"There you are." Max approached, plucking the orb from its pedestal like it was nothing more than an apple from a tree. The vast energy within it pulsed, but it obediently settled in his palm, recognizing his superior presence.
As he turned to leave, his eyes drifted over the nearby treasure racks. Several Spirit Bones glimmered there, each radiating powerful auras.
"Well, it'd be a waste to leave these behind."
Without hesitation, Max stored them all into his spatial ring—six Spirit Bones in total. Some were incomplete, others perfectly formed, but all valuable beyond measure.
Satisfied, Max casually strolled out of the vault the same way he came, not leaving behind a single trace.
"Tian Dou's little secrets are mine now… now, shall I go 'visit' Qian Renxue next?"
A playful smirk curled his lips as he disappeared into the night.
The moon hung high over Tian Dou City, bathing the rooftops in silver as Max, still hidden beneath his invisibility spell, made his way across the palace complex with feline grace.
His next target was already clear—the private quarters of Qian Renxue, the so-called golden goddess of the Spirit Hall, currently disguised as the Crown Prince of the Tian Dou Empire. The future Seraphim God. The "untouchable" beauty.
Max's lips curled.
"Untouchable? Let's test that."
He knew where her residence was. Even hidden under the guise of the Crown Prince, Qian Renxue couldn't hide her true nature from him—not when his senses extended beyond mortal limits.
Soon, he landed softly on the balcony of her chambers. The guards stationed below hadn't noticed a thing.
Inside, soft candlelight flickered. Seated by the desk, golden-blonde hair cascading over her shoulders, was Qian Renxue, dressed in casual royal robes. Her disguise as a male Crown Prince was absent now—in this private space, she was simply herself. A breathtaking beauty with features that combined cold nobility and devastating allure.
Max observed her for a moment. Her Spirit Power radiated faintly—high, but still far from his level. Her brows furrowed as she read a letter—likely some political nonsense.
Then she paused.
Her golden eyes narrowed. She sensed… something.
Too late.
Max dropped the invisibility. His aura pressed down like a dark tide. Qian Renxue's chair scraped back as she stood, eyes wide with shock.
"Who—?!"
Before she could finish, Max was already leaning casually against the balcony doorframe.
"Relax. If I wanted to kill you, you'd be dead already."
Qian Renxue's Spirit Energy surged, but she didn't summon her Martial Spirit yet. She was sharp enough to know—this man standing before her… wasn't ordinary.
His eyes held galaxies. His presence twisted space itself.
"Who are you?" she demanded, tension radiating from her, though there was a hint of curiosity too.
Max smiled faintly, stepping forward with an unhurried air.
"Just a traveler," he said smoothly. "One who came to take a look at the famed beauty hidden beneath the golden disguise of Tian Dou's Crown Prince."
Qian Renxue stiffened. The fact that he knew her true identity? Dangerous.
But Max's next words made her heartbeat falter slightly.
"Relax… I'm not here to expose you. In fact, I think we'll get along rather well."
For a moment, the future Angel God could only stare… unsure whether to feel threatened or intrigued.
Qian Renxue's eyes sharpened, golden irises glowing faintly as her Spirit Power simmered beneath her skin.
"Get along?" she echoed coldly, though the uncertainty behind her tone betrayed her caution. "You break into my quarters, reveal my greatest secret… and expect me to believe you came for idle conversation?"
Max chuckled, utterly unfazed by her cold arrogance. "I didn't expect anything. I simply came to look… and I liked what I saw."
His gaze swept over her figure deliberately—unapologetically—before locking onto her eyes again. "But your assumptions are amusing."
Qian Renxue stiffened under the weight of his casual, confident stare. She was used to admiration, reverence… even fear. But not this. Not someone treating her like a curiosity they could peel apart at their leisure.
"Enough games." Her aura flared, the faint image of six golden wings forming behind her. Though she hadn't fully summoned her Seraphim Martial Spirit, the power behind her lineage crackled in the air. "Who are you, really? Assassin? spy? Rebel?"
Max simply raised his hand, and with a flick of his wrist, an item materialized—a glowing, crystalline object pulsating with divine energy.
The Sea God Heart.
Qian Renxue's expression changed instantly—the arrogant facade giving way to genuine shock.
"That's—!" Her eyes widened in disbelief. "That was sealed— How did you—"
Max tossed the divine relic lightly in the air, catching it lazily. "I took a stroll through the Imperial Vault. Nice security, by the way. Though I helped myself to a few Spirit Bones too."
Qian Renxue clenched her fists. Even for someone like her… breaking into the Imperial Vault undetected was absurd.
"You… You're not from Xing Luo Empire… or this Empire… are you?"
Max's smirk deepened as he took a step closer. Though Qian Renxue's body tensed on instinct, she didn't retreat. Her sharp golden eyes stayed locked on him.
"Well… my name's Max," he said casually, lifting his hand.
Before she could react, his fingers gently tilted her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes. His touch wasn't forceful, but it carried an undeniable authority that made even her proud heart falter.
"Hmm… you really are beautiful," Max murmured, his voice smooth, almost teasing, yet with an undertone that sent shivers down her spine.
Qian Renxue's heartbeat stumbled. Now that she stood this close, she could feel it — the overwhelming, suffocating aura hidden beneath his human appearance. It wasn't the oppressive force of a Titled Douluo… it wasn't even the divine might of a god she recognized.
It was like standing in front of hundreds of gods… all condensed into one man's body.
Her lips parted slightly. "What… are you…?"
Max chuckled, a deep, resonant sound as his fingers trailed down from her cheek to her chin, then away entirely, leaving a strange warmth behind.
"For an angel, your senses are pretty sharp," he complimented, stepping back as if completely relaxed. "As for me… I'm just a traveler. Exploring this little world."
***
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It's 22 chaps ahead