Hermit Sect

Jun Xuehan looked at the Soul-Devouring Bead in Qian Renxue's hand, slowly extended two fingers, and said, "Not many, only two hundred."

Qian Renxue's eyes widened slightly as she said, "I was originally planning to return a few to you, but you actually got two hundred. It seems there's no need to return them to you."

Jun Xuehan smiled indifferently and said, "There is no need for that at all. Since I was able to take it out, I had no intention of taking it back."

Qian Renxue put away the Soul-Devouring Bead, looked at the sky, and said, "Alright, Xuehan, it's still early. Shall we go for a stroll in Heaven Dou City?"

Upon hearing this, Jun Xuehan said somewhat boredly, "What's so interesting about visiting Heaven Dou City? I'd rather spend the time I would like to cultivate for a while or practice my spear skills."

Qian Renxue blinked and said, "Cultivation requires a balance of work and rest. Always cultivating is not a good choice. Come on, let's go for a stroll in Heaven Dou City."

Without giving Jun Xuehan any chance to refute, Qian Renxue stood up and walked out of the mansion.

Seeing this, Jun Xuehan didn't say anything more, and also got up and followed Qian Renxue out of the mansion.

The streets of Heaven Dou City were bustling with people. Qian Renxue and Jun Xuehan walked among the crowds, exchanging a few words here and there.

With their eyes fixed on the vendors hawking their wares on both sides of the street, neither of them intended to stop and watch; they were simply strolling around.

Time passed by unnoticed, and night gradually fell. After wandering around Heaven Dou City all day, the two returned to their residence to rest.

The next day, in the morning, Jun Xuehan walked straight out of her room and headed towards the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.

Because Xue Qinghe had given prior notice, Jun Xuehan made his way to the palace where Crown Prince Xue Qinghe was without any hindrance.

Crown Prince's Palace, Xue Qinghe sat in the main seat with a gentle smile, chatting with Ning Fengzhi to his left. Below Ning Fengzhi sat Chen Xin and Ning Rongrong.

"Qinghe, you've already met Jun Xuehan. Do you know which sect or family he comes from?" Ning Fengzhi asked softly, still curious about this question.

"Teacher, to be honest, I did manage to glean some information from him. Jun Xuehan comes from a Hermit Sect, but his sect has fallen into decline, with only a handful of members remaining. As the most talented disciple in the sect, he naturally bears the responsibility of revitalizing it, but that's no easy task." Xue Qinghe said with a serious expression, and after finishing, he sighed, as if he felt that the mission of revitalizing the sect was far too difficult.

"Hermit Sect?" Ning Fengzhi nodded thoughtfully, then asked, "Qinghe, what were his conditions for agreeing to join your Heaven Dou Imperial Family?"

Upon hearing this, Xue Qinghe shook his head slightly and said slowly, "Teacher, you may have misunderstood. He did not agree to join our Heaven Dou Imperial Family, but agreed to accept the Noble Title bestowed upon him by our Royal Family. Our Royal Family has no right to restrain him. He is just a figurehead in our Royal Family."

"And the condition he proposed was our royal family's National Treasure: the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud."

Xue Qinghe picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and spoke calmly.

"Is it really worth it for your royal family to bestow upon someone National Treasure just for nominally being registered in your name?" Ning Fengzhi asked with some surprise.

Xue Qinghe said softly, "Teacher, you know that although the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud is hailed as National Treasure, it is actually just a somewhat peculiar Soul Tool. What's wrong with using a somewhat peculiar Soul Tool to win over a prodigy?"

"Besides, my father has already agreed to this matter. Otherwise, why would I have taken out the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud without permission?" Xue Qinghe said softly, glancing discreetly at a tray on the table.

Ning Fengzhi slightly. As far as he knew, although the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud was hailed as the National Treasure of the Heaven Dou Empire, it was actually just a Soul Tool with some strange uses.

Furthermore, the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud has been stored in the Heaven Dou Treasury for countless years, and it is of no use to the Heaven Dou Imperial Family. At most, it is just National Treasure in name only.

Using a somewhat unusual Soul Tool to win over a prodigy from a Hermit Sect is tantamount to winning over the Hermit Sect. Although this sect has declined, the person who led Jun Xuehan away from the Heaven Dou Royal Academy was a Titled Douluo.

This means that there is at least one Titled Douluo in the Hermit Sect. So, the royal family has won over a prodigy Hermit Sect with a Titled Douluo with just one Soul Tool. This is a sure win.

Ning Rongrong listened to their conversation, then lay listlessly on the table, her gaze fixed quietly on the palace gate.

Chen Xin, on the other hand, sat in a chair with his eyes closed, resting.

Not long after, the palace gates were pushed open, Jun Xuehan walked in from outside.

After glancing around, Jun Xuehan sat down directly opposite Xue Qinghe.

Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up as she looked at Jun Xuehan, who had sat down. She quickly remembered where she had seen him before.

"Your His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, I wonder what the outcome of your royal family's discussions has been. If you do not agree, I feel there is no need for us to continue the talks," Jun Xuehan asked Xue Qinghe, who had a gentle smile on his face.

Xue Qinghe smiled gently and said, "Please rest assured, our royal family has already made arrangements. I have brought the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud and the proof of the Noble Title."

"However, there's no need to rush this. Let me introduce you first. This is Sect Master Ning of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect School, one of the Upper Three Sects, and also my teacher. Below Sect Master Ning are His Majesty Sword Douluo and the Little Princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

Xue Qinghe pointed to the people below him and introduced them one by one.

"I've met Sect Master Ning a few times, so I have some impression of her. As for Senior Chen Xin, I've heard of her from a great deal." Jun Xuehan nodded slightly and spoke softly. As for Ning Rongrong sitting next to Chen Xin, she was subconsciously ignored by Jun Xuehan.

Ning Rongrong blinked, looked at Jun Xuehan was ignoring her, her brows furrowed slightly, and her expression showed some displeasure.

"You may look somewhat familiar to me, but I have a deep impression of you. There are very few geniuses like you on the continent anymore." Ning Fengzhi revealed a gentle smile and looked at Jun Xuehan with soft eyes.