A Slap to the Face, A Long-Awaited Reunion

Inside the carriage.

Han Yu peered through the carriage curtains and remarked with a sigh, "The people of the Star Luo Empire are truly enthusiastic."

A burly prince dressed in ornate robes sat opposite Han Yu and Ye Lingling, smiling as he said, "Hehe, it is all thanks to the Holy Son. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect provides aid to the Star Luo Empire in many aspects, including lowering the requirements for joining the sect."

Han Yu nodded slightly, his eyes flickering.

This was indeed a benefit to the country and its people; no wonder the Star Luo royal family valued him so highly and went to such lengths to send a prince to receive him.

His disappearance over the past year had become the fuse that united various factions, which might just alter Bibi Dong's plans for the years to come.

Gurgle—

Gurgle—

Han Yu and Ye Lingling's stomachs let out uncooperative growls.

Ye Lingling lowered her head, blushing, while Han Yu let out a hearty laugh.

"Your Highness Han Yu, the most famous Delicacy Pavilion in Star Luo City is just ahead. Allow me, on behalf of the royal family, to play the host," the prince said with a smile.

"Hm? You recognize me?"

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

The Spirit Emperor's aged face creased into a smile as he bowed and performed a salute. "Your Highness Han Yu may not be aware, but in the year you have been missing, your noble 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 act that placed himself under the spotlight?

The Spirit Emperor smiled and continued, "Since your disappearance, the two Crowned Ones, Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo of your noble sect, were furious. They successively destroyed two Spirit Hall branches, including the largest one in Heaven Dou City, leaving no survivors.

"Bone Douluo, the Crowned One, repeatedly ambushed Spirit Hall enforcement teams in various locations, crazily hunting down those low-level spirit masters.

"Your sect master, Ning Fengzhi, 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, followed immediately by a look of worry on his face.

Given the foundations of Spirit Hall, it was impossible for his two teachers to resist them. Even if they had consumed immortal herbs previously, they could never handle such overwhelming numbers, let alone the terrifying existences within 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 Crowned Ones."

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

A look of admiration appeared on the Spirit Emperor's face as he lowered his posture slightly, sighing.

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

He pulled a beautifully crafted flyer with a pattern printed on it from his waist, lifted it with spirit power, and let it drift gently toward Han Yu in the air.

Han Yu's eyes glinted as he scrutinized the incoming flyer and caught it.

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

A million-gold bounty! A ten-thousand-year spirit bone! The friendship of a Titled Douluo!

Below were three paragraphs of moderate length.

Anyone who provides information on the Holy Son Han Yu, once verified, will be rewarded with one million gold spirit coins, regardless of whether he is found.

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

All factions and spirit masters who provide assistance will gain the friendship of Sword and Bone Douluo and may seek unconditional help in times of danger.

Han Yu gently brushed over the bottom right corner, feeling the aura of the seals belonging to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and his two teachers. A smile bloomed on his face, and warmth filled his heart.

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

Having lived peacefully for decades, they had essentially flipped the table for his sake, showing just how much they valued and cared for him.

Regardless of their initial motives, they had actually done it; a gentleman is judged by his deeds, not his intentions.

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

Han Yu scanned the group. Aside from the lead Spirit Emperor, the others were only at the Spirit Grandmaster level, so he brought Ye Lingling down toward the ground.

Just as he touched the ground—

Whoosh—

A black shadow flashed by. Zhu Zhuqing's proud peaks pressed against Han Yu's back, her fingers grown into slender claws, circling his neck.

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

Han Yu's gaze remained indifferent. A layer of transparent purple light armor manifested over his body as he stood quietly in place.

"Hmph, Second Princess, don't 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 this through."

The Spirit Emperor sneered, his tone dripping with mockery.

He had long heard of this Holy Son's past feats—how he had easily defeated a Spirit Elder without even using his martial soul, rising to fame in a single battle and earning the title of Sword Immortal.

As long as the Holy Son did not wish it, the Second Princess, merely a Great Spirit Master, would never be able to get close to him. As for why the Holy Son was acting this way, that was not for him to consider; he was just a lackey under the imperial family, and he knew his place.

"Hey, tell them to back off! If they retreat, I'll let you go," Zhu Zhuqing said, tightening her grip on his arm as she pressed closely against Han Yu's back, her voice icy.

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

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

In 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 arms wrapped around Han Yu's neck went rigid before falling limply against his chest.

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

"Your Highness Han Yu, please forgive the disturbance," the Spirit Emperor said, bowing with an apologetic tone.

Han Yu shook his head with a smile. He glanced at the fallen Zhu Zhuqing and asked, "It is no matter. How will the imperial family deal with her?"

This question made the Spirit Emperor's eyes flicker. Misinterpreting the intent, he pondered for a moment before answering.

"Usually, it would be imprisonment, but since she encountered Your Highness, the Second Princess has also performed a service. I expect there will be no punishment."

Han Yu nodded, a suspicious expression crossing his face.

He remembered the Star Luo Empire being quite harsh; it seemed the Star Luo imperial family wasn't as heartless as he thought.

He smiled and said, "Very well, let us depart."

The Spirit Emperor, wearing an "as I expected" expression, nodded repeatedly. He ordered his men to carry Zhu Zhuqing and took the lead, heading toward the Star Luo Empire.