Meanwhile, in Heaven Dou City...
The sun shone brightly, and the streets were bustling with a lively stream of people coming and going.
Two figures walked side by side along the street.
A man and a woman.
The man wore simple black-and-white everyday attire; his long black hair was tied back in a high ponytail.
With his sharp, sword-like brows and bright, starry eyes, he exuded an air of dashing elegance. His composed and self-assured demeanor was simply impossible to ignore.
The woman wore a long gown of jade-green; tall and slender, with skin as white as snow and a figure of striking allure, she possessed a gentle and graceful aura—like a celestial maiden who had stepped straight out of a painting.
They were none other than Jiang Bai and Bi Ji.
As they walked side by side, they drew the gaze of countless passersby.
Some people couldn’t help but stop in their tracks to stare.
Jiang Bai paid no mind to the curious glances, strolling along in a leisurely manner.
He looked around at the surrounding architecture and the ceaseless flow of people, then smiled and remarked, "Come to think of it, I believe this is actually my very first time visiting Heaven Dou City!"
Bi Ji walked beside him, offering a gentle smile.
"It has been a long time since I’ve ventured out for a stroll myself. Having stayed inside the Tower for so long, I’ve nearly forgotten what the outside world is like."
It couldn’t be helped; the spatial realm contained within the Nine-Colored Glazed Pagoda was simply too comfortable.
One could simply take a deep breath there and feel their cultivation level rise.
Two and a half years ago, her cultivation level stood at a mere 500,000-odd years. Now, it was fast approaching 700,000 years!
Moreover, she had achieved this breakthrough while inside that place—and without facing a single Heavenly Tribulation!
When Bi Ji had broken through back then, she was utterly dumbfounded!
Having lived for hundreds of thousands of years, she had never witnessed anything of the sort.
A breakthrough without a Heavenly Tribulation—could it even be called a breakthrough?
Yet, the facts lay right before her eyes; she had no choice but to believe them.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Bai smiled and said, "In that case, once I’ve finished my business, I’d be happy to show you around Sky Dou City, Sister Bi Ji."
Bi Ji offered a gentle smile, a flicker of anticipation dancing in her eyes. "That would be lovely. I appreciate the trouble."
Jiang Bai waved his hand dismissively. "It’s no trouble at all—it’s a trivial matter!"
He paused for a moment, then added with a smile, "Besides, I’ll be needing your help with something shortly, Sister Bi Ji!"
Chatting casually along the way, the pair passed through several streets and alleys until they arrived before a private residence in the southern district of the city.
The surroundings were tranquil and secluded, far removed from the hustle and bustle of the city center.
Tall parasol trees lined both sides of the street; their dense foliage blotted out the sky, casting a dappled pattern of light and shadow across the ground.
The residence was modest in size, yet it exuded an air of elegance. Its walls were constructed of blue brick and completely overgrown with climbing vines, which were currently dotted with small, pale-purple blossoms.
The entrance consisted of a pair of vermilion-red wooden gates, surmounted by a plaque bearing two large characters: "The Ye Residence."
Jiang Bai halted his steps and glanced up at the plaque.
Then, he stepped forward and gave a gentle knock on the gates.
Although, given his immense power, he could have easily simply walked right in...
Well, what could one expect? He was a polite young man, after all!
Knock, knock, knock.
Three soft taps.
A moment later, the gates creaked open just enough to reveal a narrow gap.
A servant poked his head out, and upon seeing Jiang Bai and Bi Ji, he blinked in mild surprise. "May I ask what brings the two of you here?"
Jiang Bai offered a faint smile and replied, "I am Jiang Bai—an Adjudication Elder of the Spirit Hall."
Upon hearing these words, the servant’s expression changed instantly!
Spirit Hall?!
An Adjudication Elder?!
Although he was merely a lowly servant, he understood the sheer weight carried by those three words.
That was an organization that stood at the absolute pinnacle of the entire continent!
The attendant hurriedly opened the door, bowing deeply as he said, "Sirs, please wait a moment! I shall go announce your arrival immediately!"
Having said this, he turned and ran off—stumbling clumsily as he went, nearly tripping over the threshold.
A moment later, the sound of light, graceful footsteps drifted in.
A figure emerged from the courtyard.
It was a beautiful woman, still retaining a captivating charm.
She wore a long black gown with a hem that trailed along the ground, accentuating her dignified and elegant demeanor. Her raven-black hair was coiled high atop her head, secured by a white jade hairpin, revealing a smooth, unblemished forehead and a slender neck. Her features were gentle and refined, her eyes and brows carrying a distinct air of scholarly sophistication.
Ye Linglong.
Ye Lingling’s mother.
She walked to the entrance; upon seeing Jiang Bai and Bi Ji, a flicker of surprise flashed in her eyes, though her composure was instantly restored.
She curtsied slightly, offering a respectful bow: "To what do I owe the honor of a visit to this humble abode by two distinguished officials from the Spirit Hall?"
Jiang Bai got straight to the point: "It concerns Ye Lingling."
Ye Linglong’s pupils contracted ever so slightly.
Yet, she maintained a polite and composed smile: "Please, come inside."
She stepped aside, gesturing for them to enter.
Jiang Bai and Bi Ji nodded, then stepped into the courtyard.
...
Inside the main hall.
The three of them took their seats, observing the traditional etiquette between host and guests.
A maidservant served fragrant tea, then quietly withdrew.
Ye Linglong lifted her teacup and took a delicate sip, her gaze resting upon Jiang Bai: "I am Lingling’s mother, Ye Linglong."
She paused for a moment, then asked, "May I ask, Elder of Judgment, what business you have with my daughter?"
Jiang Bai set down his teacup and offered a faint smile: "Madam Ye, it is like this."
He paused again, then spoke each word with deliberate clarity: "I intend to establish a Sect, and I wish to invite your daughter, Ye Lingling, to join as one of its very first disciples."
The hand Ye Linglong held her teacup with stiffened almost imperceptibly. She raised her head to look at Jiang Bai, her eyes filled with utter disbelief: "Establish a sect?"
Her voice carried a hint of bewilderment: "Aren’t you... an Elder of the Spirit Hall?"
If you want to recruit my daughter into the Spirit Hall, just say so directly! Why beat around the bush?!
However...
Does that silly girl, Lingling, really possess such immense charm?
Does she truly possess such extraordinary talent?
To think she could actually get a Judgment Elder of the Spirit Hall to personally come to our doorstep to extend an invitation?!
A myriad of thoughts swirled through Ye Linglong’s mind.
Jiang Bai nodded: "That is correct. But my establishment of a sect is entirely my own undertaking; it has nothing to do with the Spirit Hall."
Ye Linglong eyed him with deep suspicion.
Is there truly no connection?
If word of this got out, who on earth would believe it?!
Jiang Bai paid no mind to her skepticism and continued: "I have heard that many years ago, when the Nine-Heart Begonia vied with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda for the title of ’The World’s Foremost Support-Type Spirit,’ it suffered defeat due to issues regarding its lineage succession. Subsequently, it was further suppressed by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—to the point where, now, it can only eke out a quiet existence in a secluded corner of Heaven Dou City, running a mere apothecary."
Ye Linglong’s expression shifted ever so slightly.
The Nine-Heart Begonia had once been a top-tier Spirit, basking in boundless glory.
Yet, because its lineage succession was so arduous—permitting only a single successor per generation—it was unable to grow into a great clan or a major sect, ultimately ending up trampled beneath the heel of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
She took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil churning within her heart, and spoke in a calm, measured tone: "And what if it is?"
Jiang Bai gazed at her, his eyes deep and profound: "Lady Ye, do you not wish to take down the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"
Ye Linglong stared back at Jiang Bai, her eyes wide with shock: "Are you suggesting...?"
Jiang Bai smiled faintly: "The very reason I established my sect is to compete in the Great Sects Tournament—to strike down the Upper Three Sects and trample the Lower Four!"
He continued: "Ye Lingling possesses the Nine-Heart Begonia Spirit; she is one of only two living successors to this lineage in the entire world. If she is willing to join my sect, I guarantee that I will elevate her to the very pinnacle of the continent, ensuring the name ’Nine-Heart Begonia’ once again resounds across the land!"
Ye Linglong fell silent.
Her hands clenched tightly around the teacup she held.
Her knuckles turned white.
After a long pause...
She raised her head and looked at Jiang Bai: "Can I trust you?"
Jiang Bai met her gaze, his expression open and frank: "You are free to choose not to believe me."
He rose to his feet: "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has Ning Fengzhi, the Sword Douluo Chen Xin, and the resources of an entire sect at its disposal. You, on the other hand, possess nothing but this small, secluded manor and a solitary daughter."
"If things continue as they are, the Nine-Heart Begonia lineage will, sooner or later, vanish into the long river of history."
He paused briefly: "But if you join my sect... at the very least, there remains a glimmer of hope."
Ye Linglong remained silent.
She looked at Jiang Bai, then turned her gaze toward Bi Ji, who stood nearby smiling gently without uttering a word.
She could sense that neither of these two individuals was ordinary.
Especially the woman clad in green; the aura she exuded was as deep and unfathomable as an abyss—something Ye Linglong could not see through in the slightest.
Noticing her gaze drift toward Bi Ji, Jiang Bai seized the opportunity to introduce her: "This is Bi Ji—Title: Emerald!"
Ye Linglong was startled; another Title Douluo?!
"Her Spirit is the legendary Emerald Swan—an incredibly rare, life-attribute healing-type Spirit!"
An auxiliary, healing-type Title Douluo?!
Ye Linglong’s beautiful eyes widened in astonishment.
A long silence ensued. She took a deep breath and spoke slowly: "That child, Lingling... she’s been introverted since she was little and doesn’t care for interacting with others. Whether she’s willing or not—that’s not for me to decide."
She looked at Jiang Bai: "If you can convince her, I have no objections."
Oh, silly Lingling... you’d better be willing!
Ye Linglong thought to herself.
Jiang Bai smiled faintly: "Very well."
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