Open Rivalry, Welcoming All Comers

The newcomer was none other than the Heaven Dou Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe.

Ever since Jiang Liang returned to Nuoding City, she had received word from her personal guards and hurried over.

She had not expected to witness this scene the moment she arrived.

Especially that line—following only one's heart, without asking about the consequences—it had truly struck a chord with her.

Xue Qinghe laughed wildly in her heart.

Bibi Dong, Bibi Dong! Not even a child is willing to become your disciple. Just how much of a failure are you as Pope?

The moment Yue Guan saw the Heaven Dou Crown Prince, his brows immediately furrowed.

"Your Highness, this is a matter of Spirit Hall."

"But this is within the territory of my Heaven Dou Empire." Xue Qinghe retorted without mercy.

"This child has said that he will not betray Spirit Hall."

"So what? It is merely the status of a Soul Master. The Heaven Dou Empire will not turn away any genius."

As Yue Guan's expression grew darker and darker, the smile on Xue Qinghe's face became increasingly radiant.

She walked over to Jiang Liang, then slowly crouched before him with a kindly smile.

"Little brother, what is so good about going to a place like Spirit Hall?"

"Why not come with me to Heaven Dou City? There are plenty of delicious foods and fun things there."

"Oh, right. Brother also knows a little girl your age."

"She is the young miss of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Rongrong."

As she spoke, she lowered her gaze and glanced at Jiang Liang's Martial Soul, the Cold Moon Sword. Her smile deepened.

"The strongest Sword Martial Soul Soul Master on the Douluo Continent is also in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

"If you come with me to Heaven Dou City, how about I have him take you as his disciple?"

The instant her words fell, Yue Guan burst into laughter beside her.

"Your Highness, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed."

"This child already has a master."

Jiang Liang nodded with a smile. "That's right, Your Highness. I've already found a master."

"And for the time being, I won't be going anywhere either. I only want to stay in Nuoding City and continue keeping Grandpa company."

As he spoke, he edged closer to Ma Xiunuo.

Seeing Jiang Liang's actions, Ma Xiunuo was so moved that his eyes brimmed with tears.

This child was far too sensible, but his sensibility was also heartbreaking.

This decision, identical to the one from before, truly reassured Yue Guan.

He had genuinely been a little worried just now that Jiang Liang would be swayed by the Heaven Dou Crown Prince.

Fortunately, this little brat could still remain true to his original intentions.

Xue Qinghe's expression stiffened, clearly caught off guard.

She believed that the conditions she had offered were already generous enough. She had even brought out the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Yet this child was not tempted in the slightest.

"Little brother, can't you give it some more thought?"

"Spirit City may be nice, but it is far too solemn there."

"How wonderful is Heaven Dou City? There, you can meet even more friends."

Jiang Liang, however, did not care. "I can still meet plenty of friends here."

Yue Guan sneered repeatedly from the side. "Your Highness, I advise you not to waste your efforts. Jiang Liang will always be one of us at Spirit Hall."

"His parents, as well as Ma Xiunuo, are all Soul Masters of Spirit Hall. That is beyond doubt."

Hearing this, Xue Qinghe raised her head and shot him a vicious glare.

Yue Guan, once I return to Heaven Dou City, I'll definitely send Grandpa a letter and make sure he hears all about you!

She gave a cold snort, lowered her head to look at Jiang Liang again, and her voice softened.

"Alright, little brother. Since you've said so, Brother won't force you."

"If you change your mind, you can come to Heaven Dou City and find Brother anytime."

As she spoke, she slowly stood up and beckoned behind her.

Then, a palace maid dressed in court attire entered with her head lowered and handed a Gold Soul Coin Card to Jiang Liang.

"There are a thousand Gold Soul Coins in this card. You may withdraw and use them whenever you wish. Consider it my personal support for you."

"I mean nothing else by it. Nuoding City is rather remote, so with this card, it will be more convenient for you to purchase cultivation resources or daily necessities."

"From now on, I will also send people to deliver some cultivation resources here."

Jiang Liang accepted the Gold Soul Coin Card without hesitation and smiled. "Then thank you, Your Highness!"

Free money was free money. There was no reason not to take it.

Mm, I'll treat it as part of Little Angel's future dowry.

"What an obedient little brother."

Xue Qinghe happily pinched Jiang Liang's chubby little cheek, then raised her brows provocatively at Yue Guan with a smug look.

Yue Guan was so angry that his face turned green.

If anyone else had dared provoke him like this, he would have slapped them to death long ago.

But the other party was the Heaven Dou Crown Prince. He truly did not dare make a move.

He snorted coldly. "It is nothing more than a trifling favor!"

Immediately afterward, he activated his Storage Soul Tool and took out a ring set with nine gemstones.

"Take this Storage Soul Tool. Each of the nine gemstones on it contains three cubic meters of storage space."

"And this Elder Token. From now on, in any grand hall, main hall, or branch hall of Spirit Hall, seeing this token will be the same as seeing me."

"If you run into any trouble, take this Elder Token and ask the others for help."

"If they refuse to help, I'll teach them a lesson for you!"

After saying that, Yue Guan deliberately lifted his chin and looked at Xue Qinghe as if challenging her.

Xue Qinghe was secretly astonished.

This Yue Guan had truly paid a heavy price.

The Storage Soul Tool was nothing much, but the Elder Token represented the authority of a Spirit Hall elder and ranked only below the Pope Token.

Yue Guan had actually given it away so easily.

Jiang Liang, on the other hand, welcomed everything with open arms, his smile dazzlingly bright.

"Thank you, Uncle. Uncle, you really are such a good person."

Yue Guan grew even smugger after being praised. Fortunately, he had no tail, or it would have been sticking up in the sky already.

"Alright, brat. Since you've made your decision, I won't say anything more."

"I must return immediately to see His Holiness the Pope. Make yourselves at home."

"And Ma Xiunuo, you deserve the greatest credit in this matter. I will apply to His Holiness the Pope to increase your cultivation resources."

Ma Xiunuo bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Your Eminence. Take care."

Yue Guan gave a slight nod and walked out of the courtyard without looking back.

Xue Qinghe lightly snorted at his retreating back. When she turned toward Jiang Liang again, she had resumed her gentle appearance.

"Little brother, Brother should be leaving too."

"Remember, if you encounter any difficulties in the future, come to Heaven Dou City and find Brother. Brother will stand up for you, alright?"

She gently rubbed Jiang Liang's head, then turned and left the courtyard as well.

Those two truly came in a hurry and left in a hurry.

But the matter had finally come to an end.

Ma Xiunuo finally let out a sigh of relief.

The confrontation between Xue Qinghe and Yue Guan had nearly scared him to death.

Looking at little Jiang Liang again, he seemed as though nothing had happened. He was even counting his spoils with great interest.

Seeing his money-grubber expression, Ma Xiunuo truly did not know whether to laugh or cry.

Where had this child picked up such a habit?

"Alright, child, put this money away quickly. Don't lose it later."

"I won't lose it. I'm keeping a close eye on it." Jiang Liang chuckled, though that did not stop him from placing the Gold Soul Coin Card into his Storage Soul Tool.

This money was his lifeline now. If he really lost it, he would cry himself to death.