"I apologize for my brother's impudence," he said sincerely. "You shouldn't have been bothered by such nonsense."
Eve adjusted her veil and replied casually, "It's fine."
With her current official identity as Xue Qinghe's aide, this scene would not raise unnecessary suspicions. A wastrel prince harassing a subordinate—and being reprimanded—was entirely reasonable.
Xue Qinghe nodded and continued walking.
"I'm heading to meet Teacher Ning Fengzhi," he said. "He mentioned that he would introduce me to the so-called monster geniuses of Shrek Academy."
Eve walked alongside him, her steps light, her tone teasing.
"Oh?" she said. "Your geniuses are already quite notorious across the city."
She tilted her head slightly.
"Aren't they the ones who nearly cripple their opponents and then politely ask the teacher afterward—'Are they dead?'"
Xue Qinghe paused for half a step. Eve smiled faintly beneath her veil.
"Be careful," she added lightly. "Those monsters might bite your hand."
There was a brief silence.
"…Yes, Eve," Xue Qinghe replied after a moment of contemplation, his voice thoughtful.
They soon parted ways at a crossroads.
Eve watched Xue Qinghe's receding figure, her purple eyes narrowing slightly beneath the veil.
'Bite your hand?' she thought.
'They'll do more than that.'
Her lips curved into a cold, knowing smile.
'Especially when that so-called protagonist of Douluo Dalu, Tang San is among them—someone who excels at wearing righteousness while enforcing double standards.'
She continued walking toward the Spirit Hall branch.
----
Spirit Hall Branch, Heaven Dou City
It did not take much time for Eve to reach the Spirit Hall Branch.
White marble floors reflected soft golden light, and the air itself seemed heavier here—quiet, solemn, carrying an unspoken sense of sanctity. The cross-shaped monument dominated the hall, its twelve sculpted wings spreading outward like a divine shadow. At its center, the half-open, half-closed eye gazed down upon all who entered.
Eve stepped inside. Bishop Salas was already waiting.
He wore his formal crimson-and-gold bishop's robes, his expression respectful. Upon seeing Eve, he lowered his head slightly in greeting.
"Young Master," Salas said politely.
Eve returned a small nod.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries—formal words, confirmations of routine matters—Salas' tone subtly shifted. His posture straightened, and his voice grew more deliberate.
"Young Master," he said, "the plan decided by you will be executed as scheduled. All preparations have already been completed."
Not far away, standing near one of the stone pillars, Qian Xunji's movements paused.
His hands, which had been loosely clasped behind his back, tightened slightly.
'A plan?'
Even while working alongside his daughter for years, Qian Xunji realized—somewhat bitterly—that there were still things she did not share with him. His gaze sharpened, and he listened carefully, not interrupting.
Bishop Salas continued, stepping forward and handing over a sealed document.
"On the day after the winning team of the next Continental Elite Young Soul Master Tournament arrives in Spirit City for the subsequent matches, arrangements will be made to hold parallel events in Heaven Dou City and all surrounding cities."
Eve accepted the document and glanced at it.
'So soon…'
Her eyes moved quickly over the contents.
'Looks like the tournaments preliminary round in Heaven Dou City in about a month.'
As she read further, her expression grew thoughtful.
This was not limited to Heaven Dou City.
The surrounding cities and towns. Even villages under Spirit Hall's indirect influence were listed—each marked with personnel assignments, and logistical details.
Everywhere, sermons would be held. Sermons dedicated to the Angel Goddess.
Eve's fingers paused slightly on the page.
Her eyebrows lifted almost imperceptibly.
'This really does resemble the ascension method by Angel Goddess recorded in ancient texts.'
'Is Qian Renxue preparing to advance to Sequence 3…? And using the "Angel Goddess" persona as her anchor?'
As Eve's thoughts raced, Bishop Salas continued explaining, his voice steady
"The sermons will be divided into three tiers," he said. "In major cities, high-ranking Spirit Hall clergy will preside personally. The content will focus on the Angel Goddess' protection, justice, and salvation of the common people."
"In secondary cities and towns, branch bishops and deacons will lead simplified ceremonies—emphasizing gratitude, devotion, and divine blessings."
"And in villages," Salas continued, "it will take the form of storytelling, prayers, and symbolic rituals. Simple, repetitive, easily remembered."
His eyes gleamed faintly.
"Each sermon will end with collective prayer before the Angel monument"
The layout was meticulous.
Eve closed the document slowly.
Qian Xunji, listening nearby, felt inexplicable.
'This… I've read of something like this before…'
Something about the structure felt familiar.
Still, one thing was clear. This sermon was extremely important.
'Looks like I'll have to visit the library later', Qian Xunji thought grimly.
At that moment—
The monument's eye flickered. Just for an instant, a faint glow rippled across its surface.
Invisible to ordinary people. Eve's body jolted slightly.
No—this wasn't her reaction.
It was the divine consciousness of Rakshasa within her.
The opposing divine will stirred, instinctively reacting to the sudden surge of faith power associated with the Angel Goddess.
Eve narrowed her eyes.
She had always known that Rakshasa's divine consciousness remained within her—silent, dormant, yet never truly gone. However Qian Renxue had long since intervened.
Through careful manipulation and layered psychological suggestion along with selective emphasis of "importance".
Anything Qian Renxue regarded as significant would be subtly filtered.
Eve let out a soft, almost amused breath.
Her lips curved into a self-deprecating smile.
"So that's how it is…"
'It seems I'm the bait this time.'
Her gaze drifted back toward the monument's half-open eye.
----
(Author notes : Two events will be going on simultaneously, I will try to complete the ascencion in next 20 chapters)