Douluo: Starting with an Engagement to Zhu Zhuqing

Chapter 48: Soul Master Registration

The elder led Dai Yao and Zhu Zhuqing into a grand palace.

The space inside was vast, with ancient-style tables and chairs. From the decorations, it was clear that this room was used for receiving guests.

"Your Highness, please sit here and wait for a moment," the elder said respectfully, then instructed his attendants to quickly bring tea.

The elder walked through a winding corridor and arrived at a grand and luxurious palace.

This was where the head priest's office was located.

Knock knock—

The elder knocked on the door.

"Come in."

A deep voice sounded from within the palace.

As soon as the voice finished, two guards standing by the door pushed open the heavy wooden doors.

The elder walked in with measured steps. Looking up, he saw the plump head priest, who was busy sorting through the mountain of documents on his desk.

As the highest-ranking official of the Soul Hall in the Star Luo Empire, this was an everyday task for Bishop Ferdinand.

"What is it?" Bishop Ferdinand lifted his head and looked at the elder in confusion.

Although the elder lacked the ability to handle major matters, dealing with regular tasks was no problem for him.

The bishop thought for a moment. It seemed that he hadn't scheduled anything important today, nor was there anyone significant that required his personal attention.

"Your Holiness, the Fourth Prince has arrived and is waiting in the guest hall," the elder answered.

Bishop Ferdinand lowered his head and continued processing the paperwork, replying casually:

"So, it's just the Fourth Prince. The throne is out of his reach, so there's no need to make a fuss. Besides, our relationship with the imperial family has never been great. Getting too close to the Fourth Prince would only bring trouble."

"Take care of his business quickly and don't let him stay too long."

"Understood," the elder answered respectfully.

As he turned to leave, Bishop Ferdinand suddenly called out to him.

"Wait a moment."

"Is there anything else you need, Your Holiness?" the elder asked, puzzled.

Bishop Ferdinand paused, stood up, and walked to the side of the desk. Frowning, he asked, "Did the Fourth Prince say what he came for?"

"He said he came for Soul Master registration," the elder replied.

"Soul Master registration?" Bishop Ferdinand repeated in surprise, as if he had heard a huge joke.

In all of history, no prince had ever registered as a Soul Master at the Soul Hall.

Most of the Soul Masters registered here were commoners, a few fallen noble Soul Masters, or Soul Masters from vassal kingdoms.

Although the Soul Hall nominally led all Soul Masters, neither the imperial families of the Tiandou Empire nor the Star Luo Empire adhered to this practice.

Even the Three Great Sects ignored the Soul Hall.

Soul Masters from these major forces would never register at the Soul Hall.

"Interesting," Bishop Ferdinand began to ponder, a smile slowly appearing on his face.

Though memories of three years ago had begun to blur, Dai Yao's astounding talent was still fresh in his mind. He made a point of keeping track of anyone who might influence the Soul Hall.

Especially the recent news of Dai Yao, a one-ring Soul Master, defeating a Great Soul Master, which piqued his interest. He made sure to look into it further.

"Take me to meet this young man," Bishop Ferdinand instructed.

In the Guest Hall

Zhu Zhuqing sat gracefully, sipping her tea, but a sense of frustration began to grow in her heart.

She and Dai Yao had come out today, thinking it would be a sweet date. But instead, they had ended up at the Soul Hall.

On the Douluo Continent, Soul Masters matured early. Even young Soul Masters like Ma Hongjun frequented brothels. In this environment, while Zhu Zhuqing spent most of her time in rigorous training, she was also aware of certain things related to romance.

When Dai Yao asked her out today, she had thought he was finally coming around after all his years of training!

Curious, she asked, "Yao-ge, why are we at the Soul Hall today?"

Dai Yao simply smiled and said, "Soul Master registration!"

There was no tradition for the imperial family to register at the Soul Hall. It seemed that Dai Yao wouldn't say anything further. Zhu Zhuqing turned her head, not wanting to speak with him.

At that moment, the door opened.

A large, imposing figure walked in. His face carried a forced, exaggerated smile, quite different from the serious demeanor he had shown earlier while dealing with paperwork. He spoke as he walked:

"The Fourth Prince is supposed to be preparing for his duel with the Second Prince in a few days. What brings you to my Soul Hall today?"

Upon hearing this, Dai Yao immediately understood that Bishop Ferdinand had been keeping tabs on him. He relaxed, realizing that achieving his goal here would be much easier.

"Naturally, it's for Soul Master registration. As a Soul Master, shouldn't I come to the Soul Hall?" Dai Yao responded with a smile.

Bishop Ferdinand laughed loudly.

"It seems this young man is trying to align himself with our Soul Hall. He wants to join without flattering us, using the excuse of Soul Master registration to cover his intentions. The imperial family has really groomed him well," the bishop thought to himself.

Throughout history, many princes, unable to bear the cruel rules of the imperial family, chose to ally with the Soul Hall.

However, these princes were often of mixed quality, or they were sent by the imperial family as spies, causing significant losses to the Soul Hall.

Of course, some extraordinary individuals, after being trained by the Soul Hall, rose to the level of Title Douluo, causing major headaches for the Star Luo Empire.

But the imperial family had never changed its family rules. The emperors selected through their harsh selection process were the true foundation that kept the empire's thousand-year rule intact.

In the past, Bishop Ferdinand had been highly wary of Dai Yao, especially after learning that he had created his own Soul Skill upon obtaining his first soul ring—an extraordinary talent that the Soul Hall had never recorded.

Should Dai Yao win the competition for the throne, he would undoubtedly pose a massive threat to the Soul Hall.

However, today Dai Yao had come to the Soul Hall on his own accord. In a moment of reflection, Bishop Ferdinand understood Dai Yao's intention and had already come up with a plan to deal with him.

That plan was to nurture Dai Yao into a Title Douluo who would become a great headache for the Star Luo Empire.

"Since it's for Soul Master registration, then come with me," Bishop Ferdinand gestured for Dai Yao to follow.

The Soul Hall covered an immense area, and after walking quite a distance, they finally arrived at the Soul Master registration area.

Along the way, many Soul Masters bowed deeply to Bishop Ferdinand upon seeing him, and he simply nodded in acknowledgment, demonstrating his formidable authority.

The palace where the Soul Master registration took place was over 200 meters tall. A large floor-to-ceiling window provided ample light to the hall.

As soon as Dai Yao entered the room, he felt something unique. His soul power seemed to resonate with a special rhythm.

Glancing around, Dai Yao quickly discovered the reason for this sensation.

In the center of the room was a black stone the size of a fist, which resembled the stone he had used when he awakened his Martial Soul.

On the wall, there was a large portrait of a beautiful woman with six wings on her back. In one hand, she held a shield, and in the other, she raised a sword high above her head.

It was the Six-Winged Angel, the divine Martial Soul passed down by the Soul Hall.

"Fourth Prince, are you also drawn to this portrait?" Bishop Ferdinand asked with a smile.

(End of Chapter)

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