"Mmph~"
Aether struggled free from Paimon's embrace and gasped for breath.
It wasn't that Paimon was particularly strong—it was just that her sudden sneak attack had caught him completely off guard.
"Let's head back first."
Aether muttered to himself, then turned to Xue Qinghe and Salas. He pointed toward the wreckage of the Spirit Hall branch, now reduced to ruins, and said:
"Your Highness, Bishop Salas, about this mess…"
"It's fine!"
Xue Qinghe and Salas spoke almost in unison.
"I'll handle everything here with Bishop Salas. You needn't worry, Brother. It's just a minor matter."
"Yes, yes—just a minor issue… Lord Aether, please don't concern yourself."
After Xue Qinghe spoke, Salas hurriedly echoed him.
"I truly apologize. If Spirit Hall ever needs help in the future, I'm willing to lend a hand once. I'll leave the aftermath to you."
Looking at the devastation before him, Aether felt a little embarrassed.
They'd only intended to help awaken Paimon's power, but instead, they'd accidentally demolished an entire branch of Spirit Hall…
So after some thought, Aether decided he'd offer his assistance in the future as compensation for, well, wrecking their building.
"T-Thank you, my lord! Spirit Hall will always welcome your visit!"
Salas was overjoyed.
A promise of assistance from this mysterious powerhouse was far more valuable than his own advancement to Titled Douluo!
After all, this man had shattered Sword Douluo's Martial Soul Avatar in a single move. One could only imagine how terrifying his strength truly was.
Currently, Spirit Hall's strongest combatant was Qian Daoliu, the Grand Priest, who had reached Rank 99 as a Limit Douluo.
But with the addition of this enigmatic lord, there would be no force in the world capable of threatening Spirit Hall's supremacy!
Even if he'd only promised to help once—for experts at their level, a single additional ally could determine the outcome of an entire war.
I must report this to Her Holiness the Pope immediately!
Salas resolved. Though the branch had been destroyed, they'd gained the support of an unmatched powerhouse. The Pope surely wouldn't blame him—she might even elevate his status further!
"Alright then, we'll head back."
Aether nodded. He grabbed Yu Keke's hand and was about to leave when, unexpectedly, the mature-looking Paimon walked to his other side and gently hooked her arm around his.
"..."
Feeling the soft warmth on his arm, Aether was struck by a strange emotion.
Before, when he traveled with Paimon and Yu Keke, they looked like an older brother with two little sisters.
But now, with Paimon's transformation into a graceful woman, it looked more like an older woman walking arm-in-arm with him. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Wherever the three of them passed, the crowd instinctively parted to make way. Before long, they disappeared from sight.
After whispering a few words to Bishop Salas, Xue Qinghe quickly followed.
"No wonder they call him 'that lord.' He destroyed the Spirit Hall branch, and they still smiled and thanked him…"
"Spirit Hall is the most resource-rich, manpower-heavy, and powerful organization on the continent. No one dares provoke them. Not even the three Upper Sects would risk crossing that beast—much less some imperial royal family."
"And yet their branch here in the capital was utterly demolished, and the local bishop just brushed it off as a 'small matter.' Tch tch… What a time to be alive."
"Well, look who was there. If you had that kind of power, you could do the same."
"Seriously though, who is that guy? Why haven't we heard of him before?"
"Based on my analysis… I have an idea, though it might be a little far-fetched…"
"Out with it—tell us everything!"
On the streets, the collapse of Spirit Hall's branch became the hottest topic.
It wasn't just curious bystanders chattering—spies from all the major powers were also mixed among them, gathering intel.
…
In the Heaven Dou Palace, Emperor Xue Ye sat at a large desk, flanked by several maidservants.
Kneeling before him were a few men in plain clothes, heads bowed, waiting for the emperor's next command.
"You're saying this mysterious powerhouse destroyed the Spirit Hall branch, and instead of punishing him, Spirit Hall invited him to visit?"
Emperor Xue Ye frowned deeply after hearing the report.
"Yes, Your Majesty. I heard it myself. Bishop Salas, the one in charge there, not only held no resentment—he even expressed gratitude and invited the man to visit Spirit Hall headquarters at any time…"
One of the men responded respectfully.
"I've also heard that Qinghe has been quite close with this mysterious man lately?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. According to our information, the man was brought back into the city by the Crown Prince himself. He currently resides in the prince's mansion."
"…Very well. You may withdraw. Continue monitoring this mysterious powerhouse, but under no circumstances are you to offend him."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Once the informants had left, Emperor Xue Ye waved his hand to dismiss the attendants as well. He leaned back in his chair, a complicated look on his face.
"Qinghe… Qinghe… Your father truly can't read you anymore… Cough, cough…"
He coughed a few times, then picked up a secret report. The document contained only a few short paragraphs, but it left the emperor in deep contemplation.
…
Elsewhere in Heaven Dou City, in a quiet academy, a beautiful and dignified woman in a light green gown sat by a window, resting her chin on her hand. Bamboo leaves rustled outside, but her mind drifted far away.
"Xiaogang… why do you keep hiding from me… where are you now?"
She murmured softly, perhaps to herself, perhaps to someone far away.
"That strange companion by that man's side—others might not recognize it, but I'm sure it's similar to your Lo Sanpao. Maybe he could help you overcome your martial soul's flaw… and free you from your shame…"
She sighed. Her expression was laced with worry and sorrow.
Having lived in the capital, she naturally knew all about the recent upheavals.
Especially the rumors surrounding that mysterious man—each event he was tied to was enough to shake the continent.
First, he'd contacted the gods at the auction house and forced them into a contract. Then, he awakened his floating companion to a power level she couldn't even comprehend.
Others might not realize it, but she was certain that strange flying creature was his martial soul!
A martial soul… that could awaken a martial soul?
She had never even heard of such a thing!
If someone had told her that a few days ago, she would've dismissed them as insane.
But now, it had happened right before her eyes. The evidence was undeniable.
If her guess was right, then the problem that had haunted Xiaogang for so many years… might finally have a solution.
_
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