The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, First Meeting with Qian Renxue

Just then, a strong, confident voice rang out from behind the gates of the residence ahead:

"Ye Han, I knew you would break through around now."

Before the words had finished ringing out, a dark green figure appeared at the courtyard gate like a phantom. It was Dugu Bo.

Compared to two years ago, his appearance had changed considerably.

Most of his once white-and-green hair had turned snow-white, with only a trace of dark green lingering at the tips. The bone-chilling, vicious aura of poison that had surrounded him for years had all but vanished.

His emerald snake eyes settled on Ye Han. Though there was some surprise in his gaze, it held more of the quiet acceptance of someone whose expectations had been confirmed.

Over the past two years, he and Ye Han had met frequently, so he knew very well how close the young man's cultivation speed came to defying all reason.

Although Ye Han's rise from rank thirty-two to rank forty in just two years surprised him, on reflection, it hardly seemed unexpected.

Ye Han, meanwhile, had already regained his composure.

After all, he had not let up for a single moment over these past two years.

Not only had he never stopped cultivating his soul power, but with the unique environment of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, he had also refined and absorbed most of the medicinal power left in his body by the octagonal mysterious ice grass and infernal delicate apricot.

Only one last stubborn remnant remained. He estimated that another month or two would be enough to dissolve and absorb it completely.

They entered the spacious hall of Dugu Manor and took their seats.

Ye Han dispensed with pleasantries and looked straight at Dugu Bo, who sat at the head of the room, getting directly to the point:

"Senior, are you free sometime soon? Sorry for the trouble, but I'd like you to accompany me to the Soul Hunting Forest."

A hint of urgency lay in his voice.

Ye Han had begun planning for his fourth soul ring long ago. Whether it was the whale rubber that could temper his body or the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew that enhanced his spiritual power, everything had been prepared for this moment.

Unlike others, Ye Han had already made up his mind: for his fourth soul ring, he would absorb his very first Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring.

Compared to hundred-year and Thousand-Year Soul Rings, the improvement a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring brought was like being reborn, remade down to the bones.

The amount of soul power it provided far surpassed the former two, and the power of its accompanying soul skill would take a tremendous leap.

At the same time, a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring could further solidify a soul master's foundation, making the path of future cultivation steadier and smoother.

At that thought, Ye Han's heartbeat quickened slightly.

Yet after hearing him out, Dugu Bo slowly shook his head.

"Taking you soul hunting is no problem, but I'm afraid we'll have to put it off for a few days."

Ye Han froze briefly, then asked in bewilderment, "A few days? Senior, do you have something keeping you busy?"

"It isn't a matter of my own." Dugu Bo set down his teacup and tapped the tabletop lightly with his fingertips.

"Prince Xue Xing just sent word. Crown Prince Xue Qinghe is hosting a banquet and specifically asked to meet you. It's set for tomorrow evening."

"Crown Prince Xue Qinghe?" Ye Han's heart abruptly sank.

What he had feared had finally come.

Almost instinctively, he tried once more, a trace of hope in his voice. "Senior, this banquet... could I skip it?"

Seeing the resistance written all over Ye Han's face, Dugu Bo could not help chuckling before shaking his head again.

"I'm afraid not this time."

Dugu Bo's tone was firm, leaving no room for negotiation. "Prince Xue Xing invited you several times before. Since you truly didn't want to attend, I turned them all down for you. But this time is different. This is a verbal decree from Crown Prince Xue Qinghe himself, representing the wishes of the entire Heaven Dou Imperial Family."

He paused briefly, then looked at Ye Han and advised him earnestly, "Xue Qinghe is the future ruler of the Heaven Dou Empire. No matter what, you cannot refuse his invitation."

"I understand." Ye Han's voice carried a frustration he could scarcely conceal. "Then... I'll go."

Ye Han knew better than anyone what Qian Renxue, hiding beneath Xue Qinghe's skin, was plotting.

Her ambitions were vast. She intended to cross the sea under heaven's unsuspecting gaze, seizing the entire Heaven Dou Empire from its very roots.

That was precisely why Ye Han did not want to become too deeply entangled with these people.

He only wanted to devote himself to cultivation and keep growing stronger. Once he had the strength to make his voice count, he could wrestle with these matters.

With his current strength, he had no business getting caught in a political maelstrom that could easily grind him to pieces.

"Senior, sorry for troubling you with the banquet as well. Is there anything I need to prepare beforehand?"

"I'm glad you've come around." Seeing him agree, Dugu Bo's expression eased considerably. Naturally, it was best if Ye Han was willing to go.

He waved a hand. "There's no need to prepare anything special. Just arrive on time and pay a little attention to your words and conduct. Be presentable. His Highness likely just wants to meet the student said to be among the most gifted since the academy's founding."

"As soon as the banquet ends, I'll take you straight to the Star Dou Great Forest and help you find the most suitable ten-thousand-year soul beast."

Ye Han nodded and said no more.

The following evening,

As the sky slowly darkened, Dugu Bo and Ye Han left Dugu Manor together and headed toward the appointed teahouse.

The teahouse stood in the heart of Heaven Dou City. It was a property of the Imperial Family and ordinarily received only distinguished guests connected to them.

Its surroundings were quiet and secluded, with no outsiders barging in to disturb anyone.

Ye Han wore the pale yellow uniform of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

His reason for choosing it was simple.

Xue Qinghe had summoned an academy student in his capacity as the Heaven Dou Crown Prince, so Ye Han should naturally attend as a student.

Even if someone else was impersonating this crown prince, the formalities still had to be observed on the surface.

An attendant was already waiting outside the teahouse. Upon seeing them, he respectfully led them upstairs to the second floor, stopping outside a secluded private room.

The attendant gently pushed the door open and stepped aside.

Dugu Bo entered first, with Ye Han close behind.

The room was elegantly furnished, and a faint fragrance of incense drifted through the air.

To Ye Han's surprise, Xue Qinghe was not alone inside.

Besides the young man seated at the head of the room, three other people sat nearby.

Although this was Ye Han's first meeting with Xue Qinghe, he recognized him at once as his gaze swept over the four people in the room.

The reason was simple: Xue Qinghe's features bore quite a few similarities to those of Prince Xue Xing and the fourth prince, Xue Beng, both of whom Ye Han had met.

The young man looked to be in his early twenties, with a straight nose and well-shaped lips. His plain blue-green robe was spotless, and his long black hair was tied with a blue-green cloth, falling neatly down his back.

A gentle smile remained on his face, making others feel as though they were basking in a spring breeze.

Of the other three, one was a middle-aged man in his forties, with a handsome, jade-like face. Dressed in white robes, he had an elegant, composed bearing.

The remaining two had far more distinctive features.

The most striking of the four was exceptionally tall and broad. His imposing build came not from bulging muscles, but from his massive frame. Only a few wisps of white hair remained on his head, giving him a somewhat peculiar appearance.

Compared to the other three, the last man seemed much more understated.

He wore a simple blue robe, with long silvery-white hair falling to his shoulders and a handsome face.

Seeing all three of them present, a flicker of surprise clearly crossed Dugu Bo's face.

He paused briefly, turned his head, and spoke quickly in a voice only the two of them could hear. "The one at the head is Crown Prince Xue Qinghe. The three beside him are Ning Fengzhi, sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and the two seniors, Bone Douluo Gu Rong and Sword Douluo Chen Xin."

Ye Han gave a slight nod to show he understood.

His expression remained calm as he quietly looked toward Xue Qinghe at the head of the room.

Xue Qinghe rose with a smile, his gaze settling on Ye Han as he spoke warmly:

"You must be Ye Han, the gifted student my imperial uncle has mentioned so often, the one even he praises endlessly. Now that we've met, you truly do carry yourself remarkably."

Ye Han stepped half a pace forward and bowed slightly. "Student Ye Han pays his respects to Your Highness."

Xue Qinghe smiled and raised a hand to waive the formalities, his manner easygoing. "There's no need for such ceremony.

"This isn't a formal court gathering, and we aren't far apart in age. If you don't mind, you can call me Brother Xue."

Ye Han did not refuse, bowing again. "Yes, Brother Xue."

Xue Qinghe nodded, then gestured toward the white-robed middle-aged man beside him and began introducing the others to Ye Han.

"Ye Han, this is my teacher, Sect Master Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

His gaze then turned toward the other two. "These two are the guardian elders of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Senior Bone Douluo Gu Rong and Senior Sword Douluo Chen Xin."

Ye Han turned toward Ning Fengzhi and the other two, greeting each in turn. "My respects to Sect Master Ning, Senior Bone Douluo, and Senior Sword Douluo."

With a gentle smile, Ning Fengzhi nodded lightly in acknowledgment.

Bone Douluo Gu Rong and Sword Douluo Chen Xin merely glanced at Ye Han without speaking.

But the instant Ye Han straightened, Bone Douluo Gu Rong seemed to suddenly notice something.

His brows knitted sharply, and his casual expression vanished in an instant, replaced by incredulous surprise.

He could not help blurting out, "Boy, you... how old are you this year? What rank has your soul power reached?"

The sudden question instantly drew everyone's gaze in the room to Ye Han.