"What a grand vision—'For the world, for all Soul Masters.'" Tang San clapped his hands without a trace of mockery. He genuinely believed that the Spirit Hall's founding purpose had indeed been for the sake of all Soul Masters.
After exchanging a few words with the Old Missionary, Tang San took his leave.
Once Tang San had departed, the Old Missionary glanced down and noticed two deeply imprinted footprints at the entrance. Kneeling to inspect them, he muttered to himself, "Hah, these footprints are impressively deep. That kid's got some strength. Hmm?"
Suddenly, the Old Missionary frowned. He reached out to touch the footprints Tang San had left when pushing the door and noticed their peculiar shape. They didn't seem like marks left from standing still and exerting force—rather, they resembled the traces of someone struggling to move forward.
"No, that can't be right. I must be overthinking it. There's no way he could have pushed that door open." The Old Missionary shook his head and stood up, convinced he must have been mistaken.
By the time the Old Missionary also left, the white mist around the gate had completely shrouded the area. Aside from Tang San, no one knew that behind the Angel Gate, the legendary Saintess had been hiding all along.
In the vast expanse of Spirit Hall City, major and minor events were commonplace, and few could capture people's interest. However, one event remained one of the rarest and grandest spectacles in the city—the Spirit Academy's Advancement Quota Competition, especially the battle for promotion from the Branch Academy to the Main Academy. After all, the Branch Academy was open to the entire continent. Becoming a Clergy member of the Spirit Main Hall was a dream so sweet it could make one laugh in their sleep.
To the various factions and independent Soul Masters across the Douluo Continent, the Spirit Hall was an unfathomable behemoth. They couldn't even begin to imagine the terrifying power and depth it possessed. Countless Soul Masters longed to join its ranks.
Precisely because of this, nearly everyone on the continent sought to have their children enter the Spirit Hall. They all understood that as long as one could join, their future would inevitably surpass that of ordinary people.
And the best way to join the Spirit Hall was to graduate from the Spirit Academy.
The venue for the Advancement Quota Competition was set in a plaza in the northwest district of Spirit Hall City—one of the most spacious areas within the city.
"Third Young Master, the number of people here is just absurd. Every single one of them is a Soul Master!" Tailong gaped at the sea of black-clad figures. Weren't Soul Masters supposed to be a noble profession? With this dense crowd, where was the nobility?
Tang San nodded. "It's not surprising. I heard many Soul Masters arrived in Spirit Hall City a year in advance, just waiting for today. The difference in treatment between the Spirit Branch Hall and the Spirit Main Hall is enormous. Many want to enter the Main Hall through the Academy."
After half an hour of continuous clamor, a deep chime finally reverberated through the city.
As the bell tolled, countless eyes turned toward its source. There, three figures slowly emerged. Tang San didn't recognize two of them, but the one at the very edge was someone he knew all too well.
"Chrysanthemum Douluo?" Tang San was startled at the sight of the slender-waisted, curvaceous figure. Since when did a Titled Douluo appear at an event like this?
As if sensing Tang San's gaze, Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan turned towards him, waved, and blew a flying kiss.
The gesture sent a shiver down Tang San's spine, even making him feel nauseous.
"Ahhh! It's His Excellency Chrysanthemum Douluo! He just blew me a kiss!"
"No, it was me!"
"Your Excellency Chrysanthemum Douluo, look here!! He's so beautiful!"
Without a doubt, Yue Guan enjoyed immense popularity in Spirit Hall City.
The elderly man at the forefront raised his hand and announced, "I am Zhong Wei, Dean of the Spirit Main Academy. I'll keep my words brief to avoid tediousness."
"I shall focus on introducing the judge for this Advancement Quota Competition to the Main Academy. All rules this time will be determined by her." Dean Zhong Wei slowly stepped aside, declaring, "Let us welcome Her Highness, Saintess of Spirit Hall, Qian Renxue!"
A beam of Holy Light shone from afar as the sound of flapping wings echoed. A woman with six angelic wings descended from the sky, bathed in sacred radiance that instantly imbued her with divine majesty.
Retracting her Martial Soul, the Holy Light around Qian Renxue dissipated. Though she wore neither Saint Garment nor crown, her delicately arched eyebrows and commanding presence exuded solemn dignity. Even standing casually on the platform, she radiated sacred authority like a celestial judge.
Though not yet a Titled Douluo, the aura she emitted rivaled even Chrysanthemum Douluo beside her, as if nobility was her birthright.
At Qian Renxue's appearance, even Yue Guan abandoned his playful demeanor, bowing slightly. While his status as both Titled Douluo and Spirit Hall Elder technically equaled the Saintess, Qian Renxue's Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul elevated her prestige beyond measure.
"It's actually Her Highness the Saintess!" Many gasped upon seeing Qian Renxue, while young Soul Masters gazed in intoxicated admiration.
Tang San also observed Qian Renxue, thinking, "So this is her true appearance."
"Wow! Her Highness Qian Renxue is personally attending! Even if I fail this exam, I'll have no regrets."
"Unbelievable. Usually, it's the dean presiding, but this time it's Her Highness overseeing it."
Hearing the surrounding Soul Masters' discussions, Tang San murmured his deduction: "It's probably because of my father."
Indeed, his speculation proved correct. Days earlier, Tang Hao had entered Spirit Hall. When Yue Guan encountered him in the Papal Hall, he was utterly stunned, his first thought being: "Heavens! Has the Clear Sky Sect launched an attack?"
Tang Hao then explained his purpose—his son wished to train at Spirit Academy and participate in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament.
This revelation left not only Yue Guan but even Pope Qian Xunji momentarily speechless. Yet Spirit Hall had no grounds for refusal, as Tang Hao was essentially delivering a three-to-four-year hostage. They could also assess Tang San's potential and compare it to his daughter's.
"Your Highness, that young man is the son of Clear Sky Douluo—Tang San," Yue Guan transmitted via Soul Power Voice Transmission, gesturing toward Tang San.
Following Yue Guan's indication, Qian Renxue's eyes flickered with surprise. "So it's him."
"Your Highness knows him?"
Qian Renxue shook her head and said, "I only saw this person in the city before. At the time, I didn't know he was the son of Clear Sky Douluo—I thought he was just an ordinary man."
After a short while, Qian Renxue nodded to the Main Academy's dean. Dean Zhong Wei returned the gesture and stepped forward to announce, "Everyone, there's no need to repeat the rules. The last ten Soul Masters remaining on the square will earn their promotion qualifications. All academy students seeking advancement and Soul Masters from across Douluo Continent—step forward!"