The Crown Prince Takes an Interest and Seeks to Recruit Him? Ning Fengzhi Personally Makes the Introduction!

The next morning, in a side hall of Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.

Ning Fengzhi, dressed in a moon-white robe, sat behind a red sandalwood desk with a book of political essays in hand.

Xue Qinghe sat below him, attentively listening to lessons on handling state affairs and judging character, his brush moving endlessly across the rice paper.

Crown Prince Xue Qinghe becoming Ning Fengzhi's disciple was naturally more than just a title.

However, both Xue Qinghe and Ning Fengzhi were usually very busy, so Ning Fengzhi had set their lessons for once every half month.

At that moment, Ning Fengzhi closed the book and lifted his tea to moisten his throat.

"Your Highness grasped things very quickly today. Your response to this memorial on governing the country and bringing peace to the people was quite well structured."

Xue Qinghe set down his brush and gave a slight bow. "It is all thanks to Teacher's excellent guidance."

The attendants in the hall quietly withdrew, closing the carved wooden doors behind them.

Xue Qinghe shifted into a somewhat more relaxed posture, and his tone became lighter.

"Teacher, Chief Mengshenji submitted a memorial yesterday."

"The memorial said that Rongrong, during the academy's joint training, not only crossed the threshold of Rank Thirty in Soul Power, but even underwent Martial Soul Evolution."

"Qinghe offers his congratulations to Teacher, and to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect for finally fulfilling its long-held wish."

A heartfelt smile appeared on Ning Fengzhi's face.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda had been stuck at seven levels for centuries. Now, the shackles had been broken through his daughter. This was a tremendous blessing for the sect.

"This was merely good fortune."

Ning Fengzhi set down his teacup and said gently,

"Rongrong's evolution was entirely thanks to Little Feng."

"Little Feng found a rare opportunity outside. Anyone else would have hidden it away, but he thought of Rongrong and brought back a tremendous opportunity for her."

Xue Qinghe's expression shifted slightly upon hearing this.

Born with innate Rank Seven Soul Power, yet reaching Level 42 at the age of twelve and possessing a ten-thousand-year fourth Soul Ring—such achievements already required an enormous opportunity.

What was even more unbelievable was that Gu Feng had been able to share that opportunity with Ning Rongrong and evolve her Martial Soul.

Such a person had to be recruited to his side!

"Teacher, Qinghe has an impertinent request."

Xue Qinghe looked at Ning Fengzhi, his tone deeply earnest.

"Once Brother Gu Feng graduates from Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Qinghe wishes to invite him into court to assist me."

"With his support, things will surely become much easier for me in the future..."

Ning Fengzhi's brows twitched slightly, as though he were considering it.

Xue Qinghe's words were perfectly reasonable. As the heir apparent, it would be strange if he did not take an interest in such a talented young man.

However, this concerned Gu Feng, and Ning Fengzhi could not make the decision for him.

Ning Fengzhi spoke calmly.

"Your Highness, Little Feng's temperament is very different from that of ordinary sect disciples."

"He grew up eating meals from countless households. He is meticulous and highly independent."

"Let alone me, even Rongrong could never make any decision for him."

Xue Qinghe's expression remained calm as he quietly listened to Ning Fengzhi's next words.

Ning Fengzhi looked at Xue Qinghe and suddenly sighed.

"By all rights, you are my disciple and will shoulder the great responsibility of the Heaven Dou Empire in the future. As your teacher, I should support you wholeheartedly."

"But when it comes to Little Feng, I truly cannot agree on his behalf, nor can I refuse on his behalf."

"However, if Your Highness treats him sincerely and becomes a close friend he can speak openly with, the help he gives you in the future will certainly surpass any nominal bond between ruler and subject."

In Ning Fengzhi's view, Xue Qinghe's position as Crown Prince was as stable as Mount Tai. He would surely become the emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire in the future.

And Gu Feng would undoubtedly become the towering pillar of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

If the sect's pillar could befriend the empire's helmsman, it would bring the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect nothing but benefits.

Ning Fengzhi had taken Xue Qinghe as his disciple precisely so that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could gain a greater voice within the Heaven Dou Empire.

Xue Qinghe understood Ning Fengzhi's meaning. Smiling, he cupped his hands in salute.

"Teacher's guidance is absolutely correct."

"How could Qinghe dare to restrain someone like Brother Gu Feng with the status of ruler and subject?"

"To become his close friend would already be Qinghe's good fortune. I will certainly treat him with courtesy in the future and never neglect him."

Ning Fengzhi nodded approvingly. This disciple of his truly was a good student who understood propriety and knew when to advance or retreat.

What Ning Fengzhi did not know, however, was that the person before him was Spirit Hall's young mistress, Qian Renxue.

Then, Ning Fengzhi continued.

"After Little Feng and the others finish their joint training at the academy this afternoon, I happen to be planning to visit Rongrong. If Your Highness is not busy, come with me. I will act as the intermediary and introduce you."

"After all, Little Feng and Your Highness only exchanged a glance at the academy gates last time. You have yet to have a proper conversation."

Xue Qinghe hurriedly bowed.

"Thank you, Teacher, for making this possible. Qinghe will certainly accompany you on time this afternoon."

Heaven Dou Royal Academy, the exclusive Soul Fighting Arena in the rear mountain.

The rumbling sound of shattered stones striking the ground had just subsided.

The brothers Shi Mo and Shi Mo slumped beside a pile of rubble, their chests heaving violently. Their Martial Soul possession had already automatically dissipated.

"No more. We really can't keep fighting."

Shi Mo rubbed his reddened wrist, gasping heavily.

"I don't know how Gu Feng trained those wind blades. Clearly, no Soul Ring lit up, yet just the vibrations in that layer of airflow made the tortoise shell on my front go numb."

Shi Mo repeatedly agreed from the side, removing his bracers and tossing them onto the ground.

"Brother, be content."

"Gu Feng's Self-Created Soul Skill is the truly sinister one. It directly stopped me from breathing and caught me completely off guard. The captain's lightning nearly smashed into my forehead."

At the edge of the field some distance away, Yu Tianheng was wiping away sweat with a towel.

His breathing was somewhat ragged as well. Facing Gu Feng's endless self-created techniques and wind-like speed, the fight had been utterly stifling.

Ning Rongrong carried a water jug as she jogged over to Gu Feng's side, smiling as she handed it to him.

"Brother Feng, have some water. That Wind Dragon Tornado just now was so beautiful! It pulled Yu Feng straight out of the sky."

Yu Feng, leaning against the railing, immediately rolled his eyes when he heard Ning Rongrong's words.

"Rongrong, whose support are you supposed to be? You put all that speed-boosting Nine Treasure Light on Gu Feng. As an agility attack-type Soul Master, I couldn't even touch his shadow in the air. Was falling headfirst supposed to be glorious?"

Osler stood nearby with his arms folded, grinning.

"Be content. At least you landed on your backside. Last time, Gu Feng's wind pressure pinned me to the wall so hard I couldn't even peel myself off."

Dugu Yan walked over while tucking back her hair and kicked Osler.

"Quit showing off. Our coordination during today's joint training was even better. That's a good thing."

Meanwhile, Ye Lingling stood quietly to one side, healing her teammates' injuries through the Nine-Heart Begonia.

Just then, a series of footsteps came from the entrance to the Soul Fighting Arena.

Several academy guards stationed by the door swiftly bowed in salute.

The figures of Ning Fengzhi and Xue Qinghe appeared within the Soul Fighting Arena.

Seeing this, Qin Ming hurriedly stepped forward and bowed.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince. Greetings, Sect Master Ning."

Yu Tianheng and the others also grew solemn, quickly straightening up and adjusting their clothes.

The Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire was the empire's future heir, holding an exalted status within the empire.

Even Yu Tianheng, who came from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, had to show sufficient respect before the empire's heir apparent.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

The remaining team members followed suit and bowed.

Xue Qinghe quickly stepped forward and made a gesture to help Qin Ming up, then waved to Yu Tianheng and the others with an exceptionally friendly attitude.

"Please, rise. I am the one who interrupted the team's joint training."

Xue Qinghe looked around, his tone warm and natural.

"The Imperial Fighting Team is the pride of our Heaven Dou Royal Academy, and all of you are pillars of talent for the empire."

"I watched for a while from the corridor just now. Your coordination was seamless, and you advanced and retreated with excellent judgment. You truly live up to your reputation."

"If you ever have any needs regarding training resources or equipment, simply send someone to the Crown Prince's Residence with word. I will fully support you."

Xue Qinghe's words were highly approachable, making Ning Fengzhi nod slightly.

The Shi brothers rubbed their hands in flattered excitement, while Yu Feng was even more thrilled.

Yu Tianheng inwardly praised the Crown Prince's skill in handling people and cupped his hands again in thanks.

Xue Qinghe exchanged a few pleasantries with the team, asked about their daily lives, and showed not the slightest arrogance. He quickly closed the distance between them.

After the brief visit, Ning Fengzhi beckoned Ning Rongrong and Gu Feng over.

"Rongrong, Little Feng, come over here."