Wuhun element periodic table, rubbing black hole in Douluo

Chapter 416 Xu Tianran's Agreement

The old man in the red robe vanished without a trace, and the laboratory became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Xuan Ziwen, Keke, Zimu, and the others remained on guard, their faces filled with shock and bewilderment, clearly not yet fully recovered from the bizarre scene they had just witnessed.

Orange's expression changed several times in an instant, her heart pounding like a drum.

Xu Tianran? His Highness the Crown Prince? Why would he suddenly send someone to find Lin You?

Could it be... that her affair with Lin You has been exposed?

Orange flashed through my mind.

She believed that she had been extremely careful in her actions over the past six months, and whenever she came into contact with Lin You, she tried to choose to do so in public places or when other people were present.

Privately, apart from that private conversation in the dormitory and the few times she visited Lin You during his seclusion, the two of them hardly ever spent time alone together.

To outsiders, they are at most just fellow disciples with a good relationship.

She is a warm and cheerful senior, while Lin You is a gifted and calm junior.

She never acted in a way that went beyond the usual friendship between classmates, and she always spoke with great tact.

Shouldn't...shouldn't this arouse Xu Tianran's suspicion? Although that Crown Prince trusts and relies on him quite a bit, his possessiveness and suspiciousness are also well-known.

If he were to suspect that there was some unclear relationship between him and Lin You...

No, no! What am I thinking?
Orange shook her head violently, forcing herself to calm down.

She subconsciously looked up at Lin You, and her eyes met his.

His eyes were calm and deep, carrying a calming power.

Lin You nodded slightly to her, a faint smile playing on his lips.

With just a glance, Ju Zi's chaotic emotions miraculously calmed down. She understood Lin You's meaning—calm down.

There seemed to be an invisible understanding flowing between the two; they could understand each other's intentions without saying a word.

"Cough cough,"

Xuan Ziwen finally broke the silence. He frowned slightly, looked at Lin You, and said in a deep voice, "It seems that although you have been in seclusion for the past six months, the title of 'Father of Elements' has spread far and wide."

His face showed a hint of helplessness and worry: "That's normal. Given the value and potential you've demonstrated, His Majesty should have summoned you personally. However..."

Xuan Ziwen paused, glanced around to confirm that the soundproofing array in the laboratory was activated, and then lowered his voice to a volume that only a few people could hear, and continued, "Recently, His Majesty's health has been poor, and the news of His Highness the Crown Prince overseeing the country has been widely circulated. As the future heir of the empire, it is understandable that he would contact you in advance."

"Although you are an exchange student at Shrek Academy and theoretically have the right to refuse this unofficial summons, however..."

Xuan Ziwen frowned even more, and his tone became serious. He leaned closer to Lin You and whispered through the sound transmission: "However, this Crown Prince... is not very magnanimous. It is rumored that after the palace coup a few years ago, his temperament changed drastically, and his methods became quite... ruthless. If you offend him to his face, you will probably have a lot of trouble later."

Xuan Ziwen sighed, a self-deprecating bitter smile on his face: "Sigh, you see, even someone like me who only wants to do research and doesn't want to get involved in any politics, sometimes I'm not in control of my own destiny. It's mainly because you're too conspicuous!"

He patted Lin You on the shoulder, his tone becoming more relaxed, and chuckled, "Go ahead, it won't hurt to go and take a look. Although that Crown Prince is cunning, he probably wouldn't directly attack you, Shrek's 'precious darling,' especially since Elder Song is watching you. He might even try to win you over! Hehe, after all, you're the universally acknowledged 'Father of Elements' at our Sun Moon Academy!"

"Teacher..." Lin You said helplessly, "Can't you change this title to something more normal?"

He paused, lowered his voice, and retorted with a hint of sarcasm, "Besides, aren't you afraid that he might be petty and cause you trouble by talking so much behind your back?"

"Go away!" Xuan Ziwen waved his hand irritably. "I'm just a researcher, what can he do to me? Hurry up and get ready, so you won't be impolite tomorrow."

Although he said that, the worry in Xuan Ziwen's eyes did not completely disappear.

After a few more brief exchanges, everyone dispersed. Lin You, holding the invitation and token, returned to his dormitory, lost in thought.

After leaving the lab, Orange did not go straight back to her dormitory. Instead, she turned around and, taking advantage of the deep night, walked quickly towards the palace.

As one of Crown Prince Xu Tianran's confidantes, she possessed a token that allowed her free access to the palace. Along the way, the patrolling guards and palace attendants all bowed respectfully upon seeing her token and allowed her to pass, with no one daring to obstruct her.

Soon, Ju Zi arrived outside the East Palace bedroom where Crown Prince Xu Tianran handled state affairs and rested.

The head guard outside the palace gates clearly recognized Ju Zi. When he saw her visit so late at night, he showed a hint of surprise, but he still immediately bowed.

Ju Zi took a deep breath, tidied her appearance, walked to the palace gate, knelt gracefully before the closed gate, and said loudly, "Your subject Ju Zi requests an audience with His Highness the Crown Prince."

The head guard was shocked to see this and hurriedly tried to help him up, but was stopped by a look from Ju Zi.

A moment later, a slightly magnetic voice came from inside the hall: "It's Orange? Come in."

After a pause, the voice added with a hint of helplessness, "Haven't I told you many times? Here, there's no need for such formalities. Just come in."

Upon hearing this, Ju Zi felt a warmth in her heart, but she still shook her head and respectfully replied, "Your Highness, rules cannot be disregarded. If I were to become arrogant and overstep the bounds of propriety, wouldn't outsiders say that Your Highness has failed in his duties and that I am ill-mannered?"

The palace doors slid open silently, revealing a brightly lit interior.

Xu Tianran was sitting behind his desk, playing with a jade pendant in his hand. When he heard Ju Zi's words, he looked up and revealed a slightly pale face with eyes as deep as a cold pool.

A faint smile appeared on his lips, but his eyes were devoid of warmth: "Heh, inside or outside the palace, if anyone dares to speak ill of me behind my back, they'll have to see if they have the ability and the guts."

He put down the jade pendant and his gaze fell on Ju Zi, who was still kneeling: "Get up. Speak, what brings you to the palace so late?"

Orange then slowly got up, walked a few steps away from the desk, and stood still with her head slightly lowered.

She knew that every word she uttered at this moment was crucial. She absolutely could not stand on her own side, much less reveal any intention to stop Xu Tianran from winning over Lin You, or imply that she had a close relationship with Lin You; that would only backfire and even bring trouble upon herself.

She had to completely stand from Xu Tianran's perspective and analyze the pros and cons for him.

After carefully considering her words, Ju Zi said, "Your Highness, I heard that Your Highness sent someone to invite Lin You, an exchange student from Shrek Academy, today?"

"Oh? The news travels pretty fast."

Xu Tianran raised an eyebrow noncommittally. "What? You have a problem with him?"

"Your Majesty, I dare not." Ju Zi quickly bowed. "I just feel that this matter... might be better discussed in the long run."

She carefully observed Xu Tianran's expression and continued, "Based on my observations over this period of time and my several interactions with Lin You, although he is exceptionally talented, he bears a very deep Shrek imprint. It will probably not be easy to completely win him over to our Sun Moon Empire."

"However..." Ju Zi changed the subject, "According to what I learned from a casual conversation with him, although he comes from the Star Luo Empire, he doesn't seem to value so-called national sentiment. Moreover, judging from his initiative to spread his 'elemental theory' at our Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy, he doesn't seem to have much aversion to our Sun Moon Empire."

Having said that, Orange stopped talking and said no more.

She knew Xu Tianran's personality; he was extremely opinionated, even stubborn. He preferred to make his own decisions and hated anyone trying to influence his thinking. She only needed to objectively state what she observed, touching on the points briefly, and leave the judgment and decision-making to His Highness.

After listening to Ju Zi's words, Xu Tianran tapped his fingers lightly on the table, a hint of amusement flashing in his deep eyes as he fell into deep thought.

(End of this chapter)