It had been two years since Qian Renxue left, and Qian Lingche was already almost nine.
During that time, his Soul Power had broken through Level 30, and he had successfully obtained his third Soul Ring, officially becoming a Soul Elder.
Nourished by his Soul Power, his body had grown rapidly. He was now very much a young boy.
His mind had also matured far beyond that of ordinary people. He was even more mature than most civilians in their twenties.
One thing worth mentioning was that, just today, Lin Yuan had successfully broken through Level 90. She was now only one ninth Soul Ring away from becoming a true Titled Douluo.
But choosing that Soul Ring was giving Qian Lingche and Guang Ling a headache.
As far as Qian Lingche was concerned, he naturally hoped to find Lin Yuan a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring, since it would determine the limits of her future potential.
A Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring could greatly increase one's strength and potential, and even bestow two powerful Soul Skills.
Lin Yuan and the others had chosen to follow him wholeheartedly. Even if they had their own little reasons for doing so, they had still genuinely pledged themselves to his side.
He couldn't bring himself to betray those who trusted him and stayed by his side. The problem was, Brother Ling couldn't hunt a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast on his own. Winning the fight wouldn't be much of a problem, but making sure Lin Yuan could land the killing blow was another matter entirely.
Still, Qian Lingche wasn't willing to give up. A person's ninth Soul Ring would shape their entire life. He couldn't abandon the matter so easily.
So he buried himself in all sorts of records once more, and finally found a Hundred-Thousand-Year Cinder Fire Phoenix said to inhabit Sunset Forest.
Its attributes were a good match for Lin Yuan's Martial Soul, and its age was sufficient, too.
As for how to hunt it... He and Guang Ling alone clearly wouldn't be enough. Sitting at the table, Qian Lingche tapped his fingers lightly against its surface.
Suddenly, his eyes lit up as an idea came to him: the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. He had read reports about them before. With Sect Master Ning's temperament, asking to borrow a helper shouldn't be too difficult, right?
He might lose a little face, but face wasn't something he could eat. Lin Yuan's ninth Soul Ring was what mattered most.
With that thought, Qian Lingche turned to Guang Ling and told him his idea, a glimmer of hope in his eyes.
After listening, Guang Ling furrowed his brow in confusion. "Why not ask the Pope to lend us someone, or call Third Brother and the others?"
At that, Qian Lingche gave a bitter smile and shook his head. "Brother Ling, you know I can't borrow anyone from them." There was a hint of helplessness in his voice.
His grandfather wouldn't help him. And he had barely even met the Second Worship and the other worshippers, so they were even less likely to help.
Guang Ling froze for a moment, then suddenly came around. He patted Qian Lingche on the shoulder and laughed. "It's fine, it's fine. Then we'll go to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!"
"We're only borrowing someone. If they dare refuse, I'll beat them until they agree!" He clenched his fist, looking eager for a fight.
Qian Lingche couldn't help laughing, and felt a little more at ease.
Qian Lingche immediately called Lin Yuan over, preparing to head to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect with her.
When Lin Yuan learned that Qian Lingche was willing to swallow his pride and ask the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect for help, all to get her a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring, a rush of complicated emotions welled up in her heart.
She lowered her head respectfully and said, moved, "Thank you, Young Master. This subordinate... will serve you until my dying breath."
Qian Lingche waved a hand. "There's no need for that, Sister Lin Yuan. You're one of my people, so of course I'll do everything I can to get you the best. Come on. Time waits for no one."
Lin Yuan nodded and said no more. Instead, she immediately activated her Martial Soul Avatar. A giant Blazing Fire Spirit Kite appeared in the sky.
She respectfully motioned for Qian Lingche and Guang Ling to climb aboard. Qian Lingche's Soul Power Level was still too low for him to fly for long.
Neither man stood on ceremony. They leapt straight onto the Blazing Fire Spirit Kite's back.
With a clear cry, the Blazing Fire Spirit Kite spread its wings and soared, trailing a long stream of flame as it quickly left Spirit City and flew toward the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
At that moment, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was immersed in joy. Their Sect Master's Wife had discovered she was pregnant, and the sect would soon welcome a Young Master.
Her pregnancy was a major event for the entire sect. The disciples were all abuzz, wondering what kind of talent the future Young Master would inherit.
The sect was decked out with lanterns and decorations, and the atmosphere was lively.
Ning Fengzhi wore an irrepressible smile as he personally saw to the arrangements, making sure his wife could rest and focus on her pregnancy.
The sect's elders were beaming, too, as if they could already see the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's even brighter future.
Amid the celebrations, a giant firebird cut across the sky and landed steadily before the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's gates.
Qian Lingche and Guang Ling flew down from the firebird's back. Lin Yuan also dispelled her Martial Soul Avatar, and the phantom of the Blazing Fire Spirit Kite gradually faded away.
Their arrival drew everyone's attention. People turned toward the gates, their eyes full of wariness.
Then a visiting card flew from Qian Lingche's hand and landed precisely in Ning Fengzhi's.
Ning Fengzhi paused in surprise and took the card. Before he could open it, a voice rang out: "Qian Lingche of Spirit Hall has come to pay a visit."
Ning Fengzhi looked up and saw a handsome, composed young man walking toward him.
A look of understanding crossed Ning Fengzhi's eyes. He put away the visiting card. "So it's Young Master Qian. Forgive me for not welcoming you sooner. Please, come inside and let us talk."
As Qian Lingche and the others followed Ning Fengzhi toward the main hall, a sharp gaze suddenly settled on Guang Ling.
Sword Douluo stepped out from the side and gave Guang Ling a careful look before speaking. "Guang Ling Douluo, Fifth Consecrator of Spirit Hall."
His voice wasn't loud, but the disciples nearby heard every word. The name "Guang Ling Douluo" immediately set off a wave of commotion.
After all, a Titled Douluo wasn't as common as cabbage. They stood at the very pinnacle of the continent.
At the sound of his name, Guang Ling stopped and turned to Sword Douluo, still wearing his lazy smile. "Well, if it isn't Sword Douluo. It's been years, but you're looking as dashing as ever."
Sword Douluo Chen Xin snorted, a hint of wariness in his eyes. "Guang Ling Douluo, what brings you here?"
Guang Ling shrugged, his tone relaxed. "No need to be so tense. I'm just accompanying our Young Master for a little visit, and to discuss a small matter while we're at it."
Seeing this, Ning Fengzhi hurried forward to smooth things over. "Uncle Sword, Young Master Qian and Guang Ling Douluo are our guests. Let's go inside and discuss things properly."
By the time Qian Lingche had finished a cup of tea, Ning Fengzhi had more or less understood why the three of them had come.
He set down his teacup and glanced between Qian Lingche and Guang Ling, quietly considering the matter.
He couldn't help recalling the information he had on this young master of Spirit Hall. His relationship with Pope Palace and the Worship Hall was far from harmonious. In fact, it could be called rather delicate.
And from his earlier conversation with Qian Lingche, he could tell that, young as he was, the boy was shrewd. There was likely more to this visit than met the eye.
Then Ning Fengzhi had another thought. Since Qian Lingche wasn't close to Spirit Hall's upper ranks, might this be an opportunity for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to build a closer relationship with him?
After all, even an overlooked young master had a Titled Douluo at his side, along with another person stuck at Level 90 who needed only a ninth Soul Ring to advance.
Making friends with them would undoubtedly benefit the sect's long-term growth.
Before Ning Fengzhi could speak, Qian Lingche suddenly stood up and said earnestly, "Sect Master Ning, you're my elder. I hope you won't mind if I call you Uncle Ning."
"I've long heard that Uncle Ning is kind and courteous. Seeing you today, I can tell the stories were true."
Ning Fengzhi paused at those words, then put on a warm smile of his own and replied amiably, "In that case, I'll presume upon our acquaintance and call you Xiao Che."
They exchanged smiles, and the atmosphere immediately relaxed.
Both sides knew perfectly well what was going on, but they still had to go through the motions. As long as there was something to gain, nothing else mattered.
Qian Lingche sat back down and continued, "Uncle Ning, I truly have something to ask of you. I want Lin Yuan to obtain a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring, but Brother Ling alone may not be able to manage it."
"So I'd like to ask the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to lend us a hand."
Ning Fengzhi nodded. "Xiao Che, a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring is no small matter. But since you've asked, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will naturally do all we can to help..."
Nearby, Sword Douluo Chen Xin, Bone Douluo Gu Rong, Guang Ling, and Lin Yuan watched Qian Lingche and Ning Fengzhi call each other "Uncle Ning" and "Xiao Che" with such warmth, as if they were old friends reunited. All of them wore helpless expressions.
They weren't as calculating as those two and couldn't make heads or tails of it. But if they had to compare it to something, it was like watching two sly foxes face off.
Sword Douluo folded his arms and couldn't help whispering to Bone Douluo, "Old Bone, what do you think they're playing at? Why are they suddenly acting like relatives?"
Bone Douluo shook his head, a hint of helplessness in his voice. "Who knows? But judging by Fengzhi, he's probably planning to use the opportunity to win over this young master of Spirit Hall."