"To obtain a spirit beast suitable for your martial soul, Aunt Ye's experience is definitely far greater than mine. You should really listen to her advice," Ye Lingling said.
"Alright then, Ignaz, how about you come with us? Now that you're a Spirit King, and both my mother and I are just auxiliary Spirit Masters, handling those spirit beasts could be a bit too much for us. If we're not careful…"
At this moment, a look of fear suddenly appeared on Ye Lingling's face. Dugu Yan, standing nearby, immediately understood that there was more to this than what was being said.
Although the Ye family was known for their medical expertise, they were backed by the entire Heaven Dou Empire. Having a few powerful Spirit Masters help them hunt spirit beasts was no problem at all. In fact, those Spirit Masters would probably jump at the chance to forge ties with the Ye family.
Therefore, there was no need for Ignaz to assist. This was just an excuse for Ye Lingling to be alone with him.
After a moment of thought, Dugu Yan said, "Lingling, how about I bring my grandfather? He could help us get your spirit ring. With a Titled Douluo by our side, we could even venture deep into the Star Dou Forest's core without much danger, especially since you're hunting a rare life-type spirit beast."
"Alright then."
Just then, a quick knock echoed from the door.
"Iggy, are you inside? I've got something important to discuss with you."
"It's Senior Zhilin."
Hearing the voice, Ignaz immediately opened the dormitory door and stepped out.
"Senior Zhilin, you're in such a rush. What's going on?"
"His Highness the Crown Prince has summoned you to the Royal Hotel. He wishes to discuss something urgent with you."
This left Ignaz utterly puzzled. As soon as he returned, Xue Qinghe was already summoning him, and it was nighttime. Could this be a trap to finish him off? However, the likelihood of that was very low. If she truly intended to act against him, she could have done so three years ago when they first met—why wait until now?
"Alright, I'll head over immediately."
Ignaz responded promptly. He couldn't refuse.
After giving a few instructions to the two women, Ignaz hurriedly left the academy with Zhilin. They walked for four miles before reaching the Royal Hotel.
The hotel was lavishly decorated, with even the uniforms of the staff made from fine silk, far beyond the standards of the common people.
"Your Highness, the Ignaz kid has arrived."
Zhilin knocked on the door of a private room and spoke respectfully.
"Come in."
The door opened and closed, and Ignaz found himself inside a well-furnished private room. Sitting at a round table was not just Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, but also a refined man dressed in blue, holding a metal staff. Ignaz immediately recognized him as Ning Fengzhi, the clan master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
"Ignaz, let me introduce you. This is Clan Master Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, and he is also my teacher."
Ignaz immediately guessed that the calm, unreadable man before him was indeed Ning Fengzhi.
"I've heard of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. I never imagined I'd have the honor of meeting Clan Master Ning in person. May I ask why His Highness summoned me so urgently tonight?"
"Please, sit, Ignaz."
Xue Qinghe gestured for Ignaz to sit, his expression turning serious. He then asked, "Ignaz, I've heard that when you returned to Vast Sea City, you convinced the sub-clan of the Clear Sky Clan, the Breaking Clan, to move their entire clan to the Falling Star Mountain Range?"
Upon hearing Xue Qinghe's tone, Ignaz finally understood the purpose of this late-night summons. As the person behind the false identity of Xue Qinghe, Qian Renxue's true goal was to carry out a bloodless coup to seize the nation and prepare for the future unification of the continent by the Spirit Hall.
Meanwhile, a new Spirit Master force had suddenly appeared within the Heaven Dou Empire—one focused on extreme attacks and poison, the Breaking Clan. How could she not be suspicious?
"Your Highness, I owe much of my success to the Breaking Clan. They've long been oppressed by the local Spirit Hall branches, and now that I have the power, it's only right that I help them escape their tragic situation."
Ignaz spoke while looking at Xue Qinghe and Ning Fengzhi.
"Your Highness, with my relationship with Breaking Clan's patriarch Yang Wudi, they will surely contribute to the Heaven Dou Empire."
Xue Qinghe listened and, seeing Ignaz's obedient demeanor, felt quite pleased. As long as the Breaking Clan remained under her control, she was willing to tolerate this move. Her current position as Crown Prince had some influence in Vast Sea City, but beyond that, her title didn't hold much weight across the entire empire's four duchies and two kingdoms.
With the Breaking Clan's support, her future plans would undoubtedly proceed faster.
"To serve the Heaven Dou Empire and Your Highness is an honor for me. If I may ask for something in return, I request that Yang Yong and Zhu Zhuqing of the Breaking Clan be made members of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's first team. A year from now, I'd like them to join me in the Continental High-Level Elite Spirit Master Tournament."
"That's easy enough to arrange. With your Spirit King strength, and with Dugu Yan by your side, you'll certainly secure the championship for the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. It's getting late. You should rest now."
Ignaz saluted Xue Qinghe and Ning Fengzhi, then left decisively.
After he left, Xue Qinghe turned to Ning Fengzhi and thoughtfully asked, "Teacher, after meeting Ignaz in person today, what do you think of him?"
"His talent is extraordinary, but there's also a streak of pride beneath his obedience. He is definitely not someone ordinary."
Ning Fengzhi's words were insightful, but Xue Qinghe wasn't fazed. To her, it didn't matter how extraordinary Ignaz was as long as he remained under her control. As long as he followed her lead, she could manage him.
Xue Qinghe had already reached level 60. Once she hit level 70 and completed her plans, she would return to Spirit Hall. There, her grandfather would help her pass the Angel God trials and ascend to godhood.
According to her grandfather's findings, Ignaz could only be a candidate for the god's inheritance—not the inheritor. Even if he did become a god, it would be after her. If he ever showed signs of defiance, she could eliminate him easily.
---
The next day, after a night of discussion, the two women learned that Zhu Zhuqing had just reached level 30. They were both very concerned about her progress.
Coincidentally, Zhu Zhuqing had just broken through. So, the six of them—four women, one man, and Dugu Bo, who had returned from the Falling Star Mountain Range—climbed into a carriage and set off for the Star Dou Forest.