Golden Generation

The one who spoke was the girl standing between the other two. She looked about fourteen or fifteen, with bright yellow hair and a delicate, charming face that made her look especially adorable.

She was Hu Liena, Spirit Hall's future Holy Maiden and Bibi Dong's disciple.

The two beside her were far more reserved, standing respectfully to the side without saying a word.

Bibi Dong felt that this should have been cause for celebration, but talent had to be compared. Compared to her other disciple, these three still had a long way to go.

Wearing an indifferent expression, she said solemnly:

"Nana, I am very pleased that your Soul Power has reached level thirty at your age."

After saying that, she added:

"However, as members of Spirit Hall's younger generation, you must work even harder in the future. Do not disappoint my expectations, understand?"

The three of them bowed at once and replied:

"Yes, Teacher."

"Yes, Your Holiness." × 2

At that moment, a guard in golden armor entered to report:

"Your Holiness, Ye Xiaobao requests an audience."

"Let him in."

"Yes!"

When Ye Xiaobao entered the Pope's Palace, Hu Liena and the other two all turned their eyes toward him.

He noticed the three of them as well.

So these are Spirit Hall's Golden Generation?

This was also his first time seeing Hu Liena. She really was a beauty in the making. Because the higher one's Soul Power, the faster one grew.

So although the three of them looked fourteen or fifteen, they were actually only eleven or twelve.

However, Ye Xiaobao had also grown quickly over the past half year, and now looked like a ten-year-old child.

Ye Xiaobao remembered that ever since these three had faced Tang San, they had never won. Hu Liena in particular had even fallen for Tang San's disguise, Tang Yin.

Fortunately, Hu Liena had eventually kept her head and had not betrayed Spirit Hall.

As for how it all ended, he had forgotten...

Ye Xiaobao walked over beside the three of them and bowed toward Bibi Dong on the raised platform.

"Teacher."

Seeing that it was Ye Xiaobao, Bibi Dong smiled and nodded.

"Have the two Worshippers returned?"

"Yes, Teacher."

"You have worked hard these past six months as well. Rest for a while. A Soul Master's cultivation must balance work and rest."

Hu Liena was instantly dumbfounded when she heard that. Was she really going to play favorites so openly? They were told to keep working hard and not disappoint Spirit Hall, while he was told to rest properly and balance work and rest.

Xie Yue, meanwhile, was consumed by jealousy. His talent was about equal to his sister's. Back then, the Pope had accepted only his sister as a disciple, and he had assumed that she simply did not take male disciples. Yet now, she had accepted someone else.

Just what was he lacking compared to others?!

Ye Xiaobao could feel Bibi Dong's concern as well, and he replied with a smile, "Thank you for your concern, Teacher. This little bit of hardship is nothing."

The more Bibi Dong looked at him, the more satisfied she became. This child was talented and hardworking. His future achievements would be limitless. He would certainly become one of her greatest supports.

"You three may leave first. I have something to discuss with Xiaobao."

"Yes." × 3

Hu Liena and the other two withdrew.

As they walked out of the main hall, Xie Yue said disdainfully, "He does not look like he has any real skill. Just a pretty boy, that's all."

"What does His Holiness even like about him to accept him as a disciple?"

Then he added:

"Ye Xiaobao? Why not Ye Dabao? It sounds like a commoner's name."

Yan strongly agreed and chimed in, "Exactly. Nana, tell me, what gives him the right to be the Pope's disciple? You should be the Pope's only disciple, the future Pope."

Hu Liena immediately covered Yan's mouth with her hand.

"What nonsense are you talking about? Do you have a death wish?"

With his mouth covered, Yan's face instantly turned bright red.

Hu Liena lowered her hand and said seriously, "Do not ever say that again."

Yan nodded, and he was actually a little shy.

Is Nana worried about me? I'm so happy. If Ye Xiaobao had been there, he definitely would have said, Oh, a pure-love warrior.

Xie Yue suddenly stopped walking.

"No. Little sister, you have to help me. We'll wait for him to come out and teach him a lesson, let him understand that he does not even rank among Spirit Hall's younger generation."

Hu Liena looked hesitant and stammered, "Th-that would not be good, would it? Teacher will be angry if she finds out."

"We're just sparring. The Pope will not be angry. Besides, you became her disciple before him. Your status is higher than his. What is wrong with giving him a few pointers?"

Xie Yue continued egging Hu Liena on. When he saw her nod reluctantly, a scheming smile appeared on his face. He could already picture Ye Xiaobao crying after being beaten by him.

Yan also felt indignant on Hu Liena's behalf. The three immediately agreed and waited not far from the Pope's Palace.

Before long, Ye Xiaobao came out of the Pope's Palace. The three followed him, and after walking for a while, Ye Xiaobao noticed that they were trailing him. When they reached the garden, he glanced behind him and said calmly:

"Come out."

Seeing that they had been discovered, Hu Liena and the other two stepped out from behind the trees.

It was noon, yet Spirit Hall's garden was brimming with life. All manner of rare plants and trees formed a beautiful scene.

The paths were paved with white stone slabs made of some unknown material. Under the sunlight, they gave off an almost sacred feeling.

At this moment, all four of them stood upon the stone path.

Ye Xiaobao had no idea why the three were following him. He merely looked at them calmly.

Seeing that there was no one around, Xie Yue tugged at Hu Liena's clothes.

Hu Liena also felt somewhat embarrassed. Bullying her junior disciple was hardly honorable, but she still had to listen to her own brother. In a low voice, she said:

"Ye Xiaobao, you have only been awakened for a short time. Since we are both Teacher's disciples, I think it is necessary for me to give you some guidance."

A huge question mark rose in Ye Xiaobao's mind.

Give me guidance? They just do not like the look of me, do they? He remembered that this was their first meeting today. How had he offended these three kids already?

"Not interested."

After saying that, Ye Xiaobao turned to leave. He cultivated desperately every day now, yet his Soul Power barely increased, and cultivation was growing slower and slower. He truly did not want to waste his time playing with children.

Besides, these three simply did not interest him enough to make a move.

"Stop!"

Xie Yue ran over and blocked Ye Xiaobao's path.

"I'll put it plainly. You are just a commoner who happened to awaken with innate full Soul Power. What gives you the right to become His Holiness the Pope's disciple? I refuse to accept it."

"If you have the guts, fight me. Do you dare?"

Ye Xiaobao looked at Xie Yue and thought that this guy had to be crazy. He was five or six years older than him, yet he was here demanding a duel. Ye Xiaobao mocked:

"If you do not accept it, then do not accept it."

After saying that, he walked around Xie Yue and continued onward, looking too lazy to bother with him.

Xie Yue was instantly enraged. He summoned his martial soul, and two yellow soul rings rose from beneath his feet. Two Moon Blades floated before him, and in the next moment, he grasped them in his hands.

"Stop!"

Ye Xiaobao ignored Xie Yue and walked away without looking back.

Xie Yue was left standing there, his expression shifting uncertainly with rage.

Just as Hu Liena and Yan were about to step forward to calm Xie Yue down, they saw him seemingly lose his mind as he hurled one Moon Blade at Ye Xiaobao.

"Watch out!" Hu Liena shouted in alarm. If Ye Xiaobao were injured, the consequences were not something her brother could bear.

Ye Xiaobao sensed the Moon Blade approaching from behind and sidestepped to the right, dodging it.

The Moon Blade missed, circled through the air, and returned to Xie Yue's hand.

"Kid, with your cowardly look, all you can do is disgrace His Holiness the Pope."