Heading to Spirit City

As Di Hong and Xue Ye were speaking, Ning Fengzhi approached them.

"Prince Di Hong, you've reached the Soul Emperor rank at such a young age. It seems you'll break through to Soul Saint before long."

"What a boundless future you have. In just a few years, I'm afraid the entire continent will be shaken by you."

Ever since taking over as sect master, Ning Fengzhi had grown far more haggard. Yet before others, he still maintained an indifferent air. He always wore a gentle smile that made people feel as though they were bathed in a spring breeze.

But only he knew that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was beset by troubles both within and without. Within, elders from outside the clan sought to seize power; without, other forces watched them like tigers eyeing prey. The moment the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect showed even the slightest sign of weakness, they would pounce and tear into it.

Ever since succeeding as sect master, he had been doing his utmost to hold the sect together. How he wished there were a Titled Douluo guarding the sect—then none of these problems would exist. Unfortunately, their sect had only Soul Douluos, and those Soul Douluos were even fighting him for power.

Though the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was the number one support-type martial soul, it possessed a fatal flaw: it could only have seven Spirit Rings. In other words, Level 79 was the end of the road.

He was now already a Soul Emperor, not far from becoming a Soul Saint, but he was also nearing his limit.

Level 79 was not the end for soul masters, but it was the end for him.

To be honest, he truly envied Di Hong. He was much older than Di Hong, yet Di Hong was only fourteen and already close to becoming a Soul Saint.

That cultivation speed was truly beyond compare.

In a mere eight years, his Soul Power had risen by over fifty levels, nearly sixty. Such speed was unprecedented throughout history.

Thus, he also wanted to build a good relationship with Di Hong. This Soul Master Exchange Meet was the perfect opportunity to deepen their friendship. After all, they both belonged to the Crown Prince's faction.

Yes, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had chosen to support Xue Ye. From the moment he took office, Ning Fengzhi had stood on Xue Ye's side, because he understood that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could only secure its position by clinging tightly to the Royal Family and borrowing its strength.

Aside from his relationship with Xue Ye, Ning Fengzhi supported him because he had his eye on Di Hong. He thought highly of Di Hong's future. However, if he learned that Di Hong planned to seize the Heaven Dou Empire in the future, who knew what he would think.

"Greetings, Sect Master Ning." Di Hong cupped his hands in salute. Though he was a prince, Ning Fengzhi was the sect master of one of the Upper Three Sects. On Douluo Continent, even the king of a kingdom might not carry as much weight as a sect master of the Upper Three Sects.

There were many kingdoms, but only three Upper Three Sects.

In this world, strength reigned supreme.

The Silves Kingdom's status had shown faint signs of rising in recent years, and at its root was Di Hong, a genius with Innate Level 20 Soul Power. Of course, they only believed Di Hong possessed Innate Full Soul Power; they did not know he had Innate Level 20 Soul Power.

Ning Fengzhi waved a hand. "Sect master or not, it isn't important. If you don't mind, call me Brother Ning."

"Brother Ning." Di Hong smiled and cupped his hands again, though at the same time, he felt that this seemed strangely familiar.

He looked at Ning Fengzhi, then at Xue Ye. At that moment, Xue Ye's face was full of irrepressible delight.

Di Hong mused inwardly, The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has sided with Xue Ye. Xue Ye's power has now completely surpassed that of Second Prince Xue Yu.

The three boarded the same carriage, and then the convoy set off.

Inside the Clear Sky Sect's carriage, Tang Yuehua finally withdrew her gaze after Di Hong got into his carriage.

Tang Hao raised his brows and teased, "Yuehua, why don't we find an opportunity to bring that Di Hong over? Big Brother and I can take a closer look at him and get to know him better."

"We'll help you vet him."

"Second Brother." Tang Yuehua reproached him softly and turned her head aside, but her face reddened at a visible speed.

"I just wonder whether that little frame of his can withstand my Clear Sky Hammer." Tang Hao leaned back and closed his eyes to rest.

The journey from Heaven Dou City to Spirit City took around twenty days. After all, this was an entire convoy, and carriages were naturally slower than soul masters. If soul masters relied solely on their own speed, the journey would be much faster.

The exchange meet would begin in a month.

Inside the carriage.

Xue Ye was speaking with Ning Fengzhi. The current situation was extremely favorable to him. This Soul Master Exchange Meet might only be the icing on the cake, but it was the final blow he had prepared for Xue Yu.

"Given the current situation, as long as Brother Di Hong achieves a good result, even if Father favors my second brother, he will no longer support him."

Ning Fengzhi nodded slightly.

Di Hong smiled faintly. "Your Highness the Crown Prince, rest assured. Though it may sound like I'm boasting, I still have to say it: among soul masters of the same level, I do not believe anyone can be my match."

"Besides, the highest Soul Power Level at this Soul Master Exchange Meet is only Level 70."

"I believe you." Xue Ye did not doubt him in the slightest, and neither did Ning Fengzhi. Di Hong's talent was right there for all to see. Whether it was the quality of his martial soul or his Soul Power Level, he had every right to speak with such confidence.

"This exchange meet will also have participants from my second brother's side. One of them is a Level 68 Soul Emperor."

"Here is his information."

Xue Ye handed a document to Di Hong.

"Yin Xuan. Soul Power Level 68. Spirit Rings: two yellow, two purple, and two black. Martial soul: Dark Raven."

After reading the information, Di Hong asked, "Does Your Highness want me to defeat him, or...?"

Though he did not say it outright, his meaning was obvious.

Xue Ye shook his head. "There's no need. Defeating him will be enough. This Yin Xuan is the strongest soul master under my second brother. Just defeat him. There is no need to kill him."

"This is a contest between the Crown Prince and the Second Prince," Ning Fengzhi added at the right moment.

"That simple?" Di Hong was somewhat uncertain. He only needed to defeat Yin Xuan? That seemed a little too easy.

"Sometimes, things aren't that complicated. They really are that simple," Ning Fengzhi said.

Xue Ye also said, "But be careful. Just because you won't kill him doesn't mean he won't kill you."

"My second brother has always believed that those who obey him prosper, while those who defy him perish."

"Backed by the Emperor's support, he's become far too reckless. Aside from the ministers who support him, many people are dissatisfied with him, but they don't dare say anything for fear of retaliation."

"Of course, he doesn't want to see a genius like you on my side."

"To him, if he can't win you over, then getting rid of you is the best option."

"I understand." Di Hong felt helpless. The Royal Family's struggles really were straightforward—if they couldn't have something, they would destroy it. Who had he even provoked?

This Exchange Meet was mainly for exchanges between the Two Great Empires. Soul Masters from the same country would basically be unlikely to encounter one another. Of course, rules were made by people, and since there were rules, there were ways to manipulate them. Since Xue Ye had told him this, the chances of him meeting Yin Xuan were very high.

"Your Highness, is anyone from Spirit Hall participating?"

He was very curious whether Bibi Dong would attend this Soul Master Exchange Meet. After all, she was a genius with Innate Full Soul Power, and she was also from Spirit Hall.

Xue Ye thought for a moment. "There is one—the Pope's student, Bibi Dong."