First Meeting with Ning Fengzhi

Early the next morning, Liu Yi rose early, rented a carriage in town, and set off toward the Heaven Dou Empire.

After a day of travel, he finally arrived at the Heaven Dou Empire.

Liu Yi took out a Gold Soul Coin and tossed it onto the carriage before turning and heading toward the imperial palace.

"Stop! This is the imperial palace. Leave at once!"

The surrounding guards hurriedly blocked Liu Yi's path.

Liu Yi could not be bothered to waste words. He took a Crimson Gold token from his robes, engraved with the character for "Emperor."

The guards immediately stepped aside upon seeing it. Very few people in the Heaven Dou Empire possessed a Royal Token, which showed Liu Yi's status.

"Greetings, my lord."

"Mm. You, take me to see Crown Prince Xue Qinghe."

"Yes, my lord."

Led by the Guard Captain, Liu Yi arrived at a bedchamber. Though the palace was not especially lavish, it was far from shabby.

"My lord, Crown Prince's bedchamber is inside. We are not permitted to enter."

Liu Yi nodded. "I understand. Thank you."

With that, Liu Yi strode casually into the bedchamber.

At that moment, Xue Qinghe was sitting in a chair inside the room. Before her stood a middle-aged man, and the two were discussing something.

The middle-aged man had a face as fair as jade, a straight nose, a square mouth, and a refined, gentle appearance. His spotless white robe was utterly free of dust.

He looked to be around forty. His gaze was mild, and no matter how one looked at him, he seemed like an ordinary man.

His smooth black hair draped down his back. Everything about him appeared relaxed and natural, without the slightest affectation.

Knock, knock, knock~

"Didn't I say that I was discussing Martial Souls with my teacher? No one is allowed to disturb us."

Xue Qinghe frowned slightly and spoke coldly to the soldier outside.

"Reporting to Your Highness, a Soul Master claiming to be Liu Yi requests an audience."

Upon hearing Liu Yi's name, delight flashed through Xue Qinghe's eyes. She hurriedly said, "Let him in at once."

The middle-aged man narrowed his eyes. Who was this person who could make Crown Prince Xue Qinghe so happy?

He wanted to see for himself.

Liu Yi pushed open the door and strode inside.

Qian Renxue suppressed the excitement in her heart and quickly walked over to Liu Yi.

"Why are you here?"

Liu Yi glanced at the middle-aged man, then turned back with a smile. "Nothing in particular. Just taking a stroll."

"Let me introduce you."

"This is Ning Fengzhi, Sovereign of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and also my teacher."

Xue Qinghe turned to Ning Fengzhi. "Teacher, he is my... my friend. He is a powerful Soul Emperor."

Ning Fengzhi rose to his feet and nodded at Liu Yi. "I have long heard of Your Excellency's reputation. Now that I have met you, your fame is indeed well deserved."

"Please, sit."

Liu Yi chuckled, walked over to a chair, and dropped into it.

Qian Renxue picked up the teapot and personally poured Liu Yi a cup of tea.

"You have become quite famous lately. You beat up Prince Xue Beng and took your students to the Star Dou Great Forest for training. You really are something."

Liu Yi said, "Hehe, Sovereign Ning flatters me. This junior is merely an ordinary teacher."

Ning Fengzhi looked at Liu Yi with some surprise. To possess such composure at such a young age—no wonder he had become a Soul Emperor.

A powerhouse like this could not be made an enemy of. It would be best to befriend him.

"May I ask where you come from, young friend?"

"I'm just an independent cultivator, wandering from place to place year-round."

Ning Fengzhi nodded and fell into thought. No one knew what he was thinking.

After a long while, Ning Fengzhi stood and said to Xue Qinghe, "Your Highness, I still have matters to attend to, so I will take my leave first."

"Alright, I'll see you out." Xue Qinghe nodded. After escorting Ning Fengzhi away, she hurriedly ran back into the room.

"Why did you go to the Star Dou Great Forest? Do you know how dangerous it is?"

At this point, Xue Qinghe had already returned to her female form—Qian Renxue.

Qian Renxue puffed out her cheeks and spoke unhappily.

Liu Yi took a sip of tea. "Of course, it was for those students. I never expected them to be so utterly useless. What am I supposed to do with them?"

Qian Renxue sat on Liu Yi's lap, her little head pressed tightly against his chest.

"What do you mean? Are you still going to be a teacher?"

After considering it for a moment, Liu Yi replied, "I'll still be one, but I want to go somewhere else."

Qian Renxue raised her head, blinking her large, adorable eyes as she asked in confusion, "What do you mean?"

"Although Heaven Dou Royal Academy has abundant resources, its students are arrogant and overbearing. You know my temper—if this keeps up, I'm afraid I won't be able to control myself."

"In the Star Dou Great Forest, a four-thousand-year Exploding Demon Bear nearly wiped them all out. Tell me, what use are they?"

Qian Renxue nodded and said helplessly, "Sigh, most of Heaven Dou Royal Academy's students come from noble families. They're too used to it. When it comes down to the real thing, they just can't make it."

Among the students, the only one Liu Yi thought highly of was Lin Mengyao, the Support System Soul Master. Other than pride and selfishness, the rest had nothing worth praising.

That was why Liu Yi had sent them to train in the Star Dou Great Forest—to temper their own shortcomings.

To build mutual understanding in battle.

But they had nearly been wiped out in that battle. What other chance was there?

Qian Renxue gently kissed Liu Yi on the lips, her eyes brimming with endless love.

That night.

Liu Yi stretched lazily and smiled slightly after glancing at Qian Renxue beside him.

"Xue Er, I'm leaving. If I have time, I'll come back."

Qian Renxue reluctantly clutched Liu Yi's arm. "Stay a few more days. You finally came back—I can't bear to let you go."

Liu Yi smiled. "Don't worry, I'll be back soon. Rest well at home. Goodbye."

As he spoke, Liu Yi kissed Qian Renxue on the forehead, then turned and put on his clothes before vanishing from the room.

Qian Renxue sighed and stared blankly at the empty room.

In the night.

Liu Yi's figure continuously darted through the towns, soon arriving at the border of the Heaven Dou Empire.

Just as he was about to leave, a powerful aura came from behind him.

Liu Yi narrowed his eyes. From that aura, he could clearly sense that the visitor meant no good.

There were no guards at the border at this time. The surroundings were desolate, and the bitterly cold wind made one want to leave as quickly as possible.

"Senior, since you're here, why hide and skulk about? Am I right?"

Liu Yi frowned slightly. He had already exposed this powerful figure, so why had they still not come out?

He bent down, picked up a pebble from the ground, and threw it toward the distant forest.

Almost instantly, the pebble strangely flew back at an incredible speed.

Liu Yi did not dare let his guard down and hurriedly dodged.

At that moment, a small crater appeared where Liu Yi had just been standing.

"To possess such exceptional Spiritual Power at such a young age—not bad, not bad. Interesting."