Qian Lingche stood before the towering gates of Heaven Dou City. He gazed up at the lofty walls and the bustling streets beyond, unable to hide the wonder in his eyes.
"So this is Heaven Dou City..."
Spirit City was prosperous too, but its style was completely different from Heaven Dou City's.
The buildings in Heaven Dou City gave off a... very wealthy air. Its streets were wide, its shops lined up one after another, and the air was filled with the aromas of all kinds of food.
Lin Yuan stood beside him. "Young Master, Heaven Dou City is the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire. Many nobles gather here, including more than a few spoiled young masters."
Qian Lingche nodded, a smile lifting the corners of his mouth. "The atmosphere here is completely different from Spirit City. As for those spoiled young masters, as long as they don't bother us, let them be."
He started toward the city gates, anticipation in his voice. "Come on, Lin Yuan. Let's go in and have a look."
Qian Lingche wandered through the streets of Heaven Dou City for a while before his gaze was drawn to a finely decorated clothing shop that looked particularly high-end.
He stopped for a moment and said to Lin Yuan, "This shop looks pretty good. Let's take a look inside."
Lin Yuan nodded and followed him into the shop.
As soon as they entered, a neatly dressed shop assistant with a sweet smile came over to greet them. "Welcome! Esteemed guests, how may I help you?"
Qian Lingche looked around the shop. Exquisite garments of all kinds were displayed everywhere, their fabrics and designs clearly chosen with care. They looked expensive at a glance.
"We'll just browse for now. We'll call you if we need anything."
The shop assistant nodded, her smile unchanged. "Of course. Please take your time. Just call me if you need anything."
Qian Lingche walked over to a dark blue robe and ran his hand over the fabric. "The workmanship is quite good, and the material feels comfortable too."
Holding the robe, Qian Lingche went over to a mirror and looked at his reflection. The garment was certainly nice, but he felt it was missing something.
He shook his head, put the robe back, then turned to look at a bright blue one beside it. A flicker of interest crossed his eyes.
"This one looks much better." He reached out and touched the bright blue robe. Its fabric was soft and smooth, and its color shone brilliantly beneath the lights.
Seeing this, the shop assistant hurried over and enthusiastically introduced it. "You have an excellent eye, esteemed guest! This robe is the latest style in our shop. It's made from the Heaven Dou Empire's unique Blue Silk. It's not only light and airy, but also vibrantly colored. It's perfect for a distinguished guest like you."
Qian Lingche raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? Then I'll try it on."
The shop assistant promptly led the way. "Certainly. The fitting rooms are over there. Please follow me."
Qian Lingche carried the bright blue robe into the fitting room. Outside, Lin Yuan warily scanned her surroundings, making sure nothing seemed amiss.
A short while later, Qian Lingche came out in his new clothes. The bright blue robe made him look radiant, and the diamonds set into it glittered in the light.
An hour later, Qian Lingche walked out of the shop, looking radiant in the bright blue robe.
He had picked out several more outfits in different styles, all finely made. He had the shop assistant carefully pack them all away in his ring.
The shop assistant saw them to the door with a beaming smile. "You truly have an excellent eye, esteemed guest. Every outfit you picked suits you so well. We hope to see you again!"
Qian Lingche tossed the shop assistant ten Gold Soul Coins as a tip. "Thanks. Your service was excellent."
Then he turned to Lin Yuan. "Come on. Let's look around somewhere else."
Walking beside Qian Lingche, Lin Yuan teased him, "Young Master, you seem to really like clothes."
Qian Lingche smiled. "It's not every day I get to visit Heaven Dou City. I have to take back a few souvenirs. Besides, these clothes really are nice, and they're comfortable to wear."
Lin Yuan shook her head helplessly, though there was a hint of amusement in her eyes. "As long as you're happy, Young Master..."
Suddenly, an arrogant voice came from behind them. "Hey, kid! I had my eye on that robe. Take it off, and I'll pay you whatever you want!"
Qian Lingche and Lin Yuan stopped at the same time and turned around. A richly dressed, arrogant-looking boy was approaching them with several attendants.
The boy stared straight at the bright blue robe Qian Lingche was wearing, his voice full of disdain.
Qian Lingche froze for a moment, then glanced around to confirm that the arrogant voice really had been directed at him.
He raised an eyebrow and asked, puzzled, "Are you talking to me?"
Seeing Qian Lingche's attitude, the boy's face darkened, and his tone grew even more hostile.
"Obviously! Who else would I be talking to? I want that robe too. If you know what's good for you, take it off right now. Don't go looking for trouble!"
At that, Qian Lingche couldn't help but chuckle. "Oh? So that's how it is~ But I'm afraid I can't give it up. I've already bought it, and I like it very much."
Seeing Qian Lingche's attitude, the boy's face darkened. "You..."
As he swaggered about, Qian Lingche's Soul Rings appeared around him: two dazzling purple rings and one deep black ring.
Xue Beng's eyes widened in shock, his voice thick with disbelief. "A... a thousand-year First Soul Ring? A ten-thousand-year third ring... How is that possible? You..."
Before he could finish, a cold glint flashed in Qian Lingche's eyes, and his First Soul Ring suddenly lit up. "First Soul Skill—Angel Assault!"
In an instant, two enormous ice cones formed out of thin air. Trailing a fierce chill, they shot toward the boy.
The boy clearly hadn't expected Qian Lingche to attack without warning. His face turned deathly pale, and he tumbled onto the ground, landing in a miserable heap.
Just as the ice cones were about to hit him, one of the attendants behind him rushed forward and swept out both hands, releasing a barrier of Soul Power that blocked Qian Lingche's attack.
The attendant's face darkened as five Soul Rings appeared around him. "Insolence! You dare attack the Fourth Prince? You're asking for death!"
At that, Qian Lingche raised an eyebrow. The shop assistant had mentioned this Fourth Prince earlier.
Among all the noble youths in Heaven Dou City, he was one of the most incorrigible troublemakers.
"Oh? The Fourth Prince—is that Xue Beng? No wonder he's so arrogant."
Xue Beng scrambled to his feet, his face livid as he pointed at Qian Lingche and Lin Yuan. "You... You dared attack me! Guards, seize them!"
So what if this person had such incredible talent? This was the Heaven Dou Empire, and he was a prince!
The attendants behind him immediately stepped forward, their Soul Rings lighting up one after another. They were clearly no weaklings.
The bystanders all hurriedly scattered, afraid of being dragged into the conflict.
Lin Yuan gave a cold snort. "A Five-Ring Soul King? Hah..."
Qian Lingche raised a hand to stop her. "Sister Lin Yuan, don't be impulsive. This is Heaven Dou City. We shouldn't let things get out of hand."
Seeing that Qian Lingche seemed wary, the Soul King grew even more arrogant. "Scared now? Too late! You dared show disrespect to the Fourth Prince. You're not leaving here in one piece!"