Home at Last

Home at Last

"Instructor Jiang, thank you for the soul bone~" On the empty plaza, Qian Yuxi put away the thirty-thousand-year White Armored Sacred Dragon left leg bone, a smug smile on his face.

Jiang Xiruan was silent for a long while before saying, "Take it!"

"May we never meet again." After putting away the soul bone, Qian Yuxi turned and headed out of the city. His companions had been waiting for quite some time. A soul bone transaction like this had to be handled in private, after all.

Watching Qian Yuxi's retreating back, Jiang Xiruan clutched her still-aching left shoulder, her expression so gloomy it seemed ready to drip water.

She could not believe she had truly lost to a Soul Ancestor and two Soul Grand Masters.

No matter how unwilling she was, she could only honor the wager. As she turned to return to her residence, Jiang Xiruan's pupils suddenly widened. An unfamiliar man dressed in black was sitting in her room, drinking tea.

"Who are you?!"

The black-clad man did not respond immediately. He calmly took a sip of tea, then silently released eight soul rings.

A Spirit Douluo!

Jiang Xiruan immediately lost the courage to make a move.

"At least you kept your word. Otherwise, there would have been no need for you to remain Chief Instructor," the black-clad Spirit Douluo said indifferently. "But a threat is still a threat. Considering it was only natural for a soul master to feel tempted, and the Young Master was not injured, five years of your salary will be deducted."

With that, the black-clad Spirit Douluo set down his teacup. A blur flashed past, leaving only the sound of the window opening as he departed.

Staring at the window that was still rattling in the wind, Jiang Xiruan's back was instantly soaked through with sweat. Her heart lurched into a rapid beat. After taking several deep breaths, she forcibly suppressed the terror in her heart and slowly regained her composure.

I never should have coveted something that wasn't mine...

Outside Death City.

By now, quite a few students' parents and guardians had arrived to bring their young geniuses home.

Some children also shouldered their packs and set off together. They were all orphans taken in by Spirit Hall, and their relationships with one another were fairly good. They all lived in Spirit City.

As for those who had failed to complete the final assessment, they could only regretfully stay behind and train for another year...

"Little White Dragon, come back to Spirit City with Qian Yuxi and me later." Jin Yuetian draped an arm over Tuoba Yun's shoulders, his eyes full of smiles and anticipation.

"Mm, thank you, Brother Yuetian."

Tuoba Yun nodded softly, but her gaze drifted uncontrollably into the distance, a smile on her lips.

Four years. She had finally gotten out of this place. She had even met friends who sincerely cared for her. Since fleeing all those years ago, Tuoba Yun had never felt as happy as she did today.

"Little White Dragon, what are you thinking about?" Seeing her stare in that direction, Jin Yuetian could not help asking.

Tuoba Yun grew a little flustered beneath his gaze, a faint blush appearing on her face. "Um... Brother Yuetian, are your family and the captain's family... very influential in Spirit Hall?"

"Haha, influential? More than that! Let me put it this way: my grandfather is a Titled Douluo, and the captain's master is also a Titled Douluo!" Jin Yuetian laughed heartily as he shot Qian Yuxi a meaningful look.

Following his lead, Qian Yuxi nodded with a light smile.

As the three chatted and laughed, a Fire Eagle and a Golden Eagle descended from the sky. A man and a woman landed before Qian Yuxi and Tuoba Yun.

"Young Master, Young Master Jin, let's go home."

Qian Yuxi and Jin Yuetian both recognized them.

"Thank you for your trouble, Elder Spirit Kite and Golden Eagle Bishop."

As they spoke, the two casually leaped onto the back of Spirit Kite Douluo's martial soul. Tuoba Yun, however, appeared somewhat restrained. The auras of Spirit Kite Douluo and the Golden Eagle Bishop made her afraid to offend them.

At the same time, it made her speculate even more highly about the identities of her two companions in Spirit City.

"Little White Dragon, don't mind it. Luo Bishop, please give her a ride."

"Of course, Young Master Jin."

In the end, Tuoba Yun mounted the Golden Eagle's back and followed Qian Yuxi and Jin Yuetian on the journey to Spirit City, her heart filled with unease and faint anticipation...

A Titled Douluo and a Spirit Douluo traveled at astonishing speed. A journey that would take a carriage seven days could be shortened sevenfold for them. By the following morning, they had reached Spirit City's north gate.

Except in emergencies, flying was forbidden within the city. The five of them proceeded on foot, deciding to return to the Worship Hall first to see their respective grandfathers.

"Grandfather! Master! We're back!"

Pushing open the doors, Qian Yuxi and Jin Yuetian shouted at the same time.

Inside the great hall, Golden Crocodile and Radiant Feather Douluo had long since received the news and were waiting anxiously. When they saw the two return safely, they both rose excitedly to their feet.

"Tian'er, it's good that you're back."

Golden Crocodile Douluo stroked his beloved grandson's head, rare gentleness on his face.

"Little Xi, you actually came back after only one year. I really underestimated you, my disciple."

Radiant Feather Douluo patted Qian Yuxi's shoulder in satisfaction, his face brimming with a gratified smile.

The two elders had always known about their training. Their performances over the past few years had impressed them even more.

Radiant Feather Douluo in particular could hardly believe that such a young child had accomplished in one year what many people needed three or even four years to achieve. This was far more outstanding than his second brother's grandson.

"Level 42... Mm, not bad, not bad. Much better than my second brother's grandson, hahaha!"

Hearing Radiant Feather Douluo's teasing, Golden Crocodile Douluo immediately became displeased. "Old Fifth, itching for a beating?"

In terms of seniority, he was even from Qian Daoliu's grandfather's generation, yet Radiant Feather Douluo still dared to act so mischievously. He truly had no respect for his elders.

"Hahaha. Grandfather, stop arguing. Um... by the way, where has Grand Elder gone?"

Seeing that the atmosphere was turning awkward, Jin Yuetian hurriedly stepped forward to mediate.

At the mention of this matter, Golden Crocodile and Radiant Feather Douluo both wore complicated expressions. After exchanging a glance, they told them the truth, leaving out the relationship between Qian Xunji and Bibi Dong.

After hearing it, Qian Yuxi was somewhat shocked. Well, damn. Secret Chamber Douluo was thrown into prison, and Xue'er personally chose righteousness over family... Still, if he wasn't punished, it really would be hard to convince anyone.

"Uncle Ji actually made a mistake too?" Jin Yuetian said in surprise.

"Tian'er, you haven't introduced her yet. Is this little girl your companion?" Golden Crocodile Douluo noticed Tuoba Yun.

"G-Greetings, Your Excellencies." Tuoba Yun hurriedly knelt and bowed.

Radiant Feather Douluo nodded slightly and asked, "What is your name?"

"This junior's surname is Tuoba, given name Yun."

Golden Crocodile Douluo looked at his beloved grandson, signaling for him to introduce her. Meanwhile, Qian Yuxi looked around everywhere, searching for the beautiful figure he had longed for day and night.

"Little Xi." Radiant Feather Douluo gave him a look.

Following his master's gaze, Qian Yuxi looked toward the entrance to Spirit Hall's rear garden. There stood that breathtakingly beautiful golden figure, smiling at him.

Xue'er!

Joy surged through Qian Yuxi's heart, and he immediately ran toward Angel Sister.

"Sister Xue, I'm back!"

Xue'er, I missed you!

"You little brat..." Qian Renxue gave a soft snort, but the smile on her lovely face only deepened.

Radiant Feather Douluo looked at Golden Crocodile and his grandson, who were exchanging warm greetings, then at the somewhat restrained Tuoba Yun, and finally at his beloved disciple and Her Royal Highness, the Saintess, strolling toward the rear garden. He smiled helplessly.

"Ah... these days, even the younger generation comes in pairs."