Douluo Continent: The Sword of Wine Sweeps Across the Sky, One Sword Opens the Heavens

The Eastern Palace Hall of the Imperial Palace in Tiandou City.

Qian Renxue was dressed in the magnificent Crown Prince's everyday clothes. The bright yellow robe accentuated her tall and straight figure, and her face was incomparably handsome. Her brows carried a hint of innate majesty. Only deep in her eyes was there a trace of barely perceptible soul power fluctuation, which was the extreme soul power aura that she deliberately suppressed.

At this moment, she was sitting upright at her desk, flipping through the government affairs files of Tiandou City. Her expression was calm and composed, and her aura was restrained, making her look like a diligent and responsible crown prince.

Ever since she witnessed Xie Yunliu's battle at the Heavenly Battle Arena, she has been unable to forget that mysterious young swordsman.

With over twenty levels of soul power, he could slay a Soul Master beyond his level, possessed pure sword skills, and had a calm and composed temperament. Such talent was something that even the Golden Generation of the Spirit Hall could hardly match.

She had always intended to win over this young man, to recruit him into her service, and to make him the sharpest sword in her hand, paving the way for her future plans.

However, due to recent busy government affairs and numerous trivial matters, he has not been able to find the time to go to the Soul Arena again, and can only have his subordinates keep an eye on Xie Yunliu's movements.

"Your Highness."

A guard dressed in black walked lightly into the main hall, knelt on one knee, and spoke respectfully, holding a piece of intelligence in his hands: "News has come from the Soul Arena that Drunken Sword will fight again today. His opponent is a level 38 offensive Soul Master with the Martial Soul Giant Bear, known as the 'Iron Wall Bear King,' whose defense is extremely strong."

Qian Renxue's fingers, which had been twirling, paused slightly. She looked up, her tone calm yet unable to hide a hint of anticipation: "What was the result?"

"Your Highness, the Drunken Swordsman has won."

The guard quickly replied, his tone tinged with shock: "He didn't use any active soul skills throughout the entire process. Relying solely on pure sword techniques and amplification, he broke through the Giant Bear Soul Master's defenses by focusing on key points, completely overwhelming him and winning easily. Based on observations at the scene, he has two purple soul rings around him, indicating that his combat power far exceeds his apparent cultivation level, and he is probably already close to the Soul Master level."

"The soul power fluctuation has reached the level of a level 29 Great Soul Master."

"Oh? A level 29 Great Soul Master? Absorbing the first and second soul rings, which are at least a thousand years old?"

"Could he possibly possess twin martial souls?"

A glint flashed in Qian Renxue's eyes, and her aura fluctuated slightly. Her originally composed expression was instantly replaced by intense interest.

A level 38 Soul Master, with a Giant Bear Martial Soul known for its defense, was easily crushed by Xie Yunliu.

It should be noted that Xie Yunliu is currently only at the peak of the 29th level Great Soul Master. Even with the support of the entire domain, being able to defeat a 31st level Soul Master is already astonishing. Now, to be able to easily defeat a 38th level Soul Master, this combat power has exceeded her expectations.

This young man is like a piece of unpolished jade; the more he is polished, the more dazzling he becomes.

If he could be recruited and given sufficient resources and support to help him grow rapidly, he would surely become his most powerful ally in the future, and might even be able to contend with Title Douluo like Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo.

Thinking of this, Qian Renxue could no longer sit still.

No matter how busy I am with government affairs, nothing is more important than winning over such a peerless genius.

She put down the dossier in her hand, stood up, her bright yellow robes fluttering slightly in the wind, her crown prince aura growing even stronger, and her tone carrying an unquestionable decisiveness: "Prepare the carriage, proceed to the Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena."

"Your Highness, you still have three urgent memorials to review today, as well as a meeting with the envoy from the Spirit Hall..." the guard hurriedly reminded him.

"The memorial is postponed, and the meeting is cancelled."

Qian Renxue's tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority: "This matter is more important than any political affair."

In her eyes, political affairs and meetings were merely preludes to achieving the ultimate goal, while geniuses like Xie Yunliu were the key to determining the future.

If Xie Yunliu is recruited by other forces before he can be won over, or if he develops other intentions, it will be extremely difficult to win him over again.

The guards dared not say another word, and quickly retreated to prepare the carriage.

Before long, the carriage of the Eastern Palace slowly drove out of the palace and sped towards the direction of the Heavenly Battle Arena.

The carriage was luxurious and heavily guarded. People along the way gave way and no one dared to stop it, displaying the prince's majesty.

Inside the car, Qian Renxue closed her eyes to rest, her mind constantly replaying the intelligence sent by her subordinates, as well as the image of Xie Yunliu she had seen at the Soul Arena last time.

A green robe, a wine pot, a sword shrouded in ink, and that aloof, indifferent, and neither humble nor arrogant temperament, as well as the sharpness and composure in his attacks.

This young man is proud and unrestrained. He had already rejected the invitation from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, which shows that ordinary methods of winning him over may not be effective.

Qian Renxue pondered a solution.

She couldn't do what Ning Fengzhi did and directly extend an invitation to the sect; that would only result in Xie Yunliu rejecting her without hesitation.

What she needs to do is first cultivate good relationships.

Without mentioning winning him over or discussing power, he simply praised his abilities in person as the Crown Prince, presented him with a generous gift that suited his taste, and expressed his appreciation.

Once you have some initial interaction with him, gradually deepen your connection, giving him enough respect and freedom so that he feels that relying on you will not restrict him, but rather allow him to gain a wider world, more abundant resources, and the ability to improve himself more quickly and achieve his pursuit of swordsmanship.

She wanted Xie Yunliu to understand that she didn't want to keep him by her side, but rather to become his support, so that his sword could shine its brightest.

"Drunken Sword..."

Qian Renxue murmured the name, a determined glint in her eyes: "No matter how aloof you are, or how unwilling you are to be bound, this Crown Prince will bring you under my control."

She needs such a sharp sword to cut through the obstacles in her path and help her achieve her great cause.

Xie Yunliu also needs a powerful backer who can provide him with sufficient resources and freedom so that he can go further and more smoothly on his path of swordsmanship in Douluo Continent.

Both sides get what they need, so why not?

Before long, the vehicle arrived at the entrance of the Heavenly Dou Great Battle Arena.

Dressed in the Crown Prince's everyday clothes, Qian Renxue walked slowly into the Soul Arena, surrounded by guards.

Her appearance instantly attracted everyone's attention.

The Crown Prince of Tiandou rarely ventured into such places, but his personal presence today immediately calmed the commotion in the arena. All the Soul Masters subconsciously bowed and paid their respects.

"Greetings, Your Highness!"

A unified greeting rang out, echoing throughout the entire Soul Arena.

Qian Renxue nodded slightly, her expression calm. Without lingering, she walked straight to the VIP seats under the guidance of the guards. Her eyes quickly scanned the room and soon found that familiar figure in a blue robe.

Xie Yunliu was sitting in the corner of the waiting area, his eyes closed, regulating his breathing. His aura was restrained, as if all the noise around him had nothing to do with him.

Having just finished a Soul Battle, he was refining his sword techniques, feeling the subtle changes in the full-domain amplification during actual combat, making final preparations for breaking through to level 30 Soul Master.

Qian Renxue looked at him, her admiration growing stronger.

To remain calm and composed amidst the hustle and bustle, without arrogance or impatience, is a rare quality indeed.

She raised her hand to signal the guards to step back, and walked slowly towards Xie Yunliu alone.

Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, and Bone Douluo were sitting in the VIP seats not far away. They were all slightly taken aback when they saw Qian Renxue arrive.

"Why is Xue Qinghe here?" Bone Douluo Gu Rong raised an eyebrow, his tone tinged with doubt. "Didn't he have official duties to attend to today?"

Ning Fengzhi's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at Qian Renxue walking towards Xie Yunliu. He already had a guess in his mind: "It seems that this young friend, the Drunken Swordsman, has not only alarmed us, but also His Highness the Crown Prince."

Chen Xin also looked up, his expression complex: "This young man is too sharp, and has already attracted the covetousness of all sides. His Highness the Crown Prince has come in person, probably to win him over."

Ning Rongrong looked at Qian Renxue's figure, then at Xie Yunliu who was sitting quietly, and felt a little uneasy.

She didn't know the Crown Prince's purpose in coming, but for some reason she didn't want to see Xie Yunliu being lured away by others.

Qian Renxue walked up to Xie Yunliu, stopped, and spoke in a gentle tone, lacking the majesty of a crown prince, but instead carrying a hint of appreciation: "Young friend Zuijian, I have long admired your name."

Xie Yunliu slowly opened his eyes, raised his gaze to the bright yellow figure before him, his eyes showing no panic or deliberate attempt to ingratiate himself, but merely a faint glance, his tone calm: "Your Highness the Crown Prince."

He recognized the Heavenly Dou Crown Prince; he had seen him before in the VIP section of the Soul Arena.

He never expected that the busy Crown Prince would come to see him in person.

Looking at his calm expression, Qian Renxue was even more satisfied. She smiled and said, "I just heard that you achieved godhood in one battle, easily defeating a level 38 Soul Master. I came here specifically to see your talent and to give you some words of praise."

Xie Yunliu nodded slightly, but did not reply, his expression remaining calm.

He could guess Qian Renxue's purpose in coming; it was nothing more than the same as Ning Fengzhi's: to express gratitude or to win her over.

Qian Renxue didn't mind his coldness and continued, "Young friend, you are so young yet you have such skill in swordsmanship. Your talent is rare in the world. I have always cherished talent. I came here today to express my appreciation and to establish a good relationship with you. If you ever need anything in the future, just ask and I will do my best to help you."

She didn't directly try to win him over; instead, she extended an olive branch, first showing goodwill and then gradually laying the groundwork.

Qian Renxue's gaze fell on Xie Yunliu's wine flask at his waist and the Moying sword in his hand, a hint of understanding flashing in her eyes: "I have heard that you are obsessed with swordsmanship and love drinking, so I, the Crown Prince, have prepared a small gift for you. Please accept it."

After saying that, she raised her hand, and the guard behind her immediately handed her an exquisite wooden box.

The wooden box was opened, revealing a pot of century-old aged wine, its aroma far surpassing that of Xie Yunliu's Drunken Clouds sword. There was also a piece of jet-black sword stone, emanating a faint sword intent, making it an excellent material for tempering the sword and nourishing the sword intent.

This gift, though not expensive, perfectly captured Xie Yunliu's tastes, showing that Qian Renxue had done her homework.

Xie Yunliu glanced at the wooden box, neither accepting it immediately nor refusing it. He simply looked up at Qian Renxue and said in a calm tone, "Your Highness, I cannot accept a reward without merit."

Qian Renxue smiled and said sincerely, "Young friend, there's no need to take it to heart. This is just a small token of my appreciation, nothing more. Besides, I greatly admire your swordsmanship, and this gift comes from the bottom of my heart."

She paused, then subtly changed the subject, but didn't mention the matter of winning him over: "I know that you are a proud and independent person who doesn't want to be bound. In the future, I will not force you to do anything. I only wish to establish a good relationship with you. If you need anything, I will always be there for you."

These words expressed appreciation while giving Xie Yunliu ample freedom, striking the perfect balance.

Xie Yunliu remained silent for a moment, then reached out and took the wooden box, saying calmly, "Thank you, Your Highness."

He was neither humble nor arrogant; accepting gifts did not mean he was compromising, much less willing to submit.

When Qian Renxue saw him accept the gift, a smile flashed in her eyes, knowing that she had succeeded in her first step.

Cultivate good relationships, take it slow.

She has both patience and the means to make this young swordsman the sharpest sword in her hand, to be used by her.

.....