"Xiangxiang, what's with His Excellency?" Bai He looked at Dragon Duke, whose appearance was as if he'd just returned from a brothel, and asked in confusion.
"Um, Excellency Dragon Snake Douluo has just made a breakthrough not long ago and hasn't adapted to his new status yet. He'll be fine after a while!" Bai Chenxiang had gotten used to it over the past few days. Although the people from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect were all very nice, they occasionally acted oddly.
For example, Tianlin—when explaining financial matters to her, he would use terms like GDP, which she could not understand.
Or Ma Hongjun. This guy was diligent in his daily cultivation, but could never get up for morning exercise. He would only jump up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on and cry, "Teacher Qin Ming is here!" when Ning Rongrong said so, then start running like crazy while yelling, "Teacher, I was wrong!"
Bai Chenxiang was a little worried. If her Speed Clan joined the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, they might eventually get led astray as well.
There was no need to introduce the Yu Feng and Huanyi—they were her own family. So after introducing the peerless Dragon Snake couple, Bai Chenxiang looked at Tianlin and Ning Rongrong and said, "Grandpa, these two are our great benefactors: Brother Jun Tianlin, the Vice Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and Sister Ning Rongrong, the successor as Sect Master!"
"Oh, so you're the famous Sword Prince," Yang Wudi's eyes lit up, and he walked over with an appreciative look, patting Tianlin's shoulder with a laugh. "Haha, truly a dragon among men! I heard you killed two Titled Douluos from Spirit Hall in one sweep during the extermination operation—is that true?"
"It was just luck, you overpraise me, senior!"
Tianlin hadn't expected that the news of the Spirit Hall hunting operation had already spread so widely, even Yang Wudi in far-off Star Luo knew.
Much of this was intentionally spread by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, to build up Tianlin's reputation.
That old saying, "the tallest trees in the forest are the first to be felled," was for those who weren't yet strong. With Tianlin's current strength, even a Super Douluo would have to think twice before trying to kill him.
Besides, they'd kept things secret before to avoid Spirit Hall. Now that Tianlin had displayed his full strength in front of Spirit Hall, there was no point in secrecy. On this continent, aside from Spirit Hall, there were no other forces the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect needed to fear. Spreading the news would only attract more talented youngsters to their sect.
"Why be so modest? Killing Titled Douluo isn't something you can do by luck! When I heard the news, I was both shocked and elated. I wished I could drink three hundred cups with you, young hero. Today, I finally have the chance!" Yang Wudi truly admired Tianlin.
If you asked who he hated most: Second was the Clear Sky Sect, who had discarded them like worn-out shoes; first was Spirit Hall, who had acted directly against them.
Now that Spirit Hall had been dealt a crushing blow by Tianlin and the others, just hearing the news made his blood boil. Yet he also felt a trace of sadness. When facing Spirit Hall in the past, what did the Clear Sky Sect do? They abandoned all the affiliated clans, let Spirit Hall slaughter them, and hid away themselves.
But the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? They gathered all their strength, faced Spirit Hall head-on—and won.
He had joined Clear Sky Sect out of admiration for the terrifying power of the Clear Sky Hammer. But what did he get? All that number one tool martial soul talk was nonsense. They didn't even have the backbone of an auxiliary sect.
"All right, let's not stand around chatting. Sword Prince, little lady Rongrong, the peerless Dragon Snake couple, please come inside. For your great kindness to my clan, I must thank you all properly." Bai He led everyone inside.
After instructing a disciple to prepare tea and snacks, everyone sat in the reception hall.
Only then did Bai He notice that Bai Chenxiang seemed to have forgotten to introduce someone. "Xiangxiang, who's this young man in red?"
"The junior Ma Hongjun, martial soul: Fire Phoenix, level fifty-six assault system battle soul king. Please guide me, seniors."
Ma Hongjun was very nervous facing Bai He—after all, this was his crush's grandfather, so he didn't want to leave a bad first impression.
Due to the hunting operation happening earlier than in the original, the current timeline was almost two years earlier, but Ma Hongjun's level was only two lower than in the original, showing his talent.
Another prodigy, Bai He and Yang Wudi both thought to themselves. Ma Hongjun was about the same age as Bai Chenxiang, who had just passed level forty, while Ma Hongjun was already approaching level sixty. Such cultivation speed was frightening. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's foundation was indeed deep.
Tianlin smiled to himself. It seemed the first impression was decent—Ma Hongjun's level and martial soul alone were enough to impress Bai He.
"Senior Bai, please forgive my directness. Rongrong and I are here today to invite the Speed Clan to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. What do you think, senior?" Tianlin took a sip of tea and got straight to the point.
"Haha, Sword Prince, you are truly straightforward." Bai He stroked his beard and smiled. "Yu Feng has tried to persuade me for a long time. I admit, under the current circumstances, joining your sect is the best way for my clan to survive. However…"
With news of the hunting operation spreading across the continent, Bai He's heart had long been moved. Looking across the continent, only the two empires and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect dared take them in and defy Spirit Hall.
However, the two empires were not an option. Star Luo's hegemonism was unsuitable for sect survival, and Heaven Dou was busy wooing the Clear Sky Sect. Only the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect suited them in every way.
But Bai He seemed to have other concerns.
At this moment, Bai Chenxiang said at the right time, "Grandpa, I hope you'll agree too. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect can not only protect us but also solve our clan's problem of weak attack power."
"What did you say?" Bai He stood up in surprise. The problem that had troubled him for years could be solved by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?
"Grandpa, look—this is the item!" Bai Chenxiang took out two short swords that Tianlin had given her and handed them to Bai He.
Seeing this, Bai He was greatly disappointed. He thought it was something special, but it turned out to be just using weapons. He'd tried this before—after all, the Strength Clan were forging experts.
But ordinary weapons were useless against tool soul masters with human-martial soul unity, or beast martial soul masters with strong bodies.
Even as a Soul Douluo, he could only use a sword to bully Soul Emperors around level sixty. Against Soul Sages who could activate their true spirit form, it was ineffective, and against those of his level, it was useless.
Seeing Bai He's disappointment, Bai Chenxiang understood what he was thinking. "Grandpa, don't underestimate these swords! They're made by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect from extremely rare ores, not only sharp but also imbued with spirit and soul-attracting techniques. The two swords you're holding have 'Qi Gathering' and 'Armor Breaking' effects. Even as a Soul Ancestor, I could threaten a Soul Emperor with these."