Ning Fengzhi held a wooden staff. Dressed in fine robes, he carried himself with effortless elegance.
Ning Rongrong skipped along beside him, clutching a candied hawthorn skewer.
Sword Douluo Chen Xin walked on his other side.
The group headed straight for the Crown Prince's Residence.
Inside the residence, Xue Qinghe sensed his Soul Power at level 63 and felt immensely pleased.
Just over half a month ago, the Immortal Herb Luofan had given him had propelled his Soul Power straight to level 60.
After obtaining his Sixth Soul Ring, the Soul Power stored in the Immortal Herb had pushed him all the way to level 63!
At his age, Xue Qinghe was more than satisfied with that level of Soul Power.
It wouldn't be wrong to call me the greatest genius on Douluo Continent!
Then Xue Qinghe thought of Luofan.
It had been about a year and a half since they'd met. Back then, Luofan hadn't even officially become a Soul Master.
And now? Luofan was already level 34!
Twenty-four levels in a year and a half. That growth was truly outrageous!
If anyone deserves to be called the continent's greatest genius, isn't it him?
More importantly, Luofan's talent wasn't limited to his Soul Power Level!
All his Soul Skills had rule-based effects. His Soul Rings could even increase in age on their own.
Compared with those gifts, his Soul Power Level seemed almost the least remarkable thing about him.
"Your Highness, Sect Master Ning of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has arrived to see you!"
Just then, an attendant hurried over to report the news to Xue Qinghe.
"He's already here?" Xue Qinghe pushed aside his thoughts, his heart giving a jolt.
Why didn't my teacher let me know he was coming?
Damn it, Luofan's still in the Crown Prince's Residence. They won't run into each other, will they?
Xue Qinghe suddenly felt like he'd been spending time at home with another man's wife, only for her husband to arrive at the door!
"My teacher is here. I'll welcome him myself!"
Still, Xue Qinghe had spent years posing as the crown prince of the Heaven Dou Empire. He quickly regained his composure, went out in person, and invited Ning Fengzhi and the others inside.
"Teacher, to what do I owe this unexpected visit? Have you come to offer your student some guidance?" Once they were seated and pastries and fruit had been brought out, Xue Qinghe asked.
"Qinghe, I came about your Newspaper today!"
Ning Fengzhi got straight to the point. "As you know, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has quite a few businesses. Your Newspaper has been thriving lately, and we'd like to secure the advertising space on the back page."
"If it's what you want, Teacher, of course I agree!"
Xue Qinghe relaxed a little when he heard Ning Fengzhi had come about advertising. He'd thought his teacher had learned Luofan was here and come looking for him.
Ning Fengzhi showed nothing on his face, but Xue Qinghe's immediate agreement surprised him.
They might be teacher and student in name, but their bond was hardly deep.
Each side had its own reasons for the arrangement.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect wanted good relations with the Heaven Dou Empire to keep its businesses running.
And Xue Qinghe needed the leader of one of the Upper Three Sects as his teacher to secure his position as crown prince.
It was an exchange of resources, nothing more.
So why had Xue Qinghe agreed the moment he brought up the Newspaper's advertising space?
"Don't worry, Qinghe. I'm not one to take advantage. Whatever your Newspaper charges for advertising, I'll pay in full," Ning Fengzhi added.
"Of course I trust your integrity, Teacher," Xue Qinghe replied with a polite smile.
Ning Fengzhi: "..."
Xue Qinghe still wore his usual gentle expression and treated him with respect.
But now that the business was settled, an awkward silence fell. There seemed to be nothing left to discuss.
He had come to negotiate advertising for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Xue Qinghe had agreed in a few words, and that was that?
It was like preparing to haggle over a purchase, only for the seller to accept your first offer. Ning Fengzhi felt as though he'd punched a wad of cotton.
Is it just my imagination? Xue Qinghe seems as warm and courteous as ever, but somehow he feels much more distant.
And he doesn't seem to want me to stay. Did he settle the advertising so quickly because he wants me to leave?
The thought flashed through Ning Fengzhi's mind.
He shook his head slightly and dismissed the absurd notion.
"Crown Prince!"
Just as Ning Fengzhi and Xue Qinghe's conversation stalled, Ning Rongrong spoke up beside them.
"What is it, Rongrong?" Xue Qinghe turned to her with the same gentle smile.
"I haven't seen you in ages, Crown Prince. I've missed you!"
Ning Rongrong was seven, adorable, and devastatingly effective when she said things like that.
"Rongrong, if you need my help with something, just tell me."
The moment she said she missed him, Xue Qinghe knew she wanted a favor.
He knew perfectly well that the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was a tiny terror.
"What are you saying, Crown Prince? I just haven't seen you in so long, and I missed you!" Ning Rongrong said, turning on the charm.
"All right, all right. I missed you too, Rongrong. Are you sure there's nothing you want from me? If you don't tell me now, I won't agree later," Xue Qinghe said with a teasing smile.
"Wait! There is one tiny favor I want to ask you!"
Ning Rongrong grew anxious at once.
Without waiting for an answer, she went on, "You're the crown prince of the Heaven Dou Empire! Except for the emperor, no one in the whole empire outranks you!"
"If you say the word, everyone in the empire will listen!"
"I want you to help me find someone, okay?"
"You said you wouldn't agree if I didn't tell you. Well, I've told you now, so that means you've agreed!"
Xue Qinghe: "..."
At her words, Xue Qinghe had a fair idea who she wanted to find.
He knew the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had spent the past year searching for Luofan.
If Xue Qinghe hadn't taken special pains to hide Luofan's whereabouts, they really would have found him.
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