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Chapter 481.

Over the course of more than five years, Silk Rong had aged from her forties to her current sixties—but in appearance, she still looked like she was in her thirties.

Wang Feng thought to himself, Well, forget it... Qian Renxue is almost thirty now, too.

Still, her disguise was –exceptional—so much so that even Wang Feng's sharp senses couldn't detect it.

No wonder even the TitleD Douluo hadn't seen through it.

It must be a soul bone skill… and definitely not an ordinary one, Wang Feng thought to himself.

The two of them were now in a forest within Shrek Academy.

"Rong, leave us," Qian Renxue said calmly, gesturing with her hand.

Silk Rong paused for a moment, glanced at the two of them, then nodded slightly. She moved further down the forest path to stand guard, making sure no one else came near.

Right after, Qian Renxue released a faint soul power barrier, surrounding both of them and shielding the conversation from outside eavesdroppers.

"Wang Feng, it's been a long time," she said, her expression composed and without much warmth—very different from the gentle persona she showed to the world.

As Prince Xue Qinghe, she always wore a mask of politeness, her face adorned with a constant, diplomatic smile.

"Why didn't you expose me?" she asked, her tone laced with a faint pride. "Why didn't you say I was from Soul Hall? That the prince of the Heaven Dou Empire was actually an agent of the Spirit Hall? You knew my secret, didn't you? Five years ago…"

Five years ago, I thought you were really dead…

"Even if I had said it, who would've believed me?" Wang Feng replied with a slight smile. "And if I had, wouldn't that have exposed myself too?"

Although Wang Feng had known her true identity for years, who would believe him?

Her disguise was so flawless that even he couldn't detect it. Not even a Titled Douluo could.

As long as she didn't make a critical mistake, if Wang Feng suddenly declared that Xue Qinghe was actually Qian Renxue, people would've thought he was crazy—or worse, a traitor. The Soul Hall might have arrested him on the spot.

And that would've revealed that he hadn't died.

Qian Renxue's lips curled slightly into a half-smile, one that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"True enough. If you had exposed me, I would've realized right away that you were still alive. And once I knew you were alive, it would've completely derailed her plan."

The "she" in her words clearly referred to Bibi Dong.

"So, instead, you stayed hidden. And gave us—Soul Hall—two crushing defeats."

She gave a cold chuckle. "Wang Feng… I don't even know if I should call you Feng Yuxiu or Jiu Yikai."

"You can call me Thanos," Wang Feng said casually.

Qian Renxue blinked in surprise—suddenly, a wave of memories washed over her, bringing her back to that moment five years ago when her grandfather chased after him.

That was the exact same line he had said back then.

The voice echoed vividly, as if the scene had truly come alive.

"Hmph."

Qian Renxue sneered. "Wang Feng, I know how strong you've become. But aren't you a bit too unafraid of me? Are you not worried I'll call my grandfather to capture you?"

"Five –years ago, your grandfather might've been able to catch me," Wang Feng replied calmly. "Now? He can't."

His voice was flat, but the confidence it carried was unmistakable.

Qian Renxue fell silent.

"Your Highness, there is bad blood between us," Wang Feng –said slowly.

"If you came all this way to find me, you must need something important. But don't worry—I won't reveal your identity."

To be honest, it would be pointless.

Qian Renxue had already gained deep trust within the Heaven Dou Empire. Even if he presented solid evidence, most wouldn't believe she was a spy from the Spirit Hall.

However, Qian Renxue frowned, her voice heavy and deliberate, "Your grudge is with her."

Wang Feng raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Don't tell me you and your Pope aren't on the same page?"

He pretended not to know the personal history between Qian Renxue and Bibi Dong.

Qian Renxue didn't respond right away. Then, after a pause, she said softly, "Wang Feng, I know your story. If I asked you to help me... would you?"

Wang Feng looked surprised. "Do you think that's likely?"

"Why not?" Qian Renxue answered coolly. "I told you—you have a grudge with her, not me. So let me ask you, do you have a grudge against me?"

Wang Feng thought for a moment, then replied, "Not really. In fact, I should probably thank you for helping me stay alive."

That much was true. There had never been enmity between them—in fact, they had saved each other's lives more than once.

"One life for another," Qian Renxue said, brushing it off. "So, no grudges. No debts. Why can't you help me?"

Wang Feng went silent for a while. These two mother and daughter really are different, but both are remarkable women in their own ways.

"Help you fight the Supreme Pontiff?" Wang Feng said with a smirk.

"No..." Qian Renxue took a deep breath. "Help me get out of this situation."

"???" Wang Feng blinked, confused. What did that mean?

"I don't want to be the prince anymore," Qian Renxue said coldly–. "I've been hiding in this palace for nearly twenty years. I've had enough. Just days ago, the White Pontiff humiliated the royal family—and he did it in front of me! It crushed the dignity of the Heaven Dou Royal family."

"I thought Emperor Xue Ye would be disappointed in me after that. So I punished and imprisoned myself, hoping it would drive him and the ministers to finally abandon me. But instead, they're even more eager to pass the throne to me!"

"???" Wang Feng was even more confused.

"These twenty years!" Qian Renxue's eyes glinted with bitterness. "I followed every order she gave me. But some things... I just couldn't bear. The Royal Academy—those useless worms, all garbage! I couldn't stand them even a few years ago. Especially during the qualifiers, when the Shrek Seven Monsters crushed our second team in just seconds... I eliminated that entire team four years ago!"

"And the princes..." she continued, her tone turning mocking. "Years ago, I tried to escape this life by confiding in one of them. The second prince—he was smart, promising. I planned to reveal my identity to him secretly... you know what happened? The next day, he was dead. So were the other three princes."

Wang Feng's eyes narrowed slightly.

Qian Renxue laughed bitterly. "After that, I didn't dare tell anyone else. There's Xue Beng—he's still alive. I thought about telling him, but then decided not to. I didn't want him to end up dead too."

"I know... she was behind all of it."

"I've been trapped here. Eventually, my grandfather persuaded me to stay. And I've been stuck like this for twenty years."

Wang Feng was stunned. This…this isn't the Qian Renxue I imagined at all...

"I even thought of winning over Tang San," Qian Renxue added with a helpless smile. "Then, at the right moment, let him expose me. That way, I could escape cleanly—without her control—and still hold my head high."

....

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