In Douluo Continent, his martial soul mutated into Blue Silver Grass.

Chapter 158 Ning Fengzhi, Xue Qinghe, and Lin Hai Meet

"Sometimes I think, I wish I had a son as outstanding as you!" Ning Fengzhi sighed. But his words were also a probe to see if Lin Hai was interested.

Lin Hai glanced at Ning Fengzhi, a slight smile appearing on his lips, but he didn't say anything.

Ning Fengzhi smiled and continued, "This time I'm taking you to meet someone!"

"Who?" Lin Hai thought it was someone going to see Ning Rongrong.

"Just follow me."

Lin Hai didn't press further. It would be good to meet him; he could just get straight to the point.

Ning Fengzhi led Lin Hai to a traditional-style teahouse. The teahouse wasn't very large, only three stories high, and decorated in a classic, antique style. At this time of day, there were only a few customers inside, making it very quiet.

The two arrived at the innermost private room on the second floor, pushed aside the folding screen, and Ning Fengzhi led Lin Hai directly inside.

"Teacher, you've arrived." The young man bowed respectfully to Ning Feng. This young man was none other than Xue Qinghe.

"Hello, Mr. Lin Hai, we meet again!"

"Hello, Your Highness."

"Oh? You two know each other?" Ning Fengzhi said with interest.

"Yes, I hit it off with Mr. Lin Hai at first sight, and I wish I could call him my brother."

"Since you already know each other, there's no need for me to introduce you."

"By the way, Qinghe, how many times have I told you, there's really no need for this."

Xue Qinghe smiled and said, "How could that be? You are my elder and also my teacher. If my father finds out that I have been disrespectful to you, he will probably cause me trouble."

"My original intention was to introduce you to Qinghe," Ning Fengzhi said with a smile.

"My teacher told me that Mr. Lin Hai will be a Soul King when he turns fifteen, just like Tang San, a genius Soul Master with a fourth ring and a ten-thousand-year lifespan." (I changed the age because I just discovered the timeline in the original story; Tang San is currently 14 years old and will soon be 15.)

"As expected, heroes emerge from among the young. When I was fifteen, I was just an ignorant boy, and I was no match for someone as outstanding as you."

"Mr. Lin Hai, I am a few years older than you. If you don't mind, please call me Brother Xue. You can skip the title of Crown Prince."

"Yes, I have met Brother Xue. Brother Xue can call me Lin Hai. I am not worthy of the title 'sir'," Lin Hai said in a serious tone.

Seeing Lin Hai's rigid demeanor, Xue Qinghe's eye twitched. This guy really wasn't easy to reason with emotionally.

Since Ning Fengzhi has chosen Lin Hai as the main investment focus, it is imperative to strengthen the alliance between them.

Coincidentally, Xue Qinghe is also one of his key investments. Now, Ning Fengzhi wants to use himself as a connecting point to unite the three forces: the Crown Prince's lineage of the Heaven Dou Empire, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, and the Beast Academy.

Emperor Xue Ye's health is not very good. The Heavenly Dou Empire only has two heirs. Judging from Xue Beng's usual performance, if nothing goes wrong, Xue Qinghe's succession is a sure thing.

Lin Hai is not only incredibly talented and strong, but he also has two Title Douluos behind him. One of them, Meng Shu, is even able to rival Sword Douluo when fighting alongside Chao Tianxiang.

If the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School were to truly grow stronger, it would inevitably face suppression from the Spirit Hall, something he had anticipated long ago.

Even a powerful sect like the Clear Sky Sect was suppressed by the Spirit Hall and forced to close its gates!

"Uncle Ning, it's actually His Highness the Crown Prince, oh no, Brother Xue's teacher, that's really unexpected."

"Hehe, Xiao Hai, you're joking. As a teacher in Qinghe, it's only my duty to care about him."

"If that's the case, then I've become acquainted with Brother Xue. I won't disturb your reunion any longer. Farewell!"

"Hey, wait a minute." Before Ning Fengzhi could speak, Qian Renxue stopped Lin Hai.

Ning Fengzhi: Is this kid really stupid or just pretending? He flipped the table right off the bat. How am I supposed to say what I prepared?

In fact, Lin Hai did it on purpose; he wanted to seize the initiative. He had already seen through Ning Fengzhi's so-called introduction of Xue Qinghe—he wanted to foster a three-way alliance and strengthen its overall power.

However, Xue Qinghe and Ning Fengzhi already knew each other, and if Lin Hai didn't seize the initiative early in his conversation with these two, he would suffer.

But who is Lin Hai? Would he be willing to suffer a loss? Of course not.

"Brother Xue, is there anything else? I'm also a student, and there are some private matters between teachers and students that I really shouldn't get involved in."

"Hehe, Uncle Ning and I talk about everything. Rather than discussing secrets, it's more like a simple exchange between teacher and student."

"Xiao Hai, don't be in such a hurry to leave. Come on, let's have a chat today."

Ning Fengzhi said from the side, "Alright, let's sit down and talk. The green tea here is quite good. Xiao Hai, sit down and try some tea. I've heard you love tea, and this teahouse in Qinghe is very famous."

"Well... alright, then I'll take my leave."

The three took their seats as host and guest, and Xue Qinghe personally poured fragrant tea for Ning Fengzhi and Lin Hai. Even without tasting it, the aroma alone was soothing and refreshing. Combined with the room's antique furnishings, it was easy to feel relaxed and at ease.

After pouring the fragrant tea, Xue Qinghe said, "Hehe, I won't bother you. It's more like my honor to befriend a genius like you. It's my good fortune."

"You two are an honorable prince, one holding the position of heir apparent, and the other the sect leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, while I am merely a student from a small academy. It is my honor to be associated with you."

"Crown Prince, so what if you are the Crown Prince? The Tian Dou Empire may look prosperous now, but in reality it is facing its greatest crisis yet."

"The Star Luo Empire is growing stronger every day, constantly provoking border conflicts. If it weren't for the existence of the Spirit Hall, the Star Luo Empire would have launched an attack on the Heaven Dou Empire long ago."

"From this perspective, the Spirit Hall has indeed ensured the stability of the continent," Ning Fengzhi said after taking a sip of tea.

"However, in recent years, the Spirit Hall has become increasingly domineering. I wonder what the Spirit Hall's attitude is? I really don't know how long the stability of the continent can last."

Xue Qinghe continued, "The Heavenly Dou Empire is also plagued by deep-seated problems. The Emperor's health is deteriorating day by day, and most of the officials in the Heavenly Dou Empire are incompetent and useless, with very few capable of doing anything practical."

"The Heavenly Dou Empire's control over the various principalities below it is also getting weaker and weaker."

"They saw that Father Emperor was dying and looked down on my young crown prince. If it weren't for Father Emperor's support and his remaining authority, they would have already obeyed orders but not summons."

"So... what do you want to do, Brother Xue?" Lin Hai put down his teacup.

(End of this chapter)