Spirit City, a side hall of the Pope's Palace.
A spy dressed in a gray cloth robe knelt on one knee in the hall, his head bowed low, holding a confidential report and a portrait in both hands.
He had concealed his aura so thoroughly that his presence was barely perceptible. Even kneeling in the middle of the hall, he was like a fallen leaf blended into the shadows, drawing no attention.
Spirit Hall's undercover agents who could remain hidden in Spirit City for years without being discovered were all people of this sort.
"Your Holiness, an unfamiliar young man appeared at the Emperor Team's quarters and is close to Dugu Yan. Last night, he clashed with Yu Tianheng. Yu Tianheng lost and suffered serious injuries, but recovered after treatment from Ye Lingling. This morning, the young man introduced himself at the Imperial Fighting Team's quarters: Huang Yun, fifteen years old, Martial Soul, Thunder Kunpeng. He claims to be a Seven-Ring Soul Sage."
The spy's voice was steady and concise, every word precise.
He presented the confidential report and portrait, then remained kneeling, utterly motionless.
Bibi Dong sat on the throne in the hall and reached out to take the report and portrait.
Her gaze first fell on the report. She quickly scanned its contents, then turned to the portrait.
It depicted a young man of about fifteen, with a tall, slender build, a youthful face, well-proportioned features, and a composure in his eyes and brows that belied his age.
The artist was highly skilled and had captured his expression quite accurately. His eyes were especially lifelike, their calm harboring an indescribable sharpness.
As Bibi Dong studied that face, her gaze stilled slightly.
She had seen this face before.
Not in person, but she had seen a portrait that was