On the entire continent, the Ye Clan could only be considered a small clan.
It had only thirty members in all.
After learning that Ye Lingling might have overcome the limitations of her Martial Soul because she had absorbed an Immortal Herb, her father wanted to offer his thanks in person.
After coming out of seclusion on one occasion and receiving the news, Yu Tianheng personally received him.
He also proposed moving the Ye Clan into the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
After all, the Ye Clan would have access to better resources that way.
Father Ye heard the proposal with his own ears and learned that the young clan leader of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, whose fame now shone throughout the continent, had fallen for his daughter.
He was overjoyed and agreed on the spot.
It wasn't as though the Ye Clan had never worked with other clans or sects before.
But those people had only taken an interest in the power of the Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul and wanted to squeeze more benefits out of them.
This was the first time he had ever seen a clan like the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan!
Father Ye even swore outright that, from then on, the Nine Heart Begonia would be the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's exclusive support Martial Soul!
On his eleventh birthday, Yu Tianheng's Soul Power Level successfully broke through to level forty.
His Triple Martial Souls were all Dragon Kings, his body had been tempered by Immortal Herbs from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, and the system constantly provided feedback effects for his Martial Souls.
Even if Yu Tianheng wanted to slow down his cultivation, it would have been difficult.
The Fire Dragon King and Water Dragon King automatically generated Soul Rings because their bloodlines were pure enough.
All four rings had reached nine thousand years in age!
Yu Tianheng was confident that, at around level forty-five, he should be able to make all his Soul Rings break through their limits.
They would reach the level of Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings.
As for the fourth Soul Ring for his Thunder Dragon King Martial Soul, Yu Tianheng was in no hurry to search for it.
After his long seclusion, Yu Tianheng couldn't help stretching.
He prepared to go see how the three women were doing.
"Young clan leader! An honored guest requests an audience!"
The moment he stepped out of the seclusion chamber, a guard hurried over and spoke.
"Who?"
Yu Tianheng narrowed his eyes slightly. All three women were here.
He really couldn't think of any other honored guest.
"Young clan leader, it's the first prince of the Heaven Dou Empire."
Hearing this, Yu Tianheng couldn't help frowning slightly.
He truly hadn't expected Xue Qinghe to come to him before he had even gone looking for him.
Not many normal people in this world knew Xue Qinghe's true identity now.
Unfortunately, he wasn't a normal person.
After loosening up his muscles, Yu Tianheng spoke slowly.
"Take me to him."
Xue Qinghe had already been waiting at the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan for several days.
Seeing that Yu Tianheng had finally come out of seclusion, he smiled broadly.
"I heard that the young clan leader of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has unparalleled talent. Now that I've seen you, you're extraordinary indeed."
Xue Qinghe rose with a smile and held out his hand to Yu Tianheng.
His golden hair and handsome smile, warm as a spring breeze, made it impossible for anyone to feel any hostility toward him.
Yu Tianheng shook his hand with perfect ease.
On the surface, all was calm between them, but undercurrents surged beneath.
Qian Renxue was a few years older than Yu Tianheng.
Her true Soul Power Level was probably somewhere above level forty by now.
"I've also admired the first prince's talent and judgment for many years."
After that exchange of pleasantries, the two sat down.
Looking at the boy of about ten before him, Xue Qinghe's eyes glimmered with an unusual light.
She had just sensed that Yu Tianheng's Soul Power Level wasn't much different from his.
Even she might not have reached such a level at eleven.
The plan had yet to fully surface, so it was better to befriend him for now as a delaying tactic.
Yu Tianheng filled a cup with fragrant tea and pushed it toward Xue Qinghe.
Xue Qinghe took a small sip and said,
"If you don't mind, why don't we become friends from now on? You can simply call me Qinghe."
With those words, Xue Qinghe set aside the lofty position he held as the empire's first prince.
He took the initiative to show goodwill toward Yu Tianheng.
Naturally, Yu Tianheng couldn't refuse such a gesture. He smiled and nodded.
"Brother Qinghe, then you can just call me Tian Heng."
Xue Qinghe wanted to have a proper discussion with Yu Tianheng about clan administration.
Yu Tianheng didn't beat around the bush and laid out many of his own measures.
Of course, this wasn't something just any clan or royal family could imitate.
Only he had the Peace-Seeking System as a cheat.
As Xue Qinghe listened to Yu Tianheng's account, he couldn't help knitting his brows slightly.
It would be completely impossible to put such measures into practice in the royal family.
The spreading of its bloodline outside the family alone would be enough to make every royal elder object.
After a moment's thought, Xue Qinghe offered a word of praise.
"Tian Heng, your vision really is far beyond the ordinary. I'm afraid no one else could have thought of such measures."
"You flatter me, Brother Qinghe. But surely you didn't come calling today just to discuss this with me?"
Yu Tianheng wasn't a fool. He had seen Xue Qinghe's purpose from the very beginning.
He had only waited until now to expose it because he wanted to watch Xue Qinghe act.
Hearing this, Xue Qinghe's hand suddenly paused around his teacup.
She hadn't expected Yu Tianheng to be so perceptive.
How was this an eleven-year-old child?
After hesitating for a moment, Xue Qinghe spoke.
"Tian Heng, the Soul Tools developed by the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan have now spread across the entire continent. In the past, several elders of the royal family were shortsighted and didn't understand long-term development at all. I actually came today to apologize to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon."
"And I hope to establish an alliance with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."
Xue Qinghe's gaze was resolute, and his tone was utterly sincere.
At present, the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect was the only one allied with the Blue Dot Tyrant Dragon Clan.
Whoever seized the opportunity first would gain more benefits.
"Did I hear you right? Brother Qinghe, you seemed to be speaking for yourself, not the whole royal family."
Yu Tianheng had keenly caught the issue in his words.
"Hehe, nothing gets past your ears, Tian Heng. I did indeed come on behalf of myself and the forces behind me."
Xue Qinghe stopped using borrowed authority as a banner.
If she wanted to take complete control of the Heaven Dou Empire, this was a necessary step.
"Brother Qinghe, does the Heaven Dou royal family know you have such ideas? If the royal family decides you're plotting a rebellion, wouldn't the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon be branded traitors too?"
"You misunderstand, Tian Heng. It's not that serious. As you know, I have three younger imperial brothers. In the royal family, if I don't build up my own strength enough, I may end up dying at their hands."
A wry smile appeared on Xue Qinghe's face.
If Yu Tianheng hadn't known the whole truth, he might really have been fooled by that look.