Chapter 51: Five Years; Two People Like Father and Son
Five years passed in the blink of an eye...
Over these years, the changes in Tang San and Xiao Wu could be described as immense.
The former was no longer that handsome yet delicate boy from before; the Blue Silver Emperor Bloodline in his body made him appear elegant and poised. His signature blue hair fluttered slightly in the wind, complementing a face as fair as jade and eyes as bright as stars. The composure and grace emanating from his very bones made him stand out like a crane among chickens, even in a crowd.
Beside him, Xiao Wu held his arm, her face beaming with smiles.
By now, she had grown into a devastatingly beautiful young woman, tall and strikingly radiant, with her long scorpion braid hanging behind her, adding a touch of playfulness and liveliness.
One was gentle and refined, the other charming and peerless; as they shared a smile, their unspoken chemistry said it all. Their harmony and compatibility were such that even the surrounding air seemed to turn sweet.
"Third Brother, do you think Teacher is back yet? He hasn't gone looking for that Crown Prince again, has he?"
"I don't know how he acts as a Master; his own disciple has already reached level forty, yet he hasn't thought to prepare a Soul Ring in advance."
Hearing Xiao Wu's complaints beside him, Tang San gave a doting smile. In the beginning, he thought his feelings for Xiao Wu were just a special kind of sibling affection...
However, one night, after Jiang Li gave him a hint, he finally understood his own heart.
He would never forget that night when Jiang Li, frustrated by his denseness, told him, "What sister? I'd say she's more like a sweetheart."
"That's not just 'liking' someone; you're just lusting after her body..."
"Sigh, Xiao Wu, Master is also under a lot of pressure on his end."
Tang San explained unhurriedly to Xiao Wu.
Moreover, his Soul Ring had long been prepared in the Yin-Yang Eyes of Ice and Fire. All he needed to do now was further temper his physical strength to accept a higher-age ten-thousand-year Soul Ring later.
During these years of studying in the imperial capital, Tang San understood all too well the intrigue and deception among those high-ranking figures.
For two exceptionally talented youths like him and Xiao Wu to be able to Cultivate peacefully in the academy without outside interference, his great Master must have spent an incredible amount of effort behind the scenes.
That was likely why the frequency of his visits to the Crown Prince's residence was increasing.
"Fine, fine, Third Brother, you're always right. I feel like Teacher Jiang isn't just your Master; in your heart, he's practically no different from a father."
Hearing Xiao Wu say this, Tang San's heart felt as sweet as if he had eaten honey.
Wait, were his thoughts really that obvious?
Regardless, every time he and his Master walked through Heaven Dou City, they were mistaken for father and son by outsiders...
The same Blue Silver Emperor Martial Soul, the same hair color, the same elegant poise...
Each time, it made Tang San feel a secret sense of satisfaction.
As for his biological father, Tang Hao, he would occasionally drop by over the years to check on Tang San, though he always felt quite awkward seeing his Son standing together with Jiang Li.
However, his mind, which only knew how to swing a great hammer, didn't think much of it. Every time he came, he would leave behind a large amount of cultivation resources and gold coins before heading out to work again.
What a hardworking husband!
...
Meanwhile, in the reception hall of the Crown Prince's residence.
"Your Highness, it is getting late, and those children are waiting for me to return and guide their Cultivation. I shall take my leave now."
"If there is anything else you don't understand, how about we discuss it another day?"
Jiang Li said as he prepared to stand up and leave.
Only what one cannot have keeps the heart in a stir. Wouldn't a little Qian Renxue be easy for him to handle?
In his interactions with Qian Renxue over the years, he had kept the distance just right, giving her the feeling that she was about to win him over, yet upon closer thought, he remained elusive.
Furthermore, as the saying goes, "clever gadgets are no match for the Way of Confucius and Mencius." Relying on Confucian classics he could quote at will, Jiang Li had left Qian Renxue with a perfect image of someone who understood statecraft and was also a cultivation Genius.
Looking at the sparkle in her eyes, Jiang Li felt like he was about to charm her into oblivion.
Hearing this, a flush of red unconsciously crept onto Qian Renxue's fair face, hidden beneath her human-skin mask.
'Damn it, the feeling Mr. Jiang Li gives off is truly captivating."
However, she quickly reacted and assumed a posture befitting her identity as the Crown Prince.
"Hearing Mr. Jiang Li's teachings today has truly benefited Qinghe immensely. Since you are returning to train those children, I will not keep you any longer."
Qian Renxue stood up and bowed respectfully to Jiang Li. "However, my Imperial Father previously asked me to inquire about one thing: does Mr. Jiang Li need the Heaven Dou Empire to help you find a suitable Ninth Soul Ring?"
"I presume Mr. Jiang Li's Cultivation isn't far from the Titled Douluo realm?"
When he first arrived at Heaven Dou City, Jiang Li's Cultivation was at level 86.
Over these years, he had gained one level through meditation and two more levels by refining those "fated individuals" who tried to pry into the secrets of Tang San's Soul Rings, reaching the Peak of a level 89 Soul Douluo.
Xue Ye's proposal to help him hunt for a Ninth Soul Ring was clearly an attempt to bind him completely to the Heaven Dou Empire's war chariot...
"There is no need to trouble His Majesty and Your Highness with this. Once my Cultivation is sufficient, I will have the Poison Douluo accompany me for the spirit hunt."
Seeing this, Qian Renxue did not press further. "Then Qinghe wishes Mr. Jiang Li an early achievement of the Titled rank..."
In the courtyard, Snake Lance and Porcupine Fish—the two top-tier workhorses hiding in the shadows—watched Jiang Li leave, while Qian Renxue sat alone at her desk, unable to stop sighing.
"Snake Lance, the Young Lord has been getting closer and closer to this kid over the years, but why hasn't she made him truly pledge his loyalty, even under the identity of Xue Qinghe?"
Upon hearing this, Snake Lance Douluo shot a look at Porcupinefish Douluo as if he were looking at an idiot.
Then, perhaps thinking of something, his tone carried a hint of cunning.
"Porcupine Fish, have you ever dated a woman?"
???
"Women only affect the speed of my Cultivation. Isn't it better to spend that time meditating a bit longer?"
"Besides, as a Titled Douluo, if I had such needs, what kind of woman could I not get? Why waste time on that?"
Despite Porcupinefish Douluo's righteous words, his old face actually flushed red as he tried to maintain his composure.
While those strong enough to become Titled Douluo were inevitably geniuses who stood above the rest in their youth and naturally didn't lack female admirers...
...Porcupinefish Douluo was clearly an exception.
Because of his Martial Soul... he had been this ugly from childhood to adulthood.
Lacking experience in his youth, he no longer had the inclination now that he was old.
Seeing his old partner's stubborn refusal to admit the truth, Snake Lance Douluo decided to save him some face. He sighed softly and said, "Forget it, forget it. Just pretend I didn't say anything."
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