Settling In

After confirming that Zhao Ming was willing to stand with her through thick and thin, Qian Renxue personally led him through the winding corridors of the Crown Prince's Palace to a secluded side courtyard on the western side of the estate.

The small courtyard covered roughly one hundred and fifty square meters. Its walls were built of gray bricks, and several clusters of slender bamboo grew at the corners. When the breeze passed through, the bamboo leaves rustled softly, lending the place a quiet elegance amid the bustle.

When she pushed open the carved wooden door of the main room, a faint scent of sandalwood greeted them.

Though the room's furnishings were not extravagant, every detail showed care. A brand-new brocade quilt covered the huanghuali bed, its surface embroidered with auspicious cloud patterns. A bookshelf taller than a man stood in the corner, already filled with books.

Zhao Ming glanced over them. Most were introductory texts on soul master cultivation and soul beast illustrated guides.

"Time was short, so I could only prepare this much. Take a look and see if there's anything else you need. I'll have someone get it for you."

He looked around and was quite satisfied with the small courtyard. In his previous life on Blue Star, he had merely been an ordinary office worker, renting a cramped studio apartment.

For the first three years of this life, he had lived in a mud-brick house in the village. For the next three, he had slept in a communal bunkhouse at the orphanage.

The room before him was the best room he had ever lived in across both his lives.

He turned around and gave Qian Renxue a brilliant smile. "Sister, this place is already wonderful. I really like it."

Seeing the undisguised delight in his clear, bright black eyes, the corners of Qian Renxue's lips lifted slightly. She reached out and gently ruffled his hair. "I'm glad you like it. Get some rest early today. Tomorrow, I'll arrange for Uncle Snake Spear to teach you the basics of being a soul master."

"Mm!" Zhao Ming nodded hard.

After giving him a few more instructions, Qian Renxue turned and left the side courtyard.

That evening, Qian Renxue summoned Snake Spear Douluo to her study.

"Young Master, the boy agreed to stay?" Once She Long entered Qian Renxue's study, he could no longer hold back his question.

Qian Renxue sat behind her desk and said calmly, "Uncle Snake Spear, starting tomorrow, please teach Xiao Ming some basic soul master knowledge.

"His talent is exceptional, but he only spent a little over half a month studying on his own at Spirit Hall in Vast Sea City. His foundation is still shallow, and he needs someone to systematically organize the basics for him."

She Long's expression turned serious at once. He cupped his fists and said, "Rest assured, Young Master. I'll teach him properly. That boy has a steady temperament and considerable talent in battle. He's promising material."

Qian Renxue smiled faintly, softening some of the usual chill between her brows. "Of course I trust Uncle Snake Spear. You and Uncle Porcupine are Grandfather's right and left hands, sent to assist me. I couldn't be more at ease leaving Xiao Ming in your care."

Trusted so deeply by his young master, She Long felt greatly pleased, though he did not show it. He merely nodded solemnly before turning and leaving the study.

The next morning, just as daylight streamed into the room through the window lattice, Zhao Ming had already washed and dressed. A maid brought him a set of training clothes Qian Renxue had specially prepared.

The outfit was made from fine cotton and tailored to fit. It allowed easy movement without sacrificing dignity. Just as Zhao Ming took his place in the courtyard, Snake Spear Douluo pushed open the gate and entered.

Today, Snake Spear Douluo wore a dark gray fitted outfit that made his lean, upright figure appear even more sharp and capable.

He carried a wooden box in one hand. After entering the courtyard, he casually set it on the stone table and swept his sharp gaze over Zhao Ming. "Kid, starting today, I'll teach you the basics of soul masters every morning. This includes soul power cultivation methods, soul beast identification, determining soul ring age, and combat techniques. Your afternoons are yours to arrange. You can cultivate or do other things. Any questions?"

"No questions, Elder Snake Spear." Zhao Ming stood straight and answered seriously.

"Good." She Long nodded in satisfaction, opened the wooden box, and took out a yellowed book along with several parchment scrolls bearing illustrations of soul beasts. Thus began the first day of lessons.

"The foundation of a soul master's cultivation lies in the accumulation and use of soul power. You possess innate full soul power, so your starting point is higher than that of most soul masters. But that does not mean you can become complacent. Innate full soul power only means you begin faster than others. What truly determines how far a soul master can go is later diligence and opportunity..."

She Long's teaching style was concise and direct, without a single wasted word. Every sentence struck at the heart of the matter.

Zhao Ming listened with complete focus. Whenever he encountered something he did not understand, he asked directly, and She Long patiently answered each question.

After an hour of theoretical instruction, She Long began teaching Zhao Ming how to identify soul beasts.

He spread the parchment scrolls out one by one. They depicted various common soul beasts, with small annotations beside them detailing their habits, weaknesses, and what kind of soul rings they were suited to become.

"The Golden Armored Earth Dragon, Titan Giant Ape, and Terrorclaw Bear you selected before are all strength-oriented soul beasts. That shows you have a clear understanding of your own martial soul.

"But remember this: when hunting soul beasts for soul rings, you cannot judge only by the species. You must also consider the specific age and individual differences."

Zhao Ming nodded earnestly, committing those words firmly to heart.

While Zhao Ming diligently studied under She Long, news that a retainer under His Highness the Crown Prince had brought a child back to the Crown Prince's Palace spread like a stone thrown into a calm lake, stirring wave after wave across Heaven Dou City.

Heaven Dou Empire Imperial Palace, Imperial Study.

Emperor Xue Ye sat behind the dragon desk, idly turning a smooth jade thumb ring in his hand as he listened to the report of the black-clad spy below. A thoughtful look filled his eyes.

"A six-year-old child, personally brought back by that Soul Saint retainer from the Crown Prince's Palace?" Emperor Xue Ye's voice was low and imposing, carrying the pressure unique to one long accustomed to power.

"Your Majesty, it is absolutely true. This subordinate saw it with his own eyes. The Soul Saint retainer recruited by His Highness the Crown Prince returned from the direction of Star Dou Forest with that child and went directly into the Crown Prince's Palace.

"According to information sent back by our informants within the Crown Prince's Palace, the child has been placed in a side courtyard there, and His Highness the Crown Prince places great importance on him." The black-clad spy knelt on one knee and reported respectfully.

Emperor Xue Ye fell silent for a moment, his fingers lightly tapping against the dragon desk with dull thuds.

Xue Ye had always been extremely satisfied with his son, Xue Qinghe. He was steady in temperament and flawless in his dealings with others, far superior to that worthless Xue Beng.

And Xue Qinghe had never disappointed him.

Over the years, the Crown Prince's Palace had recruited quite a few capable individuals, including many Soul Saint-level experts.

In name, these retainers were the Crown Prince's personal advisers. In reality, they also served the Heaven Dou Empire. Emperor Xue Ye had always turned a blind eye to this and had even been pleased by it.

However, Xue Ye also had reservations about "Xue Qinghe." The reason was simple: "Xue Qinghe" had personally killed two of his brothers in order to seize power.

Competition for the throne had always been cruel. Xue Ye did not disapprove of what "Xue Qinghe" had done, but "Xue Qinghe" was so ruthless and decisive, so devoid of familial affection, that Xue Ye feared he might one day meet the same fate.

That was why Xue Ye had kept "Xue Qinghe" under surveillance.

And this time, the child his son had sent a Soul Saint to personally travel thousands of miles to bring back could not possibly be ordinary.

"Investigate." Emperor Xue Ye finally spoke, his voice carrying unquestionable resolve. "Find out this child's identity, background, and innate soul power level.

"For Qinghe to value him so highly and send a Soul Saint-level retainer to bring him back personally, he must be a genius. As long as his background checks out, our Heaven Dou Empire must cultivate him well."

"Yes, Your Majesty." The black-clad spy accepted the order. With a flash, he vanished into the shadows of the Imperial Study.