Chapter 281 Masterpiece
The buildings and scenery within the Crown Princes Mansion were adorned with carved beams and painted rafters, green bricks and jade tiles, exuding an air of high-end elegance, understated luxury, and profound sophistication.
Indeed, high-end doesn't mean it can't be understated.
However, Ye Chen wasn't concerned about that; the numerous young maidservants, dressed in light attire and all possessing attractive appearances, made him quite satisfied.
Of course, this was Qian Renxue's Crown Princes Mansion; what did it have to do with him, Ye Chen? He didn't need to be satisfied.
Soon, following the butler, Ye Chen entered the reception hall.
As soon as he stepped in, the sharp-eyed Ye Chen saw his 'good brother' Xue Qinghe, engrossed in a novel titled "Lord Earl Falls in Love with Me."
"Cough cough~"
Ye Chen coughed, reminding Qian Renxue, who was reading the novel, that someone had arrived.
"Oh, my dear brother, you're here! What, quick, have a seat! Butler, have the maidservants serve tea!"
Hearing the cough and seeing Ye Chen, Qian Renxue hurriedly put down the novel in her hand and immediately gestured for him to sit.
"Brother Qinghe, you enjoy reading this kind of novel?"
Ye Chen pointed to the book "Lord Earl Falls in Love with Me."
Just by the title, it was clear that this was most likely the type of romance novel favored by fujoshis. Did Angel Miss also enjoy this stuff?
Hmm, it wasn't entirely incomprehensible.
Qian Renxue had been disguised as a man for years and was still a virgin; it was quite normal for her to enjoy these overly sentimental stories.
Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue immediately looked embarrassed and glared fiercely at Ye Chen. Her grandmother liked reading romance novels; was it any of his business? Was he paying for her rice?
"Brother Qinghe, it's been a long time since you've come to see me. You wouldn't be unwelcome this time, would you?"
Ye Chen said with a sincere expression.
He guessed that perhaps he had been too forward with the lady last time, and Qian Renxue was likely avoiding him.
"How could that be? It's just that I've been busy with official duties lately and haven't had time. I'll definitely visit you more often in the future, my dear brother!"
Qian Renxue explained stiffly.
'Then you still have time to read these fujoshi novels?'
Ye Chen thought to himself.
After a brief chat, Ye Chen brought up the main topic.
"I came here this time for two reasons: first, to catch up with Brother Qinghe, and second, to ask Brother Qinghe to appraise my proudest creation!"
As he spoke, Ye Chen took out an exquisite gift box from his spirit tool.
"Oh? Your proudest creation, my dear brother? Then I must take a careful look!"
Hearing "proudest creation," Qian Renxue immediately became interested.
"Yes, this 'Spreading Wings Swan,' please point out any flaws, Brother Qinghe. If you like it, it's a gift for you!"
Ye Chen pointed to the carved spreading wings swan.
Inside the gift box lay a wooden carving of an unidentified bird, with a plump belly, completely lacking the elegance of a swan. It looked more like a duck than a swan.
Qian Renxue: "..."
This is your proudest creation? Are you sure you're not joking? Is there really such a fat swan?
"Ahem, my dear brother's skill has reached a miraculous level. Please forgive my poor eyesight, I can't find any flaws."
After a moment of thought, Qian Renxue said against her true feelings.
She couldn't very well say that Ye Chen's spreading wings swan had no artistic value at all, could she? Wouldn't that be too discouraging?
"Really? Brother Qinghe, you think so too?"
Ye Chen looked at Qian Renxue in surprise, not expecting that not only Xiao Wu thought the spreading wings swan was good, but even Angel Miss thought it was perfect?
"Mm-hmm."
Qian Renxue nodded quickly.
'It seems my skill level has truly reached the Grandmaster level! Not bad, not bad. I'll strive for even greater achievements and advance to the Master level!'
Ye Chen thought narcissistically.
"Since Brother Qinghe likes it, then it's yours!
It just so happens that your Spirit is a swan, Brother Qinghe, so this spreading wings swan was originally carved for you. I was worried you wouldn't like it!"
"..."
Looking at the spreading wings swan, and then at the sincere Ye Chen, Qian Renxue was speechless.
"Oh? My dear brother, what material did you use to carve this duck... swan?"
Suddenly, Qian Renxue noticed that the material of the spreading wings swan was unusual.
It was entirely purple-gold in color and carried faint spirit power fluctuations. Although the amount of spirit power was small, its quality was very high, indicating that the material was far from ordinary.
"Brother Qinghe, you noticed? I carved this from the bamboo pole left behind by a hundred-thousand-year Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo!"
Ye Chen said with a proud expression.
As the saying goes, a good horse deserves a hero. Art that reaches its peak must be paired with top-tier materials to maximize an artwork's value.
Just like a jade carving, with the same skill, one carved from ordinary jade cannot compare in value to one carved from top-grade suet white jade.
'What a waste, what a terrible waste!'
Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue immediately thought with a pained heart.
If a carving Grandmaster had made it, then this spreading wings swan would definitely have immense collection value.
After all, wealthy nobles are very concerned with appearances. Just for the name of a hundred-thousand-year plant-type Spirit Beast as the raw material, the various nobles of Heaven Dou City would definitely flock to it.
Unfortunately, such an excellent material was just wasted by Ye Chen.
No matter how good the material, with this fat duck, no one would appreciate it!
"My dear brother, do you have any more of this material?"
If Ye Chen still had extra material, Qian Renxue felt it was necessary to stop him from continuing to waste it.
"I still have quite a bit. I'm thinking that once my carving skills improve further, I'll open a wood carving shop in Heaven Dou City. I imagine artworks carved from hundred-thousand-year plant-type Spirit Beasts as raw materials should sell for a good price!"
Ye Chen told Qian Renxue his original plan.
Not only the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo, but also the two hundred-thousand-year plant-type Spirit Beasts he would hunt for his eighth and ninth spirit rings, Ye Chen planned to handle in the same way.
"..."
Qian Renxue opened her mouth, wanting to persuade Ye Chen not to waste good things, but she couldn't bring herself to say it.
From Ye Chen's tone, he was preparing for a big venture and was unlikely to be easily swayed by her words. Moreover, she had praised Ye Chen earlier; she couldn't just change her mind in an instant, could she?
"Well then, when your shop opens in the future, my dear brother, be sure to let me know. I will definitely support it!"
After some thought, Qian Renxue said this.
"Of course! By the way, Brother Qinghe, do you have someone in mind that you favor?
Your cultivation talent isn't very good. If you could recognize the Yearning Heartbroken Red as your master and consume it, it should improve your talent. Becoming a Titled Douluo in the future wouldn't be impossible!"
Ye Chen wanted to know if Qian Renxue, this little girl, had recognized the Yearning Heartbroken Red as her master yet.
"Haha, I'm busy with official duties, how could I have time for romance? This matter is not urgent, we can talk about it later."
Qian Renxue glanced at Ye Chen guiltily, pretending to be unconcerned as she shook her head.
Chapter 282 Peeping Eyes
"Is that so? What a pity~!"
Ye Chen glanced at Qian Renxue meaningfully, secretly feeling it was a shame.
It seemed that winning over the Angel Miss was still a long and arduous task!
Actually, what Ye Chen didn't know was that half a year ago, after he had 'bullied' Qian Renxue severely and almost hit a home run, Qian Renxue had returned and recognized the Yearning Heartbroken Red as her master.
After all, if Qian Renxue had no feelings for him, why would she let him bully her?
It was just that the Qian Renxue of that time never expected Ye Chen to try to push his luck further, almost taking advantage of her.
'Damn it, does this guy even know my identity?!'
Looking at Ye Chen's regretful expression, Qian Renxue gnashed her teeth and thought resentfully.
"Brother Qinghe, what do you think of the Star Luo Empire?"
After staring at Qian Renxue for a while, Ye Chen changed the topic.
"The Star Luo Empire? Did something happen?"
One second they were talking about feelings, the next they were discussing the Star Luo Empire, which caught Qian Renxue off guard.
"Brother Qinghe, you know about Zhuqing's situation. Some time ago in the Star Dou Great Forest, I encountered a Spirit Douluo from the Star Luo Royal Family. Needless to say, I counter-killed him, and this feud is now established."
"!!! My dear brother, aren't you only a Five-Ring Spirit King? You actually killed a Spirit Douluo?"
Qian Renxue said, feigning surprise.
Qian Renxue wasn't too surprised that Ye Chen could counter-kill an Eight-Ring Soul Douluo.
She had personally experienced Ye Chen's incredibly disgusting control Spirit Abilities.
After she activated her Angel True Body, her strength could rival a newly advanced Nine-Ring Titled Douluo, and even she wasn't Ye Chen's match. Naturally, an ordinary Eight-Ring Soul Douluo wouldn't be Ye Chen's opponent either.
"By the way, which Spirit Douluo did my dear brother kill?"
"Dave."
"It was him? As far as I know, this Dave seems to be the dean of the Star Luo Royal Academy, with a spirit power level as high as an 87th-level Spirit Douluo, right? I didn't realize, my dear brother's strength is actually so astonishing?"
"..., I used a bit of external help."
Ye Chen glanced at the feigning Qian Renxue and didn't reveal the truth.
Ye Chen certainly wouldn't tell her that his spirit power level now surpassed Qian Renxue's.
When Qian Renxue advanced to a Soul Sage (7 Rings), he advanced to a Six-Ring Spirit Emperor. If his spirit power level were to surpass hers in just one or two years, it would be too much of a blow to her confidence.
"By the way, Brother Qinghe, does our Heaven Dou Empire have any thoughts on the Star Luo Empire?"
Now that Ye Chen was using a cheat, his strength was increasing very quickly. In less than one or two years, he would advance to a Titled Douluo.
At that time, if he were to make a trip to Star Luo City, the Star Luo Empire would most likely collapse. If the Heaven Dou Empire could be fully prepared in advance, they might be able to directly swallow Star Luo.
If Qian Renxue could secure the position of supervisor for the Heaven Dou Grand Army, it would greatly enhance her prestige within the military.
Finally, after secretly getting rid of old man Xue Ye, Qian Renxue, with the prestige of having annexed Star Luo, could easily control the power of the court and extensively install her confidants.
In Ye Chen's previous life, there was the historical anecdote of 'Tian Shi Dai Qi' (the Tian family replacing the Jiang family in Qi). He thought that as long as arrangements were made properly, it wouldn't be impossible for the Angel flag to be brightly planted on the city walls of Heaven Dou City.
"Naturally, there are! The Two Great Empires have existed for a long time, and the wars that have erupted between them are countless.
It's just that in recent decades, Spirit Hall's power has grown stronger, making the Two Great Empires uneasy. That's why no large-scale wars have broken out; otherwise, the continent would already be engulfed in flames."
"Brother Qinghe, if you trust me, you can start making preparations now. In less than two years, the Star Luo Empire will undergo a major change."
"Oh? My dear brother, do you have any inside information?"
Qian Renxue looked at Ye Chen in surprise. Could it be that that wicked woman, Bibi Dong, was planning to make a move on the Star Luo Empire?
But that didn't seem right! Even she, as the young master of Spirit Hall, didn't know, so how did Ye Chen know?
"No, I don't, but Brother Qinghe, just make your preparations early."
"..., Alright then~!"
After lunch, Ye Chen took his leave, escorted by Qian Renxue.
Leaving the Crown Princes Mansion, he had only walked less than two li when Ye Chen sensed two prying gazes coming from a teahouse not far down the street.
Immediately, Ye Chen's heart tensed, and he heightened his vigilance, releasing his mental force perception.
Ye Chen couldn't afford to be careless about this. After all, he had killed Dave in the Star Dou Great Forest earlier, and the Star Luo Royal Family would absolutely not swallow that insult. They would definitely send experts to cause trouble, which he had long anticipated.
'No, it shouldn't be people from the Star Luo Royal Family. Even if they came to cause trouble, it wouldn't be this fast.'
Suddenly, Ye Chen shook his head.
The secret observers should not be from the Star Luo Royal Family.
Only about ten days had passed since the incident, which was barely enough time for Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun to return to Star Luo City from the Star Dou Great Forest. Even if the Star Luo Royal Family sent people over, it wouldn't be this fast.
Furthermore, Ye Chen didn't sense any malice.
He used his mental force to scan, but found no abnormalities.
However, Ye Chen was certain that he had indeed sensed prying gazes earlier; there was absolutely no mistake about that.
'Wait a minute~, could it be Qian Renxue's two generals, Sha Long and Ci Xue?'
Ye Chen thought of Sha Long and Ci Xue.
He hadn't sensed their presence at the Crown Princes Mansion earlier.
Logically, as Qian Renxue's bodyguards, they should be guarding her at all times. Since he couldn't sense them, they were most likely hiding in the shadows.
However, could these two weakling Titled Douluo actually evade his mental force detection?
It wasn't that Ye Chen looked down on the two brothers; it was just that their strength was truly not that great. In terms of spirit power level, Ye Chen was quite a bit behind, but purely in terms of mental force intensity, Ye Chen was definitely above them.
'Could it be that these two brothers have spirit tools that can hide their aura?'
Shaking his head, Ye Chen didn't intend to get to the bottom of it and quickly left the area.
After Ye Chen had walked far away, in a private room of the teahouse, Sha Long and Ci Xue exchanged glances, both heaving a sigh of relief.
"That kid has such strong mental force. If it weren't for the spirit tool bestowed by the High Priest, we might have been discovered."
Sha Long grumbled to Ci Xue.
Just as Ye Chen had guessed, he couldn't sense their presence because both of them had spirit tools specifically for concealing their aura.
But that made sense. If these two brothers didn't have some tricks up their sleeves, they would have long been discovered by the Heaven Dou Royal Family or the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
Ye Chen wasn't sure if the Heaven Dou Royal Family had Titled Douluo, but whenever Ning Fengzhi went out, Chen Xin and Gu Rong would at least have one of them by his side. If they didn't have this much ability, how could they hide from Chen Xin and Gu Rong, whose strength far surpassed theirs?
"It's just that the Young Master seems to have feelings for this kid. Otherwise, such a monstrous Spirit Master would truly be a hidden danger to our Spirit Hall!"
Ci Xue said with a look of agreement.
Chapter 283 The Xingluo Royal Family's Decision
Meanwhile, Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun, who had advanced to Five-Ring Soul King, returned to Star Luo City.
Inside a magnificent hall in the Star Luo Imperial Palace.
"...Father Emperor, that is how the incident in the Star Dou Great Forest transpired."
Dai Weisi recounted the unexpected events of their trip to the Star Dou Great Forest to the Star Luo Great Emperor, Dai Yutian.
"I understand."
After a long period of contemplation, Dai Yutian, whose face was extremely grim, waved his hand, signaling Dai Weisi to withdraw.
"Yes, Father Emperor, your son bids farewell!"
After a bow, Dai Weisi hastily left the hall as if fleeing.
Dai Weisi knew that even though his father hadn't said anything yet, he was definitely going to explode, so it was better to run far away to avoid being caught in the crossfire.
"Damn it, utterly damn it! Ye Chen, my Star Luo Empire will never rest until you are destroyed!"
Sure enough, after Dai Weisi left, Dai Yutian completely erupted, cursing Ye Chen, the culprit, and smashing all the tables, chairs, vases, and screens in the hall to pieces, immediately turning the hall into a mess.
Spirit Douluo affiliated with the Star Luo Empire, while not exactly numerous, were still quite a few; if a Spirit Douluo of a different surname died, Dai Yutian naturally wouldn't take it too much to heart.
But a Spirit Douluo from the Imperial Dai Family was different; at most, there were just over ten of them.
Moreover, Dave was not only strong but also talented, with a chance of advancing to Titled Douluo in the future, yet he had fallen into Ye Chen's hands.
Why was the Star Luo Empire's centralization of power higher than that of the Heaven Dou Empire? The most important reason was that the strength of the Star Luo Royal Family's Dai Family far surpassed that of the Heaven Dou Royal Family's Xue Family.
It was precisely because of the powerful strength of the Imperial Dai Family that the various forces within the Star Luo Empire dared not act presumptuously.
In the Heaven Dou Empire, Hu Yan Zhen, the Sect Master of the Elephant Armored Academy, one of the Lower Four Sects, could disregard Emperor Xue Ye because the Xue Family's own strength couldn't compare to the Elephant Armored Academy.
As long as the Elephant Armored Academy wasn't too excessive, Emperor Xue Ye wouldn't directly dispatch an army to pressure them before completely breaking ties.
But if it were in the Star Luo Empire, even Hu Yan Zhen, who was backed by the Spirit Hall, would not dare to disrespect Dai Yutian, otherwise, the Elephant Armored Academy's fate would be nothing but destruction.
There would be no need for an army to pressure them; the Royal Family could just send a few Spirit Douluo experts to lead the charge.
It should be known that any Spirit Douluo of the Dai Family with the White Tiger Spirit, as long as his wife was still alive, could activate the Spirit Fusion Skill: Hell White Tiger, whose combat power would absolutely not be weaker than that of an ordinary Titled Douluo.
After venting his anger, Dai Yutian forcibly suppressed his rage and summoned the Royal Family experts with spirit power levels above eighty, who were currently in Star Luo City.
...
More than an hour later, in the re-tidied hall, eight Spirit Douluo, including Dai Yutian, and one Titled Douluo had gathered.
"Yutian, what do you think of this matter?"
After learning the ins and outs, the only Titled Douluo of the Star Luo Royal Family, who was the former Star Luo Great Emperor, Dai Tianli, asked Dai Yutian.
"Father Emperor, our Royal Family absolutely cannot tolerate this matter; this Ye Chen must die!"
Dai Yutian said without hesitation.
Originally, when Zhu Zhuqing ran off with Ye Chen, Dai Yutian was already very hostile towards Ye Chen, but due to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School standing behind Ye Chen, and the fact that they were in Heaven Dou City, Dai Yutian had endured it.
Anyway, Dai Mubai had already been abandoned by him, and for one Zhu Zhuqing, it wasn't worth the Star Luo Empire clashing with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
But when Ye Chen killed Dave, Dai Yutian could no longer tolerate it.
In Dai Yutian's view, Ye Chen was simply ungrateful; since that was the case, he might as well go all out and just eliminate him.
Moreover, even if they endured it, who could guarantee that Ye Chen wouldn't seek trouble with the Dai Family after he grew stronger? So Ye Chen must die!
As soon as Dai Yutian finished speaking, Grand Elder Dai Feng, the Grand Elder of the Dai Family Royal Clan, who was seated in the lower position, immediately interjected: "Old Clan Master, His Majesty is right; that Ye Chen's talent is so formidable, rather than waiting for him to fully mature, it's better to eliminate him now!"
The 'Old Clan Master' in Grand Elder Dai Feng's mouth was naturally Dai Tianli; there was no concept of a Grand Emperor on the Douluo Continent, so after Dai Tianli abdicated, the members of the Royal Dai Family respectfully referred to him as the Old Clan Master, and as for the Clan Master, it was naturally Dai Yutian, who also served as the Star Luo Great Emperor.
"Hmm, the Grand Elder is right, it's better to eradicate him sooner rather than later, after all, a 100,000-year seventh spirit ring is unprecedented."
"That's right, it's possible that this Ye Chen could become another Tang Chen-like figure in the future, no, perhaps even more formidable than Tang Chen of the Clear Sky Sect; Tang Chen back then didn't have a 100,000-year seventh spirit ring."
Listening to the discussions of the various Elders in the family, Dai Tianli couldn't help but nod and say, "Since all the Elders agree, then send out experts to eliminate this Ye Chen!"
Grand Elder Grand Elder Dai Feng said with a fierce expression, "Old Clan Master, outsiders absolutely cannot be involved in this matter. Since that Ye Chen has a 100,000-year spirit ring, he must also have a 100,000-year Spirit Bone.
Adding the head Spirit Bone he obtained in the Soul Master Competition, that means Ye Chen has at least one 100,000-year Spirit Bone and one 50,000-year head Spirit Bone. It's better not to let others participate, to prevent the news of the treasures from leaking out."
Grand Elder Dai Feng said this naturally with selfish motives.
His spirit power level had long since reached 89, but due to insufficient talent, he had been unable to break through.
He was already quite old, and in a few more years, his physical condition would decline; relying on his own efforts, it was basically hopeless to break through to level 90.
If he could obtain a 100,000-year Spirit Bone, wouldn't that allow him to break through the bottleneck and advance to Titled Douluo?
It should be known that after advancing to Titled Douluo, not only would one's strength greatly increase, but one's lifespan would also be significantly extended.
People are all afraid of death; if they can live, who doesn't hope to live longer and more comfortably?
As for whether Ye Chen could turn the tables? That's impossible! Since the Royal Family decided to act, they would certainly go all out.
At worst, even if he couldn't get that 100,000-year Spirit Bone, as the Grand Elder whose status in the Royal Family was second only to Dai Tianli and Dai Yutian, surely that 50,000-year head Spirit Bone would have a share for him?
He only had limb Spirit Bones and was missing the relatively rare head and torso Spirit Bones. A 50,000-year head Spirit Bone might also bring him hope of a breakthrough!
Dai Yutian nodded and said, "Hmm, the Grand Elder is right. In recent years, Spirit Hall's infiltration of the Empire has been severe; it's possible that some of the experts we send have already been swayed by Spirit Hall."
"In that case, send people to closely monitor the main city gates of Heaven Dou City, and as soon as that Ye Chen goes out, report it immediately.
At that time, I will personally lead the team, Grand Elder, Second Elder, you will come with me.
I refuse to believe that no matter how monstrous Ye Chen is, he cannot, as a mere Soul Sage (7 Rings), contend against three Titled Douluo-level combat powers, can he?"
Immediately, Dai Tianli made the final decision on the matter.
Although Dai Tianli's wife had died, he himself was a level 93 Titled Douluo, and the wives of the Grand Elder and Second Elder were still alive. After activating the Spirit Fusion Skill: Hell White Tiger, their strength would absolutely not be weaker than that of an ordinary Titled Douluo.
With three Titled Douluo-level combat powers acting, there was absolutely no way Ye Chen could escape.
Dai Tianli had no intention of acting directly within Heaven Dou City. Although the Heaven Dou Royal Family's Xue Family was not strong, Heaven Dou City, as the political center of the Heaven Dou Empire, certainly had many experts.
Moreover, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School was just outside Heaven Dou City; with the strength of Chen Xin and Gu Rong, they could arrive in a short time. Even if they succeeded, they would basically not be able to escape.
Chapter 284 Ye Chen Wants to Become a'Secret Chamber Douluo'
Time flew by, and half a year later.
Ye Chen, who considered himself the new generation's Grandmaster of art on the continent, was currently sitting on a stone chair in his courtyard, carving his Nth work of art: the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo diagram.
As the secret silver carving knife in his hand completed the final touches, a hundred-thousand-year Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo, rooted in the mountain rock yet still resilient and upright, perfectly appeared on a purple-gold bamboo board, over three feet long and one foot wide at the base.
Afterward, Ye Chen didn't forget to carve a famous poem, "Bamboo and Stone," in the bottom left corner: Pure Nether Hermit, biting into the green mountain, refusing to let go, rooted originally in broken rock. Though ground and struck a thousand times, it remains firm, letting the winds blow from east, west, south, or north.
This Pure Nether Hermit naturally referred to a certain Grandmaster Ye; a plagiarist, after all, nothing shameful!
But this wasn't the end. With spirit power manifesting in his palm, Ye Chen began to meticulously polish and buff the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo diagram.
After a long while, under the sunlight, the polished Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo diagram radiated a soft purple-gold glow.
'Not bad, not bad. As expected of another peak masterpiece by Grandmaster Ye!'
Looking at the completely finished Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo diagram in his hand, without any visible flaws, Ye Chen nodded in satisfaction.
The only thing he found a bit regrettable was that his three sisters were clearly not literary types, and the poem "Bamboo and Stone" carved on the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo diagram clearly didn't catch their eye.
Especially Xiao Wu, that violent rabbit, who had very little cultural understanding. In Ye Chen's previous life, she would definitely have to repeat elementary school.
"What do you all think?"
Ye Chen asked the three girls beside him.
"Brother Chen, your craftsmanship is getting better and better. It truly deserves to be called a Grandmaster's work!"
Xiao Wu immediately gave Ye Chen a thumbs up.
This time, Xiao Wu wasn't just flattering him; Ye Chen's current artistic creation level was indeed excellent.
This Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo diagram, compared to his initial purple gold true dragon diagram and the spreading-winged swan, was absolutely a world of difference.
Spirit Masters with strong mental force learn anything much faster than ordinary people.
And what Ye Chen was best at was mental force; compared to half a year ago, his level was naturally much higher.
Although in terms of artistic level alone, he might not be comparable to those famous art Grandmasters who had immersed themselves in this path for a lifetime, he was not far off.
If combined with top-tier materials and the title of a genius Spirit Master, no, a genius powerhouse, the collection value of Ye Chen's works would definitely far exceed the artworks created by ordinary Grandmasters.
"Brother Chen, you're going to be a Title Carpenter in the future!"
After carefully examining the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo diagram, Ning Rongrong praised Ye Chen with a giggle.
"Pfft—, Brother Chen is going to become a Title Carpenter?"
As soon as Zhu Zhuqing heard "Title Carpenter," she immediately couldn't help but laugh.
"Uh, is there something wrong with that? Someone who carves wood, isn't that a carpenter?"
Ning Rongrong said, pretending to be utterly confused.
There was nothing wrong with that statement; someone who works with wood, isn't that a carpenter?
"..."
Ye Chen opened his mouth, wanting to retort, but couldn't say anything.
"You just wait, see how I deal with you tonight!"
Ye Chen glared fiercely at Ning Rongrong. This little girl was like someone who hadn't been spanked in three days, tearing off roof tiles; she purely deserved a good spanking!
"Then come on~!"
Saying that, Ning Rongrong beckoned to Ye Chen with her finger.
Ye Chen: "..."
Immediately, Ye Chen couldn't hold back. He grabbed Ning Rongrong, pressed her onto a chair in the courtyard, and spanked her bottom.
"No!"
Ning Rongrong's face turned pale with fright.
"Slap—"
"No? Is it 'don't stop'? I'll grant your wish!"
Ye Chen said meaningfully.
Ning Rongrong: "..."
Choo choo, woo woo woo woo...
Under Ning Rongrong's repeated pleas for mercy, Ye Chen reluctantly let her go. He had to admit, the feel was quite nice.
After the fun and games, Ye Chen spoke to Xiao Wu about serious matters: "Xiao Wu, get ready. In three days, we're going to the Star Dou Great Forest to add a spirit ring."
"In three days? Mm-hm!"
Xiao Wu nodded quickly.
Although she had only recently advanced to Level 68 Spirit Emperor, if she could increase the age of her Spirit Bone, she would soon become a Level 70 quasi-Spirit Saint.
However, unlike Ye Chen, who needed to find his eighth spirit ring, her seventh spirit ring could be condensed by herself.
"Eh? Brother Chen, are you going to add your eighth spirit ring?"
Zhu Zhuqing immediately asked.
"Mm, I'm preparing to advance to Spirit Douluo."
Two months ago, Ye Chen had already raised his fifth spirit ring's age to a hundred thousand years, and his spirit power level had surged to Level 79 Spirit Saint. Now that he had largely adapted to the surging spirit power, it was time to advance again.
"I want to go too!"
Ning Rongrong raised her hand, wanting to go with Ye Chen and Xiao Wu.
Immediately, Ye Chen straightened his face and said seriously: "No, I can't take you this time. You and Zhuqing stay home."
This time, not only was he going to add his eighth spirit ring, but Xiao Wu was also going to condense her seventh spirit ring, so bringing the two of them would be inconvenient.
"Ah~, it's so boring at home!"
Ning Rongrong was a bit unhappy, looking unenthusiastic.
"If you're bored, then cultivate diligently."
Ye Chen glared at the problematic girl again.
"It's precisely because of cultivation that it's boring~!"
Ning Rongrong grumbled softly.
Ye Chen: "..."
Afterward, Ye Chen put away the freshly made Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo diagram and went to the bedroom with Xiao Wu.
'Speaking of which, shouldn't I build a secret room at home and play the role of a Title Douluo?'
Suddenly, this thought popped into Ye Chen's mind.
How could such a secret thing as using a cheat be done in the bedroom? If someone found out, it wouldn't be good. A secret room would be more concealed.
Having made up his mind, Ye Chen planned to dig an underground secret room at his home in the future.
He just wondered, if he were Qian Xunji, then who would Bibi Dong be?
Eh? Angel Miss seems quite good?
'Tsk tsk~, too evil!'
Thinking of this, a smile appeared at the corner of Ye Chen's mouth.
"Brother Chen, what's wrong? Why are you smiling so lewdly?"
Xiao Wu, beside him, looked at Ye Chen first in a daze, then with a lewd smile, somewhat confused.
"..., Xiao Wu, I'm giving you a chance to rephrase!"
Ye Chen's face darkened, looking at Xiao Wu with an unfriendly expression.
Are you kidding? Could he, Grandmaster Ye, be considered lewd? He was clearly handsome and dashing, a romantic, wasn't he?
"Go away, you're definitely up to some crooked scheme again!"
Xiao Wu's face turned red, thinking Ye Chen wanted to bully her again.
Looking at the shy Xiao Wu, Ye Chen felt a little restless, almost transforming into a battle-wolf. His little rabbit, raised since childhood, was becoming more and more charming.
Fortunately, there were still important matters to attend to, so Ye Chen held back.
Opening the System Shop, and seeing his seven small targets' worth of savings, Ye Chen bought nine black ten-thousand-year spirit ring age-increasing cards and eight black ten-thousand-year Spirit Bone age-increasing cards.
"Xiao Wu, take these to increase the age of your right arm bone."
Saying that, Ye Chen handed the eight black ten-thousand-year Spirit Bone age-increasing cards to Xiao Wu.
Chapter 285 If You Take Action, You Must Kill
Xiao Wu's current spirit power level is 68 as a Spirit Emperor. Elevating the Ice Jade Scorpion right arm Spirit Bone, which is a little over 20,000 years old, to 100,000 years should allow her to advance to a Level 70 quasi-Spirit Saint.
"Hmm."
Nodding, Xiao Wu took the Spirit Bone age-enhancing card and began to increase the age of the Ice Jade Scorpion right arm Spirit Bone.
Afterward, Ye Chen released his Qingjing Bamboo Staff Spirit, and seven spirit rings—four black and three red—blossomed around him.
As nine black 10,000-year spirit ring age-enhancing cards transformed into streams of light and merged into his fourth spirit ring, Ye Chen's fourth spirit ring began to transform into a 100,000-year spirit ring.
Soon, the spirit ring configuration of the Qingjing Bamboo Staff Spirit changed from four black and three red to three black and four red.
The increase in spirit ring age caused the spirit power within Ye Chen's body to surge. His spirit power, which had already reached Level 79 as a Spirit Saint, quickly reached Level 80 as a quasi-Spirit Douluo.
Ye Chen could feel that his true spirit power level significantly exceeded Level 80, but because he lacked the eighth spirit ring, the excess spirit power had not manifested.
Meanwhile, Xiao Wu, who had elevated the Ice Jade Scorpion right arm Spirit Bone to 100,000 years, also met Ye Chen's expectations, reaching Level 70 as a quasi-Spirit Saint.
Of course, Xiao Wu had only just barely reached Level 70, with no additional unmanifested spirit power.
Moreover, the Ice Jade Scorpion right arm Spirit Bone was not an original 100,000-year Spirit Bone. Now that it had transformed to 100,000 years, the attached Soul Bone Skill was still only one Ice Sting. However, compared to before, the power of the Soul Bone Skill: Ice Sting was much greater.
...
Three days later.
Early in the morning, Ye Chen took Xiao Wu and set off for the Star Dou Great Forest.
However, Ye Chen planned to first find a deserted and uninhabited place for Xiao Wu to condense her seventh spirit ring before heading to the Star Dou Great Forest.
What Ye Chen didn't know was that at the city gate, an ordinary-looking middle-aged figure had been waiting for him for a long time. After confirming that he and Xiao Wu had left Heaven Dou City, he immediately departed.
More than an hour later, the middle-aged man arrived at an unknown village a hundred li outside Heaven Dou City.
"Greetings, Your Excellency, the target has left Heaven Dou City!"
Inside an ordinary civilian house, the middle-aged man reported to a burly old man.
"Oh? That kid finally came out?"
Hearing this, the bored Dai Tianli immediately became interested.
"Yes, Your Excellency, the target left through the East Gate of Heaven Dou City, accompanied by a rabbit-eared girl."
Although the Star Dou Great Forest is located southeast of Heaven Dou City, there is a sizable mountain range hundreds of li south of Heaven Dou City. If one were to leave through the South Gate to go to the Star Dou Great Forest, it would involve a lot of extra travel. Therefore, Ye Chen and Xiao Wu left through the East Gate.
"East Gate? Very good. Send out scouts along the way to track the target's route. Be careful not to be discovered, so as not to alert them."
Dai Tianli nodded with satisfaction. After waiting for several months, Ye Chen had finally left Heaven Dou City.
In fact, he had considered kidnapping Ye Chen's friends before to lure Ye Chen out of Heaven Dou City, but after careful thought, Dai Tianli dismissed that idea.
After all, any normal person would see through such a scheme. If Ye Chen were to secretly call upon experts from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, that would be problematic.
Dai Tianli firmly believed that with patience, he would eventually find an opportunity.
And now, the opportunity had arrived!
Moreover, Ye Chen left through the East Gate of Heaven Dou City, so it was impossible for him to be heading to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, as that would require going through the North Gate.
However, Dai Tianli did not plan to act immediately, as it was too close to Heaven Dou City, and variables could easily arise.
Folk novels often depict this: villainous forces attack the protagonist, but due to poorly planned schemes, various accidents occur, allowing the protagonist to escape. Needless to say, once the protagonist's spirit power reaches its peak in the future, the villainous forces are uprooted.
Although Dai Tianli considered himself not to be a brainless villain from a folk novel, he still had to guard against such possibilities.
If he were to act, it had to be a decisive kill, leaving Ye Chen no chance whatsoever!
"Yes!"
"Hmm, go!"
Dai Tianli waved his hand, signaling the middle-aged man to withdraw.
...
On the other side, after leaving Heaven Dou City, Ye Chen took Xiao Wu to a relatively secluded mountain forest.
After releasing his mental force to scout the area and finding no one nearby, Ye Chen said to Xiao Wu, "Xiao Wu, condense your spirit ring here! Remember, absolutely do not condense a 100,000-year spirit ring!"
Although Xiao Wu, whose spirit power level had now reached Level 70 as a quasi-Spirit Saint, was capable of bearing a 100,000-year seventh spirit ring, Ye Chen did not intend for Xiao Wu to condense it directly.
After all, the spirit rings Xiao Wu condensed were all evolved from her 100,000-year natal spirit ring. If she were to autonomously condense a 100,000-year natal spirit ring now, she would have to hunt Spirit Beasts for spirit rings in the future.
Moreover, the Spirit Ability produced by the seventh spirit ring, regardless of its age, would only be a Martial Soul True Body. Whether it was an original 100,000-year spirit ring or not made no difference to Xiao Wu.
The only difference was whether Ye Chen needed to spend gold coins.
"Mhm, mhm."
Xiao Wu nodded.
Subsequently, the Moon Rabbit Spirit, emanating a Taiyin aura, appeared, and Xiao Wu's entire body was enveloped in a faint moonlight glow.
Ye Chen saw that in addition to Xiao Wu's existing six black spirit rings, a yellow seventh spirit ring appeared, and the age of this seventh spirit ring quickly transformed into a purple 1,000-year one.
Not long after, the color of Xiao Wu's seventh spirit ring began to deepen, turning black again, and the age of the spirit ring continued to steadily increase.
Time passed quietly. Half a day later, the color of Xiao Wu's seventh spirit ring began to turn extremely dark, and the keen-eyed Ye Chen noticed that within the pitch-black spirit ring, a hint of red subtly appeared.
In fact, a spirit ring that reached 90,000 years old was no longer purely black; it would subtly show a hint of red.
And the closer its age was to 100,000 years, the more obvious the red tint within the spirit ring would become. Once it completely transformed into a 100,000-year spirit ring, its color would become entirely red.
Xiao Wu, in the process of condensing her spirit ring, could naturally clearly perceive the age of her seventh spirit ring.
When her seventh spirit ring, with a faint red tint within the black, reached 90,000 years, Xiao Wu did not stop.
Xiao Wu also had her own requirements for the age of her seventh spirit ring. If not 99,999 years, then at least 99,900 years.
After all, if she were to condense a 90,000-year seventh spirit ring and later wanted a 100,000-year seventh spirit ring, Ye Chen would have to pay a price of ten million gold coins.
But if she condensed a 99,900-year spirit ring, the cost to transform the seventh spirit ring into a 100,000-year spirit ring would only be 100,000 gold coins.