Chapter 2: Crown Prince Xue Qinghe

Homeless children, for the sake of survival, are inevitably more precocious than their peers.

Wang Fang did not dwell too much on this issue.

Helping the other party awaken their martial soul meant she could be considered an initiating teacher. With this bond in place, the other party would certainly not treat her poorly in the future.

That night.

After some disguise, Salas secretly headed to the Taizi Fu.

He was the only person in Tiandou City who knew the true identity of Xue Qinghe.

After all, to coordinate their actions, the greatest force of the Spirit Hall in the Heaven Dou Empire was the Wuhun Shengdian of Salas.

Listening to his report, Xue Qinghe felt slightly surprised, "Oh? A genius actually delivered himself to our doorstep."

While explaining, Salas added a few flattering remarks.

Xue Qinghe's expression suddenly changed, and he scolded, "Although children do not lie, they can talk nonsense. Are you sure everything he said is the truth?"

Salas's expression froze, and he looked hesitant.

Indeed, he had only listened to Wu Qi's one-sided story and had not conducted an investigation afterward.

Xue Qinghe coldly snorted, "A bird-type martial soul, and his surname is Wu; do you think he might be someone from the Count's estate?"

Count Wu Qinan possessed considerable prestige in the imperial court.

If someone from his estate went to the Spirit Hall, could there be some hidden reason, or did the Wu Family want to secretly pledge allegiance to the Spirit Hall?

"Reporting to this Palace without investigating anything at all, Bishop Salas, you are derelict in your duty!"

Xue Qinghe's reprimand stopped at the right point.

Although Salas was a person of the Pope Palace, he was not satisfied with the status quo and also had connections with the Consecration Hall.

This kind of guy was just waiting for the highest bidder; he would put in more effort wherever he received more benefits.

Salas apologized repeatedly and then asked, "Young Master, does this subordinate still need to report this matter to the Great Consecrator?"

Xue Qinghe pondered for a moment and said, "Why not report it? The Qingluan Spirit—Third Grandfather should be very interested. Send someone to deliver it urgently; this matter should be done sooner rather than later. Within ten days, this Palace needs a definitive answer."

……

Having stayed in the side courtyard for several days, the Wu Family had not sent anyone out to look for him during this time.

The last shred of attachment Wu Qi had for his family completely vanished.

"Little Brother Wu, are you still going to stroll around the city today?" Wang Fang asked with a smile.

Wu Qi was only arranged to stay here to rest, not under house arrest; his personal freedom was not restricted.

He scratched his head and said embarrassedly, "I want to go into the city to eat some Soul Beast meat; I heard it helps with cultivation."

Wang Fang immediately agreed.

The entertainment expenses were covered by the Wuhun Shengdian, and she could also have a good meal along with him, so there was no reason to refuse.

As the two just stepped out of the gate, a squad of soldiers in standard armor surrounded the residence; a small detachment of soldiers split off and stood on both sides of the road, as if waiting for someone to arrive.

Wang Fang frowned slightly, shielding Wu Qi behind her, and demanded, "This is the territory of the Wuhun Shengdian. Who ordered you to surround this place?"

These soldiers dared not speak for their master and stood guard silently.

Before long, a carriage arrived, surrounded by soldiers.

A refined and easygoing young man stepped down from the carriage.

Looking at the style of the carriage, it was undoubtedly the Crown Prince's vehicle.

"Do not be nervous. This Palace has already discussed it with Bishop Salas; I am here to see the little genius, nothing more."

As he spoke, Xue Qinghe handed Salas's handwritten letter to Wang Fang.

Wu Qi hurriedly bowed, "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

He was very clear about Xue Qinghe's true identity.

The Qingluan Spirit was the same as the martial soul of the Third Consecrator, Qingluan Douluo. Xue Qinghe coming here at this time was likely for the sake of Qingluan Douluo.

"Your Highness, Wu Qi is still young, this..." Wang Fang hesitated.

If Xue Qinghe poached Wu Qi, it would be a huge loss for the Spirit Hall.

Xue Qinghe was not annoyed and responded with a faint smile, "Bishop Salas has already made it very clear. Does this lady still wish to obstruct this Palace?"

"I dare not."

Wang Fang retreated to the side, feeling disgruntled.

……

The Crown Prince's officials stood guard outside the door; inside the room, there were only Xue Qinghe and Wu Qi.

"Seeing this Palace, you do not seem nervous at all. You are truly worthy of being a genius with innate full soul power."

Wu Qi responded calmly, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, I have already promised Bishop Salas that I will join the Spirit Hall. You aren't here to recruit me, are you?"

Xue Qinghe suddenly smiled.

It seemed the person before him was even more interesting than he had anticipated.

"This Palace is not here to recruit you, but to offer you an opportunity."

"Please enlighten me, Your Highness."

Over these past few days, Xue Qinghe had learned about Wu Qi's situation from the Wu Family through side inquiries.

A peripheral member of the family whom no one cared about—even if he went missing for several days, no one asked after him. After confirming that the other party's actions did not represent the intentions of the Wu Family, there was no reason for the Spirit Hall not to take him in.

As for Wu Qi's background, they could fabricate a false one later; the Wu Family would have no way to investigate, nor would they know he was a member of the Wu Family.

"When you join the Spirit Hall, two groups of people will likely approach you. I think you should choose someone whose martial soul is compatible with yours as your teacher, rather than choosing power or status."

"In martial soul cultivation, suitability is the most important thing. Do you understand how to choose?"

Wu Qi complained inwardly.

Isn't this just hinting that he should accept the goodwill of Qingluan Douluo and give up on Bibi Dong?

However, the true identity of Xue Qinghe was of great significance; being able to say this much was already the limit.

To say any more would risk exposure.

Seeing Wu Qi "seemingly understand yet not," Xue Qinghe stood up and left.

For this trip, he only needed to understand Wu Qi's temperament; other matters were not to be considered for now.

Afterwards, Wang Fang asked about the content of the conversation.

Wu Qi used the excuse of not having understood to brush the matter aside.

After all, for a six-year-old child, the words of Xue Qinghe were indeed incomprehensible.

That night, the news reached the Spirit Hall.

A talent with innate full soul power was even more monstrous than the Golden Generation planned by the Pope, Bibi Dong.

Taking such a person under one's command would surely result in a capable subordinate in the future.

Upon seeing Wu Qi's martial soul, Bibi Dong naturally knew the Consecration Hall would take action, so she dispatched her capable subordinate—Ghost Douluo.

Ghost Douluo traveled with great speed to Tiandou City to bring Wu Qi back immediately, so that Bibi Dong could take him as her disciple.

Once the matter was a done deal, the Consecration Hall would find it difficult to forcibly snatch the person away.

Of course, the Consecration Hall would not just sit and wait for death.

Seeing that Qingluan Douluo had taken an interest in Wu Qi, Qian Daoliu dispatched him.

Five days later, in the suburbs of Tiandou City.

Qingluan Douluo and Ghost Douluo were both Agility Attack System Spirit Masters, and with his strength reaching the Ninety-Seventh Level, his Speed was incomparable to the latter.

When Ghost Douluo arrived, travel-worn and weary, he happened to run into the languid-looking Qingluan Douluo.

"Guimei, go back; there is nothing for you here," Qingluan Douluo said casually.

The aura of the Ninety-Seventh Level was released invisibly.

Ghost Douluo's expression changed abruptly; his figure retreated rapidly, pulling back two hundred meters to barely withstand this soul pressure.

"Consecrator Qingluan, this is a death order from His/Her Holiness the Pope; this subordinate must complete it, so please make things convenient."

Qingluan Douluo gave a light hum, "I'll give you two choices: fight me, and if you win, we'll do as you say. Otherwise, get lost. Bibi Dong cannot order me around!"

"This..." Ghost Douluo's expression was unsightly.

In terms of strength and Speed, he was no match for his opponent; how could he dare to resist?

After a long silence, he still remained unwilling to leave.

Qingluan Douluo cold-snorted: "There is no point in a stalemate, and do not test my patience. I give you three minutes; if you still do not leave, it will be viewed as you actively attacking me!"

To take a beating now would not only mean failing the mission, but he would also face punishment upon returning.

Since that was the case, why suffer a beating for nothing?

Thinking of this, Ghost Douluo left dejectedly.

(End of chapter)