Storms Rise in the Imperial Capital

Only then could the Imperial Family's position remain secure.

It was not that he had never considered helping resolve the branded poison within Nalan Jie, but many methods had proven useless. Only by finding Heavenly Flames would there be any possibility.

Nalan Jie's expression remained unchanged as he let out a soft sigh.

"Three to five years should not be a problem for now. Thank you for your concern, Elder Jia."

Jia Xing Tian nodded without pursuing the matter further, then changed the subject.

"I heard that little one of yours broke through to become a Dou Zhe at the age of ten?"

So this was indeed what it was about.

Nalan Jie understood inwardly, but his face remained calm as he nodded. "That child Chenfeng has indeed done well. Ten days ago, after taking the Qi Gathering Powder, he successfully condensed his Qi vortex and advanced to Dou Zhe."

Jia Xing Tian lightly tapped the armrest with his fingers, his voice neither hurried nor slow.

"A ten-year-old Dou Zhe... Looking across the entire Jia Ma Empire and its surrounding regions, there has never been one before. Nalan Jie, you have a fine grandson."

"You flatter him, Elder Jia. It was merely good fortune."

Nalan Jie clasped his hands, his tone modest.

Jia Xing Tian chuckled, a glint of sharp light flashing through his cloudy old eyes.

"Talent is talent. There is no need for you to be modest. I invited you to the palace today because I wished to discuss something with you."

Nalan Jie's heart stirred slightly. He already had an answer, but his expression did not change. "Please speak, Elder Jia."

"It is still the matter I mentioned to you before. You have met my great-granddaughter Yaoye. In terms of appearance, talent, and background, she is among the finest in this Imperial Capital."

Jia Xing Tian paused, his gaze falling upon Nalan Jie's face. "Today, I wish to betroth her to your grandson, Nalan Chenfeng, and arrange their marriage. What do you think?"

The great hall fell silent for a moment.

Jia Xing Tian spoke casually, as though he were discussing some insignificant matter, yet the weight behind his words was enough to make anyone weigh them carefully.

A Dou Emperor powerhouse personally proposing a marriage alliance with the Imperial Family.

This was an honor countless families of the Jia Ma Empire dreamed of, yet Nalan Jie understood that behind this honor lay the Imperial Family's attempt to win over the Nalan Clan, even an invisible form of binding.

If he refused, he would be slighting the Imperial Family. If he agreed...

"Elder Jia overestimates us."

Nalan Jie bowed slightly, his voice neither servile nor arrogant. "For Chenfeng to receive Princess Yaoye's favor is a blessing he cultivated over several lifetimes. It is merely that..."

Jia Xing Tian raised a brow, his voice turning colder. "Merely what?"

"To be honest, Elder Jia, that boy has quite a mind of his own. He is no longer in the Imperial Capital."

Nalan Jie sighed, revealing a hint of helplessness.

Jia Xing Tian's tapping fingers stopped, and surprise flashed through his cloudy old eyes.

"Not in the Imperial Capital? Where did he go?"

"He said he wished to travel and gain experience before eventually heading to Jia Nan Academy to cultivate."

Nalan Jie answered truthfully and continued, "For some reason, that child insists on cultivating at Jia Nan Academy. This old man could not stop him, so I let him go."

"Jia Nan Academy..."

Jia Xing Tian murmured, his withered face revealing neither pleasure nor anger.

Nalan Jie's excuse might have deceived ordinary people, but it did not hold up before him.

How could a Dou Wang powerhouse fail to control a mere Dou Zhe?

Still, so long as Nalan Chenfeng did not enter the Misty Cloud Sect, he could accept it.

"Rest assured, Elder Jia. No matter when, my Nalan Clan will firmly support the Imperial Family..."

Mite'er Family, council hall.

"A ten-year-old Dou Zhe?"

The Mite'er Family's patriarch, Mite'er Tengshan, set down his teacup, his narrowed eyes filled with shock.

As the Mite'er Family's patriarch, he had seen quite a few so-called geniuses, but this was the first time he had heard of a ten-year-old Dou Zhe.

"The news has been confirmed, Patriarch."

An old man in brown robes clasped his hands in reply.

The three great families of the Imperial Capital had dealings with one another. News concerning their direct descendants could not be fabricated, nor could it possibly be concealed.

More than half a year ago, they had heard that Nalan Chenfeng had already reached the eighth stage of Dou Qi. After so much time had passed, it was not impossible for him to break through to Dou Zhe.

It was simply that such cultivation speed was far too monstrous.

Mite'er Tengshan rose to his feet and paced around the hall for several steps before suddenly stopping.

"How old is Ya Fei this year?"

"Reporting to the Patriarch, Ya Fei is fourteen this year."

"Fourteen..."

Mite'er Tengshan pondered for a moment, a sharp gleam flashing through his eyes. "A little older, but that is nothing."

The brown-robed elder froze for a moment, then understood Tengshan's meaning. "Patriarch, you mean..."

"The Nalan Clan has produced a monster. Compared with that Mu Zhan of the Mu Clan, this kind of potential is worth the Mite'er Family investing in and winning over."

As he spoke, Mite'er Tengshan's gaze turned distant. He mused, "That girl Ya Fei has no talent for cultivation, but she is quite beautiful. Only by marrying her into another family can her value be fully realized."

"Prepare gifts. Tomorrow, I will personally visit the Nalan Clan."

Tengshan lifted his teacup, the corners of his mouth curling upward slightly.

A ten-year-old Dou Zhe, so long as he did not die young, would at minimum become a Dou Emperor in the future. Perhaps even... becoming a Dou Zong was not impossible.

The Mite'er Family had no reason to let such a promising prospect slip away.

Ever since Hai Lao had disappeared, it had not been easy for him to maintain the Mite'er Family over these years. If he wanted the family to grow stronger, no decision could afford to go wrong.

Outside Jia Ma Sacred City, the Misty Cloud Sect.

Amid cloud-wreathed mountain peaks stood a majestic great hall.

Within the hall, a woman in a green dress sat upon the seat of honor. Her skin was fair, her features exquisite, and she exuded an air of noble grace.

Yun Yun, Sect Master of the Misty Cloud Sect, a Dou Emperor powerhouse.

"A ten-year-old Dou Zhe?"

Yun Yun put down the book scroll in her hand. Her delicate brows furrowed slightly, and surprise flickered through her autumn-water eyes as her red lips parted.

"Sect Master, the news is certain."

Below the hall stood a white-haired old man, bowed respectfully. He was the Misty Cloud Sect's First Elder, Yun Leng.

"Nalan Chenfeng's breakthrough to Dou Zhe has already spread throughout the Jia Ma Empire."

"Condensing a Dou Qi vortex at the age of ten..."

Yun Yun pondered for a moment before slowly speaking. "Such cultivation talent is indeed rare."

"Sect Master, this is an opportunity."

Yun Leng raised his head, a calculating look on his somewhat sinister face.

"That girl Nalan Yanran of the Nalan Clan has decent talent and was already within our consideration. If we can take both siblings into the Misty Cloud Sect..."

"You mean for me to personally visit the Nalan Clan?"

Yun Yun glanced at Yun Leng.

"If you personally step forward, Sect Master, that old fellow Nalan Jie will find it difficult to refuse."

Yun Leng clasped his hands. "Besides, with your strength, Sect Master, and the Misty Cloud Sect's standing in the Jia Ma Empire, the Nalan Clan likely will not refuse."

"Pill King Gu He has now broken through to become a sixth-tier alchemist. Only in our Misty Cloud Sect can the Nalan siblings receive better cultivation."

Yun Yun fell silent for a moment, then rose to her feet and nodded slightly.

A ten-year-old Dou Zhe... Even across the entire Dou Qi Continent, such talent would be outstanding.

If he could be brought into the Misty Cloud Sect and properly nurtured, he would surely become a pillar of the Misty Cloud Sect in the future.