"Barely Becoming a Titled Douluo, and the Counterattack System Arrives

Lin Fan spent half a day with Tang Yuehua in the Sunset Forest before finding a nearly 400-year-old soul ring for her to absorb.

At the same time, Lin Fan noted that her innate domain ability leaned toward support. After all, her mutated martial soul, the Ruyi Ring, was completely different from the Clear Sky Hammer.

Following Lin Fan's suggestion, Tang Yuehua officially became a support-type soul master, and her first soul skill was Purification.

"I didn't expect that after one trip to the forest, I'd become a soul master… and a support-type at that," Tang Yuehua said with a sigh as she looked at the sun setting behind the mountains.

"I wonder if my abilities will be of any help to you in the future."

Lin Fan smiled and responded,

"Even before becoming a soul master, you've already helped me plenty. Now that you've become one, you definitely will too. Besides, your first soul skill has a powerful effect on certain soul masters."

Tang Yuehua's Purification could suppress berserk states, prevent qi deviation, and cleanse killing intent. However, since she had missed the prime age for cultivation, it would already be impressive if she could eventually reach the Soul Ancestor level.

"I no longer cling to the idea of becoming a strong soul master. Honestly, I don't care about soul skills anymore," Tang Yuehua said with a soft smile as she turned toward Lin Fan.

"Being able to experience the feeling of releasing a soul skill has already fulfilled my lifelong wish."

Her eyes softened as she continued,

"These past two days have been the happiest I've had in over a decade. Thank you, Brother Fan."

Lin Fan pulled her gently into his embrace, resting her against his chest.

"Why are you being so polite with me?"

Then he kissed her on the forehead and teased with a playful grin,

"If you want to thank me, how about we head to the hotel and… have some fun?"

"You're so bad," Tang Yuehua blushed, lightly slapping his chest in protest.

Later, the two left the Sunset Forest, returned to Heaven Dou City for dinner, and checked into the city's largest hotel.

That night, as she lay in Lin Fan's arms with a flushed face, Tang Yuehua gasped between breaths,

"Brother Fan… I've discovered the best thing about being a soul master—it improves your physique."

Lin Fan chuckled wickedly,

"Oh? So you think I'm stronger than last night now? Still daring to tease your man for being 'weak'?"

"Hmph! Come on then! I swear I'll defeat you tonight!" Tang Yuehua huffed defiantly and flipped over on him.

…

Three days passed quickly. Upon returning to Moon Pavilion, Tang Yuehua arranged a spot for Lin Fan and resumed teaching etiquette and music alongside her students.

Meanwhile, in a lavish palace within the royal city, a youth sipping tea listened to his subordinate's report.

"Young Miss, Moon Pavilion's Lady Yuehua has resumed teaching after her three-day break," the subordinate reported respectfully.

"Oh? Lady Yuehua rarely takes time off unless she's visiting her family. Did she go back home?" the youth asked curiously.

"No. According to our informants, she spent the past three days accompanied by a man. Furthermore, that same man is currently attending her class right now," the subordinate answered.

"Now this is interesting. Even when I studied there, Lady Yuehua never showed such favor toward anyone. Who is this man? Did you learn his name? Is he a relative?" The youth's curiosity deepened.

"His name is Lin Fan. Judging by their interactions, they seem more like lovers than relatives," the subordinate replied.

"Lin Fan?" The youth furrowed his brows, tapping the table lightly.

"That name sounds oddly familiar… I'm sure I've heard it somewhere important."

"Young Miss, I also feel like we've heard it before. Perhaps we should go meet him in person," the subordinate suggested.

"Indeed. Lady Yuehua's lover… We should get to know him well," the youth agreed with a smirk, rising to his feet.

With several guards accompanying them, they headed toward the Moon Pavilion.

The guards at the entrance immediately bowed upon seeing them,

"Greetings, Your Highness, the Crown Prince."

The youth smiled politely,

"I heard Lady Yuehua recently took a three-day break. I've come on behalf of His Majesty to check on her well-being."

"Please, come in," the guards replied respectfully.

The crown prince entered the first-floor hall with a guard. At the time, Tang Yuehua was in the middle of her lecture.

Ode, the steward who maintained order in the hall, quickly approached upon noticing the crown prince's arrival.

"Your Highness, what brings you here today?" Ode asked respectfully.

The crown prince replied with a gentle smile,

"I heard Lady Yuehua had taken a three-day leave, so Father sent me to check if she needed any assistance."

Ode responded,

"Lady Yuehua is perfectly fine, Your Highness. She merely had an old friend visit and spent a few days showing him around Heaven Dou City."

The crown prince's interest deepened,

"An old friend of Lady Yuehua? Then I must meet him. Steward Ode, may I ask if he is present?"

Ode pointed toward the crowd of students,

"That's him—the young man in blue and white."

Following Ode's direction, the crown prince spotted Lin Fan attentively participating in Tang Yuehua's class.

"He looks quite young, though his exact age is hard to guess. Why would someone like him need to study etiquette under Lady Yuehua?" the prince mused silently.

As the crown prince observed Lin Fan, his guard narrowed his eyes in suspicion, staring fixedly at Lin Fan.

"Why does he look so familiar? Where have I seen him before… Lin Fan…" the guard muttered inwardly.

Suddenly, memories flashed through his mind. The guard's face paled as recognition dawned upon him.

"Your Highness, Lady Yuehua appears to be fine. We should return and report back to His Majesty," the guard said urgently, tugging on the prince's sleeve and whispering something into his ear.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, the crown prince quickly nodded and said aloud,

"Steward Ode, since Lady Yuehua is well, I'll take my leave to report back to Father."

Without waiting for Ode's reply, the crown prince swiftly departed with his guard.

"Sigh… Your Highness…" Ode was stunned. He had intended to inform the prince that the man in question was a Titled Douluo, but the prince had left before he could explain.

Meanwhile, Lin Fan glanced over, his eyes calm.

"They showed up sooner than I expected… It seems they're keeping a close eye on Tang Yuehua," Lin Fan mused silently, then turned his focus back to Tang Yuehua.

Naturally, Lin Fan recognized the so-called "Crown Prince"—none other than Qian Renxue, the saintess of Spirit Hall, currently undercover in Heaven Dou Empire to seize control from within.

Outside the pavilion, Qian Renxue, still disguised as the crown prince, looked at her guard with confusion.

"Elder She, what's going on? You seem quite anxious. Do you know who that Lin Fan is?"

The Snake Spear Douluo's expression was grim as he answered,

"Young Miss, when I saw Lin Fan just now, I finally remembered where I'd heard of him before. It was back at Spirit Hall Headquarters, inside the grand library. I once caught a glimpse of him twice while accompanying the previous Pope."

"My father has seen him before? Who exactly is he?" Qian Renxue asked in surprise.

"You weren't born yet at the time, so you wouldn't know him personally. However, I'm certain you've heard of this title from your father before…" Snake Spear said solemnly.

"The Seer of Heaven's Secrets—The Prophet."

"The Prophet?! The very man who prophesied my father's death?!" Qian Renxue's eyes widened in shock, her face filled with disbelief.