After a brief period of living a structured life, Xu Yang returned to his routine after the various factions learned of Ning Fengzhi's valued disciple. However, he couldn't shake the feeling of being scrutinized, unsure if it was just his imagination stemming from the situation.
Unfortunately, this orderly life didn't last long. A month later, after Xu Yang had just absorbed Eastern Purple Qi and was about to eat, a maid informed him that Ning Fengzhi wanted to see him.
Realizing it was likely another gathering with the nobles, Xu Yang's expression immediately soured.
Due to the decay within the Heaven Dou Empire, most of its nobles were just as described in novels—arrogant, domineering, and unreasonable. They looked down on commoners and would show their ugly sides for personal gain.
Especially after learning that Xu Yang was Ning Fengzhi's disciple, they fawned over him with all sorts of schemes, including offering their female slaves or even children to entice him. Some even attempted to drug him during meals. If it weren't for Ning Fengzhi's warnings and Xu Yang's strong will, he might have fallen into their traps.
These nobles knew very well that Xu Yang had been favored by Ning Fengzhi, indicating he was a genius with a strong martial spirit and innate soul power. They believed that if one of their daughters could bear his child, their family would secure a stable and powerful martial spirit inheritance.
They also understood that as long as they didn't cross the bottom line of Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School regarding the Seven Treasure Glazed Tower, Spirit Hall wouldn't have much leverage over them.
"Why do they have to treat me like this when I'm still just a child?"
Since then, Xu Yang developed a deep aversion to these nobles and resolutely resisted any interactions with them. Yet he still had to attend gatherings because that was reality.
Sighing softly, Xu Yang tidied himself up before changing into appropriate attire and leaving his room.
"Teacher, can I skip this gathering? Those nobles are just disgusting!" As soon as he entered the room, Xu Yang complained to Ning Fengzhi.
Ning Fengzhi looked at Xu Yang's little expression and smiled helplessly. He understood the methods of those nobles and didn't like them either but had to face reality; some experiences were essential for growth.
"This time it's not a gathering; you need to come with me to the Heaven Dou Palace to meet Emperor Xue Ye and your future junior brother!"
"As long as it's not a gathering!"
Xu Yang felt relieved and understood who this junior brother would be.
After some quick preparations, Xu Yang, along with Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Ning Fengzhi, boarded a carriage heading toward the palace. The journey was smooth. As soon as they entered Heaven Dou City, Xu Yang pulled back the carriage curtain to look outside.
He had visited Heaven Dou City many times during this period; it truly lived up to its reputation as the royal capital of Heaven Dou Empire. The city was top-notch in every aspect; on the streets, there were rarely any plainly dressed commoners—most were wealthy merchants and nobles adorned in luxurious attire exuding nobility.
Occasionally, students wearing Heaven Dou Royal Academy uniforms would run past playfully.
Of course, there were also scenes of nobles oppressing commoners. Initially, driven by his conscience from his previous life, Xu Yang considered intervening. However, after witnessing it repeatedly, he became numb and indifferent; he could save someone once but not multiple times. Ultimately, it was a result of societal structure that he couldn't change at his current level.
Soon they arrived at the palace. Upon entering the city gates, they saw a wide avenue comparable to modern highways with eight lanes. Precious greenery lined both sides of the road, meticulously trimmed to complement the environment beautifully.
Not to mention the surrounding buildings constructed from high-quality stone exuding luxury.
"The royal family certainly knows how to enjoy life!"
Hearing Xu Yang's remark, Ning Fengzhi merely shook his head without responding.
Eventually, they were led to a side palace; Xu Yang didn't know its specific name. In the center of the palace stood a massive stone table laden with exquisite pastries, food, and drinks.
Emperor Xue Ye was chatting with Prince Xue Xing while all four princes were present except for Xue Lang who was only two or three years old. The other three princes were engaged in their own activities rather than congregating together.
At this moment, Xu Yang noticed one boy slightly older than him casting a resentful glance at Ning Fengzhi. Although he tried to hide it well, Xu Yang still sensed it.
"That's Second Prince Xue Luochuan. After hearing that I would take Xue Qinghe as my disciple, he started complaining about me and even smashed everything in his room out of frustration—he has quite a narrow mind! Thankfully I didn't choose him earlier."
Just as Xu Yang intended to remind Ning Fengzhi about this prince's demeanor, he heard Ning Fengzhi's voice in his ear; clearly he had also noticed Xue Luochuan's gaze and had already investigated the reactions of other royal family members beforehand—otherwise he wouldn't know about this prince's affairs so well.
Xu Yang nodded silently without speaking; his cultivation level hadn't yet reached the point where he could communicate telepathically. However, his gaze shifted toward a black-haired boy standing next to the golden-haired prince.
The boy wore a false smile and humbly followed behind the golden-haired prince; his attire was quite plain compared to everyone else present—he looked like a servant or guard for the golden-haired prince.
What caught Xu Yang's attention wasn't merely his appearance but rather a resonance stemming from their martial spirits—a sense of connection. He had only seen such phenomena in Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's library before; it indicated an exceptionally high compatibility between their martial spirits capable of executing martial spirit fusion techniques perfectly.
"Could it be Qian Renxue?!"
Given his own martial spirit attributes, there was only one possibility: that was indeed the Six-Winged Angel Martial Spirit. Currently within this continent, only Qian family possessed such a martial spirit—and in Heaven Dou City there was only Qian Renxue herself.
As a divine bestowed martial spirit, Six-Winged Angel not only possessed innate soul power reaching level twenty but also held attributes of Extreme Light and Extreme Fire similar to that of Solar Martial Spirit—though Solar Martial Spirit primarily focused on fire attributes while Six-Winged Angel centered around light attributes; both complemented each other's deficiencies significantly.
Qian Renxue seemed to sense this connection too; she smiled at Xu Yang and nodded before continuing to follow closely behind Qian Renxue.
Xu Yang returned her nod as a greeting before following Ning Fengzhi toward Emperor Xue Ye.
"Your Majesty! Long time no see!"
"Xu Yang pays respects to Your Majesty!"
Seeing Ning Fengzhi bow respectfully toward Emperor Xue Ye made Xu Yang quickly follow suit and mimic his gesture.
"Sect Master! Is this your disciple? He truly is quite talented!" Emperor Xue Ye said with a smile after returning their greetings.
"My disciple is mischievous; I hope Your Majesty doesn't worry about him!" Ning Fengzhi replied with a grin.
(End of Chapter)
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