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"What's going on?" The members of the Seven Treasures team were utterly confused.
Why would he suddenly unleash his soul power pressure like that?
The innkeeper, who was about to scold them, heard Dugu Bo say, "Ke Jie has broken through and obtained his ninth soul ring. He is on the verge of becoming a Title Douluo."
Upon hearing the words "Title Douluo," the innkeeper's face immediately changed.
A Title Douluo was one of the continent's peak powerhouses. Witnessing someone break through was something he could boast about for a lifetime.
Ke Jie appeared calm, but his voice betrayed his excitement. "I thought it would take some time, but I didn't expect to break through today."
"If you need an eighty-thousand-year soul ring, I wouldn't mind lending a hand," Dugu Bo said with a smile, clearly willing to assist.
After hesitating for a moment, Ke Jie bowed and said, "Thank you, Lord Dugu. I only need a seventy-thousand-year soul ring."
He knew that even after breaking through to the ninetieth level, his cultivation would be difficult to improve further.
If that was the case, there was no need to pursue a high-year soul ring.
Though immortal herbs could enhance talent, he had already been nearly seventy when he absorbed them. Breaking through to become a Title Douluo was already a stroke of great fortune.
"Yan Yan, little one, you can head back on your own. Lord Ke and I will go to the Star Dou Forest to hunt for soul rings." After giving instructions, Dugu Bo walked out of the inn without waiting.
Ke Jie looked apologetically at the group. "As your team leader, I should have returned to the academy with all of you..."
"Principal Ke, there's no need to feel this way. Your breakthrough is already the greatest contribution to the sect. Go quickly and return soon—don't keep the old man waiting." It was Ning Tianchen who spoke.
He seemed to understand why Dugu Bo was helping Ke Jie.
A few days ago, while playing chess with Dugu Bo, he had mentioned Ke Jie's unique qualities. Presumably, Dugu Bo also wanted to use this opportunity to learn more about Ke Jie's special traits.
Moreover, Dugu Bo was accustomed to being solitary, with almost no friends of his age.
Helping Ke Jie also had the undertone of making a friend.
After Ke Jie and Dugu Bo left, the innkeeper approached obsequiously. "Honored guests, your presence here brings great honor to my humble establishment."
The group didn't resist his flattery.
After all, one doesn't hit a smiling face.
"The damaged furniture earlier, Innkeeper, please calculate the cost, and we'll compensate accordingly," Ning Rongrong said.
She disliked flattery and naturally didn't give him a pleasant look.
"Honored guests, you must be the juniors of the two esteemed Title Douluos from earlier. To witness their grandeur in person makes my life worthwhile. These pieces of furniture were already old, and the inn planned to replace them soon anyway. So, please don't mention compensation again."
---
The next morning
Before leaving, Ning Tianchen handed over the compensation and room fees to the front desk of the inn.
Free things were always the most expensive. Ning Tianchen didn't want to owe anyone anything.
About half an hour later, the group returned to Seven Treasures Academy.
At the academy gate, the guard stopped Ning Tianchen. "Senior Tianchen, the Crown Prince sent someone to the academy a few days ago. He said the matter you entrusted him with has been resolved."
Ning Tianchen nodded and turned to the group. "With Principal Ke gone, our training must not fall behind. I'll pay a visit to the Crown Prince's residence first. You all go ahead and train. Tonight, we'll head to the Great Soul Arena for a team battle."
After giving instructions, he hurried off to the Crown Prince's residence.
Regarding the matter of Zhang Erhe, he desperately needed results.
If Zhang Erhe was innocent, there would no longer be any obstacles to Yu Die and Cai Die joining the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. Moreover, Zhang Erhe could be of use to him.
If not, he could quickly distance himself from Zhang Erhe.
---
At the entrance to the Crown Prince's residence, Ning Tianchen presented Xue Qinghe's token and entered smoothly.
"The Crown Prince is currently admiring flowers in the pavilion. Young Master, you may proceed directly," the guard informed him.
There was only one pavilion in the Crown Prince's residence, located near the study.
Soon, Ning Tianchen arrived.
A young man surnamed Qing, whom he had met briefly before, was also present. He and Xue Qinghe were discussing something.
Ning Tianchen happened to be standing directly in front of them. Upon seeing him, Xue Qinghe waved and greeted him. "Brother Tianchen is here."
The Qing-surnamed youth bowed and excused himself. Ning Tianchen was then called into the pavilion.
"Thanks to Brother Xue's concern, I've been away hunting soul rings these past few days. I only received your notice upon returning to the academy today. Please forgive me for not coming sooner."
Xue Qinghe waved dismissively, his face showing a warm smile. "No worries, Brother Tianchen. Your timing is perfect."
Saying this, he retrieved a folder from his soul tool, which contained the investigation results.
This content was personally investigated by Qian Daoliu, so there was no doubt about its authenticity.
Ning Tianchen took the folder and began reviewing its contents.
The investigation confirmed that thirty years ago, evil soul masters had appeared near the village where Zhang Erhe committed his crime.
When Zhang Erhe led his troops into the village, these evil soul masters mistook them for an army from the Spirit Hall sent to purge them and fled elsewhere.
It was true that the evil soul masters had paid heavily for the villagers to grow evil soul flowers. However, whether the flowers had sprouted by the time Zhang Erhe arrived remained uncertain.
---
Seeing Ning Tianchen engrossed in reading, Xue Qinghe added, "Brother Tianchen, much of this investigative material was obtained through my connections with the Spirit Hall. I hope it proves useful to you."
One of the evil soul masters who had been active near the village back then was still imprisoned in the Spirit Hall's dungeon.
Qian Daoliu's report included testimony from this evil soul master.
It could be confirmed that Zhang Erhe was innocent.
However, Xue Qinghe had removed this testimony from the folder and did not hand it over to Ning Tianchen.
There was no other reason. With Qingluan Douluo's warning, Xue Qinghe couldn't guarantee that Ning Tianchen hadn't set a trap for him. If this testimony were revealed, it would prove that he had ties with the upper echelons of the Spirit Hall.
Although relations between the Tian Dou Empire and the Spirit Hall weren't hostile, a crown prince conspiring with the Spirit Hall would certainly arouse suspicion from Emperor Xue Ye, which would be detrimental to him.
Ning Tianchen closed the folder and bowed deeply. "Thank you, Brother Xue. This information is very useful to me."
Though this information wasn't enough to fully exonerate Zhang Erhe, in Ning Tianchen's eyes, it was sufficient to prove that the massacre wasn't his intention.
Next, they exchanged pleasantries for a while.
Finally, Ning Tianchen bid farewell.
After he left, Qingluan Douluo came to Xue Qinghe's side.
"Young Master, without that testimony, it isn't enough to overturn Zhang Erhe's conviction."
Xue Qinghe smirked faintly. "What does Third Grandfather think Ning Tianchen wants this testimony for?"
Qingluan Douluo chuckled. "Naturally, he wants to recruit Zhang Erhe but is concerned about the stain on his reputation. This report is enough to reassure him."
Xue Qinghe countered, "If that's the case, whether or not he has the testimony makes no difference. Why bother taking the extra step?"
After a moment of silence, Qingluan Douluo couldn't help but ask, "Young Master, are you considering recruiting Ning Tianchen?"
"What does Third Grandfather think?"
"In the name of the Spirit Hall, absolutely not. But under the pretext of opposing Bibi Dong, it might be worth a try."
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