In the days that followed, Qi Ling returned to his fiefdom and lived a carefree life like an emperor for a while. During the King's Trial, his body had accumulated too much fatigue, and he needed to rest.
At the same time, Qi Ling also received good news from Ning Rongrong: the bottleneck that had plagued Jian Lan for three years had finally been broken through, and her Soul Power had successfully reached level 50.
This is naturally a major event for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, since besides Ning Rongrong, Jian Lan is the person they value most in their training, the future guardian of the sect.
Therefore, the moment Jian Lan broke through, Sword Douluo took her out to find a suitable Soul Ring. As Jian Lan's master and a level 96 Super Douluo, Chen Xin's choice was naturally not a cause for concern.
"Really? Jian Lan has already broken through level 50 and can get her Fifth Soul Ring now," Qi Ling said. "When did this girl figure out her inner conflict? I didn't know!"
"Hehe, Qi Ling, don't you know? But Grandpa Jian said that Sister Jian Lan's breakthrough is largely related to you, Qi Ling!" Ning Rongrong said.
"Me? I..." Qi Ling was puzzled. "What have I done? It seems like I've been the one learning from her all this time. I don't think I've taught her anything!"
"Ah! Teacher, don't move around!" Xue Ke pouted and said unhappily, "You've messed up my drawing!"
At this moment, Qi Ling, dressed in a dashing white armor, was leaning on the ground with his Xuanyuan Sword, serving as Xue Ke's painting model.
During Qi Ling's break, Xue Ke really enjoyed herself, pestering Qi Ling every day to be her model.
Although Qi Ling really wanted to refuse, seeing how hard Xue Ke studied every day and how she helped manage the city's affairs, Qi Ling couldn't bear to refuse her, so she could only keep her happy every day.
Two months later, a group of special guests arrived at Qi Ling's fiefdom.
The gatekeeper on duty rushed to the city lord's mansion early that morning to report to Qi Ling, Ning Rongrong, and Xue Ke: "Reporting to the lord, there is a troop outside the city gate..."
"Sigh, how many times have I told you not to call me 'sir,' not to call me 'sir,' why can't you remember!" Qi Ling said helplessly, putting down the book in her hand.
"Yes, my lord! Very well, my lord!" the gatekeeper said. "The Grand Master of the Holy Temple Knight Order, Qian Renxue, is here with a large contingent of the Holy Temple Knight Order to pay a visit!"
Qian Renxue? Qi Ling was taken aback. How did she end up here?
Although Qi Ling was not surprised at all that Qian Renxue would find her, with her unique Martial Soul, she would probably only need to do a little investigation to find out all her information.
That's why Qi Ling didn't hide her identity much. After all, she knew almost everything about Qian Renxue, and Qian Renxue had treated her sincerely. If she continued to hide it, it would be too disrespectful.
Regardless, Qi Ling naturally welcomed Qian Renxue's arrival, so he immediately set off to personally greet her.
Upon arriving outside the city gate, Qi Ling immediately spotted Qian Renxue, who shone like the sun. Her long golden hair, paired with her golden armor, made her impossible to ignore.
"Sister... Xue'er! It's been so long." The moment he spoke, Qi Ling changed his form of address. For some reason, after acquiring the Qualifications of a King, some of his views naturally shifted.
And more importantly, he was now a lord of his own domain; how could he possibly call someone "sister"? Although calling her "Xue'er" wouldn't be much better.
"How dare you! How dare you address Qian Renxue, the Grand Master of the Holy Temple Knight Order, as such!" A young man in silver armor shouted from behind Qian Renxue.
Before Qi Ling could speak, Qian Renxue stopped him, saying, "It's alright, Tuo Lei, Qi Ling isn't an outsider, there's no need to do this."
"But, Commander, he is merely a marquis. How dare he address you so disrespectfully? He is utterly presumptuous!" Tuo Lei said Lingling to Qi Ling, as if he had done something particularly rude.
" Tuo Lei, I've told you before, Qi Ling is different," Qian Renxue said.
"No, Commander, you should know that your identity is special. Many people with ill intentions take the opportunity to get close to you. It is also our mission to prevent those people from getting close to you!" Tuo Lei said righteously, but his eyes kept glancing at Qi Ling.
This Qi Ling. "Do I need you to tell me how to address someone?" she thought. So she continued, " Xue'er, introduce this person to me. Who exactly is this?"
"Oh, his name is Tuo Lei, one of the squad leaders of the Holy Temple Knight Order. Tuo Lei is the one who's helping me out this time," Qian Renxue said.
"Oh? Really? So you're a squad leader of the Holy Temple Knight Order. But seeing how strictly he manages you, I thought he was your boyfriend!" Qi Ling said with a smile.
Upon hearing Qi Ling's words, Tuo Lei immediately beamed with joy, his chest puffing out as if he were displaying his masculine charm to those around him.
But Qian Renxue laughed and said, "Stop joking, Qi Ling, how could I have a boyfriend! Didn't I tell you? I won't consider these things until I achieve my own long-cherished wish."
"Ah, I know, of course I know. I'm just afraid that 'some people' don't know," Qi Ling said with a smile.
Upon hearing their conversation, Tuo Lei wilted like a frostbitten eggplant, making Qi Ling chuckle. This guy was just too funny.
Subsequently, Qi Ling, as the local lord, naturally ordered his soldiers to let them pass and welcomed Qian Renxue and the others inside. Tuo Lei watched the two walking intimately ahead, his teeth itching with hatred, but he dared not do anything more impolite, for fear of offending Qian Renxue.
" Qi Ling, why do you call me Xue'er? Shouldn't you call me sister?" Qian Renxue asked Qi Ling as the two walked down the street in the city.
"What? Don't you like me calling you Xue'er?" Qi Ling asked with a smile.
Qian Renxue blushed slightly and said, "It's not that, it just feels a bit strange! Besides, it's really embarrassing to be called that in front of my subordinates."
"It's nothing, it's nothing, you'll get used to it!" Qi Ling said with a smile. "By the way, Xue'er, did you come to see me this time because of something?"
If it was just to see her, Qian Renxue wouldn't have needed to bring the Knights. They must have had a mission to complete this time.