Summons, Talks

The heads of several well-acquainted noble families moved among one another, glasses in hand, chatting and laughing with ease.

The senior officials of the East Sea City Spirit Pagoda branch also joined the fray. The branch master, a middle-aged man with a square face who appeared to be in his fifties, was currently conversing with several family heads, his voice kept at a moderate, perfect volume to maintain the lively atmosphere of the event.

The younger generation began to grow familiar with one another as well.

Though they had initially held back to save face, many of the children had now gathered together, chatting in twos and threes.

After all, the connections they made now might well become valuable resources in the future.

Xu Xiaoyan was not lacking for company; a young girl about her age approached her.

When she asked where Xu Xiaoyan had bought the ice-blue crystal bracelet on her wrist, Xu Xiaoyan explained with great enthusiasm that it was a gift from Brother Chu Yan, and the two girls began to chat, displaying the lively energy typical of their age.

Chu Yan sat in his original seat, his gaze occasionally sweeping across the hall. He was seven or eight parts full and simply held a glass of cold water, sipping it slowly.

Just then, a voice resonated directly within his mind.

"I am Leng Yaozhu."

Upon hearing this, Chu Yan was slightly taken aback. It was a mental transmission. He hadn't expected to actually be noticed; she had spotted the most talented "handsome guy" in the entire room at a single glance. As expected of the Sky Phoenix Douluo!

This was a mental transmission that only those with a very high level of spiritual power could achieve. It required no speaking, no use of soul power, and could deliver one's words into another's consciousness through intent alone.

It was a common method used by many powerhouses.

He calmly received the voice in his mind and gave a microscopic blink, acknowledging that he had heard her.

Immediately after, Leng Yaozhu's voice came again, steady and indifferent, yet brooking no refusal.

"If you are willing, you may stay behind after the gathering disperses. I would like to have a private word with you."

Then, silence followed. There was no explanation for the reason, no superfluous pleasantries, as if it were merely a trivial matter handled in passing.

Hearing this, Chu Yan gave an imperceptible nod to indicate he understood, and that was that.

A staff member left after handing the detailed personal information of Chu Yan to Leng Yaozhu.

Holding the information sheet, the corners of Leng Yaozhu's mouth twitched as she murmured to herself, "Young Master of the Chu Clan, Chu Yan, six years old. It has been less than half a month since he awakened his martial soul. On the day of his awakening, a pillar of light shot straight into the clouds from the Chu residence, and he hasn't been to the Spirit Pagoda to obtain a soul spirit yet?... Interesting."

This little guy's soul power fluctuations were not those of a mere soul scholar; he was nearly approaching the level of a grand soul master. Does he really have no soul ring?

If he did have a soul ring, how did he obtain it?

Furthermore, his spiritual power had already reached the Spirit Connection Realm. She had never seen a child with such natural talent before.

What an interesting little fellow.

The banquet gradually drew to a close. Guests began to rise one after another to take their leave, and the waiters began to clear the tableware and clean the tables in an orderly fashion.

Xu Zonghan stepped away from the heads of the allied families and walked over to Xu Xiaoyan, whispering a few words to her. Xu Xiaoyan nodded obediently and turned her head to look at Chu Yan.

"Brother Chu Yan, I have to go back with Father."

"Alright." Chu Yan stood up, smiled at her, and said, "I'll come to see you tomorrow."

"Really?" Xu Xiaoyan's eyes lit up.

"Really."

"It's a promise then!" Xu Xiaoyan extended her pinky finger, looking at him earnestly.

Chu Yan also extended his pinky, hooking it gently with hers.

"Pinky swear, it won't change for a hundred years." After reciting this, Xu Xiaoyan beamed, her eyes curving into crescents. She released his hand and turned to skip back to her father's side.

Xu Zonghan nodded slightly to Chu Yan in greeting, then spoke to Chu Yuntian before leading his two children toward the hall exit.

A moment later, Chu Yuntian returned after bidding farewell to his business partners.

"Yan'er, we should also prepare to—" He stopped mid-sentence, noticing Chu Yan's expression.

Chu Yan leaned in closer and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Father, just now, Pagoda Master Leng used a mental transmission to tell me to stay behind after the meeting ends so she can speak with me privately."

Upon hearing this, Chu Yuntian paused for a moment, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes.

He glanced toward the head table of the hall. Leng Yaozhu was still sitting there, and the East Sea City branch master seemed to be reporting something to her, his expression calm.

He looked back down at his son, the surprise on his face gradually replaced by an indescribable, complex emotion.

"She approached you herself?"

"Yes."

Chu Yuntian was silent for two seconds, then took a light breath. Lowering his voice even further, he said, "Then you stay. Talk to her properly. Don't be nervous, and don't try to force an impression. Since she noticed you, it means you possess something that interests her. After all, your martial soul and spiritual power are both exceptional."

"I understand, Father."

After a brief silence, Chu Yuntian patted his shoulder and added, "I will wait for you downstairs. Come find me directly when you are finished. Don't rush; take as long as you need."

With that, he turned and walked toward the hall exit. Though his expression remained calm, it would be a lie to say he wasn't excited. He never expected such a low-probability event to happen to their Chu Clan.

That was the Sky Phoenix Douluo! One of the top-tier powerhouses on the continent!

Chu Yan watched his father's back disappear into the entrance of the corridor, then withdrew his gaze and took one last look at the head table.

Only a few tables of guests remained in the hall, chatting, but before long, they too rose one after another to take their leave.

The waiters were nearing the end of their cleanup, and most of the plates had been cleared from the long tables, leaving only a few refreshments in their original places.

Not until the hall had fallen completely silent did Leng Yaozhu set down her teacup and stand up.

She did not speak, merely glancing toward Chu Yan to signal him to follow, before turning and walking toward a corridor on the side of the hall.

A Spirit Pagoda staff member stood at the entrance of the corridor; upon seeing Leng Yaozhu approach, they bowed respectfully and stepped aside to clear the path.

Seeing this, Chu Yan also stood up and, without hesitation, stepped forward to follow.

The corridor was not very long, with pale blue soul-guide light strips embedded in both walls, casting a soft and even glow.

Chu Yan followed about three or four paces behind Leng Yaozhu, his footsteps sounding exceptionally clear in the quiet corridor. The woman walking ahead moved with composure, neither hurried nor slow, the hem of her dark red dress brushing gently against the floor as she walked.

After about a dozen steps, Leng Yaozhu stopped in front of a door and reached out to push it open.

Inside was a reception room of moderate size, furnished simply yet with meticulous attention to detail.

A dark brown wooden tea table was placed by the window, set with a celadon tea service, while a neatly trimmed green plant sat on a low side table nearby, filling the air with a faint fragrance.

Leng Yaozhu walked into the room, sat down on the sofa in the main seat, and gestured toward the seat opposite her.

"Sit."

Chu Yan did not stand on ceremony and sat down on the sofa across from her.

The sofa was of moderate firmness, far more comfortable than the chairs at the banquet. He sat naturally with his hands resting casually on his knees, his gaze leveled at the woman across from him.

Leng Yaozhu picked up the teapot from the table, poured herself a cup of tea, then picked up another empty cup, filled it, and pushed it gently toward Chu Yan.

"No need to be nervous; we're just having a casual chat."