One platinum, one purple.
The two great Soul Rings circled him as surging Soul Power roared and spread.
"Is this Xiao Yan a monster? He can already handle a Thousand-Year Soul Ring as his second Soul Ring!?" People could not accept it.
"Since ancient times, yellow has been the highest grade for the first two Soul Rings. His first Soul Ring is clearly white, yet his second Soul Ring is an impossible purple."
"Could something be wrong with his Soul Rings!?"
Someone murmured, "But he really did suppress the thirty-first-level Dugu Yan with only twenty-sixth-level Soul Power."
On an elevated viewing platform, a refined and handsome middle-aged man narrowed his eyes slightly and smiled. "It seems we witnessed history tonight."
Li Xian, who was attending him, smiled ingratiatingly. "This Xiao Yan was personally named by the vice hall master of Spirit Hall as a contestant. He certainly lives up to his reputation."
"Oh? It seems you think highly of this child too, Mr. Li." The middle-aged man smiled. Dressed entirely in white, he easily inspired a sense of familiarity.
Li Xian nodded repeatedly in agreement.
If outsiders had seen this, they would have been astonished.
Li Xian, a prominent organizer of the intermediate Soul Master arena, was actually treating someone with such respect, like a servant.
The refined middle-aged man before him was certainly no ordinary person.
A gentle breeze drifted past.
At some point, a figure as straight as a sword had appeared, standing beside the refined man.
The figure tilted his brows slightly, and a cold light flashed freely.
Taking the hint, Li Xian bowed and immediately withdrew.
The refined man shook his head and smiled. "Uncle Jian, can't you change that temper of yours? Li Xian didn't do anything wrong. Why were you so fierce to him?"
The old man who had suddenly appeared held a three-foot sword. His long silver hair hung loose, and he wore white robes and trousers, looking like an immortal banished to the mortal world!
Sword Douluo: Chen Xin!
Thus, the refined man's identity was obvious.
There was only one person in the whole world who could make Sword Douluo bow his head in allegiance!
The master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect: Ning Fengzhi!
The man whom every Auxiliary System Soul Master in the world struggled even to catch sight of from behind!
"That fellow Li Xian doesn't think highly of Xiao Yan at all. In the betting before the match, he put the most chips on Dugu Yan to win!" Sword Douluo said calmly, his expression unchanged. "A fellow who shows a human face on one side and a ghost's on the other, all full of empty talk, isn't worth a pleasant look from me."
Ning Fengzhi laughed. "Then I misunderstood."
He rose, guided Sword Douluo into a seat, and personally poured a pot of hot tea. "How is the search for the materials for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Cup going? That girl Rongrong hasn't thrown any young miss tantrums and caused trouble for you everywhere, has she, Uncle Jian?"
Sword Douluo shook his head. "Rongrong is fine. We were almost a step too late with the materials. Xue Qinghe's people nearly took them."
Ning Fengzhi rubbed his brows and murmured, "Xue Qinghe, Xue Qinghe..."
"Lately, that fellow seems to be gradually sticking his hands into every part of the empire, doesn't he? Many business channels and Soul Masters connected to our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect seem to have been subjected to harassment of varying degrees."
Sword Douluo patted the long sword in his hand. "Should I give him a warning!?"
"No need." Ning Fengzhi narrowed his eyes. "His tricks won't amount to much. As long as Emperor Xue Ye lives, he can't stir up any waves, whatever he does."
"In a week, Xue Qinghe also seems to be holding an intermediate Soul Master competition. Many outstanding young Soul Masters in the city have been invited."
"Recruiting retainers? We'll go and 'show our support' too!"
"Among them is the young man before us!" Sword Douluo pointed at Xiao Yan in the center of the arena. Xiao Yan was radiant at that moment, waving amid the cheers as he gradually walked off the stage.
Xue Qinghe had invited Xiao Yan to join the crown prince's residence!?
"A young man who can drive Poison Douluo's granddaughter to despair is quite impressive." Ning Fengzhi nodded, then spread his hands. "He already belongs to Spirit Hall, so why would he join the crown prince's residence? Spirit Hall won't let a genius like that go."
"As I see it, even compared with that so-called Golden Generation in Spirit City, this child's strength can only be greater, not lesser."
Ning Fengzhi thought highly of Xiao Yan, considering him a true genius among the rising generation.
Sword Douluo hesitated slightly, then paused before saying, "But that day, while we were searching for the materials, the person behind Xiao Yan and the Spirit Hall people traveling with him seemed to be Xue Qinghe!"
This rising genius seemed to have already been recruited by Xue Qinghe.
"Let's wait and see. In any case, the one who should be worrying most about this headache is that old fellow Emperor Xue Ye." Ning Fengzhi smiled.
He said softly, "If possible, our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is also willing to do everything within its power to bring this child Xiao Yan into the sect!"
Sword Douluo said speechlessly, "Why do I get the feeling you're planning to recruit him as a live-in son-in-law?"
Ning Fengzhi blinked, caught sight of a graceful figure behind the door, and smiled. "Naturally, that depends on whether my Rongrong is willing. I imagine she'd be more than willing!"
A little girl in a white dress, looking like a lotus emerging from the water, instantly rushed out of a corner nearby. Her large, round eyes were wide as she charged over, baring her teeth and brandishing her claws.
On the competition stage,
everything had drawn to a close.
Xiao Yan slowly left the stage under the dazed gaze of Dugu Yan, who still had not recovered her senses.
Countless screams rose and fell.
Girls' hearts blossomed with first love; boys' blood ran hot.
That night, Xiao Yan's name rang throughout the arena, even eclipsing the fame of Dai Mubai, who had previously cleared four rounds in a row!
"From now on, this place is called Xiao Yan Plaza!"
"Brother, I love you so much! All the sons I have in the future will take Brother Xiao Yan's surname. No, I'll even make my boyfriend take your surname!"
"Xiao Yan is fucking awesome!" The shout cracked.
Xiao Yan continued forward and walked out of the preparation area. After passing several rooms, he finally smiled.
"Old Yu, your timing was pretty accurate. Looks like you've been waiting here for me for a while, haven't you?" Xiao Yan patted Old Yu on the shoulder. There was actually little difference between their heights now.
It was then that Xiao Yan caught sight of someone behind him.
The young man whom Dugu Yan had glanced at from the stage.
He was about 1.8 meters tall, a little taller than Xiao Yan was now. His calm face was ordinary, with an indescribable firmness. He could hardly be called handsome, but he possessed a toughness rarely seen in ordinary people.
In Xiao Yan's own words:
This guy's a real tough guy!
Through the snug T-shirt underneath, Xiao Yan could even make out a hint of the explosive muscles beneath, truly forged through a thousand hammer blows of training!
"Hello, I'm Yu Tianheng." Yu Tianheng held out his right hand.
"I'm Xiao Yan."
Xiao Yan smiled slightly and clasped his right hand.
In an instant, a flash of lightning appeared. Thunderbolts and lightning crackled in Yu Tianheng's palm.
Trying to play dirty with me!?
Flames kindled in the gap like winter firewood. Though tiny, they could devour lightning. In less than a few breaths, both their palms glowed red.
Boom!
Flame and lightning collided!
The two sprang apart, their palms both blackened.
Xiao Yan bared his teeth slightly. His hand was completely numb.
Yu Tianheng also frowned deeply. A wisp of black smoke even rose from his palm, accompanied by the smell of roasted meat.
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(Thank you, everyone.)
(Special thanks to [Qingfeng Rushui] and [Saiyan Wukong] for voting every day, and to boss [Kuaile] for the daily gifts and votes.)
(End of chapter)