"Dad, Grandpa Jian, Grandpa Gu, what exactly do you mean?" Ning Rongrong looked at the three of them in confusion.
The three came back to their senses and looked at Ning Rongrong.
Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo had been about to explain, but Ning Fengzhi suddenly asked, "Rongrong, what did you think of that Beiming Yuan today?"
At those words,
Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo exchanged a glance, both understanding what Ning Fengzhi had in mind.
They hesitated for a moment but ultimately said nothing.
"Beiming Yuan... he's very handsome and so strong! He actually defeated the Imperial Fighting Team all by himself!" Ning Rongrong was full of amazement and admiration.
"Yes, he's very strong." Ning Fengzhi nodded and smiled. "He's also the most monstrous genius I've seen in all these years."
"Mm-hmm!"
Ning Rongrong nodded repeatedly.
"Then... how do you feel about him, Rongrong?" Ning Fengzhi smiled meaningfully.
"How do I feel? What do you mean?" Ning Rongrong was taken aback and didn't quite understand.
"I mean, would you like to get to know Beiming Yuan?" Ning Fengzhi's smile widened. "Perhaps make friends with him?"
"Make friends..."
Ning Rongrong's mind wandered for a moment. She instinctively thought of Beiming Yuan's face, and her pretty face reddened as she nodded.
Ning Fengzhi nodded in satisfaction, a glimmer of wisdom flashing in his eyes.
Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo remained silent.
The spouse of a direct descendant of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had to be a powerful Soul Master, and Beiming Yuan met that requirement perfectly.
Ning Fengzhi did indeed want to use Ning Rongrong to draw Beiming Yuan to their side, but he was also genuinely considering Ning Rongrong's future.
Three days later.
While resting at the Heaven Dou Grand Hotel, Beiming Yuan received an invitation from "Xue Qinghe" to visit the crown prince's residence in the imperial palace.
Beiming Yuan was in no hurry to set off. He dawdled for a while before leaving the hotel and heading to the crown prince's residence.
"Greetings, Young Master Yuan."
At the entrance to the crown prince's residence, Qian Renxue, disguised as Xue Qinghe, had already been waiting for quite some time. Upon seeing Beiming Yuan, she bowed to him with the utmost respect.
Beside her were three more "old acquaintances": Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, and Ning Rongrong.
Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo smiled and nodded.
Ning Rongrong, meanwhile, stared straight at Beiming Yuan with her large, lively eyes, her face full of curiosity.
"Mm."
Beiming Yuan nodded slightly, his smile so faint it was barely noticeable.
"This way, Young Master Yuan."
Qian Renxue gestured for him to enter.
To avoid exposing her identity, Qian Renxue had deliberately sent the two Titled Douluo, Ci Xue and She Long, far from the crown prince's residence, lest the Peerless Douluo in the shadows detect them again.
There was no helping it. A Peerless Douluo was unlike a Peak Douluo; their perception was extraordinarily keen.
If a Titled Douluo took care to hide, a Peak Douluo might not detect them.
A Peerless Douluo alone was different. Let alone a Titled Douluo, even a Peak Douluo who concealed their presence would be detected by one.
"As expected of the Heaven Dou Crown Prince's residence. The surroundings are nice." Beiming Yuan entered the residence, surveyed his surroundings, and offered his appraisal.
"If you like it, Young Master Yuan, you may visit often. You are always welcome at the imperial palace." Qian Renxue spoke as she led the way.
"Never mind the welcome at the imperial palace. I wouldn't believe it anyway."
Beiming Yuan smiled and said meaningfully, "The welcome at the crown prince's residence is a little more believable, though. After all, that old man Xue Xing's day is done."
At his words, a strange glint flashed in both Ning Fengzhi's and Sword Douluo's eyes.
Beiming Yuan was smarter than they had thought.
Moreover, Beiming Yuan was not completely ignorant of the outside world. The "hidden power" behind him was probably not entirely hidden from the world.
"Whether you come to the imperial palace or the crown prince's residence, you are most welcome, Young Master Yuan."
Qian Renxue smiled and continued, "My imperial uncle offended you greatly before. The fault lies with us, and I ask for your forgiveness, Young Master Yuan."
Seeing Qian Renxue change the subject, Beiming Yuan did not press the matter further.
Soon, the group arrived at the main hall, where a banquet had already been prepared. Everything on the table was an extraordinary delicacy from land or sea.
"Please, have a seat, Young Master Yuan."
Qian Renxue spoke.
Beiming Yuan nodded and, without standing on ceremony, sat down.
Qian Renxue and Ning Fengzhi then sat down in turn, while Sword Douluo and Ning Rongrong stood behind Ning Fengzhi.
"Young Master Yuan, this is the Heaven Dou Empire's supreme national treasure, the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud." Qian Renxue gestured for a maid to step forward. The maid carried a tray over to Beiming Yuan.
The red cloth covering it was then lifted.
It was a triangular object, about the size of a palm. Its entire body was a crystal-clear blue, and on closer inspection, it looked as though it had been carved from sapphire.
Light flowed over its surface like rippling water, making it quite peculiar.
"This is the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud?" Beiming Yuan examined the object on the tray.
"Yes. The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud is also a rather special Soul Tool." Qian Renxue nodded and asked, "Young Master Yuan, do you see any problem with it?"
"Very good. Your Highness has indeed kept his word." Beiming Yuan casually took the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud and placed it in his Ice Jade.
The maid holding the tray withdrew.
"Young Master Yuan, as for my imperial uncle..." Qian Renxue's tone was slightly questioning.
"As long as he doesn't come looking for trouble with me again, I won't do anything to him," Beiming Yuan said calmly.
"Thank you for your magnanimity, Young Master Yuan." Qian Renxue raised her cup and smiled. "Qinghe offers you this cup on my imperial uncle's behalf as an apology."
Beiming Yuan nodded and clinked cups with her.
After drinking the first cup, Qian Renxue poured another and raised it. "With this cup, Qinghe thanks Young Master Yuan for honoring me with your presence!"
Qian Renxue drained her cup again, then poured another.
"With this third cup, Qinghe welcomes Young Master Yuan on behalf of the Heaven Dou Empire. Please forgive us if our hospitality has fallen short." Qian Renxue drained her cup once more.
Three cups down, she had shown the utmost sincerity.
"You are too courteous, Your Highness." Beiming Yuan smiled faintly.
Still smiling, Qian Renxue set down her cup and said to Beiming Yuan, "Young Master Yuan, allow Qinghe to make another introduction."
"This is Ning Fengzhi, master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Qinghe's teacher."
Beiming Yuan turned his gaze to Ning Fengzhi.
Ning Fengzhi raised his cup and gave a refined smile. "Young Master Yuan, you fought a host of opponents alone at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Your heroic bearing was truly admirable."
"In all these years, I, Ning, have never seen a proud son of heaven like you, Young Master Yuan. Your talent is truly unrivaled!"
"You flatter me, Sect Master Ning." Beiming Yuan likewise raised his cup and nodded.
"There is something I am curious about. Please forgive me if the question offends you, but is your surname Bei, Young Master Yuan, or is it the compound surname Beiming?" Ning Fengzhi asked curiously.
Qian Renxue also looked at Beiming Yuan curiously.
"My compound surname is Beiming."
Beiming Yuan smiled faintly.
"Beiming... thank you for clearing that up, Young Master Yuan," Ning Fengzhi said with a smile.
"Where are you from, Young Master Yuan?" Qian Renxue asked, then added, "The compound surname Beiming is rather rare, so Qinghe is a little curious."
"There's no harm in telling you." Beiming Yuan smiled. "Strictly speaking, I have a slight connection to your Heaven Dou Empire. I come from the north."