Secrets of the Thunder Prison, Crisis Approaches

The next morning.

Chen Xin took Han Yu out to pay a visit to the Ye Family.

The power dynamics in Heaven Dou City were complex, and the Ye Family, being in decline, was located outside the fourth ring of the city. Their estate was only about one-third the size of the Crown Prince's tutor's residence.

"Many people were lingering outside the residence last night," Chen Xin said softly as he walked at a steady pace.

Han Yu gave an awkward smile and replied, "Yes, Teacher. I will act more cautiously in the future."

Chen Xin nodded.

It wasn't that he wanted to raise Han Yu to be someone who hid away in fear, but human hearts were treacherous. He and Old Bone would not always be by Han Yu's side, and if he acted too ostentatiously, he would lose his life sooner or later.

At yesterday's banquet, everything had been peaceful, filled with joy and laughter, yet that very night, more than a dozen Soul Saint-level auras had lingered near the residence.

Because of this, he now refused to leave Han Yu's side, and he had even moved his own living quarters to the room next to Han Yu's.

"We have arrived," Chen Xin said.

Han Yu looked up. The plaque bearing the two characters for "Ye Family" was filled with the scent of history, and vines with fresh buds crawled over the outer walls. The refreshing scent made him feel completely at ease.

A Ye Family attendant respectfully led the two of them into the courtyard.

The Ye Family Head from yesterday rose to greet them, a peaceful smile on her face, and personally poured tea for Han Yu and Chen Xin.

The Ye Family Head did not take the main seat, but instead sat facing Han Yu and Chen Xin.

She sat up straight, occupying only half of the chair, her hands clasped tightly on her knees.

"Your Excellency Chen Xin, Holy Son, I am Ye Qing. I apologize for the intrusion today," the Ye Family Head said, cupping her hands in a salute.

Chen Xin responded with a smile.

Han Yu returned the salute and said, "Old Bone has mentioned you to me many times. Come to think of it, the herbal knowledge I have learned is, in a way, thanks to the Ye Family."

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. It is the Holy Son who is exceptionally gifted," the Ye Family Head said, her eyes filled with a hint of trepidation as she waved her hands dismissively.

The atmosphere in the hall eased somewhat, and the Ye Family Head and Chen Xin began by chatting about old times.

When the conversation turned to the current situation, the Ye Family Head could not help but sigh, her face full of worry.

Chen Xin's eyes flickered, but he remained calm, continuing to sip his tea in small mouthfuls.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had been on good terms with the Ye Family for many years, even spending manpower and resources to support them in hopes of bringing the Ye Family into the sect.

However, whenever Ning Fengzhi extended an invitation, the Ye Family would always come up with various excuses to stall. Over time, the only remaining bond between the two powers was the personal relationship between Old Bone and the Ye Family Head.

"Your Excellency Chen Xin, forgive my bluntness, but Spirit Hall has come to invite the Ye Family more than once," the Ye Family Head said, pursing her lips.

Seeing that Chen Xin still appeared indifferent, she lowered her gaze and squeezed out a few words from her throat: "If it were the Spirit Hall of the past, my Ye Family might have agreed to join long ago.

But the current Pope acts with ruthless cruelty and lacks human sentiment; Spirit Hall is truly not a good place to go."

Han Yu glanced at the silent Chen Xin, pondered for a moment, and asked, "Then why does the Ye Family Head not join my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"

A faint smile appeared on the corner of Chen Xin's mouth at these words.

He knew that with Han Yu's intelligence, he would certainly know what to say and what to ask at this moment.

The Ye Family bringing up Spirit Hall's recruitment now was nothing more than a desire to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, but they clearly wanted to negotiate some additional conditions.

"Holy Son, I do indeed have that intention, but... I have some conditions. I wonder if..." The Ye Family Head bowed toward Han Yu, though her eyes drifted toward Chen Xin from time to time as she spoke in a low voice.

Han Yu smiled and said, "The Ye Family Head may speak freely. As long as it is not excessive, the sect will certainly not stand in your way."

"The Ye Family is going to split. My granddaughter will take some of our clansmen to establish her own branch. I wonder if her lineage could join your esteemed sect?" The Ye Family Head's eyes flickered as she stood up and bowed.

As soon as these words were spoken—

Chen Xin's gaze sharpened, and he set his teacup down on the table with a light thud.

A surge of majestic soul power rippled outward.

A look of fear flashed across the Ye Family Head's face, but she forced herself to stand straight, bowing her head with trembling hands.

Han Yu narrowed his eyes slightly, sizing up the Ye Family Head.

This Ye Family Head had a clever plan indeed: splitting off her granddaughter to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect while she herself joined Spirit Hall. By hedging her bets on both sides, she wouldn't lose regardless of who won or lost. She was trying to use the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to hatch her own eggs.

However, it wasn't certain whose chicken would be hatching whose eggs.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had nothing if not an abundance of Ning clan members; he didn't believe they wouldn't eventually awaken the Nine Heart Begonia spirit.

Han Yu and Chen Xin exchanged a look and raised their brows. He stood up to help the Ye Family Head up, saying, "That is wonderful. This is a good thing; the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect welcomes the young talents of the Ye Family to join."

The Ye Family Head was stunned, rising in a daze and thanking them repeatedly.

A moment later, she realized something was wrong. When had she ever said that it was the Ye Family's young talents who would join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?

But seeing Chen Xin also nodding with a smile, she could only helplessly go along with it.

Only then did she realize that Han Yu gave her the same feeling as facing Ning Fengzhi—she had been taken advantage of without even realizing it.

"Sigh, I wonder if doing this is a blessing or a curse for Leng Leng," the Ye Family Head muttered to herself, her eyes filled with worry.

Spirit City, Elder Hall.

This magnificent hall shimmered with a divine radiance under the sunlight.

Inside the hall, a statue of the Angel God, over a dozen meters tall, stood in the center.

Kneeling before the statue was a golden-haired elder with an ethereal temperament and a handsome face, praying with a devout expression.

This man was none other than the Great Elder of Spirit Hall, a top-tier powerhouse of the continent, Qian Daoliu.

A middle-aged man clad in golden armor with a robust physique strode into the hall.

"Is there any word from She Long and Chi Xue?" Qian Daoliu slowly opened his eyes, his gaze indifferent as he asked.

"Big Brother, the Young Lady sent word, suspecting that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is behind this." Golden Crocodile Douluo handed over a letter, answering with a frown.

The letter detailed the two failed ambushes by Snake Spear and Chi Xue Douluo, even recording the moment Han Yu held them off. It went on to describe their subsequent investigation and mysterious disappearance, Dugu Bo joining the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and Han Yu revealing his sword intent—not a single detail was omitted.

"Xue'er's intelligence work is becoming increasingly proficient." A hint of tenderness appeared in Qian Daoliu's eyes as he stroked the envelope and smiled.

"Big Brother, at a time like this, you're still concerned about that? Xue'er has no Title Douluo protecting her now; her situation is very dangerous." Golden Crocodile Douluo widened his eyes, his voice filled with anxiety.

Qian Daoliu's eyes shimmered with golden light as he gazed toward the direction of the Heaven Dou Empire.

He waved his hand and said slowly, "Go. Just protect Xue'er from the shadows. Do not take action against other sects again. A mere auxiliary-type Spirit Master of no consequence is not worth her putting in so much effort."

To Qian Daoliu, as long as Qian Renxue could return to the Elder Hall safely, nothing else mattered.

As long as Qian Renxue's character was tempered to the required standard, this continent would once again be illuminated by the angels.