Once the Soul Fighting cards depicting the battle between the two gods ten thousand years ago were made, they immediately took Lingdou City by storm.
Even Chu Qing was puzzled. He thought it shouldn't have happened. Could it be...?
Surely they wouldn't be that shameless, would they?
Even Ning Changqiu, far away at the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, found it unbelievable when he heard his subordinates' revenue report.
"This thing can actually make money?"
"Looks like we need to hurry and secure distribution points."
Watching Chu Qing's Soul Fighting Society actually begin to turn a profit, the Dou Ling emperor felt as if he were dreaming.
Even Xue Zhan, who had initially thought the youngsters were just playing around, couldn't help picking up a few cards and sighing.
"When you get old, you really do find it harder and harder to keep up with the times!"
Even so, Chu Qing finally made up his mind. When it came to making money, actually making it was what mattered most. At a meeting, he said:
"For the next series, we'll make Martial Soul cards for every generation of the Shrek Seven Devils."
Xue Shiqi and the others' eyes lit up, and they all cheered.
Li Zhongyuan was the most enthusiastic of them all. His Martial Soul and talent were the worst among them, and now he truly felt the bright future Chu Qing had described to them might actually come true. He had found something that could prove his worth.
Chu Qing would call anyone who fed him mother. He thought happily that, actually, Tang Buddha was a pretty good fellow.
The Soul Fighting cards became so popular that even Xue Shi came.
Chu Qing couldn't help being surprised to see him. After all, Xue Leng's family was busy plotting a rebellion, so how could they let their heir come play cards?
"Come in. What cards would you like? I'll help you pick a suitable set," he said warmly.
Xue Shi glanced at the enlarged card illustrations in the display cases inside. He couldn't help finding them eye-catching, dazzling, and each distinctive in its own way.
They had all been painted by court artists, and the quality of the illustrations was first-rate.
He seemed to have heard they were quite interesting, Xue Shi thought. Then he abruptly came to his senses. He wasn't here to buy cards. He said to Chu Qing:
"No, thank you."
"I'm here to invite you on my grandfather's behalf."
Chu Qing's expression dimmed at once, leaving only his face holding the shape of a smile.
Exchanging a few pleasantries with Xue Shi was fine, but he really didn't want to go.
"All right, sorry for the trouble. Let's go."
He had no choice but to leave with him for now.
He sighed softly on the way. He could roughly guess why he had been summoned.
Sure enough, as soon as he stood before Mad Lion Douluo, the latter opened his mouth and said he wanted to take him as a disciple.
Chu Qing declined with a bitter smile.
"Thank you for thinking so highly of me, Your Majesty Mad Lion. My admiration for you is like the surging rivers and seas, flowing without end."
"It's just that I've already taken His Majesty Dark Douluo as my master, so I can't leave him to join you."
"Even without me, Your Majesty still has your worthy grandson to fill out your household."
"But His Majesty Dark Douluo is nearing the twilight of his life. If I left him too, he would be all alone."
"I'm afraid I truly must refuse."
Mad Lion Douluo was slightly annoyed, but he was quite appreciative of Chu Qing's talent.
"Have you truly thought this through?"
"Joining me doesn't conflict with having Dark Douluo as your master. I'm not the hidebound, stubborn sort."
"If it really troubles you, you can join me later. That way, it won't harm the bond between you and your master."
Chu Qing still refused.
"My honored master is still here. How could I already be thinking of leaving him for someone else?"
"Your Majesty Mad Lion, please forgive my disrespect today."
Mad Lion Douluo had little else he could say. He took a wooden box filled with a rich medicinal scent from his storage ring and said:
"This is the Immortal Herb you've been looking for, the one that can improve spiritual power. It's called the Golden Sun Flower. I've tried it myself, and it truly has remarkable effects."
"Heavenly Sun Douluo grows them. If you want more later, you can ask him yourself."
Chu Qing's eyes immediately shone with golden light. How could he refuse a treasure? He accepted it without the slightest hesitation and said:
"Your Majesty Mad Lion, although I can't take you as my master, please accept a bow from me."
Mad Lion Douluo didn't stop him. If anything, he liked him even more.
Chu Qing didn't feel the slightest burden, either. A man's knees held gold, so what was wrong with taking some out to use?
Besides, when facing a powerful expert, no matter how great a genius he was, he should still show due humility.
Chu Qing raised his head, and Mad Lion Douluo couldn't help sharing some of his cultivation experience with him.
In the end, Chu Qing left happily. Of course, he didn't dare eat the Golden Sun Flower rashly. It would be best to find a chance to ask Heavenly Sun Douluo about it, and better still to get some more.
After Chu Qing left, Xue Leng emerged from behind a screen with a cold laugh.
"At such a young age, he already knows how to exercise such restraint. This boy cannot be allowed to live much longer."
As he spoke, a death warrior outside the room immediately dropped to one knee and volunteered.
"My lord, this lowly one will take that man down with me. I guarantee I won't leave a single trace."
Xue Leng frowned.
"Fool!"
"Are you trying to make sure none of us get out of Dou Ling City?"
"Do you think those Titled Douluo are famous for nothing?"
"You're right to reprimand me, my lord. I know I was wrong."
Still, the man was loyal at least, so Xue Leng softened his tone.
"Don't I usually tell you to use your brains more?"
"Why would we need to do it ourselves to kill him?"
"Spread the news, especially in the Heavenly Soul Empire and the Sun Moon Empire. Give our heaven's chosen a good bit of publicity."
"There will be fanatical fans who won't hesitate to travel ten thousand miles to ask him for an autograph."
"A brilliant idea, my lord. I understand. I'll send someone to do it right away."
Meanwhile, Chu Qing returned to the Soul Fighting Society and went straight to Xue Zhan.
"Great-uncle, Mad Lion Douluo just tried to take me as his disciple, and I refused."
"I think it's time to hunt for my fourth Soul Ring."
Xue Zhan nodded.
"Let's see if they have the guts."
Chu Qing asked curiously:
"Great-uncle, a Titled Douluo should generally have a full set of Soul Bones, right?"
The tiger intended to hurt the man, but the man also had a mind to subdue the tiger.
Xue Zhan chuckled.
"If it's not a hundred-thousand-year Soul Bone, forget about it."
"And even if a Soul Bone really does drop, unless it's especially well suited to you, it still won't be your turn when it's divided up. It should go to the people who put in the work."
Chu Qing nodded in complete agreement.
"I understand, Great-uncle."
As he spoke, he took out the Golden Sun Flower Mad Lion Douluo had given him.
"Do you recognize this? Mad Lion Douluo gave it to me. He said it could improve spiritual power and that the Heavenly Sun Family has some."
"The Golden Sun Flowers Heavenly Sun Douluo grows actually have that effect? I really didn't expect that."
Xue Zhan was quite surprised too, but he still cautioned him:
"Chu Qing, don't eat this Golden Sun Flower. There's no way to be sure there's nothing wrong with one Mad Lion Douluo gave you."
"You can only be at ease with one you personally get from the Heavenly Sun Family."
Chu Qing naturally understood and said:
"I understand, Great-uncle."
"I'll discuss it with Yang Tian tomorrow."
He was the one who wanted the Golden Sun Flower, and the other party was the honored Heavenly Sun Douluo, so naturally it was best for him to go and ask.
He was relieved that his relationship with Yang Tian wasn't bad. It should be easy enough to discuss.