"Your Highness, this isn't my fault."
"I'm always telling myself I should be a good person."
Qin Jiuxiao spread his hands helplessly, putting on an innocent expression.
Just then, two figures slowly appeared behind them: Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong.
Gu Rong was a Level 95 Super Douluo.
Zi JI narrowed her eyes slightly, but made no move.
A mere Level 95 Super Douluo couldn't see through her true form.
"That was an internal royal matter. We couldn't very well discuss it in front of everyone."
"Jiuxiao, it's been a long time."
"Rongrong used to talk about you for quite a while."
Ning Fengzhi nodded at Qin Jiuxiao. Clearly, this wasn't the first time the two had met.
Back when he hadn't yet awakened his Soul Power, Qin Jiuxiao had worried that he might not awaken a particularly good Martial Soul.
So he'd made sure to build up all kinds of connections early.
His father had been on good terms with Ning Fengzhi when they were young.
That was why Qin Jiuxiao had met Ning Rongrong when they were children. Back then, a magic trick he'd learned in his previous life had so enchanted the little girl that she'd refused to leave Suotuo City.
Unfortunately, he hadn't awakened his Martial Soul or Golden Finger at the time, so he hadn't been able to collect a Seven-Colored Trait.
But with this connection, collecting traits later would be much easier.
"It's been ages, Uncle Ning. I've missed you so much."
Qin Jiuxiao stepped forward and gave Ning Fengzhi a hug.
[ Ding! Upon touching Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, obtained the trait "Self-Cultivation and Qi Nourishment (Gold)": Remain calm in the face of adversity, let your aura return to its natural state, and maintain a cool head at all times. ]
As he obtained this golden trait, the Soul Power within him quietly grew stronger.
An almost imperceptible smile tugged at Qin Jiuxiao's lips, and he was positively delighted.
A delicious experience pack—this was the good stuff!
Ning Fengzhi was taken aback. He had no idea when he and Qin Jiuxiao had gotten so close.
Still, he smiled at Qin Jiuxiao's embrace and patted him on the shoulder.
Next, Qin Jiuxiao turned to look at Gu Rong, his eyes lighting up.
This was a Level 95 Titled Douluo!
Surely he'd get at least a golden trait out of him!
"Grandpa Gu, you're still as hale and hearty as ever. It's been a long time since we last met!"
As he spoke, he went in for the same trick again, but Gu Rong turned into a streak of black light and flashed to the other side.
Qin Jiuxiao's arms closed on empty air.
It was Gu Rong's signature spatial Soul Skill.
"Qin boy, I don't think we've ever met before."
Gu Rong's face was expressionless as he spoke in a calm voice.
But that did nothing to dampen Qin Jiuxiao's eagerness to sample this experience pack.
"Grandpa Gu, you shouldn't be so aloof. A friend of a friend is a friend, and a relative of a relative is family."
"I'm close with Uncle Ning and Rongrong, so naturally I'm close with you too."
"A hug between family members helps build affection."
He lunged again, but Gu Rong teleported away once more, a teasing smile on his face.
Qin Jiuxiao narrowed his eyes and began to take things seriously.
His leg muscles tensed. The next moment, he vanished from the spot, moving as fast as any Agility Attack System Soul Master.
A look of surprise flashed through Gu Rong's eyes. He dodged again and again, but Qin Jiuxiao stayed hot on his heels.
As Gu Rong teleported once more, a glint of lightning flashed in Qin Jiuxiao's eyes, and a layer of lightning coated his feet.
He was several times faster than before.
This time, he got to the spot where Gu Rong was about to appear ahead of time. The instant Gu Rong materialized, Qin Jiuxiao grabbed his arm.
[ Ding! Upon touching Gu Rong, a Titled Douluo of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, obtained the trait "Teleportation (Red)": Consume a certain amount of Soul Power to teleport through space. The more Soul Power consumed, the farther the teleportation distance. ]
At the same time, the Soul Power within him grew even more abundant.
All that effort had paid off. He'd actually obtained a red trait!
It was like Qin Shi Huang grabbing a live wire—he'd won so big he could barely believe it!
A meaningful glint passed through Gu Rong's eyes as he was caught. He clamped a large hand around Qin Jiuxiao's shoulder.
He wanted to test Qin Jiuxiao's current Soul Power.
But Qin Jiuxiao's formidable physical strength surprised him. Even the Soul Power he used to probe him was blocked.
"Not bad, kid. You've got an incredibly strong body!"
Qin Jiuxiao chuckled, then teleported free of Gu Rong's grip.
Gu Rong's eyes widened even further.
"You can use spatial Soul Skills too!"
Gu Rong's gaze turned fervent. The boy seemed tailor-made to be his disciple.
Ning Fengzhi and Xue Qinghe were also quite astonished.
They'd never known Qin Jiuxiao had this kind of ability.
It only made them value him all the more.
Qin Jiuxiao went to Xue Qinghe's side and casually draped an arm around his shoulders, without the slightest hesitation.
"Your Highness, we can't stay out here forever. Why don't we find somewhere to have some pastries and tea while we talk?"
[ Ding! Upon touching the Spirit Hall's young master, Qian Renxue (Xue Qinghe), obtained the trait "Holy Angel's Protection (Seven-Colored)": When struck by a fatal blow, activate a shield to absorb the damage. Cooldown: one year! ]
He'd obtained his third Seven-Colored Trait!
And it worked much like a cheat-death blade, giving him a major boost to his safety in the early stages.
Even if Little Sanzi tried to ambush him with a Hidden Weapon, he wouldn't need to fear it anymore.
A ringing cry sounded in his mind. It was the power of his third Soul Ring.
It was gradually awakening.
At first, Xue Qinghe hadn't paid it any attention. But when that cry sounded in Qin Jiuxiao's mind, she jolted.
The Angel Martial Soul within her stirred restlessly, as if it wanted to burst out on the spot.
She managed to suppress the urge, but a blush rose to her face.
Ning Fengzhi and the others were still nearby. If her Angel Martial Soul were exposed, the entire continent would be shaken.
She could only suppress her restless feelings and slip out from under Qin Jiuxiao's arm.
If she let Qin Jiuxiao keep holding her like that, she might not be able to keep her Angel Martial Soul from bursting out.
"Jiuxiao, Teacher, I've prepared breakfast over by the garden. Why don't we enjoy it while we talk?"
With that, she hurried ahead, looking as if she were fleeing.
Ning Fengzhi came up beside Qin Jiuxiao and said earnestly:
"Jiuxiao, Qinghe is the Crown Prince, after all. You should at least show him a basic level of respect."
"You can't be as casual with him as you are with us. It would undermine his dignity as Crown Prince."
Qin Jiuxiao nodded, still a little puzzled.
The little angel shouldn't have acted like that. Could it really have been because of the Crown Prince's dignity?
Unable to figure it out, Qin Jiuxiao stopped thinking about it.
Thinking too much would only put him in a bad mood.
Next, Ning Fengzhi looked at the purple Zi JI beside Qin Jiuxiao.
Gu Rong had just told him telepathically that even he couldn't see through this woman. There was a very good chance she was a Titled Douluo.
But Ning Fengzhi knew the Qin Family's strength well. Though they'd been made an Earl and given a city as their fief, they could never afford to hire a Titled Douluo as a guard.
So there was a very good chance she was connected to Qin Jiuxiao.
"Jiuxiao, I know the Qin Family pretty well, but I don't believe I've met this young lady before."
"May I ask who she is?"
Before you continue