"There is some credibility to it." Ming Chen's expression was solemn.
"Hui has never seen the Tree of Life spirit or heard of the Academy's Golden Ancient Tree, but the descriptions are strikingly similar, especially the faint golden light it emits."
As a former inner court student of Shrek Academy, he had seen the Golden Ancient Tree up close.
The golden light emitted was an external manifestation of immense vitality.
"Could it be that Hui is the reincarnation of a deity from the Divine Realm?" Qing Ya voiced her guess, though she felt a little awkward.
There was also a sense of fear.
The former feeling was because the idea of a deity's reincarnation made her feel like she was carrying a child for someone else. The latter was from the fear that the unknown god would fully regain their memory in the future and might distance themselves, even rejecting her as their mother.
After all, it was a god, a being from a higher plane!
Ming Hui also shared the discomfort and worry, but to ease his wife's emotions, he spoke gently, "Regardless, Hui is our biological child, the one we brought into this world together, isn't that so?"
Hearing this, Qing Ya's mood calmed a little, she pressed her lips together, a faint smile rising on her face. She nodded with some relief. "Chen, you're right! No matter who Hui was before, that's all in the past. Now, he's the flesh and blood I carried for ten months and gave birth to."
"He carries our bloodline; he is our son."
After speaking, she slightly puffed her chest and, with a serious expression, changed the subject.
"Chen, I've thought about it. We should send Hui to the Body Sect. Only the Body Sect can provide the best training for Hui's original spirit, laying the firmest foundation for his future cultivation of the Lightwing Divine Bow and minimizing the threat of soul spirit backlash."
"As for Shrek Academy, we can hold off for now."
Having been together for so many years, Ming Chen detected a different tone in his wife's words and cautiously asked, "Aya, what do you mean?"
A slight worry appeared on Qing Ya's face. "Chen, you've seen the state of the Sun Moon Empire these past years."
"Though the country has been putting more emphasis on spirit soul cultivation, the development of soul engineer technology has never stopped, and the royal family still attaches great importance to it. The funds allocated to the Mingde Hall every year have never been less, which has contributed to the current power of the Mingde Hall."
"But the constant expenditure on soul engineer technology has seriously depleted the local resources of the Sun Moon Empire. Plus, with the nobility and aristocratic families consolidating their power, many commoners have run out of land to cultivate, and the domestic contradictions have only been getting worse in recent years."
"This was clearly demonstrated by the uprising that happened last year."
"To change the current situation, they either have to act decisively against the current beneficiaries, the old aristocratic forces, and redistribute wealth, or they have to divert the contradiction outward, starting a war by invading the fertile lands of the former three empires."
"Other than that, I see no other option."
"And based on the development momentum of Mingde Hall in recent years, the royal family of the Sun Moon Empire seems to have chosen the latter option."
Every year, large amounts of funding are being allocated, but the finished soul engineers flowing into the market are few and far between, which speaks volumes.
"I have a premonition that the Sun Moon Empire is accumulating power, preparing for war. Sooner or later, they will target the three great empires."
The reason Qing Ya's family chose to relocate to the snowy mountains all those years ago was that the family head had discovered a rare metal mine for manufacturing soul engineers in the land beneath. In order to avoid attracting attention, the family kept it hidden and sent elites to Shrek Academy every year to study, leveraging the Academy's influence as a form of insurance, with hopes of later cooperating with the Academy.
She had once been in the inner court herself.
It was also because of this metal vein that her family began early involvement in soul engineer technology.
On the surface, they appeared to be merchants and suppliers of fur from the extreme north, but secretly they dealt in soul engineer products.
The extreme north, located in the northern part of the Heavenly Soul Empire, had harsh internal conditions. However, items such as furs and clothing made from them were highly valued by the nobility and aristocracy of various nations.
The higher the status, the more valuable the information they could access.
By using the fur and its derived products as a stepping stone, Qing Ya's family had gradually accumulated influence and control over various industries, including those in the Sun Moon Empire.
As a result, they were able to access internal information in a timely manner.
They were also able to secretly acquire the latest soul engineer technology.
Shrek Academy's establishment of the Soul Engineer Department and its mastery of soul engineer technology were partially supported in secret by her family.
"It's a pity that they still haven't caught up to the deeply rooted Mingde Hall." She sighed, a hint of regret in her voice.
Of course, Shrek Academy still didn't know that Qing Ya's family controlled a metal mine. They only knew that the family dealt in fur on the surface and had some underground dealings with the Sun Moon Empire's underground associations, which is why they were able to obtain soul engineers and rare metals.
As time passed, things changed, and people's hearts were the hardest to predict—one had to be cautious!
"Lips without teeth will suffer, Chen. In the end, we are still the common folk of the former three empires." Qing Ya sighed and then spoke with a serious tone.
"As the clan head, I cannot hand over the future of the family and the lives of our people to outsiders."
"To be prepared for any eventuality, I must act in advance."
"Hui's appearance might be an opportunity to temporarily set aside past grudges between the Body Sect and Shrek Academy, and jointly resist the Sun Moon Empire." If things go wrong, the family could lead the children to retreat westward into the sea, which was another reason why their ancestors had relocated here in the first place.
The sea was close enough.
"This is indeed an opportunity." Ming Chen nodded.
"The old Dean understands the greater good and has always considered the Academy's future. I believe he will support your idea."
"Additionally, this matter can only be discussed with the old Dean." He added.
If it were Yan Shaozhe or Xuan Zi and other senior figures, they would probably explode in anger, calling them traitors to the Academy.
They were clearly just Academy students, and some had already graduated.
Those people who looked down on soul engineers would never understand, even though Ming Chen had personally witnessed it decades ago when he was a student.
"I think so too." Qing Ya nodded.
"Then I will head out now to discuss things with Du Busi." Ming Hui decisively stated.
Although the Body Sect was also a hidden sect, it had made quite a stir outside in the past, and the Qing family had managed to locate its headquarters.
"As for Hui's later admission to Shrek Academy, I think it's better to wait until his soul power reaches level 30 before bringing it up."
Qing Yaimmediately understood, nodding. "Okay."
"Tomorrow, I will take Hui to another sect to wait. By the time you return, Hui's body should be well enough to go out and obtain his first spirit ring."
For safety reasons and to keep a route open for the family, the Qing family never entertained outsiders.
"Good." Ming Chen stood up and walked out of the room.
Half an hour later, Ming Hui woke up from the bed and left the room.
Soon after, Hong Shenzi arrived and completed a vivid portrait of the mother and son.
"Clan head, who is this woman?"
Hong Shenzi was confused.
She had watched Ming Hui grow up and had never seen this woman before. Surely, Ming Hui had never seen her either. Could it be that the little one had developed feelings at such a young age and imagined her?
But Ming Hui was only six years old! Isn't that a bit early?
She couldn't help but glance at Ming Hui.
So small, and still in recovery from illness—could this really be possible?
"What are you doubting?" Ming Hui sensed the unusual look in the elder's eyes and felt a bit dissatisfied.