Hall Master Hongchen Takes Action, Meng Hongchen Drops into Dragon City

Mingdu, Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, Jing Hongchen's office.

"Dean, the people we sent to the major soul beast habitats have returned. They didn't find a particularly suitable fourth soul ring for Little Meng..."

"A bunch of useless gluttons! Little Meng has already waited two and a half months. How is our academy supposed to surpass Shrek with people like these working for us?"

Lin Jiayi, director of studies at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, reported their progress to the esteemed and respected Dean. Since our Sun Moon Empire had limited soul beast resources, and your granddaughter's martial soul was unusual, they truly hadn't found a suitable soul beast locally.

He recommended that the dean brave a trip to the Star Dou Great Forest or the Far North, confident that the soul beasts there wouldn't disappoint him.

Especially the Far North, where the Vermilion-Eyed Ice Toad clan lived—the most perfect choice for her soul ring.

Jing Hongchen flew into a rage. Keeping these good-for-nothing mouths fed was simply a waste of the Dean's rice money.

Do I need you to tell me that the Far North has the most suitable soul beasts for Little Meng? I only had you look because I didn't have time before!

"Forget it. I'll take Little Meng there myself. Get me the most detailed map of the Far North's outskirts right now."

Considering that further delays might affect his precious granddaughter's future, Dean decided to take matters into his own hands!

"Reporting to Dean, we cannot survey the Far North, but through the Adventurers' Association, we found information on the Far North's finest guide."

Lin Jiayi took out a list of Bounty Hunters from the Adventurers' Association. Emblazoned across the first page were the words "Yu Tianjun of the Heavenly Dragon Sect."

"Dragon City is the human city closest to the Far North, and the Heavenly Dragon Sect is Dragon City's foremost sect. Yu Tianjun is an experienced guide. He has helped Princess Vina of the Heavenly Soul Royal Family, Miss Mu Xue of the Snow Demon Sect, and Ling Luochen of the Shrek Seven Devils find suitable soul rings. Glowing reviews have poured in."

"Mm, not bad. That standard is worthy of Little Meng and a hall master like me."

Jing Hongchen couldn't remember what league the Snow Demon Sect played in, but he knew the Heavenly Soul Royal Family well, and Shrek occupied his thoughts day and night. Anyone whose abilities had won the approval of those three young women deserved Hall Master Hongchen's trust, whether he relied on himself or the Heavenly Dragon Sect.

A royal Princess wouldn't speak against her conscience for the Heavenly Dragon Sect's sake. It was a first-rate sect, but still a long way from the top powers.

That went without saying for the Shrek Seven Devils, who wouldn't flatter anyone. Yu Tianjun's track record was solid, and Jing Hongchen trusted his old rivals' judgment.

"However, according to our intelligence, the Heavenly Dragon Sect may have a Super Douluo..."

Lin Jiayi added that remark to hint to the hall master that coercing Yu Tianjun might not be an option.

A Bounty Hunter of Yu Tianjun's caliber might well have attracted the Adventurers' Association's attention—in other words, the attention of the three kingdoms' royal families.

"So what? Dragon City is the foremost city on Heavenly Soul's northern frontier, and it has an Adventurers' Association branch. I'll travel light, change my appearance, and take Little Meng there to post a commission. All we need is to find Yu Tianjun quickly."

With a sweeping gesture and decisive resolve, Jing Hongchen decided to cross the airspace into Dragon City, make the trip quickly, and return just as fast.

Dragon City wasn't Shrek City. As the master of the Radiant Virtue Hall, he was confident he could bring someone in and out freely.

"Your wisdom is unmatched, Hall Master. Your insight is exceptional. Taking matters into your own hands like this truly makes you a model for us all..."

Lin Jiayi showered him with flattery, conveying that a leader like him really ought to shoulder more of his subordinates' workload.

"You're all useless gluttons. Just watch me work. By the time I return, I expect you to have pushed Xiao into passing the Level 4 Soul Engineer assessment."

The hall master acted immediately. He hurried out to find his granddaughter and announce the good news, then started up a simplified soul-powered aircraft and slipped across the border by air.

The next day, the Heavenly Dragon Sect's reception hall.

Yu Tianjun raised his brows slightly as he read the invitation to the Blue Sea Azure Sky Private Room delivered by a waiter from the Dragon City Grand Hotel.

"I never made a rule that people have to buy me a meal before hiring me as their guide. Anyone coming to Dragon City to find me can just visit the Heavenly Dragon Sect."

Wearing a courteous smile, the waiter did his best to fulfill the guests' instructions and offered a compliment.

"They said this was their first visit to Dragon City, so they ought to pay their respects to the foremost sect. That would also make it easier to ask for your help on future visits to the Far North."

"They understand your rules and have already sworn on their martial souls. They will absolutely respect your professional expertise, never let outsiders dictate to an expert, protect your safety throughout the soul hunt, and never disclose your personal information."

"They hope to discuss their soul-hunting requirements in person. The basic guiding fee will be no less than a hundred thousand gold soul coins."

Yu Tianjun's eyes lit up, touched by their respect. "Clients of such quality are hard to come by. Let's go meet some new friends."

Out of respect for his employers, and since he was in Dragon City, Yu Tianjun didn't wear a mask this time. He drew plenty of admiring gazes along the way.

Yu Tianjun answered them with smiles, graceful and handsome, his expression bright and poised. He was long accustomed to such scenes.

The people of Dragon City agreed that Yu Tianlong was the greatest talent of the younger generation, while Yu Tianjun was its most beautiful youth. Though they were brothers born of the same mother, their looks were worlds apart.

Yu Tianjun's second uncle, Yu Xiaoyi, didn't follow him in secret. There had never been a case of a Heavenly Dragon Sect disciple coming to harm in Dragon City.

No one thought anything unexpected would happen this time, but something unexpected happened all the same.

"Hello, honored guests. I'm happy to help, but treating me to a meal is far too kind... Wait, you?"

The instant Yu Tianjun entered the Blue Sea Azure Sky Private Room under the waiter's guidance, he saw a girl whose beauty rivaled Vina's. Her long, straight silver hair was gathered to the right in a ponytail, and her blue eyes were clear and lovely. She was at the most beautiful age of a girl's youth.

The girl had an eye for beauty. At her first glimpse of Yu Tianjun, her bright blue eyes widened and her little mouth formed an "o," as though amazed that a boy more beautiful than a woman could exist.

Dragon City's most beautiful youth really lives up to his reputation.

Yu Tianjun's eyes widened too, not in wonder at the white-haired girl's youthful beauty, but mainly because he recognized her.

White hair, blue eyes, already a Quasi-Soul Ancestor at such a young age, cultivating faster than Vina...

It's you—Meng Hongchen of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy!

Looking again, he saw an exceptionally handsome man sitting beside her with a smile on his face. The idea of using an escape technique to flee and return to his sect for help flashed through Yu Tianjun's mind, only to be dismissed immediately.

With the master of the Radiant Virtue Hall right in front of him, he had better not show off his paltry abilities.

"From that look in your eyes, young Brother Yu, our presence surprises you?"

Jing Hongchen gestured for Yu Tianjun to sit, naturally exuding the bearing of someone who had long held authority.

Yu Tianjun waved for the waiter to leave and shut the door, then gave a helpless smile. "Dean of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, master of the Radiant Virtue Hall, one of the Sun Moon Empire's top three Level 9 Soul Engineers—Your Excellency Hongchen, any one of your identities would be enough to cause an earthquake in Dragon City."

No wonder they had called their identities unusual. This identity was far too unusual.

The smile vanished from Jing Hongchen's face. He rarely showed his true appearance outside, yet the young man before him knew quite a lot.

"And this beautiful young lady..."

Yu Tianjun turned his gaze toward the white-haired girl, who was studying him with great interest. "Might you be Miss Meng Hongchen, the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy's second-greatest genius and the hall master's precious granddaughter?"

"That's right, I'm Meng Hongchen. Interested in applying to our academy? You'd definitely get in."

Meng Hongchen held out her hand with easy confidence, inviting Dragon City's most beautiful youth to enroll. His talent was unknown, but his looks utterly outclassed every student, Xiao Hongchen included.

The Sun Moon Empire awakened commoners' martial souls free of charge and supported talented commoners with resources. The Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy's entrance assessment required only that applicants become One-Ring Soul Masters before turning twelve. Yu Tianjun could get in simply by standing there.

"Thank you for your approval, Miss Hongchen, but I'm not considering enrollment for the time being."

Yu Tianjun shook her hand politely, then sat down and went straight to the point. "Since we've met, let me speak plainly. I'll do my best to fulfill your requirements, and we'll keep each other's secrets. How does that sound?"

"A decisive young man. That was precisely my intention."

A smile returned to Jing Hongchen's face as he labeled Yu Tianjun "clever" and "calm."

Yu Tianjun nodded. "Please tell me your requirements. Your timing is fortunate. I recently gained an older sister. We originally agreed that once she became familiar with the Outer Far North, we'd divide the work. I would handle the maps, and she would guide clients."

"She's still learning the ropes, so I'll personally handle your service from start to finish."

Meng Hongchen touched a slender finger to her lips and flashed an innocent smile. "Who is this older sister? Is she as good-looking as you?"

"She falls a little short of me in looks. You may know her name: Ling Luochen, one of Shrek Academy's current Seven Devils. You'll meet her in the arena in a couple of years."

"Huh? Then you won't go to Shrek Academy later, will you?"

Meng Hongchen suddenly grew a little worried. If such a beautiful face were hurt in the arena by beams fired by the academy's rough fellows, how heartbreaking that would be.

Yu Tianjun gently shook his head. "I'm quite happy at home."

"Little fellow, there's no need to wave Shrek's banner to scare me. If I promise to protect you, I'll do it. It would be far too shameful for a hall master like me to harbor designs against you."

Jing Hongchen heard Yu Tianjun's hint that Shrek had taken an interest in him, though he wouldn't enroll there. With a soft snort, he exposed the young man's little ploy.

"However you look when we set out, I guarantee you'll look exactly the same when we return."

Yu Tianjun answered with a smile. "Then thank you, Hall Master Hongchen."

"Hehe, my grandpa acts prickly, but he's soft inside. You don't need to be afraid of him."

Meng Hongchen pierced straight through Jing Hongchen's facade and introduced herself with a smile. "You know my name. You can call me Sister Meng or just Meng. My martial soul is the Vermilion-Eyed Ice Toad, with ice, fire, and poison attributes. I need my fourth soul ring, preferably one that will increase my attack power..."

"All right. You know my name too. You can call me little brother or Tianjun. I'll select target soul beasts based on your requirements now, and we can discuss the best route."

Yu Tianjun took out an illustrated guide and a map of the Far North. He began discussing soul beast options based on Meng Hongchen's requirements, identifying their usual haunts, explaining the Far North's terrain, and analyzing possible routes. His expression was focused and calm.

The Douluo Three Kingdoms have geniuses as plentiful as clouds. This little fellow's soul power fluctuations aren't weak, and his composure and professional skills are both quite good.

Jing Hongchen nodded inwardly from the sidelines, adding "steady" to Yu Tianjun's labels.

Simply being able to converse normally with his granddaughter in his presence, and actually having something worthwhile to say, made Yu Tianjun worthy of praise.

With soul power fluctuations at the Soul Elder level, he was certainly a promising talent in Jing Hongchen's eyes. Even at Shrek, he wouldn't be considered poor.

Unfortunately, the oath I swore earlier was too severe. I can't go back on it now. Otherwise, seeing how much Little Meng likes you, I wouldn't mind taking one more person back to Mingdu to make her happy.

Jing Hongchen thought this with some regret. Watching Meng Hongchen grow happier as the conversation continued, the old man couldn't help feeling a little glum.

Why did I never notice that Little Meng likes looking at handsome boys? Are all the academy's students too ugly?

On second thought, Jing Hongchen began examining the issue of his students' looks.

Should I establish a special admissions category for good looks and recruit some attractive students to spruce the place up?