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 Mansion.

Within Heaven Dou City, he was the only one who knew Xue Qinghe's true identity.

After all, to coordinate their operations, Spirit Hall's greatest source of power within the Heaven Dou Empire was Salas's Martial Soul Hall.

As Xue Qinghe listened to his report, he was mildly surprised. "Oh? A genius actually delivered himself to our doorstep."

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 do spout nonsense. Are you certain 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 it afterward.

Xue Qinghe snorted. "A Flying Beast Type Martial Soul, and his surname is Wu. Do you think he could be someone from the Count's estate?"

Count Wu Qinan held considerable prestige at court.

If someone from his estate had gone to Spirit Hall, was there some hidden reason behind it? Or did the Wu Family intend to secretly pledge itself to Spirit Hall?

"You came to report to me without investigating anything. Bishop Salas, this is dereliction of duty!"

Xue Qinghe's warning was measured.

Although Salas belonged to Pope Hall, he was dissatisfied with his current position and maintained ties with Worship Hall as well.

People like him waited to see who offered the better price. Whoever gave him more benefits received more of his effort.

Salas repeatedly admitted his fault before asking, "Young Master, should I report this matter to the Great Offering?"

Xue Qinghe considered it for a moment. "Why not? Third Grandpa should be quite interested in the Qing Luan Martial Soul. Send someone to deliver the news back with all haste. The sooner this is handled, the better. I need an exact reply within ten days."

After staying in the residence for several days, Wu Qi saw that the Wu Family had not sent anyone out to look for him.

The last trace of attachment he felt toward the 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 had not been restricted.

He scratched his head and said sheepishly, "I want to go into the city and have some soul beast meat. I heard it helps with cultivation."

Wang Fang immediately agreed.

The hall would cover 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 squad of soldiers clad in standard armor surrounded the estate. A smaller group split off and stood along both sides of the road, as though waiting for someone's arrival.

Wang Fang frowned slightly, shielding 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 their master's behalf and merely stood guard in silence.

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

A refined and easygoing young man stepped down from it.

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

"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 Wang Fang a handwritten letter from Salas.

Wu Qi hurriedly bowed. "Greetings, Your Highness."

He knew Xue Qinghe's true identity very well.

The Qing Luan Martial Soul was identical to the Martial Soul of Qing Luan Worship, Azure Phoenix Douluo. Xue Qinghe's visit at this time was most likely because of Azure Phoenix Douluo.

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

If Xue Qinghe poached Wu Qi, it would undoubtedly be a massive loss for Spirit Hall.

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

"I would not dare."

Wang Fang withdrew to the side in embarrassment.

The Crown Prince's attendants stood guard outside. Only Xue Qinghe and Wu Qi remained inside the room.

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

Wu Qi calmly replied, "Your Highness, I have already promised Bishop that I would join Spirit Hall. You didn't come to recruit me, did you?"

Xue Qinghe suddenly laughed.

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

"I did not come to recruit you. I came to offer you an opportunity."

"Please enlighten me, Your Highness."

Over the past few days, Xue Qinghe had indirectly learned about Wu Qi's circumstances from the Wu Family.

A Family Outcast whom no one cared about—even after disappearing for days, no one had inquired after him. 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 origins, they could simply fabricate a false story later. The Wu Family would have no way to verify it and would not even know that he was one of their own.

"After joining Spirit Hall, there should be two groups of people who approach you. I think you should choose someone whose Martial Soul resonates with yours as your teacher, rather than choosing power and status."

"When cultivating a Martial Soul, suitability matters most. Do you understand how to choose?"

Wu Qi complained inwardly.

Wasn't he just hinting that I should accept Azure Phoenix Douluo's goodwill and give up on Bibi Dong?

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

If he said any 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 character. He would not consider anything else for now.

Afterward, Wang Fang asked what they had discussed.

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

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

That very night, the news reached Spirit Hall.

His talent of Innate Full Soul Power was even more monstrous than the Golden Generation Bibi Dong had selected.

If such a person were brought under her command, he would surely become a capable subordinate in the future.

Upon seeing Wu Qi's Martial Soul, Bibi Dong naturally knew that Worship Hall would make a move, so she dispatched one of her top subordinates—Ghost Douluo.

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

Once the matter became a fait accompli, Worship Hall would have difficulty forcibly taking him away.

Naturally, Worship Hall would not simply sit back and do nothing.

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

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

Azure Phoenix Douluo and Ghost Douluo were both Agile Attack System Soul Masters, and Azure Phoenix Douluo had reached rank ninety-seven. In terms of speed, Ghost Douluo was no match for him.

When Ghost Douluo arrived, covered in dust from his journey, he happened to encounter the languid-looking Azure Phoenix Douluo.

"Gui Mei, go back. This has nothing to do with you," Azure Phoenix Douluo said casually.

The aura of a rank ninety-seven Soul Master was released invisibly.

Ghost Douluo's expression changed drastically. His figure shot backward, retreating two hundred meters before he could barely withstand the soul pressure.

"Qing Luan Worship, this is Her Holiness the Pope's strict order. I must complete it. Please make things convenient for me."

Azure Phoenix Douluo snorted. "I'll give you two choices. Fight me, and 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 turned ugly.

In both strength and 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 Phoenix Douluo snorted. "There is no point in this stalemate, and do not test my patience. I will give you three minutes. If you still refuse to leave, I will take it as you voluntarily attacking me!"

If he got beaten now, he would not only fail his mission but also face punishment after returning.

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

With that thought, Ghost Douluo left resentfully.