Emperor Xue Ye's gaze was fervent; standing before him was a peerless genius. There were not many people with a thousand-year first Soul Ring; many Soul Masters on the continent rarely even possessed a hundred-year first ring.
Not to mention Jiang Chen, whose first ring started directly at the thousand-year level—it was likely difficult to find another like him across the entire continent. Waves of emotion surged within Emperor Xue Ye; he had to recruit him properly so that he could become a Titled Douluo in the future to protect the royal family.
The first step was to have him enroll in the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. That way, when he achieved the rank of Titled Douluo in the future, the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's fame would spread across the entire Douluo Continent.
Emperor Xue Ye cleared his throat, suppressing the excitement in his heart. "I will immediately arrange for your grandson's enrollment. This afternoon, Senior Dugu can lead—no, I will have the Royal Knights personally escort you."
This maneuver by the Emperor truly gave Jiang Chen a start. Although his first Soul Ring was a thousand-year one, there was no need to place such high importance on it. Dugu Bo, however, remained calm and composed. "In that case, I thank Your Majesty."
Beside them, Prince Xue Xing was all smiles; the first step in establishing a good relationship with Dugu Bo was officially underway. His grandson was so dazzling; a thousand-year first Soul Ring was something he hadn't dared to imagine. He hoped that group of profligate playboys at the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy could learn some restraint.
To one side, Xue Qinghe smiled. "Congratulations, Little Brother Jiang Chen. This elder brother has some words he'd like to discuss with you privately, I wonder if you're interested? Rest assured, it won't take up too much of your time."
Jiang Chen's brows twitched slightly. 'Something to discuss privately?' The drunkard's interest was not in the wine; she was likely concerned with his second and third Martial Souls. This Qian Renxue had been lurking in the palace for so many years and did everything perfectly; he would see exactly what this woman wanted.
Just as Dugu Bo was about to refuse, Jiang Chen spoke up.
"Grandpa, since His Highness the Crown Prince has extended such a warm invitation, how can I not go?"
Glancing at Xue Qinghe, Dugu Bo patted Jiang Chen's shoulder and continued his conversation with Emperor Xue Ye.
Jiang Chen followed Xue Qinghe. Along the way, neither said a word, making the atmosphere extremely mysterious.
Before long, the two arrived at a pavilion, and Xue Qinghe signaled for the others to withdraw. Jiang Chen sat opposite Xue Qinghe, and the atmosphere became extremely heavy.
Both were very clear that the other was hiding something. From the first moment of contact, both had sensed the other's extraordinary nature.
Facing Jiang Chen's demeanor, which was not at all how a six-year-old youth should speak, Xue Qinghe probed. "Little Brother Jiang Chen is indeed a heaven-sent talent. Your first Soul Ring is already at the thousand-year level; your future achievements will certainly be higher than the Poison Douluo's."
Jiang Chen smiled, picked up the tea on the table, and said. "Brother Xue is too kind. I just got lucky. This Soul Ring is two thousand years old, coming from a two-thousand-year Pit Demon Spider. I just happened to run into it and then I killed it."
Hearing these words, Xue Qinghe could basically confirm that Jiang Chen definitely held a secret. Without even having a Soul Ring, even if he had Innate Full Soul Power, it was impossible to defeat a two-thousand-year Pit Demon Spider. Moreover, absorbing a Soul Ring beyond one's rank was something even Xue Qinghe—someone with Rank 20 Innate Full Soul Power—wouldn't dare to do.
'Recruit him. I must recruit him!'
In the shadows, a mysterious person in black was listening intently to the conversation between the two.
Xue Qinghe continued. "Little brother is truly formidable. The Pit Demon Spider is a terrifying existence even within the Sunset Forest. Although it isn't as murderous as the Man-Faced Demon Spider, its ferocity is not inferior in the slightest. Little brother, I wonder if you have any interest in assisting me?"
Coming straight to the point, Xue Qinghe's goal was clear. Recruiting Jiang Chen to his side—such a genius, even if placed in the Spirit Hall, would surely move that woman. Since the person was right before his eyes, it was better to strike first rather than let someone else beat him to it.
Jiang Chen finished the tea in his cup, thought for a moment, and said. "I appreciate Brother Xue's kindness, but I only wish to roam the world freely and do not want to be too involved. To me, power is merely passing clouds. Moreover, as the Crown Prince, Brother Xue is the first heir to the throne. You will rule this empire in the future and will surely have many talents under your command. One more of me makes little difference, and one less of me changes nothing; why should Brother Xue be so persistent?"
Jiang Chen's attitude was already clear; he didn't want to get pulled into the disputes of the royal family. He had heard the Spirit Hall had many beauties—he wondered if it was true. He'd find a chance to go see.
The current Xue Qinghe was also Qian Renxue. She was the only important pawn planted within the royal family. If he joined Xue Qinghe's side, he would inevitably be entangled with the royal family.
The palace was a place of mixed influences; calm on the surface, but a mess underneath. Every glamorous exterior hid a certain secret.
Xue Qinghe smiled slightly. Few people would refuse him; under such great temptation, few would act this way.
"Little brother is truly broad-minded; I believe those so-called geniuses are nothing more than this. Can this elder brother see your Martial Soul again? Just now in the hall, I didn't see it clearly. Is that alright?"
Though he didn't know what Xue Qinghe was planning, it was just showing the Martial Soul, so he would go along with it.
In the next moment, Jiang Chen extended his right hand, and the Star Slaying Demon Sword emerged once more, with that purple Soul Ring firmly encircling the blade.
In the shadows, the mysterious person was slightly shocked; the extraordinary nature of that sword was evident. It was enough to rival the Seven Kill Sword of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's Sword Douluo. Furthermore, with a thousand-year first Soul Ring, even the three geniuses of the Spirit Hall were only so-so in comparison.
Xue Qinghe's gaze did not stay on the Star Slaying Demon Sword but instead moved to Jiang Chen's left hand. Just like before, it was clenched tight, faintly holding a power similar to what he felt during their first contact.
Suddenly, Xue Qinghe grabbed Jiang Chen's left hand. That hand was far too delicate; it simply didn't have the texture of a man's hand.
Sensing something was wrong, Jiang Chen quickly withdrew his Martial Soul. When Xue Qinghe forced Jiang Chen's left hand open, that power had vanished. Both knew the other's intent, which was why Jiang Chen had been the first to withdraw his Martial Soul. But there was still a residue of the power in his left hand from just now; Xue Qinghe was certain that Jiang Chen definitely possessed another Martial Soul that was not at all inferior to his own Six-Winged Angel.
Jiang Chen cleared his throat and said. "Brother Xue, I'll be going now. If I don't leave, my grandpa will worry. See you next time."
With that, Jiang Chen immediately left the area.
After Jiang Chen departed, the man in black emerged from the darkness and said respectfully. "Young Master, what did you perceive? I could feel that the child's left hand seemed to be hiding something."
Xue Qinghe looked at Jiang Chen's retreating figure and smiled. "Twin Martial Souls, just like her. And the other Martial Soul is not at all inferior to my Six-Winged Angel; it should also be a God-level Martial Soul. I have to say, Dugu Bo really picked up a treasure this time."
The man in black was shocked. "What! He actually has Twin Martial Souls? With a thousand-year first Soul Ring, even Hu Liena and the others can't compare to this youth."
(End of Chapter)
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