Heaven Dou City, the imperial capital, was bustling and noisy. The towering city walls and the endless stream of people all highlighted the grandeur and vitality of this city.
Yu Yuanchen and Ye Zhilan walked into the city with the flow of people. Instead of rushing to find an inn like ordinary travelers, they headed straight toward the northwest, a vast area with magnificent buildings and tight security—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 assumed they would settle down first and then plan their next steps.
"Zhilan," Yu Yuanchen stopped and looked at the young girl beside him, "The Sunset Forest is vast and the terrain is complex. For just the two of us to search it, it would be 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 we have in Dragon City. If we want to find clues to places that might hide strange locations or ancient forbidden zones, the best way is to consult the most comprehensive and authoritative geographical data."
Ye Zhilan was wise and immediately understood his meaning: "Brother Yuanchen wants to... borrow the power of the Heaven Dou Royal Family?"
"Exactly." Yu Yuanchen nodded, "The Heaven Dou Royal Academy is run directly by the royal family. Its library must contain the most detailed geographical records, notes on local customs, and even some little-known legends and secrets explored by generations of soul masters regarding the Sunset Forest and the entire territory of the Heaven Dou Empire. This is the fastest and most effective way."
He paused and continued, "I kept a low profile before for the sake of training and to avoid unnecessary trouble. Now that we are on a quest, there is no need to hide. The Young Sect Master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has come in person to borrow some geographical data; the Heaven Dou Royal Family will surely give me that much face."
Ye Zhilan was sharp and immediately understood the crux of the matter, nodding: "Brother Yuanchen is very thoughtful."
With the plan decided, Yu Yuanchen no longer restrained his aura. In an instant, a vast aura, deep as the sea and majestic as a mountain, slowly emanated from his body. Although he did not deliberately exert pressure, the vast soul power and a trace of faint thunderous divine might that flowed out invisibly made the surrounding bustling crowd subconsciously quiet down for a moment. They turned to look, their eyes filled with awe.
He had returned to his noble purple-gold family attire, standing tall with a dragon-like bearing and extraordinary temperament. Ye Zhilan followed quietly by his side, her water-blue dress trailing on the ground, looking peerless and elegant, her Soul Emperor cultivation level naturally revealed.
The two no longer concealed their identities and walked straight toward the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, which was built against the mountain in the north of Heaven Dou City.
The entrance to the Royal Academy was heavily guarded. Several Soul Emperor-level instructors were leading students at the Soul Elder and Soul Ancestor levels out, all looking relaxed. When they felt the unmasked, heart-palpitating, and vast aura of Yu Yuanchen, everyone's complexion changed drastically, as if facing a formidable enemy.
The leading middle-aged instructor, a Soul Emperor, suppressed the shock in his heart, stepped forward, and bowed respectfully but vigilantly: "I do not know why the two of you have come to our Heaven Dou Royal Academy? Please state your identities so we may report this."
Yu Yuanchen's expression was calm as he said faintly: "Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Yu Yuanchen, accompanied by my fiancée Ye Zhilan, have come specifically to visit His Highness Prince Xue Han to discuss some matters."
His voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears, carrying an unquestionable majesty.
"Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?! Yu Yuanchen?!"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone gasped, and the vigilance on their faces instantly turned into immense shock and respect!
Yu Yuanchen! This name was now thunderous in the high-level soul master world of the continent! Having killed a Titled Douluo while still a Soul Sage, possessing a legendary Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring, having a soul ring configuration unprecedented in history, and a cultivation speed that shocked the past and present, he was hailed as the number one genius of the current era! He was also the undisputed next successor of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan! His fame was so prominent that it even overshadowed many veteran Titled Douluo!
To think that this legendary heaven-gifted genius had actually come to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy in person!
"S-so it is Young Master Yu who has arrived! Forgive our blindness! Please, please come in!" The Soul Emperor instructor hurriedly stepped aside to make way, his voice even trembling, "I will report this to His Highness the Prince immediately!"
Yu Yuanchen nodded slightly and walked into the academy gate side by side with Ye Zhilan.
The news spread through the entire Heaven Dou Royal Academy as if it had grown wings.
"Did you hear? Yu Yuanchen of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan 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 powerful!"
"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, both students and instructors poured out, wanting to catch a glimpse of this legendary genius, and exclamations and discussions erupted in the crowd.
Yu Yuanchen and his companion ignored this and, under the respectful guidance of the Soul Sage instructor, walked toward a quiet and elegant pavilion deep within the academy.
Just as they reached the square in front of the pavilion, they saw several figures walking toward them quickly.
The leader was an old man wearing ice-blue royal robes, with white hair and beard, a thin face, and eyes as sharp as an eagle's. Although he was advanced in years, he stood tall, and his aura was like ten-thousand-year-old 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 Ice Feather Swan as his Martial Soul!
Behind him followed more than a dozen high-level elders of the academy, all of whom were Soul Douluo or Soul Sage-level powerhouses, all looking respectful and even a little nervous.
"Hahaha! I did not know that such distinguished guests were coming; please forgive me for not meeting you sooner!" Prince Xue Han's hearty laughter arrived before he did, his tone very polite, even carrying a hint of equality. Given his status, strength, and seniority, he did not need to do this, but it showed the high importance he placed on Yu Yuanchen and the forces behind him.
Prince Xue Han also smiled and nodded in greeting: "Young Friend Yuanchen, Miss Ye, welcome to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy."
Yu Yuanchen stopped and returned the salute, neither humble nor arrogant: "It was presumptuous of me to visit and disturb your peace, Prince. I should be the one apologizing."
Ye Zhilan also bowed gracefully: "Greetings, Your Highness."
Xue Han looked Yu Yuanchen over carefully, a flash of undisguised amazement crossing his eyes. With his Level 96 cultivation, he could naturally feel the soul power fluctuation within Yu Yuanchen more clearly—vast as the sea, yet incredibly condensed, carrying a trace of thunderous divine might that even made him feel a palpitation!
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 young man was truly worthy of his reputation! Even more terrifying than the rumors!
"Young Friend Yuanchen is too polite." Xue Han laughed, "You are a hero of this age; your arrival at my small academy is truly an honor. May I ask what brings you here? Anything the Heaven Dou Royal Family can help with, we will not refuse." He spoke directly on behalf of the royal family, showing great goodwill.
Yu Yuanchen did not beat around the bush and said directly: "Thank you, Your Highness. To be honest, I am traveling with my fiancée, and we intend to find places with strange scenery or ancient legends for training to broaden our horizons. I have long heard that the Sunset Forest has unique terrain and contains countless wonders and secrets."
He changed his tone, "I heard that the library of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy contains the most detailed geographical records and notes on local customs in the empire, so I came to bother you, hoping to borrow some information regarding the terrain of the Sunset Forest and its legendary forbidden zones. I wonder if that would be convenient?"
The reason he gave was reasonable; a young genius traveling with a beauty to explore strange places 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 logical and would not arouse too much suspicion.
Hearing this, a flash of understanding crossed Xue Han's eyes, and he smiled: "I wondered what it was; so that is it. It is indeed a good thing for young people to experience more and see strange things. The exploration data of our Heaven Dou Royal Academy regarding the Sunset Forest is indeed the most complete, and it does contain records of dangerous and strange places. Such a small matter is, of course, no problem."
He agreed very readily, without even asking another question. To him, exchanging some data that was not core secret information for a favor from Yu Yuanchen, or even deepening the friendship with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, was a very worthwhile deal.
"Thank you, Your Highness." Yu Yuanchen bowed in thanks.
"Young Friend Yuanchen, you are welcome." Xue Han's smile grew wider, and he changed the subject: "However, besides the data in the library, there are some more precious materials in the palace, and it will take some time to organize and retrieve them. It just so happens that there is a banquet in the palace tonight, and His Majesty has also been looking forward to meeting you. I wonder if you and Miss Ye would do us the honor of attending? Let me and His Majesty play the role of hosts."
This was his true purpose—to use this opportunity to allow the royal family to make formal contact with this future helmsman of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and deepen their connection.
This was a clear attempt to win him over and build a relationship. An invitation to a palace banquet was in itself a very high honor and a symbol of status.
Yu Yuanchen frowned imperceptibly. He did not like such social occasions by nature, and he was even less willing to get too deeply involved with the royal family. But since he had just accepted a big favor from them, refusing directly now would be too impolite and would make the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan seem unappreciative.
He glanced at Ye Zhilan, and she nodded slightly, signaling that the decision was his to make.
After a moment of contemplation, Yu Yuanchen nodded in agreement: "Since it is the gracious invitation of His Majesty and Your Highness the Prince, Yuanchen and Zhilan shall not decline."
"Good! Good! That is excellent!" Prince Xue Han clapped his hands and laughed. "Then it is settled! I will send someone to fetch you both when the time comes. For now, let Second Prince Xue Rong take you to the Library; I presume Young Master Yu is eager to consult the materials."
"We trouble the Second Prince." Yu Yuanchen bowed again.
Immediately, accompanied personally by Second Prince Xue Rong, they were led to the heavily guarded Library of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, where the collection was as vast as the sea.
After Yu Yuanchen and his companion left with Second Prince Xue Rong, the smile on Prince Xue Han's face faded slightly. He said in a low voice to a trusted Education Committee Member beside him: "This youth... is unfathomable. The condensation and vastness of his aura actually made even this King feel a trace of pressure... The rumors that he has reached Level 90 and only lacks a Soul Ring... I fear they are not false. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has produced a remarkable figure."
The trusted Education Committee Member whispered: "Your Highness the Prince, to allow him to consult the secret maps so easily, is it..."
Prince Xue Han waved his hand, cutting him off: "It is of no consequence. While those materials are precious, they are not top-secret. Being able to exchange them for his goodwill, and even the friendship of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, is worth it. Give the order: the banquet must be prepared perfectly, with not the slightest negligence. As for His Majesty, I will speak to him personally."
"Yes!"
Along the way, Second Prince Xue Rong was extremely courteous, his words filled with praise for Yu Yuanchen and respect for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, clearly striving to build a connection. Yu Yuanchen maintained a polite yet distant demeanor, neither overly intimate nor lacking in etiquette.
Upon entering the Library, the staff brought over stacks of thick books and materials, including geographical records of the Sunset Forest and surrounding areas, exploration journals, and miscellaneous legends, even including some rare, secret editions from the Royal Family.
Yu Yuanchen and Ye Zhilan immediately immersed themselves in the work, beginning to flip through and search rapidly. With the strength of their Spiritual Power, their reading speed far exceeded that of ordinary people; massive amounts of information were quickly absorbed, filtered, and analyzed.
Yu Yuanchen focused on records describing abnormal terrain, chaotic energy, or areas with strange legends that were rarely visited by humans. He attempted to find clues that might match the unique environment of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
Time slipped away rapidly amidst the turning pages...
By evening, a Palace Attendant arrived as expected to respectfully extend an invitation.
Yu Yuanchen and Ye Zhilan set aside the materials for the moment and, led by the attendant, boarded a magnificent royal carriage to head toward the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.
The imperial banquet was brilliant with lights, filled with the clinking of wine cups. The attendees were all high-ranking officials of the empire, prominent nobles, and representatives from several major sects. When Yu Yuanchen and Ye Zhilan appeared in the banquet hall, they immediately drew everyone's attention.
Yu Yuanchen had changed into a purple formal robe embroidered with the emblem of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, making him appear even more noble, handsome, and extraordinary. Ye Zhilan wore a water-blue evening gown, lightly made up, looking peerlessly beautiful and elegant, like a fairy under the moon.
Awe, curiosity, inquiry, and reverence... various gazes intertwined.
Second Prince Xue Rong personally stepped forward to welcome them, leading them to the guest seats just below the main table, granting them high status.
At the main seat of the grand hall sat a middle-aged man of about forty, dressed in imperial attire, with a heroic face, wise eyes, and a steady aura (Level 74 Soul Sage). He was none other than the current Emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire--Emperor Xue Yu.
Seeing the two of them, Emperor Xue Yu showed a gentle smile. He did not put on imperial airs, but instead took the initiative to speak: "This must be Young Friend Yuanchen, correct? Truly, a hero among the youth! I have long heard of your many deeds, and to see you today is a fortunate event. And Miss Zhilan, your medical skill and benevolent heart are also known to me. You two need not stand on ceremony; please, take your seats."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Yu Yuanchen and Ye Zhilan bowed slightly and, guided by Prince Xue Han, sat in the noble seats just below the Royal Family.
The banquet then began. Music and dance filled the air, and wine flowed freely.
Emperor Xue Yu and Prince Xue Han did not press Yu Yuanchen too much about his intentions or his cultivation level, merely chatting about local customs and traditions of the continent and interesting anecdotes from the Soul Master World. Their words were filled with respect for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and praise for Yu Yuanchen, radiating deep goodwill and a desire for alliance.
Although Yu Yuanchen did not enjoy such socializing, he performed the necessary formalities flawlessly. His behavior was appropriate and his conversation was exceptional, maintaining the dignity of his sect without making anyone feel uncomfortable.
Ye Zhilan sat quietly by his side, occasionally responding with a faint smile. Her graceful demeanor was equally eye-catching. Ye Zhilan sat quietly by his side, elegant in her posture, occasionally responding to inquiries about medical skill with a natural grace that greatly increased the favor others felt toward her.
This banquet had effectively become a platform for the Heaven Dou Royal Family to show favor to Yu Yuanchen and, by extension, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
Midway through the banquet, Yu Yuanchen excused himself from his seat and went to the corridor outside the hall to get some air.
The moonlight was like water, spilling over the magnificent palace architecture. He stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the pitch-black night sky in the distance, his eyes deep and thoughtful.
"The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well... where exactly is it..." he pondered to himself. Although the afternoon's research had yielded results and he had found a few suspected locations, none could be confirmed. It seemed that, in the end, he would need to personally venture deep into the Sunset Forest, follow the maps, and investigate them one by one.
Just as he was deep in thought, a gentle voice came from behind him: "Young Master Yu seems to have something on his mind?"
Yu Yuanchen turned to see Prince Xue Han standing in the corridor, watching him with a smile.
A flash of imperceptible gleam crossed Yu Yuanchen's eyes. He raised his cup and said: "I trouble Your Highness the Prince with my concerns; I was merely thinking of some matters. Yuanchen must thank Your Highness for your help."
"A mere trifle." Prince Xue Han nodded slightly, then smiled at Yu Yuanchen: "Young Friend Yuanchen, the materials you required regarding the Sunset Forest have been preliminarily organized and sent to your separate courtyard. Please be careful when handling some of the older, rare maps."
───────────────
Translated by: randomtranslator.com
Proofread by: GodKun-Chan