Douluo Traversal, I Pulled Out a Dou Technique—Didn't You Explode?

"That's right, I broke through to the Dou Zhe realm, but I don't have a good cultivation method, so I can only find a faction to join."

"Let me see your Dou Qi."

Liu Bai extended a hand, and a milky-white cyclone condensed in his palm.

"You really haven't cultivated any method."

She nodded.

"Get on. I'm returning to the Imperial Capital too, so I'll take you with me."

"Huh?"

"Hmm?"

"Oh."

With a helpless look on his face, he was directly lifted onto the horse by Yao Ye. He sat in front while Yao Ye sat behind him.

No, this wasn't right, was it?

Was it really okay for her to be this dashing?

"Um, miss, I can actually walk by myself."

Yao Ye fell silent for two seconds before speaking.

"Aren't you looking to join a faction? My name is Yao Ye. Since you want to join one, join the Jia Ma Imperial Family."

"Uh, shouldn't you consider what I think first?"

"Name your conditions."

Good lord, Yao Ye was determined to recruit him into the Jia Ma Imperial Family.

Still, the Jia Ma Imperial Family seemed pretty good. Its strength might not necessarily be inferior to the Misty Cloud Sect, and more importantly, there was no old schemer like Protector Wu hiding within the Jia Ma Imperial Family.

He wouldn't have to worry about suddenly having his soul ripped out someday.

But then again, how had he happened to run into Yao Ye?

A short while later, another squad of soldiers on warhorses arrived beside Yao Ye.

"Your Highness."

Yao Ye nodded.

At this point, she was not yet the commander of the Imperial Guards. She had merely come out to gain experience, never expecting to pick up a genius along the way.

The soldier looked somewhat strangely at Liu Bai in Yao Ye's arms.

Liu Bai only wanted to find a crack in the ground and crawl into it.

My dignity!

I'm a man! How could I sit in a woman's arms?!

"Your Highness, I think I can ride a horse by myself."

Yao Ye raised an eyebrow, then looked at one of the soldiers.

The man immediately understood and dismounted at once.

Liu Bai jumped down from the horse and vaulted onto that mount.

This was his first time riding a horse in this life, and it really did feel rather novel.

"Can you ride?"

"No, but it shouldn't be that difficult, right?"

Yao Ye nodded.

"Then keep up."

Yao Ye took the lead, charging off first.

Seeing this, Liu Bai urged his horse after her.

Even if he had never eaten pork, hadn't he at least seen pigs run?

It took Liu Bai only a little while to learn how to ride.

Not bad. No wonder people on the Dou Qi Continent liked Dou Qi Transformation Horses. This feeling was genuinely great.

They traveled swiftly, arriving at the Jia Ma Empire's Imperial Capital in less than half a day.

Yao Ye rode all the way through the Imperial Capital's bustling streets with Liu Bai in tow, ignoring the curious looks of passersby as they headed straight for the heavily guarded Imperial Palace.

The guards at the gate clearly recognized the princess. After respectfully saluting, they quickly let them through.

Within the Imperial Palace stood magnificent halls and winding covered corridors, but Yao Ye did not stop. With a clear destination in mind, she led Liu Bai through one palace gate after another toward the deepest part of the palace.

Eventually, they arrived beside a tranquil lake. Its waters were crystal clear, reflecting the blue sky and white clouds. The shore was carpeted in lush grass and planted with exotic flowers and herbs, while the air carried a faint fragrance of vegetation.

By the lake stood a wooden building that looked ancient yet exquisite in every detail, steeped in a sense of history. It blended harmoniously with the surrounding natural scenery without losing the grandeur of royalty.

Yao Ye stopped before the building and dismounted in one clean, efficient motion.

In the entire Imperial Palace, only a princess favored by the old ancestor like her was permitted to ride a horse inside.

Liu Bai hurriedly dismounted as well, secretly wondering where this place was.

Could Yao Ye have brought him directly to meet Jia Xingtian?

"Great-Grandfather, Yao Ye requests an audience."

Yao Ye straightened her robes, bowed toward the tightly shut door, and spoke in a clear voice.

After a brief silence, a gentle elderly voice sounded from inside. "Come in."

As the words fell, the seemingly heavy wooden door silently opened inward on its own.

Yao Ye gave Liu Bai a look, signaling him to follow, then stepped inside first.

Liu Bai was now certain of it. She had really brought him straight to see Jia Xingtian.

After passing through a corridor lined with soft carpets and ancient murals on both sides, the two arrived at a spacious, brightly lit cultivation chamber.

The room was simply furnished, containing only several meditation cushions and an incense burner. A faint scent of sandalwood lingered in the air.

On a meditation cushion in the center of the chamber sat an elderly man in a gray hemp robe.

His beard and hair were completely white, his features lean and refined, and his eyes closed. His aura was as still and unfathomable as an abyss.

Yet the moment Yao Ye and Liu Bai entered, he slowly opened his eyes.

They appeared cloudy, yet within their depths seemed to lie mountains, rivers, lakes, seas, and the vicissitudes of countless years. His calm gaze swept over the two of them before lingering briefly on Liu Bai.

"Great-Grandfather."

Yao Ye bowed respectfully once more.

"So Yao Ye has come."

The old man was none other than Jia Xingtian, the true guardian of the Jia Ma Empire's Royal Family and a Peak Dou Emperor.

A kind smile appeared on his face, and his gaze toward Yao Ye was filled with undisguised affection.

To Jia Xingtian, the Jia Ma Imperial Family was currently lacking in successors. Among the younger generation, only Yao Ye and her younger sister Yao Yue possessed outstanding talent. Yao Ye in particular excelled in temperament, capability, and talent alike, making her his unquestioned choice for the future empress of the Jia Ma Empire.

As for Yao Yue, her talents were more focused on alchemy.

This Is a Bit Too Enthusiastic, Isn't It?

Jia Xingtian slowly rose to his feet.

"What brings you to see your great-grandfather?"

As he spoke, he headed outside first.

"Come, let's talk outside."

He led the two of them to an open-air tea room connected to the cultivation chamber.

The tea room sat on a small platform extending from the lakeside, with an expansive view and a refreshing breeze. Several wicker chairs surrounded a stone table, upon which fragrant tea and several plates of delicate pastries had already been prepared.

Jia Xingtian took a seat in one of the wicker chairs first, gesturing for Yao Ye and Liu Bai to sit as well.

His gaze fell upon Liu Bai once more.

Yao Ye did not sit down immediately. Instead, she stood at Jia Xingtian's side and said, "Great-Grandfather, on my way back from suppressing bandits today, Yao Ye encountered this little brother, Liu Bai."

She pointed at Liu Bai.

Yet Liu Bai seemed not to notice the gazes of the two important figures at all. He casually sat in another wicker chair beside the stone table, picked up a cup of tea, lightly sniffed it, and took a small sip, acting as if he were perfectly at home.

A trace of surprise flashed through Jia Xingtian's eyes, but he did not become angry. Instead, he found the young man rather interesting. There were not many youngsters who could remain so composed before him.

Seeing Liu Bai behave like this, the corner of Yao Ye's mouth twitched almost imperceptibly. Still, she said nothing and continued explaining her purpose. "Little Brother Liu Bai was heading for the Imperial Capital to find a suitable faction to join, hoping to obtain an appropriate cultivation method. Seeing that his talent was quite exceptional, Yao Ye took it upon herself to bring him back, hoping that he could join our Jia Ma Imperial Family."

"Oh? His talent is exceptional?"

Hearing this, Jia Xingtian slightly raised his brows, his gaze toward Liu Bai becoming more focused.

For the proud Yao Ye to describe him as quite exceptional, personally bring him back to the Imperial Palace, and introduce him directly before Jia Xingtian, this youth's talent was likely far more than merely exceptional.

Yao Ye nodded and said seriously, "Yes, Great-Grandfather. Little Brother Liu Bai is... only twelve years old this year."

She paused, emphasizing her next words.

"And he has already successfully condensed a Dou Qi Cyclone, officially entering the Dou Zhe realm."

"A twelve-year-old Dou Zhe?"

Even with Jia Xingtian's nearly century-long experience and the composure of a Peak Dou Emperor, a sharp gleam flashed through his eyes upon hearing this!

He set down his teacup and leaned forward slightly. An invisible pressure naturally emanated from him as his almost tangible gaze locked tightly onto Liu Bai across from him.

Liu Bai felt as though he had been completely seen through in an instant, and a bead of cold sweat involuntarily trickled down his forehead.

So strong! Much stronger than Dugu Bo!

Jia Xingtian had confirmed it. He truly was a Dou Zhe, but at this age...

In an instant, Jia Xingtian appeared beside Liu Bai and patted him on the shoulder.

"Hahaha, Little Brother Liu, your talent truly is astonishing."