Early Investment

After seeing the shock in Jiang Shengyu's eyes, Jing Hongchen felt a measure of satisfaction.

After all these years, he had finally seen that expression on Jiang Shengyu's face again! Aside from that first year, Jiang Shengyu had always acted remarkably mature, possessing a composure far beyond his age.

Now he looked a little more like a thirteen-year-old boy.

"This is the first Hundred-Thousand-Year Embryo we've ever encountered! Never before has an embryo formed from a Hundred Thousand Year Level soul beast appeared in the world." Jing Hongchen smiled as he spoke to Jiang Shengyu, watching his shocked expression.

A hundred thousand years?

What a joke!

The Snow Empress's cultivation had been at least close to seven hundred thousand years! She was the Ice Sky Snow Empress, ranked third among the Ten Great Ferocious Beasts!

Jiang Shengyu composed himself and looked at Jing Hongchen. "Senior Brother, how do you plan to deal with this Hundred-Thousand-Year Embryo? A soul beast at this level possesses intelligence no less than that of a human."

"Of course, it's meant for you!" Jing Hongchen said with a smile.

"For me?" Jiang Shengyu froze for a moment.

Jing Hongchen nodded. "Although your and Qingtong's cultivation methods are special, allowing you to add Soul Rings without hunting soul beasts, Soul Bones are still a problem. You may be researching other cultivation methods, but what if you fail? This Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast embryo can serve as an alternative for you and Qingtong."

"Why..." Jiang Shengyu frowned, but Jing Hongchen cut him off just as he was about to ask.

"You want to ask why I'm not saving it for Xiao and Meng, don't you?"

Jiang Shengyu nodded.

Yes, why wasn't Jing Hongchen leaving it for Xiao Hongchen or Meng Hongchen?

No matter what, those two siblings were his grandson and granddaughter. Jiang Shengyu was merely his junior brother.

"Hehe..."

Jing Hongchen laughed. "After following our teacher and studying for so many years, your Senior Brother knows what is most beneficial to the Sun Moon Empire! Xiao and Meng's talents may seem impressive within the Sun Moon Empire, but compared to you two siblings, they simply don't measure up."

"If you become strong, the Sun Moon Empire will become strong. And once the Sun Moon Empire grows strong, the Hongchen Family, with you backing it, will prosper even more! So yes, I have selfish motives too! Just think of it as your Senior Brother making an early investment in his junior brother."

Jing Hongchen gave a reasonable explanation.

He saw things very clearly. If Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong had not existed, he might truly have saved this Hundred-Thousand-Year Embryo for either Xiao Hongchen or Meng Hongchen. But now, he had a better choice.

Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong had grown up alongside Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen, and their bond ran deep. On top of that, the siblings possessed talents rarely seen in the world. Once they matured, whether through protection or support, they would be enough to sustain the Hongchen Family for centuries!

To reach the position of Hall Master of Mingde Hall, Jing Hongchen naturally had to be able to see the future clearly.

After listening to Jing Hongchen, Jiang Shengyu pondered for a moment before nodding. "Don't worry, Senior Brother. I won't disappoint you! With me around, both the Hongchen Family and the Sun Moon Empire will flourish! Of course, I have one small request."

"What is it?"

Hearing that Jiang Shengyu had a small request, Jing Hongchen furrowed his brow slightly, surprised.

Jiang Shengyu continued, "The next time you return to Bright Capital, give Xiao Hongchen a good beating. Tell him to stop challenging my sister and me to fights every day. He may not be tired of it, but I am!"

Hearing Jiang Shengyu complain about Xiao Hongchen, Jing Hongchen burst out laughing.

So that was what this was about!

It seemed he no longer needed to worry about the relationship between the Jiang Family and the Hongchen Family.

Jiang Shengyu's gaze fell upon the Snow Empress's Embryo again. "Senior Brother, what are you doing with this embryo now?"

"Just some basic research. We also want to understand the secrets between soul beasts and Soul Masters—why soul beasts can produce Soul Rings and Soul Bones for Soul Masters to cultivate with..." Jing Hongchen looked at the embryo placed on the platform and spoke slowly.

"Any results?" Jiang Shengyu asked curiously.

Jing Hongchen shook his head. "Of course not! How could there be results so easily? You've researched this for so many years and even used yourself as a sample, yet you still haven't figured it out. We've only had this embryo for two months."

"Give the embryo to me. I'll study it," Jiang Shengyu said to Jing Hongchen.

Hearing that, Jing Hongchen snorted. "Brat, can't wait to get your hands on it, can you? It's not that your Senior Brother is reluctant to part with it, but with that little body of yours, even with the support of a Rank Nine Soul Tool, can you control this Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast embryo? Its consciousness may still be asleep, but that doesn't mean it can be studied casually."

"Don't worry, Senior Brother. I have so many things on me for protecting my life and defending myself that it won't be able to kill me. Besides, I won't be running around. I'll either be in Bright Capital or here, surrounded by Titled Douluo experts. If things really go wrong, I'll just call for help!" Jiang Shengyu said with a grin.

After hearing Jiang Shengyu's words, Jing Hongchen gave an acknowledging hum and asked, "You really want it?"

Jiang Shengyu nodded. "Yes. Isn't it still asleep? We should study it more while it hasn't awakened."

Seeing Jiang Shengyu's expression, Jing Hongchen considered it for a moment. In the end, he turned around and removed the embryo from the control of the Rank Nine Soul Tool. He personally added several more layers of seals to it before saying, "Take it, then. Be careful. It bears seals placed by the four of us Titled Douluo. There shouldn't be any major problems."

Although, aside from Jing Hongchen, the other three were only low-level Titled Douluo around Rank Ninety or Ninety-One, they were Titled Douluo nonetheless. The seals they laid down still had some effect.

Jiang Shengyu agreed and left the underground chamber with the Snow Empress's Embryo, returning to his bedroom.

He stared at the Snow Empress Embryo before him, clicking his tongue and shaking his head. "I never expected that this time, Mingde Hall would pick up your embryo for this reason. Should I say your luck is terrible, or that it's too good? Even though history has changed, you still ended up in my Senior Brother's hands."

At this moment, the Snow Empress's consciousness was still asleep and did not react to Jiang Shengyu's words.

The deep-blue embryo, like cold marrow, flickered with an icy blue glow.

A smile also appeared on Jiang Qingtong's face as she traveled with Huo Yuhao.

Huo Yuhao noticed Jiang Qingtong smiling and asked, "Cousin, what are you laughing about?"

"I thought of something happy." After hearing Huo Yuhao's question, Jiang Qingtong gave a light cough and replied.

Huo Yuhao was confused. "What happy thing?"

"Nothing... nothing." Jiang Qingtong shook her head, rubbed her cheeks, and asked, "Yuhao, what exactly are you going to do? We've walked so far already. Are we not there yet?"