The Tian Dou Imperial Palace.
Xue Qinghe sat gracefully in a carved sandalwood chair, his features as gentle as a painting. His fingertips tapped lightly on the gilded armrest as he listened to the kneeling shadow guard's report. The hanging lanterns cast dappled shadows across his face, accentuating the faint, enigmatic smile playing at the corners of his lips.
"Your Highness, both the captain and vice-captain of the imperial team have fully mastered their Mega Evolution forms. In practical combat drills, they can maintain the form for half an incense stick's time while holding their own against a mid-level Soul King," the shadow guard reported, his voice echoing through the hall.
"Regarding the Five Elements Academy, although there has been significant movement of materials, investigations confirm that none are related to blueprints for Mega Evolution devices. There have been no transactions involving rare metals."
Qian Renxue lowered her gaze, masking the derision in her eyes. The Four Elements Academy (excluding Elephant Armor Academy) had long maintained close ties with the Tian Dou imperial family, serving as the sharpest sword of the Xue clan during the founding battles.
How could the emperor, seated amidst the nine layers of the palace, be stingy about equipping these loyal hounds with soul-guiding weapons? As for selling the blueprints at a high price, such shortsighted behavior would not even occur to a greedy merchant.
"Continue monitoring all major academies. Additionally, increase the number of imperial guards and deploy three teams of patrols throughout the city streets," she said, brushing away imaginary dust from her sleeves. "During the All-Continent Elite Soul Masters Tournament, I want Tian Dou City to be as unshakable as a fortress."
Before her words faded, an elder dressed in brocade stepped out from behind a rosewood screen. The Porcupinefish Douluo, disguised as a steward, handed over a confidential letter and stood behind Qian Renxue.
"You may leave."
All the subordinates exited the hall.
"Elder, do you have news?" Qian Renxue opened the sealed letter.
"The Young Master's foresight is unparalleled. After three years of relentless effort, not a single soul master was overlooked. Finally, through the words of a child, we have located the whereabouts of the ultimate attribute soul master."
Qian Renxue remained calm, showing no excitement despite the hard-won discovery. "Oh? Who is he?"
The Porcupinefish Douluo inwardly sighed. As expected of the Young Master—her composure and resolve were extraordinary.
Little did he know that Qian Renxue had simply grown numb. Any excitement she might have felt had already been exhausted over the past two years.
"He is named Gu La, a student at Nuoding Primary Academy. The information came from a former student who, after graduating and joining the Spirit Hall, casually mentioned it. This caught the attention of the officials, who confirmed that he possesses innate full soul power. His appearance coincides closely with Oak's emergence, leaving no room for doubt."
Gu La had underestimated the tenacity of certain individuals. A future Super Douluo, capable of rivaling even legendary Douluos, was more than enough to tip the scales of war.
Spending several years investigating him was nothing. Moreover, with the Spirit Hall present in every city, the investigation required minimal effort.
"Additionally, I have discovered that he once traveled to the Great Star Dou Forest with one of the members of the Golden Iron Triangle—Flender. He has now arrived in Tian Dou City and gone to Lanba Academy, where Liu Erlong resides."
"The Great Star Dou Forest?"
Qian Renxue lightly tapped her fingers on the armrest. "Innate full soul power, and the first soul ring formed after a thousand years… Three years have passed, so he must have surpassed level twenty by now. Therefore, after awakening three years ago, he likely broke through to the Soul Elder realm, didn't he?"
"So he truly is a genius."
Qian Renxue grew intrigued. With such a cultivation speed, he was no weaker than her. Only someone of this caliber was worthy of following her in unifying the continent.
"Elder, arrange an opportunity for us to meet. I wish to see Gu La."
"Wait."
Qian Renxue suddenly raised her hand. "I recall that the last member of the Golden Iron Triangle is named Yu Xiaogang, known as the Master. Could Oak be connected to him?"
The Porcupinefish Douluo pondered for a moment. Being thorough, he had investigated those around Gu La and reminded her, "Young Master, Yu Xiaogang possesses only half a rank of innate soul power. At this stage, he likely hasn't broken through level thirty. It's impossible for him to deceive the Spirit Hall or claim the rewards each time."
Qian Renxue nodded. She had indeed overthought things.
"By the way, there are two others near Gu La with innate full soul power—their martial souls being Soft Boned Rabbit and Blue Silver Grass. I find them somewhat peculiar and possibly linked to Oak. Upon investigation, we discovered that Tang San's father is named Tang Hao."
The backlash of lost destiny had finally caught up with Tang San. Stripped of his protagonist status, many coincidences would no longer favor him. Tang Hao had never concealed his identity, so it was inevitable that an investigation would uncover him.
Qian Renxue's gaze sharpened. "Tang Hao."
She knew him as her father's killer, but for some reason, her attention shifted to Tang San instead.
"Innate full soul power for Blue Silver Grass—that is unusual. Elder, do you believe Blue Silver Grass can awaken with innate full soul power?"
The Porcupinefish Douluo replied, "Any martial soul has the potential to mutate, but Blue Silver Grass is widely regarded as a useless martial soul, rarely undergoing mutation. If innate full soul power appears, it likely stems either from consuming rare heavenly herbs to transform one's aptitude or... possessing another martial soul."
In today's Douluo Continent, brute force alone no longer sufficed. Without understanding dual-martial-soul theories, one couldn't even read the newspapers.
The Porcupinefish Douluo offered what he considered the most plausible conjecture.
"Twin martial souls, with the other being the Hao Tian Hammer, perhaps?"
Qian Renxue's eyes lit up, thoughts of recruitment stirring within her.
As for Tang Hao, she knew her grandfather hadn't sought revenge, and though the situation was complex, she trusted his decision.
After a moment of thought, Qian Renxue made her decision:
"Suppress this information. Do not let the Spirit Hall learn of it. Dispatch some low-level spies to monitor whether Tang Hao is near Tang San. Be cautious not to alarm them; investigate slowly."
"Yes, Young Master." The Porcupinefish Douluo bowed and vanished instantly.
In the resplendent hall, only Qian Renxue and her murmurs remained.
"Ultimate attributes, twin martial souls..."
---
Dusk began to fall, and the aroma of stir-fried dishes wafted through the western market of Tian Dou City.
Gu La placed copper coins on the stall, sampling the local delicacies of Tian Dou City.
"Gu La~" A pink-skirted maiden clung to Gu La's arms, pointing at candied haws in the distance. Her rabbit ears trembled lightly with her movements.
Suddenly, the dense crowd parted, and amidst the commotion, cheers of "Crown Prince" could be heard.
"I'm hungry. Bring me some food."
A refined voice drifted down the street as snow-white embroidered boots crushed the evening glow scattered across the ground.
Xue Qinghe appeared composed, his gaze sweeping over Gu La and Xiao Wu without a trace of suspicion.
Xiao Wu noticed Gu La's gaze and glared back. Gu La had exchanged items to conceal her presence, so she wasn't afraid of being discovered.
Xue Qinghe chuckled softly. In his current identity, he naturally wouldn't bother with a young girl.
"Friends, may we share a table?"
Though phrased as a question, the attendants beside Xue Qinghe had already spread silk to wipe the table and chairs. Xue Qinghe took his seat.
Gu La tilted his head, observing the newcomer. After some speculation, he activated his Appraisal Eye to confirm his suspicions.
"Your Highness, what a pleasant surprise."
Gu La pondered where he might have exposed himself and struck up conversation: "You're personally shopping?"
?
Xue Qinghe nearly lost his composure. What kind of comment was that? Could shopping be done by proxy?
"Do you know me?"
Xue Qinghe was puzzled. Many people in Tian Dou City recognized him, but Gu La was new to the city and shouldn't know him.
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