Chapter 78: Visiting Heaven Dou, Ice Feather Douluo
Heaven Dou City, the imperial capital of the Empire, was bustling and noisy. The towering city walls and the endless stream of people all highlighted the magnificence and vitality of this city.
Yu Yuanchen and Ye Zhilan walked into the city with the crowd. They did not rush to find an inn to stay like ordinary travelers, but walked straight towards the northwest direction of the city, to that vast, magnificently built, and heavily guarded area—the location of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
"Brother Yuanchen, are we going directly to the Royal Academy?" Ye Zhilan asked with some confusion. She had thought they would settle down first and then plan from there.
"Zhilan," Yu Yuanchen stopped and looked at the young woman beside him, "The Sunset Forest is vast with complex terrain. Searching by just the two of us is like looking for a needle in a haystack. There are many Soul Masters in Heaven Dou City, and countless hunters head to the Sunset Forest; their understanding of this place is far beyond what Dragon City can compare to. If we want to find clues to those strange places or legendary forbidden zones that might be hidden there, the best way is to consult the most comprehensive and authoritative geographical data."
Ye Zhilan was clever and immediately understood what he meant: "Brother Yuanchen wants to... borrow the power of the Heaven Dou Empire?"
"Exactly," Yu Yuanchen nodded, "The Heaven Dou Royal Academy is run directly by the imperial Family. The library within must contain the most detailed geographical records, anecdotes, and even some little-known legends and secrets explored by generations of Soul Masters in the Sunset Forest and even the entire Heaven Dou Empire territory. This is the fastest and most effective way."
He paused and continued, "Acting low-key before was for training and to avoid unnecessary trouble. Now that we are tracking, there is no need to hide. With the Young Sect Master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect here in person to borrow some geographical data, the Heaven Dou Empire will still give some Face."
Ye Zhilan was clever and immediately understood the crux of the matter, nodding: "Brother Yuanchen is thoughtful."
With the plan decided, Yu Yuanchen no longer restrained his Aura. In an instant, a majestic Aura, deep as the sea and imposing as a mountain, slowly permeated from his body. Although he did not deliberately suppress anyone, the vast Soul Power and a hint of faint Thunder Divine Might that flowed out invisibly made the surrounding bustling crowd subconsciously quiet down for a moment, looking sideways with awe in their eyes.
He had restored his noble purple-gold Family attire, standing tall with a majestic bearing. Ye Zhilan followed him quietly, her water-blue long dress trailing on the ground, looking incomparably beautiful, with her Soul Emperor cultivation naturally revealed.
The two of them no longer hid their identities and walked straight towards the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, which was located in the northern district of Heaven Dou City, built against the mountain with magnificent momentum.
The entrance of the Royal Academy was heavily guarded. Several Soul Emperor-level instructors were leading students at the Soul Elder and Spirit Ancestor levels to leave, looking relaxed. When they felt the unmasked, heart-palpitating, and vast Aura of Yu Yuanchen, everyone's expressions changed suddenly, as if facing a formidable enemy.
The middle-aged instructor at the head of the group, who was a Soul Emperor, suppressed the shock in his heart, stepped forward, and bowed respectfully yet vigilantly: "I do not know why the two distinguished guests have come to our Heaven Dou Royal Academy? Please inform us of your identities so we may report it."
Yu Yuanchen's expression was calm as he said lightly: "Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, Yu Yuanchen, accompanied by my fiancée Ye Zhilan, have come specifically to visit Prince Xue Han. We have matters to discuss."
His voice was not loud, but it clearly entered everyone's ears, carrying an unquestionable dignity.
"Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect?! Yu Yuanchen?!"
Upon hearing this, everyone gasped, and the vigilance on their Faces instantly turned into incomparable shock and respect!
Yu Yuanchen! This name was now thunderous in the high-level Spirit Master's world on the continent! As a Soul Saint, he had fought against a Titled Douluo, possessed a legendary hundred thousand year spirit ring, had a Soul Ring configuration unprecedented in history, had an astonishing cultivation speed, and was hailed as the number one Genius of this generation! He was even the undisputed next heir of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect! His fame even overshadowed many veteran Titled Douluo!
No one expected that this legendary pride of heaven would personally come to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy!
"So... so it is Young Lord Yu! Forgive our blindness! Please! Please come in!" The Soul Emperor instructor quickly stepped aside to make way, his voice trembling slightly, "I will immediately report this to the Prince!"
Yu Yuanchen nodded slightly and walked into the academy gate side by side with Ye Zhilan.
The news spread like wildfire throughout the entire Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
"Did you hear? Yu Yuanchen from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect is here!"
"Which Yu Yuanchen? Could it be... that legendary one..."
"It's him! They say he looks so young, but his Aura is terrifyingly scary!"
"Who is that beauty beside him? She looks very strong too!"
"It seems to be the daughter of the Ye Family, that 'Fairy Physician' Ye Zhilan..."
Inside the academy, whether they were students or instructors, they all poured out, wanting to catch a glimpse of this legendary Genius. Exclamations and discussions continued in the crowd.
Yu Yuanchen and Ye Zhilan ignored this, and under the respectful guidance of the Soul Saint instructor, they walked towards a quiet and elegant palace hall deep in the academy.
Just as they reached the square in front of the hall, they saw several figures walking towards them quickly.
The person in the lead was an old man wearing ice-blue prince attire, with white hair and beard, a refined Face, and eyes as sharp as an eagle. Although he was old, he stood tall, and his Aura was like ten-thousand-year ice, unfathomable. Just by standing there, the surrounding air seemed to freeze. He was the Dean of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, the pillar of the Heaven Dou Empire, the level 96 Ice Feather Douluo, Prince Xue Han, with the Martial Soul Ice Feather Swan!
Behind him followed more than a dozen high-level Elders of the academy, all of whom were Soul Douluo or Soul Saint level powerhouses. At this moment, everyone looked respectful, even a little nervous.
"Hahaha! I didn't know such distinguished guests were visiting. I apologize for not welcoming you sooner!" Prince Xue Han's hearty laughter came before he arrived, and his tone was very polite, even carrying a hint of equality. With his status, strength, and seniority, he didn't need to do this, but this exactly showed his high regard for Yu Yuanchen and the forces behind him.
Emperor Xue Yu also smiled and nodded in greeting: "Young Friend Yu, Miss Ye, welcome to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy."
Yu Yuanchen stopped and bowed in return, neither humble nor arrogant: "This Junior has visited presumptuously and disturbed the Prince's peace. It should be this Junior who apologizes."
Ye Zhilan also bowed gracefully: "Greetings, Your Highness."
Xue Han looked at Yu Yuanchen carefully, and a flash of undisguised admiration flashed in his eyes. With his level 96 cultivation, he could naturally feel more clearly the vast, ocean-like, yet extremely condensed Soul Power fluctuations in Yu Yuanchen's body, which carried a trace of Thunder Divine Might that made even him feel palpitations!
This was definitely not something an ordinary Soul Master who had just broken through to level 90 could possess! It even... made him feel a faint sense of threat! This child was truly worthy of his name! Even more terrifying than the rumors!
"Young Friend Yu is too polite." Xue Han smiled, "Young Friend Yu is a hero of this generation. Being able to come to my small academy is truly an honor. I wonder why Young Friend Yu has come this time? Anything the Heaven Dou Empire can help with, we will not refuse." He directly expressed his stance on behalf of the imperial Family, releasing great goodwill.
Yu Yuanchen did not beat around the bush and said directly: "Thank you, Your Highness. To be honest, Yuanchen is traveling with my fiancée this time, intending to look for some places with strange scenery or ancient legends to train and broaden our horizons. I have long heard that the Sunset Forest has unique landforms and contains countless strange sights and secrets."
He changed the subject, "I heard that the library of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy contains the most detailed geographical records and anecdotes of the Empire, so I have come to disturb you, wanting to borrow some information about the terrain and legendary forbidden areas of the Sunset Forest. I wonder if it is convenient?"
The reason he gave was reasonable. A young Genius traveling with a beauty to find strange places to explore was perfectly normal.
He did not directly mention the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, but used "finding a special training ground" as an excuse, which was reasonable and would not arouse too much suspicion.
Upon hearing this, a flash of understanding flashed in Xue Han's eyes, and then he smiled: "I wondered what it was, so that's it. It is indeed a good thing for young people to experience more and see strange things. The exploration data of the Sunset Forest in our Heaven Dou Royal Academy is indeed the most complete, and there are indeed records about dangerous places and strange places. Such a small matter is naturally allowed."
He agreed very readily, without asking another question. For him, being able to exchange some non-core secret information for a favor from Yu Yuanchen, or even deepen the friendship with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, this deal was very worthwhile.
"Thank you, Your Highness." Yu Yuanchen bowed in thanks.
"Young Friend Yu, you are welcome." Xue Han's smile grew wider, and he changed the subject: "However, in addition to the information in the library, there are some more precious materials in the palace, which will take some time to organize and retrieve. It just so happens that there is a banquet in the palace tonight, and His Majesty has also been longing to meet you. I wonder if you and Miss Zhilan would do us the honor of attending? Let me and His Majesty play the host."
This was his real purpose—to take this opportunity to have the imperial Family formally contact this future helm of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect and deepen the connection.
This was a clear intention to win over and befriend. An invitation to a palace banquet was in itself a very high courtesy and a symbol of status.
Yu Yuanchen frowned imperceptibly. He did not like such social occasions by nature, and he did not want to get too involved with the imperial Family. But he had just accepted a big favor from the other party. If he refused directly now, it would be too rude, and it would also make the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect seem unappreciative.
He glanced at Ye Zhilan, and Ye Zhilan nodded slightly, signaling that he should decide.
After a moment of thought, Yu Yuanchen nodded and agreed: "Since His Majesty and Your Highness are so cordially inviting us, Yuanchen and Zhilan will not decline."
"Good! Good! That's very good!" Xue Han clapped and laughed, "Then it is settled! I will send someone to pick you up. Now, let Xue Rong (the Second Prince) take you two to the library. I suppose Young Lord Yu is also anxious to check the information."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Yu Yuanchen bowed again.
Immediately, led by the Second Prince Xue Rong, Yu Yuanchen and Ye Zhilan were guided to the heavily guarded and vast library of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
After Yu Yuanchen and the two left with the Second Prince Xue Rong, the smile on Xue Han's Face faded slightly, and he said to a confidant instructor beside him in a deep voice: "This child... is unfathomable. His Aura is so condensed and vast that it even makes me feel a hint of pressure... The rumors that he has reached level 90 and is only missing a Soul Ring... are probably true. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect has produced an extraordinary person."
The confidant instructor whispered: "Your Highness, is it... wise to allow him to check the secret maps so easily?"
Xue Han waved his hand, interrupting him: "It doesn't matter. Although those materials are precious, they are not top-secret. It is worth it to exchange them for his favor, and even friendship with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect. Give orders to prepare the banquet thoroughly, and do not be negligent in the slightest. I will tell His Majesty about it personally."
"Yes!"
Along the way, the Second Prince Xue Rong was very polite, and his words were full of praise for Yu Yuanchen and respect for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, obviously trying his best to close the relationship. Yu Yuanchen maintained a polite and distant response, neither being too close nor losing courtesy.
After entering the library, the staff brought stacks of thick geography books, adventure notes, and legend collections about the Sunset Forest and surrounding areas, including some unique copies hidden by the imperial Family.
Yu Yuanchen and Ye Zhilan immediately immersed themselves in it and began to read and search quickly. With the strength of their Spiritual Power, their reading speed was far beyond ordinary people, and massive amounts of information were quickly absorbed, filtered, and analyzed.
Yu Yuanchen focused on the records describing abnormal terrain, chaotic energy, or places with strange legends and inaccessible areas. He tried to find clues that might match the unique environment of the "Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well".
Time passed quickly in the reading...
In the evening, a palace attendant came to respectfully invite them.
Yu Yuanchen and Ye Zhilan temporarily put down the information in their hands and, guided by the attendant, took a luxurious royal carriage to the Heaven Dou Palace.
The palace banquet was brightly lit and lively. The attendees were all important ministers of the Empire, nobles, and representatives of several major Sects. When Yu Yuanchen and Ye Zhilan appeared in the banquet hall, they immediately attracted everyone's attention.
Yu Yuanchen changed into a purple robe embroidered with the emblem of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, which made him look even more noble, handsome, and extraordinary. Ye Zhilan wore a water-blue evening gown, with light makeup, looking incomparably beautiful, like a Fairy under the moon.
Amazement, curiosity, inquiry, awe... various gazes intertwined.
The Second Prince Xue Rong personally stepped forward to greet them and led them to the VIP seats next to the main seat, with very high treatment.
On the main seat of the hall, a middle-aged man in imperial attire, about forty years old, with a heroic Face, wise eyes, and a steady Aura (level 74 Soul Saint) sat on it. He was the current Emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire — Emperor Xue Yu.
Seeing Yu Yuanchen and the two, Emperor Xue Yu showed a gentle smile on his Face, not putting on airs, but took the initiative to say: "This must be Virtuous Nephew Yuanchen, right? Truly a hero in his youth! I have long heard of the many deeds of my nephew. It is a pleasure to see you today. And Miss Zhilan, I have also heard of your benevolent medical skills. You two don't need to be too polite, please take your seats."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Yu Yuanchen and Ye Zhilan bowed slightly and, guided by Xue Han, sat in the honorable seats second only to the royal Family.
The banquet began. There was singing and dancing, and clinking of glasses.
Emperor Xue Yu and Prince Xue Han did not ask too much about Yu Yuanchen's intentions or cultivation, but chatted about the customs of the continent and interesting things in the Spirit Master's world, their words full of respect for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect and appreciation for Yu Yuanchen, releasing strong goodwill and the intention to make friends.
Although Yu Yuanchen did not like such social activities, he still did the superficial work perfectly, behaving appropriately and speaking eloquently, neither losing the dignity of the Sect nor making anyone embarrassed.
Ye Zhilan sat quietly beside him, elegant and graceful, occasionally responding to some inquiries about medical skills, appearing generous and likable.
This banquet had become a platform for the Heaven Dou imperial Family to show favor to Yu Yuanchen and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect behind him.
Halfway through the banquet, Yu Yuanchen excused himself from the seat and went to the corridor outside the hall to get some air.
The moonlight was like water, spilling on the gorgeous palace buildings. He stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the dark night sky in the distance, his eyes deep.
"Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well... where is it exactly..." he thought to himself. Although the reading in the afternoon had some gains and found several suspected locations, none could be determined. It seems that in the end, he still needs to go deep into the Sunset Forest personally, follow the clues, and investigate one by one.
Just as he was deep in thought, a gentle voice came from behind: "Young Lord Yu seems to have something on his mind?"
Yu Yuanchen turned around and saw Prince Xue Han had come to the corridor at some point, looking at him with a smile.
A flash of light that was hard to detect flashed in Yu Yuanchen's eyes, and he raised his glass: "Thank you for your concern, Prince. I was just thinking about some things. Yuanchen also wants to thank the Prince for your help."
"Just a small effort." Xue Han nodded slightly, then smiled and said to Yu Yuanchen: "Young Friend Yu, the information you need about the Sunset Forest has been initially organized and sent to your villa. Some of the older, unique copies of maps need to be read carefully."
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