The next morning, the thin mist over Nuoding City had yet to disperse, and the bluestone streets were still damp with dew.
After a simple breakfast of wheat cakes and hot porridge, Lu Jing and Wang Dong'er headed for the unassuming Spirit Hall branch in the city.
Compared to the grand main hall of Spirit City, majestic as a heavenly palace, Nuoding City's Spirit Hall branch was far plainer. It was merely a two-story bluestone building, with two weathered stone lions standing at the entrance. Above the doors hung a plaque carved with the Angel Sacred Sword emblem. Though not luxurious, it possessed an air of solemn dignity.
The moment the two reached the entrance, two guards clad in standard Spirit Hall armor stepped forward and scrutinized them warily.
Without another word, Lu Jing took out the dark-gold Worship Token from his robes. The Angel Sacred Sword pattern upon it gleamed faintly in the morning light.
"Worship Token?!"
The lead guard's pupils shrank sharply. He immediately dropped to one knee, and his companion followed suit. The crisp clatter of armor was especially clear in the quiet morning as they respectfully said, "Greetings, my lord!"
Within the Spirit Hall system, a Worship Token represented the will of the highest echelon. Even in this remote little city, it carried enough weight to command the reverence of every spirit master.
Lu Jing put the token away and said evenly, "I want to see the person in charge here. Also, bring me the list of children who awakened their martial souls within the past three months."
"Yes! I'll report it immediately!" The guard did not dare delay in the slightest and practically scrambled into the hall.
A moment later, an elderly man in a dark-blue Spirit Master Robe hurried out to greet them. A