Next morning, the thin fog over Nuoding City had yet to disperse, and the bluestone roads were still damp with dew.
After a simple breakfast of wheat cakes and hot porridge, Lu Jing and Wang Dong'er headed toward the unassuming Spirit Hall branch in the city.
Compared to the grand main hall of Spirit City, which resembled 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 outside and a plaque engraved with the Angel Sacred Sword Pattern hanging above the entrance. Though not luxurious, it carried an air of solemnity.
The moment the two reached the entrance, two guards clad in standard Spirit Hall armor stepped forward and eyed them warily.
Lu Jing said nothing. He simply took the dark gold Enshrined Token from his robe, the Angel Sacred Sword pattern on it gleaming faintly beneath the morning light.
"An Enshrined Token?!"
The lead guard's pupils contracted sharply. He immediately dropped to one knee, and his companion followed suit. The crisp clatter of armor rang especially clearly through the quiet morning as they said with utmost respect, "Greetings, my lord!"
Within the Spirit Hall system, an Enshrined Token represented the will of the Highest Level. Even in a remote little city like this, its weight was enough to inspire awe in every Soul Master.
Lu Jing put away the token 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 last three months."
"Yes! I will report this at once!" The guard did not dare delay in the slightest and practically scrambled into the hall.
A moment later, an old man in a dark blue Soul Master robe hurried