Demonstration and Recruitment

"Could that old man be a Level 10 Soul Tool Master?"

Meng Hongchen's mouth fell open as she stared at the soul tool in Jing Hongchen's hand.

With trembling hands, Jing Hongchen carefully studied its internal structure, his face filled with fervor. Yet, with merely the cultivation of a Title Douluo and the skills of a Level 9 Soul Tool Master, he simply could not decipher the domain of Level 10.

"This soul tool is a rare, one-use Level 10 soul tool shield!"

Jing Hongchen carefully placed it in Meng Hongchen's little palm. "Since that Your Excellency gave it to you, keep it on you at all times. But don't tell anyone about this!"

"What about my brother? I can't tell him either?" Meng Hongchen asked curiously.

"If that brat finds out you have a Soul Guiding Shield that can withstand one full-force attack from a Limit Douluo, won't his tail shoot right up to the sky?" Jing Hongchen said helplessly.

Nodding like a little rabbit, the little girl obediently accepted it, then added, "That old man also said he would come discuss soul tools with you, Grandpa."

Jing Hongchen thought to himself that this Your Excellency really knew how to joke. A Level 10 Soul Tool Master seeking out a Level 9 Soul Tool Master to study soul tools—wasn't that completely backwards?

No, he had to go humbly seek guidance before that Your Excellency arrived.

"Which faction does that Your Excellency belong to?" Jing Hongchen muttered anxiously to himself.

Meng Hongchen scratched her little head, thought for a moment, and said:

"Grandpa, you're so silly. Since he appeared beside that brother's manor, he must naturally belong to him."

After saying that, she wore a look of utter disdain, as if to say that he was just as dense as her older brother.

"There's only one person living there, and he's the current emperor's illegitimate son. How could it be him!?"

Jing Hongchen could hardly believe it!

"We'll pay a visit right away. I have to confirm whether this is real!"

Jing Hongchen planned to bring his granddaughter along to probe the matter.

Of course, they would go secretly. Quite a few people in the Taiyue Empire had their eyes on him. Xu Tianxiong, that ambitious schemer, sent people bearing gifts every day in an attempt to win him over. It was truly irritating.

Under the cover of night, deep in the mountains, stood a manor that appeared tranquil and peaceful.

At that moment, Xu Xiao was in the reception room, as though he had prepared for this long ago.

"Lord, they've arrived." Zu Chongzhi, standing at the side, asked, "Should this subject go invite them in?"

Xu Xiao smiled at Elder Zu. "There's no need. Elder Zu, as a Level 10 Soul Tool Master, you should maintain a bit of dignity. Let Xiao He go instead."

Seeing Elder Zu's puzzled expression, Xiao He explained, "In the Taiyue Empire, when meeting for the first time, it is customary for the weaker Soul Engineer to seek an audience with the stronger one. Elder Zu need not mind it."

Zu Chongzhi said modestly, "This subject used to conduct research merely as a hobby and never gave such things much thought. After coming to Douluo Continent and gaining power, I still haven't adjusted."

After sending Xiao He to receive them, Xu Xiao received a message from Xiang Yu. He told him to settle the little girl with the Sacred Angel Martial Soul first; for the time being, he did not intend to let Xiang Yu show himself.

He could not reveal all his strength at once. Maintaining an air of mystery would be more beneficial for recruiting them later.

A Holy Angel. Back when he had read the original novel, he had liked that sort of sacred, untouchable blonde beauty. Damn that Scum for shattering the Angel God Seat! He would have to find another way later.

Jing Hongchen patiently waited outside the manor with his granddaughter. When the space ahead suddenly began to crack, he vigilantly shielded Meng Hongchen behind him.

"Hahaha, Hall Master Hongchen, there's no need to be nervous. My Lord has been waiting inside for quite some time." Holding a bundle of bamboo slips, Xiao He stepped out from the fractured space with a smile.

Seeing that the newcomer was a Space Attribute Title Douluo, Jing Hongchen did not dare underestimate him just because he was only Rank 91. "I never expected a Title Douluo to be sent to receive this old man."

"Hall Master Hongchen, bring this little one along as well. My Lord is about the same age as her." Xiao He led the way ahead. Jing Hongchen nodded and followed with his granddaughter.

Reception Room

Jing Hongchen's first glance went to Zu Chongzhi. From this old man, he sensed an oppression even stronger than Elder Kong's.

"Could this Your Excellency be a Level 10 Soul Tool Master?"

It was also Meng Hongchen's first time seeing her grandfather so nervous. Even when he had met Kong Deming before, he had mostly shown respect, but she could not sense anything at all. This old grandpa looked very kind.

At that moment, in Jing Hongchen's eyes, he seemed to be standing in an open field, while Elder Zu appeared to transform into a hundred-meter-tall weapon of destruction!

It was like an ordinary person standing before a nuclear bomb that could explode at any moment.

That intense sense of destruction seemed ready to crush him. Jing Hongchen was already drenched in sweat when he felt someone pat him.

"Grandpa, why have you been spacing out? Brother Xu Xiao just gave me lots of delicious food. Huh, why are you covered in sweat, Grandpa?"

His granddaughter pulled Jing Hongchen back to reality. The surroundings were still the ordinary reception room, while the old man who had filled him with extreme terror was respectfully standing behind a young boy.

When Zu Chongzhi saw him looking over, he smiled and nodded without saying anything. Jing Hongchen somewhat stiffly bowed, then looked at the person who could command the loyalty of even a Level 10 Soul Tool Master.

"May I ask, Your Excellency..."

"Xu Xiao, the illegitimate son in your eyes."

Jing Hongchen hurriedly corrected him. "With this Your Excellency following you, even if you became emperor, no one would dare say anything."

"It seems you know why I asked you here." Seeing that he was a smart man, Xu Xiao gestured for him to continue.

"To be honest, I have little interest in who occupies the Imperial Throne. Mingde Hall has always focused on the field of soul tools."

After saying that, Jing Hongchen cautiously looked at Xu Xiao.

"I was just about to praise you for being clever, yet you immediately start playing dumb."

Xu Xiao smiled calmly.

"I won't beat around the bush with you. If you and Mingde Hall join me, Elder Zu can guide you. As for whether you can break through to Level 10, that will depend on you."

Jing Hongchen did not agree immediately. He knew this young man was not forcing him; even if he refused, he and his granddaughter could return safely. "Could you tell this old man your age and Martial Soul?"

Host: Xu Xiao (6 years old)

Identity: Taiyue Empire Imperial Member (Summon Count +1 per year upon obtaining the Imperial Throne)

Technique: Yang God Technique (9 Little Flames condensed)

Martial Souls: Sun (Extreme Fire!), Double Pupil

Intent: Sun Fist Intent (Beginner)

Soul Power Cultivation: Rank 19 (Soul Master)

Summoned Characters: Xiang Yu, Xiao He, Zu Chongzhi

Available Summon Count: 0

Without hiding anything, Xu Xiao summoned his Sun Martial Soul.

Scorching heat filled the entire room, though Xu Xiao kept it confined to a small area. The instant the Sun Martial Soul appeared, Jing Hongchen's gaze turned vacant.

"Th-this... is actually... Extreme Fire!?"

"And those eyes, are they a second Martial Soul? To think that after awakening only a few months ago, he has already cultivated to Rank 19!"