Douluo Continent: Starting from Awakening the Vermilion Bird Martial Soul

"This Heaven Dou City is truly extraordinary. The beauties here are more beautiful than those in other places, and there are also many Soul Masters here."

"I took a look around and I really learned something new. If it weren't for my status, I might have stayed here and never left."

Listening to his second brother recount everything he had seen with great emotion, Di Hong felt much more at ease. Di Ming was the leader of the delegation that came to Tian Dou City this time, and he was just accompanying him, since Xue Ye had written a letter asking him to come.

As for what might happen next, it seems that since we're here, we should just accept it and not worry about it too much. He doesn't believe that anyone in Tiandou City could assassinate him.

That evening, the two brothers traveled by carriage to the Crown Prince's residence.

The Crown Prince's residence is right next to the imperial city. Although it is called a residence, it is actually part of the imperial city. Therefore, the Crown Prince's residence is also called the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace. The area outside the Crown Prince's residence is bustling with activity. Many invited ministers have come here, and even many Soul Masters can be seen.

Despite being the crown prince, Xue Ye personally stood at the door to greet them.

The carriage stopped outside the mansion, and Di Hong looked at the people entering the Crown Prince's residence, feeling somewhat puzzled.

"Isn't the Crown Prince afraid of arousing the Emperor's suspicion by making such a grand display?"

This banquet wasn't just attended by ministers; many generals and soul masters were also present, and none of these soul masters had a soul power level lower than that of a Soul King. Holding such a banquet so openly on a snowy night—was they certain the emperor wouldn't care?

Di Ming glanced at it and said.

"Why would the emperor be suspicious? This banquet clearly had the old emperor's permission."

"Look, that person is the Imperial Finance Minister, named Xu Han. He supports the Second Prince Xue Yu."

Di Hong was taken aback, his face full of surprise. He couldn't understand why someone who supported the Second Prince would come to the Crown Prince's residence for a banquet.

Could it be that they switched sides at the last minute?

But it didn't seem quite right. He made a point of observing, and Xu Han's attitude towards the Crown Prince wasn't that enthusiastic. He simply bowed and went inside. Xue Ye was also very enthusiastic towards him, but it was clear that he was different from some other people.

"Fourth brother, you don't need to worry too much. Just eat and drink tonight at the banquet."

After saying that, he left the carriage.

As Di Hong watched his second brother's retreating figure, he fell into deep thought. He had been focused on cultivation and his understanding of his second brother was limited to him being a spoiled brat. But now it seemed that his second brother was no ordinary person.

Perhaps he's playing dumb to outsmart others.

Of course, his talent in martial spirit is definitely very average; there's no faking that.

However, not having talent for cultivation does not mean he has no other skills. Just like him, apart from his talent for cultivation, he seems to be useless.

This was evident from the moment he arrived in Heaven Dou City. If he were to fight against Soul Masters, he would certainly be fine, but if he were to deal with nobles and handle interpersonal relationships, he would be incapable.

No wonder Emperor Ming, despite being a playboy for so many years, is not disliked by anyone.

You really can't get by without some skills.

He shook his head, clearing his mind of those complicated thoughts, and then followed them.

Upon seeing the two on a snowy night when he was welcoming guests, a bright smile immediately spread across his face.

Emperor Ming bowed respectfully.

"Prince Di Ming of the Kingdom of Silves greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."

"Prince Di Hong, the fourth prince of the Kingdom of Silves, greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Xueye raised his hands in a gesture of respect: "You two don't need to be so formal. Tonight's banquet is just a simple meal and drinks. We can just be friends."

Then, he looked at Di Hong behind Di Ming.

"It's been six years since I last saw you, and Brother Dihong has grown so tall."

"I remember when I saw you six years ago, you were only this tall."

He raised his hand to his waist, his face always bearing a gentle smile. The way he looked at Di Hong was as if he were looking at his own younger brother, even though his own younger brother was vying with him for the throne.

Di Hong said, "I am a Soul Master, so my development is faster."

"That's true." Xueye smiled and nodded.

"You're quite famous now."

"I know about the twelve-year-old Soul King in this entire Heaven Dou City."

"I really don't know how you cultivated. In just six years, you have increased your soul power by more than forty levels. I am really envious and jealous."

Although he said he was jealous, there was no trace of jealousy in his tone. Instead, there was a sense of satisfaction, which left Di Hong somewhat bewildered. He felt as if Xue Ye was treating him like a son.

Although there is indeed a big difference between them, Xueye looks very young now, but in reality he is middle-aged.

The age difference between him and Xueye was indeed somewhat like that between a father and son.

Chapter 14 Ning Fengzhi

While the three were chatting, another carriage stopped, and a richly dressed man stepped out. The man looked to be about the same age as Xueye, and they even looked somewhat alike.

"Brother," the man said with a smile, bowing to Xueye.

Xueye nodded, then introduced to Di Hong and the other man, "This is my third brother, Xuexing."

Well, another acquaintance.

Di Hong subtly observed Xue Xing. He found it hard to associate the Xue Xing in front of him with the somewhat arrogant princes in anime. Xue Xing also gave off a friendly feeling, but he was far less so than Xue Ye.

"Greetings, Your Highness Xuexing." Di Ming and Di Hong bowed slightly to Xuexing, and Xuexing returned the bow.

After exchanging greetings, Xuexing stepped forward and patted Dihong on the shoulder.

"You must be Di Hong. I've heard so much about you."

"I really don't know how you cultivated. More than forty levels in six years. I even doubt whether you are born with full soul power."

Xue Xing was so enthusiastic that Di Hong felt uncomfortable and didn't know how to respond to her. In the end, it was Di Ming who spoke up to explain.

He answered Xue Ye and Xue Xing's questions with a mix of smugness, boastfulness, nonchalance, and seriousness, because he knew that one of the reasons he came was to dispel everyone's doubts. The fact that he possessed innate level 20 soul power was something that absolutely could not be known to anyone, especially before Di Hong had fully matured.

"Let me tell you, my fourth brother is an unparalleled genius. Father has devoted all his resources to nurturing him."

"Six years of training at the volcano made him somewhat introverted."

"With the support of various resources, coupled with the innate talent of full soul power, it would be difficult not to level up quickly."

"From now on, if I, as the second brother, offend anyone outside, I will have my fourth brother handle it."

"From now on, my fourth brother will be invincible."

"At that time, they will be loyal to the empire on one hand and support me on the other, allowing me to live a comfortable and decadent life."

Di Ming's words immediately made everyone burst into laughter. At the same time, Xue Ye's doubts were dispelled. Although she didn't completely believe it, the facts were right there: he was indeed a genuine Soul King and was indeed twelve years old.

Writing to Di Hong on this snowy night, hoping he would come, was also a test, but he actually came.

To be honest, if Di Hong hadn't been born into royalty, he wouldn't have done this.

After all, the relationship between the empire and its vassal kingdoms is very sensitive, especially given the empire's decline; even the emergence of a genius in a kingdom would make them nervous.

After chatting for a while at the entrance, Xueye arranged for someone to take them to the banquet hall.

The banquet hall was already filled with people, chatting and laughing. Although they often had conflicts and were not even from the same faction, they were now like old friends.

After Di Hong entered, many people turned their attention to him, especially Soul Masters.

Upon seeing Di Hong's soul power, all the soul masters present were shocked. Their strength was not weak; a Soul King would be considered a top-tier expert in an ordinary city. However, given their age, it meant that their achievements had come to an end.

Even with the greatest effort, achieving the status of Soul Emperor or Soul Saint is the most one can hope for.

For a Soul Master, their achievements before the age of twenty can have a significant impact on their future.

The higher one's soul power level and the younger one is, the greater their future achievements will be.

Di Hong clearly fits this condition perfectly: twelve years old and a Soul King. If someone like that doesn't achieve great things in the future, then all the Soul Masters on the continent might as well die; what's the point of cultivating?

In the eyes of the Soul Masters, Di Hong was no longer seen as a junior, but as a Title Douluo. Di Hong was certain to become a Title Douluo-level powerhouse in the future, which might become something they could boast about.

In the future, when you meet people, you can say that you have seen what Di Hong looked like when he was a child.

Di Ming led Di Hong to their seats. To be honest, Di Hong didn't like this atmosphere. Six years of cultivation had left him with little contact with the outside world, which made him dislike going to crowded places, especially banquets like this.

Sitting behind Di Ming, he remained silent, drinking tea and eating fruit from the table.

Snow Night and Snow Star walked in.

After taking his seat, Xueye explained to everyone present the reason for tonight's banquet. This banquet was not hosted by Xueye privately, but was authorized by the emperor; otherwise, it would not have been held in such a grand manner.

And there are also many officials who do not support the snowy night.

After Xueye finished his speech, a servant from the Crown Prince's residence came over respectfully.

"Your Highness, the young sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, Mr. Ning Fengzhi, has arrived."

Upon hearing this, the banquet hall immediately fell silent, and everyone's gaze turned outside, including that of Di Hong, whose eyes were filled with curiosity. He was extremely curious about this future sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.

Before long, a handsome young man dressed in white with a refined appearance walked in. He had a faint smile on his face and exuded an aura of confidence.

Di Hong could tell the man's soul power level at a glance. He had to admit that Ning Fengzhi was indeed handsome and had a great presence. He himself was just as good-looking, or even better, than Ning Fengzhi, but he felt inferior to him. The difference between him and Ning Fengzhi was probably in their presence.

Although he was born into royalty, it did not change the fact that he was an ordinary person in his previous life, and he had not received any training or cultivation in aristocratic etiquette in this life.

After Ning Fengzhi entered the banquet hall, he bowed slightly to Xue Ye.

"Feng Zhi greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."