Chapter 56: To 'Stand Up' For Him

Though the young boy didn't fully understand the difference between his martial soul and soul power, he could clearly sense one thing: he had become much stronger than before.

"You really are one lucky little guy…"

The coachman, finally recovering from his daze, let out a sigh of admiration.

He fumbled through his robes, pulling out a token. After weighing it in his hand for a moment, he glanced at Aether with a sheepish smile and tossed the token to the boy.

"This is a Spirit Hall token. You've awakened your martial soul now—take this with you to the Spirit Hall in Heaven Dou City. Show it to them, and they'll take you to Spirit City for training."

Since this esteemed one had taken such interest in the child, the old man figured he might as well give him another push along the way.

After all, a talent like this shouldn't be wasted on some half-baked clan or sect.

The boy nervously caught the token. It was entirely black, smooth to the touch, and solid. Strange and intricate patterns covered its surface, emanating a mysterious, heavy aura.

"Spirit Hall…" he whispered, the words tumbling from his lips.

He didn't fully understand what this token represented, but the name "Spirit Hall" had been etched in his heart since he could remember.

It was not only the sacred land all Soul Masters dreamed of, but also an unattainable hope for poor children like him.

"Thank you, Uncle!"

The boy clutched the token tightly and gave the coachman a deep, sincere bow.

"Kid, I'm not the one you should be thanking."

The coachman helped him up, then clasped his fists respectfully toward Aether and said to the boy:

"This esteemed one is the person you truly owe your thanks to. You were just… well, someday you'll understand."

He reached out and lightly tapped the boy's chest.

"I merely saw your potential and took pity. But this man—he acknowledged what's in here."

"Do your best, kid. Don't disappoint this man."

After speaking, he looked at the boy, now dumbstruck, but in his eyes, he could already see a future Title Douluo towering over the continent, commanding all with pride.

The boy looked at Aether, half-understanding, and then suddenly dropped to his knees. The woman behind him followed suit.

Mother and son didn't say a word—they simply kowtowed to Aether three times.

Simple and sincere, this was their most heartfelt way of expressing gratitude. They didn't know what else they could offer this great benefactor.

"Quickly, stand up."

Aether gently helped the woman to her feet. The boy stood up as well, turned, and reached into their basket. He pulled out their last remaining steamed bun, held it in both hands, and looked at Aether with pure, earnest eyes.

"Sir… please eat…"

"Alright."

Aether smiled as he took the bun.

"Remember what I told you."

With that, he turned and walked toward the carriage. The coachman gave the boy a nod and quickly followed.

Halfway to the carriage, Aether looked back—and caught sight of the boy picking up the bun he'd dropped earlier.

The child carefully brushed off the grass clinging to the bun, making sure not to lose a single crumb. Then he brought it to his lips, gently blew off the dust, and handed it to the woman beside him.

"Mom, eat…"

"Mom's not hungry. You eat it, Maomao."

"If you don't eat, I won't eat either…"

"Then… Mommy will eat half, and Maomao will eat the other half."

"Okay!"

A warm breeze drifted by, carrying a gentle fragrance. Even the wildflowers by the road seemed to bloom with joy.

Aether took a large bite of the bun in his hand and murmured,

"This is… really good."

...

"Wah! Traveler, you secretly ate something behind my back!"

They'd been gone a while, and now Paimon, Yu Keke, and Xue Qinghe were waiting beside the carriage.

Seeing Aether holding food, Paimon stomped her feet in outrage.

She had been worried sick over here, and it turned out he was off sneaking snacks? Unforgivable!

"Here~ It's actually pretty good. Want a bite?"

Aether offered her the half-eaten bun, expecting her to recoil in disgust.

To his surprise, Paimon immediately latched onto it and started munching.

"Hmph~ I'll forgive you this time. Good food is meant to be shared!"

"Eh? Oh no! I finished the bun and forgot to save any for Keke and Qinghe…"

"..."

The carriage rolled on. Aether, just like before, sat outside with the coachman.

"Uncle, what's your name?"

The resonance from the Serenitea Pot was growing stronger—he no longer needed to concentrate to feel it. Out of boredom, Aether struck up a conversation.

"This one's name is She Long, sir. But please, don't address me so formally—I'm unworthy…"

She Long laughed humbly, now clearly more at ease than before.

It seemed that after what had happened, the fear he once felt toward this man had evolved into deep reverence.

Not that he wasn't afraid anymore—rather, his fear had become respect.

This was someone worthy of admiration, both in strength and in character.

He didn't try to hide his name anymore. This man probably knew everything already.

If the esteemed one didn't care, he had no reason to conceal anything.

"No need for formality. What's that place up ahead? Those buildings look quite grand—almost like a city."

Aether waved his hand casually. Up ahead, towering structures stretched into the sky like bamboo shoots after the rain.

"That would be Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. Shall we stop for a look, sir?"

She Long turned his eyes toward the distant buildings.

"Yes. Stop up ahead. What I'm looking for should be inside."

"Understood! Hold on tight, sir. Hyah!"

With a shout, She Long cracked the whip, and the horses picked up speed.

This Title Douluo, honored anywhere on the continent, turned out to be an expert coachman as well.

...

"Is Chief Meng Shenji present?"

At that moment, a voice rang out in the reception hall of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy—bold and commanding.

Four figures entered.

Leading the group was an arrogant young man. Upon spotting the familiar faces inside, his expression twisted with resentment.

However, likely out of respect for the elegantly dressed elder and the other elderly man in dark green beside him, he held his tongue—though the gleam of schadenfreude in his eyes was unmistakable.

"Your Highness, what brings you here today?"

Meng Shenji ignored the youth and addressed the richly robed elder, giving a polite bow. Still, both he and the others present had their eyes fixed on the man in green.

"Hmm? Looks like the three deans are entertaining some guests. Won't you introduce them to this prince?"

The man addressed as "Your Highness" by Meng Shenji was none other than Prince Xue Xing of the Heaven Dou Empire.

His gaze swept over the hall. Besides the three deans of the academy, there were over a dozen others who clearly didn't belong here.

He chuckled lightly and asked.

He was the emperor's appointed overseer of the academy, though in practice, he left all management to the deans and rarely visited.

Today, however, he had come on purpose—because his dear nephew, Prince Xue Beng, had come crying to him about a certain incident.

And so, he was here to "stand up" for him.

_

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