The Most Protective Sect, Heading to Star Luo City

"Hmm? You recognize me?"

Han Yu narrowed his eyes, subtly flapping his wings to drift backward.

The Soul Emperor's aged face creased into a smile as he bowed respectfully. "Your Highness Han Yu may not be aware, but in the year you have been missing, your sect has turned the continent upside down."

Han Yu did not stop his retreat upon hearing this, his eyes filled with suspicion.

Having grown up in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, he knew Ning Fengzhi better than anyone. The long-term development of the sect was what Ning Fengzhi cared about most; how could he possibly engage in such an operation that placed himself under the spotlight?

The Soul Emperor smiled and continued, "Since your disappearance, your sect's Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo were both enraged. They successively destroyed two Spirit Hall branch halls, including the largest one in Heaven Dou City, with no survivors.

"Bone Douluo has repeatedly laid ambushes for Spirit Hall's enforcement teams, frantically hunting down those low-level soul masters.

"Your Sect Master, Ning Fengzhi, has even rallied the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, the two empires of Heaven Dou and Star Luo, and several smaller factions to form an alliance to resist the oppression of Spirit Hall."

"What! And then? What were the casualties of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"

Han Yu exclaimed, a warmth rising in his heart, immediately followed by a look of worry on his face.

Given the foundation of Spirit Hall, it was simply not something his two teachers could resist. Even if they had previously consumed immortal herbs, they could never defeat such overwhelming numbers, let alone those terrifying existences in the Elder Hall.

Beside him, Ye Lingling reached out and gently patted Han Yu's back.

"Your Highness, rest assured, Spirit Hall did not take action against the two titled Douluo.

"Just as a great war was about to break out, a peerless powerhouse from Spirit Hall appeared to stop the conflict. They admitted that Spirit Hall was at fault, imprisoned the perpetrators for fifty years, and reduced the licensing authority of the Spirit Hall branches over the major factions."

A look of admiration appeared on the Soul Emperor's face as he lowered his body slightly, sighing with emotion.

He genuinely admired the actions of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect; it was a benevolent deed for the world that reduced the power struggles between factions.

He pulled a beautifully crafted, patterned flyer from his waist and, using his soul power to lift it, let it drift gently toward Han Yu in the air.

Han Yu's eyes glinted as he carefully examined the flyer before catching it.

The flyer featured a large image of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, with several gold-stamped characters catching the eye.

A million-gold bounty! A ten-thousand-year soul bone! The friendship of a Title Douluo!

Below were three moderately sized paragraphs.

Anyone who provides information on the Holy Son Han Yu, once verified, will be directly rewarded with one million Gold Soul Coins, regardless of whether he is found.

Those who provide his location will receive three ten-thousand-year soul bones.

All factions and soul masters who provide assistance will gain the friendship of the Sword and Bone Douluo, and may seek unconditional help if they encounter danger.

Han Yu gently stroked the bottom right corner, feeling the aura of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and his two teachers' seals. A smile bloomed on his face, and warmth welled up in his heart.

He had not expected Ning Fengzhi and his two teachers to go to such lengths.

After decades of stability, they had essentially flipped the table for his sake, which showed just how much they valued and cared for him.

Regardless of their initial motives, at least they had truly acted; a gentleman is judged by his deeds, not his intentions.

"Your Highness Han Yu, why not return to the empire with us? The Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament will be held in our country in the coming days, and your Sect Master will also arrive shortly," the Soul Emperor said respectfully.

Han Yu scanned the group. Aside from the Soul Emperor leading them, the others were only at the Soul Master level, so he brought Ye Lingling down toward the ground.

Just as he landed.

Whoosh.

A black shadow flashed. Zhu Zhuqing's proud bosom pressed against Han Yu's back, her long, sharp fingernails extended and encircling his neck.

"Let me go! Otherwise, I will kill him," Zhu Zhuqing said sharply.

Han Yu's expression remained indifferent. A layer of transparent purple light armor manifested on his skin as he stood quietly in place.

"Hmph, Second Princess, do not do anything foolish. This is the Holy Son of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

"The Star Luo Empire has over a dozen princesses, but the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has only one Holy Son. You had better think clearly."

The Soul Emperor sneered, his tone full of mockery.

He had long heard of this Holy Son's combat record—how he had easily defeated a Soul Master without even using his martial soul, and had even made a name for himself as a Sword Immortal.

As long as the Holy Son did not wish to be caught, the Second Princess, who was only a Great Soul Master, could never get close to him. As for why the Holy Son allowed it, that was not for him to consider; he was merely a lackey of the imperial family with his own sense of self-preservation.

"Hey, tell them to back off, and I'll let you go," Zhu Zhuqing said, tightening her grip on his neck, her tone icy.

Han Yu frowned and muttered to himself, "It seems to be a year early."

"What?" Zhu Zhuqing leaned forward, tilting her head to hear Han Yu clearly.

The next instant.

Golden arcs of electricity suddenly erupted from Han Yu's body, surging into Zhu Zhuqing.

Zhu Zhuqing's beautiful eyes trembled. The arm wrapped around Han Yu's neck went rigid, then slumped powerlessly against his chest.

She felt a wave of numbness wash over her, her entire body instantly turning limp and weak. Her legs wobbled as she collapsed, and before she lost consciousness, she deeply etched the side profile of Han Yu's face into her mind.

"Your Highness Han Yu, I apologize for the shock," the Soul Emperor said, bowing with an apologetic tone.

Han Yu smiled and shook his head, glancing at the unconscious Zhu Zhuqing on the ground. "It is fine. How will the imperial family deal with her?"

This question caused the Soul Emperor's eyes to flicker. Misinterpreting his intent, he pondered for a moment before answering.

"Usually, it would be imprisonment, but since it concerns Your Highness, the Second Princess also played a part, so I expect there won't be any punishment."

Han Yu nodded, a look of suspicion appearing on his face.

He remembered the Star Luo Empire being quite harsh, but it seemed the Star Luo royal family wasn't as devoid of human sentiment as he had thought.

He smiled and said, "Not bad. Let's set off."

The Spirit Emperor wore an 'as I expected' expression and nodded repeatedly. He ordered his men to hoist Zhu Zhuqing up and took the lead, heading in the direction of the Star Luo Empire.

A few days later.

A luxurious motorcade appeared within Star Luo City, flanked by a row of imperial guards, drawing the attention of the onlookers in the city.

"Who is that? It's been a long time since I've seen such a grand display."

"Heh, my cousin is an officer in the imperial guards; this person has quite the background."

"Oh? Tell me about it."

The man pulled out the bounty notice issued by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and waved it in his hand.

"This person is the renowned Holy Son, His Highness Han Yu. Our Star Luo Empire has finally found him."

"What! He really didn't die? Wasn't it said that a Titled Douluo from Spirit Hall launched the attack?"

"Tch, if this His Highness Han Yu didn't have some real skill, why would Spirit Hall send a Titled Douluo to strike from the shadows?"

"Doesn't that mean our relationship with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will grow even closer? That's great, I want to send my son to take the sect's entrance exam."