Xue Qinghe (Please Follow)

"Zhao Yun, from now on, you only need to stay by my side and protect me."

Ling Feng rose to his feet and spoke to Zhao Yun, who stood before him like a god of war.

Zhao Yun was an existence created by the system, powerful to the point of near defiance of heaven. The system had granted Zhao Yun absolute loyalty to him; betrayal was impossible.

"Now that I have help, the next phase of the plan can be carried out."

Ling Feng narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze turning dark and unreadable.

On this continent, there was a place like a mysterious hall containing endless treasures, capable of rapidly increasing a Soul Master's strength: the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

In the past, the powerful Poison Douluo, Dugu Bo, had occupied that place, leaving him hesitant to approach it.

Now that Zhao Yun was helping him, the Poison Douluo was nothing more than a paper tiger before Zhao Yun, incapable of causing any trouble.

After a busy day, Ling Feng was exhausted in both body and mind. He meditated briefly.

A moment later, sleepiness washed over him like a tide, and he sank directly into a sweet dream.

The following day, the sun shone brightly.

Within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Sect Main Hall, the atmosphere was solemn and dignified.

Today, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect welcomed a special guest. He was a young man dressed in splendid robes, his short golden hair gleaming beneath the sunlight, his entire body exuding the noble air of royalty.

This young man was Xue Qinghe, the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire.

Ning Fengzhi, the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, had received word early in the morning that Xue Qinghe would be visiting.

Because of the Imperial Crown Prince's arrival, he had come to the Sect Main Hall early.

"Teacher."

Xue Qinghe stepped into the hall and gave Ning Fengzhi a slight bow. His movements were elegant and proper, fully displaying royal bearing.

He had indeed come today because there was an extremely important matter he wished to ask about.

"Qinghe, it has been a long time. Have you been well lately?"

Ning Fengzhi greeted him with a smile, his eyes full of concern for his disciple.

"I have been well."

Xue Qinghe replied softly.

"I came to visit you today, Teacher, because I have a question."

Xue Qinghe's voice was gentle, but his brows were slightly furrowed, as though he were troubled by a fog of uncertainty.

"Are you here to ask about the Soul Ring Pavilion?"

At that moment, Ning Fengzhi, relying on his many years of understanding of Xue Qinghe, keenly discerned what was on his mind and answered for him directly.

Recently, news of the Soul Ring Pavilion's preparations for opening had spread throughout Douluo Continent with great fanfare, drawing countless eyes.

If nothing unexpected happened, some of the top forces on Douluo Continent should already know of this newly emerging power, the Soul Ring Pavilion.

"That's right. The Soul Ring Pavilion has opened in the very center of the Heaven Dou Empire, yet despite investigations from many sides, no one has been able to find the person behind it."

Xue Qinghe laid out his doubts and concerns one by one. As for whether it was pure curiosity or tinged with a trace of vigilance, perhaps only he himself knew.

"I had no intention of concealing this information. In a few days, the news will spread across all of Douluo Continent anyway. To be honest, the Soul Ring Pavilion is a force jointly established by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the person behind the Soul Ring Pavilion."

Ning Fengzhi spoke slowly, trying to reassure Xue Qinghe with his calm tone.

"The Soul Ring Pavilion is only responsible for selling soul rings. It will not pose any threat to the Heaven Dou Empire."

He understood that, as the Empire's Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe paid particular attention to any factor that might affect the Empire's stability.

And the Soul Ring Pavilion was still in the early stages of development, its foundation shallow. It could not pose any substantial threat to the other forces of Douluo Continent.

"Selling soul rings? What do you mean?"

This time, it was Xue Qinghe's turn to be surprised.

In his understanding, soul rings had always been obtained by killing soul beasts, after which Soul Masters absorbed the soul rings left behind by those soul beasts to increase their strength. This was a rule that had been passed down on Douluo Continent for countless years.

Could the Soul Ring Pavilion possess some unique method?

Did it sell soul beasts for Soul Masters to kill and obtain soul rings themselves?

Or perhaps...

"What if I told you that these soul rings could be obtained without killing soul beasts?"

Ning Fengzhi smiled mysteriously, his expression inscrutable.

"How is that possible?"

Xue Qinghe could not help but abruptly rise to his feet, his face filled with shock and confusion.

As far as he knew, Soul Masters on Douluo Continent generally increased their strength by killing soul beasts and absorbing soul rings. Of course, there were also the even rarer God-bestowed Soul Rings.

But God-bestowed Soul Rings were not something one could obtain easily. Across all of Douluo Continent, only a handful of people were fortunate enough to come into contact with them.

Other than these two traditional methods of obtaining soul rings, could there really be another way?

This completely overturned his understanding of the Soul Master cultivation system formed over many years.

"That is the truth. What the Soul Ring Pavilion sells are soul rings extracted from living soul beasts, and anyone can absorb them."

Ning Fengzhi slowly explained as he watched Xue Qinghe's shocked expression. Every word was like a boulder thrown into a still lake, stirring up waves upon waves.

"It's actually true!"

A flash of shock passed through Xue Qinghe's eyes, but he was, after all, the Empire's Crown Prince, and he quickly regained his composure.

At the same time, he felt somewhat annoyed with himself, silently blaming himself for having lost his composure just now.

He could hardly be blamed for being shocked. Extracting soul rings from living soul beasts—what kind of earth-shattering method was that?

It was simply unimaginable.

Just what kind of powerful existence possessed such an ability?

"Teacher, can you tell me who it is that can extract soul rings from soul beasts?"

A sharp glint flashed through Xue Qinghe's eyes as he asked curiously.

"That would not be convenient to reveal. The other party asked our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to keep it secret. The reason he can extract soul rings from soul beasts is merely a unique trait of his martial soul; no one else can do it."

"Unfortunately, he can only extract Hundred Year and Thousand Year Soul Rings."

Ning Fengzhi shook his head slightly, a trace of apology appearing on his face.

Ling Feng had repeatedly warned him beforehand not to reveal any information about him to others.

"I was presumptuous."

Xue Qinghe nodded gently, though he felt somewhat disappointed.

However, he also secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, the other party's martial soul could only extract Hundred Year and Thousand Year Soul Rings.

If it could truly extract Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings, the balance of power among the forces of Douluo Continent would likely undergo earth-shaking changes.

At that time, the existing balance among the major forces would be completely shattered, and a storm of bloodshed might sweep across the entire continent.

"The Soul Ring Pavilion will open in a few days."

Ning Fengzhi continued.

"Then I will certainly come and show my support."

Xue Qinghe replied with a smile.

No matter what, the Soul Ring Pavilion had already become an emerging force on Douluo Continent that could not be ignored. He had to see it for himself in order to better judge its impact on the Empire.

"There are still matters to handle at the Imperial Palace. This student will take his leave first."

Having obtained the information he wanted, Xue Qinghe bid farewell.