Douluo Continent: The Ruler of Time, Reigning Supreme

Chapter 198 Qualifications
"Thank you, Your Highness, thank you, Your Highness."

After realizing all this, Nana could no longer control her emotions.

Excitement, elation, grievance, gratitude... countless emotions intertwined and turned into scalding tears that gushed from her eyes.

Tears streaming down her face, she repeatedly banged her forehead against the ground, making a loud "thump-thump" sound, as if only in this way could she express the overwhelming gratitude in her heart at that moment.

At this moment, Xia Die's identity as a saintess of the Holy Spirit Cult was no longer important.

In her heart, as long as her parents could rest in peace, Xia Die was the greatest benefactor of her life.

Watching Nana leave excitedly with red eyes and tears streaming down her face, Elder Lin led her away, and the room fell silent once more.

The Scarlet Nightmare, which had been silent and seemingly blended into its surroundings, finally made a move.

She covered her mouth and let out a soft, silvery laugh, her scarlet eyes gleaming with amusement and mockery.

"Hehehe... You've learned the art of managing subordinates quite well, my little Xiadie."

Fei Yan's voice carried a hint of lazy laughter.

"With just one sentence, she turned a potential enemy into a loyal dog. This girl has some talent; she'll probably be devoted to you from now on."

Inside the room, the air still carried the lingering scent of the breeze that had carried the girl away, along with a faint aroma mixed with tears and dust.

"To rule over subordinates... I guess so."

Xia Die's voice was very soft, as if she were just talking to herself.

She picked up the slightly cooled tea on the table, but didn't drink it. She just watched the tea leaves slowly unfurl in the water, her purple eyes reflecting no emotion.

She shook her head.

That was not a well-thought-out method of managing subordinates.

She just wanted to do that; in that instant, her humanity made her feel a fleeting pity for the girl named Nana.

She was never a good person.

But occasionally, a small act of kindness that doesn't cause any harm can be considered as accumulating some intangible virtue.

Moreover, Nana's talent is indeed quite good.

In an environment fostered by distorted doctrines and bloody methods, the fact that one can still maintain that deep-seated hatred and unwavering attachment to family is itself proof of a resilient character.

If this tenacity were applied to cultivation, the achievements would far surpass those of those madmen who only know how to kill.

More importantly, these were people she knew.

Although it was only one-sided.

Today, she grants Nana's parents peace, and this kindness has been deeply etched into Nana's soul.

From then on, even though Nana still hated the entire Holy Spirit Cult, her gratitude towards her, the Holy Maiden, would forever outweigh her hatred.

A chain of absolute loyalty has been forged.

Not long after, Elder Lin hurriedly returned to his room.

Right behind him, Nana's figure reappeared.

She changed out of her old saint's robes and into a clean maid's dress.

Her face was still wet with tears, and her eyes were still red and swollen, but her overall appearance was completely different from before.

The deep-seated fear and numbness vanished, replaced by a sense of piety and resolve.

"Plop" sound.

Nana knelt heavily on the ground. This time, her movement was without hesitation or coercion, but a heartfelt and complete surrender. She touched her forehead to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably, and said in broken sentences:

"Thank you... thank you for your mercy, Your Highness. From now on, Nana's life belongs to Your Highness... Nana is willing to serve Your Highness like a slave, even unto death."

"Just be a good maid; I don't need any cattle or horses here."

Xia Die finally put down her teacup, making a crisp, light sound.

A faint smile appeared on her face as she looked at Nana kneeling on the ground and said:

"You are experiencing both sorrow and joy today, and your mind is in turmoil. You are not in a good mental state. There is nothing for you to do here for now. Go back and rest. Come back tomorrow to serve."

She could clearly sense that Nana's spirit had been greatly relieved because her parents' souls had found peace, but she was also plunged into deep grief because of their eternal separation.

Such a complex mix of emotions is not a good thing for a Soul Master.

"Yes... Nana takes her leave."

Nana did not disobey in the slightest.

Every word the Holy Maiden spoke was like a divine revelation to her.

She kowtowed deeply again before slowly rising and respectfully backing away from the room.

The atmosphere in the room changed instantly after Nana left.

The barely perceptible smile melted away from Xia Die's face like snowflakes, and the air seemed to drop several degrees.

She raised her purple eyes and looked at Elder Lin, who was standing respectfully bowing.

"Elder Lin, what did that Master Mingde Hall say?"

Elder Lin's heart skipped a beat.

He quickly lowered his head even further and reported respectfully:

"Your Highness, the matter with the Sun Moon Empire has been settled. Hall Master Jing Hongchen has agreed that Your Highness will be admitted directly to the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy as a transfer student once the new semester begins."

He paused, seemingly organizing his thoughts, before continuing:
"Furthermore, he promised... that he would reserve a spot for you in the reserve team for this year's All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Battle Tournament."

"very good."

Xia Die's fingertips tapped lightly on the table, making a rhythmic "tap, tap" sound, each syllable seeming to strike Elder Lin's heart.

"It seems that Master Jing Hongchen is a very easy person to talk to."

Upon hearing Xia Die's ambiguous comment, Elder Lin almost buried his head in his chest, and a layer of cold sweat had already seeped out from his back.

Easy to talk to?
That Master Mingde, the towering figure in the Soul Master world of the Sun Moon Empire, the ninth-level Soul Master Jing Hongchen, is no easy person to talk to.
If it weren't for the Supreme Master personally sending a message through the highest levels of the Sun and Moon Royal Family to directly issue an order to Jing Hongchen, he probably wouldn't even have given him a chance to see him, let alone allow someone from the Holy Spirit Cult, especially the Death Saintess with such a sensitive identity, to join the Sun and Moon Royal Soul Master Academy, which he cherishes so much, and even give her a spot to represent the academy in the competition.

The power struggles and pressures involved are far beyond what can be fully described in a few words.

Elder Lin inwardly grumbled, but dared not show it aloud, and could only grit his teeth and continue:

"Your Highness, please understand. However... although Master Jing Hongchen has agreed to your enrollment, he has also put forward a corresponding condition."

"condition?"

Xia Die stopped tapping her fingers on the table.

"Yes."

Elder Lin felt the pressure increase, and he swallowed hard.

"He said that the reserve team spots of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy are never given to the incompetent. If you want to get this spot, you must... prove your strength and that you are worthy of this honor."

(End of this chapter)