Upon hearing Gu Yuan's words, Jiang Qingtong asked, "What's the situation?"
Gu Yuan clicked his tongue and shook his head in admiration. "Miss, you won't believe it—some of those kids have really promising martial souls and surprisingly high innate soul power. You think the Hall Master saw this coming?"
He certainly didn't think Jiang Shengyu was just making a lucky guess.
There had to be something special going on.
Jiang Qingtong nodded calmly. "Makes sense. Prestigious surnames tend to produce cultivators."
When she noticed Gu Yuan still smiling at her, she asked, "Is there something else you wanted to say?"
Grinning sheepishly, Gu Yuan replied, "Well, I just got back from my performance review in Mingdu. The Spirit Hall's annual evaluations are coming up, and I was hoping you might, you know, give me a favorable rating? A higher grade would mean better bonuses next year, right?"
Someone with ambition knows how to seize opportunities!
Gu Yuan wasn't about to waste the rare chance to speak directly with her—someone of Jiang Qingtong's status was well out of reach for most branch elders. So naturally, he had to do everything possible to earn a good word in her report. Catch the east wind, and maybe you could ride it all the way up.
"Sure, I'll take care of it," Jiang Qingtong replied with a nod.
As long as someone was genuinely capable, the Spirit Hall was never stingy. They weren't some exploitative company, after all.
Let the horse eat well if you want it to run fast.
Once they'd finished chatting about that, they turned to more serious matters. Jiang Qingtong said, "Prepare a carriage for me. I'm heading back to the Sun Moon Empire."
"Back to the Empire?" Gu Yuan blinked, surprised. "Weren't you here to inspect operations?"
Apparently, Gu Yuan had assumed Jiang Qingtong had come from the Empire specifically to check on branch affairs.
It was an understandable mistake. Jiang Qingtong's actual whereabouts were only known to the highest levels of the Sun Moon Empire. Even as a branch hall elder, Gu Yuan wasn't privy to the fact that she had been studying at Shrek Academy.
Jiang Qingtong simply said, "Just get it ready—and make it quick. I'm in a bit of a hurry."
"Getting the carriage ready is no issue. But I've heard the Heavenly Soul Empire has increased checkpoint scrutiny lately, probably due to pressure from the Star Luo Empire. You may need to make some preparations," Gu Yuan warned.
Jiang Qingtong shook her head. "No need for all that. I have my ways. Just prepare the transport."
Seeing she had no concerns, Gu Yuan didn't press the matter. With a nod, he turned to make arrangements.
In terms of top-tier combat power, the Spirit Hall couldn't quite compete with the former Douluo Continent's three great empires or Shrek Academy. But when it came to funding?
They were loaded.
It didn't take long before Gu Yuan had a luxuriously appointed carriage ready for her.
"I'm only using it for a bit. Seems excessive, doesn't it?" Jiang Qingtong sighed as she looked at the ornate vehicle.
"That won't do!" Gu Yuan chuckled and shook his head. "You're the Hall Master's younger sister. Only the best will do! Don't worry—this one's on me, not the Hall's budget."
Jiang Qingtong understood immediately—he was still angling for a glowing end-of-year report to help secure an "Outstanding Elder" designation.
Well, if he insisted—then she'd enjoy the ride.
The border between the Heavenly Soul Empire and the Sun Moon Empire lay across the Mingdou Mountain Range, from the original Douluo Continent's side. Unlike the Star Luo Empire, which retained partial control of the range, the Sun Moon Empire had full control over this stretch.
All the Heavenly Soul Empire could do was build a checkpoint at the edge of the plains below. Every morning, the guards stationed there could see the towering mountain range in the distance—a constant, looming reminder of the Sun Moon Empire's strength.
As Jiang Qingtong approached the checkpoint, she was naturally stopped by soldiers.
But the moment she produced her Shrek Academy student ID, those soldiers instantly paled, hastily stepped back, and bowed deeply.
"Our apologies, honored soul master! May we ask your purpose in traveling to the Sun Moon Empire?"
"I'm from the Sun Moon Empire, studying at Shrek Academy. Problem?" Jiang Qingtong asked casually.
Though the soldiers were puzzled—why would a citizen of the Sun Moon Empire be a student at Shrek Academy?—none of them dared to question her aloud.
Shrek students were the pinnacle of status across the continent.
Watching their nervous faces, Jiang Qingtong sighed inwardly. She knew she was benefiting from the status that came with her student identity, but she couldn't help but feel this wasn't right.
"So-called number one on the continent… so-called Shrek, cradle of all power… In the end, an academy should still just be an academy."
With wary soldiers and a crowd of onlookers watching in hushed awe, Jiang Qingtong crossed the border and climbed the Mingdou Mountains. Once over the ridge and into Sun Moon Empire territory, she immediately ditched the carriage—and switched to a soul-powered automobile.
To maintain a technological blockade against the three Douluo nations, the Sun Moon Empire still publicly presented itself as using outdated soul tool tech in its interactions.
But in truth, things like soul satellites, soul automobiles, and soul trains—whether for military or civilian use—were strictly kept under wraps.
The three Douluo nations, still clinging to the supremacy of soul masters while suppressing technological advancement, had no idea just how far behind they really were.
—
Kong Deming had already heard word of Jiang Qingtong's return through other channels. Before she even reached Mingdu, he had people waiting.
"Teacher," Jiang Qingtong greeted him respectfully.
"It's been half a year. Let me see whether your training has fallen behind—show me your soul rings," Kong Deming said immediately, his focus locked on her cultivation progress.
Jiang Qingtong and Jiang Shengyu were his greatest hopes.
Kong Deming was a man of ambition. He wanted to raise both siblings into Limit Douluos for the Sun Moon Empire.
Never in its millennia-long history had the Sun Moon Empire produced a Limit Douluo. If Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong succeeded, it would be nothing short of historic. And for Kong Deming himself? His name would be forever enshrined in the annals of the empire's rise.
More importantly, their future strength could safeguard the Empire for centuries—a return far greater than even his own goal of becoming a Rank-10 soul engineer.
Jiang Qingtong didn't hesitate. She released her soul rings.
When Kong Deming saw she had reached the third ring—and that it was a ten-thousand-year soul ring—he nodded repeatedly in satisfaction.
"Good! Very good!"
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