Twenty-two years have passed, and she has transformed from a girl needing protection into a true Saintess

Pufferfish Douluo's brows furrowed upon hearing this.

The weight of a matter that could make the High Priestess so cautious and the Young Mistress so concerned was self-evident.

He asked in a deep voice, "Young Mistress, do you require your subordinate to escort you back?"

Qian Renxue shook her head slightly, her gaze cast toward the heavy night outside the window, her tone calm and decisive. "No need. Here in Heaven Dou City, the plan has already entered the right track, but Emperor Xue Ye does not yet fully trust me. Many arrangements require someone to hold the fort to prevent any unforeseen changes. Once I leave, everything here will be entrusted entirely to you and Uncle Snake Spear."

She paused, a sharp glint flashing through her violet eyes. "During my absence, you must be doubly careful. Closely monitor the movements of Xue Ye, Xue Xing, and that Fourth Prince, Xue Beng, as well as the activities of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. If an emergency arises, you may use the backup channels to contact me, but unless it is a matter of life and death, do not act rashly. Your primary objective is to stabilize the current situation and ensure the plan is not exposed."

Pufferfish Douluo's expression turned solemn as he bowed and replied, "Understood! Rest assured, Young Mistress, my subordinate and Snake Spear will do our utmost to ensure Heaven Dou City remains secure! You may return to Spirit Hall to handle your urgent matters with peace of mind."

"Mm." Qian Renxue nodded; she was confident in the capabilities of the two Title Douluo, Pufferfish and Snake Spear.

Over these past six years, had it not been for their secret assistance in handling various emergencies, her identity as Xue Qinghe might not have been disguised so flawlessly.

"I shall depart tonight."

Qian Renxue made her decision and instructed, "You may withdraw and convey what I have just said to Uncle Snake Spear clearly. After I leave, everything in the East Palace will continue as usual. To the outside world, announce that I have caught a slight cold and need to rest for a few days, declining all visitors."

"Understood, subordinate obeys!" Pufferfish Douluo saluted once more. Without further questioning, his figure flickered like a ghost, silently exiting the room and pulling the door shut behind him.

Silence returned to the room.

Qian Renxue walked to the window and pushed it open, letting the night breeze ruffle her disguised hair.

She gazed toward the direction of Spirit City, her violet eyes shimmering as her thoughts churned.

Her grandfather's urgent summons was like a stone cast into a calm lake, stirring ripples in her heart.

The grand ambition of the Heaven Dou Empire was important, but Spirit Hall was her root; it was where the glory of the Angel clan resided.

If her grandfather was this urgent, there must be a reason.

No longer hesitating, she turned and returned to the inner chamber.

A moment later, a figure clad in tight black night-traveling clothes, moving with agility, silently left the East Palace through a hidden passage and melted into the vast night.

This figure did not fly directly out of Heaven Dou City. Instead, like the most seasoned assassin, she utilized the shadows of buildings to avoid all patrolling guards and sentries, slipping out of the heavily guarded Heaven Dou Imperial City and the outer city with astonishing speed.

It was not until she was completely clear of Heaven Dou City and hovering above a desolate mountain forest that the black shadow stopped.

She slowly raised her hand, removed the black veil from her face, and revealed that peerless, breathtakingly beautiful countenance.

She looked up at the star-studded night sky and took a deep breath of the cold night air.

The next moment, a brilliant, dazzling golden light erupted from within her!

Six massive wings, composed entirely of golden divine energy, suddenly unfurled behind her!

Each feather seemed to be condensed from the purest light; as they stretched, they scattered a sky full of light feathers, illuminating the surrounding forest as if it were day!

A vast, majestic, and sacred aura spread out like a tide, startling countless birds and beasts in the forest.

The Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul!

Golden light swirled in Qian Renxue's violet eyes, shedding all the gentleness of her disguise, leaving only the arrogance and sanctity belonging to an heir of the angels.

With a thought, the six wings behind her flapped violently!

"BOOM!"

The air emitted a thunderous sonic boom!

Her figure transformed into a brilliant golden meteor streaking across the night sky, tearing through the clouds at a terrifying speed as she raced toward Spirit City!

In her wake, she left only a fading golden trail and a sacred pressure that made souls tremble.

At noon the following day, the scorching sun beat down on the magnificent walls of Spirit City, built from massive white stones, reflecting a dazzling glare.

This holy land in the hearts of the continent's Spirit Masters remained as solemn and dignified as ever, carrying an inviolable sense of sanctity.

A figure, looking slightly travel-worn yet unable to hide her peerless grace, appeared quietly on the wide main thoroughfare of Spirit City.

She wore a simple long dress that outlined her tall, graceful figure. Her long golden hair, like flowing sunlight, draped casually over her shoulders. Her violet eyes were as deep as a sea of stars, her features exquisite and flawless, and her temperament noble and sacred. It was none other than Qian Renxue, who had traveled through the night from Heaven Dou City.

The moment she stepped into Spirit City, Qian Renxue's footsteps faltered slightly, a flicker of indescribable, complex emotion crossing her violet eyes.

She looked up at the city, familiar yet somehow strange, and at the towering Pope Palace and Consecration Hall in the distance that seemed to pierce the clouds, feeling a thousand emotions in her heart.

Twelve years.

It had been twelve full years since she was sent out of Spirit City by her grandfather, Qian Daoliu, at the age of nine to infiltrate the Heaven Dou Empire as a maid for Xue Qinghe.

During these twelve years, she had disguised herself as someone completely different in gender, personality, and experience. She had walked on thin ice, step by step, in the viper's nest of the imperial palace, living every day in lies and schemes.

During this time, she had not stepped foot in Spirit City once, nor had she dared to maintain much contact with Spirit Hall, fearing the slightest slip.

Now, revisiting this old place felt like a lifetime ago.

The streets, the buildings, and even the faint sacred aura permeating the air were not much different from her memories. It was still the Spirit City she knew, the place where she was born and raised.

Yet, things had changed; she had grown from a little girl needing protection into a Saintess capable of standing on her own, shouldering the future of the Angel clan, and even... the "Crown Prince" lurking in the heart of an enemy nation, stirring up the winds and clouds.

A faint weariness, along with a trace of imperceptible belonging, welled up in her heart.

But soon, these soft emotions were forcibly suppressed by Qian Renxue. She knew very well that this was not the time for sentimentality.

A summons from Grandfather was surely no trivial matter.

She reined in all outward emotions, reverting to that cold, noble, and unapproachable demeanor before setting off toward the heart of Spirit Hall.

She made no attempt to conceal her movements or use any disguise, walking openly along the main thoroughfare of Spirit City in her true form, as the Saintess of Spirit Hall.

Along the way, many Spirit Hall guards, deacons, and even low-level spirit masters caught sight of the woman with dazzling golden hair and a beauty that defied belief. Many were stunned at first, their eyes quickly filling with admiration, confusion, and even awe.

Although Qian Renxue had left Spirit City at only nine years old and had lived in seclusion for years, her peerless beauty and the sacred aura unique to the Angel clan led some of the veteran spirit masters to vaguely guess her identity; they bowed their heads in salute, not daring to meet her gaze.

Qian Renxue looked straight ahead, her stride steady as she headed directly toward the area housing the Pope Palace and the Consecration Hall.

Just as she was about to step into the corridor on the outskirts of the Consecration Hall, a slightly feminine voice filled with surprise sounded from her side: "M... Miss?"