Douluo Continent: Martial Soul Young Gilas, Sandstorm King!

Lin Xia stood by the window, unconsciously toying with the silver coin that gleamed coldly with her fingertips, her gaze fixed on the magnificent buildings of the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy built against the mountain in the distance.

The dark-colored soul beast leather carpet unique to the Education Commission building absorbed all footsteps, and the room was completely silent, except for the faint rustling sound of the mountain wind blowing through the rare soul plants outside the window.

His mind was preoccupied with the matter of the Immortal Herb Compendium, and he was plotting how to obtain the records of Yue Guan from Xue Qinghe.

"Tap, tap tap."

Three restrained and respectful knocks broke the silence, followed by the familiar voice of Chief Education Commissioner Meng Shenji, coming through the heavy mahogany door, carrying a hint of barely perceptible tension:

"Lord Lin? Are you there? I'm sorry to disturb your rest."

Lin Xia raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised that Meng Shenji had come to visit at this time.

He put away the silver coins, turned and walked towards the door, his movements calm and unhurried.

As soon as I opened the door, the first thing I saw was the Chief Education Commissioner's face, which wore a warm smile but was trying hard to maintain a respectful demeanor.

However, Lin Xia's gaze only lingered on his face for a moment before passing over him and landing on the young man dressed in the noble prince's robes half a step behind him.

The man was tall and upright, with a gentle and refined demeanor. His short, golden hair was meticulously combed, and he wore a perfectly timed, warm smile.

It was none other than Xue Qinghe, the Crown Prince of the Heavenly Dou Empire.

A knowing glint flashed in Lin Xia's deep eyes, followed by a faint, insightful smile playing on his lips. He stepped aside to clear the doorway, his voice calm and even, as if stating an obvious fact:

"I asked what the Education Commission wanted to see me about."

His gaze fell directly on Xue Qinghe, his tone carrying a hint of playful familiarity.

"So it's His Highness Xue Qinghe who has graced us with his presence."

Xue Qinghe's gentle smile remained unchanged, as if Lin Xia's slightly teasing address was perfectly natural.

He stepped forward, gracefully nodding slightly to Lin Xia, his voice clear and melodious, like jade striking jade.

"Lord Lin, it's been a long time."

His gaze lingered on Lin Xia for a moment, carrying just the right amount of appreciation and a hint of scrutiny.

"Since our parting in Soto City, the city lord's demeanor has become even more impressive than before."

Lin Xia nodded slightly in return, without saying much about Feng Cai.

He stepped aside to let the two of them enter, and Meng Shenji quickly stepped aside to let the Crown Prince go first, his posture humble, before following closely behind and carefully closing the door.

The room's layout is similar to the previous Meng Shenji office, equally spacious and bright, with a meticulously maintained mountain view outside the huge floor-to-ceiling crystal windows.

The dark-colored soul beast leather carpet was soft and sound-absorbing. On the mahogany coffee table was a cup of emerald green tea that had long since cooled and was still full of spiritual energy. It was a trace of the Cloud Mist Spirit Sprout, a special product supplied by the Heavenly Dou Royal Family.

Lin Xia casually walked to the main seat of the single sofa and sat down. Her posture was relaxed but she had an undeniable air of authority, just like when she first met the three Soul Douluos in the Education Commission building.

He gestured towards the sofa opposite him and the seat to the side, and asked casually:

"Sit down. Your Highness, what brings you here, Commissioner Meng?"

His gaze calmly fell on Xue Qinghe's face, his deep eyes seemingly able to penetrate the gentle and refined disguise of the prince, reaching straight to Qian Renxue's soul.

This gaze made Xue Qinghe's heart skip a beat, but his face remained impassive. As instructed, Xue Qinghe sat down opposite the host and guest seats, respectfully led by Meng Shenji, his posture upright, displaying the dignified bearing of an imperial crown prince.

Meng Shenji sat carefully on the side sofa, his back straight, occupying only half of the seat, his hands neatly placed on his knees, just like Meng Yiran's nervous demeanor when she first met the three education committee members.

Hearing Lin Xia's direct question, Xue Qinghe's smile remained unchanged. He gently shook his head, his tone as natural as if he were catching up with an old friend:
"Lord Lin, you misunderstand. There is no urgent matter to bother you."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the cup of cold tea in front of Lin Xia, then looked up to meet her eyes, his voice still gentle.

"I've come today primarily to learn that the City Lord has officially joined the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy and become a student of our academy. This is truly a blessing for the academy and the empire. As the Crown Prince, it is only right and proper for me to come and visit him personally. Furthermore..."

He picked up the freshly served tea, took a graceful sip, and continued, his tone carrying a perfectly measured touch of emotion and sincerity:
"My meeting with the city lord in Soto City left a deep impression on me, and I greatly admire him. Now that the city lord has graced Tiandou City with his presence, how can I, as the host, fail to extend the proper hospitality?"

"I've come here simply to catch up with the City Lord and have a chat. I wonder how the City Lord has fared during his stay at the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy?"

"If the three education committee members have neglected their duties, please feel free to speak up, City Lord, and Qinghe will certainly urge them to improve."

After he finished speaking, he glanced gently at Meng Shenji beside him.

Meng Shenji's heart skipped a beat. He quickly bowed, his face plastered with an extremely sincere, even slightly fearful, smile, and waved his hands repeatedly at Lin Xia.

"How could we dare to be negligent! How could we dare to be negligent! It is an honor we could only dream of for Lord Lin to join our academy! Whether it is cultivation resources or daily living arrangements, the academy will do its utmost to provide the best!"

"If the city lord has any needs, just give the order, and I... no, the entire academy will do everything in our power to meet them!"

His posture was exactly the same as when he held the jade card with trepidation in the training field, as if he was afraid that Lin Xia would have the slightest dissatisfaction.

Lin Xia took in their reactions, and the playful smile on her lips deepened.

He picked up the freshly poured hot tea, and the fragrant aroma rose from it.

He did not immediately answer Xue Qinghe's question about whether he was used to it or not. Instead, he gently blew on the tea, his movements elegant and composed, as if he were simply savoring a cup of ordinary tea.

"Whether you're used to it or not is just an external thing."

Lin Xia put down her teacup, the bottom of which made a soft but clear "tap" as it touched the mahogany tea table, just as abruptly as when she had asked to join the college in the Education Commission office.

He raised his eyes, his deep gaze calmly sweeping over Xue Qinghe and Meng Shenji, his tone flat yet carrying a sense of composure as if he were in complete control.

"The Education Committee and the entire college have indeed put in a lot of effort."

His words greatly relieved Meng Shenji, and his smile widened.

"As for reminiscing..."

Lin Xia's gaze refocused on Xue Qinghe, her eyes calm and undisturbed, yet seemingly possessing an invisible penetrating power.

“Your Highness is very thoughtful. That little ‘auction’ in Soto City was nothing more than a mutually beneficial arrangement. Your Highness’s strategic planning and methods left a deep impression on me.”

"I never expected Your Highness to be so concerned about the whereabouts of a leisurely city lord like me. Even something as trivial as my joining the academy has troubled Your Highness to make a trip in person."

Xue Qinghe was taken aback. He clearly remembered how Lin Xia had effortlessly controlled the situation during that negotiation, cornering Ning Rongrong, and how she had conveyed a tacit understanding with a single glance just as he was about to speak, ultimately securing a firm grip on the distribution of benefits. Lin Xia's mention of this now was certainly not without reason.

"You jest, City Lord."

(End of Chapter)