Crown Prince Xue Qinghe

Homeless children inevitably matured earlier than their peers in order to survive.

Wang Fang did not dwell on the matter.

By helping him awaken his Martial Soul, she could be considered his first teacher. With that bond between them, he surely would not treat her poorly in the future.

That night.

After disguising himself, Salas secretly headed to the Crown Prince's Residence.

He was the only person in Heaven Dou City who knew Xue Qinghe's true identity.

After all, to coordinate their actions, Spirit Hall's greatest force within the Heaven Dou Empire was Salas's Martial Soul Hall.

As Xue Qinghe listened to his report, he was slightly surprised. "Oh? A genius actually came knocking on our door?"

As Salas explained, he took the opportunity to flatter him several times.

Xue Qinghe's expression suddenly changed as he rebuked him, "Children may not lie, but they can talk nonsense. Are you certain that everything he said was true?"

Salas froze, hesitation appearing on his face.

Indeed, he had only heard Wu Qi's side of the story and had not investigated afterward.

Xue Qinghe snorted coldly. "An Avian Spirit and the surname Wu—do you think he could be someone from Earl's Manor?"

Earl Wu Qinan held considerable prestige at court.

Someone from his manor had gone to Spirit Hall. Was there some hidden reason behind it, or did the Wu Family wish to secretly pledge allegiance to Spirit Hall?

"You came to report to me without investigating anything, Bishop Salas? This is negligence of duty!"

Xue Qinghe's warning stopped there.

Although Salas belonged to Papal Hall, he was dissatisfied with his current position and also maintained ties with Worship Hall.

People like him were merchants of their own loyalty. Whoever offered greater benefits received more effort from him.

Salas repeatedly admitted his mistake, then asked, "Young Master, do I still need to report this matter to the Great Enshriner?"

After thinking it over, Xue Qinghe said, "Why not report it? The Azure Luan Spirit should interest Third Grandfather greatly. Send someone to deliver the news back with all haste. This matter cannot be delayed. I need an accurate reply within ten days."

After staying in the side residence for several days, no one from the Wu Family came looking for him.

The last trace of attachment Wu Qi felt toward his family completely vanished.

"Little Wu, are we going into the city for a stroll again today?" Wang Fang asked with a smile.

Wu Qi had merely been arranged to stay here temporarily; he was not under house arrest, and his freedom was not restricted.

He scratched his head and said embarrassedly, "I want to go into the city and have some Spirit Beast Meat. I heard it helps with cultivation."

Wang Fang immediately agreed.

The Martial Soul Hall covered the hospitality expenses, and she could enjoy a good meal as well. There was no reason to refuse.

The moment they stepped out of the residence, a unit of soldiers clad in standard armor surrounded the manor. A smaller squad split off and stood along both sides of the road, as though waiting for someone to arrive.

Wang Fang frowned slightly and shielded Wu Qi behind her as she demanded, "This is Martial Soul Hall territory. Who ordered you to surround this place?"

These soldiers did not dare answer on behalf of their master and simply stood watch in silence.

Before long, a carriage arrived amid the soldiers' escort.

A refined and amiable young man stepped down from it.

Judging from the carriage's design, it was undoubtedly the Crown Prince's vehicle.

"There's no need to be nervous. I have already discussed this with Bishop Salas. I merely came here to meet the little genius, nothing more."

As he spoke, Xue Qinghe handed Salas's handwritten letter to Wang Fang.

Wu Qi hurriedly bowed. "Greetings, Crown Prince."

He knew Xue Qinghe's true identity very well.

The Azure Luan Spirit was the same Martial Soul possessed by Third High Priest Azure Luan Douluo. Xue Qinghe's arrival at this time was most likely because of Azure Luan Douluo.

"Your Highness, Wu Qi is still young, this..." Wang Fang hesitated.

If Xue Qinghe poached Wu Qi, it would be an enormous loss for Spirit Hall.

Xue Qinghe was not angered and replied with a faint smile, "Bishop Salas has already made everything quite clear. Does this lady still intend to stop me?"

"I wouldn't dare."

Wang Fang withdrew to the side resentfully.

The Crown Prince's attendants stood guard outside. Inside the room, only Xue Qinghe and Wu Qi remained.

"You don't seem nervous at all upon meeting me. As expected of a genius with Innate Full Soul Power."

Wu Qi replied calmly, "Crown Prince, I have already promised Bishop Lord that I would join Spirit Hall. You aren't here to recruit me, are you?"

Xue Qinghe suddenly smiled.

It seemed the person before him was even more interesting than he had imagined.

"I'm not here to recruit you. I'm here to offer you a stroke of fortune."

"Please enlighten me, Your Highness."

Over the past few days, Xue Qinghe had learned about Wu Qi's situation from the Wu Family through indirect inquiries.

He was a neglected fringe member of the family. Even if he vanished for several days, no one would care. Once it was confirmed that his actions did not represent the Wu Family's intentions, Spirit Hall had no reason not to take him in.

As for Wu Qi's background, they could fabricate a false one later. The Wu Family would have no way to investigate it, much less learn that he was one of their own.

"After joining Spirit Hall, two groups of people will likely come looking for you. I think you should choose someone whose spirit is compatible with yours as your master, rather than choosing power and status."

"When cultivating a spirit, suitability is what matters most. Do you understand how you should choose?"

Wu Qi complained inwardly.

Wasn't he simply hinting that Wu Qi should accept Azure Luan Douluo's goodwill and give up on Bibi Dong?

Still, Xue Qinghe's true identity was of great importance. Saying this much was already his limit.

If he said anything more, he risked exposing himself.

Seeing that Wu Qi seemed to understand yet not understand, Xue Qinghe rose and left.

On this trip, he only needed to learn about Wu Qi's temperament. As for everything else, there was no need to consider it for now.

Afterward, Wang Fang asked what they had talked about.

Wu Qi brushed it all off by claiming he had not understood.

After all, Xue Qinghe's words truly were beyond the understanding of a six-year-old child.

That very night, the news reached Spirit Hall.

Innate Full Soul Power was an even more monstrous talent than the Golden Generation personally selected by Bibi Dong.

If someone like that were brought under their command, he would surely become a capable subordinate in the future.

After seeing Wu Qi's spirit, Bibi Dong naturally knew that Worship Hall would make a move. Thus, she dispatched one of her trusted subordinates—Ghost Douluo.

Ghost Douluo traveled swiftly. He would head to Heaven Dou City, bring Wu Qi back at once, and have Bibi Dong take him as her disciple.

Once the matter was settled, Worship Hall would have a hard time forcibly taking him away.

Naturally, Worship Hall would not simply sit back and wait.

When Qian Daoliu saw that Azure Luan Douluo had taken an interest in Wu Qi, he sent him out.

Five days later, on the outskirts of Heaven Dou City.

Azure Luan Douluo and Ghost Douluo were both Agility Attack-Type Spirit Masters, and Azure Luan Douluo had reached Level 97. In terms of speed, Ghost Douluo was no match for him.

When Ghost Douluo arrived, covered in dust from the journey, he happened to encounter Azure Luan Douluo, who looked utterly relaxed.

"Gui Mei, go back. There's nothing for you to do here," Azure Luan Douluo said casually.

The pressure of a Level 97 Spirit Master spread invisibly through the air.

Ghost Douluo's expression changed drastically as he rapidly retreated. Only after withdrawing two hundred meters did he barely manage to withstand the soul pressure.

"Azure Luan Worshipper, this is Your Holiness the Pope's strict order. I must complete it. Please make things easier for me."

Azure Luan Douluo snorted. "I'll give you two choices. Fight me. If you win, we'll do as you say. Otherwise, get lost and go back. Bibi Dong cannot order me around!"

"This..." Ghost Douluo's expression darkened.

Whether in strength or speed, he was no match for the other man. How could he dare resist?

After remaining silent for a long time, he still refused to leave.

Azure Luan Douluo snorted coldly. "There's no point in dragging this out. And don't test my patience. I'll give you three minutes. If you still refuse to leave, I'll consider it a voluntary attack on me!"

If he got beaten up now, not only would he fail the mission, but he would also be punished after returning.

Since that was the case, why take a beating for nothing?

With that thought, Ghost Douluo left resentfully.