After the Soul Fighting ended.
The manager of the Heaven Dou Great Soul Fighting Arena had been waiting respectfully in the private room for quite some time.
When Han Yu entered the room, the manager stepped forward with a beaming smile. He bowed slightly and offered him an exquisite gold badge with both hands. Two large characters were engraved on it: Sword Immortal.
Han Yu smiled as he took it, turning the badge over in his hands. "Oh? I only fought one match. Isn't this a little against the rules?"
"Holy Son, you flatter us. Your strength is plain for all to see, and you made a name for yourself in a single battle. How could the Heaven Dou Great Soul Fighting Arena fail to recognize a hero?" The manager was deeply deferential, his words full of flattery.
Seeing that Han Yu made no further objections, the manager understood and backed out of the room with a bow, gently closing the door behind him.
"Now even I'm going to become famous. In their eyes, I, Chen Xin, taught a genius who cultivated sword intent despite having an auxiliary-type Martial Soul." Chen Xin glared at Han Yu in displeasure, his tone tinged with helplessness.
Han Yu blinked his lively eyes and obediently lowered his head.
He hadn't revealed his Twin Martial Souls, it was just that he'd brought Chen Xin into it.
Seeing this, Chen Xin smiled and gently shook his head.
He took a letter stamped with gold characters from his Soul Tool at his waist and said, "This was just delivered by the Heaven Dou Imperial Family. The Imperial Family is holding a banquet tonight and has invited the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
Han Yu took the letter and examined it. A look of understanding crossed his face. Perhaps this banquet was being held for his sake.
He nodded. "Invite Dugu Bo and Qin Ming as well. We can have them approve Qin Ming's matter in person."
Chen Xin raised an eyebrow, surprised.
Han Yu seemed intent on stirring things up at the Heaven Dou Imperial Family's banquet. But when Chen Xin thought of the two attempts on their lives during their trip to Heaven Dou, he no longer felt like stopping him. Instead, a hint of anticipation stirred within him.
Night fell.
Han Yu and the others set out.
The Heaven Dou Imperial Palace, Star-Plucking Tower.
The tower stood dozens of meters tall and had ten levels, with a circular, open center. At the heart of the ground floor stood an ornate, luxurious stage.
Several silk ribbons drifted down from above. Ten graceful young women clutched the ribbons and danced through the air, occasionally carrying wine jugs to one of the levels to refill the distinguished guests' cups.
It was a sight to behold.
On the tenth floor, Han Yu and the others sat facing one another.
"The Imperial Family certainly knows how to enjoy itself." Dugu Bo tipped his head back and drained his cup, his voice full of disdain.
"These people lack talent and have no hope of becoming Titled Douluo. Enjoying themselves while they can isn't wrong." Chen Xin spoke softly.
He'd understood what Dugu Bo meant: that the Heaven Dou Imperial Family's strength didn't measure up to the resources at its disposal.
"Yes, Your Excellency is right." Dugu Bo straightened his expression and replied.
Han Yu smiled. "Teacher is right. In my view, the empire and the sects have always depended on each other.
"Without an empire to support them, where would the various sects get fresh blood? If each sect had to govern its own territory, wars might even break out."
At Han Yu's words, Chen Xin nodded, admiration showing in his eyes.
He was pleased that Han Yu could understand this principle for himself.
Ten thousand years ago, the continent was home to thousands of powers, large and small. They often fought over territory, and dozens of high-ranked Soul Masters could die in a single clash.
Only after a genius attained godhood and established Spirit Hall to oversee unjust conflicts did the continent gradually find stability. Those lessons had been written in history and blood.
"Holy Son, this old man has learned something today." Dugu Bo put on a look of sudden realization, then smiled and cupped his hands.
He discreetly nudged Qin Ming beside him with his elbow and gave him a meaningful glance.
Qin Ming immediately cupped his hands. "The Holy Son cares for the whole world. The continent is fortunate to have you."
Dugu Bo's eyes widened. He hadn't expected this old fellow, Qin Ming, with his thick brows and big eyes, to be so practiced at flattery.
Han Yu chuckled.
Just then, members of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family arrived.
Emperor Xue Ye wore a crown and a snow-white robe embroidered with gold thread as he took the seat of honor.
The two princes, Xue Qinghe and Xue Beng, sat on either side with a gathering of imperial relatives.
Xue Beng stared fixedly at Dugu Bo, who sat beside Han Yu, his face full of astonishment. He looked questioningly at a middle-aged member of the Imperial Family, only to find him just as shocked, sitting there with a stunned expression.
"So this is Han Yu. I met you last time when Sect Master Ning brought you along." Emperor Xue Ye had taken in both their reactions and spoke with a genial smile.
At his words, Han Yu stood and bowed slightly. Calm and neither servile nor arrogant, he said, "Han Yu, Holy Son of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, pays his respects to Emperor Xue Ye."
Emperor Xue Ye smiled and nodded repeatedly, then gestured for Han Yu and the others to move to the seats beside him.
His tone was gentle, and he carried not the slightest trace of imperial majesty. He was more like a kindly neighbor.
"Your Excellency Sword Douluo, congratulations. Your disciple has quite a reputation now." Emperor Xue Ye lifted his cup and lowered it slightly as he clinked it with Chen Xin's, speaking with a smile.
Chen Xin smiled faintly and took a sip, but said nothing.
"Haha, by the way, I heard from my son that your sect wants to recruit Teacher Qin Ming?" Emperor Xue Ye wasn't put off. He continued speaking with a genial smile.
Han Yu bowed. "Would Your Majesty be willing to part with him?"
Qin Ming stepped forward with his body tense and bowed, his heart uneasy.
"What's so difficult about that? I grant it. Xue Beng, come out and apologize to the Holy Son already." Emperor Xue Ye waved a hand, speaking lightly as he glanced at Xue Beng, who was fidgeting anxiously.
Han Yu spoke before he could. "Your Majesty, there's no need. Our sect and Heaven Dou are allies. There's no need to concern ourselves with such trivial matters."
Seeing this, Emperor Xue Ye nodded and didn't press the issue. His gaze was deep, though a smile remained on his face.
As they chatted, the banquet began.
More than a hundred different dishes were brought to the tables, and every floor was filled with a festive atmosphere.
Han Yu glanced unobtrusively toward Qian Renxue, only to find that she'd been watching him the whole time.
He couldn't help laughing wryly as he looked at Dugu Bo.
Of course. With two teachers and Dugu Bo, they could easily surround and kill two Titled Douluo. No wonder Qian Renxue suspected them.
A hint of wariness rose in Han Yu's heart. He tried to shift a little closer to Chen Xin, but realized that Chen Xin had somehow moved to the floor below, across from them.
Chen Xin was chatting with an elderly woman, smiling and nodding from time to time.
The elderly woman's brows were furrowed with worry. She shook her head and sighed repeatedly.
Just then, the two of them suddenly turned their eyes toward Han Yu, meeting his gaze.
Han Yu smiled and nodded in greeting.
He remembered now. She was the Ye Family Head Gu Rong had mentioned. The book on immortal herbs had been borrowed from the Ye Family, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had always had a good relationship with them.
The Ye Family Head was also one of the few healing-type Soul Masters on the continent. Like Ning Fengzhi, she was a Soul Sage.
The Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul had a serious flaw as well: there could be no more than two people with it in the world at the same time.