Hearing Xue Ye's praise, Xue Qinghe felt as though he had swallowed a fly, his misery impossible to voice. He nearly failed to maintain the smile that had graced his face for years.
He cupped his hands and said, "Grandmaster Li must have come because he wants something."
"When I sought him out yesterday, I was turned away. We never spoke."
At that, Xue Ye's smile faded, and he said nothing more.
The Heaven Dou Empire was too weak. Against a Titled Douluo, it could only have its Soul Master soldiers form battle formations. Their offensive power posed a sufficient threat, but their defenses were fragile.
If Dugu Bo attacked, he could wipe out an army of tens of thousands with a single move.
Their mobility was also severely lacking.
Some time ago, Li Sen had fought the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect had made trouble.
The Heaven Dou Empire could only rely on the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, leave Li Sen unpunished, appease the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, and finally compensate the ordinary people.
Whatever Li Sen had come for, building a good relationship with him could not hurt.
Before long, Li Sen arrived, carrying Xue Ke into the great hall.
Xue Ye did not fly into a rage. He was merely puzzled. No one would attack another person's child without a grudge or grievance.
Xue Qinghe was also somewhat curious. Li Sen had been impervious to persuasion and unmoved by his invitation, so why had he come to the Imperial Palace now?
Xue Ye rose and said, "Welcome, Grandmaster Li. What brings you here to see me? And why are you carrying my daughter?"
Li Sen went straight to the point. "Your Majesty Xue Ye, I feel a connection with Xue Ke and have decided to take her as my disciple. Do you agree?"
Tap, tap. Xue Ye drummed on his armrest, sinking into thought.
Under normal circumstances, he would certainly have agreed. After all, Li Sen's Martial Soul Evolution theory spoke for itself, earning him the title of Grandmaster.
His strength was extraordinary as well. He could exchange blows with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Titled Douluo, and the fact that they had not fought to the death suggested some degree of friendly relations.
Taking a master would forge certain ties. It could bring friends, but naturally, it could also bring enemies.
Spirit Hall would not leave Li Sen alone either. That did not concern him, since they were already enemies.
But... Li Sen also had an enemy among the Upper Three Sects: the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect.
What if the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect became so furious that it joined forces with Spirit Hall?
Most importantly, Li Sen had stayed in Heaven Dou City for many days, and his disciple had been helping him recruit disciples.
Many people had applied, yet not a single one had succeeded, regardless of their power, influence, or talent.
Why had he taken a liking to his youngest daughter?
Even in terms of looks, there were plenty of noble girls who could rival Xue Ke.
Xue Qinghe's gums itched with resentment, and he could not settle down enough to think.
Hearing Li Sen offer to take a disciple nearly drove him mad.
That bastard! I went back to dressing as a woman to ask him to take me as his disciple. I had beauty, money, and strength, yet he refused.
Now he's actually holding Xue Ke, whose martial soul is ordinary, whose innate soul power is only rank two, and whose looks don't even compare to mine, and offering to take her himself.
Even though the disciple in question was her own beloved younger sister, Xue Qinghe—Qian Renxue—still seethed until her gums itched.
He was targeting her. Blatantly targeting her!!!
After much deliberation, Xue Ye asked, "Grandmaster Li, why do you want to take my daughter as your disciple?"
"I heard your disciple has been helping you recruit, and countless people have been rejected."
Li Sen smiled. "Because of our connection. I think little Xue Ke is adorable, and she deserves the chance to grow strong and have a better future."
"With my guidance, I won't promise Limit Douluo, but becoming a Titled Douluo at the very least will be no problem."
Li Sen's strength was plain to see. He was nothing like Yu Xiaogang, who called himself a Theoretical Grandmaster yet was only rank twenty-nine.
He had both strength and a disciple to prove his ability. His competence was beyond question.
If becoming his disciple guaranteed reaching Titled Douluo, and all Xue Ye's descendants could receive the same treatment, why would he worry that the empire could not become as powerful as Spirit Hall?
Xue Ye was tempted, and he very much wanted Li Sen to take a few more disciples.
Beaming, he said, "I trust your abilities, Grandmaster Li. Having my daughter become your disciple would be more than I could wish for."
"I only wonder whether you would be willing to take two more disciples?"
"I also have two sons, Qinghe and Xue Beng."
"Xue Ke grew up with a golden key in her mouth. She is innocent and has seen little of the world.
"If she follows you to cultivate alone, without family by her side, she might feel bored or afraid."
"Why not take my two sons as your disciples as well?"
Li Sen smiled faintly.
Good. As long as he wants something, a deal can be made.
But as for taking disciples, I need to plug that loophole before Qian Renxue latches on to me.
"Your Majesty Xue Ye, I must make this clear first. My disciples will certainly have to endure hardship and travel from place to place. They won't remain in Heaven Dou City."
"Furthermore, I chose to take Xiao Ke myself, so she will be my direct disciple.
"If a prince wishes to study under me, he can only become an inner disciple. He must also give me an apprenticeship gift: the Star of the Vast Sea."
Xue Ye's brow furrowed slightly, and he involuntarily sat straighter.
If Li Sen was leaving Heaven Dou City, his eldest son, Xue Qinghe, would not be able to become his disciple.
Xue Ye's health was poor, and the empire needed an heir. Who knew how long it would take his son to complete his training and return, or whether some accident might occur?
Still, having Xue Beng become a disciple would be quite good too. At least it was better than being a wastrel.
It was just that the apprenticeship gift was rather hard to stomach.
The Heart of the Vast Sea was a supreme treasure passed down by the empire's ancestors!
After thinking it over, Xue Ye immediately realized that Li Sen's target was the Heart of the Vast Sea.
On one side was the empire's inherited treasure; on the other was the chance for the empire to gain a Titled Douluo. How was he to choose?
Xue Ye could not help narrowing his eyes, his voice carrying distance and conflicted hesitation.
"Grandmaster Li, did you come for the Heart of the Vast Sea, with taking Xiao Ke as your disciple merely an incidental matter?"
Li Sen smiled.
It was true that he wanted the Heart of the Vast Sea, but he had intended to steal it. Then the little thing had caught his eye.
The affinity one felt at first sight was truly beyond words.
"You may think of it that way, Your Majesty Xue Ye."
With those words, the two fell silent.
After a long silence, Xue Ye said, "Grandmaster Li, could you give me two days to consider?"
Li Sen nodded. "If you're willing, you can come find me at the Imperial Family Hotel. It's one of your properties."
Meanwhile, because of Liu Erlong's death, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect had summoned men to surround Blue Lightning Academy. Yu Luomian soon arrived.
Without hesitation, he stormed into the academy, found Yu Xiaogang, and angrily demanded an answer.
"You bastard! Where's Flender!!!"
Yu Xiaogang, who had only just regained the ability to move, was seized by the throat and hoisted into the air, his face turning crimson.
He stammered, "Flender ran away. I don't know where he went."
"Ah!!!"
Hearing that, Yu Luomian erupted with fury and flung Yu Xiaogang aside.
Crash!
Agony tore through Yu Xiaogang's entire body. His injuries were aggravated, and he coughed up great mouthfuls of blood.
Before he could say anything, he heard Yu Luomian roar in anger.
"Yu Xiaogang, you bastard! You disgrace to the sect! You worthless piece of trash!"
"You're useless yourself, yet you still had to cling to Erlong and ruin her! You're utter scum!"
"If not for the Sect Master, I'd tear you apart alive today!!!"
After finishing his tirade, Yu Luomian left, breathing heavily.
Only upon arriving at Blue Lightning Academy had he learned that this piece of trash was the true culprit.
A single Martial Soul Evolution theory had cost his exceptionally talented daughter Erlong her life.
Yu Luomian wanted to kill him, but Yu Yuanzhen's cultivation was higher than his. Yu Yuanzhen also possessed the sect's inherited soul bones, which could greatly enhance his combat strength.
Li Sen was the culprit's master, but he could battle Sword Douluo, who had broken through to rank ninety-six. Yu Luomian did not dare seek him out either.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect had even canceled all its plans to target him.
With no other option, he could only seek out Flender to vent his anger. After cursing Yu Xiaogang, he turned and left.
Outside the wooden cabin, many Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect disciples had heard the abuse.
Having learned the truth, they followed suit without hesitation and began cursing him as well.
Before you continue