In his previous life, Ye Qin had been highly educated and born into wealth. He had met more than his share of women.
But Ye Xuan's stunning beauty, paired with her regal bearing, made her more captivating than any woman he had ever seen!
"Xiao Qin, why is your face so red?" Ye Xuan came over and asked with concern.
"I'm fine!" Ye Qin hurriedly shook his head.
"Are you sure?" Ye Xuan asked. "Should I summon a physician to examine you?"
"There's really no need!" Ye Qin insisted, shaking his head again.
"All right. If you feel unwell, you must tell your aunt," Ye Xuan added.
"I will," Ye Qin replied.
"Oh, there's something I need to tell you. Spirit Hall is sending someone tomorrow to awaken Martial Souls. You should give it a try too!" Ye Xuan added. "Hagen Das is a small country, so Spirit Hall has always handled Martial Soul Awakening for our people."
"Okay!" Ye Qin nodded, a little excited.
As it happened, he needed to awaken his Martial Soul.
But how am I supposed to make her cry? Ye Qin wondered.
I can't just punch and kick her, can I?
That's out of the question!
For one thing, Ye Qin was no match for Ye Xuan as he was now.
And how could he attack his own aunt for no reason?
"Your Majesty, the chief minister requests an audience on urgent business!" a gruff voice called from outside the Sleeping Quarters.
"I understand!" Ye Xuan answered with a hint of authority. Then she turned to Ye Qin and smiled. "Your aunt has matters to attend to, so entertain yourself for now."
"All right."
"Well then, I'll be off!" Ye Xuan said with a smile before walking out.
Only after Ye Xuan left did Ye Qin breathe a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, his memories from his previous life remained intact, and Ye Xuan had noticed nothing amiss.
He racked his brain some more, but still could not think of a way to make Ye Xuan cry.
The night passed uneventfully.
Early the next morning, the ringing of bells woke Ye Qin.
This was his first morning on the Douluo Continent, and he felt especially refreshed.
Besides, today was the day his Martial Soul would awaken.
He could not help wondering what Martial Soul he had inherited, apart from the World-Destroying Ancestral Dragon the system had given him.
On the Douluo Continent, Martial Souls—especially powerful ones—were generally inherited from one's parents and clan.
Unfortunately, Ye Qin had no memory of ever meeting his parents, nor had Ye Xuan ever spoken of them.
Once he had dressed and made himself presentable, a group of attendants came in and led him to the site of the Martial Soul Awakening.
The awakening was to take place at a Horse Training Ground in a corner of the palace. It was normally reserved for Ye Xuan and certain ministers to ride and practice archery.
At the far end stood a raised platform, with Black Stones placed at the points of a Hexagram Array.
Ye Xuan and several nobles and senior ministers were seated in chairs before the platform.
Below it stood a dense crowd.
Ye Xuan was close to her people, and these were residents of the Royal City. Many of their children had just turned six and had been brought along for the chance to awaken their Martial Souls.
"His Highness has arrived!" an attendant called out.
"Welcome, Your Highness!" Everyone bowed in unison.
"Xiao Qin, come here!"
Ye Xuan was sitting on the Royal Throne. When she saw Ye Qin, she smiled and beckoned him over.
Only then did Ye Qin notice the young woman sitting beside Ye Xuan!
She looked about fourteen, with long pink hair and a fitted pink outfit. She was strikingly beautiful, with red lips, white teeth, and eyes that held an inborn allure.
Though she was not yet an adult, her figure was more graceful than those of many grown women.
The moment Ye Qin saw her, he felt she looked familiar.
"Xiao Qin, let me introduce you. This is Hu Liena, the Apprentice Hall Master of Spirit Hall in the Royal City!" Ye Xuan said, gesturing toward the pink-haired young woman.
"She's quite remarkable. She may even become the successor to Spirit Hall one day!"
What? Ye Qin was startled. He had never expected to meet Hu Liena here!
In fact, as a candidate for Saintess, Hu Liena had to pass a series of trials. This assignment was one of them.
The Saintess was the Pope's successor.
The position required not only exceptional talent but also strong management skills. That was why Hu Liena had been sent to train at Spirit Hall's branch in the Hagen Das Kingdom.
Ye Xuan then gestured toward Ye Qin. "Hall Master Hu, this is my nephew, Prince Ye Qin."
"Hello, Prince Ye Qin." Hu Liena extended her hand, her expression cold.
Ye Qin ignored her outstretched hand. He merely nodded and sat down beside Ye Xuan.
Hu Liena was left standing there awkwardly.
"Hall Master Hu, Xiao Qin is still young and doesn't know any better. Please don't take offense," Ye Xuan said with an apologetic smile.
"It's fine," Hu Liena replied coolly.
Ding! You have encountered Hu Liena, a special figure of the Douluo Continent. Hidden Check-in Quest triggered: obtain a kiss from Hu Liena!
The system had issued a hidden quest.
...This intense right from the start? Ye Qin's heart gave a jolt.
The system was practically forcing him to pursue her!
But Ye Qin soon found himself in a bind. If he were twenty, he might have been able to win Hu Liena over with his charm.
But he was only six! How could anyone expect a cold beauty to fall for a six-year-old brat?
I can't rush this!
By then, everyone taking part in the awakening had arrived. The chief master of ceremonies glanced at Ye Xuan, and only after she nodded did he rise and call out, "The auspicious hour has arrived. Prepare for the Martial Soul Awakening."
At his words, the children awaiting awakening made their way toward the platform in order.
Before long, a young man stepped up to the Hexagram Array.
He had sharp features and a handsome face, and wore a white suit. Like the other Soul Masters, he had a badge bearing the character for "soul" at the center of his chest,
and a sword emblem pinned over his left breast. Three swords crossed on the emblem, signifying that he was a Soul Grandmaster.
From his appearance and attire, Ye Qin thought he knew who the young man was.
"Hello, everyone. My name is Su Yuntao. I'm a Soul Grandmaster of Spirit Hall, and I'll be conducting your awakenings today!" the young man told the children.
"Oh my god, it's the errand boy!" Ye Qin blurted out.
"Xiao Qin, what did you say?" Ye Xuan asked in surprise.
"Nothing!" Ye Qin hurriedly shook his head.
"Xiao Qin, you can go last. I'm sure your Martial Soul will outshine everyone else's!" Ye Xuan said.
"Okay," Ye Qin replied, though he was puzzled. Ye Xuan must have known something about his parents to say that.
Hu Liena, sitting on his other side, was curious too. Her teacher had told her that Ye Xuan's clan had an unusual background.
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