Ghost Douluo received the jade box with both hands, suppressing the ripple of astonishment in his heart. The weight of the box was nothing compared to the significance it carried.
His thoughts stirred. He himself had once benefited from an immortal herb bestowed by Qian Renxue—a miracle that had not only healed his grievous scars but also advanced his cultivation. He knew better than anyone the life-changing value such treasures held.
He clenched the jade box slightly, reverence rising in his heart.
'For that boy Lu Ping… this herb may very well serve as his immortal herb. Perhaps its effects will not be inferior in the least.'
Ghost Douluo lowered his head in silent respect flashed across his cold, ghostly eyes.
Below the stage, the audience remained restless, buzzing with speculation about the winning soul masters dazzling display of talent.
On the high platform, Qian Renxue's eyes flickered with a light that no one could decipher. The corner of her lips held that same enigmatic smile, poised somewhere between benevolence and calculation.
After a while, as another match raged within the Spirit Arena, a maid entered the private lounge with a respectful bow.
"Distinguished guests, President Wang, the President of Heaven Dou City's Spirit Arena, request an audience."
Qian Renxue's lips curved into a faint smirk, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "Very well. Show us the way."
The maid lowered her head and turned to lead them, her steps quick and practiced. Ghost Douluo silently followed behind Qian Renxue, his ghostly presence pressing on the air like an unseen shadow, making the maid's back stiffen as she walked.
The group soon arrived before a pair of wide doors carved from dark sandalwood. Intricate golden engravings of spirit beasts and warriors decorated the panels, while a faint fragrance of incense seeped from the edges, as though the very doors guarded the scent of wealth and authority.
The maid bowed deeply, then gestured with both hands. "Honored guests, please enter."
Qian Renxue pushed open the doors, stepping inside with a calm confidence. Ghost Douluo followed, his figure slipping into the room like mist.
The office was grander than Qian Renxue had expected. Wide and spacious, the chamber's walls were lined with polished jade tiles that reflected the soft glow of crystal lampsA massive desk of blackwood stood at the center, its surface cluttered with scrolls, ledgers, and a few golden ornaments that glittered under the light. Compared to Manger Wang's office of Spirit City's arena, this one clearly sought luxury and grandeur.
Behind the desk stood Manager Wang. His suit was finely tailored, embroidered with silver patterns that shimmered faintly when he moved. His round face flushed with nervousness as soon as his eyes landed on the golden-haired girl stepping inside. At once, he stood, bowing deeply with hands clasped in front of him.
"I greet the messenger of the Twilight Hermit Order." His voice trembled slightly, betraying the weight of the presence before him.
Qian Renxue's smile deepened, elegant and composed, carrying both warmth and a subtle edge that made her look untouchable. She returned a graceful bow.
"And I greet the custodian of the Twilight Hermit Order in Heaven Dou City. It's nice seeing you outside Spirit City Manager Wang. No.. now it is President Wang"
Her words rang softly, but there was power hidden beneath the politeness—an unspoken reminder of her authority.
President Wang lowered his gaze respectfully, then carefully raised his head, studying her expression as if to gauge her mood saying " You flatter me! "
Qian Renxue leaned back in her chair, golden strands of hair slipping over her shoulders as her violet eyes narrowed in thought. The quiet of the chamber was broken only by the faint sound of incense burning in the corner.
'A person who is greedy for money, fame, and power cannot be trusted easily…' she mused. 'For such a man may betray the moment greater benefits appear before him. That is why President Wang knows only what I want him to know. To him, the Twilight Hermit Order is simply another branch of Spirit Hall's secret influence. That illusion is more than enough.'
Her lips curved faintly, the Spirit Arena might appear to be a place of entertainment for the masses, a battlefield for young spirit masters to hone their skills, but in truth, it was an enormous machine of power and wealth.
All across the Douluo Continent, Spirit Arena had joint ownership of many great families. They controlled the arenas in every major city, and through those arenas, they influenced nobles, commoners, and spirit masters alike. Spirit Hall had long cultivated ties with them. It was too useful a network to ignore.
President Wang, ambitious to the bone, was only a single piece on this vast board. But he was a piece Renxue had already bent to her will.
After becoming a psychiatrist, Qian Renxue met with him many times. She had slowly seeded ideas into his mind, carefully, subtly. It was nothing heavy-handed—just enough to tilt his emotions, to make him feel as if he himself had chosen the path she wanted. After that in one invitation , President Wang had been convinced that joining the Twilight Hermit Order would accelerate his rise, that it was his own cleverness in seizing the opportunity.