Jing Hongchen

And so, through Ye Fan's clever arrangements, the three of them followed Xiao Hongchen and his sister toward Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy.

The group traveled together toward Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy. The road was long and the breeze gentle, but neither could dampen the fervor and obsession filling Xiao Hongchen's heart.

Ever since he had witnessed Qian Daoliu's peerless divine might as he raised a hand and annihilated an entire pack of demon wolves, the desire to take him as his master had taken deep root in his heart and refused to leave.

All along the way, he stuck close to Qian Daoliu's side without leaving him for even a step, constantly asking for guidance in a respectful voice, repeatedly talking about his cultivation ambitions and hardworking nature, and again and again begging Qian Daoliu to take him as a disciple.

But no matter how he pestered or pleaded, no matter how sincere his words were, Qian Daoliu remained indifferent, politely refusing him time and again with gentle but firm words. His attitude never loosened in the slightest.

After running into walls again and again, Xiao Hongchen had no choice but to turn frequently to Ye Fan beside him for help, hoping Ye Fan would put in a few good words for him in front of Qian Daoliu.

Each time, Ye Fan could only spread his hands helplessly and admit there was nothing he could do.

Inwardly, he grumbled that Qian Daoliu was someone he had spent thirty years of his lifespan to bring back to life, solely to protect him and his sister. He was so precious and special—how could Ye Fan easily let him become someone else's free teacher?

Just as Ye Fan thought Xiao Hongchen would finally give up completely and let the matter pass, Xiao Hongchen suddenly rolled his eyes, sidled up beside Ye Fan, and lowered his voice in a sly attempt to tempt him.

"Brother Fan, we can count as friends who've been through life and death together! I'll introduce Mengmeng to you, and you help your big brother say more good things in front of Senior Qian and persuade him to take me as his disciple. How about it?"

Ye Fan froze the instant he heard this. His gaze shifted slightly as he thought of Meng Hongchen's peerless beauty, and a trace of hesitation immediately rose in his heart. For a moment, he actually did not know how to answer.

But reason soon overcame desire. Still, Xiao Hongchen's proposal also reminded Ye Fan that perhaps he could obtain something else from Xiao Hongchen. Then Ye Fan put on a righteous expression and said to Xiao Hongchen, "Brother Xiao, don't joke around. Grandpa has his own plans when it comes to taking disciples. It's not something I can casually interfere with."

"Unless..."

Ye Fan seemed to think of something and spoke with feigned profundity.

"Unless what?"

When Xiao Hongchen heard this, he unexpectedly asked in an anxious tone.

Ye Fan said seriously, "Brother Xiao, unless you can convince your grandfather to take me as his disciple too."

"That's it?"

Hearing this, Xiao Hongchen looked at Ye Fan with a playful expression. "Then it's a deal."

Seeing this, Ye Fan felt as if he had been tricked. "It's a deal."

Xiao Hongchen said, "Brother Fan, actually, with your talent—rank 26 at six years old, twin martial souls, and innate full soul power—even if you hadn't asked me, I would've recommended you to Grandpa anyway. And I dare guarantee that Grandpa will definitely take you as his disciple."

After saying this, Xiao Hongchen patted Ye Fan on the shoulder and left with a teasing look.

Hearing this, Ye Fan's foot slipped, and he almost stumbled headfirst. He cursed inwardly with a wry smile, Damn it, I've been played.

Along the way, with Qian Daoliu, this peerless expert, protecting them, Ye Fan and the others met no obstacles and soon arrived at Ming Capital.

The moment the group stepped into Ming Capital's territory, a scene of bustling prosperity rushed toward them.

All across the streets and alleys, all kinds of soul tools could be seen integrated into daily life. Lighting soul tools that flickered with flowing radiance hung over the roads, soul tool vehicles for transportation shuttled back and forth, and even street vendors used soul tool appliances to keep goods warm and store items.

This novel and flourishing sight overturned everyone's understanding. Even Qian Daoliu, who had always been aloof and indifferent, stopped to observe, thick interest rising in his eyes as he carefully examined the exquisite soul tool creations.

Ye Guyi's eyes were also filled with curiosity. She kept looking around, her fingertips moving slightly, clearly eager to study these entirely new things.

Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen could tell that Ye Fan and the others were very curious about soul tools, so they willingly acted as guides, explaining to Ye Fan's group the rapid changes in soul tools throughout the Sun Moon Empire over recent years.

Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen were enthusiastically introducing the intricacies of the Sun Moon Empire's soul tools, their words filled with pride, while Ye Fan and the others listened attentively, nodding from time to time as they looked closely at the strange new creations around them.

But before the two of them could explain for long, the neat, sonorous sound of armored footsteps suddenly rang out.

A squad of soul engineers clad in finely crafted soul tool armor and wielding standard-issue soul tool firearms quickly surrounded them. Their movements were sharp and efficient, their aura stern and imposing, and in an instant they sealed off the group layer upon layer, cutting off every escape route.

Seeing this, Ye Fan frowned slightly, utterly puzzled. He turned his head and asked in a low voice, "Brother Xiao, what's going on?"

At once, Xiao Hongchen put away his smile. With a helpless, bitter look, he spread his hands and admitted frankly, "Brother Fan, I forgot to tell you all—Mengmeng and I snuck out."

Ye Fan instantly understood and raised his brows helplessly. "So these people are here to catch you, right?"

Before Xiao Hongchen could answer, the red-haired officer leading the soul engineer squad said to Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen, "Young Master Xiao Hongchen, Miss Meng Hongchen, you certainly made us search hard!"

Hearing this, Xiao Hongchen gave a cold snort. "Go tell Grandpa that I have friends to accompany right now. Have him wait a while. Mengmeng and I will go once we're finished."

After saying that, Xiao Hongchen was about to leave with Ye Fan and the others.

But who would have thought the red-haired officer refused to back down? "Young Master Xiao Hongchen, please do not make things difficult for your subordinates."

As he spoke, the red-haired officer raised his hand and signaled his men to release their soul tools, aiming them at Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen.

Xiao Hongchen was just about to lose his temper when a furious roar came from the horizon. "Xiao Hongchen, you bastard! It's one thing for you to run off and play by yourself, but you actually dared to abduct Mengmeng too!"

"Just watch if I don't break your damn legs!"

Ye Fan raised his eyes in the direction of the voice and saw a middle-aged man in a luxurious brocade robe embroidered with purple patterns stepping through the air toward them.

He had a handsome face, but it was filled with anger. His brows and eyes were sharp, and a faint soul tool pressure lingered around him. His bearing was noble and majestic. Ye Fan was secretly puzzled, completely unaware that this person was Jing Hongchen.

At this moment, facing the newcomer, Xiao Hongchen immediately lost the domineering arrogance he had shown toward the soul engineer squad. Instead, he hid behind Meng Hongchen and gently pushed her from behind, signaling for her to step forward and bear Jing Hongchen's fury.

Meng Hongchen sighed helplessly, then immediately suppressed the embarrassment in her heart, wiped away all traces of panic, and took a graceful step forward.

Her brows and eyes curved as she forced out a soft, sweet smile. In a gentle, melodious voice filled with adorable coquettishness, she said, "Grandpa, long time no see. I missed you so much."

Jing Hongchen's fury had been on the verge of erupting, but when he saw his granddaughter's pretty and obedient appearance, most of the sharpness in his eyes instantly faded.

Though the anger on his face had not completely faded, and a trace of sternness still held his expression taut, the intimidating soul-tool pressure surrounding him quietly withdrew, leaving not the slightest oppressive aura behind.

Jing Hongchen suppressed the last of the anger in his heart, his sharp gaze slowly sweeping over the unfamiliar figures before him.

He first glanced past Ye Fan and Ye Guyi. Their auras were young, yet their foundations were far from ordinary, making him take a faint second look.

But when his eyes fell on Qian Daoliu, whose bearing was otherworldly and whose posture was calm and detached, his gaze abruptly stopped, and his heart gave a violent jolt.

He circulated his soul power and probed carefully, yet he still could not see the slightest trace of the other party's cultivation, as if the man before him were a vast, bottomless void.

A shocking thought suddenly surfaced. This man must be a Super Douluo—perhaps even a rare Limit Douluo!

He hurriedly shook his head and forced down that absurd guess, thinking to himself, Limit Douluo are few and far between across the continent. How could Xiao Xiao and Meng Meng have run into one so easily?

Regaining his composure, he put on a modest, courteous smile and spoke gently to Qian Daoliu's group. "You have all come from afar. I take it you are friends of these two unruly Hongchen children?"

At that, Ye Fan, Qian Daoliu, and Ye Guyi all gave slight nods, tacitly accepting Jing Hongchen's statement.

Seeing this, Jing Hongchen's heart shook, and he quickly said to Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen, "Xiao Hongchen, Meng Hongchen, why haven't you brought your friends home to sit for a while?"

Hearing this, Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen were delighted, knowing they had more or less escaped disaster.

Meng Hongchen quickly tugged at the corner of Jing Hongchen's clothes and said, "Grandpa, then what about us sneaking out?"

In front of Ye Fan and the others, Jing Hongchen could not very well lose his temper, so he could only feign anger and say, "Hmph. As for the matter of you two sneaking out, we'll settle that later."