An Invitation from Xue Qinghe

"It looks like he's going to lose. If he had the optimal spirit ring configuration for a Soul Grandmaster, he might really have been able to defeat Red Widow!"

Xue Qinghe flipped through Red Widow's information again. Red Widow's win rate was astonishingly high as well. Most people were brought down by her First Spirit Skill.

Those capable of forcing Red Widow to use her Third Spirit Skill were generally Soul Ancestors a whole major realm above her.

Xue Qinghe suddenly frowned, having recalled someone else she disliked.

That slutty fox has the same kind of spirit skills. What a disgrace!

The person Xue Qinghe was cursing in her heart was obviously Hu Liena.

On the Soul Fighting Stage, with nowhere left to dodge, Lan Hong gathered his Soul Power and circulated the Ice Soul Heart Method. He swung the Ice Soul Sword as though dancing, his movements graceful and captivating.

Yet amid those dance-like sword swings, countless Ice Soul Sword Qi poured forth.

This move was Heavenly Maiden Scattering Flowers. The dense, scattered Ice Soul Sword Qi shredded Red Widow's Sky Spider Web.

"Impossible! This is impossible! You only have two White Spirit Rings. How can you possess such a powerful spirit skill?!"

Lan Hong did not waste words with her. Beneath Heavenly Maiden Scattering Flowers, he launched Hundred Phoenixes Return to Nest once more.

Red Widow had already consumed a massive amount of Soul Power by using her Third Spirit Skill. She now lacked the strength to resist Lan Hong's Hundred Phoenixes Return to Nest and was ultimately frozen atop the Soul Fighting Stage.

Lan Hong also let out a long breath. This battle had drained him greatly as well. If not for the Changhong Heart Method and Ice Soul Heart Method continuously restoring his Soul Power, he would have been completely drained long ago.

After the referee announced Lan Hong's victory, he stepped down from the Soul Fighting Stage, intending to collect his winnings and return for a proper rest.

Yet just as he was about to leave the Great Soul Arena, someone stopped him.

"Our Young Master wishes to see you. Please come with me!"

Lan Mao and Hong Mao immediately warned Lan Hong that this person was very dangerous. Lan Hong naturally understood that this man was likely at least a Soul Fighting Douluo, perhaps even a Titled Douluo.

He simply could not guess which faction the man belonged to. If they wanted to recruit him because of his performance, he would have to find a way to brush them off.

"Young Master, I have brought him."

"Come in."

When Lan Hong saw the person inside, he was surprised to discover that it was the blond youth he had glimpsed earlier.

"Young Hero Hong Mao, you are truly young and accomplished! I admire you greatly!"

"You are?"

"I seem to have forgotten to introduce myself. I am Xue Qinghe, the First Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire."

Lan Hong was also startled. He had not expected the person before him to be Xue Qinghe, Qian Renxue, the Young Master of Spirit Hall, in disguise.

Still, surprise was one thing. He quickly composed himself and bowed.

"Greetings, Your Highness, the First Prince!"

"No need for such formality. I am a few years older than you, so you may call me Brother Qinghe."

"Brother Qinghe."

Lan Hong's lack of pretension pleased Xue Qinghe, who smiled.

"Young Hero Hong Mao, aren't you going to remove your mask?"

"I had forgotten."

Lan Hong removed his mask, and only then did Xue Qinghe realize that he was the person who had met her gaze and given her that strange feeling.

"Brother Hong Mao is quite handsome."

"You flatter me, Brother Qinghe! May I ask why Brother Qinghe summoned me? I am merely a commoner and cannot possibly presume upon the favor of His Highness the First Prince!"

"Brother Hong Mao, those words are too distant! I simply found your soul fight quite splendid and wished to have a chat with you!"

"Brother Qinghe certainly has refined leisure. Very well, what would Brother Qinghe like to discuss? Please speak."

Though Lan Hong appeared passive in his words, he had actually taken some initiative. Xue Qinghe found this amusing as well.

"Then I will be presumptuous. Was the skill Brother Hong Mao used in the soul fight just now a Self-Created Soul Skill?"

"Yes."

"Haha! Brother Hong Mao truly is straightforward!"

"It seems I have no right to refuse an answer. When under another's roof, one must bow one's head."

"Brother Hong Mao misunderstands. I merely cherish talent. Can you tell me why you have only two White Spirit Rings?"

"Poor birth, poor luck, no money, no resources. That is all!

Otherwise, why would I need to fight at the Great Soul Arena to support myself?"

"I see! Then, Brother Hong Mao, would you be willing to work for me? I can provide you with sufficient cultivation resources!"

"I refuse."

"Why?"

Lan Hong's direct refusal surprised Xue Qinghe. Logically speaking, a commoner spirit master like Lan Hong should have been desperate to join a major faction.

"I want to live! I do not wish to become involved in the royal family's schemes and disputes. I am only a Soul Grandmaster!

Compared to future glory and wealth, staying alive is more important at this stage.

Besides, with two white rings, I know my own situation. Even if I followed Your Highness the First Prince, I would not receive many resources in the future. So please allow me to refuse!"

"Sigh! I understand! Take this token. If you ever go to Heaven Dou City, you may use it to find me!"

"Thank you for Your Highness's favor!"

Only then did Lan Hong successfully leave the Great Soul Arena. He also breathed a sigh of relief inwardly. Looks like I've managed to fool Qian Renxue for now!

Xue Qinghe took another sip of tea before speaking.

"Uncle She Long, what do you think of him?"

"He has insight, courage, knowledge, and a clear mind. His innate talent should have been excellent, but it is a pity that two White Spirit Rings ruined him!

For such a commoner genius to be buried is negligence on the part of the Spirit Hall below!"

"I think that boy is not so simple! He is likely hiding something we have not discovered!"

"Young Master! That can't be possible, can it? There should be nothing on him that could escape my eyes!"

"It is merely a feeling. I gave him the token, so we will surely meet again someday!"

Lan Hong's life did not change because of his encounter with Qian Renxue. He did not notice anyone following or watching him either, and Qian Renxue left Barak City after staying only two days.

Two months later, Lan Hong had defeated nearly every Soul Elder-level opponent in Barak City's Great Soul Arena, so he chose to continue his journey.

After careful consideration, Lan Hong gave up on taking the official road and making a detour through Xilu City. Instead, he chose to cross the Vixlock Plains.

This vast plain was not particularly dangerous, but it had no major cities. Lan Hong was not moving quickly, nor did he need to reach his destination in a hurry. Taking in the different customs and scenery along the way was also a fine enjoyment.

Huo Wu and Teacher Yan Yue returned from hunting spirit beasts and failed to find Lan Hong in Barak City, which made Huo Wu quite angry.

However, when they learned that a Young Hero Hong Mao at the Great Soul Arena had nearly defeated every Soul Elder with only two spirit rings, they were both astonished.

"Teacher Yan Yue, is this Hong Mao really him?"

"There should be no mistake. The trait of having two white rings is too obvious! It seems that even if you become a Soul Elder, you still will not be his match!"

"That may not be so! We will only know after fighting! My Third Spirit Skill is very powerful!"

"Yes, confidence is a good thing! I suspect he may visit the Great Soul Arenas in other cities as well. It will not be difficult to find him later. For now, let us return to the academy first!"

Here is the third chapter. Thank you all for your monthly votes and recommendation votes. Your support is the author's greatest motivation!