A One-Month Promise

As Ning Rongrong's Martial Soul awakening came to an end, the atmosphere at the banquet grew even livelier.

The guests left their seats and gathered in small groups to chat.

Amid clinking cups and exchanged toasts, some discussed cooperation while others plotted their future development.

Su Yu sat beside Qian Renxue, watching with interest as people came over to ingratiate themselves.

He failed to notice that, at the table across from him, two pairs of green eyes were also sizing him up.

"Grandpa, are you saying this little brother might have Innate Full Soul Power?"

Dugu Bo nodded. "That's right. Judging by how highly Xue Qinghe values him, he is almost certainly Innate Full Soul Power."

Dugu Yan said with a grin, "Grandpa, is it possible that Heaven Dou Empire simply has too few high-level combatants, which is why they value Su Yu so much?"

Dugu Bo smiled but did not refute his granddaughter's view.

After pondering for a moment, Dugu Yan rose to her feet.

Seeing that her grandfather did not stop her, she headed straight toward the opposite table.

Su Yu looked uncertain, unable to understand what Dugu Yan was planning.

Dugu Yan made her way around the crowd and stopped before Qian Renxue and Su Yu's table. "Your Highness the Crown Prince, you do not mind if I have a chat with Junior Su, do you?"

Qian Renxue waved a hand. "Of course not. Please, Miss Dugu."

"Junior Su, you have visited the library so many times. What books have you been reading?"

Su Yu became wary inwardly, though none of it showed on his face.

In his view, he would eventually have to approach Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan for the Immortal Herbs of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.

But he should have been the one taking the initiative, not having them come looking for him like this.

"Just ordinary Soul Beast Illustrated Handbooks. Nothing worth mentioning."

"Soul Beast Illustrated Handbooks?"

Dugu Yan pressed, "Didn't Junior Su only just break through to become a Soul Master? Are you already choosing a Second Soul Ring so early?"

Su Yu did not wish to continue discussing the matter and answered perfunctorily, "I was only browsing and learning to recognize more soul beasts. I was not searching for a target soul beast for my Second Soul Ring."

At those words, a trace of cunning flashed through Dugu Yan's eyes. "If you merely wanted to deepen your understanding of soul beasts, you could learn that in class. There was no need to go all the way to the library and specifically look through those books, was there?"

Qian Renxue came to his rescue. "Actually, Xue Ke has been too mischievous. Before even awakening her Martial Soul, she kept pestering Su Yu to find a suitable soul beast for her First Soul Ring. Please forgive her foolishness, Miss Dugu."

Dugu Yan immediately recalled that she had first noticed Su Yu because she had seen him holding Xue Ke's hand, which had sparked her curiosity.

Reluctantly accepting the explanation, Dugu Yan nodded. "I see."

Just then, Ning Fengzhi also walked over.

Ning Rongrong followed beside her father in tiny skipping steps.

"It sounds like Little Friend Su has a very good relationship with Her Highness Xue Ke."

Qian Renxue said, "They are the same age, so naturally they get along better."

Ning Fengzhi smiled faintly. "Little Friend Su and Rongrong are the same age as well. They can spend more time together in the future."

Then Ning Fengzhi lowered his gaze to his daughter. "Rongrong, Little Friend Su has Innate Soul Power Rank Nine just like you. He obtained his First Soul Ring after only one month."

Ning Rongrong blinked her large eyes. "One month? Rongrong can break through to Rank Ten too! Daddy, do you want to make a bet with Rongrong?"

Seeing how childish Ning Rongrong seemed, Qian Renxue advised, "Junior Sister Rongrong, Support-type Soul Masters cultivate more slowly to begin with. Do not force yourself..."

"Hmph~"

Ning Rongrong lifted her chin. "I will not be forcing myself at all! Daddy, are you betting or not?"

Ning Fengzhi chuckled. "Fine. If Rongrong really manages it, Daddy will put aside the sect's affairs and play with Rongrong for a month!"

Ning Rongrong's face lit up. "Really?"

Ning Fengzhi nodded, then changed the subject. "But if you fail, Rongrong will attend Heaven Dou Royal Academy from now on."

"Huh?"

Dugu Yan's expression turned strange as she calculated silently.

If Ning Rongrong won, Ning Fengzhi would need to give up one month of his time.

If Ning Rongrong lost, she would have to sit in a junior academy for six years like a prisoner!

Dugu Yan secretly grumbled that, as the head of a sect, Ning Fengzhi was actually tricking his six-year-old daughter!

Seeing Ning Rongrong remain silent for so long, Ning Fengzhi provoked her. "What is it? Is Rongrong scared?"

At those words, Ning Rongrong immediately craned her neck and declared, "Then I will go to school! I am not scared!"

Ning Fengzhi nodded and looked toward Su Yu. "In that case, let us ask Little Friend Su to bear witness. What do you think?"

Su Yu stared in disbelief, then raised his right hand and pointed at himself. "Me?"

A hint of scrutiny appeared in Ning Fengzhi's eyes as he smiled. "Didn't you break through one rank in a month back then?"

Su Yu grumbled inwardly, but he still nodded and agreed.

Then he suddenly remembered that, one month later, it also seemed to be the time Aornia had said she would break through to Rank Ten.

"Then it is settled!"

Ning Rongrong shook Ning Fengzhi's arm. "When the time comes, Daddy has to accompany Rongrong out to hunt soul beasts, and we have to play outside for a whole month before coming back!"

Ning Fengzhi stroked his daughter's soft hair and nodded slightly.

Before long, the banquet came to an end.

The many guests took their leave and departed from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Su Yu and Qian Renxue sat in a carriage heading toward Heaven Dou City.

After a moment of silence, Su Yu spoke first. "Brother Xue, Aornia may be able to break through to Rank Ten in one month."

Qian Renxue instantly understood what Su Yu meant and asked, "What are you planning?"

Su Yu said, "According to our earlier plan, we would help her obtain a thousand-year Second Soul Ring in exchange for her absorbing the First Soul Ring I recommend, but..."

Qian Renxue picked up where he left off. "But even if you can persuade her to trust you, it would be difficult for her to explain it to Marquis Full Moon."

"If she reveals your terms, the secret of the Whale Glue will be exposed."

"That is what you are worried about, right?"

Su Yu nodded. "If it were only Aornia and me, it would be much simpler."

"But she is Marquis Full Moon's daughter, and I can probably represent you to a certain extent as well."

"On top of that, Aornia's complicated family situation..."

Thinking of this, Su Yu immediately felt a headache coming on and could not help muttering, "What kind of lunatic parents do not like their own child? Is it just because she did not perfectly inherit your Martial Soul? What lunatics..."

Although Su Yu's voice was already very low, Qian Renxue, with her sharp senses, still heard every word.

Her gaze dimmed, and her mood sank with it.

"Yes... How could there be a mother who did not like her own child..."

Su Yu's mind instantly cleared, and his heart skipped a beat.

I'm screwed!