Meng Yiran's affection soared

They waited for a little less than two hours.

Bai Qingyue appeared, carrying two dying soul beasts.

Seeing the Man Faced Demon Spider in Bai Qingyue's hand, Meng Yiran cried out excitedly.

"Amazing! You found it so quickly!"

Dai Chengqian stood up, walked over to Bai Qingyue, and said:

"Thank you for your hard work, Qingyue Douluo. If you ever need my help, just say the word."

Bai Qingyue tossed the soul beasts onto the ground, rolled her eyes at Dai Chengqian, and said irritably:

"Become the emperor first, brat. What could you possibly help me with now?

I'd burn incense in thanks if you'd just stop bothering me with these trivial little errands."

With that, a white light flashed, and Bai Qingyue vanished.

Now that they had the soul beasts, the rest was simple.

Dai Chengqian had Zhu Zhuqing and Meng Yiran each take their soul beast away, then waited for them to finish absorbing their soul rings.

Compared with Dai Chengqian's absorption of a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring, theirs went much faster.

Before long, both had finished.

Notifications that both women's Affection had increased appeared on the system panel at the same time.

Dai Chengqian opened the panel to check.

Zhu Zhuqing's Affection toward him had reached 60 points.

He had earned another spin of the reward wheel.

Dai Chengqian had expected this, so he was not surprised.

The only slight surprise was Meng Yiran.

Meng Yiran's Affection toward him had actually shot straight up to 50 points, enough for him to bind her as a Red Luan already.

By comparison, the others lagged behind.

Asuya, whom he had met earlier, and Dugu Yan still only had Affection scores in the teens.

But on closer thought, it made sense that Meng Yiran's Affection had risen so quickly.

Meng Yiran admired strength by nature, falling for one person after another.

When Tang San defeated her a few days earlier, she had developed feelings for him.

Now Dai Chengqian had appeared, seemingly a cut above him, and had shown remarkable generosity by giving her a soul ring outright.

Generous, handsome, and powerful—and a prince of the Star Luo Empire to boot.

All this had made Meng Yiran's fluttering heart shift from Tang San to him in an instant.

Closing the panel, Dai Chengqian walked over to Meng Yiran and asked:

"Well? What soul skill did absorbing the Man Faced Demon Spider give you?"

Delighted, Meng Yiran began demonstrating her soul skill for Dai Chengqian.

"The soul skill it gave me isn't an attack skill, but I think it suits me perfectly. It's called Spider-Snake Sense."

As she spoke, Meng Yiran thrust her Serpent Cane into the ground, and a ripple spread out from it.

Invisible ripples of soul power appeared across the ground, with Meng Yiran at their center.

Meng Yiran said:

"Can you feel these web-like ripples of soul power?

They can sense a soul master's location and the strength of their soul power—even its attributes.

If someone stays in one spot within their range for more than ten seconds, the ripples trigger a slowing effect."

Dai Chengqian nodded and said with a smile:

"It really does suit you. Whether you pair it with your hidden weapons or your first soul skill, it's a perfect fit."

Then Dai Chengqian turned to Zhu Zhuqing beside him and asked:

"What about you, Zhu Zhuqing? What soul skill did you get?"

Zhu Zhuqing demonstrated hers for Dai Chengqian. It was an assassination-type soul skill, Netherworld Slash.

The Dragon Duke and Snake Granny were delighted to see Meng Yiran successfully absorb her soul ring, and repeatedly thanked Dai Chengqian.

Dai Chengqian said with a smile:

"Honored elders, there's something I'd like to ask. Has Meng Yiran found a suitable academy yet?

If not, she could study at the Star Luo Royal Academy."

Before the Dragon Duke or Snake Granny could speak, Meng Yiran hurriedly responded to Dai Chengqian's invitation:

"Yes, please!

The Star Luo Royal Academy is one of the continent's finest advanced academies!

If you're inviting me, I'll definitely go.

I just don't know whether they'll accept me."

"With my recommendation, you won't have to worry about that."

"Really? That's wonderful!"

Meng Yiran hugged the Dragon Duke's arm and pleaded sweetly:

"Grandpa, please let me go.

Most people couldn't get in even if they wanted to.

Since the Sixth Prince invited me, we ought to do him the courtesy, right?”

The Dragon Duke stroked Meng Yiran's head fondly and said:

"Silly girl, the Star Luo Royal Academy is certainly good.

It's just rather far from home..."

Hearing the suggestion that he might not let her go, Meng Yiran puffed out her cheeks in anger.

"I'm not a little kid anymore. What's so scary about being far from home?"

Dai Chengqian looked at the Dragon Duke and said with a smile:

“You needn't worry about that, honored Dragon Duke and Snake Granny.

You could both come to the Star Luo Empire as retainers at my residence. I'll provide your food, clothing, lodging, and transportation.

Rest assured, you would only be retainers in name. I wouldn't normally order you around on a whim."

Pointing at Dugu Bo, Dai Chengqian added:

"When Poison Douluo returns to the Star Luo Empire with us this time, he'll become my retainer as well."

The Dragon Duke and Snake Granny exchanged a surprised glance.

A Titled Douluo becoming a prince's retainer—the Sixth Prince clearly had considerable means. It also showed that he harbored ambitions to contend for the Throne.

After a moment's thought, the Dragon Duke said:

“As for Yiran studying at the Star Luo Academy, since the Sixth Prince has extended an invitation, how could we refuse?

I'll take her to enroll in a few days.

As for becoming retainers...

We two old folks still have our own clan to look after. With so many clan affairs to attend to, it really wouldn't be convenient."

Dai Chengqian smiled faintly and said:

“That's quite all right. If you change your minds later, simply come find me at the Imperial Prince's Residence.

We'll head back to the Star Luo Empire first. When you arrive in a few days, I'll be sure to give you a proper welcome."

“Then allow us to thank you in advance, Sixth Prince.”

With a sweep of his hand, Dugu Bo carried the others up into the sky and flew toward the Star Luo Empire.

Down below.

Watching Dai Chengqian's party recede into the sky, Meng Yiran turned to the Dragon Duke and asked:

“Grandpa, I think the Sixth Prince is a very nice person.

Why did you refuse to become his retainers? Our clan doesn't usually have much for you to do, does it?"

Snake Granny wrapped an arm around Meng Yiran's shoulders and said:

"Yiran, becoming a retainer isn't like going to the Star Luo Empire to study. You can't agree to it lightly.

Agreeing would mean our clan had taken the Sixth Prince's side.

If he ultimately fails to seize the Throne, it would be a tremendous blow to our clan. Do you understand?"

"But what if he becomes the Star Luo Emperor in the end?"

The Dragon Duke looked at Meng Yiran and said:

"If he becomes the Star Luo Emperor, then the clans that supported him early would naturally rise with the tide and reap enormous benefits.

But that's a gamble.

Though the Sixth Prince himself is extraordinarily gifted, seizing the Throne involves more than personal strength. We'd be better off not gambling."

Meng Yiran nodded.

Her thoughts differed from her grandfather's. Their clan was already declining year after year, so what was wrong with taking a gamble?

If they won, the payoff would be enormous.

Still, she had no intention of persuading her grandfather to change his mind.

She had already decided that once she reached the Star Luo Empire in a few days, she would firmly stand by Dai Chengqian.

Since her grandfather did not dare invest in him, she, his granddaughter, would.

High in the sky.

Dugu Bo teased Dai Chengqian:

"Didn't see that coming, did you, boy?

You invited them, and they weren't even willing.

Those two old fossils were clearly fobbing you off with that excuse about clan affairs."

Dai Chengqian smiled and replied casually:

"It doesn't matter. Inviting them to become retainers was just something I mentioned on a whim. Whether they agreed or not makes no difference.

A Soul Douluo and a Soul Saint—even combined, they're more than a hundred thousand miles behind you, Poison Douluo."

Dai Chengqian's words pleased Dugu Bo immensely, and he burst into laughter.

"Now that's what I like to hear! You certainly know how to talk, brat."