Palace Gate

The next day arrived quickly. Early that morning, Jin Hao finished making all the preparations for entering the Imperial Palace with the servants' assistance.

Then Jin Hao asked the Steward sent by Spirit Hall:

"Xiao Ao, how is it? Are you ready?"

Hearing this, the Steward replied:

"Young Master, Oscar is already dressed and waiting for you in the Front Hall."

Jin Hao said nothing in response and headed straight for the Front Hall.

When he arrived, he saw that Oscar had undergone a complete transformation. He no longer looked as grimy and ragged as he had yesterday.

Oscar had cleaned himself up and was dressed in clothing reserved for nobles. Combined with his naturally affectionate Peach Blossom Eyes, which seemed tender even when looking at a dog—

He was clearly the picture of a young noble.

At that moment, Oscar also saw Jin Hao arrive and quickly called out to him:

"Young Master, you're here."

Jin Hao smiled when he heard that.

"You don't need to be so formal, Xiao Ao. How did you sleep last night?"

"Young Master, to be honest, I didn't rest very well last night."

After saying that, Oscar feared Jin Hao might misunderstand, so he immediately continued:

"But that's my own fault. I've lived a hard life since childhood, and suddenly sleeping in that kind of environment last night... maybe a wild boar just can't stomach fine grain. I couldn't fall asleep in that bed."

Jin Hao laughed when he heard that, then said to Oscar:

"Xiao Ao, you'll have to get used to this kind of life. Unless something unexpected happens, this will be your life from now on."

Oscar did not say anything in response, merely smiling.

Seeing this, Jin Hao said:

"Alright, let's go. I'll take you into the Imperial Palace."

Then Jin Hao led Oscar to the Carriage waiting outside the residence. They boarded it, and it set off toward the Imperial Palace.

While they were in the Carriage, Jin Hao said to Oscar:

"Xiao Ao, don't panic when the time comes. I'm here. And remember one thing: after awakening your Martial Soul, you came to seek refuge with me of your own accord. You merely happened to run into people from my residence outside the city and were brought back directly. I didn't send anyone to look for you. Understand?"

Oscar hurriedly nodded and said to Jin Hao:

"Young Master, I know what to say."

Jin Hao nodded. As the Carriage continued onward, he and Oscar arrived outside the Imperial Palace.

They had arrived just as the Heaven Dou Empire's court session ended, so the empire's ministers saw them as soon as they got there.

Everyone now knew that the Heaven Dou Empire had only this one prince left. Moreover, Jin Hao's Martial Soul had mutated, and he was deeply favored by the Emperor.

Thus, the moment they saw Jin Hao, they immediately rushed over to curry favor with the future Emperor of the empire.

"Your Highness, you've broken through, haven't you? My, Your Highness, you're only fourteen and already a Level 27 Grand Soul Master. In the future, you will surely lead our empire to greater and greater strength."

"That's right, Your Highness. Only with you does the Heaven Dou Empire have hope. And my daughter is about the same age as Your Highness. She is exceptionally beautiful and would be perfect at your side."

"Your Highness, do you have business at the Imperial Palace today? If there is anything you need, you may entrust it to me. This humble official will certainly do everything in his power."

For a time, many people crowded around Jin Hao and showered him with flattery.

Jin Hao merely smiled at these people, then said:

"I have urgent business with Father Emperor today, so I won't speak further with you ministers."

Upon hearing this, the ministers all nodded with smiles. After bidding Jin Hao farewell, they left.

Once everyone had gone, someone came to Jin Hao's side. It was Lin Cheng, the nominal uncle of this body's original owner.

After Lin Cheng approached Jin Hao, he looked at Oscar beside him and asked:

"Who is this boy?"

Jin Hao replied:

"Uncle, this is Oscar, the only person on the continent to awaken Innate Full Soul Power in the Food System. The moment he awakened his Martial Soul, he came to seek refuge with me, this prince. After he obtains his First Soul Ring, I plan to bring him in to ask Father Emperor for a reward. After all, such a genius has come to join our Heaven Dou Empire. We can't possibly show no appreciation at all, can we?"

After Jin Hao finished speaking, Lin Cheng was also startled. Innate Full Soul Power in the Food System—if someone with such talent joined the Heaven Dou Empire and remained by his nephew's side, wouldn't that mean a Food System Title Douluo in the future?

Thus, even the way Lin Cheng looked at Oscar carried goodwill.

At this moment, Jin Hao said to Oscar:

"Xiao Ao, this is General Lin Cheng, and he is also my uncle. He commands the hundreds of thousands of Imperial Guards throughout Heaven Dou City. If you run into any trouble in Heaven Dou City in the future, you can go to him. He will help you resolve it."

Lin Cheng also said upon hearing this:

"You're Xiao Ao, right? Qinghe is right. If you encounter any trouble in Heaven Dou City in the future, come find me. I'll help you deal with it."

Oscar immediately said:

"I understand. Then thank you in advance, General."

Lin Cheng laughed at that, then said:

"It's nothing. You belong to Qinghe, and Qinghe is my nephew. It's only natural."

"Alright, I won't delay you any longer. His Majesty is in the Imperial Study right now. Hurry and go see him."

"Qinghe, you not only broke through to Level 27 this time, but also gained a genius like Xiao Ao. It's a double blessing. His Majesty will definitely be delighted. Perhaps some matters will even be settled."

Jin Hao did not continue the topic after hearing that. He merely smiled and said:

"Uncle, we'll be going now!"

Lin Cheng naturally nodded in response.

Then Jin Hao led Oscar into the Imperial Palace.

After Jin Hao and Oscar left, those ministers who wanted to curry favor crowded around Lin Cheng and asked:

"General, why has His Highness Qinghe entered the Imperial Palace? And which family does the child beside His Highness Qinghe belong to?"

They had clearly seen the interaction between Oscar and Lin Cheng earlier. Since Oscar was dressed like a noble now, they all assumed he was the child of some noble family within the Heaven Dou Empire who had been fortunate enough to catch Jin Hao's eye. Naturally, they were very curious.

But Lin Cheng was no fool. There were too many people here, and Oscar's talent was too extraordinary. How could he possibly reveal it?

So Lin Cheng merely said:

"That child had fairly good talent after awakening his Martial Soul, so he came to seek refuge with His Highness Qinghe. His Highness saw that his talent was passable and kept him by his side."

"This time, His Highness merely brought Oscar along to familiarize him with the place, so that he can better serve His Highness in the future."

After saying that, Lin Cheng said nothing more and left directly, not caring whether these people believed him or not.