Douluo Continent: Naru Sacred Heart, Snow Shines Forever

The banquet ended.

Xue Qinghe personally escorted Chen Jieqi and several education committee members to the East Palace gate.

After the figures of the group had completely disappeared from sight, he returned to the palace and slowly sat down in the head seat.

The warm and gentle smile on his face faded slowly, like morning mist blown away by the wind, and the humility and tenderness in his eyes also gradually disappeared.

Instead, there was a bottomless, aloof, and cold aura.

The soul power that had been deliberately concealed just now no longer needed to be hidden, carrying the holiness and majesty unique to six-winged angels.

"All of you, step back."

The servants dared not say a word, bowed respectfully, and quietly withdrew, gently closing the heavy palace doors to completely shut out all outside noise.

He was the only one left in the hall. Xue Qinghe slowly got up and raised his hand to touch his cheek.

As his fingertips brushed across his brow bone and bridge of his nose, the prince's handsome and gentle face began to glow with a faint golden light, as if it were gently shrouded in a sacred veil.

As the golden light grew stronger, his body swayed slightly, and his bones emitted a faint but clear cracking sound.

Her originally upright but somewhat slender figure gradually became tall and delicate, with soft lines yet an undeniable sense of strength.

His aura also underwent a dramatic change; the gentle royal demeanor completely vanished, replaced by a condescending holiness and arrogance.

The prince's moon-white brocade robe shattered inch by inch in the golden light, transforming into countless golden rays that dissipated.

Instead, she wore a long, snow-white dress, the hem embroidered with intricate six-winged angel patterns, shimmering with a soft, holy light.

The collar and cuffs are adorned with delicate gold ornaments, which shimmer with light with every movement, giving the garment a sacred and luxurious feel.

Her elegantly styled jade crown shattered, and her long black hair receded, transforming into a dazzling golden cascade that cascaded down her shoulders like a waterfall.

Her hair seemed to be entwined with fine dust of light, giving it a hazy, sacred aura.

She raised her hand to brush away the lingering aura of the crown prince, the gentleness in her eyes completely fading, replaced by indifference and sharpness.

Her eyes were no longer the warm, dark color, but instead shimmered with a clear gold. She was breathtakingly beautiful, yet so cold that no one dared to approach her.

In the blink of an eye, the gentle and refined Crown Prince Xue Qinghe of Tiandou had vanished.

Instead, the female lead of the Spirit Hall took her place—

A thousand feet of snow!

She walked slowly to the window and gazed at the deep night outside.

Her blonde hair shimmered warmly under the lamplight, and her white dress cascaded to the ground, making her appear like an angel descended to earth, yet also carrying a chilling coldness and loneliness.

That was the loneliness of the Spirit Hall's young master, and the weariness she felt after years of pretense.

"A Soul Master who's not even twelve years old..."

She muttered to herself.

"If this boy can be used by me, helping me to control the Heavenly Battle and reclaim the position of Pope of the Spirit Hall, he will be a great help."

She paused, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.

But if not… such monstrous talent will surely become a great threat in the future. It's just that the tremor brought about by that martial soul resonance…

It stirred a pang of reluctance in her heart.

She slowly turned around, sat back in the head seat, and closed her eyes.

His appearance, aura, and composed demeanor at the dinner table kept replaying in his mind.

Especially the pure, holy power of light, and the constant throbbing within her heart, made her even more certain.

This young man must not be let off easily.

I already have a plan in mind.

Next time we meet, I must thoroughly understand Chen Jieqi's thoughts; either recruit him for my own use, or...

......

To put it another way,

Back at the academy, Chen Jieqi's heart was pounding with extra joy because of that throbbing.

He desperately tried to suppress the smile from his lips.

After all, at this moment, he and "Xue Qinghe" were one in the dark and the other in the light.

While the other party was plotting how to subdue him, he was secretly delighted.

That pulsating aura originating from his martial spirit told him with absolute clarity.

There is a real possibility that my own martial spirit and that of this "Crown Prince" could merge!

This means that they have gained another layer of protection.

With this ties in place, even if the Papacy were truly determined to kill, they would have to think twice.

Only after entering the dormitory and closing the door did he finally be able to smile, his eyes brimming with undisguised joy.

After that, life returned to its familiar cycle.

The invitation from the Crown Prince's residence finally arrived a week later.

......

Ever since the day the Education Commission introduced him to the banquet, Chen Jieqi knew this day would come, but he didn't expect it to come so soon.

He could even guess that his background had probably been thoroughly investigated by the other party.

The attendants led him through winding corridors, past a koi pond, and finally stopped in front of a palace called the "Qinghe Hall."

The temple doors were open, and wisps of sandalwood incense wafted out.

"Young Master Chen, His Highness has been waiting for you for some time. Please follow me."

The attendant bowed respectfully.

The hall was silent.

Chen Jieqi looked up and saw Xue Qinghe sitting upright in the main seat of the hall.

She was still dressed in that gentle and refined manner, her clothes flowing gracefully, her posture elegant.

He stepped forward, cupped his hands in a respectful greeting, and spoke in a clear, neither humble nor arrogant, voice:

"Student Chen Jieqi greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."

"No need for formalities. Didn't Xiao Qi say to call me Brother Xue?"

Xue Qinghe raised his hand in a gesture of support, his tone carrying a hint of deliberate reproach.

"Why are you calling me 'Your Highness' again? Or do you look down on me, your older brother?"

The moment Chen Jieqi straightened up, he clearly felt a wisp of refined and gentle soul power quietly approaching like a gentle stream.

It slowly traveled along his meridians, heading straight for the origin of his martial spirit.

Clearly, Xue Qinghe's purpose in meeting him this time was to thoroughly understand the details of his martial soul.

He understood in his heart, but remained expressionless on his face. He simply dispersed the sacred light power of the Heart of Naru as usual, allowing that wisp of soul power to circulate gently within his body.

Since you want to see, then you can see as much as you want. If you try to cover it up now, it will only increase the other party's suspicion.

Only by remaining calm and revealing oneself appropriately can one temporarily lower the guard of this "Crown Prince".

The moment that wisp of soul power touched the origin of his martial soul, both of them froze abruptly, as if they had been gently burned by pure light energy.

That was the angelic martial soul's instinctive resonance with the same source of light power.

Xue Qinghe took in all of this, a hint of certainty flashing across his face before he resumed his gentle and harmless demeanor.

"It's my first time meeting you, Brother Xue. I hope you'll forgive me. I'll definitely be more careful next time."

Chen Jieqi straightened up naturally, his tone respectful and just right.

"That's good,"

Xue Qinghe raised his hand in a gesture of greeting.

"Don't stand on ceremony, please have a seat."

He gestured to the servants to serve tea to Chen Jieqi.

"Ever since we parted at that banquet, I have been thinking of you constantly. I have heard that your martial spirit is special and your cultivation progress is extremely fast."

"I invited you here today because I wanted to have a good talk with you about the cultivation of Soul Masters."

Chen Jieqi thanked the servant and took a seat, accepting the teacup offered by the servant with both hands, thus calming the turmoil in his heart.

He looked up at Xue Qinghe, his tone casual.

"Brother Xue, your kindness is too much for me to bear."

If Brother Xue inquires about cultivation, I will answer all your questions without reservation.

Xue Qinghe's lips curled into a gentle smile, her gaze slowly lingering on him. Their conversation appeared casual, yet her words were laced with probing.

Sometimes they would ask about his martial soul awakening process, sometimes about his soul ring configuration, and occasionally they would seemingly casually mention their views on the empire.

Every question was like a test of his bottom line and stance.

Chen Jieqi answered calmly, frankly addressing each question related to cultivation. When discussing the empire, his tone became solemn.

"As members of the Heavenly Struggle, we must be loyal!"

When the tea was almost gone, the conversation shifted.

"So what's your opinion on the Spirit Hall?"

Chen Jieqi chuckled inwardly; the main topic was finally here.

But he remained outwardly calm.

"As the manager of the Soul Master order, the Spirit Hall used to be qualified. Things like dispelling Soul Beasts, eliminating Evil Soul Masters, and awakening Martial Souls for civilians for free are all worthy of support."

He paused, looking at Xue Qinghe with a hint of regret and criticism in his words.

"But everything changed after the current Pope was crowned."

The Spirit Hall gradually revealed its ambition and domineering nature, constantly recruiting and suppressing talented spirit masters, subjugating various spirit master forces, and annexing weaker families.

They even frequently interfered in imperial affairs...

It's no longer the Soul Master organization that once protected the continent.

Upon hearing this, Xue Qinghe's brows furrowed involuntarily. Before he could speak, Chen Jieqi's voice rang out again.

"However, I admire the original intentions and profound truths of the Spirit Hall."

Chen Jieqi's tone softened, and his eyes revealed a hint of sincerity.

"My grandfather, Dugu Bo, told me that ten thousand years ago, humans were struggling in dire straits, facing both natural disasters caused by soul beasts and man-made calamities caused by their own evil forces."

"It was the soul masters of the angel race who stepped forward and formed the first soul master organization."

Its core mission is to research martial spirit theory, provide shelter for ordinary people, drive away spirit beasts, eradicate evil spirit masters, and sow the seeds for humanity's unification of the continent.

He paused briefly, his tone carrying a hint of longing.

"This... is the true meaning of the Spirit Hall's existence."

I've heard that the Spirit Hall still enshrines the original angel statue; this steadfastness is truly moving.

As he spoke with increasing emotion, Chen Jieqi's expression became increasingly devout, as if he were truly gazing up at that ancient statue, his right arm clasped to his chest.

"Young Soul Masters like us should uphold our hearts and revere the glory of angels!"

With this remark,

Xue Qinghe's gaze towards Chen Jieqi softened further.

He picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and concealed the faint trace of lipstick on his lips.

A smile that she herself was unaware of.