Douluo Continent: Martial Soul Young Gilas, Sandstorm King!

Xue Qinghe's gentle smile remained flawless, as if that momentary pause was merely an illusion.

"The city lord's every move affects the entire continent; it's no small matter. As the crown prince of the empire, it's only right that Qinghe pays attention to such a talented individual as the city lord. Besides..."

He changed the subject, his tone carrying just the right amount of intimacy.

"Now that the city lord is a student of my Heavenly Dou Royal Academy, he can also be considered Qinghe's junior. Qinghe naturally cherishes this friendship between classmates."

"In the future, when the city lord is in Tiandou City, whether it's matters within the academy, interesting events in the city, or even if he wants to find some rare items..."

"For example, Qinghe might be able to help with some rare ancient books, illustrated guides to exotic flowers and plants."

"If the city lord has any free time, he might as well come to the Crown Prince's residence often to sit, enjoy tea and discuss philosophy. Wouldn't that be delightful?"

These words, especially the last seemingly casual description of exotic flowers and plants, struck Lin Xia's heart like a pebble thrown into a calm lake.

Lin Xia's heart stirred, and she thought to herself.

They've arrived! Qian Renxue's information network is truly terrifyingly efficient.

He only had a liking for rare and unusual things, but the other party immediately realized that!

Lin Xia remained expressionless, her face still calm and undisturbed, as if the other party had merely mentioned something refined casually.

He picked up his teacup, took another sip, and used the rising steam to conceal the fleeting glint in his eyes.

"Your Highness's kindness is appreciated."

Lin Xia put down her teacup, her tone remaining calm.

"The Crown Prince's residence is a place of noble refinement; how could I, a mere rough man, dare to disturb it so casually? However..."

He subtly changed the subject, his gaze meeting Xue Qinghe's clear eyes once more with a meaningful look.

"Your Highness's mention of the illustrated guide to rare flowers and herbs has piqued my interest. I've heard that Lord Yue Guan, the Chrysanthemum Douluo of the Spirit Hall, is an expert in this field, and his notes are considered a treasure of the continent."

"If Your Highness truly has the means to borrow a few pages, I, Lin, would be eternally grateful. Discussing the wonders of plants and trees in one's leisure time is indeed a refined pursuit."

Lin Xia's words were equally impeccable, showing neither urgency nor obsequiousness, while clearly stating the target—Yue Guan's notes.

He described borrowing books as an elegant pursuit of the beauty of plants, as if it were merely a whim and had nothing to do with improving his strength or training Bangiras.

Xue Qinghe understood immediately; Lin Xia indeed had designs on these things!

His smile softened, as if he had simply heard about an interesting shared interest.

"Oh? The city lord is also interested in the Way of Plants and Trees? This coincides with Elder Ju's refined taste. Elder Ju is indeed obsessed with this field, and has produced a considerable number of notes. As for borrowing them..."

He paused for a moment, seemingly considering the feasibility, then smiled.

"Although it is somewhat difficult, since the city lord has asked, Qinghe will do his best to try. I will find a suitable time to mention it to Elder Ju. If we can make this happen, it would be a great pleasure in life to appreciate the rare and precious illustrations with the city lord."

Their eyes met in the air; one was gentle and refined, the other calm and profound, and they understood each other without words.

They all knew that the so-called tea tasting and philosophical discussions, as well as the exploration of the beauty of plants, were merely superficial.

The core of this meeting was nothing more than the prelude to an exchange of interests.

Sitting to the side, Meng Shenji listened to the two big shots discussing an elegant matter that he couldn't join in at all. He felt the atmosphere was mysterious and could only smile awkwardly. His assessment of Lin Xia's power level rose another notch—even His Highness the Crown Prince had to go to such lengths to befriend him and even borrow rare books from a Title Douluo for him!

After a few more casual words about the sights and sounds of Tiandou City and the academy, Xue Qinghe got up to take his leave at the opportune moment, giving a perfectly reasonable and appropriate reason—he still had official business to attend to.

Meng Shenji quickly stood up and respectfully saw him off.

Lin Xia escorted the two to the door.

Before turning away, Xue Qinghe nodded and smiled at Lin Xia again, his tone sincere:

"Lord Lin, please wait. We had a very pleasant conversation today. I hope everything goes well for you in Tiandou City. If you need anything in the future, or if you wish to chat about flowers and plants, you may come to the Crown Prince's residence to find me at any time." He emphasized the words "chat about flowers and plants."

Lin Xia nodded slightly, a faint, enigmatic smile playing on her lips.

"Your Highness, please take care. I will remember this."

Watching Xue Qinghe's departing figure, respectfully led away by Meng Shenji, Lin Xia slowly closed the door.

Silence returned to the room. He walked back to the French windows, his gaze fixed on the distant Tian Dou City, his fingers unconsciously stroking his storage soul tool.

"Xue Qinghe... Qianren Xue..."

Lin Xia muttered to herself, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes.

"Very well, it saves me some trouble. Yue Guan's notes... I'm determined to get my hands on this refined hobby."

Since Qian Renxue had taken the initiative to come to her, Lin Xia naturally couldn't be stingy.

He immediately wrote another letter, requesting Geng Jincheng to send over a batch of soul tools as an exchange.

And not long after Qian Renxue left.

The door was pushed open silently.

Zhu Zhuqing's aloof figure appeared first at the doorway, her black clothes highlighting her snow-white skin, like a silent shadow. She stepped to the side, revealing the three people behind her—

Ning Rongrong held Meng Yiran's wrist, her pretty face filled with curiosity as she looked around.

Meng Yiran followed Ning Rongrong somewhat awkwardly, her hands unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes.

At the very back was Lin Ling, wrapped in a large, plain white cotton robe. Her light green hair hung down, covering half of her face, and her heterochromatic eyes timidly peeked into the room through the gaps in her hair. Her white cat tail was tightly wrapped around her legs under the robe, and the tip of the tail trembled slightly.

Lin Xia was sealing a letter with still-wet ink into a specially made soul tool box when she saw this. Her fingertips paused slightly, and when she looked up, a familiar, calm smile appeared on her lips.

"Why are you here?"

His voice was calm, revealing no emotion.

Ning Rongrong released Meng Yiran and walked briskly to the desk, her glassy eyes sweeping over the mailbox.

"Brother Lin Xia, we just saw Commissioner Meng leading His Highness Xue Qinghe out in the corridor!"

Her tone carried the inquisitiveness characteristic of the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.

"What does His Highness the Crown Prince want with you? He's being so mysterious."

As she spoke, she casually picked up an unopened soul tool energy crystal from the table and played with it, her movements natural.

Zhu Zhuqing silently walked to a position half a step behind Lin Xia and stood there, like the most loyal guard.

Her gaze fell on Lin Xia's fingers as he caressed the storage soul tool. Her cat-like eyes remained calm, and she did not ask any questions.

Meng Yiran stood a little distance away, trying to straighten her back, and added in a low voice:
"Brother Lin, we...we saw that His Highness had left, and we thought you might need someone to serve you tea..."

Her voice lowered, carrying the awkwardness of a newcomer.

Lin Ling moved along the door frame like a frightened little animal, finally stopping in a corner slightly closer to Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong, her body still tense under her white robe.

Her heterochromatic eyes glanced quickly at Lin Xia before daring to look away again, focusing only on the intricate soul-guiding patterns on the carpet.

Lin Xia put the letter box into her bosom and glanced at the four people.

"Nothing much, just catching up!" (End of Chapter)