The Spirit Sea was silent once more.
Tianmeng, now cautiously floating closer, muttered under his breath:
"That old man says 'no urgency' like he didn't just survive being mentally slapped by those whispers."
Qian Renxue opened her eyes in the material world once more.
The scent of blood was the first thing she noticed.
The corpse of the Brain Devouring Orangutan still lay on the ground, its third eye pierced cleanly by her dagger. The blood flowing across the polished floor hadn't yet congealed.
She frowned faintly.
'It doesn't seem like much time has passed.'
Qian Renxue stood up with grace, adjusted her clothes and exited the room.
Waiting outside, the maid Wu Meng stood straight and vigilant, eyes fixed on the hallway like a loyal guard dog. Her spirit power was low, but her intent was unwavering.
On instinct, Qian Renxue's gaze flickered and she read her surface thoughts.
A brief surface scan, like a ripple across a pond.
"I hope, I haven't disappointed the young master... what if she's angry…?"
Qian Renxue's eyes softened slightly.
'Now this is a loyal follower.'
Without a trace of her previous meditation, she smiled gently and said, "Let's go to Manager Wang's office."
...
The second floor of the Spirit Arena was reserved for officials and honoured guests. Manager Wang's office was grandly decorated with mahogany walls, gold-trimmed banners, and a massive desk with a soul jade inlay that pulsed faintly with warmth.
From the wide curved window behind him, one could see nearly the entire Spirit Arena, its concentric fighting stages, gambling tables, and roaring crowds like waves of noise crashing against the glass.
Manager Wang was sipping tea from a porcelain cup when he saw the girl enter.
He stood up instantly, all smiles. "Ah! Little friend! I assume you admired the exotic beast to your satisfaction?"
But the smile faded as he noticed the faint panic on her delicate face.
His brows knit. "Did something happen?"
Qian Renxue hesitated, then with just the right amount of stutter in her breath,she began her tale:
"No,Actually, yes... While I was admiring it, the soul beast suddenly woke up. It snarled and lunged against the cage. I—I was frightened and… I didn't know what to do…"
She took a soft breath, blinking her eyes rapidly as if composing herself.
"I panicked and pulled out my dagger. I just threw it. I didn't even aim properly! But—but it hit the beast's forehead... right in its third eye. Then… it just… collapsed."
She lowered her gaze as if embarrassed by her own recklessness.
"I didn't mean to harm it, I really didn't. It was all… a coincidence."
Her acting was impeccable. The mixture of noble arrogance subdued by innocent guilt. Her voice trembled just enough to sell the fear. Her hands trembled for a second then stopped, as though she had regained composure.
For a moment, Manager Wang simply stared at her, unusually quiet.
Qian Renxue blinked, as if panicking slightly at the unexpected silence. Her small hands reached into her storage pouch, and with a soft rustle, she pulled out a heavy sack of gold soul coins, which clinked together richly. With a practiced motion, she placed it on his desk.
"How about this," she said softly, "as an apology?"
The pouch opened slightly, revealing the unmistakable glint of wealth, at least five thousand gold soul coins.
Manager Wang blinked a few times. Then he let out a long sigh of relief and chuckled.
"Hahaha… What a lucky shot, little friend! That beast was fierce when we caught it. A lesser girl would've fainted right then."
He waved off her concern with a meaty hand.
"Don't worry. With this much money, you can be considered to have bought that soul beast. Accidents like this happen. I'll simply inform the handlers that the soul beast… died suddenly due to trauma.."
Qian Renxue gave a polite bow. "Thank you, Manager Wang."
'Now all traces are clean. Even if someone investigates… they'll find exactly what I told them.'
She smiled softly, hiding the faint glimmer in her violet-gold eyes.
Qian Renxue let out a breath of relief-measured, demure, and perfectly performed.
With a jovial gesture, Manager Wang personally escorted her down the staircase and out to her waiting carriage, acting as if he were accompanying a royal guest. He even bowed slightly at the door.
....
Inside the carriage
As the wheels rolled smoothly over the stone streets of Spirit City, Wu Meng peeked at her young mistress from across the cushioned seat.
Gone was the shy, innocent girl who had trembled as if she had made some mistake.
Instead, Qian Renxue's expression was cold, her violet-gold eyes calmly watching the scenery outside, utterly composed, like a completely different person.
Wu Meng hesitated, then asked softly, "Young master…."
Qian Renxue turned her gaze to her, lips curving faintly ,not into a smile, but something more calculating.
"You must be confused," she said, voice quiet but steady. "Now Manager Wang feels I owe him a favor."
Wu Meng blinked. "…Even after you paid him?"
"Especially after I paid him," Qian Renxue said, resting her cheek on her hand. "He believes I was frightened and I made a mistake. That I trusted him not to tell anyone."
She closed her eyes briefly.
'People become closer when they know at least one of your embarrassing secrets. They feel special and trusted. That's how you make connections.'.
Wu Meng slowly nodded,as if she was beginning to understand.
There was no further conversation in the carriage.
The girl leaned her head against the velvet lining of the seat, and for the rest of the journey, the carriage remained cloaked in silence, rolling steadily back toward the Elders Hall.