Chapter 30: First Encounter with Zhu Zhuqing

Upon hearing that Dugu Bo was joining the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Sword Douluo’s typically calm face betrayed a look of astonishment. How could he have been kept in the dark about such a major development? Normally, Fengzhi would have consulted him beforehand; could this have happened only after they had set out?

Yang Wudi’s mind raced. He reached into his robes, pulled out a manual, and tossed it to Li Xun. "Take it."

"Thank you, Senior. My teacher will arrive soon, and he will discuss the specific details with you then." Li Xun caught the manual quickly, not bothering to inspect it, and placed it directly into his soul storage device.

"Sect Master Ning thinks quite highly of my Strength-Breaking Clan," Yang Wudi said with a grin.

"Not at all, not at all. My teacher speaks of you often," Li Xun replied with a smile. If his teacher knew of this outcome, he would be overjoyed; a personal visit would be the least of his efforts.

"If you have no further business, Senior, I would like to go see Brother Yang," Li Xun said, cupping his hands in a salute.

Yang Wudi stood up. "Go ahead and see that brat. He talks about you quite often, too."

...

In the backyard of the Yang residence.

"Brother Yang, it’s been a year! You look radiant. Is it because of your engagement?" Li Xun teased with a smile.

Yang Qianjun touched the back of his head, looking a bit shy. "I owe it all to you, Brother Li. If not for that incident, the elders at home wouldn't have arranged the betrothal for us."

"I suppose I count as half a matchmaker then, so I won't ask you for a finder's fee." Li Xun laughed and pulled three silver cards from his storage device. "One thousand gold soul coins of this is my gift for the occasion."

"Brother Li, please don't get me in trouble. The last time I came back, I was beaten by my grandfather to the point of being bedridden for three months. I dare not accept this money." Seeing the three silver cards, Yang Qianjun’s first reaction wasn't joy, but fear.

"Don't worry, Brother Yang. This is just a transaction between us." Li Xun pressed the cards into Yang Qianjun’s hand. "I’ve already finalized the partnership with your grandfather, and we will soon be part of the same sect."

"This..." Yang Qianjun was stunned; he hadn't expected his grandfather to agree to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

"Would I lie to you?" Li Xun feigned indignation.

Yang Qianjun gathered his wits and tried to push the cards back to Li Xun. "Even so, I can't take this. I only sold my grandfather’s things in a moment of desperation. If you must give this money, give it to my grandfather. Besides, we have a contract between us; he wouldn't break his word." Although the incident had led to his engagement, he had paid the price in full, and he dared not accept this money.

Li Xun laughed and shoved the cards back into Yang Qianjun’s chest. "Brother Yang, Senior Yang has already given me the medicinal manual. Because of our arrangement, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Strength-Breaking Clan have formed a partnership to jointly produce and sell medicine. Compared to future profits, this amount isn't even a rounding error."

"Brother Li... don't lie to me. If three thousand gold soul coins aren't even a rounding error, how much money are we talking about?" Yang Qianjun looked at him in disbelief.

Li Xun chuckled and slowly raised a finger. "Your clan will make at least one million gold soul coins in annual profit. That’s why Senior Yang didn't even ask about our personal contract—just take the money with peace of mind."

"One million!" Yang Qianjun gasped.

Li Xun nodded with a smile. "But that money has nothing to do with you."

"Heh, isn't my grandfather's money mine?" Yang Qianjun touched his head with a foolish grin. "Since you're here, let’s go—I’ll take you out for a meal."

"Aren't you grounded?" Li Xun looked him up and down.

"It's fine. It’s just another beating; I’m used to it." Perhaps emboldened by the thought of the money, Yang Qianjun said dismissively.

"Let’s go then. I actually have something I want to discuss with you, we can talk on the way." Li Xun nodded.

The two walked out of the residence, encountering Yang Wudi and the Sword Douluo along the way. Yang Qianjun, previously so carefree, immediately shrunk like a quail. Fortunately, Yang Wudi merely glanced at them before walking away, laughing and chatting with the Sword Douluo.

Once outside, they strolled down the street.

Li Xun pondered for a moment. "Brother Yang, to be honest, I have another purpose for coming here. I want to invite you to join the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy and form a team with me for the upcoming Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament."

With Yu Tianheng’s departure and the three team members he took with him, their team lacked the numbers to compete. Li Xun’s goal was to recruit Yang Qianjun. Though he didn't know Yang Qianjun’s current soul power, the Soul-Breaking Spear martial soul was surely superior to the trashy nobility in the academy.

"Brother Li, my soul power is only at level twenty-seven. Am I qualified for the team?" Yang Qianjun’s eyes lit up. He had been grounded for a long time and had been eagerly awaiting Li Xun’s arrival. He hadn't expected his friend to bring one surprise after another.

"I haven't asked, how old are you, Brother Yang?" Li Xun wondered.

Yang Qianjun scratched his head, looking slightly embarrassed. "I’m fourteen this year."

"Haha, that’s more than enough," Li Xun laughed. As a top-tier martial soul, the Soul-Breaking Spear was capable of fighting even with lower soul power than peers, not to mention that Yang Qianjun’s level was catching up to Dugu Yan.

"Heh, that's good then..."

The two walked down the street chatting and laughing.

Suddenly.

A window on the second floor of a building ahead shattered, and a petite figure plummeted from above.

Li Xun was startled. He reacted instantly, flashing forward to catch the figure in mid-air.

Before he could land, two energy attacks followed from the window. Li Xun’s eyes narrowed. Channeling his chakra, he used the Body Flicker Technique, vanishing just as the attacks were about to strike, leaving only a faint afterimage.

The energy attacks tore through the afterimage and struck the stone pavement, shattering the thick slabs instantly and leaving a crater about a meter in diameter.

Seeing this power, Li Xun’s expression darkened. He looked up at the second-floor window and locked eyes with two masked figures. Perhaps finding it difficult to strike on the busy street, the figures retreated into the loft.

Li Xun didn't intend to pursue. He looked down at the girl in his arms. "Are you alright?"

"I... I'm fine," Zhu Zhuqing replied in a low voice, stunned. She had braced herself for the fall when she broke the window, never expecting to be caught in mid-air. Her mind was a blur; she didn't know what to say.

Looking at the young girl in his arms, whose figure was already beginning to mature, Li Xun felt a bit awkward. Just as he was about to set her down, he noticed a three-inch-long wound on her left shoulder, bleeding profusely.

"Can you... put me down first?" Feeling his strong, supportive arms, a faint blush appeared on Zhu Zhuqing’s pale face.

Li Xun gently set her on the ground. "To prevent further blood loss, you should bandage that wound on your shoulder as soon as possible."