Revisiting the Agreement

"Xue'er, Yi... has your Uncle Ling Yi left?"

In the palace, which had become much more luxurious and magnificent due to the recent Xue Ye' numerous gifts, Dixiya looked at Xue Qianxun, who entered listlessly, and asked softly. 🎅💘 ✌🐚

"Um."

Feeling dejected because of Ling Yi's departure, Xue Qianxun didn't notice the unusual tone in her mother's voice and simply nodded sullenly.

At this moment, after receiving definite news from Xue Qianxun, for some reason, Dixiya suddenly felt empty and very uncomfortable.

The gaze that had been intentionally or unintentionally fixed on the palace gates suddenly dimmed, and her mood plummeted.

Her delicate hand gripped the bird-shaped metal pendant at her waist with a slight tightening, her fingertips caressing the blue gem on the bird's back, lost in thought for a moment.

Seemingly sensing Dixiya's change in mood, Xue Qianxun quickly composed herself, a bright smile spreading across her face. She hugged Dixiya's waist and looked up at her, saying in a childish voice:

"Mother, Uncle Ling Yi said that once I have mastered the other fist techniques, or when my Soul Power reaches level 20, he will come to advise me on my Second Soul Ring."

"Mother, I feel my Soul Power is about to break through. Once it does, I'll be at level fifteen, and only five levels away from level twenty—"

As she spoke, the little girl stretched out her fair and tender right hand, spread her five fingers, and gestured in front of Dixiya.

It's as if to say, "Level 5 is easy to achieve."

"Hmm~" Dixiya bent down and hugged Xue Qianxun. With a little effort, she lifted the little girl up. Their fair foreheads touched, and their equally bright eyes looked at each other. She said softly, "Then you must work hard in your cultivation. When your Uncle Ling Yi comes next time, he will be very happy to see your progress..."

"Of course!" Xue Qianxun nodded vigorously, causing Dixiya's head to tilt back slightly. She said with a charming yet determined expression, "I will definitely achieve the goal Uncle Ling Yi set for me: to reach the level where I can absorb Thousand-Year Soul Ring by level twenty!"

As she spoke, the little girl turned and broke free from Dixiya's embrace, jumped off the ground, and stomped to the open space in the center of the palace. She summoned the "Holy Feather Swan" Martial Soul to possess her, activated the Yellow Soul Ring that appeared at the same time, and added the "Soul Skill: Holy Light Blessing" status to herself. Then she got into a stance, ready to practice the other moves of the newly learned "Beast Martial Soul: Xingyi Fist".

Although the First Soul Ring's "Soul Skill - Holy Light Blessing" can neither attack nor defend, and is just a simple amplification Soul Skill, it has an excellent effect on nourishing the little girl's body during cultivation. At the same time, it can further stimulate the little girl to absorb the remaining eight-hundred-year-old "Light Blue Silver Grass" energy in her body.

Furthermore, Xue Qianxun is both the eldest princess of the Heaven Dou Empire and a six-year-old girl. It's safe to say that there haven't been any situations requiring her to fight in the past four or five years. Whether her First Soul Ring's Soul Skill is offensive or defensive is something even Xue Ye wouldn't care about. This is one of the reasons Ling Yi persuaded Xue Ye.

Watching Xue Qianxun cultivate with great enthusiasm, Dixiya's gentle face revealed a tender and loving expression. However, occasionally, a hint of indescribable melancholy would appear in her eyes beneath her willow-leaf eyebrows.

"The mountain has trees, but the trees have no branches; I love you, but you do not know."

"The fallen petals yearn to follow the flowing water, but the flowing water has no interest in the fallen petals..."

"Senior Chen Xin!"

In the Sunset Forest, Ling Yi, walking beside a Ye Luo forest, stopped helplessly and turned to look at Chen Xin, who had suddenly been inspired to write poetry.

"What's wrong?" Chen Xin picked his nose rather rudely, then rubbed his fingertips together before flicking his hand towards the babbling brook beside him, feigning nonchalance. "I suddenly remembered the ancient books and poems you left in the library, and seeing these..."

As he spoke, he gestured with the finger he had just been using to pick his nose, pointing into the distance, and continued, "Look at these mountains and rivers, aren't they very fitting for the scene?"

"Senior!" Ling Yi said solemnly, his face showing a mixture of helplessness and seriousness, "Things aren't as you think."

"Like that? What do you mean?" Chen Xin tilted his head and glanced at Ling Yi. "I told you I recited these ancient poems because I saw these mountains, trees, flowers, and water. Don't misunderstand me, kid."

"..."

Seeing Chen Xin's nonchalant attitude, Ling Yi gritted his teeth. He felt that Erlang hadn't performed well in their sparring session before leaving Lingyun City. Next time, he'd better put on Erlang's "Armor of Divine Sealing" and personally practice against Chen Xin.

Shaking his head, Ling Yi added the idea to his schedule and took a breath. He said slowly, "Anyway, no matter what, I'm completely innocent with them. It's okay for you to tease me, senior. I can just explain it to Shelly and the others."

"But their identity and situation are very sensitive. You might think you're just saying it casually, but it could cause them a lot of unnecessary trouble..."

"Tsk!"

Faced with Ling Yi's earnest advice, Chen Xin's nonchalant expression softened slightly. She turned her head to look at the ever-flowing stream beside her and muttered, "I know, isn't this in the ' Sunset Forest'— "

Ling Yi shook his head and said nothing more.

Ling Yi was well aware of Dixiya's attitude towards him, after all, with his eyesight, mental strength, and telepathy, he could sense the hidden emotional fluctuations in her.

With Chen Xin's spiritual power at the Titled Douluo and his clear sword heart, unless one's acting skills are superb and one's mind is so deep that one can hypnotize oneself, very few people can hide their true emotions in front of him.

Even Xue Ye like today won't work. Perhaps in ten or twenty years, after sitting on the throne and experiencing enough court struggles, there will be a chance that one can truly remain calm and collected, without being noticed by Chen Xin.

Therefore, Chen Xin saw through both Dixiya's suppressed complex emotions towards Ling Yi and Xue Ye's deep-seated malice towards Ling Yi.

As for the former, Chen Xin, who was well aware of Ling Yi's charm, was not surprised at all. It was no exaggeration to say that Ling Yi was the dream lover of countless girls in the Douluo Continent.

As for the latter, Chen Xin had heard Dugu Bo mention the conflict between Ling Yi and Xue Ye back then at the dinner table, so she had expected it.

However, the connection between these two individuals—one being the Empress of the Heaven Dou Empire and the other the Emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire —is the key factor that ignites Chen Xin's gossipy nature.

But now, upon hearing Ling Yi's words, Chen Xin realized that they didn't care. With Lingyun City's current prestige and influence on the Douluo Continent, as long as Xue Ye hadn't lost her mind, she wouldn't openly antagonize Ling Yi.

As for Chen Xin, even if Xue Ye had three times the courage, he wouldn't dare to easily offend this dignified "Sword Douluo".

Only Dixiya, whose maternal clan's strongest member was merely a level 69 Soul Emperor, and whose family members, including the elderly, weak, women, and children, numbered barely over a hundred, could easily have her empress's position deposed or even 'died of illness' in the harem at any time, in Xue Ye's eyes.

It was only now that Xue Qianxun's talent was discovered that Dixiya gained some importance in Xue Ye's eyes, thanks to her daughter's status.

→

But that's all there is to it. After all, Xue Qianxun is just a little girl who has just turned six. Not to mention that her potential has not yet been realized into strength, her young age means that she is easy to brainwash and control.

If Xue Ye really wanted to do something, she might be able to silently erase Dixiya from this world without Xue Qianxun noticing.

I wonder if that "Starry Sky Fireworks" will be enough to protect you. I hope we won't need it.

Ling Yi raised his head and looked at a towering tree in the distant broad-leaved forest, on which was a bird's Bird's Nest with branches spreading out, like a cage.

Around the same time, at the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.

"Your Majesty, it seems the eldest princess has now completed her Martial Soul Awakening. I wonder what she said a year ago..."

Ning Fengzhi waited until Ling Yi and Chen Xin left Tian Heaven Dou City before entering the palace to pay his respects to Xue Ye. As he spoke, he observed Xue Ye's expression.

Last year, in August of the 2623rd year of the Douluo Calendar, he came to the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace and made an agreement with Xue Ye:

He, Ning Fengzhi, the sect leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, took Xue Qianxun, the eldest princess of the Heaven Dou Empire, as his student.

It is now the end of August in the 2624th year of the Douluo Calendar, exactly one year has passed.

In fact, according to their original plan, after making the agreement, they would choose an auspicious day within one or two months to complete the apprenticeship ceremony.

But not long after, news came from ' Spirit City ' that a grand ceremony would be held to confer titles on Chen Jianjun and his son Chen Xin.

As the pillars of Lingyun City, the Chen Family father and son, along with the Spirit Hall's actions, have attracted the attention of all forces in the Douluo Continent.

Consequently, Xue Qianxun, along with both Xue Ye and Ning Fengzhi, were set aside by the two at the time. It wouldn't be too late to hold the apprenticeship ceremony to deepen the connection between the two families after the title conferment ceremony.

In any case, neither Xue Ye nor Ning Fengzhi himself felt that he could teach Xue Qianxun anything; it was just a formality.

Furthermore, although the apprenticeship ceremony was not held, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect School's investment in the Heaven Dou Empire was not reduced at all. All the Gold Soul Coin invested in the Royal Knights for personnel expansion and equipment upgrades were spent in full.

Then, on October 1st of the 2623rd year of the Douluo Calendar, the Conferment Ceremony of the Spirit City was held as scheduled. The Seven Kill Douluo, Chen Jianjun, and the Sword Douluo, Chen Xin, wielded their swords with unparalleled skill, their Zhentian. Lingyun City was finally recognized by all sides, and its Lingyun City, Ling Yi, rose to the ranks of the world's top figures in terms of talent, strength, and status. The Thousand Ton Douluo and the Demon Subduing Douluo once again proved the Spirit Hall's powerful foundation. The Clear Sky Twin Stars, the brothers Tang Xiao and Tang Hao, gave everyone a glimpse of the glorious future of the Clear Sky Sect ...

These events threw Xue Ye and Ning Fengzhi into complete disarray, leaving them no time to consider taking Xue Qianxun as their student.

Then, perhaps feeling that it had grown strong enough, Lingyun City announced to the entire continent that it would hold an annual auction in Lingyun City on January 1st of the 2624th year of the Douluo Calendar. Various coveted treasures entered the eyes of everyone on the Douluo Continent along with the promotional brochures issued by the Green Wood Merchant Association.

At the auction, the top-grade item "Beautiful Silk Tulip Pollen" once again captivated Ning Fengzhi's attention.

Similarly, the annual auction, which gathered almost 90% of the Soul Master forces in the Douluo Continent, demonstrated the prestige of Lingyun City. In addition, the Chen Family father and son, who had clearly identified themselves as people from Lingyun City, made Xue Ye bury his malice towards Ling Yi deep in his heart.

Now, more than half a year has passed since the annual auction of Lingyun City. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has finally digested the impact of the "Beautiful Silk Tulip Pollen" and once again remembered Xue Qianxun's existence. It just so happens that the little girl's Martial Soul Awakening Ceremony is also approaching. After discussion, Ning Fengzhi and his father Ning Mofan decided to continue their previous agreement.

It just so happened that Ling Yi was also there to witness Xue Qianxun's Martial Soul Awakening Ceremony. Ning Fengzhi, who hadn't yet figured out how to deal with Lingyun City, ultimately chose to keep his distance and observe the situation. Only after Ling Yi left with Chen Xin did he once again step into the palace of the Heaven Dou Empire.

On the other side, Xue Ye, who had almost forgotten about this matter as well, had his memory restored by Ning Fengzhi's words. His hand holding the teacup paused slightly, but he continued to lower his head and blow on the tea that was brought to his lips as if nothing had happened.

Taking a sip of the fragrant and sweet-smelling tea, Xue Ye smiled at Ning Fengzhi and said, "Speaking of which, I must thank Sect Master Ning for his generous donation a year ago. It was only then that the Royal Knights of my Heaven Dou Empire were able to successfully expand. Xue Ye tea in lieu of wine, thanking Sect Master Ning!"

As he spoke, Xue Ye raised the teacup in his hand toward Ning Fengzhi, and then lowered his head again to take a sip of the hot tea.

Upon seeing this, Ning Fengzhi's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, but he quickly regained his composure.

He knew that the change of topic on Xue Ye clearly indicated that something unexpected had happened that he was unaware of.

"Is it because of Ling Yi?" Ning Fengzhi wondered.

As far as he knew, Ling Yi had stayed in Heaven Dou City for more than a month before leaving today. During this time, he frequently entered and exited the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace, which might mean that he had reached some agreement or deal with Xue Ye.

"It can't be because something unusual happened during your daughter's Martial Soul Awakening Ceremony, right? Her Martial Soul isn't your Xue Family's ' Swan,' nor is it the Empress's ' Radiant Bird of Paradise,' can it?"

Ning Fengzhi thought of another possibility, not without malice.

Although he knew the probability was so low that it was equivalent to the chance that Ning Fengzhi could punch the "Titan Giant Ape" to pieces.

"Your Majesty is too kind." Ning Fengzhi remained expressionless, picked up his own teacup, raised it to Xue Ye, took a sip of tea, and said gently.

After a pause, Ning Fengzhi put down his teacup and said seemingly casually, "By the way, when I entered the city earlier, I saw Master Ling's figure from afar. Now, the prestige of Lingyun City is at its peak, having already surpassed my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect— "

As he spoke, Ning Fengzhi shook his head with a sigh, and continued, "Who could have imagined that a mere commoner baron from the [Water Wood Duchy] would now become a true dragon whose strength rivals that of the [Spirit Hall]!"

Upon hearing this, Xue Ye lowered his eyes, concealing the fleeting, strange glint in them, before looking up at Ning Fengzhi again and saying with a smile, "Who can predict fate?"

"Furthermore, aside from the favor shown by His Majesty the Seven Kill Douluo and his son, Master Ling's own skills and talent are unparalleled in the world. It's not unacceptable that he has been able to develop Lingyun City to its current state..."

Seeing Xue Ye's earnest performance, Ning Fengzhi suppressed his irritation and nodded with a smile, saying, "That's true~"

After saying this, Ning Fengzhi and Xue Ye looked at each other, and after a few breaths, they both laughed.

"Hahaha~~~" *2

However, deep down, they both expressed deep contempt and disgust for each other.