Chapter 152: Always Look on the Bright Side

At this moment, Bai He's heart was filled with frustration and doubt; at a glance the opponent was not a speed specialist, his cultivation was even lower than his, yet the speed displayed was by no means inferior to his own full‑power burst.

However, after that tangled feeling, a strong joy rose in him. The stronger Yu Tianyun performed, the more he wanted to make him his golden son‑in‑law.

Yu Tianyun's spirit power had been firmly locked onto Bai He's five bodies from the start, and likewise, Bai He kept his eyes on him the whole time.

Bai He put immense pressure on him; the five sharp‑tailed swifts darted at extreme speed through the hall, interweaving and almost covering the entire area, leaving Yu Tianyun unable to keep up.

From the moment Bai He unleashed his full power, Yu Tianyun had no moment to catch his breath, each time barely evading Bai He's unbelievably swift pursuit.

This was thanks to Yu Tianyun's excellent physical condition and strong spirit power, allowing him to perfectly control every muscle and every ounce of soul power, making his reactions extremely precise and swift.

The incense had burned past its halfway point, yet Bai He showed no impatience; instead Yu Tianyun grew a bit anxious. One versus five, and in this confined hall, Yu Tianyun's disadvantage was glaringly obvious.

Had he known earlier that Bai He's speed was so terrifying and that he could split into five bodies, he would never have chosen this hall as the arena.

If they were outside competing purely on speed, he might not lose to Bai He. Though his self‑control was extremely strong, making him more agile, it was only a stop‑gap and could not compensate for the massive numerical disadvantage.

Moreover, within the brief time of a single incense stick, Bai He, as a Soul Douluo, had enough soul power to keep his five bodies blasting speed at full force.

If the current situation continued, Yu Tianyun would find it very hard to keep dodging.

Of course, he still had many techniques unused, such as the two major domains, strong gravity control, even spirit attacks. Each, applied to Bai He, would give Yu Tianyun far more leeway, lasting for the duration of an incense stick.

But he didn't want to expose himself, and besides, it wasn't a pure speed contest; he didn't want to stoop so low. Though he wasn't exactly a good person, he still hoped to duel honorably, disdainful of cheating.

This wasn't a life‑or‑death crisis; if true danger or unfair treatment arose, he would resort to any means, but the current situation was clearly not that.

"Alas! Never mind, raising a White family isn't that hard."

"Always look on the bright side; later we can freeload some hidden weapons from the richest father‑in‑law to equip the White family, which would be a considerable force."

"Besides, Bai Chenxiang is already a beauty that could sink fish and fall geese, close the moon and shame flowers; though a bit plain now, under my guidance she can grow even more."

"Also, Bai He has the best relationship with Yang Wudi; perhaps he can pull the Breaking Clan into the sect."

"That way, it's not a loss at all!"

The breath in his chest escaped, and Yu Tianyun was quickly caught up by Bai He.

At the instant Bai He's wing touched Yu Tianyun, Yu Tianyun said helplessly:

"White Clan Chief, you win!"

Bai He withdrew, his form returning to normal, a satisfied smile on his face: "You kid may have lost but still honorable; by the way, shouldn't you change your title?"

Yu Tianyun felt conflicted, his chest rising and falling, he sighed and struggled to speak:

"Grandfather!"

"Hahaha~"

Bai He laughed heartily: "Alright, alright, from now on we're family!"

Yu Tianyun forced a faint smile, still feeling a bit depressed about the contest's outcome.

At that moment, Bai Chenxiang stepped forward, looked at Bai He and asked, "Grandfather, what family?"

"Uh…"

Bai He only then realized his own granddaughter was nearby; a barely perceptible awkwardness flashed on his face, and after a moment's hesitation he said slowly:

"Xiangxiang, we'll talk about this later; Tianyun and I still have business to discuss, I'll go down first to arrange a room for Tianyun."

"Oh!"

Bai Chenxiang didn't yet know she had been 'sold' by her grandfather to Yu Tianyun; seeing the two's expressionless faces, she was only a little puzzled, replied, and stepped away.

Then, seeing Bai Chenxiang had walked away, Bai He reached into the Storage Soul Conduit at his waist and handed a box to Yu Tianyun.

It was a pristine jade box, about one foot five inches long, half a foot wide, entirely lustrous, meticulously carved from premium ivory‑white jade. "Grandfather, is this the crystal blood‑dragon ginseng?"

Yu Tianyun took it without hesitation, and the word "Grandfather" rolled off his tongue even more smoothly; after all, his own grandfathers kept increasing, as the saying goes, "the more debts, the less worry," and Yu Tianyun felt no resistance.

Bai He smiled faintly and said, "Exactly, open it and have a look!"

The more he looked at Yu Tianyun, the more pleasing he found him; not only handsome but also of such high innate talent, making him a grandson‑in‑law would be a blessing accumulated over eight lifetimes of cultivation.

"Hmm!"

Yu Tianyun replied softly, then carefully opened the jade box; instantly, a refreshing fragrance wafted out.

Inside the jade box lay a ginseng over a foot long, its whole body blood‑red and crystal‑clear, with a distinct raised pattern forming a special design. The pattern resembled a five‑clawed dragon soaring across the nine heavens, exactly the crystal blood‑dragon ginseng he had dreamed of.

Yu Tianyun hurriedly closed the jade box to prevent the medicine's potency from dissipating.

Then, looking at Bai He, the two began discussing the marriage alliance and the Sensitive One Clan's joining of the Lan Dian Ba Wang Sect.

After all matters were settled, Yu Tianyun wrote a letter and gave it to Bai He, asking him to send it to the Lan Dian Ba Wang Sect, informing them of Grandfather Yu Yuanzhen.

Afterwards, Bai He chatted casually with Yu Tianyun, asking, "Tianyun, where are you heading next, what are your plans?"

Yu Tianyun thought lightning‑fast and replied, "Grandfather, I'm planning to go to the Breaking Clan; my sixth soul skill is to condense a long spear, so I want to study spear techniques, then return to Tiandou City to join the continent‑wide Advanced Academy Soul Master Elite Competition a year later."

There was nothing to hide, and thanks to memories from his past life, he knew that Bai He's relationship with Yang Wudi was clearly closer than the other clan heads; with Bai He's few kind words, perhaps Yang Wudi would wholeheartedly pass on his true skills.

Sure enough, Bai He's next words did not disappoint him.

"I see, Tianyun, stay here for a day's rest; tomorrow I'll go with you. Yang Wudi has many flaws—stubborn, more arrogant than me. His soul power is comparable to mine, but when it comes to action, even the other two clan heads can't match him, because their defenses can't withstand his 'Break'."

"He has two great hobbies in life: alchemy, which you surely know, and spear technique. Though he only has Soul Douluo cultivation, in terms of spear technique even a Title Douluo‑level spear master might not surpass him. Yet he values spear technique highly and may not teach it to you; however, I'll put in a good word for you, perhaps he'll agree."

"Moreover I'll persuade him to join the Lan Dian Ba Wang Sect as well; as for the Power Clan and the Imperial Clan, their ties are tighter and they lean toward the Clear Sky Sect, so they're unlikely to join, and I won't waste words on that."

"Then thank you, Grandfather."

Yu Tianyun's heart swelled with joy; regarding the Imperial Clan he had long given up hope, just as Bai He said, their clan heads Niu Gao and Titan have better relations, and Titan is a die‑hard servant of Tang Hao, so the Imperial Clan is unlikely to join the Lan Dian Ba Wang Sect, but having the Breaking Clan is enough.

Afterwards Yu Tianyun presented a dowry of one million Jin Hun Coins to Bai He, who unusually generous, held a grand feast.

For a while, the grandfather and grandson chatted merrily. Near evening, Yu Tianyun, led by a member of the Sensitive One Clan, arrived at the room arranged for him.

After bathing, Yu Tianyun put on a loose nightgown, sat cross‑legged on the bed and began cultivating.

His soul power cultivation still sits at level 64; although he has condensed a soul core, allowing constant cultivation, his physical aptitude remains top‑tier, posing no hindrance.

Yet his rank has reached Soul Emperor level, so it's no longer comparable to the times of Great Soul Master or Soul Elder; each level now requires vastly more soul power.

Moreover, compared with Soul Masters of the same rank, his soul power quality is higher, a large portion already in solid‑state form, so his cultivation speed is relatively slower than during the Great Soul Master and Soul Elder periods.

Therefore, whenever he has free time, he will voluntarily meditate, which makes his cultivation speed a bit faster.

"It seems that reaching Level 70 by the start of the Soul Master competition is a bit ambitious."

Yu Tianyun couldn't help but let out a light sigh, then smiled faintly: "My current cultivation speed is already beyond what others can imagine; one must know contentment, for haste makes waste."

Yu Tianyun steadied his mindset; the more restless his mind, the poorer the cultivation results become.

Today's match with Bai He also made him put away the blind confidence that had arisen from his sudden surge in strength. If he were to encounter an enemy, his arrogance could very well cost him his life; his previous caution and humility were still far insufficient.

"Dong dong!"

While Yu Tianyun was reflecting on himself, the door suddenly knocked, and Yu Tianyun sensed that it was Bai Chenxiang.

"Please come in."

At this late hour, Bai Chenxiang came to find him; Yu Tianyun was clearly a bit startled and hurriedly said,

(End of chapter)