The banquet came to an end,
and Xue Qinghe personally escorted Chen Jieqi and the other members of the Education Committee to the East Palace gates.
Only after their figures had completely disappeared from sight did he return inside and slowly take his seat at the head of the hall.
The warm, gentle smile on his face faded like morning mist swept away by the wind. The humility and kindness in his eyes gradually vanished as well,
replaced by a fathomless, icy arrogance.
The Soul Power he had deliberately kept in check no longer needed to be concealed. It surged forth, carrying the unique divinity and majesty of the Six-Winged Angel.
"Everyone, leave."
The attendants did not dare say a word. They bowed and withdrew in silence, gently closing the heavy palace doors behind them and shutting out every sound from the outside world.
Once he was alone in the hall, Xue Qinghe slowly rose and raised a hand to his cheek.
His fingertips traced his brow and the bridge of his nose. The Crown Prince's handsome, gentle face began to glow with a faint golden light, as if veiled in a sacred gauze.
As the golden light grew brighter, his figure wavered slightly, and his bones gave off faint but distinct clicks.
His originally tall but slender frame gradually grew taller and more willowy, his graceful lines imbued with undeniable strength.
His aura changed with it. The gentle bearing of royalty vanished completely, replaced by a divine, aloof presence that seemed to look down on all below.
The pale moon-white Crown Prince's robes shattered inch by inch in the golden light, dissolving into a shower of golden radiance.
In their place appeared a long, snow-white dress, its hem embroidered with intricate Six-Winged Angel patterns that shimmered with a faint holy light.
Delicate gold ornaments adorned the neckline and cuffs, scattering glimmers of light whenever she moved, both sacred and resplendent.
The jade crown in her updo cracked apart. Her black hair faded away, transforming into dazzling gold that spilled over her shoulders like a waterfall.
Fine flecks of light seemed to dance among the strands, surrounded by a hazy, sacred glow.
She raised a hand and brushed away the last traces of the Crown Prince's aura. The warmth in her eyes faded entirely, replaced by coldness and sharpness.
Her eyes were no longer gentle, inky black. They shone a clear gold. She was breathtakingly beautiful, yet so cold that no one would dare approach.
In a matter of moments, the refined and elegant Heaven Dou Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe, had vanished.
In his place stood the woman who was the Spirit Hall's heir—
Qian Renxue!
She walked slowly to the window and gazed out at the deep darkness of night.
Her golden hair glowed warmly in the lamplight, and her white dress fell to the floor. She looked like an angel descended into the mortal realm, yet she carried a bone-deep chill and loneliness.
It was the loneliness of the Spirit Hall's young mistress, and the weariness of years spent in disguise.
"A Soul Ancestor before the age of twelve..."
she murmured to herself.
"If I can bring this boy to my side, he'll be a great help in letting me take control of Heaven Dou and reclaim the position of Pope in Spirit Hall."
She paused, a complicated look flashing through her eyes.
But if he couldn't... With such monstrous talent, he would surely become a great threat in the years to come. Yet the stirring brought on by the resonance between their Martial Souls made her feel a trace of reluctance.
She slowly turned and returned to the head seat, closing her eyes.
She repeatedly recalled Chen Jieqi's appearance and aura, as well as his composed ease in handling himself at the banquet.
His pure, sacred light, in particular, along with the persistent stirring in her heart, only made her more certain:
she could not let this boy slip away.
She had already made up her mind.
The next time they met, she would get to the bottom of Chen Jieqi's intentions. She would either bring him to her side, or...
Elsewhere,
back at the academy, Chen Jieqi's heart was beating particularly fast in his chest from that stirring sensation.
He desperately fought to keep the corners of his mouth from turning up,
since at the moment, he and "Xue Qinghe" were in a situation where one was hidden in the dark and the other stood in the open.
The other was plotting how to bring him to heel, while he was secretly delighted.
The stirring that came from their Martial Souls had made one thing perfectly clear:
his Martial Soul really could fuse with that of the "Crown Prince."
That meant he had gained another layer of protection—a life-saving safeguard.
With this bond between them, even if Pope's Palace truly intended to kill him, they would have to think twice.
Only after entering his dormitory and closing the door did he finally let the corners of his mouth curl up, unable to hide the delight in his eyes.
After that, life returned to its familiar routine.
It was a full week before an invitation from the Crown Prince's Residence finally arrived.
Ever since the Education Committee had introduced him at the banquet, Chen Jieqi had known this day would come. He just hadn't expected it to arrive so soon.
He could even guess that the other side had probably already investigated every detail of his background.
An attendant led him through winding corridors and past a koi pond, finally stopping before a palace called Qinghe Hall.
The hall doors stood open, and sandalwood incense drifted out.
"Master Chen, His Highness has been waiting for you. Please follow me."
The attendant bowed, his voice respectful.
The hall was utterly silent.
Chen Jieqi looked up and saw Xue Qinghe seated at the head of the hall,
still dressed in the same gentle, refined style, his robes falling elegantly as he sat with regal composure.
Chen Jieqi stepped forward and clasped his hands in greeting. His voice was clear, his manner neither servile nor arrogant:
"This student, Chen Jieqi, pays his respects to the Crown Prince."
"There's no need for such formality. Didn't you say you'd call me Brother Xue, Xiao Qi?"
Xue Qinghe raised a hand as if to help him up, his tone carrying a hint of feigned reproach.
"Why are you calling me Your Highness again? Or do you think I'm not worthy of being your elder brother?"
As Chen Jieqi straightened, he clearly felt a thread of concentrated, gentle Soul Power probe into him. It flowed slowly along his meridians, heading straight for the origin of his Martial Soul.
Clearly, Xue Qinghe had called him here to thoroughly investigate the details of his Martial Soul.
Chen Jieqi understood, but kept his expression unchanged. He simply let the sacred light of the Heart of the Naaru flow as usual, allowing that thread of Soul Power to move through him.
If you want to see, then look all you like. If he deliberately hid anything now, he would only arouse suspicion.
Only by remaining composed and revealing a reasonable amount could he make the "Crown Prince" lower his guard, at least for the time being.
The instant that thread of Soul Power touched the origin of his Martial Soul, both of them froze. It was as though they had been lightly scorched by the pure aura of light.
It was the Angel Martial Soul's instinctive resonance with a kindred power of light.
Xue Qinghe took it all in. A flicker of certainty passed through his eyes before he returned to his gentle, harmless demeanor.
"Please forgive me for not addressing you properly the first time, Brother Xue. I'll be more careful next time."
Chen Jieqi straightened fully, his tone respectful in just the right measure.
"Good,"
Xue Qinghe said, gesturing with a raised hand.
"Don't stand on ceremony. Please, have a seat."
He signaled to the attendant to serve Chen Jieqi some tea.
"Ever since we parted at the banquet, I've kept you in mind. I heard that your Martial Soul is unusual and that your cultivation is progressing remarkably quickly.
"I invited you here today because I wanted to talk with you about the path of a Soul Master."
Chen Jieqi thanked him and took his seat, accepting the teacup from the attendant with both hands. He took a moment to calm the unease in his heart.
He looked up at Xue Qinghe and spoke casually.
"You're too kind, Brother Xue. I hardly deserve it.
"If you have any questions about cultivation, I'll tell you everything I know."
A warm smile tugged at the corners of Xue Qinghe's mouth. His gaze lingered on Chen Jieqi as if he were making idle conversation, but every question concealed a test.
At times he asked about Chen Jieqi's Martial Soul Awakening; at others, about his Soul Ring Configuration. Occasionally, he would seem to casually bring up Chen Jieqi's views on the empire.
Every question seemed designed to measure the limits of his convictions and loyalties.
Chen Jieqi answered the questions about cultivation frankly. When the conversation turned to the empire, he spoke with solemn conviction.
"As a citizen of Heaven Dou, loyalty is only right!"
When their tea was nearly finished, Xue Qinghe changed the subject.
"What do you think of Spirit Hall?"
Chen Jieqi chuckled inwardly. They had finally gotten to the real topic.
But he kept his expression unchanged.
"As the organization responsible for maintaining order among Soul Masters, Spirit Hall used to do a good job. Driving away Soul Beasts, exterminating Evil Soul Masters, and awakening Martial Souls for commoners free of charge—those are all things worth supporting."
He paused and met Xue Qinghe's eyes. His words carried just the right amount of regret and criticism.
"But ever since the current Pope was crowned, everything changed.
"Spirit Hall gradually revealed its ambition and arrogance. It kept gathering and suppressing talented Soul Masters, bringing various Soul Master forces under its control and swallowing up smaller clans.
"It even began interfering in the affairs of the empire...
"It's no longer the Soul Master organization that once protected the continent."
At these words, Xue Qinghe's brows furrowed slightly. Before he could speak, Chen Jieqi continued.
"Still, I admire the original purpose and principles of Spirit Hall."
Chen Jieqi softened his tone, sincerity showing in his eyes.
"My grandfather, Dugu Bo, told me that ten thousand years ago, humanity was still struggling in dire straits. People faced not only the scourge of Soul Beasts, but also disasters caused by the evil factions among their own kind."
"It was the Soul Masters of the Angel Clan who stepped forward and founded the first Soul Master organization.
"Its core mission was to study Martial Soul Theory, protect the common people, drive away Soul Beasts, exterminate Evil Soul Masters, and plant the Core Flame that would unite humanity across the continent."
He paused, a hint of longing entering his voice.
"That... is the true meaning of Spirit Hall's existence.
"I heard that Spirit Hall still worships the Angel God Statue from those days. That steadfastness is truly moving."
As he spoke with growing emotion, Chen Jieqi's expression became more reverent, as if he were truly gazing up at the ancient statue. He pressed his right hand to his chest.
"For young Soul Masters like us, we ought to be loyal and revere the Angel's Glory!"
At those words,
the look in Xue Qinghe's eyes grew even gentler.
He lifted his teacup and took a small sip, concealing the faintest smile at the corner of his lips—
one even she herself had failed to notice.