"The Crown Prince set off for Heaven Dou City this morning?"
In the most luxurious inn of the great city near the Extreme North Land, Yu Yan—who had just learned from the Waiter that Xue Qinghe had already left—asked the Waiter again.
"Your Highness's entourage passed right in front of our inn in full force; I couldn't possibly be mistaken. If you don't believe me, just ask around."
After pointing toward the street outside, the Waiter went off to attend to other duties; had the two guests not been so finely dressed, he wouldn't have bothered explaining things so patiently.
"Didn't expect him to move that fast."
Yu Yan ordered a few local specialties, took a window table, and casually chatted with Xiao Wu.
"We'll be in Heaven Dou City soon anyway. When we pay that Crown Prince a visit, I'm coming along. Anyone who interests someone like you has got to be worth a look."
Seated opposite Yu Yan, Xiao Wu lifted her teacup, took a sip, and told him exactly how curious she was about Xue Qinghe.
"You already met him in the Mad Axe Mountain Range, remember?"
Wait till you find out two Titled Douluo are standing right behind him—then you won't be curious anymore, and you'll understand why I'm acting like this.
Of course, Yu Yan couldn't say any of that aloud; he had no way to explain his source, and he wasn't sure Xiao Wu could keep her reaction hidden from Xue Qinghe.
Better to stay quiet—he'd shoulder this burden alone.
After a brief discussion about Xue Qinghe, their attention shifted to the food; the dishes really were excellent.
Following a when-in-Rome attitude, once they'd finished eating Yu Yan and Xiao Wu paid a visit to the Speed Clan.
Having seen firsthand what whale gel could do and watched the younger generation absorb over-aged spirit rings, the clan's stubborn elders—thinking of the Family's future—started taking respectable work that earned gold coins: guarding caravans, hauling cargo, fighting in the Soul Fighting Arena, and so on.
Once they tasted success and life improved, opposition faded. Clan Chief Bai He, long eager for change, backed side branches with Speed Clan Bloodlines and opened trade with other powers in Dragon City; with a Spirit Douluo behind them, business couldn't fail.
Yu Yan heard all this bit by bit from Bai Chenxiang; he hadn't expected the old man to be so energetic.
After spending time with Bai Chenxiang, Yu Yan understood why she dared not defy her Family—what child would stand up to a stern grandfather? Even he wouldn't dare.
After visiting the Bai He clan and exchanging a few more words with the noticeably more relaxed chief, they set off for Heaven Dou City.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School stands on a scenic mountain near Heaven Dou City.
Roof tiles of seven-colored glazed tile shimmer in the sunlight, white-jade statues stand guard, and the front gate—of some unidentifiable but clearly priceless material—frames Disciples of the Sect dressed in luxurious robes.
Everything proclaims the school's power and its staggering wealth.
"Halt. You're entering the domain of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. State your business."
When Yu Yan and Xiao Wu approached the gate, the Disciples stationed there raised a hand to stop them.
"I am Yu Yan; this is Xiao Wu. We're here to call on your Sect Master."
He drew from the golden scepter the token Ning Fengzhi had once given him and showed it to the guard.
When Ning Fengzhi presented the token, he'd told Yu Yan it would let him come and go unhindered.
"Forgive us, honored guests. Please follow me inside to wait."
The guard's attitude changed the instant he saw the token; he ushered Yu Yan and Xiao Wu through the gates while sending another Disciple to notify the Sect Master.
They had heard the school was rich enough to rival a kingdom, but until today it had been only a notion.
Walking its grounds now, they finally understood why Ning Fengzhi had treated two juniors with such deference: with wealth this vast and a Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda capped at rank seventy-nine, without Titled Douluo guardians the Sect would be a fat sheep for every wolf.
"This tea is superb."
In the reception parlor, Yu Yan praised the cup a maidservant had just poured; he had drunk plenty of fine leaf, but nothing matched this.
"It really is."
Following his praise, Xiao Wu took a careful sip and nodded; the flavor was delicate and lingered beautifully.
Beyond the tea, nothing in the room could be faulted: the chairs were comfortable, famous paintings hung on the walls, and a jade vase adorned the table.
"Little friend Yu Yan, welcome to our school."
Before long a delighted voice rang out, and a smiling Ning Fengzhi appeared.
Because they were inside the Sect grounds, neither of the sword- or bone-themed Titled Douluo accompanied him this time.
"I hope I'm not imposing, Sect Master Ning."
Yu Yan rose the instant he saw him.
"Not at all—the more you visit, the happier I'll be."
Ning Fengzhi laughed and greeted Xiao Wu as well.
"We'll be troubling you to look after us for a while."
"Haha, consider it done."
Delighted to keep two young Geniuses under his roof, Ning Fengzhi arranged lavish quarters for them.
By coincidence their rooms were near Ning Rongrong's; he suggested they seek her out if needed, since he was often away while Rongrong had more free time.
Yu Yan understood—he had come to read, nothing more.
Xiao Wu, however, fixed Ning Fengzhi with a stare that sent him hastily making excuses and retreating.
From his investigations Ning Fengzhi could guess their relationship; even if they weren't official yet, it was only a matter of time, and arranging things in front of Xiao Wu did feel a bit like poaching.