After storing the Cloudpiercer Shuttle back into his storage space, Zhao Ling, along with Ah Yin and Bo Saixi, began walking toward the direction of Heaven Dou Imperial City.
The outskirts of Sunset Forest were about 100 li (roughly 50 kilometers) from Heaven Dou City. If they moved at a pace Ah Yin could keep up with, it would take the entire afternoon, and they wouldn't arrive until nightfall.
So Zhao Ling carried Ah Yin on his back and accelerated their journey toward the city.
For Bo Saixi, an Ultimate Douluo, keeping up with Zhao Ling's speed was naturally no challenge.
On the wide road ahead, several horses galloped toward Heaven Dou City at full speed.
Leading them was a man in his late twenties or early thirties, dressed in a python-embroidered robe. He exuded youthful vigor and the noble aura of someone long accustomed to high status. He waved his riding crop and called out repeatedly, "Hyah! Hyah!"
Behind him, the guards riding along kept shouting:
"Your Highness, please slow down! If you get hurt, His Majesty will have our heads!"
"Exactly, Your Highness. Even if you're eager to meet your newborn nephew, there's no need to be this hasty!"
…
This young man, addressed as "Your Highness," was none other than Prince Xue Xing, the only royal prince of the Heaven Dou Empire featured in the original novel—though much younger here, brimming with youthful spirit.
Prince Xue Xing turned back and rolled his eyes at the guards. "Can't you lot move faster? Always dragging me down. I've heard my newborn nephew is just adorable—like a carved jade doll. What's wrong with me rushing back to see him? You got a problem with that?"
With that, he lightly whipped his white steed again, prompting it to gallop even faster.
Just as the young prince turned to look ahead, he caught sight of two figures behind them.
Those figures rapidly closed the distance and overtook the galloping horses in less than thirty seconds.
As they passed, the wind howled in Prince Xue Xing's ears, and his head turned to follow their motion instinctively.
But within another minute, the two figures had pulled far ahead and completely vanished from sight.
Stunned, Prince Xue Xing turned to his equally dumbfounded guards and asked cautiously:
"Did any of you see clearly those two who outran us on foot?"
The guards shook their heads woodenly. One finally spoke:
"Your Highness, those two didn't even use martial spirits or soul power, yet they ran faster than horses. Could they be Titled Douluo?"
The guess quickly received agreement:
"Possible. Soul Douluo couldn't achieve such speed without spirit abilities."
"Yeah, those two must've been Titled Douluo. Can you believe it? Normally, it's nearly impossible to meet even one of them, and today we saw two. What luck!"
Prince Xue Xing nodded in agreement. "Indeed, it's a lucky day. First, His Majesty welcomes a newborn prince, and now we encounter two Titled Douluo—looks like they're headed toward our Heaven Dou City.
"If we could recruit those two as worshippers for the royal family, maybe we wouldn't be so easily restrained by the powerful clans."
In his mind, Prince Xue Xing acknowledged that while the Heaven Dou Empire did have Titled Douluo, they all came from the three upper sects. The royal family didn't have even a single Soul Douluo, let alone a Titled Douluo.
This often forced the royal family to bow to powerful clans, especially when their interests clashed. They'd sometimes have to sacrifice royal interests.
If the royal family could recruit even one Titled Douluo, it would greatly elevate their influence. But recruiting two? That wouldn't be easy.
Half an hour later, Prince Xue Xing and his guards finally arrived at Heaven Dou City. He didn't even return to his own mansion but headed straight for the imperial palace.
Seeing his newborn nephew was now the top priority.
He burst into the palace. The palace guards saluted upon seeing him, and the head steward bowed and said in a shrill voice:
"Your Highness, His Majesty is in the study with the prince."
Prince Xue Xing's face lit up. Even better—he wouldn't have to go to his sister-in-law's chambers. As a prince, visiting the Empress's palace to see the newborn was a bit improper, even if understandable. Best to avoid unnecessary gossip.
He quickly arrived at the royal study and saw a man gently rocking a delicate baby. He entered with joy on his face.
"Royal Brother, is this my precious little nephew? He looks so soft and cute!"
The man holding the baby, addressed as "Royal Brother," was none other than Emperor Xue Ye, the current ruler of Heaven Dou Empire, still in his prime.
His handsome features—sword brows, starry eyes—paired with a natural regal air, made him look imposing even without speaking.
Hearing Prince Xue Xing's voice, Emperor Xue Ye looked up and smiled warmly.
"Second Brother, you're back? Come take a look—see how good-looking your nephew is."
Prince Xue Xing reached out and gently poked the baby's cheek. Perhaps sensing a stranger, the baby burst into loud wails—and then promptly peed.
In that instant, Prince Xue Xing got a face full of it, and even Emperor Xue Ye wasn't spared.
Now both newly minted father and uncle were flustered. The crying was bad enough—but why pee on them too?
Emperor Xue Ye quickly called for the wet nurse to take the baby away and calm him down.
Looking at each other's drenched and disheveled state, the brothers couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! Second Brother, you're really lucky—first thing back, you got peed on."
"Royal Brother, that's not fair. Your precious son doused me, and now you're making fun of me?"
Prince Xue Xing grumbled in mock annoyance, which only made Emperor Xue Ye laugh even harder... (End of Chapter)