luck. Maybe he could get into the academy through her.
He remembered that Qian Renxue, while disguised as Prince Xue Qinghe, was known to especially value talent.
And as a transmigrator, Ye Yu absolutely considered himself a top-tier talent!
Prince's Manor.
In the study.
Qian Renxue, currently disguised as Xue Qinghe, sat at her desk flipping through memorials.
She was analyzing the information inside and writing annotations accordingly.
As the crown prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, Emperor Xue Ye would occasionally give her some memorials to review, in order to train "his son's" ability to govern.
Once Qian Renxue completed her annotations, they'd be returned to the emperor, who would then assess her comments, point out flaws, and personally teach her the ways of ruling and navigating the empire's nobility and bureaucracy.
That day—
Suddenly, a guard's respectful voice rang out from outside.
"Your Highness, a boy at the gate wishes to pledge his loyalty to you. He claims to have brought a blueprint for a farming tool that could enhance the empire's national strength. I've looked at it myself—it does seem impressive. Please have a look!"
Hearing this, Qian Renxue frowned slightly.
A farming tool that could boost the Heaven Dou Empire's national strength?
Such bold claims!
Still, it was just a blueprint. She didn't mind taking a glance.
Stepping out of the study, she took the blueprint from the guard.
The moment her eyes landed on the sketch and its detailed annotations, her expression turned serious—there was even a faint trace of surprise and excitement.
"Bring him in. I want to see him."
Soon, Ye Yu was led into the inner hall of the Prince's Manor by a guard.
In the main reception hall, he saw a youth dressed in an opulent gold-and-scarlet robe, with short golden hair and a strikingly handsome, androgynous face. The young man sat holding the blueprint, eyes full of surprise and admiration.
Although they had never met, Ye Yu instantly knew—
This must be Qian Renxue disguised as Crown Prince Xue Qinghe.
"Greetings, Your Highness."
At the entrance of the hall, Ye Yu respectfully bowed to Qian Renxue.
"Haha! No need for formalities!"
Qian Renxue stood with a warm smile and personally helped Ye Yu up. Then, taking him by the hand, she sat down beside him.
"This curved-beam plow on the blueprint... can it really increase farming efficiency several times over?" she asked, eyes gleaming with interest.
"Absolutely," Ye Yu replied confidently.
"From the diagram alone, Your Highness can see that the curved-beam plow has several times the tilling capacity of a hoe. It can be pulled by oxen—far more enduring than humans—making it exponentially more efficient."
"Still, it's hard to grasp its full potential just from a drawing. If it's built and tested in the fields, Your Highness will see the results firsthand."
Qian Renxue nodded repeatedly, a bright smile spreading across her face.
Though it looked like a simple farm tool, in a place like the Douluo Continent—lagging in agriculture, warfare, and governance—a device that could multiply farming output was a game-changer.
Such an innovation could drastically increase food production, thereby significantly boosting the national strength of the Heaven Dou Empire.
She put the blueprint away, already planning to have it forged by blacksmiths.
Before she left, however, she turned back with a gentle smile, as if suddenly remembering something:
"Right... I don't believe I've gotten your name yet. You've brought such a valuable invention—I don't even know how to properly reward you."
"Your Highness," Ye Yu said with a respectful bow, "my name is Ye Yu. I come from the border region of the Phanos Province, having just graduated from a basic soul master academy."
"I came to Heaven Dou City hoping to study at the prestigious Imperial Academy and serve the empire after graduation."
"But I've heard that only nobles are accepted into the academy."
"As a citizen of the empire, it is my duty to contribute. I do not dare ask for a reward."
"I only wish to enroll in the Imperial Academy, study hard, and one day serve Your Highness—and the empire."
As he finished, Ye Yu bowed deeply, his voice full of earnest passion.
Qian Renxue couldn't help but smile softly, a hint of amusement flickering in her eyes.
She had never met such an interesting young man before.
So young, yet so articulate.
He gracefully declined her offer of reward, but while expressing loyalty to the empire, he cleverly stated what he truly wanted: admission to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
And he did it so tactfully that it felt as though he wasn't doing it for himself, but for the good of the empire.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
After thinking for a moment, Qian Renxue responded with a warm smile.
"Indeed, enrollment in Heaven Dou Imperial Academy usually requires noble status—but that rule isn't absolute."
"Rules are dead. People are alive."
"While I cannot promise you anything just yet, I will petition my father for an enrollment spot on your behalf."
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
Ye Yu's heart surged with joy.
Although Qian Renxue hadn't given a firm answer, getting into the Imperial Academy was something Emperor Xue Ye could easily approve.
And now that Qian Renxue had agreed to speak on his behalf—
With the credit he'd earned from the curved-beam plow, enrollment was practically guaranteed!