The shadows of idle clouds drift over the pool, while things change and stars shift through countless autumns.
Today, Heaven Dou City was decked out in lanterns and colorful decorations, its every corner steeped in an atmosphere of solemn celebration.
The great hall gleamed with gold and jade.
Emperor Xue Ye sat upon the throne in his imperial robes. Though his hair and beard were white, he was still vigorous and spirited. The officials stood in two lines, their congratulations ringing without end.
Below the high platform, Xue Qinghe occupied the seat of honor. He wore a luxurious purple-and-gold python robe and a crown, and his handsome face bore a warm, refined smile.
"His Highness the Crown Prince is benevolent and magnanimous. His coming of age today is truly a blessing for our Heaven Dou Empire."
The speaker was Ning Fengzhi. Dressed in a spotless white robe, his face as fair as jade, he was Xue Qinghe's teacher—the current Crown Prince's Grand Tutor—and the first to enter the hall to offer his congratulations.
Behind Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong followed like shadows.
Chen Xin's gaze was sharp as a sword as it swept across the hall, while Gu Rong wore a smiling expression. Yet the glint that occasionally flashed through his smile made it impossible to take him lightly.
Ning Rongrong was also dressed to the nines today. Her pink gown made her look as charming as a fairy.
She stood beside Ning Fengzhi, her lively eyes curiously surveying the surroundings as she searched for Yang Fan.
From time to time, she exchanged a few quiet words with Chen Xin and Gu Rong, bringing fond smiles to the faces of the two Titled Douluo.
"Teacher, Qinghe has come of age today. I'm sorry for the trouble."
Xue Qinghe spoke with a smile, his voice as gentle as jade.
Ning Fengzhi bowed slightly. "Your Highness is too kind. It is my duty."
Just then, a hearty laugh rang out from outside the hall.
"Hahaha! How could I miss the chance to have a drink when His Highness Qinghe is coming of age?"
Accompanied by the laughter, Dugu Bo strode into the hall. Today, he wore a dark green robe. His beard and hair were all green, and his eyes shone like emeralds.
A pretty young woman followed behind him. She was none other than his granddaughter, Dugu Yan.
"Poison Douluo."
Xue Qinghe rose and inclined his head.
Dugu Bo waved a hand. "There's no need for formalities, Your Highness. I didn't come today as a retainer of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family. I came as an elder to offer my congratulations."
Dugu Yan stepped forward and bowed gracefully. "I am Dugu Yan. Congratulations on coming of age, Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Xue Qinghe nodded slightly. His gaze fell on Dugu Yan, and a note of approval flickered in his eyes.
As expected of Poison Douluo's granddaughter, she was excellent in both talent and bearing.
With Dugu Bo's arrival, representatives from the other factions also came forward one after another to offer their congratulations.
Among them were people from the various academies in Heaven Dou City. Though their status was not equal to Ning Fengzhi's or Dugu Bo's, as cradles of Heaven Dou's Soul Master talent, they were still accorded due respect.
"Your Highness, please accept this small token of my regard."
Ning Fengzhi gestured, and a disciple of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect stepped forward carrying a brocade box.
Ning Fengzhi opened it. Inside lay a translucent Soul Bone.
"This is a Soul Bone my daughter Rongrong specially sought out. It came from a ten-thousand-year-old Bright Swan. After absorbing it, Your Highness may have a chance to make up for the shortcomings in your Martial Soul." Ning Fengzhi smiled.
Xue Qinghe took the box, feeling the gentle Soul Power within. Surprise colored his voice. "Thank you, Teacher, and thank you as well, Miss Rongrong."
Next, Dugu Bo presented his gift: a precious medicinal pill. As the creation of one of the few Titled Douluo on the Douluo Continent who understood medicinal properties and alchemy, it was beyond price.
Gifts from the various factions were presented one after another. Xue Qinghe accepted them all, his polite smile never wavering.
Just as everyone thought the gift-giving was about to end, a clear voice suddenly rang through the hall.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, Yang Fan of the Treasure Appraisal Pavilion has come to offer his congratulations."
Everyone's gaze turned toward the entrance of the hall.
A young man in a green robe walked in at an unhurried pace. His features were clean-cut, and he radiated an indescribably warm presence.
"Pavilion Master Yang?"
Xue Qinghe paused slightly, anticipation in his eyes.
He had long since sent people to investigate the unusual occurrence that day. Its source had been Yang Fan, who was smithing at the Glazed Workshop. He wondered what kind of surprise this man would bring him.
Ning Fengzhi's brows lifted slightly as well. He had learned about Yang Fan from Rongrong. The young man's background was somewhat mysterious. On the surface, he seemed to be an orphan, yet he had come up with the Whale Rubber body-tempering method and knew such secret smithing techniques as Chaotic Cloak and Blood Sacrifice.
Yang Fan walked into the center of the hall and bowed slightly.
Xue Qinghe looked at him with interest. "May I ask what gift you have prepared?"
Yang Fan straightened and turned his right hand over. A long sword appeared in his grasp.
The blade was silver from hilt to tip, without ornate decorations or dazzling gemstones. Yet a strange luster flowed across it, as if it were alive.
Its edge was peerlessly sharp, and a faint chill radiated from it, making people wary of looking directly at it.
"This sword is called the Spirit-Forged Jade Silver Sword. It is the first alloy weapon on the continent forged through Spirit Forging. I present it to Your Highness as a congratulatory gift."
Yang Fan's voice was not loud, yet it reached every ear in the hall.
"Spirit Forging... an alloy?"
Dugu Bo's pupils contracted. He knew a little about metals and had some understanding of alloys, but Spirit Forging was something he had never heard of.
Even so, he could tell at a glance that the sword was extraordinary.
"The Spirit Forging method?"
Ning Fengzhi did not understand smithing, but he could sense the astonishing elemental fluctuations contained within the sword.
This had long since surpassed the realm of ordinary weapons. It could even be called a true divine weapon!
The significance behind it might be more precious than a ten-thousand-year Soul Bone.
"Indeed."
Yang Fan nodded and presented the sword with both hands to the guard beside Xue Qinghe.
"This sword was made with Magic Silver and Sinking Silver as its base, combined with several kinds of rare metals and forged together using a special method. Blessed by the Plane Blessing, it has gained a spirit. It should be the first Spirit-Forged weapon on the continent."
Xue Qinghe took the sword from the guard. Its hilt was cool to the touch, and a pure stream of Soul Power flowed up his arm and into his body, bringing him sharply to attention.
He could clearly sense a strange connection between himself and the sword, as if it had been born to belong to him.
"What a sword!"
Brilliant light flashed in Xue Qinghe's eyes. He swung the blade sharply, and a silver-white sword beam appeared out of thin air, slicing a stone pillar in the hall in two. The cut was smooth as a mirror.
"What a sword!"
Xue Qinghe couldn't help praising it again. His gaze lingered on Yang Fan, brimming with eagerness.
The anomaly from a few days ago must have come from this sword. Pavilion Master Yang, what other surprises can you bring me?
He sheathed the sword, his voice full of admiration.
"Pavilion Master Yang, I accept your gift. From this day onward, if you need anything, just ask."
The entire hall erupted in an uproar.
Everyone was stunned by the sword. Forged from metal alone, it could enhance a Soul Master's combat strength.
It was undoubtedly a divine weapon capable of changing the times!
Ning Fengzhi gave Yang Fan a long look, pondering to himself whether the weapon could be mass-produced. If it could enhance Soul Masters' combat strength, could even support-type Soul Masters gain the means to protect themselves and strike back?
Dugu Bo narrowed his eyes as well. He felt that Yang Fan was probably not as simple as he seemed, and the thought crossed his mind to seize him and interrogate him.
If the young man had good talent, he might even make a suitable match for his granddaughter. That boy from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was decent too, but he was a direct descendant. He probably wouldn't let his granddaughter, with her flaw, become his principal wife.
Better to find her another good match!
Emperor Xue Ye watched Xue Qinghe, sword in hand and full of confidence. His eyes were filled with satisfaction, and he nodded repeatedly before murmuring to the attendant beside him, "The Crown Prince truly has his father's bearing today."
Seated below Emperor Xue Ye was a pretty young woman of noble bearing. She was Xue Qinghe's younger sister, Princess Xue Ke.
Xue Ke's beautiful eyes never left Yang Fan. When she saw Xue Qinghe swing his sword and cleave the stone pillar, she covered her lips with a soft gasp. The admiration in her gaze as she looked at Yang Fan grew even stronger.
Xue Ke thought, As expected of my teacher. He has such a good eye.
Remembering the intimate scene she had stumbled upon several months ago, Xue Ke's cheeks flushed faintly as she wondered what had come to mind.