Chapter 62: The Heartbeat from Three Years Ago!

Within the imperial palace of the Heaven Dou Empire, inside Xue Ye's chambers...

Emperor Xue Ye slowly stood up from his throne, straightening his posture as he looked toward the incoming Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douro by his side.

His gaze sweeping forward, he spoke in a soft tone, "Pardon my lack of hospitality, Sect Master Ning, for not welcoming you properly."

Ning Fengzhi was not only the Sect Master of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, but also the mentor of Xue Ye's son, Xue Qinghe. Therefore, Xue Ye held a special level of respect for him alone.

Ning Fengzhi offered a cultured smile and replied gently, "Not at all. It is Ning who has come uninvited!"

Ning Fengzhi nodded slightly toward Bone Douro, who acknowledged the gesture, turned, and walked out.

"Sect Master Ning, please, have a seat," Xue Ye gestured invitingly before slowly settling back down onto his throne.

After placing his staff neatly aside, Ning Fengzhi took a polite seat in the chair before him.

"I wonder what important matter has brought Sect Master Ning to discuss with me today?"

Every time Ning Fengzhi visited, he would send word in advance, but this time felt somewhat different. Clearly, a matter of utmost importance was at hand.

Ning Fengzhi nodded, his expression gradually growing more solemn. "Your Majesty Xue Ye's discernment remains as sharp as ever. Ning has indeed come today to discuss a grave matter with you."

Seeing Ning Fengzhi, who was typically calm and nonchalant about everything, look so grave, Xue Ye's demeanor also turned serious.

***

"So that's how it is. Sect Master Ning has already anticipated this outcome?" Xue Ye sighed softly, a trace of sorrow coloring his voice.

Sensing that the atmosphere had grown too heavy, Ning Fengzhi smiled faintly once more and said softly, "Indeed, but these are merely speculations. Your Majesty need not dwell on them too heavily."

"Sect Master Ning is being too modest," Xue Ye shook his head.

For Ning Fengzhi to have thought this far, he must have already gathered sufficient evidence. Perhaps the time simply wasn't right yet.

Changing the subject, Ning Fengzhi asked with a hint of perplexity, "Your Majesty, where is Qinghe at the moment?"

Xue Ye replied, "I have already sent someone to summon Qinghe. He should be here shortly."

Ning Fengzhi pursed his thin lips. "Is that so?"

Just as his words trailed off, a melodious male voice echoed from outside the room.

"Father, I have arrived!"

***

Hearing this, Xue Ye calmly said, "Qinghe, come in."

The chamber doors slowly swung open, and a composed and collected man stepped through.

He was none other than Emperor Xue Ye's eldest son, the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Qinghe.

Xue Qinghe was dressed in a golden ceremonial robe made of a seamless fabric that appeared to be woven from golden threads, devoid of excessive patterns or decorations.

A classical and graceful golden stand-up collar protected his fair and slender neck. A cascade of long golden hair fell casually across his back without meticulous styling, naturally exuding an aura of cool detachment.

His golden eyes were as tranquil as still water, possessing a charm that drew people in.

Upon seeing this deeply satisfying disciple of his, the corners of Ning Fengzhi's mouth curved upward. "Qinghe, it has been a long time."

Xue Qinghe turned his gaze sideways, and upon spotting Ning Fengzhi, a flicker of surprise crossed his otherwise unrippled eyes. He bowed respectfully, "Teacher!"

Only then did Xue Ye gesture to the adjacent seat. "Qinghe, come and sit."

Xue Qinghe nodded and quietly took the middle seat. "Yes, Father!"

After that, time seemed to blur as the three conversed. Finally, Ning Fengzhi gently tightened his grip on his staff and slowly rose, a relaxed expression returning to his face. "In that case, Ning will take his leave."

Lost deep in thought, Xue Ye snapped back to reality. "Forgive me for not seeing you out."

The information Ning Fengzhi had imparted today was overwhelming; he needed time to process it all, lest it breed disaster.

"Teacher, let me accompany you back," Xue Qinghe said as he stood up, bowing slightly to Ning Fengzhi before nodding to Emperor Xue Ye.

Ning Fengzhi smiled warmly. "That would be fine. It has been so long since I last had a proper talk with you, Qinghe; I was beginning to feel like a negligent teacher."

Xue Qinghe quickly explained, "Teacher, what are you saying? Regardless of the circumstances, you are the teacher I respect the most."

***

Outside the imperial palace stood two exceptionally rare sedan chairs, surrounded by hundreds of guards providing strict security.

The lead guard pulled back the curtain of the sedan chair and bowed respectfully. "Crown Prince, Sect Master Ning, please..."

Xue Qinghe and Ning Fengzhi nodded, gracefully stepping into the sedan.

Meanwhile, another guard turned to Gu Rong, who stood alone. "Lord Bone Douro, please."

Gu Rong emitted a faint grunt of acknowledgment before stepping into his own sedan, closing his eyes to enter a state of meditation.

Inside their sedan, Ning Fengzhi initiated the conversation with a teasing smile, "Qinghe, I haven't seen you in a while, but judging by your insights just now, you are nearly surpassing me!"

Xue Qinghe offered a rare, faint smile. "Qinghe is still far behind Teacher; how could I ever speak of surpassing you?"

***

Ning Fengzhi said with genuine earnestness, "There is no need to belittle yourself. At the very least, as far as I know, no one else has ever reached your level of capability!"

Suddenly, Xue Qinghe, who had just been smiling, shuddered violently as he felt the Seraphim martial soul within his body begin to undergo a strange transformation.

His expression turned grim, and he thought inwardly in panic, *What is happening... This familiar sensation... Could it be the same as what happened three years ago?!*

Three years ago, he had also been sitting in a sedan chair when he experienced a sensation nearly identical to this one!

The only difference was that the resonance of the Seraphim martial soul within him now was far more intense!

Noticing that something was amiss with Xue Qinghe, Ning Fengzhi gently reached out and shook the younger man's shoulder. "Qinghe? Qinghe? What is wrong?"

The moment he made contact, Ning Fengzhi's eyes narrowed slightly.

He felt a subtle inconsistency: Qinghe was clearly a man, yet why was his body so delicate and soft?

Could it be that Xue Qinghe had been concealing a chronic physical ailment all this time?

No matter, he would need to find an opportunity to conduct a thorough examination of Qinghe's physical condition!

Forcing a smile, Xue Qinghe managed to say, "Teacher, it is nothing. I simply felt a familiar aura influencing me!"

Closing his eyes, he quickly traced the direction from which the resonance of his martial soul originated.

This aura... came from the south!

He hadn't figured it out three years ago, but this time, he had to find out what was affecting her!

Xue Qinghe pulled back the curtain and commanded the guards outside, "Wait! Advance toward the south immediately! If you encounter any suspicious individuals, intercept them at once!"

Upon receiving the order, the guards outside shouted in unison, "Understood!"

With that settled, Xue Qinghe turned an apologetic gaze to Ning Fengzhi. "Teacher, it seems your return journey will be delayed."

Ning Fengzhi shook his head with serene indifference. "It is no trouble at all. Consider it a pleasant stroll."

His disciple's behavior just moments ago had been entirely too unusual. It seemed there was still much he did not know.

Moreover... the south?

Ning Fengzhi's eyes gradually narrowed into slits.