Young Master Exits Seclusion! Soul Emperor Qian Yaoting!

Deep within Angel God Mountain, inside a meditation chamber.

The heavy stone door slid open slowly to both sides, emitting a dull, grating sound.

A wave of dense, stagnant residual Soul Power surged from the gap, carrying the dry, musty scent peculiar to long-term seclusion, and dispersed throughout the corridor.

A tall, slender figure stepped out from the chamber. Standing against the light on the threshold, he cast a long shadow projected by the Soul Guidance Lamps inside.

Qian Yaoting stretched his shoulders and neck, a series of crisp pops echoing from his joints.

He had spent nearly a year in the chamber. His stature had grown taller than before, and his face had shed much of the boyish immaturity. His features bore a resemblance to Qian Shengyuan, though the lines were softer, save for the cold, sharp edge deep within his eyes.

Level sixty.

Breaking through from level fifty-three to level sixty in exactly three years—this speed was enough to turn heads anywhere on the continent. Yet, in Qian Yaoting's eyes, it had barely met the minimum goal he had set for himself.

The Soul Guidance Array within the chamber dimmed slowly behind him, the glow of the lamp wicks fading section by section. Without looking back, he walked along the corridor toward the foot of the mountain.

The corridors of Angel God Mountain wound in twists and turns, embedded on both sides with portraits and inscriptions of past ancestors of the Qian family.

Qian Yaoting did not walk fast. His gaze occasionally swept over the carvings on the walls, but most of the time, he stared blankly ahead.

He had not breathed the outside air for a year. The mountain breeze, carrying the scent of grass and trees, rushed toward him, making his spirit stir slightly.

When he reached the foot of the Sacred Mountain, two attendants were already waiting at the exit. Seeing him emerge, they bowed immediately and offered the fresh clothing and food they had prepared.

Qian Yaoting took the outer robe and draped it over his shoulders, asking casually, "Any major events outside in these three years?"

The attendant hesitated for a moment, then replied, "Reporting to the Young Master, the first two years were as usual. However, a few major things have occurred in the last year. The most significant is that his Excellency the Pope took on a personal disciple over half a year ago and appointed him as the Saint Son of Spirit Hall three days ago."

Qian Yaoting's hand, about to lift a bowl of water, paused.

"A Saint Son?" He repeated the title. There was no obvious displeasure in his tone, but his brows rose slightly. "I remember Spirit Hall hasn't appointed a Saint Son for decades."

Not every Pope appointed a Saint Son or Saintess, nor did every generation have one.

Otherwise, Li Long would not have been merely the thirteenth Saint Son.

"Yes. This Saint Son is named Li Long, hailing from the Notting City branch. He is ten and a half years old, currently at level thirty-four, a three-ringed Soul Elder."

Qian Yaoting took a sip of water, set the bowl down, and looked at the attendant. "Ten and a half? A three-ringed Soul Elder appointed as Saint Son?"

"Yes, his Soul Ring configuration... is somewhat special. The first ring is five hundred years, the second is one thousand years, and the third is six thousand five hundred years. All three rings broke the limit for their respective ranks. His Excellency the Pope personally took him to hunt for the third ring; it is said to be a Titan Giant Ape subspecies, with a power effect equivalent to over ten thousand years."

Qian Yaoting did not speak.

He sat on a stone bench, fingers resting on his knees, his gaze fixed on the distant mountain ridge as if digesting this information.

After a moment, he spoke. "First ring five hundred, second a thousand, third six thousand five hundred... three rings at level thirty-four. This configuration is indeed interesting."

He paused, then asked, "What is his Martial Soul?"

"An ordinary Iron Rod."

"An ordinary Iron Rod?" Qian Yaoting's brows lifted for another second, then the corners of his mouth curved slightly—it was unclear whether he was surprised or intrigued. "With an Iron Rod Martial Soul, his Innate Soul Power shouldn't be very high, right?"

"It is said to be level three."

Qian Yaoting was silent for a moment, then gave a soft laugh. "Innate level three, Iron Rod Martial Soul, three rings all breaking limits, ten and a half years old, level thirty-four, Saint Son... this person has done in the year I was in seclusion what others might not achieve in ten. No wonder Father was tempted to take him as a disciple."

He stood up and flexed his wrists. "Where is he?"

"The Saint Son currently resides in the East Courtyard of the Papal Palace."

"Then I'll go find my father first." Qian Yaoting turned and walked toward Spirit City, his pace a bit faster than before. "I've broken through to Soul Emperor and need to hunt for my sixth Soul Ring. I'll discuss the Soul Beast with him, and by the way..."

He stopped, tilted his head toward the attendant, the curve still on his lips. "By the way, I'll see what this Saint Son actually looks like."

The attendant hurried to follow, not daring to say more.

The journey from Angel God Mountain to the Papal Palace was not far. Qian Yaoting walked quickly, and within half an hour, he entered the inner city.

Low-level members he passed along the way stepped aside, their gazes filled with respect and a touch of curiosity.

After a year of seclusion, the Young Master's aura was much deeper than before. Although his level sixty Soul Power fluctuations were restrained, one could still feel that substantial sense of oppression.

Qian Yaoting walked straight through the long corridor, stopped at the door of Qian Shengyuan's study, and knocked twice.

"Enter."

Qian Yaoting pushed the door open and stepped in.

Qian Shengyuan sat behind a long desk. When he looked up and saw who it was, the pen in his hand paused. He set it down and leaned back in his chair, eyeing him.

"Level sixty?"

"Just broke through." Qian Yaoting walked to the desk and sat in a nearby chair, his posture natural and casual. "Half a month slower than estimated."

"Slow by half a month is called slow?" Qian Shengyuan scoffed. "You were level fifty-three when you went in three years ago; jumping seven levels to sixty in three years—if you call that slow, how are others supposed to live?"

Qian Yaoting did not pick up on that. He leaned back, his gaze falling on Qian Shengyuan's face as he shifted the topic carelessly. "I heard you took on a disciple?"

Qian Shengyuan's posture in the chair straightened slightly before he relaxed again.

He glanced at Qian Yaoting, a hint of realization in his eyes. "You're well-informed. You knew as soon as you came out of seclusion?"

"The servants told me on the way down the mountain," Qian Yaoting said. "Innate level three, Iron Rod Martial Soul, level thirty-four with three rings, Saint Son. Father, your eye for talent is different this time."

"What was my eye for talent like before?"

"Starting at Innate level nine, Martial Soul with attributes, clean background, top-tier aptitude." Qian Yaoting counted on his fingers before looking at Qian Shengyuan. "This Li Long has none of those. You made an exception."

Qian Shengyuan looked at his son and was silent for a few breaths before speaking, his tone more serious than before. "His path is different from yours. Your path was paved by the Qian family bloodline—Innate Soul Power, Martial Soul, resources, you lacked nothing, which is why you've walked so smoothly since you were small. His path was carved out blow by blow. I give him resources, he gives me results. You've heard of his Soul Ring configuration yourself; no one in the entire Soul Master world has achieved that in tens of thousands of years."

Qian Yaoting did not rush to respond. He lowered his head to think for a moment before saying, "I do want to see him."

Qian Shengyuan did not object; he nodded. "He is in the East Courtyard. Don't scare him when you go over, though I suspect you won't be able to."

Qian Yaoting smiled, stood up, and walked toward the door. As he reached it, he looked back. "By the way, I've broken through to level sixty and need to hunt for my sixth Soul Ring. After I've seen him, will you accompany me to the Star Dou Great Forest?"

"We'll see when the time comes." Qian Shengyuan picked up his pen again. "Go on."

Qian Yaoting walked out of the study and followed the corridor toward the East Courtyard.

His level sixty Soul Power circulated steadily within him, but his steps were lighter than usual, carrying the excitement of someone who had just left a cage and wanted to see something new.

Innate level three, Iron Rod Martial Soul, Saint Son.

He began to feel curious.