Qian Renxue

The idle clouds cast shadows on the pool as the days drift by; how many autumns have passed as the world changed and the stars shifted?

Today, Heaven Dou City was decked out in festive decorations, enveloped in an atmosphere of celebration and solemnity.

Inside the grand hall, everything was resplendent in gold and jade.

Emperor Xue Ye sat upon the throne in his imperial robes, his hair and beard white as snow yet his spirit vigorous. The officials stood in rows on either side, their voices of congratulation ringing out incessantly.

Below the high platform, Xue Qinghe occupied the seat of honor. Clad in a luxurious purple-gold python robe and wearing a crown, a gentle and refined smile graced his handsome face.

"His Highness the Crown Prince is benevolent and virtuous. His coming-of-age today is truly a blessing for our Heaven Dou Empire."

The speaker was Ning Fengzhi. Dressed in a pristine white robe with a face as fair as jade, he was the first to step forward to offer congratulations in his capacity as Xue Qinghe's teacher and the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince.

Behind Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong followed like shadows.

Chen Xin's gaze was like a blade, sweeping across the hall, while Gu Rong wore a smiling expression—though the sharp glint that occasionally flashed within those eyes made no one dare to underestimate him.

Ning Rongrong was also dressed in her finest today, a pink gown making her look as dainty and charming as a sprite.

She stood beside Ning Fengzhi, her large, lively eyes curiously scanning the surroundings in search of Yang Fan.

She occasionally whispered a few words to Chen Xin and Gu Rong, drawing doting smiles from the two Title Douluo.

"Teacher, today is my coming-of-age. I have troubled you."

Xue Qinghe spoke with a smile, his voice as warm and smooth as jade.

Ning Fengzhi bowed slightly and replied, "Your Highness is too kind; this is merely my duty."

Just then, a hearty laugh echoed from outside the hall.

"Hahaha, the Crown Prince has come of age. How could this old man not come to share a cup of wine?"

Accompanied by the laughter, Dugu Bo strode into the hall. He wore a dark green robe today, his hair and beard were green, and his eyes shone like emeralds.

Following behind him was a beautiful young girl—his granddaughter, Dugu Yan.

"Your Excellency Poison Douluo."

Xue Qinghe stood up and bowed slightly.

Dugu Bo waved his hand and said, "Your Highness, there is no need for such formalities. I am not here today as a guest of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, but as an elder coming to offer my congratulations."

Dugu Yan also stepped forward and curtsied gracefully: "Dugu Yan wishes the Crown Prince a happy coming-of-age."

Xue Qinghe nodded slightly, his gaze falling on Dugu Yan with a flicker of appreciation.

She was truly worthy of being the Poison Douluo's granddaughter; her talent and temperament were both exceptional.

Following Dugu Bo's arrival, representatives from other factions also stepped forward to offer their congratulations.

People from other academies within Heaven Dou City were among them. Although their status was not as high as Ning Fengzhi or Dugu Bo, they were treated with sufficient respect as the cradle of Heaven Dou's soul master talent.

"Your Highness, this is a small token of my sincerity."

Ning Fengzhi waved his hand, and a disciple of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect stepped forward holding a brocade box.

Ning Fengzhi opened the box to reveal a crystal-clear soul bone lying inside.

"This is a soul bone my daughter Rongrong specifically sought out. It comes from a ten-thousand-year Bright Swan. Perhaps after His Majesty absorbs it, his talent will be enough to complement his martial soul," Ning Fengzhi said with a smile.

Xue Qinghe took the box, feeling the gentle fluctuations of soul power within, and replied with pleasant surprise: "Many thanks, Teacher, and many thanks to Miss Rongrong."

Immediately after, Dugu Bo also presented his gift: a precious medicinal pill. As a product of one of the few Title Douluo on the Douluo Continent who understood pharmacology and alchemy, its value was immeasurable.

As the gifts from various factions were presented one after another, Xue Qinghe accepted them all, maintaining a proper smile throughout.

Just as everyone thought the gift-giving segment was coming to an end, a clear, resonant voice suddenly echoed through the hall.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, Yang Fan of the Treasure Appraisal Pavilion is here to offer his congratulations."

Everyone's gaze turned involuntarily toward the entrance of the hall.

A young man in a cyan robe walked in slowly. His features were refined, yet he radiated an indescribable, warm temperament.

"Pavilion Master Yang?"

Xue Qinghe was slightly startled, his eyes filled with anticipation.

He had long since sent people to investigate the anomaly from that day, the source of which was Yang Fan, who forged iron at the Glazed Workshop. He wondered what kind of surprise this person would bring him.

Ning Fengzhi also raised an eyebrow. He had learned about Yang Fan from Rongrong; his background was somewhat mysterious. On the surface, he appeared to be an orphan, yet he had proposed the method of body tempering with Whale Glue and possessed forging techniques like the Chaotic Wind Hammer and Blood Sacrifice.

Yang Fan walked to the center of the hall and bowed slightly.

Xue Qinghe looked at him with interest: "I wonder what gift you have prepared, sir?"

Yang Fan straightened up and flipped his right hand, causing a long sword to appear in his palm.

The blade was entirely silver-white. It lacked ornate decorations or dazzling gemstones, yet a strange luster flowed across the metal as if it were alive.

The edge was incomparably sharp, emitting a faint chill that made people afraid to look directly at it.

"This sword is named the 'Spirit-Forged Jade Silver Sword.' It can be considered the first alloy weapon on the continent forged using the spirit-forging method. I present it to Your Highness to celebrate your coming-of-age."

Yang Fan's voice was not loud, yet it reached everyone's ears clearly.

"Spirit-forged... alloy?"

Dugu Bo's pupils constricted. He had some research into metals and understood a bit about alloys, but this "Spirit Forging" was something he had never heard of.

Even so, he could tell at a glance that this sword was extraordinary.

"The method of Spirit Forging?"

Although Ning Fengzhi did not understand forging, he could feel the astonishing elemental fluctuations contained within the sword.

This had absolutely transcended the category of ordinary weapons; it could even be called a true divine weapon!

The significance behind this was perhaps even more precious than a ten-thousand-year spirit bone.

"Correct."

Yang Fan nodded, holding the sword with both hands and offering it to the guard beside Xue Qinghe.

"This sword is based on Magic Silver and Sinking Silver, supplemented by various rare metals, and forged and fused through a special technique. Because it was blessed by the plane, it has become sentient. It should be considered the first Spirit Forged weapon on this continent."

Xue Qinghe took the long sword from the guard's hands. It felt ice-cold to the touch, and a stream of pure spirit power surged into his body through his arm, invigorating his spirit.

He could clearly feel a strange connection between himself and the sword, as if it were born to belong to him.

"A fine sword!"

A brilliant light erupted in Xue Qinghe's eyes. He swung the sword abruptly, and a silver-white sword glow appeared out of thin air, slicing a stone pillar in the great hall in two with a cut as smooth as a mirror.

"A fine sword!"

Xue Qinghe could not help but praise it again, his gaze fixed on Yang Fan with hidden fervor.

The anomalies from the past few days must have been caused by this sword. Pavilion Master Yang, what other surprises can you bring me?

He sheathed the sword, his tone filled with appreciation.

"Pavilion Master Yang, I accept this gift of yours. From this day forward, if you have any needs, just speak up."

The entire hall was in an uproar.

Everyone was shocked by this sword; it could amplify a spirit master's combat power simply through metal forging.

This was absolutely a divine artifact capable of changing the era!

Ning Fengzhi took a deep look at Yang Fan, secretly pondering whether this weapon could be mass-produced. If it could amplify a spirit master's combat power, could even support-type spirit masters possess the means for self-protection and output?

Dugu Bo also narrowed his eyes. He felt that this Yang Fan was likely not so simple, and the thought of capturing him for interrogation crossed his mind.

If his talent is decent, it wouldn't be impossible to pair him with my granddaughter. That brat from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect is alright, but he is a direct descendant; I fear he wouldn't let my flawed granddaughter be his primary wife.

Better to seek another match!

Emperor Xue Ye looked at the high-spirited Xue Qinghe holding the long sword, his eyes full of gratification. He nodded repeatedly and whispered to the attendant beside him, "The Crown Prince truly has the bearing of his father today."

Sitting below Emperor Xue Ye was a beautiful girl with a noble temperament—Xue Qinghe's younger sister, Princess Xue Ke.

Xue Ke's beautiful eyes followed Yang Fan's figure throughout. When she saw Xue Qinghe slice the stone pillar with the sword, she covered her lips and gasped, her gaze toward Yang Fan filled with growing admiration.

As expected of my teacher, his taste is truly excellent, Xue Ke thought.

Recalling the romantic encounter she had stumbled upon a few months ago, Xue Ke didn't know what she was thinking, but a faint blush appeared on her cheeks.