When the group from Heaven Dou Empire arrived by carriage at the bustling border city where the Star Luo Empire and Heaven Dou Empire met, Prince Xue Qinghe of Heaven Dou, who had already received word and had been waiting, appeared at the city gates with an honor guard and an elite cavalry unit.
Xue Qinghe wore his usual moon-white princely attire, with a jade belt at his waist, his handsome and warm appearance exuding elegance and approachability.
"Qinghe greets my teacher. I also greet the Wisdom Brain Douluo and Young Sect Master Chen," he said with sincerity and humility, then turned his gaze to Chen Yi, who stood beside the Grand Elder.
Chen Yi stepped forward with a bright smile and said enthusiastically,
"For this Continental Elite Tournament, Prince Qinghe was responsible for overseeing the nation and could not come to Star Luo to support us in person. It's truly a regret."
However, the astonishing record of Chen Yi's team defeating the heroes and overturning the Spirit Hall team single-handedly to finally win the championship had already spread throughout the continent, and Qinghe was deeply impressed.
"It's a pity that Qinghe has always been weak since childhood, with only average talent as a soul master. Otherwise, I would have stood shoulder to shoulder with Brother Chen in battle, boosting Heaven Dou's prestige!"
Xue Qinghe's words and gaze were filled with genuine admiration, as if he truly respected Chen Yi's achievements and deeply regretted not being able to participate. Had Chen Yi not known the true identity of the "Xue Qinghe" before him, even Qian Renxue, the young miss of Spirit Hall who hated him, would have been moved by such perfect acting.
Chen Yi sighed inwardly.
"Your acting skills are impressive! Hiding in Heaven Dou for over a decade, manipulating a cold heart with such skill, and even now, after being publicly defeated and humiliated by me, you can still pretend to cherish each other. It's a pity that such intelligence and talent are wasted."
The Grand Elder beside him narrowed his eyes slightly, watching "Xue Qinghe" perform so desperately, feeling a sense of unease and vigilance.
Chen Yi bowed his head and replied in a humble yet polite tone,
"Your Highness, you honor me too much."
As a member of Grand Martial Academy, Chen Yi had fought for Heaven Dou. He should do his best for the empire's honor and felt unworthy of such praise from the prince.
Hearing this, Xue Qinghe's smile grew even gentler as he stepped forward and naturally took Chen Yi's hand, his tone tinged with affection.
"Brother Chen, your words are too modest. You've accomplished great things for Heaven Dou. You are a hero of the empire. When my father heard that Grand Martial Academy had won, he specially ordered me to welcome you here to boost the nation's prestige."
"You must be tired from the journey, Brother Chen. Please rest well."
Xue Qinghe looked at Chen Yi with sincere eyes.
"If you don't mind, please call me Brother Xue in private instead of always using the formal title of Crown Prince. It's important to me."
"Otherwise, if I insist, it would be disrespectful to fate and to Brother Xue, who has made such arrangements."
Chen Yi naturally agreed to such a request.
"Of course, of course!" Xue Qinghe smiled even more warmly, like he was truly delighted to have a wonderful "brother," and then led everyone enthusiastically to a post station in town to rest.
Regarding the so-called "rewards" of Heaven Dou, Chen Yi scoffed inwardly. In previous Soul Master Tournaments, the rewards given by Heaven Dou Empire to their winning teams were the stingiest and most insubstantial among the Three Major Factions. In summary, there were only two things: a hollow honorary title with a symbolic stipend, and the right to add "Royal" to their academy's name, such as "Grand Martial Royal Academy." The latter, especially, was even worse than nothing for the Body Sect, as no Heaven Dou academy would look down on them for it.
On the other side, Ning Fengzhi narrowed his eyes as he watched how unusually enthusiastic the students were toward Chen Yi, gently tapping a white jade folding fan against his palm, a deep look of contemplation in his eyes.
…
At the same time, far away in Spirit Hall City.
Bibi Dong, draped in ornate papal robes and topped with a purple-gold crown, sat on the high pope's throne, a jeweled scepter in hand. Her beautiful and dignified face was expressionless as she quietly listened to a cardinal respectfully report news from Star Luo City below.
When she heard about the lightning power Chen Yi displayed in battle—so different from ordinary thunder and lightning attributes, shining with a purple-gold brilliance and extremely powerful—Bibi Dong's deep purple eyes suddenly narrowed sharply.
"Purple-gold thunder... The ratio of soul rings far exceeds the limit... It seems Chen Yi really is the lucky one rumored to have inherited the legacy of the Thunder God. Two purple, three black... 13 years old, rank 58... Truly gifted."
Her gaze was hard to read, whether in respect or mockery, coldly evaluative. She set aside the information scroll in her hand, lightly tapped the armrest of her throne, and gazed intently ahead.
"I wonder how far he's progressed in his God's Trial."
She cocked her head slightly, looking at the attendant standing nearby, dressed in deep red and exuding a sultry allure.
"Spirit Kite, what have Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo been up to lately?"
Bibi Dong's tone was even, betraying neither joy nor anger.
Hearing this, Spirit Kite Douluo felt a chill in her chest and stepped forward to answer respectfully,
"Your Holiness, according to surveillance reports, Yue Guan and Gui Mei have mostly been staying at their respective residences lately, living in seclusion and rarely interacting with the outside world."
Noticing Bibi Dong's slightly raised eyebrow, Spirit Kite continued,
"However... in recent years, they seem to have secretly investigated records and archives related to martial soul awakenings reported by various branch halls."
Upon hearing this, a fleeting coldness flashed across Bibi Dong's beautiful face, and she let out a cold snort.
"So 'loyal'—never slacking for a moment, always finding something to do for their new master."
Spirit Kite lowered her head, not daring to respond. In her opinion, the rapprochement between Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo was understandable. After all, the Body Sect was said to be generous to its own, even bestowing ten-thousand-year soul bones on its heroes. Besides, she had no idea of the relationship between Ghost Douluo and Wisdom Brain Douluo, and now that Ghost Douluo had broken through to the pinnacle, even the recently returned Ghost Douluo seemed fearless of the main hall.
Bibi Dong didn't expect a reply and simply waved her hand.
"Keep watching. Don't interfere unless I order it."
"Yes, Your Holiness."
The atmosphere in the hall was solemn.
…
After hearing Azure Luan Douluo's detailed account of the Star Luo finals, especially Qian Renxue's defeat and Chen Yi's overwhelming performance, Qian Daoliu—who sat before the angel statue—remained silent for a long time.
Regarding Qian Renxue's defeat, this nigh-invincible Level 99 Douluo maintained a calm expression, showing little emotional ripple, and spoke lightly,
"Victory and defeat are common for soldiers. Xue'er's path has been too smooth until now. Experiencing setbacks and learning there's always someone stronger, beyond the world and the sky, may not be a bad thing for her."
Yet, he pondered the problems behind this failure... and the one who had defeated his granddaughter.
When Azure Luan Douluo, in an incredulous tone, described Chen Yi's soul ring configuration—two purple, three black—Qian Daoliu's deep, tranquil gaze was shaken to its core, like a calm ancient well suddenly disrupted.
A golden holy fire seemed to burn in his eyes, and his gaze, as if piercing the void, was fixed on Azure Luan Douluo.
"Is it true? Two purple, three black?"
Qian Daoliu's voice was steady, but the underlying current made Azure Luan Douluo's heart race.
"Big Brother, it's absolutely true. Everyone present saw it with their own eyes. It's no lie."
Azure Luan Douluo affirmed.
Qian Daoliu slowly leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, his heaving chest betraying his inner unrest. After a long while, he exhaled and, voice low and almost muttering to the angel statue before him, said,
"Soul rings far beyond recognized age, training speed that defies common sense... This can no longer be explained by talent alone."
…
Bonus chapter at 500 PS
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