“Your Highness Jiang Qian, you won quite effortlessly today,” another male student from the Mecha Department of the Holy Dan Academy remarked, resting his hand on Jiang Qian’s shoulder with a hint of envy in his expression.
“You did pretty well too,” Jiang Qian responded with a smile, maintaining an air of nonchalance, though his inner thoughts weren’t as calm as his exterior.
How could he not feel it? Throughout the day, competitors from other academies would occasionally cast glances his way, and there was a camera deliberately focused on him by the on-site director. He was no stranger to being the center of attention, but this was indeed the largest-scale competition he had ever participated in, and his first time being broadcasted to the entire interstellar audience.
“Don’t be modest. I heard our live broadcast had high viewership today, and those viewers were all here to watch Your Highness,” he said, looking at the naturally superior Jiang Qian, feeling a rare sense of defeat. Clearly, before coming to the Holy Dan Academy, he had always been a prodigy.
Jiang Qian smirked, opting not to say much. Exiting the arena, he immediately messaged Ji Yun.
[Ah Yun, did you watch my match today?] Jiang Qian’s face had a confident smile, fully anticipating Ji Yun had indeed watched – his performance left no room for doubt.
To his surprise, the response on the other end seemed somewhat indifferent. [Watched some of it.]
Initially thinking Ji Yun might be just being shy, he inquired further, [Really? I thought you’d be eager to see how I performed.]
[There’s a formidable young therapist at the conference; that’s more beneficial for me,] Ji Yun replied, clearly agitated due to the unexpected lawsuit. This irritation extended to Jiang Qian, harboring a displeasure for the attention the latter attracted.
[I’ve got something to attend to, let’s talk later.]
Jiang Qian’s good mood was ruined by Ji Yun’s attitude. He even overheard whispers at the arena about the disappointing live stream and low popularity of the neighboring meet-up. Moreover, Ji Yun’s mention of the young therapist sparked a sense of crisis within him.
He always considered the Therapy Department as an omega’s refuge, assuming most alphas in their academy’s Therapy Department ended up there because they couldn’t make it to the Mecha Department. Therefore, he couldn’t understand why Ji Yun would prefer watching a therapist over him.
Upon returning to his residence, Jiang Qian immediately logged into the Star Network, determined to thoroughly investigate this young therapist.
Since the live stream had already ended, he could only search for information about today’s broadcast on some public social platforms.
Opening StarBlog, the front and center trending topic was about the Mecha League, even overshadowing the famous interstellar entertainment star. The comments had surpassed ten thousand, indicating high popularity. With certain expectations, Jiang Qian clicked on it.
The video’s thumbnail featured him smiling at the camera, and the top comments seemed to be from his avid fans, utterly enthusiastic.
Shaking his head with a smile, Jiang Qian exited the page.
He didn’t think Ji Yun would fail to notice him. Moreover, given this scenario, that so-called young therapist probably couldn’t compare to him.
Little did Jiang Qian know, the Mecha League’s trending topics reached the top because someone was manipulating certain topics.
Curious to see for himself, Jiang Qian casually searched for materials about the meeting. He then furrowed his brows, surprised to find that the discussion volume was unexpectedly high, contrary to what others had described as lackluster.
Real-time updates flooded in, each topic seemingly revolving around a therapist referred to as ‘little brother.’
He realized this might be the person Ji Yun mentioned.
Frowning, Jiang Qian clicked on a video showcasing Jiang Ling’s virtual therapy session. The person in the video wore a mask, but Jiang Qian’s expression grew increasingly serious because he sensed an unparalleled familiarity.
The figure, the eyes – he was almost certain it was someone he knew.
Jiang Qian didn’t understand healing techniques, but his innate spiritual talent made him much more insightful than others. Without blinking, he observed the spiritual power displayed by the man in the video. Although it seemed like S-level, he keenly sensed that it went beyond that.
His heart sank.
Apart from the mysterious Burke Star Monarch, he had never encountered or heard of someone with spiritual power on the same level, especially at such a young age.
On paper, the gap between S-level and SS-level might not seem significant, but in reality, it was vast. His double SS-level spiritual power alone could effortlessly handle hundreds of S-level practitioners. As for those of a higher level than him, that is beyond reality.
Jiang Qian dared not underestimate it anymore; beads of sweat formed on his nose as he stared intensely at the screen.
This person isn’t from the Holy Dan Academy, yet so familiar…
Jiang Qian urgently wanted to know who this person was; undoubtedly, he posed a potential threat to him.
As seconds ticked away, he had watched the entire therapy session. However, until it was almost over, the true face of the person remained unseen. Jiang Qian was so absorbed that he even lost interest in tomorrow’s league. His sole focus was uncovering the identity of the individual.
But then, he witnessed something he could hardly believe. Jiang Qian clenched his teeth, freezing as he stared at that face.
Could he be unfamiliar with it? This was none other than his dear brother… in his memory, a waste without any spiritual power.
Overwhelmed by shock, Jiang Qian quickly scrolled through the comments, thinking about the possibility of two individuals looking so alike.
Yet, as he read comments comparing them, his expression grew colder.
After the therapist revealed his face, the live stream abruptly ended; the therapist’s nickname seemed to be Little Jiang…
Such information was enough for Jiang Qian to confirm that the person in the video, seemingly possessing double S-level spiritual power like him, was undeniably his brother, the one who was supposed to be a hostage on Burke Star.
Jiang Qian’s gaze became intense.
Does the king know about this? If he does, what is his current plan? Does he want his good brother to come back?
King Charles, experiencing the same shock as Jiang Qian, remained motionless in the palace for a long time.
His hands felt weak, hanging by his side, and his mind refused to clear. How could he believe that his eldest son, confirmed a hundred times to have no spiritual power during the spiritual power test, was now showing the same spiritual power talent as his second son?
The facial features, almost identical to Jiang Ling’s, were the hallmark of the family. Otherwise, the attention of the entire palace wouldn’t have been drawn to him shortly after birth.
“Is this fate? Both of Charles’s sons have such talents…” Charles murmured to himself, then couldn’t help but burst into ecstatic joy.
His own qualifications were mediocre, and under his leadership, Charles Star could only maintain the status quo. But the current situation was crystal clear. Aside from Chu Wenyu and Jiang Qian, now there was another known double S-level spiritual power user, and both of them were his sons. Not to mention that Chu Wenyu had spiritual power disorder…
Charles could almost see the moment his star system would regain its glory, breaking free from Burke Star’s constraints and even potentially unifying the entire interstellar space.
However, his joy was short-lived as he pondered a grim fact – Jiang Ling had been sent to Burke Star as a hostage.
Initially, the decision to send Jiang Ling to Burke Star was due to the tense relationship between the two star systems, mainly fueled by Burke Star’s ambitions. They were on the brink of initiating trade, but at that time, Jiang Qian hadn’t yet risen to power and was insufficient against Chu Wenyu. So, in order to develop first, Charles had no choice but to send Jiang Ling as a gesture of goodwill.
Charles, thinking about this, pounded the table in regret. If he had known about his eldest son’s talent, he would never have sent him there. Even on the day Jiang Ling departed for Burke Star, Charles didn’t go to see him…
Jiang Ling probably resented him for that, Charles thought with a bitter smile.
However, after a brief moment of regret, Charles regained his composure. Jiang Ling was no longer on Burke Star but appeared at the meet-up on Yatai Star, undoubtedly having received approval from the Burke Star Monarch. Although his eldest son had exceptional spiritual power talent, being directed toward the seemingly useless skill of therapy suggested Chu Wenyu’s influence.
“He discovered my son’s spiritual power talent, yet didn’t destroy him. Instead, he made him learn the trivial skill of therapy… Is he trying to assert dominance over Charles?” Charles thought, wondering why the Burke Star Monarch had deliberately let him find out.
Charles understood clearly that Jiang Ling must come back; they couldn’t waste the spiritual power talent of Charles’s eldest prince. The signal at the ancestral worship was a hint from their forebears, suggesting that Jiang Ling might be the more suitable heir.
But if they insisted, not only might they fail to bring him back, but it could also anger Chu Wenyu, risking the disposal of the hostage.
Now, Charles had no choice but to continue bowing low to Burke Star, showing his friendliness towards Burke Star to the entire interstellar community. This way, even considering Burke Star’s reputation in the interstellar space, Chu Wenyu might not be inclined to harm the one extending a friendly hand.
“Summon Sang Qi to see me,” King Charles ordered in a deep voice, determined to devise a strategy.
Sang Lan’s previous request for an alliance with Jiang Qian had been ignored. Frustrated and helpless, Sang Lan had no other option. Jiang Qian didn’t trust him, didn’t believe the king genuinely wanted Jiang Ling back, and didn’t think Jiang Ling posed a threat.
If it weren’t for his father being a trusted minister of the king, aware of these matters, Sang Lan wouldn’t believe the king would go to great lengths to redeem a prince without spiritual power.
When he was at a loss, Jiang Qian unexpectedly contacted him.
“Sang Lan, I’ve considered what you told me last time. I want to leverage the power of your father.” Jiang Qian’s gaze was clear, no longer concerned about Ji Yun’s attitude. In fact, he felt a heightened sense of crisis because Ji Yun chose Jiang Ling.
More than romantic feelings, that position was more important to him.
Jiang Ling had been ignored for so many years; he would never allow someone to surpass him.
Sang Lan, unaware of the recent developments that prompted Jiang Qian’s change of heart, was just happy about the change.
“It’s best if you’ve thought it through. However, engagement is my condition,” Sang Lan’s feelings for Jiang Qian were still there. However, he wasn’t as naive as before, no longer expecting Jiang Qian to have a change of heart. If he wanted something, he had to fight for it himself.
“I agree. However, you must ensure that your father constantly monitors the movements of King Charles for me,” Jiang Qian said in a deep voice.
So, when Sang Qi entered the palace, he also had some ulterior motives, though he didn’t reveal them to King Charles.
“Sang Qi, prepare a valuable gift immediately, and have Reg deliver it to Burke Star. Make it grand,” King Charles ordered.
As the Minister of Finance, Sang Qi was very familiar with the material situation on Charles Star.
Sang Qi cautiously inquired, “Your Majesty, may I ask the reason for this?”
He knew this matter was related to Prince Jiang Ling, but he didn’t understand why the king suddenly made such a request.
King Charles still had trust in Sang Qi, so he slowly explained, “It’s time for Charles’s Eldest Prince to come back. From now on, Charles will have two sons with exceptional talents.”
Charles was proud of Jiang Ling’s spiritual power. In comparison to Jiang Qian, the sudden manifestation of Jiang Ling’s talent brought him even more delight.
Sang Qi was more confused now. In his impression, the Eldest Prince had no spiritual power at all. How come, in the king’s words, he suddenly possessed exceptional talent?
He hadn’t paid attention to the events on the Star Network.
After a somewhat impatient prompting from King Charles, Sang Qi finally understood the situation. He was even more shocked, but because of Sang Lan, he had already chosen Jiang Qian’s camp.
“Chu Wenyu will surely not agree to release the Eldest Prince. So, offering a generous gift alone won’t be enough. If you want to bring back Jiang Ling, you’ll have to make some sacrifices,” King Charles looked at Sang Qi and spoke slowly.
Hello, everyone ヾ(＾∇＾). I hope you enjoyed the story! If you’re feeling generous, please buy me a coffee, share/comment on my translated works! Check out the link below for early chapters. (๑>ᴗ<๑)
