Disgusting Noble Tactics

Fortunately, this kind of life did not last long. Once the major powers learned that Ning Fengzhi had a highly valued personal disciple, Xu Yang returned to his previous regular routine.

The only difference was that he felt as though someone was watching him. He did not know whether it was merely an illusion brought on by this matter.

Unfortunately, that regular life did not last long either. A month later, just as Xu Yang finished absorbing Eastern Purple Qi and was preparing to eat, a maid informed him that Ning Fengzhi wanted to see him.

Knowing that it was likely another gathering hosted by some noble, Xu Yang's expression immediately fell.

Because of the Heaven Dou Empire's decay, most of the nobles here were exactly as described in novels: arrogant, domineering, unreasonable, and deeply contemptuous of commoners. For profit, they could reveal all manner of ugly faces.

Especially after learning that Xu Yang was Ning Fengzhi's disciple, they came fawning over him one after another, using every possible method. They had female slaves from their families, or even their own children, try to seduce him. They even drugged his food and drinks. If Ning Fengzhi had not warned him, and if his will had not been strong enough, he would have fallen for it.

Those nobles all understood that if Xu Yang had earned Ning Fengzhi's favor, he must be a genius. His Martial Soul and Innate Soul Power certainly could not be weak. That was precisely what they were after. As long as one of their daughters became pregnant, their family would gain a stable and powerful Martial Soul inheritance.

They also knew that as long as they did not touch the bottom line of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda—then even if they paid a greater price for other Martial Souls, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could do little to them.

He was still just a child! Did they really have to treat him like this?!

From then on, Xu Yang came to despise those nobles with all his heart and firmly resisted interacting with them. Yet he still had no choice but to attend such events, because that was reality.

"Ah..."

With a faint sigh, Xu Yang washed up, changed his clothes, and left his room.

"Teacher, can I skip this gathering? Those nobles are just too disgusting!" The moment he entered, Xu Yang began complaining to Ning Fengzhi.

Seeing Xu Yang's little expression, Ning Fengzhi smiled helplessly. He knew about those nobles' methods, and he disliked them as well, but he still had to face them. Some things were difficult to grow from without experiencing them firsthand.

"This time isn't a gathering. You're coming with me to the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace to meet Emperor Xue Ye and your future junior brother!"

"As long as it's not a gathering, that's fine!"

Xu Yang relaxed slightly. He also understood who this junior brother was.

After some simple preparations, Xu Yang, Sword Douluo Chen Xin, and Ning Fengzhi boarded a carriage and headed for the imperial palace without obstruction. As soon as the carriage entered Heaven Dou City, Xu Yang pulled aside the curtain and looked outside.

He had visited Heaven Dou City many times during this period. It truly deserved to be called the imperial capital of the Heaven Dou Empire, with everything at the highest level. On the streets, one rarely saw plainly dressed commoners. Most people were wealthy merchants and nobles dressed in finery, carrying themselves with an air of distinction.

From time to time, students wearing Heaven Dou Royal Academy school uniforms ran past, laughing and playing.

Of course, there were also scenes of nobles oppressing ordinary people. At first, Xu Yang had wanted to intervene out of the conscience he retained from his previous life. But after seeing it too often, he became numb and could not be bothered anymore. He could save them once, but could he save them countless times? In the end, it was the result of the social structure, not something he could change at his current stage.

They soon arrived at the imperial palace. Upon entering the city gate, they saw a broad avenue comparable to an eight-lane highway from the future. Both sides were planted with precious greenery, trimmed neatly and perfectly suited to the surroundings.

Not to mention the buildings around them. They were all built from the finest stone, radiating extravagance.

"The imperial family really knows how to enjoy themselves!"

Hearing Xu Yang's remark, Ning Fengzhi merely shook his head without saying anything.

At last, Ning Fengzhi and Xu Yang were led to a palace hall. It was a side hall, though Xu Yang did not know its exact name. A huge stone table stood in the middle, laden with exquisite pastries, food, and wine.

Emperor Xue Ye was chatting with Prince Xue Xing. Of the four princes, only Xue Beng, who was merely two or three years old, had not come. The other three were all present, though they did not gather together and instead kept to themselves.

At that moment, Xu Yang noticed that one child, one or two years older than himself, was looking at Ning Fengzhi with some resentment. Though it was hidden well, Xu Yang still caught it.

"That is the Second Prince, Xue Luochuan. After hearing that I intended to take Xue Qinghe as my disciple, he began blaming me. He even smashed everything in his room to pieces. He is rather narrow-minded. Fortunately, I did not choose him before."

Just as Xu Yang was about to remind Ning Fengzhi, he heard Ning Fengzhi's voice by his ear. Clearly, Ning Fengzhi had also seen Xue Luochuan's gaze and had even investigated the reactions of the other imperial family members long ago. Otherwise, he would not know what had happened in that prince's residence.

Xu Yang nodded without speaking. His cultivation had not yet reached the level where he could use Sound Transmission. However, his gaze shifted to a black-haired boy beside the eldest golden-haired boy.

A false smile hung on the boy's lips as he followed behind the blond boy with a gentle and humble demeanor. His clothes were not luxurious either—at least, compared with those present, they were exceedingly plain. He looked like the blond boy's guard.

Yet what truly drew Xu Yang's attention was not his attire, but a resonance originating from their Martial Souls, as though some sort of connection existed between them. Xu Yang had only seen such a situation in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Library Pavilion. It was a phenomenon that occurred only when two Martial Souls had an extremely high compatibility, allowing them to unleash a Martial Soul Fusion Skill with one hundred percent success.

"Qian Renxue?!"

Considering the attributes of his own Martial Soul, Xu Yang could think of only one possible Martial Soul: the Six-Winged Angel Spirit. And on the current continent, only the Qian Family possessed this Martial Soul. Within Heaven Dou City, there was only Qian Renxue.

As a god-given Martial Soul, the Six-Winged Angel Spirit not only granted Innate Soul Power at rank twenty, but also possessed the two attributes of Ultimate Light and Ultimate Fire. It was similar to the Sun Martial Soul, except the Sun Martial Soul focused primarily on the fire attribute, while the Six-Winged Angel focused primarily on Ultimate Light. To a certain degree, the two complemented each other and could make up for the flaws each naturally lacked.

Qian Renxue had clearly sensed it as well. She smiled and nodded at Xu Yang, then continued following behind Qian Renxue.

Xu Yang nodded back in greeting, then followed Ning Fengzhi over to Emperor Xue Ye.

"Your Majesty, it has been a long time!"

"Xu Yang pays respects to Your Majesty!"

Seeing Ning Fengzhi bow to Emperor Xue Ye, Xu Yang hurriedly followed suit and copied his gesture.

"Sect Leader, is this your disciple?! He truly is an outstanding young man!" Emperor Xue Ye accepted the salute and smiled as he asked Xu Yang.

"My disciple is mischievous. I fear he has caused Your Majesty concern," Ning Fengzhi replied with a smile.