In the evening, Marco and Ye Lingling returned home and told their parents about the minor conflict they had encountered with Ning Rongrong on the street.
After listening, Ye Qingwan looked worriedly at Li Zhaoyan. "Zhaoyan, what about the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School..."
Li Zhaoyan waved his hand calmly. "It's nothing, just children playing around. Sect Leader Ning Fengzhi is a reasonable man; he won't make things difficult for juniors over such a trivial matter." He turned to Marco and Ye Lingling, his tone gentle. "However, if you encounter that little princess again in the future, try to give way. She is still young and the only daughter of Sect Leader Ning, so it's natural for her to be a bit spoiled."
Marco nodded. "Don't worry, Father. I understand." He hadn't taken the matter to heart in the first place.
After a moment of contemplation, Li Zhaoyan added, "Coincidentally, the royal family is hosting a banquet tomorrow evening, organized by the Heaven Dou royalty. They've invited talented youths from various sects and families across the empire. You two should come with me to broaden your horizons."
"A royal banquet?" Ye Lingling's eyes lit up with anticipation. A girl her age naturally felt curious about such grand occasions.
Marco, however, wasn't particularly interested. Still, seeing that his father intended to expose them to new experiences, he nodded in agreement.
The following evening, a carriage was already prepared in front of the Li residence. Ye Qingwan personally helped her children adjust their attire. Marco wore a well-tailored blue formal suit embroidered with faint cloud patterns in silver thread, complementing the aura of his Azure Flame Phoenix Spirit. It accentuated his tall, upright posture, giving him a steady yet sharp presence. Ye Lingling wore a flowing light purple gown adorned with delicate gemstones along the hem, resembling stars in the night sky, making her look gentle and captivating. Li Zhaoyan and Ye Qingwan were also dressed in splendid attire, exuding an air of elegance.
The family arrived at the palace by carriage. The banquet was held in the Hundred Flowers Hall of the Heaven Dou Palace. The hall was brilliantly lit, with flickering candlelight from glazed cups and the glow of Night Luminescent Pearls embedded in the dome, illuminating the space as brightly as daylight. The magnificent dome murals depicted the glorious history of the Heaven Dou Empire, while the surrounding pillars were adorned with gold-leaf carvings, showcasing the grandeur of the royal family. The air was filled with the faint fragrance of flowers and wine, as nobles and Soul Masters in lavish attire gathered in small groups, chatting and laughing softly, creating a lively yet refined atmosphere.
As a Soul Douluo-level expert and someone who could rival a Titled Douluo, Li Zhaoyan was one of Heaven Dou City's most prominent figures. The moment he entered, many people approached to greet him. Ye Qingwan stood gracefully by his side, while Marco and Ye Lingling followed quietly behind their parents, conducting themselves appropriately.
Soon, they encountered the members of the Royal Fight Team, led by Instructor Yan Ming. Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, and the Shimo brothers were all present. Today, they were dressed in formal attire, a stark contrast to their usual training outfits.
"Uncle Li, Auntie Ye," Yu Tianheng, as the team captain, stepped forward first to pay his respects, his demeanor steady and polite.
When Dugu Yan spotted Marco, her eyes brightened. She approached and whispered, "Lingling, you're here too! This banquet is so boring, with so many rules." She remained as lively and straightforward as ever, her spirited nature undiminished even in her beautiful gown.
Ye Lingling was happily chatting with Dugu Yan while holding hands. The Shimo brothers curiously watched Qing Yu perched on Marco's shoulder. Qing Yu seemed somewhat uncomfortable with so many strangers and shrank closer to Marco's neck.
Teacher Yan Ming exchanged pleasantries with Li Zhaoyan, discussing the cultivation of the younger generation. Yu Tianheng also inquired about Marco's recent situation. Upon learning that Marco's Soul Power had improved again, he couldn't help but exclaim, "Brother Marco's cultivation speed is truly admirable."
Facing the friendly exchanges with these outstanding peers, Marco responded politely, but deep down, he wasn't very comfortable with such noisy and flashy occasions. The clinking glasses and hollow pleasantries around him felt somewhat oppressive. He preferred quiet cultivation or relaxed interactions with family and close friends.
As the banquet progressed, the atmosphere grew increasingly lively, with the great hall filled with bustling voices. Seizing the moment when his parents were conversing with others, Marco whispered to Ye Lingling, "I'm going out for some fresh air." Ye Lingling nodded understandingly.
Marco quietly left the noisy hall and arrived at the corridor connecting to an exquisite garden outside. The night breeze brushed against his face, carrying waves of floral fragrance. Away from the clamor inside the hall, he immediately felt refreshed. Qing Yu also seemed relieved, gently preening its feathers on his shoulder.
However, this tranquility didn't last long. A somewhat spoiled familiar voice broke the night's peace: "Sword Grandpa! It's him! He was the one who bullied me yesterday!"
Marco turned to see Ning Rongrong holding an elder's hand, pointing aggressively at him. The elder wore white clothes with an ethereal aura, standing straight as a sword, his sharp gaze seemingly capable of piercing through one's soul. This was none other than Sword Douluo Chen Xin.
Beside them stood a middle-aged man. With refined features and gentle temperament, he wore simple white robes yet carried an extraordinary presence, a warm smile on his face - precisely the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School Master, Ning Fengzhi.
Ning Fengzhi paid no mind to his daughter's complaint, his gaze resting on Marco. Particularly when he noticed the magnificent Qing Yu on Marco's shoulder, a barely noticeable surprise flashed in his eyes before turning into appreciation. He smiled gently and spoke in a mild tone: "This young friend possesses remarkable bearing. May I ask which family's descendant you are?"
Facing this renowned Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School Master, Marco bowed neither arrogantly nor humbly: "This junior is Marco, son of Li Zhaoyan."
"So you're Brother Li's son. Indeed, a worthy son of a worthy father." Ning Fengzhi nodded with a smile, his gaze examining yet without malice, showing more appreciation for an outstanding junior.
At that moment, Sword Douluo Chen Xin's eyes flashed with brilliance as an extremely subtle Soul Power fluctuation swept over Marco. Maintaining his composure, he secretly transmitted his voice to Ning Fengzhi: "Fengzhi, this child... his Soul Power has actually reached level 45! Judging by his bone age, he's only twelve or thirteen years old. This... is truly astonishing!"
Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly, yet the smile on his face grew even warmer. A twelve or thirteen-year-old level 45 Soul Ancestor - such existence couldn't be found anywhere in the entire Soul Master World. The only question was whether this was achieved by consuming his potential.
Seeing her father not only fail to help her "vent her anger" but instead praise Marco, Ning Rongrong immediately became upset. She shook Ning Fengzhi's arm and said, "Dad! Why are you praising him? He was so fierce yesterday and refused to sell the little bird to me!"
Ning Fengzhi affectionately patted his daughter's head and smiled. "Rongrong, don't be rude. This young friend Marco is right. An enlightened Soul Beast companion is a vital support for a Soul Master—how can it be measured in money? It was wrong of you to insist on taking someone else's companion."
"But..." Ning Rongrong pouted, her lips sticking out high as she looked at Sword Douluo with a wronged expression.
Sword Douluo Chen Xin's face was stern, but his gaze softened when he looked at Ning Rongrong. Instead of directly stating his opinion, he turned to Marco, his voice calm yet carrying an invisible pressure. "Young man, having extraordinary talent is a good thing, but you must guard against arrogance and impatience."
Marco could feel Sword Douluo's gaze, a look that seemed to penetrate everything, causing the Double Pupils in his spiritual world to tremble slightly. He took a deep breath and remained composed. "This junior wouldn't dare. What happened yesterday was truly a misunderstanding. I had no intention of being disrespectful, but Qing Yu is indeed an important companion to me, and I cannot part with her."
The admiration in Ning Fengzhi's eyes grew stronger. At such a young age, to remain neither haughty nor humble in the face of Sword Douluo's subtle pressure and speak so appropriately—his temperament was truly remarkable. He smiled and smoothed things over. "Alright, it's just a small misunderstanding between children. Clearing it up is enough. Young friend Marco, Rongrong is young and has been spoiled by us. Please don't take offense."
"Sect Leader Ning, you are too kind," Marco replied politely.
Ning Fengzhi chatted for a while longer, asking Marco about his cultivation in a very gentle manner, fully displaying the demeanor of a sect leader. Finally, he left the corridor with a still-pouting Ning Rongrong and Sword Douluo.
Watching their retreating figures, Marco let out a soft sigh of relief. Facing Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo, it would be false to say he felt no pressure. But he also sensed that Ning Fengzhi was indeed a reasonable sect leader, just as his father had said. As for Ning Rongrong... though she was spoiled, her nature wasn't bad—she was just a pampered child.
He looked up at the night sky, dotted with stars. This banquet seemed more interesting than he had anticipated. Qing Yu on his shoulder also quieted down, nestling against his neck. Marco knew that after tonight, his name might enter the sights of certain important figures. But this wasn't something he had deliberately pursued. Only strength was the true foundation for standing firm. He turned, preparing to return to the main hall, his pursuit of power growing even more resolute in his heart.