Two Titled Douluo, Qian Renxue's Attention

Han Yu cast a calm, unreadable glance at Ning Fengzhi.

He feared that the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire had long since been replaced by Qian Renxue; for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to hitch their wagon to the Heaven Dou Empire was a disastrous move.

The eventual destruction of their sect would, in all likelihood, stem from this very misstep in choosing sides.

At this thought, a flicker of worry crossed Han Yu's brow.

"Han Yu, if you have something to say, speak plainly. You are a Saint Son of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect now," Gu Rong said with a smile, having noticed Han Yu's reaction.

"Oh? Han Yu, what is it? Don't worry, speak your mind," Ning Fengzhi said, his face beaming as he waved a hand.

"This disciple believes that the sect should not draw too close to the empire," Han Yu replied with a bow.

"It is fine. The Heaven Dou Empire is trustworthy."

Ning Fengzhi smiled in response, a look of surprise on his face. He had not expected Han Yu to have such insights or such a novel perspective on the matter. However, he did not take the advice to heart; the Spirit Hall was powerful and eyed all sects that refused to submit to them with hostility. Only by pooling the strength of many factions could they hope to survive.

Han Yu nodded and returned to his seat.

It was not the time to say too much. Han Yu did not explain the evidence he had for the Heaven Dou Empire's unreliability; dwelling on it would only invite trouble.

Even so, before they set off, he had requested to hide his identity and travel as Ning Rongrong's attendant.

This proposal was naturally agreed upon by the three elders; a tall tree catches the wind, after all.

Half a month later.

A few miles outside the Heaven Dou Imperial City, a luxurious carriage large enough to hold several people rolled slowly toward the city gates along a wide road.

Ning Fengzhi and the two elders watched Ning Rongrong and Han Yu playing and bickering, all of them laughing aloud.

Since departing the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, they had not rushed. They had spent the journey sightseeing, allowing Han Yu and Ning Rongrong to relax and unwind after two years of intense training.

It was a picture of harmony and togetherness.

"Han Yu, after we meet Emperor Xue Ye in the next few days, we shall head to the Sunset Forest to hunt a spirit beast for you," Ning Fengzhi said slowly, his eyes filled with anticipation.

Ning Fengzhi was usually too busy with sect affairs to leave, and having only heard of Han Yu's ability to absorb spirit rings beyond his rank without ever witnessing it, he intended to use this opportunity to see it for himself.

"As you command, Sect Master." Han Yu nodded with a smile.

This was exactly what he had hoped for. Ever since he had read about the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well in an ancient medicinal text three years ago, he had kept it in his mind.

Even if Ning Fengzhi hadn't brought it up, he would have found a way to steer the conversation toward it.

The carriage suddenly slowed, then came to a complete stop.

Two terrifying auras erupted from ahead, locking onto their carriage.

"Who goes there? Stop skulking and show yourselves!" Gu Rong's eyes turned fierce as he gripped the air toward the distance.

A streak of ink-green light shot out from the shadows.

Gu Rong flicked his fist, and the light exploded into a cloud of toxic mist mid-air.

Two figures emerged.

The one on the left was short, stout, and sturdy, with a swollen, purple-tinged face. The one on the right was tall and thin, clad in black armor. Both had nine perfectly matched spirit rings beneath their feet—they were two Titled Douluo.

"Old Bone, go back and protect Fengzhi and the others. Leave them to me," Chen Xin said softly.

Gu Rong scanned the surroundings, nodded solemnly, and stood before Han Yu and the others, ready for action.

Chen Xin drifted slowly into the air, his gaze frigid. The Seven Kill Sword materialized in his hand, and a sword aura so overwhelming it was difficult to resist erupted from his body. He slashed several times in an instant; each strike landed on the exact same point, merging into a blade of energy several meters wide that flew toward the two attackers.

The two Titled Douluo joined forces, their coordination flawless as they easily blocked the attack.

"The two guardian Douluo of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, what brings you out for a stroll?" a gloomy voice rang out, the speaker's eyes fixed on Ning Fengzhi and his companions behind Gu Rong.

"Retreat now, or die," Chen Xin said coldly. His aura continued to climb as he slowly condensed a spirit skill onto the Seven Kill Sword.

Ning Fengzhi summoned his Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda. His seven spirit rings flashed in succession, bestowing all his amplification skills upon Chen Xin.

The two Titled Douluo looked fearful. They huddled together and launched their own spirit skills first, attempting to interrupt Chen Xin's buildup.

"Second spirit skill: Overload." Han Yu pointed lightly toward the space in front of Chen Xin.

Chen Xin cast a thoughtful glance back at Han Yu before unleashing a flurry of strikes at the two rushing figures, the power of each blow stacking upon the last.

The two Titled Douluo felt their movements stall for a split second, missing their chance to interrupt. The short, stout Titled Douluo suddenly expanded, spikes erupting from his body as he took the full force of the skill. He spat blood and was sent flying backward.

The other, filled with shock, hurriedly chased after him, caught him, and transformed into a streak of light to flee the scene.

Seeing this, Chen Xin let out a breath and descended from the air.

"Two Titled Douluo... yes, it must be the Spirit Hall." Ning Fengzhi gripped his staff, his brow furrowed, his voice firm.

He had not expected the Spirit Hall to be so bold as to stage an ambush in broad daylight just to prevent his sect from forming an alliance with the Heaven Dou Empire. He would not let them have their way; he was determined to forge this alliance.

The carriage continued on its way.

Outside the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.

Han Yu stepped out of the carriage. Before him lay layers upon layers of palaces, sprawling upward along the terrain. A path a hundred meters wide, paved with golden-scaled blue bricks, was lined with dozens of stone pillars, with armored spirit master guards standing at attention on both sides.

"Honored guests of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, His Majesty has been waiting for some time. Please, follow me."

Ning Fengzhi and his party followed the others into the imperial palace.

There, they met the ruler of the Heaven Dou Empire, Emperor Xue Ye.

The Emperor was dressed in red robes and wore a golden crown. His hair and beard were streaked with white, and his skin appeared somewhat sallow. He possessed an extremely gentle temperament, pulling Ning Fengzhi into a lively conversation without the slightest air of imperial arrogance.

Han Yu, however, kept his attention fixed on the young man standing at Emperor Xue Ye's side.

It was a flawless face, with a faint arc at the corners of the lips. He sat quietly without saying a word, responding to anyone who looked his way with an elegant and easygoing smile.

This was none other than the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Qinghe—or rather, Qian Renxue.

Qian Renxue was also observing Han Yu calmly, a surge of intense interest rising in her eyes as her thumb stroked the ring on her finger.

The people she had sent out had already reported the situation. With Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo acting as escorts, she had held no hope of killing Ning Fengzhi; she had only intended to use the incident to warn the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. She had not expected to make such a new discovery.

This unremarkable youth was actually capable of interfering with a Title Douluo. Although it had only been for an instant, among true powerhouses, battles were often decided in a single moment.

Such a gifted support-type genius soul master ought to submit to her, Qian Renxue. He should follow her to become the strongest on the continent and assist her in ascending to godhood.

Han Yu was suddenly struck by an ominous premonition. He looked up to see Qian Renxue nodding and smiling at him. His heart tightened, but he returned the smile all the same.

Ning Rongrong, standing between the two of them, felt utterly bewildered.