"Our cultivation is insufficient, and we truly have no means. We hope that, for the sake of our shared ancient lineage, you can save the children of our family. From now on, the Long Family, from top to bottom, will follow your lead."
Long Zungui said, attempting to kneel again, but found himself unable to.
Wang Nan roughly understood by this point. Long Zungui had come not only to ask for his help, but also, it seemed, to find a patron for their family members.
However, Wang Nan thought to himself, even if he could help this time, as long as the Evil Soul Master remained, the children in their family would never be safe.
"Where were those children taken?"
"You agreed?" Long Zungui asked, surprised.
"First, tell me the specifics. Other matters can wait."
"This... well..." Long Zungui saw that Wang Nan hadn't directly agreed, and his expression immediately dimmed. However, concerned for the children, he didn't waste time on this. Just as he was about to speak, another set of footsteps sounded from outside the door.
Dozens of synchronized footsteps echoed, indicating a well-trained team. Soon, the footsteps grew closer, and Princess Xu Jiujiu, dressed in a bright yellow palace gown, appeared at Wang Nan's doorstep.
A princess's outing naturally commanded a grand presence, with carriages, horses, and a full retinue, attracting many gazes along the way. Many passersby on the street peered out, curious to see where the princess was headed with such a large entourage.
It wasn't until the procession arrived at Wang Nan's door that Princess Xu Jiujiu dismounted from her carriage and walked forward to knock on the courtyard gate.
"My apologies, please forgive Jiujiu for coming uninvited."
Though a princess, Princess Xu Jiujiu was not confined to the palace. On the contrary, her numerous visits to the battlefield had imbued her with a certain heroic spirit. However, perhaps due to her concern for the war, her brow remained slightly furrowed.
"Your Highness, Princess."
"Jiujiu will never forget the life-saving grace from two years ago. Just call me Jiujiu." Princess Xu Jiujiu offered a slight smile, glanced at Long Zungui and the other person beside him, then returned her gaze to Wang Nan. "I've also heard about the Long Family's situation. If needed, I can send people to assist you."
"I wouldn't dare trouble Your Highness, Jiujiu." Wang Nan said, looking up at the area outside the door. Although Princess Xu Jiujiu's soldiers were maintaining order, quite a few people had still gathered. "Please, Princess, come inside for a chat."
"There's no need." Princess Xu Jiujiu gently shook her head. "I see you have matters to attend to, and I shouldn't delay you too long. I came this time, firstly, to thank you for saving my life last time, and secondly, to invite you to join the Hall of Offerings of the Star Luo Empire."
"I heard you left Shrek Academy earlier. At that time, I already wanted to find you, but I lost track of your whereabouts until just now when I received a report that you had entered Star Luo City—"
Wang Nan listened quietly, now understanding where those overt and covert gazes had come from when he returned home.
Princess Xu Jiujiu was smiling and speaking with Wang Nan when an old man behind her suddenly stepped forward and whispered something in her ear.
A subtle change flickered across Princess Xu Jiujiu's face. Her eyes widened slightly as she scrutinized Wang Nan, but then, as if she suddenly realized something, she quickly averted her gaze and lowered her head slightly.
"My apologies, I was impolite."
For Princess Xu Jiujiu, a princess of the Star Luo Empire, to apologize, what the old man said was naturally self-evident.
Titled Douluo. Princess Xu Jiujiu hadn't expected Wang Nan to have already made a breakthrough to Titled Douluo after two years. On the Douluo Continent, even as a princess, she had to show some respect to a Titled Douluo, let alone scrutinize one as she had just done.
"It's no bother."
Wang Nan's gaze withdrew from the old man. Even among Titled Douluo, ordinary Spirit Masters couldn't easily discern his cultivation. It seemed this person had abilities related to detecting spirit power fluctuations.
Not just Princess Xu Jiujiu, but even Wang Nan himself hadn't quite grown accustomed to the fact that he was now a Titled Douluo, let alone putting on the airs of one.
However, with his personality, no matter what level his cultivation reached, it would be difficult for him to be as arrogant as other Titled Douluo.
Long Zungui and his brother, standing nearby, were already dumbfounded. The Long Family had declined year by year, and they naturally treated royalty like Princess Xu Jiujiu with utmost respect. They had never seen a princess apologize so readily.
On the other hand, Wang Xing, though equally surprised, quickly calmed down. The surprises Wang Nan had given him since childhood were not limited to this one occasion.
Princess Xu Jiujiu secretly let out a breath, her mind racing. Ever since Wang Nan led Shrek Academy to victory in the Star Luo Empire Soul Duel Tournament, many people had taken notice of him.
Originally, they sought out Wang Nan because of his talent and his identity as a Disciple of Shrek Academy, which was why they invited him to join the Hall of Offerings in advance. It was initially a form of investment and a gesture of goodwill, but they never expected Wang Nan's cultivation to advance so rapidly; in two years, he was already a Titled Douluo.
Princess Xu Jiujiu glanced around, her smile undiminished, and continued what she had left unsaid. "According to custom, Titled Douluo who join the Hall of Offerings are customarily granted a noble title, and the Empire will not force the Reverends to act."
Wang Nan also understood that the Spirit Masters of the Hall of Offerings were different from Guardian Douluo, like the Heavenly Fiend Douluo. Guardian Douluo were completely loyal to the royal family, but Reverends only worked for money and could even leave at any time.
"You have other matters to attend to here; you can consider this slowly. It's not too late to discuss it in detail after you're done."
Before Wang Nan could speak, Princess Xu Jiujiu preemptively helped him decline. In fact, it wasn't just Wang Nan who needed to consider; inviting a Spirit Douluo and a Titled Douluo were completely different, and the conditions she had prepared in advance would also need to be reconsidered.
When other matters were mentioned, Long Zungui also looked at Wang Nan; the children of their family were still in the hands of the Evil Soul Master. "Very well." Wang Nan nodded. "Then let's discuss these matters after I return."
"Then I won't disturb you further."
Princess Xu Jiujiu came and went quickly. The team soon disappeared down the street, and with them, the several gazes that had been secretly watching Wang Nan's side also vanished. Even the Spirit Douluo next door was nowhere to be seen.
"Nan'er, you've already—"
Since the last time Wang Nan helped him acquire his sixth spirit ring, Wang Xing knew that the family's affairs should now be decided by Wang Nan. Therefore, he only now opened his mouth to ask. Just now, Princess Xu Jiujiu had mentioned the matter of ennoblement, and although she hadn't explicitly said it, the meaning was already very clear.
"Yes, I had some harvest during this seclusion." Wang Nan nodded.
"Good, good." Wang Xing looked at Wang Nan for a long while, then gently patted his arm. "Go do what you want to do, and be careful."
"Okay, Dad."
Wang Nan chuckled, then turned to look at Long Zungui and the other person.
A glimmer of hope returned to their faces. Originally, they had just been desperate and sought help, but they never expected the Wang Nan before them to not only readily agree but also to already be a Titled Douluo, immediately giving them confidence.