Ning Fengzhi's Frenzied Meddling, a Deeper Tenderness

Heaven Dou Imperial Palace, Council Hall.

Ning Fengzhi, dressed in white and carrying himself with refined elegance, entered the hall leaning on a gemstone cane. Behind him came Sword Douluo Chen Xin, clad in a white robe and radiating a sharp, imposing aura.

"Greetings, Teacher, Sword Douluo."

Crown Prince Xue Qinghe was also in the hall. Upon seeing the two arrive, he immediately stepped forward and bowed.

Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin gave slight nods in return.

Ning Fengzhi's gaze then passed over Xue Qinghe and settled on Xue Ye, seated upon the dragon throne.

"Ning Fengzhi greets Your Majesty." Ning Fengzhi lowered his head slightly.

"No need for such formalities." Xue Ye raised a hand. "Sect Leader Ning, Sword Douluo, please take your seats."

The Empire's situation was delicate now, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had become an important pillar of support. Xue Ye did not dare show the slightest neglect.

Once the two had taken their seats, Xue Ye asked warmly, "May I ask what brings Sect Leader Ning here today?"

Ning Fengzhi's expression instantly turned solemn.

"Has Your Majesty heard of Jian Xuan, who has recently risen to fame at the Great Soul Arena?"

"Of course." Xue Ye nodded slightly. "I also sent people to investigate him in secret, yet they found nothing. Could it be that Sect Leader Ning knows his origins?"

Ning Fengzhi nodded. "His real name is Ji Xuan, and he comes from Spirit Hall."

"Spirit Hall!" Xue Ye's expression changed drastically as a thought flashed through his mind.

Could Dugu Bo's death have something to do with Ji Xuan?

Xue Qinghe's expression remained unchanged, but inwardly, she was startled.

She had not expected Ning Fengzhi to see through A Xuan's identity.

However, thinking of Grandfather Golden Crocodile, she relaxed.

With Grandfather Golden Crocodile's current Level Ninety-Nine cultivation, even the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would be no match for him.

Ning Fengzhi's tone grew even heavier.

"Today, Uncle Jian and I personally went to watch the Fighting Arena matches. It was only when he released his martial soul that we recognized his identity."

"He should be around ten years old now, yet his Soul Power has already reached Level Thirty-Four."

Ning Fengzhi paused before continuing.

"Most shocking of all, his First Soul Ring was already a thousand-year ring, while his Third Soul Ring had reached the Ten-Thousand-Year level."

"Such talent is unprecedented across the entire continent."

The moment Ning Fengzhi finished speaking, the hall fell into dead silence.

After pondering for a long while, Xue Ye slowly said, "In Sect Leader Ning's view, how should we respond?"

Ning Fengzhi shook his head slightly. "Ji Xuan has a Title Douluo from Spirit Hall at his side. We cannot act rashly."

"Our most urgent task is to determine what exactly he seeks by appearing in Heaven Dou City this time."

Ning Fengzhi paused before continuing.

"Furthermore, Spirit Hall harbors great ambitions and is growing stronger by the day. We should contact the other forces and prepare to face Spirit Hall's future actions together."

"Sect Leader Ning speaks wisely."

Xue Ye looked toward Xue Qinghe. "Qinghe, you will be responsible for secretly investigating Ji Xuan's movements."

"Remember, do not alert him," Xue Ye added.

"This son accepts the decree." Qian Renxue bowed in reply.

Xue Ye nodded slightly, then turned his gaze back to Ning Fengzhi. "Sect Leader Ning, we must rely heavily on your sect in contacting the other forces."

"Rest assured, Your Majesty. Ning Fengzhi will do everything in his power, for the Heaven Dou Empire and for the future balance of the continent."

Ning Fengzhi gave his solemn promise.

"Excellent!"

"Your Majesty, then Ning Fengzhi shall take his leave."

With the matter settled, Ning Fengzhi rose to bid farewell, with Sword Douluo Chen Xin following behind him.

"Take care, Sect Leader Ning."

After Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin departed, Xue Ye slumped weakly against the dragon throne and sighed to himself.

"Qinghe, you may withdraw."

"Yes, Father Emperor."

Night gradually deepened. Crown Prince's Eastern Palace.

Having finished a day of Fighting Arena matches, Ji Xuan and Golden Crocodile Douluo silently descended into the courtyard.

He pushed open the door.

Rather than handling state affairs in Xue Qinghe's form as usual, Qian Renxue sat quietly by the table, as though she had been waiting specifically for his return.

"Xue'er."

A gentle smile appeared on Ji Xuan's face as he walked over and sat beside her.

He naturally reached out and wrapped an arm around Qian Renxue's slender waist.

Qian Renxue leaned her head against Ji Xuan's shoulder and said, "A Xuan, Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo Chen Xin of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect were also at the Great Soul Arena today."

"When you revealed your martial soul and released your Soul Rings, Ning Fengzhi recognized your identity..."

Qian Renxue then recounted in detail the conversation between Ning Fengzhi and Xue Ye in the Council Hall earlier that day.

Ji Xuan listened quietly, with not the slightest hint of surprise on his face.

Ning Fengzhi was nothing more than a shit-stirrer. He had no real strength, yet always loved throwing himself into every matter.

Only after Qian Renxue finished did Ji Xuan smile faintly and raise a hand to gently brush through her smooth golden hair.

"Don't worry about it. They're nothing more than a bunch of clowns."

"Before absolute strength, even if they huddle together for warmth, they are merely praying mantises trying to stop a chariot."

In his heart, his true enemies had never been mundane forces like the Upper Three Sects or the two great empires.

The true foes he would ultimately have to face were those gods who regarded all living beings as pieces on a chessboard.

With Golden Crocodile, a Level Ninety-Nine Limit Douluo, by his side, he could go directly to Notting City and eliminate Tang San now.

But if he eliminated Tang San, perhaps another Zhang San or Li San would emerge in the future, quietly growing in the shadows and bringing even greater variables and threats.

Then, with the enemy hidden and himself exposed, he would lose the advantage of foresight and become even more passive.

It was better to keep everything under control and follow the course of events.

"Xue'er, let's not talk about this..."

Before his words had even faded, Ji Xuan suddenly bent down and swept her up in his arms.

"Ah! You... what are you doing?!"

Qian Renxue clutched Ji Xuan's lapels with both hands and could not help crying out.

"After fighting all day, naturally I'm going to bathe."

Ji Xuan looked down at her flustered expression, a smile curling at his lips.

"But... but I've already bathed."

"Then bathe again."

"I... I don't want to! Put me down!"

Panic rose in Qian Renxue's heart, and a blush immediately spread across her cheeks. She struggled in Ji Xuan's arms, her legs kicking continuously.

Though they had already shared a bed, they had done no more than sleep in each other's embrace.

Yet the more Qian Renxue struggled, the tighter Ji Xuan's arms held her.

Half an hour later.

The bathroom door slowly opened, and Ji Xuan emerged carrying Qian Renxue in his arms.

Qian Renxue had changed into a new nightgown.

Ji Xuan wore a loose bathrobe, exposing his well-defined chest.

The blush had yet to fade from Qian Renxue's cheeks. She leaned limply against Ji Xuan's chest, not daring to raise her head and meet his eyes.

Though they had ultimately kept their restraint.

She had no idea where Ji Xuan had learned those tricks, but he had almost made her...

Even now, recalling it made the tips of her ears burn and her heart race.

Ji Xuan carried Qian Renxue to the bed and gently laid her down.

He lay down beside her as well, drawing Qian Renxue back into his embrace.

"Sleep, Xue'er."

Ji Xuan smiled gently, said nothing more, and closed his eyes.

Qian Renxue did not answer. She merely buried her head in Ji Xuan's chest.

Beneath the moonlight, the two soon drifted into dreams...