A Meeting

"A six-year-old child who could calculate every step so clearly... Uncle She Long, tell me, was he born this way, or was he taught?"

She Long fell silent, unable to answer.

Qian Renxue did not wait for his reply. She returned to the desk, picked up a pen, and wrote a letter.

The letter was brief, containing only a few lines: As for Heavenly Workshop, my younger sister has her own arrangements. Sister, please rest assured.

She folded the letter and handed it to She Long. "Take this to Spirit Hall and give it to my mother."

She Long accepted the letter and hesitated. "Miss, should we send someone to make contact with that Gu Ci?"

Qian Renxue considered it, then shook her head. "No rush. Let's see what his next move is first. This person is worth waiting for."

When the message reached Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong was reviewing a report sent by the Adjudication Department.

Yin Wuji and Iron Face stood below, scarcely daring to breathe.

The Pope had been silent for a long time. The intelligence report on Heavenly Workshop's Soul Sword Blades lay on the table before her, and she had read it again and again.

"Improved Soul Sword Blades," Bibi Dong finally said, her voice cool.

"When you went to Heaven Dou City, did you see anything like this?"

Yin Wuji forced himself to answer. "This subordinate only saw civilian Soul Lights and Soul Heaters at the time. I did not see any Combat Soul Tools. That Gu Ci hid them very well."

Bibi Dong glanced at him without reproach, merely speaking faintly.

"A six-year-old child who could toy with all of you so easily is no simple matter."

Yin Wuji and Iron Face lowered their heads, not daring to speak.

Bibi Dong rose and walked to the window, gazing out at Spirit City's nightscape.

Qian Renxue's letter lay on the table. That child had said she had her own arrangements and told her not to worry. Not worry?

How could she possibly not worry?

That child named Gu Ci held something capable of changing the continent's entire balance, while her only daughter was at his side.

"Pass down my order." She turned around. "Send Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo to Heaven Dou City to observe him in secret."

"Do not act, and do not expose your identities. I want to know just how many secrets that child still has."

Yin Wuji froze. "Your Holiness, didn't you say we would set this aside for now...?"

"Times have changed."

Bibi Dong cut him off. "Civilian Soul Tools can be set aside. Combat Soul Tools cannot."

"If Heaven Dou Empire equips these things on a large scale, Spirit Hall's advantage will vanish completely."

She paused before adding, "Also, tell Xue'er to be careful. That Gu Ci is no ordinary person."

Three days later, at Heavenly Workshop.

Before dawn had even broken, a long line had formed outside the entrance.

There were stewards sent by nobles, attendants hired by merchants, and spies from every faction.

There were even several armored soldiers among the crowd, supposedly sent by order of Xue Ye.

Heavenly Workshop's gates slowly opened. Qian Sihai stood at the entrance, smiling at the sea of people before him.

"Everyone, Heavenly Workshop is selling only three items today. First, an improved First-Grade Soul Sword Blade, with a starting bid of five thousand Gold Soul Coins."

"Second, a First-Grade Soul Arm Guard, capable of blocking attacks from ordinary blades. Starting bid: three thousand Gold Soul Coins."

"Third, First-Grade Soul Boots. Infuse them with Soul Power, and they increase speed by thirty percent. Starting bid: three thousand Gold Soul Coins. The three items will be sold as a set to the highest bidder."

Before he had even finished speaking, the crowd erupted.

"I bid ten thousand!"

"Fifteen thousand!"

"Twenty thousand! No one better compete with me!"

Bids rang out one after another as the price soared.

In the end, the three Soul Tools were bought as a set by a mysterious buyer for fifty thousand Gold Soul Coins.

No one knew who the buyer was. Only Qian Sihai knew that the buyer was from the Crown Prince's Mansion.

When the news spread, all of Heaven Dou City was shaken.

Fifty thousand Gold Soul Coins for three First-Grade Soul Tools—had they gone mad?

But those who were truly clever knew the money had been well spent.

Because these three items represented a signal: Heavenly Workshop's capabilities went far beyond mere Soul Lights.

That night, Gu Ci sat in the Marquis Mansion's courtyard. Zi Dian lay across his lap, while Night Shadow lurked in the darkness.

Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling were cultivating inside, while Dugu Bo had gone somewhere unknown.

He looked toward the lights of Heavenly Workshop and silently calculated.

The three Soul Tools sold today were meant for everyone to see.

The Heaven Dou Royal Family would know he had good things. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would know he had good things. Spirit Hall would know he had good things too.

Everyone would know. Then everyone would come—either to buy or to seize them.

He had to prepare before any of them could act.

Zi Dian raised its head and gently licked his finger.

Gu Ci smiled and stroked its head.

"Don't rush," he said softly. "The real show has only just begun."

In the distance, in the direction of the Crown Prince's Mansion, a Soul Light glowed quietly in the night.

Qian Renxue stood beneath the light, holding a report that had just been delivered. The corner of her lips lifted slightly.

Fifty thousand Gold Soul Coins for three First-Grade Soul Tools.

That child was more interesting than she had imagined.

She turned and returned to the study, then picked up her pen and wrote a letter.

The letter was for Gu Ci, containing only one sentence: I am very interested in Heavenly Workshop's products. Might we have a talk?

By the time the letter was sent, the sky was already beginning to brighten.

Gu Ci received the letter the next morning.

He was preparing to head to the Academy with Dugu Yan when Old Ghost emerged from nowhere and handed him a folded note.

"It came from someone at the Crown Prince's Mansion."

After saying that, Old Ghost vanished back into the shadows.

Gu Ci unfolded the note. There was only one sentence written on it: I am very interested in Heavenly Workshop's products. Might we have a talk?

The handwriting was elegant and neat, carrying a steadiness at odds with its owner's age.

Gu Ci stared at that line for a long time, and a pair of violet eyes surfaced in his mind.

"Brother Gu Ci, whose letter is that?" Dugu Yan leaned closer.

Gu Ci folded the note and tucked it into his clothes. "A friend."

"Since when did you have a friend? How come I didn't know?"

Gu Ci smiled but did not answer.

He glanced in the direction of the Crown Prince's Mansion, then took Dugu Yan's hand and headed toward the Academy.

Qian Renxue waited three days without receiving a reply.

She was not angry, nor was she anxious.

If that child had agreed to meet her so easily, he would not have been worth so much of her attention.

She sat beneath the Corridor in the Crown Prince's Mansion Backyard, holding a Soul Light in her hands. White light reflected off her face, making her appear quiet and composed.

Xue Qinghe returned from outside, saw her sitting there, and asked with a smile, "Xue'er, what are you thinking about?"

"Nothing."

Qian Renxue stood and resumed her manner as a maid. "His Highness has returned early today."

Xue Qinghe waved a hand, excitement on his face. "Heavenly Workshop has released something new."

"A First-Grade Soul Shield, capable of blocking attacks below the Soul Ancestor level. People from the Ministry of Works have already gone to negotiate. Father intends to purchase them in bulk."

Qian Renxue's heart stirred slightly, but her expression remained unchanged. "Then congratulations, Your Highness."

Xue Qinghe smiled, then suddenly lowered his voice. "Did you know? The child behind Heavenly Workshop is only six years old."

"A six-year-old who can make things like this... what do you think he'll become in the future?"