"Nephew. I have brough a special guest." Prince Xing entered the hall where Xue Xing was staying at the moment.
It was quite a big place and there were quite a bit of maids in the room doing all sorts of things. From painting to playing musical instruments.
Others were practising dancing. In other words, one could say that there is a reason why people call this a 'Crystal Palace' because it is one! it's just that it never going to be officially named like that.
Though quite close to Xue Long sitting was his Fiance and future wife. The blonde girl by this point was like a tigress who is keeping these maids from getting too close to him.
The thing about this whole situation was that the whole place was full of golden lotuses floating in the air.
This was the Domain of Martialdom, a domain which was created through Arthan's meditation.
What it does is cultivate people towards martial arts. So even if the girls are painting they are still gaining an understanding of martial arts.
This is especially beneficial towards his Fiance who asked this in the first place. Qian Renxue is 'sharpening' her Spirit energy by making her sword sharper.
So for others, it looked like she was gently stroking the blade. Each stroke would leave a trail of white-ish gold energy.
"Uncle. I can sense that this guest is quite a powerful one."
As he said that he opened his eyes and looked forward.
He could see his uncle and next to him was quite intrigued looked man with green hair and yellow eyes. He could see how dark were this person eye bags. It showed that he was quite sick… or poisoned.
"Indeed! Nephew meets Dugu Bo, The Poison Douluo. Premier expert of poisons in the world and Rank 91 Titled Douluo." The Prince introduced the man.
This introduction has caused quite the commotion, few of the maids of the Prince started to talk with each other. This was with the newest ones as the older ones simply stayed put and waited for Xue Long's word.
The prince clapped his hands gaining the attention of his girls.
"Girls return to your duties."
""" Yes, my Prince."""
Sure enough, all of them left, except for his future wife who stayed behind and looked at the Poison Douluo. She was wondering what this man wants. Though Internally she was thinking that it's about time people of that level would start to interact with her future husband.
"Well then, what can I do for you Poison Douluo?" Xue Long said that as he cancelled the domain of Martialdom.
"... I have heard that you can accelerate cultivation and that your insights into Martial Spirits are unparalleled even at the age you are." The man quickly got to the point.
"I don't know what people say about Martial Spirits and my knowledge of them. But, I can increase the speed of cultivation." Truthfully he doesn't talk gossip so he has no idea. What he can confirm is his cultivation speed.
"Hmmm… here is the deal. My family's martial spirit is Jade Phosphor Serpent. If you can tell me about its properties then we can discuss a business proposition."
Qian Renxue who listened to that instantly frowned. How dare some average Douluo act so arrogant around her Prince!
But she quickly got reeled in with Xue Long squeezing her hand.
"Very well. I am intrigued by your proposition. No doubt you have something which will get my interest."
The green-haired man smirked for a bit. It appears he got the attention of the Fourth Prince.
"Very well! Should we go outside?" The Poison Doulou said that as he looked around, this place looks extremely luxurious he doesn't want to blow up stuff in this place.
~~~
Dugu Bo was quite curious about the Fourth Prince, especially when he heard that this boy solved the issue with that Tang Woman who had been stuck at Rank 9 most of her life. It only grew in curiosity when he heard how he had means of faster cultivation.
He did want to kidnap him when he heard he can do it. But for obvious reason, he didn't do it because of a Titled Douluo stationed in the city by Spirit Hall.
Then… a chance arose to meet him when the Poison Douluo heard that the Prince is raising plants of all sorts with that special meditation technique of his.
And as an expert in poisons, he has a whole medical garden! This means that he could strike a deal and get some ideas, maybe even a solution to his poisoning problem!
As the green-haired Titled Douluo was thinking they ended up in the martial field.
That moment Dugu Bo was bombarded by an extremely potent Spirit Energy!
'This is… simply absurd!!! I can feel the bottleneck I was in before slowly disappearing just by being here!!!' The Poison expert was dumbstruck as felt the surroundings!
"We are here. You can show your Martial Spirit."
As the Poison Douluo heard that he nodded and moments later ghostly silhouette of a green snake manifested from his body.
The Fourth Prince slightly nodded. He walked around for a few moments. Inspected from it from different angles.
"First of all its evolved form is it not?"
That moment Dugu Bo's eyes slightly widened.
"Its innate power is poison. Extremely toxic poison, because of imbalance between you and your Martial Spirit, you are getting poisoned from it. I can even sense how you are resisting its effects with your spirit energy."
"This…balance you speak off… is it what Prince Xue Xing said? The so-called 'Oneself's acceptance'?"
Xue Long slowly nodded and behind him enormous Golden Dragon manifested. It was copying the same way the prince was standing…
A few seconds later it disappeared and the younger prince seamlessly fused with his martial spirit. It was so smooth that the poison expert needed a second to process what he saw.
What he saw was simply amazing! But will this truly fix the poison issue!?
"I see… you have proven yourself that you are an expert in martial spirits." Dugu Bo said with a nod as his Martial Spirit disappeared.
"Young Prince. I wish for a chance to learn that meditation technique of yours. In turn, my medical garden will be open to you. What do you say?" The green-haired man asked the prince, he was certain that he can get a deal.
"While the deal is great. My technique is unique and to progress through it, I need to assist in its cultivation. The key point is that it has mental barriers, not spirit energy accumulation." Xue Long explained titbits about Lotus Meditation.
"Mental barriers?"
"First stage you need clear all your mind of all thoughts, second stage is 'Oneself's Acceptance' this means you need to accept yourself and all your faults." As he said that he paced back and forth.
"It can take one day to entirely of one's lifetime and you could still be stuck in stage one. As I am saying it's unique."
Poison Douluo crossed his hands and slightly snorted.
"I see. I still accept it. I have been trying to deal with this poison since my childhood, if it's true that I don't even need an antidote then it's even better." Sounds almost like a daydream to the man who was living with this his whole life…
"Very well then."
As he said that he clapped his hands and slowly started to separate them, a golden glow erupted from between his palms.
Slowly a ghostly golden lotus flower started to form. This was stage five technique from Lotus Meditation arsenal. Xue Long will crystalize some of his understanding of the meditation technique into this lotus flower and will give it to the Poison Douluo.
This way the man will have a 'road' which the Prince already has walked. He wouldn't need to aimlessly try to understand stage two.
"What is that?" Dugu Bo asked as he just witnessed what he considers a self-made skill!
"Lotus flower of comprehension. Its stage five technique of Lotus Meditation. This flower contains 'understanding' how to cultivate and progress towards stage two where you can balance yourself with your Martial Spirit." As the Prince said that he walked over and was about to hand over the golden lotus. but…
"We still haven't agreed on the terms. My life experience tells me that there is more to this." As he said that he looked for a second at the blonde girl. He knows that anyone associated with Spirit Hall is not that easy. Especially after Spirit Hall was taken over by that woman.
"More? Perfectly honest my martial self is itching to make you reach your full potential. Your Martial Spirit is very powerful and I foresee a minimum of Rank 95 and above." He said that with a sigh.
This got the Poison Douluo quite baffled.
"I would like you to join my 'faction'. I would teach you the mysteries of Martial Spirits and Martial arts, I could help you become an Assault system fighter as your secondary system.
Even achieving Martial Avatar."
"..."
A small gulp escaped from the green-haired poison expert's mouth.
This was a perfect time for Xue Long to recruit a Titled Douluo. While Spirit Hall has them in spades and he could even ask a few for himself. His Fiance mentioned that 'it's not a big deal'.
Still though their allegiance is with Spirit Hall and some of the orders need to go through Supreme Pontiff before he can use them at fullest.
"...This sounds very enticing but I prefer my freedom." The man though declined it after some heavy considerations.
"...Well, the offer is always open. Still, though, take this Lotus Flower and achieve the second stage." The Fourth Prince handed over the ghostly flower which upon contact dissolved and entered the Poison Douluo whose eyes widened to a large degree.
The Titled Douluo felt he KNEW what to do. And he was blown away by how… interesting, complex and at the same time not complex at all this thing is!
"I will excuse myself! I will return after I process this!"
Once he said that he was gone.
Leaving the pair of Princes and the Saintess of Spirit Hall alone.
A few moments later another figure dropped in. This was Snake Lance Douluo.
"Do you wish me to observe the Old Poison for you, my Prince?" The Titled Douluo asked Xue Long.
"No, I have him where I want him. He will be back on his own will."
"Is there truly a need for you to waste time on him? My Spirit Hall can give you as many Titled Doulou's as you want." The blonde said with a frown. She doesn't like how there is barely any respect for her fiance who is by this point one of the greatest cultivators in the continent next to her Grandfather.
In her opinion.
Snake Lance Douluo slightly twitched hearing that. Even Spirit Hall doesn't craft Titled Douluos like some sort of commodity!
There is a limit to them! Though he doubts he could get to the Saintess who is obsessed with her Prince.
"It's not about Titled Douluo's Renxue, it's about me training him to reach its full potential. What I saw was a rough diamond in making. That Martial Spirit is quite powerful and I want it to show its real colours." He said tha with a smile.
"...Maybe so, but Dugu Bo is well known as a free man who does what he wants. There is a high possibility that he will simply leave after gaining whatever he wants." Prince Xue Xing said from the side with crossed arms. The Prince already was thinking about how to get the Poison Douluo's allegiance simply because his nephew wants him to join.
The man sees his nephew as the glory of Heavenly Dou Empire and will make sure that Glory is shining as brightly as possible.
A short snort escaped from the prince as the air around him shifted
"Well, I doubt he could run away after I spend time training him."
As he said that diamond-like glow surrounded him and for a few seconds towering monk appeared behind him, its hand were clapped, looking as if it was preying.
In the background, one could hear sounds of prayers…
The moment Snake Lance Douluo saw this thing a cold sweat went down his spine. He was sensing… danger from this thing! And he was a Rank 92 almost 93!
Just how far the Prince has taken the Diamond Fist in its training!?
--------------------
My Discord server for advanced chapters:
https://discord.gg/56SVYQexDJ
Along with the advanced chapters, there are also a lot of other fanfics I wrote and did not upload to Webnovel