Chapter 10: A Glimpse of Power, A Stir of Hearts
The connection between a martial soul and a spirit ring—this was an iron law in the world of spirit masters.
A spirit ring could only be released after the martial soul had been summoned.
Ning Rongrong's reminder struck like a thunderclap in the minds of the others. It was a wake-up call.
Where was Qin Chuan's martial soul?
Everyone's eyes turned to him, filled with doubt and curiosity.
But Qin Chuan offered no explanation.
His gaze rested calmly on the figure standing across from him—Qian Renxue. A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
The little glutinous rice dumpling has really grown up, he mused silently.
Though he had yet to see her true appearance in this life, the resemblance to the person in his memories was unmistakable. He could already imagine her fully grown—undoubtedly a beauty capable of turning the world upside down.
"Your Majesty Chen Xin," Qian Renxue said, stepping forward. "Please return. I know this gentleman. He bears no ill will toward us."
She inhaled deeply. She knew her words carried risk—openly defending a mysterious, unknown individual—but she didn't care.
She couldn't let Qin Chuan fall into danger.
That was the only thought echoing in her mind.
"Crown Prince," Chen Xin frowned deeply.
"Your Highness Chen Xin," Qian Renxue said sternly, her eyes resolute. "I do not want to repeat myself."
Chen Xin stared at her in silence, visibly torn.
Then, unexpectedly, he smiled. "Your Highness, please do as you see fit."
He turned and gestured to the others. The Shrek Seven Devils began to retreat, though puzzled by the prince's sudden trust.
"Everyone, please disperse. The convoy will continue moving," Qian Renxue ordered.
As the crowd melted away, Qian Renxue stepped forward until only one meter separated her from Qin Chuan.
"Hello… Long time no see. Why are you here?" she asked softly, her voice carrying mixed emotions.
"I came to see you… and take care of something while I'm at it," Qin Chuan replied, his tone calm.
"Really? Just something on the side?" she asked, her eyes studying his expression.
"Yeah."
Qian Renxue smiled then, her expression relaxing for the first time. Her elegant brows curved upward.
"Come with me. Let's talk in the carriage."
And just like that, under the stunned gaze of many, Qin Chuan stepped into the royal carriage of the Heaven Dou Empire with ease and grace.
Not far away, Ma Hongjun huffed with frustration.
"What's that guy's background?" he grumbled. "Not only did the Crown Prince go against His Majesty Chen Xin for him, she even invited him into the royal carriage?"
His rotund body shifted on his overburdened horse, the poor creature sticking out its tongue in protest.
"Who knows? Let's not concern ourselves with him," Dai Mubai said, flipping his golden hair. "As long as he's not from the Spirit Hall, it's none of our business."
"But that guy's spirit is weird," Oscar added with a rare comment. "If Rongrong hadn't pointed it out, none of us would have noticed it."
"Such a young Titled Douluo, with such an unusual spirit… yet we've never heard of him?" he continued.
This question lingered in everyone's mind.
"If Teacher were here, he'd probably recognize it immediately," Tang San murmured thoughtfully.
At the mention of Yu Xiaogang, silence fell over the Shrek team once more.
He had been missing for several days now.
No one knew where he had gone.
Meanwhile, inside the carriage with the girls, the atmosphere had grown noticeably tense.
Liu Erlong, ever the firebrand, snorted angrily.
"Hmph. That guy must have deserted again."
She didn't understand why, but something about Yu Xiaogang gnawed at her heart. She despised his incompetence—he was nothing but a cripple in the eyes of the world—yet every time she thought of him, she couldn't help but feel admiration.
And with the complicated familial relationship between them, the emotions tangled further.
Ning Rongrong broke the awkward silence.
"Zhuqing, did you see it? That young Titled Douluo…"
Zhu Zhuqing nodded quietly. Of course she had seen him.
The dazzling spirit rings. The overwhelming aura. The oppressive power. It had all left a lasting impression.
Among the three girls in Shrek, Zhu Zhuqing was the one who admired the strong the most. That was her way of resisting the destiny her clan had imposed upon her.
She wanted strength.
Only strength could break the chains of fate.
She had traveled thousands of miles from the Star Luo Empire to Heaven Dou, all to follow Dai Mubai—believing he could give her that strength.
But Dai Mubai had let her down, again and again.
And now, Zhu Zhuqing was considering leaving.
Lifting the carriage curtain, her eyes drifted to the royal carriage where Qin Chuan had entered.
Rongrong's words echoed in her mind: "Such a young Titled Douluo."
Her heart beat a little faster.
Only such a powerful man could help her fight against her family.
Only someone like that was worthy of her.
But…
Zhu Zhuqing exhaled softly, letting the curtain fall back.
A pity…
"Xiao Wu, you've been quiet since we got back. What's wrong?" Ning Rongrong asked, finally turning her attention to her silent friend.
Xiao Wu had been withdrawn the whole ride.
Ning Rongrong leaned over, concerned. "Xiao Wu? Are you worried about something?"
"Ah—" Xiao Wu blinked, snapping out of her daze. "It's nothing."
"Come on. What did you think of that Titled Douluo?" Ning Rongrong asked again, tugging at her sleeve with interest.
At the mention of Qin Chuan, Xiao Wu visibly trembled.
That glance he had given her…
Even protected by the Acacia Heartbroken Red, which concealed her aura, she felt utterly exposed under his gaze.
It was as if her very soul had been seen through.
He knows, she thought, heart racing. He saw through my identity!
Yet Ning Rongrong remained blissfully unaware, happily chatting away.
"Xiao Wu, honestly, he's quite handsome, don't you think?"
Then she added with excitement, "Do you think I should ask my father to invite him to join our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect?"
Xiao Wu finally processed the words. Her expression froze.
"Rongrong… did you just say… invite him to join your sect?"
"Yes!" Ning Rongrong nodded earnestly. "I had the idea as soon as I saw him. Later, I'll ask my dad to personally make the offer. With his relationship to the Crown Prince, he likely won't refuse."
"Our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect is one of the top three. We're rich, powerful, and can offer him more than anyone else."
Xiao Wu's heart was in chaos.
She was thinking about how to hide from that terrifying man, while Rongrong wanted to pull him closer.
"Why?" she asked quietly, struggling to keep her composure.
Ning Rongrong tilted her head in confusion.
"Do we need a reason to recruit a Titled Douluo? Especially one so young and powerful?"
Xiao Wu forced a smile, trying to keep her panic hidden.
"It won't be easy. Judging from the way he speaks and carries himself, he's proud—very proud. You should give up on that idea."
But Ning Rongrong only laughed.
"Xiao Wu, that's what you're worried about?"
"Don't. Grandpa Sword and Grandpa Bone were just as proud in their youth."
"But when it comes to recruiting powerful spirit masters, our sect always finds a way."