At the Royal Palace of Orilan, King Zhuanyi Daoren, Prime Minister Fengrui Jinzhu, and the court's archmage, Master Lu Yanshou, gathered in the Jade Hall.
Their daughters stood before them—bruised, tired, but alive.
"Tell us again," the king said.
Meiyan's voice did not waver. "It was Qingsai. He rescued us from slavers. He awakened Spirit Flame—no, more than that. He entered a state I believe to be… Soulkindled Ascension. He used all six elements."
Master Lu's hand trembled slightly. "All six?"
Chunsi nodded. "I saw it with my own eyes. The bandits turned to ash. A Veilborn attacked us and he destroyed it. He… protected us."
Silence fell.
The king slowly turned to the other two men. His voice was low. "The Soulkindled. After so many centuries…"
Prime Minister Fengrui leaned forward. "He's still young. Unrefined. If we act wisely… we can influence him. Shape him."
Master Lu stroked his beard. "His gifts are tied to soul cycles. Reincarnation. But even the flame can be tempered—with the right… connections."
The king narrowed his eyes. "Connections?"
"Marriage," Fengrui answered smoothly. "To Meiyan… and Chunsi. And perhaps to your granddaughter, Master Lu?"
The old mage's eyes glinted. "Lianhua would bind him well. Spiritborn, obedient, and raised in our ways."
The king nodded slowly.
"Three noble wives. Three roots to keep the fire grounded."
"And loyal," the prime minister added.
Meiyan stiffened. "You're speaking of him like a weapon."
"We speak of him as a force," Lu corrected. "And forces must be… directed."