Xue Qinghe's Test and Recruitment, Yu Tianheng's Challenge to a Soul Ancestor Rematch

That afternoon, the carriage arranged by Xue Qinghe waited at the foot of the mountain. Meng Chen did not bring Xiao Wu and boarded the carriage alone.

Over half an hour later.

"Young Master Meng, we have arrived."

A servant from the Crown Prince's residence respectfully reported toward the carriage. The door opened, and Meng Chen stepped down, raising his head to look at Moonlight Pavilion.

Moonlight Pavilion was an elegant five-story building. Even in Heaven Dou City, it counted as a rather tall structure.

Its overall architectural style was not luxurious, yet elegance permeated every corner. The plaque bore only two simple words: Moonlight Pavilion.

Upon entering Moonlight Pavilion, Meng Chen was not given any trouble by the steward as he had Xue Qinghe's invitation, unlike what had happened in the original story.

But then again, it was perfectly normal for Tang San and Tang Hao to be stopped if they entered Moonlight Pavilion looking so shabby.

Xue Qinghe had already been waiting on the second floor.

Seeing Meng Chen arrive as promised, he smiled and personally descended the stairs to greet him, leading Meng Chen into a private room.

"Little Brother Meng, it has only been a while, yet you have given me another great surprise."

Inside the private room, Meng Chen raised a hand in a slight salute to Xue Qinghe and asked with a smile,

"Brother Xue, you invited me all the way to Moonlight Pavilion. It cannot be just to congratulate me on breaking through to Soul Ancestor, can it?"

Xue Qinghe had not expected Meng Chen to be so direct. He merely gestured for Meng Chen to have some tea first and chat as they drank.

"Little Brother Meng truly is straightforward."

"Besides offering congratulations tonight, I do indeed have another matter concerning your future. I would like to hear your thoughts on it."

The sound of a zither drifted in through the window. Xue Qinghe raised his hand and shut the door, blocking out the noise from outside.

"Little Brother Meng, you reached Soul Ancestor at only twelve years old, and your soul ring configuration is unprecedented. You will certainly be able to break through to Titled Douluo in the future."

"However, for talent to truly bear fruit, one needs not only personal effort but also sufficient cultivation resources."

Meng Chen understood what he meant, but he did not rush to answer. He simply lifted his teacup and took a sip.

Though Xue Qinghe had phrased it tactfully, tonight's invitation was clearly an attempt to recruit him.

Seeing that Meng Chen's expression remained unchanged, Xue Qinghe continued, "The Heaven Dou Imperial Family has collected a great number of soul master texts, along with many rare medicinal herbs and even soul bones that are difficult to find outside."

"As long as Little Brother Meng is willing to accept the imperial family's support, all those resources can be made available to you."

"Even in the Soul Master Tournament two years from now, the empire will name you a core member of Heaven Dou's main team, with all resources prioritized for you."

Hearing this, Meng Chen set down his teacup and smiled. "Brother Xue, the terms you are offering are truly generous. So what are you planning to have me give in return?"

Xue Qinghe said, "Win the championship for the empire during the Soul Master Tournament, and after graduation, give priority to serving the empire."

"Although I hope Little Brother Meng will join the imperial family, I will not force you to swear loyalty now, nor will I restrict your freedom."

Meng Chen examined Xue Qinghe and had to admit that he truly knew how to win people over.

He had not used his status as crown prince to pressure him. Instead, he offered resources first and discussed the future afterward. It was difficult to dislike such an approach.

However, Meng Chen would not tie himself to the sinking ship that was the Heaven Dou Empire just for a few resources.

The meager resources offered by the Heaven Dou Imperial Family were not even comparable to the immortal herbs in his Bone Dragon Ring.

"Brother Xue's terms are indeed good, but I do not like taking things from others for nothing."

"For any resources the imperial family provides me, I will do something of equivalent value in return. As for my choice after graduation, we can discuss that when the time comes."

Xue Qinghe was not disappointed upon hearing this. It was all within his expectations.

Besides, his purpose this time was not solely to recruit Meng Chen. More importantly, he wanted to test Meng Chen's attitude toward the Heaven Dou Imperial Family.

If the Heaven Dou Imperial Family could not recruit him, he could still recruit Meng Chen under another identity!

"Very well, then we shall do as Little Brother Meng wishes."

"Starting today, you may use the token I gave you before to consult the ordinary texts in the imperial family's collection. You may also purchase rare medicinal herbs through the Crown Prince's residence."

"However, soul bones and the imperial family's secret treasures must be exchanged for contributions. I hope Little Brother Meng understands."

"I understand, I understand." Meng Chen nodded.

What he lacked now was not cultivation resources, but other things, such as the locations of special metal ore veins.

The Heaven Dou Imperial Family had managed the empire for many years. The mineral resources and channels they controlled were far beyond what any individual could compare to. That was the real reason Meng Chen was willing to cooperate.

Xue Qinghe refilled Meng Chen's cup, then asked with a smile, "Little Brother Meng, there is something else I am quite curious about."

"If an ordinary soul master wishes to absorb a soul ring beyond their level, they must have an expert nearby to protect them. Yet your first soul ring was already a thousand-year ring."

"To be able to raise a disciple such as yourself, your teacher surely cannot be an unknown figure, can they?"

Meng Chen had long expected Xue Qinghe to ask this question.

While he would not reveal Ye Xishui, completely denying that someone stood behind him would only make Xue Qinghe more wary.

"The elder who taught me does not like to be disturbed by outsiders and does not allow me to act under their name."

"However, that elder crossed the threshold of Titled Douluo long ago. At the very least, they have no problem protecting themselves."

Xue Qinghe's hand, holding the teacup, paused for an instant.

Though Meng Chen had said it casually, those words already made it clear that a Titled Douluo truly stood behind him.

Moreover, judging by Meng Chen's soul ring configuration and combat methods, that Titled Douluo was certainly no ordinary figure.

"So that is how it is. Since Senior prefers peace and quiet, I will not inquire further."

At this point, Xue Qinghe continued probing. "If there is a chance, I would like to pay Senior a personal visit, so I may thank them for cultivating a talent like Little Brother Meng for the empire."

Meng Chen shook his head. "That elder has quite a bad temper. Brother Xue, it would be best if you did not meet them."

"Someone once barged into their residence without permission. In the end, they did not even have time to leave their last words."

Xue Qinghe understood the warning and immediately abandoned any thought of pursuing the matter further.

Although Spirit Hall did not fear ordinary Titled Douluo, he was still infiltrating the Heaven Dou Empire under the identity of Xue Qinghe. There was no need to provoke an expert of unknown origins.

It was getting late, and the tea had been finished. Xue Qinghe personally escorted Meng Chen downstairs and out of Moonlight Pavilion.

"Little Brother Meng, the gates of the Crown Prince's residence will always be open to you."

"If you encounter any trouble in Heaven Dou City that you cannot resolve, come directly to me."

"Then thank you, Brother Xue."

Meng Chen cupped his hands in farewell and took the carriage back to Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Though neither side had obtained the result they wanted most, the conversation had been pleasant enough. At the very least, they had temporarily established a cooperative relationship.

By the time the carriage reached the academy, it was already evening, but the soul tool lamps on the training grounds were still lit.

Meng Chen had barely entered the academy when he saw Yu Tianheng and the others finishing their training and heading toward the dormitory area.

Yu Feng was the first to notice Meng Chen. A teasing look appeared on his face as he nudged Yu Tianheng with his elbow.

"Brother Tianheng, your old rival is back."

Yu Tianheng glared at Yu Feng, then approached with Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, and the others.

Although he had suffered a crushing defeat in their previous spirit battle, he had not avoided Meng Chen, nor did he resent him over it.

"I heard you have already broken through to Soul Ancestor?"

Yu Tianheng stopped in front of Meng Chen, his tone carrying a hint of competitiveness.

"News travels rather quickly."

Meng Chen did not hide it. He directly summoned the Thunder Hell Vine, and four soul rings—two purple and two black—appeared around him.

Sensing that Meng Chen's Soul Power fluctuations far surpassed what they had been before, Yu Tianheng immediately asked, "What level are you now?"

"Forty-third level." Meng Chen did not reveal his true cultivation, afraid it would be too discouraging.

The moment those words were spoken, Yu Feng and Osler fell silent at the same time.

Although they knew a ten-thousand-year soul ring could raise one's Soul Power considerably, gaining three levels at once still exceeded their expectations.

Yu Tianheng stared at the fourth soul ring for a moment before withdrawing his gaze.

"Last time, I did not understand your martial soul, so I lost without even the strength to fight back."

"But the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon's true strength is not limited to lightning. Once I break through to Soul Ancestor, I will challenge you again."

"Sure, but remember to prepare a stake next time."

Meng Chen readily accepted. Who would complain about someone bringing him money?

Yu Tianheng's expression stiffened as he instinctively recalled the Purple Extremity Thunder Crystal worth one hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins.

"Do not worry. I am not such a sore loser."

"But next time, the one who loses the stake will only be you."