Registered Disciple, Qian Renxue Receives News

Ling Qianyue felt a wave of disappointment and sighed. "You want others to do the work, Senior, yet you refuse to give them any benefits. Isn't that beneath Your Excellency's status?"

Dugu Bo rose to his feet and snorted. "I do as I please. If I say I'm not giving you this Dan Pearl, then I'm not giving it to you."

Ling Qianyue shook his head. "But you should at least offer some compensation. After all, Your Excellency, you wouldn't want your granddaughter to know what kind of person her grandfather is, would you?"

"Heh, what a temper I have." Dugu Bo raised a hand and pressed it onto his shoulder, narrowing his eyes. "Kid, I have to admit, you've got guts. And I quite like that temperament of yours. Your talent is also exceptional. Why not stay and become my disciple? Having a Titled Douluo as your teacher is something countless Soul Masters outside wouldn't dare dream of."

Ling Qianyue patted the hand Dugu Bo had placed on his shoulder and met his gaze, speaking solemnly.

"Your Excellency, on Douluo Continent, taking a master is a lifelong matter. Aside from teachers within an academy, once one takes a master and becomes a disciple, one may never enter another's tutelage for the rest of one's life. The word 'master' carries a weight as great as Mount Tai. Though I am young, I understand the respect and commitments that should exist between master and disciple. I am naturally deeply honored that you wish to accept me as your disciple, Senior, but I have considerations of my own."

"Oh?" Dugu Bo raised a brow and looked at Ling Qianyue with interest. "Then tell me. What are these considerations?"

"My martial soul's nature runs contrary to yours, Senior. I'm afraid I cannot learn your poison arts."

"You brat." Dugu Bo stroked his beard. "How about this? I'll first take you on as a Registered Disciple. I will teach you martial soul theory, cultivation knowledge, and even certain methods of using poison. Once we resolve the concerns between us in the future, you may leave whenever you wish. We can consider it a bond forged between us."

Ling Qianyue bowed and offered a salute. "Greetings, Teacher."

"Mhm."

Dugu Bo nodded in satisfaction, looking Ling Qianyue over from head to toe. His eyes suddenly lit up. "Kid Ling, how old are you again this year?"

"A few months short of ten."

"Emmm." Dugu Bo furrowed his brow and muttered quietly, "Eight years apart? Not too much of a problem, but Yan Yan... emmm."

Forget it. I'll see whether there's an opportunity later, Dugu Bo muttered inwardly.

"Qianyao, since you have become my disciple, I ought to give you a gift upon becoming master and disciple. But I don't know much about your martial soul's abilities. Just tell me—what do you want?"

Ling Qianyue turned his gaze toward the Ruyi Hundred Treasures Pouch hanging at Dugu Bo's waist, the Storage Soul Tool capable of storing living creatures.

Following his gaze, Dugu Bo's mouth twitched. He said irritably, "Pick something else."

Ling Qianyue curled his lips and feigned regret. "Then keep it for now. When I need something in the future, I'll ask you for it, Elder."

People always preferred compromises. Since Dugu Bo would not give him that treasure, Ling Qianyue could naturally settle for a lesser request, which Dugu Bo would agree to.

"Fine."

As they walked out of the Medicine Garden, Dugu Bo and Ling Qianyue strolled side by side, looking thoroughly harmonious.

Meng Shenji could not help finding it strange. Had Dugu Bo taken the wrong medicine? That eccentric old man was actually smiling at someone else.

He quickly stepped forward with a smile. "Your Excellency Dugu, was Qianyao able to help?"

Dugu Bo shot Meng Shenji a glance and snorted. "Since when was it your place to inquire into my affairs?"

Meng Shenji smiled awkwardly and waved his hand. "Please do not take offense, Your Excellency. I was merely concerned about Qianyao. After all, he is one of our academy's future elites."

"Hmph. At least you know your place." Dugu Bo gave a light snort, then turned to Ling Qianyue. "Qianyao, now that you have taken me as your master, come find me whenever you have questions about cultivation in the future. But remember, you must not casually reveal your master's affairs to outsiders."

Ling Qianyue nodded solemnly. "Rest assured, Teacher."

"Huh?" Meng Shenji's eyes widened. "Your Excellency, you... really accepted him as your disciple?" His face was full of disbelief as his gaze shifted back and forth between Dugu Bo and Ling Qianyue.

Dugu Bo frowned slightly and cast Meng Shenji a sidelong look, displeased. "What? Do I need your permission to accept a disciple? Meng Shenji, aren't you meddling a little too much?"

Meng Shenji froze, then gave a bitter smile and shook his head. "No, I'm simply too surprised."

His heart bled. He had originally planned to accept Ling Qianyue as his disciple himself. Yet such a genius student had been snatched away by Dugu Bo just like that.

Meng Shenji sighed and forced out a smile. "Congratulations, Your Excellency."

Seeing Meng Shenji's expression, Dugu Bo said smugly, "Looks like someone was beaten to the punch by me. Since you're close to the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, you can make my acceptance of Qianyao as a disciple known to the public. I truly do not wish to see that fellow Xue Xing unless there is something important. Remember this: from now on, I'm backing this little fellow Ling Qianyue in Heaven Dou City."

"A Registered Disciple," Ling Qianyue corrected.

Dugu Bo waved a hand indifferently. "Same thing, same thing."

When Meng Shenji heard that he was only a Registered Disciple, his eyes lit up.

Crown Prince's Estate.

"Your Highness, this news has just arrived from Heaven Dou Royal Academy." A guard hurried into the study of the Crown Prince's Estate and handed a letter to the Crown Prince, "Xue Qinghe," who sat at his desk in contemplation.

Qian Renxue accepted the letter and opened it. Her brows gradually furrowed, and a shadow flashed through her eyes.

"You may leave."

"Yes."

Qian Renxue tapped on the desk. "Ling Qianyue, the Shattered Star Sword, a Thousand-Year Second Soul Ring... could it be him?"

She took a portrait and a list from her Soul Tool.

Several names on the list had been circled in vermilion ink, with the name "Ling Qianyue" standing out especially. The portrait depicted Ling Qianyue and Zhu Zhuqing standing before that shop.

"The direction roughly matches as well."

"By tomorrow, I should know. I'd like to see whether your disguise can hold up."

A playful smile curled at her lips. Then, she summoned a trusted guard and instructed him in a low voice, "Go to Heaven Dou Royal Academy and convey my invitation. Tell them that the Crown Prince's Estate is specially inviting Ling Qianyue and Zhu Zhuqing to visit tomorrow."

"By your command, Your Highness." After receiving the order, the guard bowed and withdrew from the study.

The next day, before the Crown Prince's Estate.

"Please follow me, you two." A guard dressed in a brocade robe embroidered with silver patterns bowed and led the way.

After passing through the gardens, Ling Qianyue and Zhu Zhuqing arrived at the reception hall, where the guard withdrew.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Qian Renxue was holding a brush and reviewing memorials. Seeing the two arrive, she rose with a smile to greet them.

"I heard that Heaven Dou Academy had gained two genius Soul Masters. Now that I see you today..." Her gaze lingered briefly on Zhu Zhuqing before swiftly sweeping over Ling Qianyue. "You are far more handsome and spirited than in the portrait. Sit, both of you."

She clapped her hands. Several maids then filed inside, carrying exquisite tea snacks and fragrant tea. They gently placed them on the tables before withdrawing.