"The person His Highness wants? Is it Xiao Zhang?" Qian Gu Lifan asked, momentarily stunned.
The City Lord of Xuanwu City hurriedly replied, "It is indeed His Highness!"
Qian Gu Lifan glanced at the two youths standing behind the City Lord. They were both around sixteen years old, tall and powerfully built, giving off the impression of pure muscle.
"Who are they?" Qian Gu Lifan asked curiously.
The City Lord quickly explained, "They are disciples of the Shi Family in Xuanwu City. Because of their excellent aptitude, they caught His Highness's eye. His Highness wishes to bring them to Spirit Hall, so he sent me to invite them. They both agreed, so I brought them here."
Qian Gu Lifan nodded slightly. "I see. Then take them in quickly. Xiao Zhang is in the backyard right now. Don't wander elsewhere. If you delay my two grandfathers or Elder Golden Crocodile, you'll really be asking for trouble."
The City Lord nodded repeatedly, smiling apologetically. Under Qian Gu Lifan's gentle gaze, he led Graphite and Grinding Stone from the front courtyard toward the backyard.
Unable to suppress his curiosity, Graphite hurriedly asked, "City Lord, tell us—what does this Highness look like? Have we met him before? Otherwise, why would His Highness specifically want to see us?"
Grinding Stone also chimed in eagerly. "Yeah! Just tell us! My brother and I should at least be mentally prepared, right?"
The City Lord said helplessly, "His Highness is about 1.84 meters tall, handsome but cold in temperament. He is a disciple of Elder Golden Crocodile. There's also a young woman beside him—she's the Elder's younger sister and the granddaughter of the two High Priests. So remember, mind your manners. If you offend His Highness, not only you—even I won't be spared."
Hearing this, Graphite and Grinding Stone exchanged a glance.
"Why does that description feel… familiar?" Graphite asked uncertainly.
Grinding Stone nodded. "Yeah, I feel like I've seen him somewhere, but I can't quite place it."
Seeing them still whispering, the City Lord added urgently, "Stop guessing. His Highness is a heaven-defying genius at the Spirit King rank, and that young woman is already a Spirit Saint. Be careful—careful, careful, and more careful. Don't offend them. Understood?"
At those words, Graphite's eyes widened as a memory finally surfaced. He pulled Grinding Stone closer and whispered,
"Little Mo, I remember now. We met this Highness before—at that inn in the small town outside Xuanwu Forest. Some people tried to provoke him, and one of them got his leg chopped off on the spot. Later, His Highness chased them out. I don't know what happened after that, but those people never returned to Xuanwu City."
Grinding Stone swallowed hard. He hadn't expected that the person seeking them out was that cold, ruthless young man from that night. Younger than them, yet already a Spirit King…
In a bamboo pavilion on the other side of the mansion, Qian Jun and Xiang Mo sat facing each other. As Titled Douluo, their spiritual perception easily covered the entire City Lord's Mansion. Bored, they naturally observed everything from the moment the City Lord brought the two brothers inside.
Hearing Graphite and Grinding Stone's whispered evaluation of Yin Zhang, Qian Jun laughed.
Despite their youthful appearances, both he and Xiang Mo were already over a hundred years old. In front of Qiangu Yunying, it looked as though Qiangu Yuan were the elders—but in truth, they were the true old monsters.
"It seems Xiao Zhang has gained a lot from these past months," Qian Jun said with a chuckle. "Not only has his cultivation advanced rapidly, but his temperament has also improved greatly. With Yunying by his side, I can finally put my mind at ease."
The City Lord led Graphite and Grinding Stone into the backyard. The moment they saw the massive dragon-like figure occupying almost the entire courtyard, both brothers swallowed hard.
"City Lord… where is His Highness?" Graphite asked nervously.
The City Lord was just as puzzled. He turned his head and saw someone walking out from behind the enormous dragon.
"City Lord, Graphite, Grinding Stone—hello," Yin Zhang said with a faint smile. "We've met before. Do you remember?"
"Since His Highness has seen the people he wanted, may I take my leave?" the City Lord asked cautiously.
Yin Zhang waved his hand. "You've worked hard. Thank you."
After the City Lord left, Yin Zhang turned his gaze back to the two brothers.
"Since you recognize me, there's no need for small talk. The City Lord should have explained everything already. Now tell me your answer. Are you willing to join Spirit Hall? If you are, I can arrange for you to enroll in the Spirit Hall Academy in Spirit City. After graduation, you may directly enter Spirit Hall."
Join Spirit Hall.
In the past, Graphite and Grinding Stone might have hesitated. But now that Yin Zhang had personally invited them, hesitation was impossible.
Ordinarily, joining Spirit Hall only required reaching the Spirit Elder rank, but that meant starting at the outermost level. To reach the core would take years of grinding. However, with Yin Zhang personally recruiting them, they would effectively become his direct subordinates after graduation.
Spirit Hall was the undisputed strongest force on the Douluo Continent—this was universally acknowledged.
The brothers exchanged a look. Having already prepared themselves before coming, they shouted without hesitation,
"We're willing!"
Yin Zhang nodded. "Good. You can head to the Spirit Hall Academy in Spirit City later. Just say you came on my orders. I'll come find you afterward. Understood?"
"Understood!" the brothers replied immediately.
After they left, Yin Zhang glanced to the side as Qiangu Yunying stepped out.
"Xiao Zhang," she said frankly, "those two don't seem particularly special."
Yin Zhang chuckled. "Sister Yunying, you'll understand once we're back in Spirit City. They may be far behind us for now, but compared to the elite teams of the Spirit Hall Academy, they're no weaker. As pure defense-type Spirit Masters, they're absolutely top-tier."
Just as they were speaking, a thunderous boom echoed out. The doors and windows of the room where Golden Crocodile was in seclusion shattered simultaneously.
A terrifying aura surged outward, instantly enveloping the entirety of Xuanwu City.
Qian Jun and Xiang Mo's expressions changed at once.
"This aura…" Qian Jun said gravely. "Only a High Priest could produce something like this!"
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