Heading to Heaven Dou City: Xue Qinghe or Qian Renxue

What worried Flender even more was Tang Hao, who was living in seclusion.

If Tang Hao returned and saw his son thoroughly outshone...

And then there was Qin Yun.

With Qin Yun's extraordinary talent, would Tang Hao make a move against him?

It was hard to say.

Perhaps Qin Yun's decision to leave was for the best.

Flender looked at Qin Yun, whose firm resolve was plain to see.

Though reluctant to let him go, he finally set aside his worries.

He knew the academy's little corner of the world could no longer hold such a gifted young man.

"Very well! Since you've made up your mind, go out and gain some experience!"

"Seeing more of the continent will do your cultivation a world of good."

"Train hard while you're away. If you ever grow tired, remember to come back to Shrek. You'll always have a place here."

Qin Yun bowed slightly, his expression earnest.

"Thank you for your support and care, Dean!"

After a brief farewell to Flender, Qin Yun did not leave at once.

During their time training together at Shrek, Zhu Zhuqing had always been quiet, dependable, and diligent. She was a teammate who worked exceptionally well with him.

Now he was about to travel to Heaven Dou City.

He would no longer be able to fight alongside her in the Great Soul Arena and sharpen their skills together.

Qin Yun found Zhu Zhuqing cultivating alone.

From his storage Soul Tool, he took out a set of concealed weapons.

He held it out to her and spoke sincerely.

"Zhuqing, I'm leaving Shrek. I won't be able to team up with you in the arena or train alongside you anymore."

"These concealed weapons are silent and hard to detect. They might save your life when it matters. Keep them safe."

Zhu Zhuqing raised her eyes to Qin Yun.

A trace of warmth and reluctance crossed her cool gaze.

Usually a woman of few words, she nodded gently and said in a soft voice,

"Thank you. Take care on your journey."

"If you never find what you're hoping for here, you can come to Heaven Dou and find me!"

What Zhu Zhuqing hoped for, of course, was Dai Mubai.

After all, the two of them were bound together by the trials of the Star Luo Empire.

Dai Mubai's behavior lately had disappointed her, but she decided to wait a little longer.

Her Soul Power was also close to reaching rank thirty.

If Dai Mubai was still the same by then, she would give up on him for good.

After those few words of farewell,

Qin Yun met up with Ning Rongrong.

The two left Shrek Academy side by side and set off toward Heaven Dou City.

They were in no hurry, stopping whenever they pleased along the way.

The scenery was bright, the land vast, and the towns they passed bustled with everyday life.

When they reached a small town nestled between mountains and water,

they stopped to rest, watched people come and go, sampled local specialties, and chatted and laughed together. The journey felt easy and pleasant.

Traveling at that leisurely pace took more than ten days.

At last, they caught sight of Heaven Dou City's vast silhouette in the distance.

Its towering walls stretched for miles, an imposing sight.

Clouds swirled above the city, lending it all the grandeur of one of the continent's foremost capitals.

Ning Rongrong stopped.

She pointed toward the rolling, mist-shrouded mountains west of the city, pride shining in her eyes.

"Qin Yun, look. Seven Treasure City lies deep in those mountains. It's the home of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. With mountains and water all around and abundant spiritual energy, it's one of the best places on the continent to cultivate."

"But we won't go there today. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect also has a main residence inside Heaven Dou City."

"My father should be there."

Ning Rongrong looked at Qin Yun beside her.

Her eyes sparkled with confidence and trust.

"Your talent and abilities are far beyond those of ordinary people. I'm sure he'll be delighted to meet you!"

With that, Ning Rongrong took Qin Yun by the wrist and led him straight into the magnificent city.

Nothing delayed them along the way.

They headed directly for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's residence near the heart of the imperial district.

The residence was grand yet elegant, with vermilion gates and high walls.

Rare flowers, unusual plants, ornamental stones, and flowing water filled its grounds, displaying the taste and resources of a premier sect.

The guards at the entrance were all elite sect members, sharp-eyed and standing straight.

When they spotted Ning Rongrong, the sect master's daughter, returning from afar, they immediately bowed in unison.

"Welcome home, Young Miss!"

Ning Rongrong acknowledged them with a nod and did not linger.

Still holding Qin Yun's hand, she led him through courtyard after courtyard toward the main hall.

Inside, the hall was quiet and dignified.

Ning Rongrong's clear voice rang out at once.

"Dad, I'm back!"

"And I've brought you a wonderful surprise this time!"

Qin Yun looked up. Seated in the place of honor was a refined, gentle-looking middle-aged man.

Dressed in a pale brocade robe, he carried an air of easy grace and quiet authority. He was Ning Fengzhi, master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the continent's foremost support-type soul master.

Beside Ning Fengzhi stood a gaunt old man with snow-white hair.

His plain clothes were unremarkable, but his back was straight as a spear. Beneath that unassuming appearance lay power enough to shake heaven and earth.

He was Sword Douluo Chen Xin, one of the two pillars of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

On the other side of the hall stood another figure, upright and richly dressed.

He wore an exquisite golden-yellow robe, and his expression was gentle and modest.

To the world, he was Xue Qinghe, the crown prince of the Heaven Dou Empire.

Only those privy to the secret knew the truth.

This mild and virtuous crown prince was not the real Xue Qinghe at all.

She was Qian Renxue, the young mistress of Spirit Hall, whose martial soul was the supreme Six-Winged Angel.

For years she had hidden within the Heaven Dou imperial family, quietly laying plans. Her patience and cunning ran deep.

Ning Rongrong was a little surprised to see her.

Then she smiled and greeted her. "Brother Xue, you're here too!"

Xue Qinghe turned to her without a hint of royal aloofness.

"Rongrong, you're back!"

"Master and I were just talking about you. What perfect timing."

As Xue Qinghe spoke,

her gaze shifted naturally to Qin Yun, who stood tall just behind Ning Rongrong.

Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo Chen Xin also turned their eyes toward the unfamiliar young man.

For a moment, three gazes from figures at the very top of the continent rested on him.

They studied and assessed him, their silent pressure filling the hall.

Most young men in his position

would have grown uneasy, fumbled for words, or even trembled.

But Qin Yun remained calm, showing not a trace of fear.

Under the scrutiny of all three,

his composure did not waver. Neither servile nor arrogant, he carried himself with ease.

He stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting.

"I am Qin Yun. Greetings, Sect Master Ning, Elder Chen Xin, Your Highness."

"Rongrong and I attended Shrek together. She kindly invited me to visit the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. I hope you'll forgive my unannounced arrival."

His steady manner and measured words

immediately earned a measure of approval from all three. At the same time, they wondered why Rongrong had brought someone back to the sect.

And a young man, at that!