"En Ci, Holy Dragon Douluo En Ci..."
Upon hearing En Ci's words, Tang Ziran's first reaction was silence as he pondered internally.
Having been away from Star Luo Continent for so many years, he couldn't immediately recall who the other party was when hearing the self-introduction.
But soon, he froze in realization.
"Senior, you are..."
"The Imperial Preceptor?"
A trace of astonishment flashed across Tang Ziran's face. While other titles might not have registered, the mention of Star Luo Empire's Imperial Preceptor...
That left an indelible impression. There was only one Holy Dragon Douluo and only one En Ci across the entire Star Luo Continent.
A 99th-ranked Ultimate Douluo—Holy Dragon Douluo, the stabilizing pillar of Star Luo Empire, the continent's foremost powerhouse—En Ci!
No wonder the aura was so overwhelming. The person before them was the combat ceiling of Star Luo Empire—how could he not be formidable?
"That would be me."
En Ci nodded with a smile, though his gaze never left Tang Luochuan. Clearly, he was intensely curious about the young man's talent and cultivation level.
"This..."
Beside them, Lang Yue's expression was equally stunned.
They truly hadn't expected to encounter the Imperial Preceptor during a casual stroll outside. First the princess, now the Imperial Preceptor—it almost felt as if they were being drawn into royal connections.
Did this mean their son was fated to remain with Star Luo's imperial family, destined to become a royal son-in-law?
"So it's really him."
Unlike his parents' shock, Tang Luochuan himself wasn't particularly stirred. The moment the other party had approached, he'd sensed the trace of draconic bloodline within.
The aura of the Radiant Holy Dragon—he could recognize that well enough. At that point, the man's identity had become obvious.
He just hadn't expected his encounter with Star Luo's Imperial Preceptor to be even more abrupt than meeting Yun'er—simply running into him while strolling down the street.
So even the Imperial Preceptor enjoyed leisure outings these days.
"Little friend, what's your name?"
En Ci asked with a smile. Perhaps it was his imagination, but the youngster before him didn't seem the least bit intimidated by his overwhelming presence...
Such unshakable confidence in one so young.
To regard even a powerhouse like himself with such composure.
"My name is Tang Luochuan."
Tang Luochuan snapped out of his thoughts and replied cheerfully.
"The Tang surname... Luo Chuan. A fine name."
"Little friend, would you show me your Martial Soul?"
En Ci's smile widened, his eagerness barely concealed. He was dying to know just how formidable the boy's Martial Soul could be.
"Of course."
With an easy smile, Tang Luochuan released his Martial Soul in an instant.
Under En Ci's watchful gaze, a golden figure materialized—the Golden Dragon King Martial Soul's majesty on full display.
Encircling him were four ten-thousand-year Soul Rings, causing the older man's heart to tremble with awe.
"Your Martial Soul..."
En Ci was rendered speechless. Staring at the youth before him, he felt sheer astonishment—because the moment this Martial Soul activated, he'd experienced an involuntary urge to kneel.
Yes, kneel...
Despite possessing a top-tier draconic Martial Soul and being a demigod powerhouse, he'd nearly prostrated himself on the spot...
Just how overwhelmingly powerful was this youngster's Martial Soul?!
And these four ten-thousand-year Soul Rings—no one would kill a Soul Beast to obtain a Soul Ring for their first ring. In other words, the opponent's first Soul Spirit, initially a hundred-year one, had already been elevated to the ten-thousand-year level.
A ten-thousand-year first Soul Spirit—this was simply unheard of!
"This is my Martial Soul."
"Golden Dragon King."
Tang Luochuan wore a faint smile as he slowly introduced it.
"Golden Dragon King?"
Hearing this name, En Ci was momentarily stunned, and couldn't help but think of his young disciple, Long Yue, whose Martial Soul was also a Dragon King—the Mountain Dragon King.
The only difference was… Long Yue had awakened the Mountain Dragon King's bloodline only after En Ci had discovered a hidden Dragon Valley world and sent him inside.
But the person before him—this Martial Soul, even stronger than his own—
It didn't seem like something obtained from a small world!
Moreover, with such formidable talent, why was this person completely unknown in the Douluo Continent? He had never heard of such a name before. Or perhaps…
Was this person not from the Douluo Continent?
"A Soul Ancestor with a ten-thousand-year first Soul Spirit—I doubt there's anyone in this entire era stronger than you."
"Young Luo Chuan, you're truly remarkable."
En Ci took a deep breath, regaining his composure, and looked at the young man before him with a smile, sighing in admiration.
But then, sensing the opponent's Soul Power cultivation, he was nearly speechless with shock. This person was no ordinary Soul Ancestor either!
Fifty levels—fifty levels!
The absolute limit of the fourth ring. The only reason he remained at four rings was likely because he hadn't found a suitable fifth Soul Ring yet.
"To be only one Soul Ring away from breaking through to Soul King at an age seemingly similar to the princess…"
"Especially with a Martial Soul like this—a Dragon King, the Golden Dragon King…"
His aged eyes brimmed with emotion. This was the first time he had seen a true genius—yes, a genius in the truest sense.
A youth like this could be called the epitome of a world-class prodigy, unlike his own disciple Tong Yu, who was more of an eccentric monster.
"Luo Chuan, do you have a teacher?"
For a moment, En Ci couldn't help but ask. Even this century-old man couldn't suppress the flicker of anticipation on his face.
He desperately wanted to hear a negative answer, though the hope was slim—because Tang Luochuan before him fit his criteria for a disciple far too perfectly.
Was there a more suitable genius than this?
If he could take this person as his disciple, he would spare no effort in teaching him, molding him into the continent's most elite powerhouse—one even stronger than Tong Yu!
"Hmm…"
Tang Luochuan didn't say much. Instead, he retrieved a token from his Soul Guidance Device and showed it to En Ci with a smile. On it were engraved two characters: "Heavenly Phoenix."
"The Heavenly Phoenix lineage…"
"You're from the Spirit Transfer Pagoda."
Seeing this, En Ci was momentarily taken aback before sighing and nodding in resignation.
A genius like this couldn't possibly have gone unnoticed. And an organization as vast as the Spirit Transfer Pagoda would have the highest chance of recruiting him from a young age.
The fact that he was from the Pagoda's headquarters also confirmed that he wasn't from the Douluo Continent. Perhaps this was simply a genius beyond his reach.
"So be it."
"Even if I can't become your teacher, it's no matter. My Martial Soul is also a top-tier dragon like yours. You can always come to me with any cultivation questions in the future."
"Star Luo Continent will always welcome you."
En Ci smiled, undiscouraged. For such a genius, even if he couldn't take him as a disciple, forming a good relationship was still an excellent choice.
"Elder En."
"This junior actually has a request to make."
At this moment, Tang Luochuan looked at the man before him with a calm expression but spoke straightforwardly.
"Oh?"
"Speak freely."
En Ci immediately agreed. He'd been worried the other party wouldn't ask for his help at all. Having an opportunity to owe him a favor was simply too good to pass up.
His face showed curiosity—he genuinely wanted to know what this young man before him could possibly need his help with.
Perhaps something like obtaining a fifth Soul Ring?
"My friend, Her Highness Yun'er of the imperial family, once told me that Star Luo Continent has a mysterious Dragon Valley Small World..."
"I wonder if I might enter it."
Tang Luochuan spoke earnestly with a smile.
To prevent any disbelief, he produced a special token—the imperial crest Dai Yun'er had left him when he departed Star Luo City.
It bore personally engraved markings, something En Ci, as the Imperial Preceptor, surely couldn't fail to recognize.
Of course, he wasn't using Dai Yun'er as a shield. Three days prior, he'd already discussed this matter with her via communicator, and her response had been clear:
She'd handle it.
Now with En Ci standing before him, given his relationship with Dai Yun'er, asking for his assistance was the most convenient option.
"Dragon Valley Small World?"
"You actually know Her Highness?"
Hearing this, En Ci visibly paused, clearly not expecting Tang Luochuan to mention this. Taking the crest, he fell into momentary contemplation.
Just days ago, Yun'er had secretly followed him to Star Sea City. How had she met this foreign genius in such a short time?
"As for Dragon Valley..."
"His cultivation happens to be within the four-ring limit. Any higher and entry would become difficult."
En Ci quickly regained his composure, giving Tang Luochuan a deep, thoughtful look.
He could foresee just how powerful this young man might become. If he could have him owe a favor now...
Nothing could be better.