Heaven Dou Banquet

"En, Heart Dividing Control is usually practiced by support-system soul masters so they can enhance multiple people at once. As an assault-system soul master, why do you want to learn it?"

Ning Fengzhi asked curiously.

Gu En explained,

"Uncle Ning, while my Demon Dragon Transformation is powerful, controlling the Bone Dragon's spatial power and the Blood Dragon's violent blood energy at the same time places an enormous burden on my mind."

"If I can master Heart Dividing Control, I'll be able to let the two powers operate independently without interfering with each other. I may even be able to execute more complex tactics."

"I see. That's certainly an unusual idea."

Ning Fengzhi nodded approvingly at Gu En's thoughts.

"Very well. For the time being, I'll teach you personally."

Over the following days, Gu En threw himself into tedious, high-intensity training.

Heart Dividing Control was divided into the Three-Aperture Constant Heart, Four-Aperture Constant Heart... all the way up to the highest level, the Seven-Aperture Exquisite Heart.

"Brother Gu En, have some water."

At the edge of the training grounds, Ning Rongrong sat on the stone steps with her chin propped in her hands, staring dreamily at the boy sweating profusely in the field.

Ever since her martial soul had evolved into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, she had become far more diligent than before. Yet her greater motivation was to keep pace with Gu En.

Gu En took the cup and drained it in one gulp, casually wiping the sweat from his forehead.

"What, doesn't our young lady of the Nine Treasures need to train today?"

Gu En teased.

"I'm done! I've already reached the Three-Aperture Constant Heart."

Ning Rongrong lifted her chin with a touch of pride, then took Gu En's hand with concern.

"But you... Dad said Heart Dividing Control is difficult for assault-system soul masters to even get started with. If you're tired, let's go catch butterflies in the back mountain."

Seeing her clear, wide eyes, Gu En's heart softened. He pulled her over and sat her down beside him.

"Rongrong, I have to become stronger as soon as possible. Only if I'm strong enough can I protect your Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda and protect the entire sect."

Ning Rongrong pursed her lips, then suddenly leaned over and gave Gu En's cheek a quick kiss. She immediately drew back like a startled rabbit, her face flushed as she whispered,

"I know... Then, then I'll train with you too. If you can't master Heart Dividing Control, I'll... I'll stay with you until you do."

Feeling the lingering warmth on his cheek, Gu En felt all the exhaustion in his body vanish.

He rose to his feet again, his gaze focused.

"Three-Aperture Constant Heart, activate!"

A faint glow appeared in both of Gu En's hands. In his left hand, crimson soul power condensed into a sphere and spun madly. In his right, silver spatial soul power formed a cube, as steady as a mountain.

Guided by Heart Dividing Control, the two originally conflicting powers unexpectedly formed a marvelous balance around Gu En.

"Success!"

Ning Rongrong jumped up happily, even more excited than if she had made a breakthrough herself.

Feeling the twin powers within him responding as readily as his own limbs, Gu En's lips curled into a confident smile.

With Heart Dividing Control, his Demon Dragon Transformation would no longer be a mere stacking of brute force. It would truly become an ultimate killing move capable of making the entire continent tremble.

Heaven Dou Palace was brilliantly lit.

Today was the midsummer banquet hosted by the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, and all the guests were the empire's foremost nobles and dignitaries.

As the imperial tutor, Ning Fengzhi naturally attended with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's core members.

Gu En wore a fitted dark-blue formal suit, its collar embroidered with silver dragon patterns, making him look exceptionally valiant.

Beside him, Ning Rongrong wore a pale pink glazed-glass gown. Ever since the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's evolution, her temperament had become increasingly elegant and ethereal, drawing many young nobles' sidelong glances.

"Brother Gu En, these banquets are so boring. They're not nearly as fun as grilling fish in the back mountain."

Ning Rongrong held Gu En's arm and muttered softly.

Gu En smiled faintly, suddenly recalling something of vital importance—the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud.

It was a token left behind by the Sea God. It was currently kept high away as the Heaven Dou Imperial Family's national treasure.

To others, it might have been nothing more than a soul tool that could not be activated. But to Gu En, who possessed twin martial souls and a body powerful enough to bear divine power, it was the key ticket to a higher realm.

Most importantly, even though he did not particularly like the Sea God's divine position, he still needed to leave himself a backup plan.

If he failed to obtain a God King inheritance or create his own divine position, becoming the Sea God in the future would still be acceptable.

"Uncle Ning."

Gu En approached Ning Fengzhi and lowered his voice.

"En, what is it?"

Ning Fengzhi had been conversing with several dukes. Seeing Gu En's serious expression, he found an excuse to move somewhere private.

"I once read about a strange artifact called the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud in the notes Senior Yang Wudi gave me."

"It is said to possess extremely rare oceanic divinity, capable of bringing transformative benefits to soul masters cultivating water or spiritual attributes."

Gu En calmly fabricated his reasoning.

"I want to obtain it to temper my spiritual power."

Ning Fengzhi raised his brow slightly.

"The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud? That truly is the imperial family's national treasure. However, since no one has been able to activate it, it has long been regarded as useless."

"If you truly need it, Uncle will certainly do his utmost to secure it for you."

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Uncle Ning."

Delighted, Gu En nodded. He knew exactly how much influence Ning Fengzhi held before Emperor Xue Ye of Heaven Dou.

Halfway through the banquet, Gu En found the hall stuffy and went alone to the imperial garden for a walk.

The moonlight flowed like water, while the fragrance of the garden refreshed the spirit.

"Brother Gu En, what a fine mood."

A voice as warm and gentle as jade rang out. Gu En turned around and saw "Xue Qinghe" standing alone beside a nearby pavilion, gracefully fanning herself with a folded fan.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Gu En offered a polite salute.

"No need for such formality. Between us, you may simply call me Brother Xue."

Xue Qinghe smiled as she approached. Her gaze lingered on Gu En for a moment before a meaningful glint flashed through her eyes.

Meanwhile, in the shadows, the Titled Douluo accompanying Xue Qinghe—Serpent Spear Douluo Yu Long—was concealed in the darkness, carefully probing Gu En with his spiritual power.

A moment later, Serpent Spear Douluo's voice rang out in Xue Qinghe's—Qian Renxue's—mind, carrying barely suppressed shock.

"Young Mistress! This boy... this boy isn't right!"

Qian Renxue's heart stirred, but her expression remained unchanged as she replied in her mind,

"What is it, Elder Yu?"

"His... his current soul power fluctuations have already reached the realm of a level-forty Quasi-Soul Ancestor!"

Even Serpent Spear Douluo's voice trembled.

"He's only ten this year, isn't he? A ten-year-old at level forty... Even in Spirit Hall's records, even you back then..."

Qian Renxue's grip on her folding fan suddenly tightened, and her pupils shrank to pinpoints.

Ten years old, level forty!

This could no longer be described with the word "genius." This was simply monstrous!