Beside the Star Luo Emperor, a middle-aged man in armor bowed and asked, "Your Majesty, are we really letting the Third Prince leave just like that?"
The Star Luo Emperor withdrew his gaze, his voice low and forceful. "You know the rules of the Star Luo imperial family as well—strength reigns supreme, and only one can remain in the end."
"Mubai's talent is greater than Weisi's. It is only because Weisi is a few years older and more than ten levels ahead in cultivation. That gap cannot be closed in a short time."
"Letting him go out and gain experience may not be a bad thing."
The middle-aged man—Duke Civet Zhu Chen—furrowed his brow slightly, but in the end swallowed the rest of his words: the resources outside could not compare to those of the imperial family, and the gap would likely only grow wider.
"Old Zhu, we've known each other for over fifty years. Are you still trying to play these little tricks with me?" The Star Luo Emperor glanced at him, a faint smile curling at his lips.
"Mubai's cultivation has surged recently, and he has already reached level twenty. I investigated in secret. His cultivation speed is even faster than that of so-called Innate Full Soul Power, yet he has delayed asking to hunt a soul beast for a Soul Ring. Clearly, he is afraid of exposing his strength."
"And your Zhu Zhuqing awakened her martial soul out of nowhere, and she has Innate Full Soul Power as well."
He paused, a sharp glint flashing through his eyes. "They are bound by a marriage contract, and they have both obtained fortuitous opportunities. This is Star Luo's chance to rise!"
"Go back and keep a close watch on Zhu Zhuqing. Have her cultivate properly. Once she reaches level twenty, find a way to send her out to find Mubai."
"Only by enduring trials can they become truly strong. There has always been that hall above our heads, pressing down on us. I can barely breathe."
Zhu Chen's heart trembled, and he bowed. "Yes, Your Majesty."
He felt helpless. This was Star Luo. Everything in the empire was under the Emperor's control, leaving no room for the slightest concealment.
He had originally hoped that his exceptionally talented daughter, Zhu Zhuqing, could escape her fate. Now, it seemed she would ultimately be drawn into this conflict within the imperial family.
The next morning, within a dense forest.
Dai Mubai leaned against a large tree, his face still somewhat pale. Traveling through the night had taken quite a toll on his body.
A middle-aged man in fitted combat clothes walked over and handed him a waterskin. "Third Prince, have some water."
This man was Pang Tong, the former captain of the Star Luo Imperial Guard, a Soul Saint.
Dai Mubai took the waterskin, drank a mouthful, then looked up at Pang Tong. "Captain Pang, since you were willing to come with me, I will not treat you poorly in the future."
"Once I can firmly suppress Dai Weisi, I will return to Star Luo and inherit the throne. When that time comes, you will be the commander of the Imperial Guard."
He had spent no small amount of effort over the past half month to win over this Soul Saint, promising him substantial rewards.
Pang Tong's heart stirred.
Half a month ago, when the nine-year-old Third Prince had sought him out and revealed level-twenty Soul Power, with a foundation so stable that it did not seem forcibly raised through medicine, he had been moved.
With such talent, surpassing the First Prince would be inevitable if given enough time.
Wealth and honor were sought amid danger. The temptation of supporting a future emperor was simply too great.
He had secretly reported to the Emperor and only dared set out after receiving approval. He resigned from his post and left enough money for his family.
The Emperor had also promised that, so long as he took good care of the Third Prince, his family would receive a monthly subsidy of three thousand Gold Soul Coins. The price was that his family could not leave Star Luo Imperial City, which served as a form of restraint.
"Rest assured, Your Highness. This subordinate will certainly serve with all his heart." Pang Tong bowed in response, respectful but not fawning.
Dai Mubai nodded and put away the waterskin. "Now, I need a Soul Ring, around fifteen hundred years old."
Pang Tong was startled and frowned. "Third Prince, a fifteen-hundred-year Soul Ring can only be absorbed by at least a Soul Elder. You are only level twenty..."
"I know my own body." Dai Mubai interrupted him, his tone leaving no room for doubt.
"Fifteen hundred years. No less, but not more. Also, call me Young Master from now on. Before outsiders, you are my attendant."
Seeing the certainty in his eyes, Pang Tong recalled the physical qualities that had far surpassed Soul Masters of the same level during the assessment. In the end, he answered, "Yes, Young Master."
He chose to trust this young prince. This was also the wager he had placed on his future.
"Let's go. To the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest." Dai Mubai stood and brushed the dust from his clothes.
"I want to find a suitable White Tiger soul beast."
Spirit City, Worship Hall.
Qian Daoliu held a tray bearing five Soul Bones arranged neatly upon it. Each emitted a gentle yet vast sacred aura, while faint Angel phantoms flowed across the Soul Bones.
"Senior, these are the inheritance Soul Bones of my Angel Clan."
Chen Qingxuan's gaze fell upon the Soul Bones, and he nodded slightly. "Not bad."
With a wave of his hand, an invisible force enveloped the five Soul Bones and lifted them into the air. Then he looked at Qian Renxue and said calmly, "Come out."
As his words fell, a gentle force overflowed from Qian Renxue's head, slowly stripping out a Soul Bone that also radiated a sacred aura—the Angel head Soul Bone she had previously absorbed.
"Ah... Master, Xue'er feels a little dizzy." As the skull bone was separated, Qian Renxue felt a stabbing pain in her mind. Her spiritual power instantly fell from the second level of the Spirit Refining Realm to the first, and her little face turned somewhat pale.
"Xiao Xue, are you all right?" Qian Daoliu hurried forward to support her, asking anxiously.
"It's nothing. My head just feels a little dizzy." Qian Renxue shook her head, her voice carrying a trace of weakness.
"This is a normal reaction after separating a skull bone. You will recover soon." Chen Qingxuan explained, his gaze remaining fixed on the floating Soul Bones.
The six Angel Soul Bones slowly revolved around Chen Qingxuan. Their sacred auras intertwined, forming a faint curtain of light.
After several breaths, a smile appeared at the corner of Chen Qingxuan's lips. "So that's how it is. This Angel God is quite talented."
He shouted softly, "Fuse!"
He clenched his hand, and the six Soul Bones seemed to be pulled by an invisible force. They instantly drew together and began rapidly fusing.
Amid faint sounds of bones grinding, the edges of the Soul Bones gradually melted and reshaped. The six originally scattered Soul Bones slowly condensed into a complete suit of armor. Intricate Angel patterns were inscribed upon it, and it radiated a sacred pressure that made hearts tremble. It was the Angel God Armor!
"Th-this, this..." Qian Daoliu's eyes widened as he stared at the scene in disbelief.
He knew very well that each of the six Soul Bones in the Angel set had an age of ninety-nine thousand, nine hundred and ninety-nine years.
Only after all of them had been absorbed could they, under the guidance of divine power, complete the six-in-one fusion, advance into Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bones, and finally condense into divine armor.
Yet now, this senior had directly fused the unabsorbed Soul Bones into divine armor. Such a method was simply unimaginable!
"So beautiful!" Qian Renxue looked at the sacred armor, her eyes instantly lighting up. Her earlier dizziness seemed to have been cast completely aside.
"Go,"
"Fuse." Chen Qingxuan raised a hand and pointed. The Angel God Armor shot toward Qian Renxue as if summoned, instantly wrapping around her body.
Immediately afterward, the divine armor rapidly melted away, turning into streams of golden light that poured into her body, tightly merging with her flesh and soul.
Qian Renxue felt a scorching force flood through her limbs and bones, as though her entire body were burning. A faint golden glow appeared over her skin, and her little face flushed under the power.
"Master, I, I am..."
"Circulate your cultivation technique with all your strength and refine the Angel God Armor." Chen Qingxuan's voice carried a trace of authority. "Remember, refine all of it. Do not leave anything behind."
"Mm!" Qian Renxue nodded forcefully, hurriedly sat cross-legged, closed her eyes, and fully circulated the Primordial Nirvana Sutra.
Golden streams of light raced through her body, continuously washing over her meridians, bones, and soul, gradually integrating the power of the Angel God Armor into her body.
Qian Daoliu stood to the side, watching the sacred aura continuously rise from his granddaughter's body, his heart filled with shock.
With this senior's help, Xiao Xue's future might truly surpass even the Angel God.
Chen Qingxuan stood with his hands behind his back, calmly watching Qian Renxue. The Angel God Armor might be powerful, but it was only a starting point.
The disciple he intended to raise would not merely inherit the Angel Godhood, but become a true powerhouse capable of standing tall among the heavens.
Before you continue