Fourth Brother, You've Got Some Nerve!

Snake Lance Douluo bowed in greeting, his voice low.

"Your Highness, an extraordinary man has arrived in the Heaven Dou Empire."

Xue Qinghe set down the memorial in her hands.

She raised an eyebrow, signaling for him to continue.

Snake Lance Douluo reported Ji Feng's deeds one by one.

From his record at the Soto Great Soul Arena to his Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring.

After listening, Xue Qinghe fell into thought.

This man is no ordinary person, she thought.

He had managed to slay a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast at the Soul Emperor level.

Such strength was rare even across the entire empire.

She decided to win him over.

"I want him to submit to me," she said softly.

Snake Lance Douluo nodded and withdrew from the study.

Xue Qinghe looked out the window, a plan taking shape in her mind.

At dusk three days later, Xue Qinghe sent someone to deliver a message.

Ji Feng received the invitation, puzzled.

He opened it and saw an invitation from the Crown Prince.

What is this Crown Prince up to? Ji Feng wondered warily.

He got ready and brought Ye Lingling along.

When they arrived at the palace, Xue Qinghe welcomed them in person.

She wore a smile, her manner graceful and composed.

"Brother Ji, I've heard so much about you," she greeted him.

Ji Feng responded politely, betraying nothing of what he thought.

Xue Qinghe led him toward the training grounds.

"Tonight, I'll show you the students of the Heaven Dou Royal Team," she said.

Ji Feng nodded, understanding. She's showing off her resources.

He said nothing and followed her.

On the training grounds, the students were practicing.

Fireballs and lightning crisscrossed, the light of Soul Skills illuminating the night.

Ji Feng's heart stirred. These students really are impressive.

Most of them had already reached the Soul Ancestor level.

A few were even young Soul Kings.

Xue Qinghe looked at him, a probing glint in her eyes.

"What do you think, Brother Ji?" she asked.

"Not bad," Ji Feng replied mildly.

Xue Qinghe smiled, secretly pleased.

The groundwork for her first step was already laid.

She believed Ji Feng had seen the royal family's strength.

Sooner or later, he would willingly submit to her.

Meanwhile, at the other end of Heaven Dou City.

Huo Wu was sitting in a hotel room with Ning Rongrong.

The two were close friends who had grown up together.

Huo Wu complained, "That guy Ji Feng is actually going to your birthday banquet?"

Ning Rongrong nodded and pouted. "My father invited him."

Huo Wu's eyes shifted as she came up with an idea.

"I'll get my suitors to give him a hard time."

"Then he'll know his place and never dare show his face to you again."

Ning Rongrong frowned, wavering.

But then she remembered the grand boast Ji Feng had made in the hall.

Double the strength of the younger generation, huh? Hmph.

Annoyed, she agreed to Huo Wu's suggestion.

Huo Wu clapped excitedly. "Great, it's settled!"

She began figuring out who to send to teach Ji Feng a lesson.

On the day of the birthday banquet, Ji Feng went out with Ning Rongrong.

Ning Rongrong walked ahead with a reluctant look on her face.

Ji Feng didn't mind and followed behind her.

They arrived at the Imperial City Hotel.

It was the most upscale restaurant in Heaven Dou City.

Huo Wu was already waiting for them in a private room.

A few young men sat beside her.

Ji Feng glanced around and recognized Feng Xiaotian.

Feng Xiaotian was one of Huo Wu's suitors.

When he saw Ji Feng, a mocking smile appeared on his face.

"Oh, so this is that Ji Feng you were talking about?" he drawled sarcastically.

Ji Feng ignored him and sat down.

Feng Xiaotian was annoyed and continued to jeer.

"I heard you're only level forty-something?"

"And you think you're good enough to pursue Miss Rongrong?"

Ji Feng picked up his teacup, took a sip, and answered evenly.

"My romantic pursuits have nothing to do with you."

"I'm here at Sect Master Ning's invitation to attend the birthday banquet."

Feng Xiaotian was left speechless, his face darkening.

Huo Wu snickered to herself, waiting for the show.

After a few rounds of drinks, an argument broke out outside the private room.

Ji Feng's ears twitched. He recognized Oscar's voice.

He stood and went out to see what was happening.

Oscar was facing off against several burly men.

They wore the uniforms of the imperial guards.

Ji Feng recognized them as Xue Beng's men.

Oscar's face was flushed red; he had clearly been roughed up.

Their leader was one of Xue Beng's trusted subordinates, a powerful Soul King.

He shoved Oscar aside. "Get lost. You're blocking the way!"

Oscar stumbled from the shove and nearly fell.

Ji Feng frowned and stepped forward.

"If you've got a problem, take it up with me," he said coldly.

The Soul King looked him over and sneered. "And who do you think you are?"

Just then, Xue Beng came down the corridor.

Seven Soul King-level guards followed behind him.

Their powerful presence was suffocating.

When Xue Beng saw Huo Wu and Ning Rongrong, his eyes lit up.

He walked over with a grin. "Ladies, stay tonight and have a drink with me."

Huo Wu's expression changed, and Ning Rongrong frowned.

Feng Xiaotian and Oscar were both stunned.

They didn't dare offend the Heaven Dou Empire's fourth prince.

But Ji Feng stepped in front of them. "Your Highness Xue Beng, please show me some consideration."

The moment the words left his mouth, everyone present was stunned.

Feng Xiaotian cursed him as a madman in his mind, then hurried forward to explain.

"Your Highness, this kid doesn't know any better. Please don't hold it against him!"

Xue Beng's face darkened. "Who do you think you are, asking me to show you consideration?"

Ji Feng's expression remained unchanged, his tone calm.

"I'm a guest of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

"Please forgive me if I've caused any offense."

Xue Beng sneered. "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? What the hell is that to me?"

"I'm taking these two women with me today!"

He waved his hand, and the seven guards behind him surged forward.

Ji Feng drew a deep breath. Looks like there's no settling this peacefully.

He slowly released his Soul Power.

The light of his Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring rose from within him.

The power of the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass spread outward.

The air throughout the hotel froze.

Xue Beng's eyes widened. "A... a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring?!"

The guards behind him were stunned as well.

A Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring was something even Titled Douluos dreamed of obtaining.

Xue Beng was shocked. Who on earth is this man?

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the hotel.

A guard ran in to report, "Your Highness, someone outside requests an audience."

Xue Beng breathed a sigh of relief, thinking help had arrived.

He sneered. "Let him in. I want to see who it is."

The doors opened, and a figure walked inside.

The moment Xue Beng recognized the newcomer, his face turned deathly pale.

"Y-Your Highness, the Crown Prince!" he stammered.

Xue Qinghe's expression was impassive as she surveyed the room.

She walked over to Ji Feng and smiled faintly.

"Brother Ji, I'm late."

"These fools had better not have given you any trouble."

Ji Feng felt a warmth in his heart and shook his head. "I'm fine."

Xue Qinghe turned to Xue Beng, her gaze icy.

"Fourth Brother, you've got some nerve."

"How dare you lay a hand on my guest?"

Xue Beng was drenched in cold sweat. He hurriedly dropped to his knees and begged for forgiveness.

"Big Brother, I was wrong! I didn't know he was your friend!"

The entire room fell silent.

Feng Xiaotian and Oscar were completely dumbfounded.

Huo Wu and Ning Rongrong exchanged bewildered looks.

They had never imagined Ji Feng actually knew the Crown Prince.

Xue Qinghe ignored Xue Beng and turned to Ji Feng.

"I'll give you an explanation for what happened tonight."

Ji Feng nodded, feeling a favorable impression of the Crown Prince.

Looks like the Heaven Dou Empire isn't entirely without merit.

At least the Crown Prince is someone worth befriending.

Xue Qinghe left the hotel with Ji Feng.

Before leaving, she glanced back at Ning Rongrong.

There was a meaningful look in her eyes.

Ning Rongrong's heart tightened, and she felt an inexplicable pressure.

For the first time, she thought she might have underestimated Ji Feng.