That day, the person he had expected finally came knocking.
Qin Ming led Chen Jieqi to the Education Committee's hall, explaining as they walked, his tone tinged with helplessness.
"Xiao Qi, a guest of extremely distinguished status has asked to meet you personally through the Education Committee."
Chen Jieqi nodded, his expression calm. He said nothing more.
He had long expected this. His talent, strength, and insight were bound to attract the attention of the empire's inner circle sooner or later.
Before long, they entered the Education Committee's magnificent hall.
Three committee members stood clustered around a young man, their faces full of deference.
Just as he'd expected. He'd even drawn her attention!
Chen Jieqi thought this to himself, his gaze settling on the young man without betraying anything.
The man wore the moon-white embroidered court robes of a crown prince, adorned with silver patterns. A jade belt cinched his waist, and his long hair was swept up beneath a jade crown, with only a few strands falling beside his ears. He looked dignified and noble.
His features were handsome and refined, his complexion just the right shade of fair. His relaxed brows and eyes lent him an air of warm, approachable grace, and his smile was as refreshing as a spring breeze. He seemed like a harmless, gentle young nobleman.
This was none other than the Heaven Dou Empire's Crown Prince—
Xue Qinghe.
However, only Chen Jieqi knew that beneath that handsome exterior was the young mistress of Spirit Hall—
Qian Renxue!
The closer she came, the more pronounced the stirring in his heart became. It was an instinctive resonance between Martial Souls of the same origin.
Chen Jieqi suppressed his distracting thoughts, stepped forward steadily, and bowed to the three committee members.
"Greetings, members of the Education Committee. Teacher Qin Ming said you wanted to see me?"
Looking at the boy before them, who had become a Soul Ancestor before turning twelve, the three committee members stroked their beards, smiling warmly. Their eyes brimmed with unmistakable approval and amazement.
Meng Shenji, the head of the Education Committee, stepped forward and spoke kindly.
"Xiao Qi, we called you here today for no major reason. His Majesty heard that an exceptionally talented young man had joined the academy and specifically sent the Crown Prince to pay you a visit."
He stepped aside, revealing the young man behind him, and introduced him in a clear voice.
"This is His Highness, the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Qinghe."
Chen Jieqi stepped forward, his manner respectful but neither servile nor arrogant, and cupped his hands in greeting.
"Chen Jieqi, a student of Huangdou, pays his respects to His Highness the Crown Prince."
Xue Qinghe's gaze sharpened slightly as she studied Chen Jieqi for a moment.
The boy before her stood tall, his aura as pure as the first light of dawn. Unlike ordinary gifted disciples, he showed no trace of arrogance; instead, he carried himself with a maturity and restraint beyond his years.
The sacred aura that seemed to emanate from him only intensified the stirring in her heart. The pure power of light filled her with longing.
Suppressing the restlessness in her heart, Xue Qinghe's smile grew gentler, and she spoke with just the right degree of humility.
"Chen Jieqi... That's a fine name.
"Young and accomplished, with such composure. You'll surely become a pillar of the Heaven Dou Empire one day."
She paused, adding a deliberate note of familiarity and promise to her voice.
"I'm a few years older than you. May I call you Xiao Qi?
"If you don't mind, you can call me Brother Xue.
"From now on, focus on your cultivation without worry as you walk the path of a Soul Master. If you ever need anything, the empire and I will be your strongest support."
The three committee members nodded discreetly, thinking to themselves:
"His Highness truly is benevolent and virtuous, with the manner of one who welcomes the worthy. He'll surely be a wise ruler."
"Of course. Thank you, Brother Xue."
Chen Jieqi replied, his tone carrying just the right amount of respect and warmth.
This was exactly one part of his plan.
Chen Jieqi knew that once his talent was exposed, it would inevitably draw the attention and covetousness of various factions.
Though the existence of Dugu Bo as a "nuclear deterrent" could largely protect him from ordinary thugs and sects,
he would never dare gamble with Spirit Hall, much less with that "mad empress," Bibi Dong.
His Martial Soul wasn't the Six-Winged Angel, but the "scent" of its pure light attribute and sacred aura was even stronger. Whether it was the latent danger posed by the clash of attributes,
or the "scent" of that attribute provoking Bibi Dong and reminding her of certain painful memories she'd rather not revisit, it was like a ticking time bomb that could explode at any moment.
As a pioneer of the Dao of Caution, Chen Jieqi would naturally never ignore such an obvious risk.
So, reaching out to this "little angel, Qian Renxue," was the natural choice. They had no prior connection, let alone any old feud. She was just the right person to rely on for protection.
On the surface, Xue Qinghe would use her status as Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire to recruit this Huangdou prodigy by treating him with courtesy.
In private, whether Qian Renxue wanted to bring him over to her side or was competing with Bibi Dong behind the scenes, she would instinctively protect him.
This was the first layer of protection Chen Jieqi had arranged for himself.
He had even considered the most extreme possibility: if their Martial Souls could truly combine, it would be like holding an "immunity-from-death token."
Of course, that depended on maintaining a balance with Qian Renxue's identity. Otherwise, he might end up with a different kind of "protection."
That was the first step in Chen Jieqi's plan: protect himself first.
Only then would he work toward growth.
Once the Education Committee's polite exchange of pleasantries ended, Chen Jieqi accompanied Xue Qinghe and the three committee members to the East Palace.
The side hall gleamed with gold and jade, the fragrance of imperial wine wafting through the air. Music and dancing filled the room with splendor.
After three rounds of drinks, the hall doors were suddenly slammed open.
Xue Beng staggered in, his brocade robe disheveled and the smell of wine clinging to him. He blustered loudly.
"Brother, I heard you invited that genius boy from Huangdou?
"Your younger brother would like to see what sort of person he is!"
His gaze swept over Chen Jieqi's white outfit. His brows furrowed, and he spoke with scorn.
"You're Chen Jieqi?
"Beating Yu Tianheng is supposed to be impressive?
"You're nothing but some country bumpkin who throws his weight around.
"Which member of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family doesn't outrank you in birth and surpass you in strength?
"You're just a commoner. What makes you think you belong here?"
Before he had even finished speaking, he raised his hand and hurled his full cup of strong liquor onto the table in front of Chen Jieqi. Wine splashed everywhere, soaking most of Chen Jieqi's clothes.
The three committee members' expressions changed. Just as they were about to rebuke Xue Beng, Xue Qinghe gently raised her hand to stop them.
Seeing that, Xue Beng grew even more arrogant. He walked around to stand in front of Chen Jieqi, looking down at him as his wine-sour breath washed over him.
"A commoner is a commoner. You don't even have a decent Spirit Bone.
"I have a hundred-year-old Wind Wolf Skull here. I'll give it to you out of pity!"
With that, he took a Spirit Bone case from his Soul Tool.
He swung his wrist hard, hurling it straight at Chen Jieqi's face.
However,
Chen Jieqi only paused for a moment.
The Sacred Light abruptly tightened, snapping the case's strap. Its trajectory changed, and it struck Xue Beng right in the face.
The movement was so quick that everyone else assumed Xue Beng had simply missed.
"Thud!"
The case hit Xue Beng on the bridge of his nose. Blood gushed out at once, and he stumbled back two steps, baring his teeth in pain.
The entire hall fell silent. Even the dancers stopped moving.
Chen Jieqi looked up, a gentle smile on his face.
"Your Highness Xue Beng, now that you've given away the Spirit Bone, you should have taken better care of it.
"Your reflexes are impressive, though. You caught it perfectly...
"I'm just not sure whether you meant to give it to me or yourself?"
Xue Beng was furious and in pain. A muffled groan escaped his throat.
"Enough."
Xue Qinghe's voice finally turned cold. She forcibly escorted the disheveled Xue Beng out.
The tension in the hall dissipated, and the music resumed.
Meng Shenji hurried forward, an apologetic expression on his face.
"Xiao Qi, sorry for the trouble. His Highness was indeed out of line today."
Xue Qinghe poured Chen Jieqi another drink, approval hidden in her eyes.
"Xiao Qi, I hope you'll forgive us."
Chen Jieqi gently swirled his fresh glass of wine and replied with a faint smile.
"Brother Xue, you're too kind. His Highness merely behaved improperly after drinking."
Chen Jieqi knew that Xue Beng's disruption had been no accident...