Very soon, Qin Ming led Qi Lin to the edge of a tranquil lake.
Golden light shimmered across the calm surface, and the gentle breeze stirred soft ripples that danced across the water.
Qin Ming pointed toward a small lakeside pavilion built at the heart of the lake and smiled. "You just arrived yesterday, and yet His Highness the Crown Prince has already come to meet you. It seems he truly values you."
"It's said that our Crown Prince is warm and courteous, respectful to the wise, eager for talent—he has the bearing of a wise ruler."
Qi Lin chuckled.
He wasn't sure about the 'wise ruler' part, but "courteous" definitely fit.
The two of them walked one after the other across the wooden bridge toward the pavilion.
At the entrance, Qin Ming lowered his voice and gave a gentle reminder.
"Just be mindful of etiquette. After all, he is the Crown Prince."
Qi Lin casually waved his hand. "Got it, got it. Let's just head in before we keep the prince waiting too long."
"Alright."
Qin Ming nodded and entered the pavilion alongside Qi Lin.
Inside, the elegantly decorated room was quiet. Qian Renxue—disguised as Xue Qinghe—was seated by the window. Her slender fingers lightly tapped her teacup, her gaze reflecting the scene outside.
At the sound of approaching footsteps, she turned to look and saw Qin Ming enter, followed by a relaxed, lazy-looking young man.
Qian Renxue's eyes lingered briefly on Qi Lin before shifting to Qin Ming. She offered a warm smile.
"Thank you for your trouble, Teacher Qin Ming."
Qian Renxue had her own interest in recruiting Qin Ming.
After all, for a thirty-four-year-old Soul Emperor, it was highly likely that he would one day become a Titled Douluo.
Though the Spirit Hall had many Titled Douluo, they were still rare.
Even the three Education Elders at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy were only Soul Douluo.
Qian Renxue's respectful tone made Qin Ming feel quite honored. He smiled back. "It was just a small favor—nothing worth mentioning."
"Since I've brought Teacher Qi Lin, I'll take my leave now. The team still needs my guidance."
He was aware that Qian Renxue likely had things to discuss with Qi Lin privately, so he tactfully excused himself.
Qian Renxue didn't stop him and simply said with a smile, "If you're busy, I won't insist. When time permits, I'd love to invite you to the Prince's Manor for a proper conversation."
Once Qin Ming had left, Qian Renxue turned her gentle gaze back to Qi Lin.
"You must be Qi Lin. I've long heard of your reputation. Meeting you today, I see you truly are a dragon among men."
Her disguise as Xue Qinghe was flawless—voice, demeanor, and aura left nothing to criticize.
Just from the sound of her voice, one would feel as though bathed in a warm spring breeze. Her manners were impeccable.
Qi Lin himself possessed an easy charm that made others instinctively want to draw close, like he had an innate aura of friendliness.
As he looked at Qian Renxue, Qi Lin began to study her closely.
Outwardly, her disguise gave off a scholarly, elegant air, with a handsome face and noble presence.
But as he focused, he suddenly noticed a faint golden mist veiling her form—concealing a completely different, breathtakingly beautiful face beneath.
That was her true appearance—seemingly in her early twenties, with snow-pale skin, a high nose bridge, narrow phoenix eyes, and long golden hair radiating an aura of divinity.
Qian Renxue immediately noticed the change in Qi Lin's expression and felt a jolt in her heart.
What kind of look is that? Did he just see through my disguise?
The thought surfaced for a moment but was quickly dismissed.
Impossible. Her disguise was powered by the Angelic Sacred Gear's soul bone ability. Other than her grandfather, no one in the world should be able to see through it.
Qi Lin might be an exceptional genius, but with only fiftieth-level spirit power, there was no way he could unravel her disguise.
Truthfully, Qi Lin was just as baffled.
He had no idea who had kindly delivered a "spiritual origin upgrade package" to his sea of consciousness, but ever since then, his spiritual power had skyrocketed.
Back when he first met Xiao Wu, he couldn't see through her true form.
But after acquiring his fourth spirit ring in the Star Dou Forest, he suddenly could.
So clearly, something had happened to him during that time—something he still didn't fully understand.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince is just as elegant and impressive as the rumors say," Qi Lin replied with an easy smile.
He was no stranger to polite flattery.
"Haha, Brother Qi Lin, you flatter me. Please, have a seat."
Qian Renxue gestured invitingly and personally poured him a cup of tea.
Fragrant steam curled up from the cup, refreshing and invigorating.
Qi Lin took a sip and gave a thumbs-up. "Great tea!"
He didn't actually know much about tea, but praise costs nothing.
Qian Renxue chuckled softly at his reaction.
With her keen eyes, she could tell Qi Lin didn't understand tea at all—he was clearly a layman.
But his casual manner struck her as unexpectedly amusing.
"I heard that Brother Qi Lin reached the fiftieth level and obtained your fourth spirit ring at the mere age of thirteen. Such talent is nearly unheard of on the continent. I truly admire it."
Her tone was sincere, and her gaze held open admiration.
Qi Lin grinned lazily. "I'm just a little lucky, really. But you're wrong about one thing—I'm not level fifty."
Qian Renxue blinked.
Not fifty?
But the secret report from the three Education Elders clearly said fifty!
Then Qi Lin flashed a toothy grin and said, "I'm actually fifty-eighth level now."
That's right. Because his Blue Moon spirit ring was eighteen-thousand years old, it had given him a massive power boost after the sacrificial offering—jumping him up eight whole levels.
Fifty-eight.
Qian Renxue's pupils shrank. Just one day later—how was this possible?
"Brother Qi Lin, you're not joking, are you?"
"Heh... hehe."
Qian Renxue, still in character as Xue Qinghe, laughed dryly. Her expression made it obvious she didn't believe him.
"Well, if you don't believe me, that's fine too," Qi Lin said with a shrug, sipping his tea as if nothing had happened.
Could he be telling the truth?
Qian Renxue narrowed her eyes. Qi Lin's tone and expression didn't seem like he was lying.
If he really was telling the truth… then she'd have to completely reassess him.
Because…
His talent might very well surpass her own!
"Haha, forgive me, Brother Qi Lin. I didn't mean to doubt you. It's just… too astonishing."
"After all, a fifty-eighth level Spirit King at thirteen has never appeared in the thousand-year history of the continent."
Qian Renxue quickly composed herself and looked at Qi Lin with genuine enthusiasm.
"Brother Qi Lin, to be honest, your talent fills me with envy!"
"I won't lie—I did initially want to recruit you."
"But I understand that, with my current status, I don't have the qualifications. Frankly, not even the entire Heaven Dou Empire does."
"That's why I came here today for one simple reason—just to make a friend."
She smiled warmly and joked, "Surely Brother Qi Lin wouldn't reject such a humble request?"