After chatting for about half an hour, a servant's voice came from outside. "Your Majesty, all the guests for the banquet have arrived. Please proceed to the banquet hall."
Xue Ye rose to his feet, walked over to Chen Chu, and patted him on the shoulder. "Come, go with me. I'll introduce you to some friends. It'll be easier to get things done in the imperial capital if you know more people."
Chen Chu rose as well and followed behind Xue Ye and Xue Qinghe toward the banquet hall. The moment they entered, every gaze turned toward them in unison. After everyone had finished paying their respects, they looked at the young man beside His Majesty and the Crown Prince, all revealing a trace of confusion.
Who was that? He could actually walk alongside the Emperor and the Crown Prince. Could he be the prince of some kingdom?
Several nobles who had previously been gathered around Ning Fengzhi quietly slipped away, clearly intending to inquire into Chen Chu's identity.
Ning Fengzhi noticed this as well. His scepter paused in his hand as he looked at the young man beside the Crown Prince, curiosity deepening in his eyes. Just who was this person, to be valued so highly by the imperial family?
Xue Ye walked to the seat of honor in the banquet hall and sat down, with Xue Qinghe and Prince Xue Xing seated on either side. Xue Ye raised a hand in signal, and the servant immediately struck the Golden Bell. The banquet hall fell silent in an instant.
Xue Ye went straight to the head seat, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the hall. His voice was not loud, but it carried the authority unique to an emperor. "Today's banquet is simply for everyone to better interact with one another. Please make yourselves at home."
"Since we are gathered here, let me introduce a young talent of the empire."
He then turned toward Chen Chu, who stood beside the Crown Prince, and raised his hand in indication. "This is Chen Chu. Though he has only recently arrived in the imperial capital, he possesses a righteous heart and exceptional talent. He is already a Heaven Dou Rank instructor at Heaven Dou Royal Academy, and he is now an Imperial Earl."
"Everyone, let me emphasize this once more. The empire welcomes all capable young talents with ambition who wish to serve the nation."
Xue Ye still had some energy left in him, and he was still hoping to recruit more gifted talents for the empire to protect the imperial family.
"Therefore, I have decided to select a suitable Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone from the treasury and bestow it upon Chen Chu as encouragement!"
His words landed heavily, and the expressions of everyone in the hall shifted slightly. When the imperial family had recruited outsiders in the past, they usually offered money, beauties, status, and position. This time, they had given him all of that and added a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone on top. Its significance was clearly different.
Ning Fengzhi rose with his cane in hand, stepped forward, and bowed. "Your Majesty's desire to recruit outstanding talents truly earns the admiration of us all."
Ning Fengzhi turned around, his gaze falling on Chen Chu. His tone carried a measure of solemnity. "Young Friend Chen has only just entered the imperial capital, yet he has already received such high regard from Your Majesty and has even been bestowed a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone. This shows how much Your Majesty treasures talent. I shall first congratulate Imperial Earl Chen. If there is ever anything the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect can help with, young friend, feel free to speak."
As soon as he said this, everyone in the hall echoed his sentiments and expressed their goodwill. A Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone was extraordinarily precious on Douluo Continent. Even core disciples of the great sects might not obtain one so easily.
Yet Chen Chu, an outsider who had only just arrived in the imperial capital, had received such a reward directly. Such favor was truly rare, and it indirectly showed that this young man was likely quite remarkable.
"For Sect Master Ning to think so highly of this junior, Chu is deeply honored. I will certainly visit your sect in the future. I only hope Sect Master Ning will not find me unwelcome."
Ning Fengzhi had stepped up to support him right away, so Chen Chu could not just remain silent. He had to come forward and express his thanks. After all, everyone knew that Ning Fengzhi was about to take Xue Qinghe as his disciple. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Heaven Dou Imperial Family were currently in their honeymoon period.
The moment Xue Ye finished speaking, Ning Fengzhi had stepped out. He had joined in immediately when the group was formed—what more was there to say?
"Hehe, young friend, come whenever you wish. The gates of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will always be open to you!" Ning Fengzhi glanced at the satisfied Xue Ye and nodded.
The others followed suit and voiced their support. For a time, the hall was filled with displays of goodwill toward Chen Chu.
"Uncle Jian, what is it? Is there something wrong with that little fellow?" After Ning Fengzhi had spoken with Xue Ye and the others for a while, he found a place to sit and asked the white-haired old man beside him.
The man had a face like jade and emanated a peculiar aura. Standing there, he resembled a straight, razor-sharp sword. He was none other than Sword Douluo—Chen Xin!
Only then did Chen Xin shift his attention away from Chen Chu. "There is an intense Blood Fiend Energy around him, even stronger than that of ordinary Evil Soul Masters."
"What!" Ning Fengzhi's heart jolted at Chen Xin's words. He looked again at the man conversing with others in the distance, but this time, his gaze was filled with scrutiny.
"Why can't I sense it at all? Blood Fiend Energy of that level should be obvious and impossible to conceal. Uncle Jian, can you be absolutely certain? He is a genius Xue Ye personally brought forth, and our relationship with the Heaven Dou Imperial Family is at a critical stage."
Chen Xin's face was stern and his tone exceptionally serious. "This feeling cannot be mistaken. It is indeed very powerful Blood Fiend Energy. However, I do not know how he has concealed it. If my Seven Kill Sword were not extremely sensitive to it, I truly would have misjudged him."
"This... let us not rush. We should go take a look." Ning Fengzhi gestured for Sword Douluo to follow him and slowly made his way toward Xue Ye.
He then told Xue Ye of Sword Douluo's discovery. Xue Ye's expression changed, instantly turning grave as he looked toward Chen Chu below the platform with disbelief.
"Your Majesty, I believe this matter is best handled in private. After the banquet, we can confront him face-to-face. If there truly is a problem, we can eliminate the hidden danger early. That would at least be a blessing amid misfortune."
Xue Ye did not hesitate much at Ning Fengzhi's suggestion and nodded. "Then I will trouble Sect Master Ning with this matter."
By this point, Xue Ye already believed it to some extent. He knew Sword Douluo's strength. A Titled Douluo should not be mistaken. Besides, for someone so young to be a Soul Emperor, it was indeed nearly impossible for an ordinary soul master. Only an Evil Soul Master could possibly achieve it.
Losing a genius would certainly be a pity, but if he had truly raised a demon at his side, it could cost lives.
Xue Ye's hand, holding the wine cup, froze in midair. Fine ripples spread across the wine.
When he raised his eyes again to look at Chen Chu, who was exchanging pleasantries with others in the hall, his brows furrowed slightly. "Sect Master Ning, I trust Sword Douluo's judgment. But if this matter gets out, it may unsettle people's hearts and give those with ulterior motives an opening."
Ning Fengzhi nodded. "Your Majesty's concerns are entirely justified. The banquet is not yet over, so let us proceed as planned for now. Once the guests have departed, we can summon Chen Chu to the Imperial Study for a detailed discussion. With Uncle Jian at our side, even if he truly has a problem, we can handle it calmly."
Chen Xin stood at Ning Fengzhi's side. Though his Seven Kill Sword martial soul had not been released, a faintly sharp aura had already gathered around him. "Rest assured, Your Majesty. So long as he dares make a move, my sword will not give him the chance."
Xue Ye took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his heart as he raised his wine cup again. "Then we shall proceed as Sect Master Ning suggests. Today's banquet must not spoil everyone's mood." With that, he raised his cup in gesture. The noise in the hall gradually resumed, but the gravity in his eyes could no longer be concealed.
Halfway through the banquet, Xue Ye left under an excuse, with Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin following close behind. Chen Chu noticed, but did not think much of it. He merely assumed the old man was somewhat frail and could not stay up late.
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