Douluo Continent: Tonight, a Fairy Tale Descends

It's a letter from Grandpa.

Qian Renxue opened the book and her gaze swept over the lines of vigorous and powerful characters.

The letter contained very little information.

It's time to take action.

Qian Renxue put down the letter, stood by the window, and looked at the sky gradually darkening outside.

After poisoning Emperor Xueye for so many years, it's time to close the net.

That old emperor lived too long.

So long that his sons waited year after year, so long that the entire Heavenly Dou Empire became lifeless under his suspicion and checks and balances.

A cold smile curved at the corner of Qian Renxue's lips.

In a way, she should thank him.

If he hadn't been so suspicious, if he hadn't clung so tightly to power, if he hadn't constantly created conflicts and balanced the power, she, as "Crown Prince Xue Qinghe," wouldn't have been able to maintain such a stable position.

After all, an emperor who sees everyone as an enemy would naturally not suspect that his own son is one of them.

Qian Renxue's gaze shifted slightly, looking towards the direction of Tiandou City.

Those princes who died young must have been waiting underground for a long time.

Soon, they will be reunited.

Qian Renxue withdrew her gaze, sat down at the table, and poured herself a cup of tea.

The tea had gone cold, but she didn't mind. She picked it up and took a sip. The icy sensation slid down her throat, making her feel more awake.

She leaned back in her chair, closed her eyes, and began to mentally plan each step that would follow.

After the death of Emperor Xueye, who will succeed him?

This is a problem that doesn't need to be considered.

She is the crown prince, the rightful first in line to the throne.

Over the years, she has worked diligently and managed the Heavenly Dou Empire in an orderly manner, and her prestige in the court is now unmatched.

Those ministers may have their own agendas, but with the overall situation already settled, no one would dare to step forward and risk their lives.

As for the one or two royal princes who are still alive...

Qian Renxue opened her eyes, a cold glint flashing in her golden pupils.

It won't cause any trouble.

She spent more than a decade winning over those she could, suppressing those she could, and eliminating those she could.

The remaining few are either useless, opportunists, or have long been secretly controlled by her, so they are not worth worrying about at all.

What we really need to worry about are the powerful clans and regional officials who are eager to make a move after the death of Emperor Xueye.

The Heavenly Dou Empire has been established for many years, and the forces in various regions are deeply intertwined, so that a single move can have far-reaching consequences.

Although she had been impersonating Xue Qinghe for over a decade, her relationships with these officials remained superficial and never reached the true core.

But so what?

A mocking smile curled at the corners of Qian Renxue's lips.

The Spirit Hall's spirit masters are already on their way.

On the day she ascends the throne, if anyone is disobedient, she won't hesitate to use her fists to show them what the inevitable trend is.

Thinking of this, Qian Renxue suddenly remembered something, and the coldness on her face softened slightly.

She turned her head, her gaze passing through the wall, as if she could see the white figure in the next room.

snow White.

Snow White already knew about their relationship.

Despite knowing this, the child never called her "Mom."

Qian Renxue sighed helplessly.

She even considered calling him "father" as a second-best option.

She had used the identity of Xue Qinghe for more than ten years and was already used to being called "Father King" or "Father Emperor".

If Snow White were willing to call her father, she wouldn't necessarily refuse.

But that child wouldn't make any noise.

Each time we met, I would simply look at her in silence, or use the formal "you" instead.

Qian Renxue's maternal heart was slightly hurt.

She knew this couldn't be rushed.

Snow White grew up under the tutelage of Qian Daoliu and always had a clear understanding of her own identity. Suddenly having another mother would take anyone time to adjust.

But even knowing this doesn't stop me from feeling a little disappointed.

Qian Renxue leaned back in her chair and stared at the ceiling for a while.

Fine, if you don't want to call me that, then you don't have to.

Anyway, there's plenty of time later.

Once she or Bai Xue completes the divine test, and once the matter of the Heavenly Dou Empire settles down, she will have plenty of opportunities to slowly repair this relationship.

For now, let's focus on doing the things at hand well.

Qian Renxue snapped out of her thoughts, picked up the letter again, and read it once more.

At the end of the letter, Qian Daoliu wrote a line in bold strokes.

"The weather is getting cold, and the Heavenly Dou Empire should also disappear."

Qian Renxue stared at that line of text for a long time.

Then, she chuckled softly.

The laughter was soft, echoing in the empty room, carrying an indescribable meaning.

There was relief, anticipation, and also a touch of... weariness.

More than a decade of pretense, more than a decade of forbearance, more than a decade of walking on thin ice.

Finally, it's coming to an end.

She held the letter close to the candlelight, watching the flames slowly devour the paper, watching the strong, vigorous characters twist, curl, and turn to ashes in the flames.

Finally, she let go, letting the last ash fall through her fingers and scatter on the table, like the passing years.

Outside the window, night had completely fallen.

The lights of Wuhun City lit up one after another, illuminating the ancient city as if it were daytime.

In the distance, the arena was still brightly lit, and the young Soul Masters were making their final preparations for tomorrow's match.

Cheers, shouts, and the booming sounds of clashing martial spirits could still be faintly heard even from this distance.

Qian Renxue stood up, walked to the window, and opened it.

A night breeze swept in, ruffling her hair and carrying the sounds of distant crowds and the scent of fireworks.

She gazed at the brightly lit stadium, at the white figure that was faintly visible in the crowd, and a faint smile slowly appeared on her lips.

almost.

Soon, it will all be over.

Soon, she will be able to shed this disguise and be her true self again.

soon……

Her gaze swept across the arena, over the walls of Wuhun City, over the distant mountain ranges, and landed on the northern horizon.

That's the direction of Tiandou City.

That place where she stayed for over a decade, pretended for over a decade, and schemed for over a decade.

Qian Renxue withdrew her gaze, turned around, and walked back to her room.

She took off her princely robes, changed into her usual casual clothes for cultivation, sat down on the edge of the bed, closed her eyes, and began to regulate her breathing.

There are still matches to watch tomorrow.

There are still plans to make the day after tomorrow.

And then...

A cold smile curved her lips.

Then came the final battle that had been awaited for over a decade.

The night wind rushed in through the window and extinguished the candle on the table.

The room was plunged into darkness.

Only the lights from the distant stadium outside the window cast a blurry shadow on the floor through the window.

Qian Renxue sat cross-legged in the darkness, her breathing steady and her face serene, like a sleeping sculpture.

Only her eyelashes, which occasionally trembled slightly, betrayed that her inner peace was not as calm as it appeared.

Meanwhile, in the next room.

Snow White stood by the window, gazing at the night outside.

Her expression remained aloof, and her long golden hair shimmered softly in the moonlight.

She had no idea what was about to happen, nor did she know that the Soul Master Tournament she was watching would be the last moment of peace for the Heaven Dou Empire.

She simply stood there quietly, like a delicate jade sculpture, completely unaware of what was about to happen.

In the distance, the stadium lights gradually went out.

The audience gradually dispersed, and the young Soul Masters returned to their lodgings to rest and recharge for tomorrow's competition.

No one knew that behind this dazzling display of lights, a storm that would sweep across the entire continent was quietly brewing.