“Most soul masters,” she began, her tone calm yet carrying a weight that made the air in the office tighten, “show case their talents here, in the arena. Spirit Arenas must keep a very… comprehensive record of them, don’t they?”
President Wang’s palm grew slightly damp. He forced a smile, though it was stiff. “Well… that sort of information is considered classified. You understand, right? It is not something we can casually share.”
Qian Renxue slowly turned back to face him. Her purple eyes gleamed, an unfathomable light rippling within them. President Wang felt as though her gaze could strip away every flimsy excuse, every hidden thought.
“Leaving aside the soul masters backed by clans or great powers,” she said, her voice dropping to a deliberate murmur, “I think you can, at the very least, provide me with detailed information on the civilian soul masters.”
The room fell silent. For a moment, the only sound was the muffled cheering from the crowd outside. President Wang’s throat bobbed as he swallowed.
Almost as if he had anticipated this very request, he reached into a drawer and pulled out a thick file, its edges worn from frequent handling. He set it carefully on the desk, sliding it toward her with both hands.
Yet Qian Renxue did not even extend her hand. Instead, she regarded the folder with disinterest, as its contents were already hers.
“This file,” she said coolly, “is only for Heaven Dou City. What should I do if I require information from the Spirit Arenas of other cities?”
This time, President Wang’s expression turned hesitant. His brows knit together, and for a brief moment, his mind wrestled between caution and temptation. But when he once again met Qian Renxue’s purple eyes, his hesitation dissolved. What was he afraid of?
A thought flickered in his heart:
‘If I offer more assistance now, won’t the Order surely remember my contribution? And when the time for promotion comes… won’t I be rewarded? Perhaps there are contribution points, hidden benefits…’
With that enticing possibility growing stronger in his mind, his decision solidified. He reached into the inner lining of his robe and produced a small, silver token etched with the insignia of the Spirit Arena.
Handing it over with reverence, he explained,
“This token can grant you access to the records of smaller Spirit Arenas in surrounding cities. For the larger cities, the procedure will be more complicated, but for the rest—this will be more than enough.”
Qian Renxue finally extended her hand. She accepted the token, her lips curving in the faintest trace of a smile.
Qian Renxue looked at him, her gaze calm yet carrying an authority President Wang dared not meet for too long. The man smiled awkwardly, rubbing his palms together as if to wipe away an invisible layer of sweat.
"Well…" he coughed lightly, adjusting his sleeves before continuing, "this token represents my authority within the Spirit Arena. It is enough to make things easier in small or mid-sized cities, but it won’t be effective if you directly present it to the President of a Spirit Arena in one of the larger, more influential cities."
Qian Renxue curved her lips into a faint smile, not one of warmth but of acknowledgment. "This is still very helpful. You’ve done well, President Wang. I appreciate your efforts."
Relieved, President Wang’s shoulders loosened. He bowed slightly, plastering a polite grin across his face. "It is my duty. Please… if you require any more assistance, do not hesitate to tell me."
Qian Renxue rose from her seat with a graceful motion, her bearing noble despite the ordinary disguise she wore. "No need, President Wang. That will be all. I have other matters to attend to."
She left the office, her departing figure elegant yet untouchable. President Wang kept his smile fixed on his face until she disappeared down the corridor. Only then did he release a long breath, wiping the sweat that had gathered on his forehead.
The moment Qian Renxue stepped outside into the shadowed courtyard, the air behind her rippled faintly. A figure cloaked in dark mist silently emerged, Ghost Douluo. His hollow, whisper-like voice drifted to her ears.
"Where are you going, Young Master?"
Qian Renxue did not answer immediately. She withdrew a folded sheet of paper from her sleeve and let her eyes sweep over the list carefully inscribed upon it. The names belonged to promising Soul Masters who had registered to participate in battles at the Spirit Arena. Each one of them, whether a budding genius or a persevering fighter with unpolished talent, represented potential.
"First," she finally said, her voice soft yet decisive, "I will speak with these young Soul Masters. Many come here to temper themselves, to hone their skills in front of a crowd. Some seek recognition, others seek wealth… but all of them seek opportunity. If guided properly, they may become valuable pieces on our board."
She folded the paper again, tucking it away with a delicate gesture. Her golden eyes gleamed faintly beneath the light of the lanterns that lined the streets.
She looked ahead, her expression unreadable, though her mind was already weaving plans.
"After I’ve finished here," she continued, "we’ll travel to the next city."
Ghost Douluo walked into the night following the one cloaked in holy beauty. Her path was quiet, but the future she plotted promised waves that would shake the Soul Master world.
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Author notes: While I have not explicitly, mentioned President Wang has received a dose of her Hypnotism and Psychological cues.
If anyone can predict what will happen in the next chapter, there will be a bonus chapter.