Not long after, Ning Fengzhi, now fully composed, solemnly bowed to Qi Lin with great respect.
"Teacher Qi Lin, the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda holds extraordinary significance for our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Now that you've helped Rongrong's martial soul evolve, this favor is something we must repay."
"However, the Creation Heaven-Mending Pill is a priceless treasure. Ordinary items cannot measure its worth."
"How about this: One day, you may visit our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. When you do, our clan's treasury will be opened for you. Whatever catches your eye, you may take."
"In addition, from this day forth, Teacher Qi Lin is our clan's most honored friend. If ever you have need of us, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan will never refuse."
Qi Lin glanced at the sincere Ning Fengzhi and responded with a gentle smile and nod.
"Clan Master Ning, you're too kind."
After a bit more conversation, Ning Fengzhi brought up the topic of soul power training techniques again.
After some negotiation, Ning Fengzhi ended up purchasing the soul master training method for a sky-high price—ten million gold soul coins.
Ten million gold soul coins! That kind of wealth could only be handled with ease by a powerhouse like the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
One must know, in the original Douluo Continent, even the patriarch of the Speed Clan once turned pale over a few hundred gold soul coins.
With the training method in hand, Ning Fengzhi gave a few last instructions to Ning Rongrong, telling her to listen to Qi Lin while at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. Then he departed, taking Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo with him.
---
The next day, Qian Renxue also visited Qi Lin's dormitory.
It turned out that after leaving Heaven Dou Academy, Ning Fengzhi went directly to the Crown Prince's residence and told Qian Renxue about purchasing the training method for ten million gold soul coins.
This bold move shocked Qian Renxue to her core.
Originally, her plan had been to offer two million gold soul coins in exchange for Qi Lin's training method.
Even that much was beyond what she could easily afford.
But Ning Fengzhi told her the value of Qi Lin's soul power training method was beyond estimation. It was something that could be passed down through generations.
Spending ten million on it was absolutely worth it.
Had she offered just two million, Qi Lin might still have agreed, given his personality.
But if she wanted to leave a stronger impression and earn more goodwill, then she had to go all out.
So, that very day, Qian Renxue and Ning Fengzhi met with Emperor Xue Ye and explained the situation, along with its pros and cons.
Though it pained him greatly, Emperor Xue Ye ultimately agreed to their plan.
And so, Qi Lin received another ten million gold soul coins in his account.
He couldn't help but sigh.
Too many gold soul coins!
There's no way I could spend all this in a lifetime!
---
On a wide official road, a luxurious carriage raced forward.
The three horses pulling it were majestic and powerful, covered in bluish-green scales, capable of traveling 2,000 li in a single day.
A few days later, as they drew closer to the Extreme North, the temperature plummeted drastically.
Icy winds howled, and snow stretched endlessly across the landscape.
The carriage finally stopped at the last city bordering the Extreme North.
Both the carriage and the driver had been arranged for Qi Lin by Qian Renxue after she learned of his journey.
The coachman respectfully said, "Marquis Qi Lin, any farther and we'll be in the Extreme North. The horses won't survive the climate there, so this is as far as we go."
Qi Lin smiled. "No problem. Thank you for your hard work these past few days. We'll handle the rest from here."
The coachman bowed slightly, then asked with a smile, "Marquis Qi Lin, would you like me to accompany you further?"
Being someone dispatched by Qian Renxue, the coachman was certainly no ordinary man—he was a Soul Emperor-level expert.
Qi Lin shook his head. "No need. Just wait for us here for a few days."
The coachman nodded and said no more.
Qi Lin and Gu Yuena then continued heading north, deep into the Extreme North.
---
At the same time, in Qi Lin's spiritual sea…
As if sensing a familiar environment, Skydream Iceworm—who had been sleeping soundly—suddenly awoke.
"Huh? This feeling... it's so familiar. Wait a minute—is this…"
"The Extreme North?"
"Qi Lin, you finally made it to the Extreme North!"
Qi Lin responded telepathically with a helpless tone, "Skydream, you sure slept long enough."
In the sea of consciousness, the chubby Skydream Iceworm blinked his round eyes. "How long was I asleep?"
Qi Lin thought for a moment and replied, "Probably over a year."
Skydream lazily rolled his plump body and said, "Just a year? That's nothing. My longest nap was several thousand years!"
"One year's just a little catnap for me."
Qi Lin chuckled. "Classic you."
Skydream beamed with pride, then asked, "So, what's your soul power rank now? I can't seem to sense it."
Qi Lin replied with a smile, "I'm currently at rank 60. I came here to get my second martial soul and also help my Four-Leaf Clover Martial Soul absorb its sixth soul ring."
"Sixty!?"
Skydream blinked in disbelief. "Qi Lin, it's only been a year… how are you already rank 60?"
He clearly remembered Qi Lin was only in the forties before he dozed off. Did I remember wrong? he wondered.
Qi Lin smiled. "Just got lucky, had a few opportunities come my way."
Skydream's eyes lit up. "In that case, leave it to me! I'll call out Ice Empress right away."
"Ice Empress is one of the Three Great Kings of the Extreme North, with nearly 390,000 years of cultivation. I doubt she'll make it to 400,000."
"But with your talent, I bet she'd be willing to become your wisdom soul ring—just like me."
"Plus, her true form is the Ice Jade Scorpion Empress, one of the most top-tier soul beasts on the continent. Her Extreme Ice attribute makes her perfect to be your second martial soul."
After hearing Skydream's rambling explanation, Qi Lin nodded casually. "Sure. I'll pick her as my second martial soul."
Honestly, Qi Lin didn't have many choices. Among the powerful ice-type soul beasts in the Extreme North, the Three Great Kings stood at the top.
Of them, Ice Empress and Snow Empress were the strongest.
However, Snow Empress was a humanoid soul beast. Using her as a martial soul would feel a bit odd.
Since Skydream brought it up, he might as well go with Ice Empress.
Just as Skydream was about to release his aura to draw Ice Empress over, Qi Lin stopped him with a smile.
"No need for all that trouble."
He then turned to Gu Yuena.
"Sister Na, can you locate the Ice Jade Scorpion Empress?"
"She'll be my second martial soul."
Gu Yuena's cold face softened into a faint smile.
"I've already locked onto her position. Want me to take you there directly?"
Qi Lin smiled and shook his head.
"No need. A snowy scene like this is rare—let's enjoy the journey and walk there."