Chapter 47: The Perspectives of Different Factions
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By the time Li Luochen returned to Shrek Academy, his information had already landed on the desks of various influential factions.
The fact that his second soul ring was a thousand-year one was bound to draw significant attention. Moreover, many had witnessed the conflict between Li Luochen and Du Gu Yan, the granddaughter of the Poison Douluo, in the bustling streets of Tian Dou City.
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Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect
A man with a face as radiant as jade, straight nose, and gentle features sat calmly. He wore an immaculate white robe, free of any dust. Appearing to be in his forties, his gaze was soft, making him look like an ordinary person. His smooth black hair cascaded down his back, exuding an effortless charm without a hint of pretense.
This man was Ning Fengzhi, the sect leader of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. At this moment, he was reviewing intelligence reports about Li Luochen.
"Li Luochen, age twelve, martial soul: variant Dragon Pattern Staff, spirit power level: 37. Born in a village outside Soto City, his parents died while hunting soul beasts, leaving behind only his grandfather, Li Yusong, a Spirit Emperor.
Currently enrolled at Shrek Academy, which has produced outstanding young soul masters like Qin Ming and Mo Yu. Li Luochen once used the alias 'Qingtian' to participate in solo battles at the Suotuo Grand Spirit Arena.
He currently holds a Silver Spirit Emblem, with a record of 47 wins and 3 losses in solo battles. His talent is extraordinary, with innate spirit power nearing level nine (recorded by the Spirit Hall, as those seeking subsidies are documented).
According to intelligence from the Suotuo Spirit Hall, when Li Luochen was obtaining his second soul ring, he encountered a two-thousand-year soul beast's voluntary offering, propelling him to new heights."
Ning Fengzhi studied the report carefully. He always held an attitude of recruiting young prodigies. Despite his deep scheming nature, he personally handled matters concerning the sect. If not for the impending attack by the Spirit Hall, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect could have risen significantly, surpassing even the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
"Sword Uncle, Bone Uncle, what do you think about recruiting this young genius?"
Ning Fengzhi turned to the two elders seated beside the sect leader's chair. These two were the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's guardian elders.
Chen Xin, the Sword Douluo, was at the peak of level 96, and Gu Rong, the Bone Douluo, was at the peak of level 95. Both were veteran Super Douluo, and their presence ensured the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's position as the second most powerful sect in the world.
"I believe we can attempt to recruit him. According to the intelligence, this Li Luochen was once severely beaten by Old Poison but managed to endure it. Later, he appeared in Tian Dou City with Old Poison's granddaughter, Dugu Yan.
In my opinion, this kid has likely already aligned himself with Old Poisonous."
Chen Xin appeared as an elderly man, dressed in a spotless white robe. His silver hair was neatly combed back, and his ancient features contrasted with his baby-smooth skin.
"Initially, I thought that if the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect couldn't obtain him, we should eliminate him. A prodigy who cannot serve us is better off disappearing.
However, it seems this kid may soon become Old Poison's son-in-law. While neither Old Sword nor I fear Old Poison, pushing him too far would result in heavy losses for our sect."
Gu Rong voiced his thoughts.
Gu Rong's appearance was gaunt, with sunken eyes and shriveled muscles and skin. Though not overly muscular, his skeletal frame was astonishingly large, as if his robes were merely draped over bones. His voice was raspy, like dry leaves rustling in the wind, and his sparse white hair framed his towering figure, which neared 2.5 meters.
"In that case, let's adopt a wait-and-see approach. We'll focus on building good relations. It's clear we're not the only ones interested in him. The continent is about to descend into chaos, and others may act soon. Adding fuel to the fire isn't necessary—offering help in times of need is key."
Ning Fengzhi muttered while gazing at the ceiling. Then, his tone shifted: "Our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect also has its own prodigy. When Rongrong awakened her martial soul, her innate spirit power reached level 9.5. She has a very high chance of breaking through the bottleneck at level 79."
Ning Fengzhi had great confidence in his daughter. His own innate spirit power was 8.5, but Ning Rongrong's talent was among the highest in the sect's history. She had the potential to achieve the legendary Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda.
The two guardian Douluo's eyes lit up. Their little granddaughter was exceptionally gifted and had already obtained her first soul ring. She was the hope of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
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Tian Dou City, Crown Prince's Residence
Crown Prince Xue Qinghe stared at the intelligence report on Li Luochen, his gaze fixed on a dark corner.
"Uncle She, issue orders to seal all information about Li Luochen. Ensure the Pope doesn't learn of it. Also, prepare a letter and deliver it to the Shrine Hall."
Xue Qinghe—or rather, Qian Renxue—had already met Li Luochen. His appearance was merely above average, handsome but not striking. After years of seeing countless beautiful faces, she was immune to such superficial charms.
What intrigued her more was Li Luochen's strength. If his second soul ring came from a soul beast's voluntary offering, then what about his third soul ring, which was eight thousand years old?
Others might not notice, but the Spirit Hall surely did. Their hidden observers had recorded it using spirit-guided devices. Qian Renxue immediately recognized that Li Luochen's third soul ring was also absorbed beyond his limits.
Normally, someone in his situation should have absorbed a six-thousand-year soul ring for their third ring, yet he surpassed that by two thousand years, absorbing an eight-thousand-year ring. Even Qian Renxue, with her unparalleled talent and divine martial soul—the Six-Winged Angel—was astonished.
Her own spirit power at awakening was level 20, and her fourth soul ring was only eight thousand years old, surpassing even her grandfather, Sky Douluo Qian Daoliu, and rivaling Tang Chen's historic achievements.
Yet here was a genius younger than her, with an eight-thousand-year third soul ring? What was his goal? His fourth soul ring would undoubtedly be ten thousand years or more. Qian Renxue suspected that Li Luochen might know some secret about absorbing soul rings beyond his level.
Thus, she ordered all information about Li Luochen sealed. She had spoken with him before and could tell that he deliberately kept his distance, speaking in formal, evasive language. Drawing from her years of palace intrigue, she recognized his emotions upon meeting her: initial surprise, followed by caution, and finally pity. Such a reaction puzzled her.
Still, Qian Renxue held a favorable impression of Li Luochen. Though he maintained his distance, she didn't dislike him—in fact, it ignited her competitive spirit.
She wanted to recruit Li Luochen. Such a genius must serve her and not fall into the hands of the Pope. Therefore, she sealed his information and prepared a letter. Since Li Luochen was a battle-type soul master with a variant Dragon Pattern Staff, the best staff masters in the world were the two shrine elders.
Jiangjun Douluo and Jiangmo Douluo, brothers with Coiling Dragon Staff martial souls, were both peak-level Super Douluo at level 96. Together, even the second shrine elder, Golden Crocodile Douluo, couldn't defeat them.
If her sixth and seventh uncles could take him as a disciple, perhaps they could bring him under their wing—and even Dugu Bo along with him. This was Qian Renxue's plan.
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