Battle

He immediately spun another grand promise for Yun Chuan.

He knew well that if you wanted the workhorses to run fast, you had to keep dangling carrots in front of them.

"Rest assured. As long as you protect my big brother well, I definitely won't treat you unfairly."

"There will certainly be a place for you among Spirit Hall's upper ranks in the future."

Hearing this grand promise—no, hearing this commitment—

Yun Chuan instantly felt a numb, tingling sensation shoot from his feet to his head, as if he had been struck by lightning.

He pictured himself commanding the winds and clouds within Spirit Hall.

He had joined Spirit Hall over twenty years ago, but limited by his talent, his status had always remained low.

This time, he had only become a bishop because he had discovered a genius.

Not only had he saved his life this time, but he had also latched onto a powerful patron. Happiness had come far too suddenly.

Yun Chuan had drifted through half his life, and at last met a wise lord. From this day forth, he would never fail his expectations...

While Yun Chuan was still immersed in the joy of having pledged himself to the right master, Ye Xiaobao had already left the church with Dong Bo.

His martial soul awakening through the guidance of killing intent this time had been an unexpected delight.

From now on, without a martial soul drawing away his Soul Power, his strength would advance even more rapidly.

Early the next morning.

At Ye Xiaobao's home.

The sky had only just begun to brighten, but Ye Dabao had already prepared breakfast. Simple rice porridge accompanied by several tasty side dishes left the three of them eating with great relish.

After breakfast.

Ye Xiaobao bid his big brother farewell.

In his heart, everyone had their own pursuits, and he also hoped his big brother could live happily.

After returning to Spirit Hall.

When Ye Xiaobao and Dong Bo reached the entrance to the courtyard, they saw Hu Liena pacing outside the gate.

What was she doing here?

Ye Xiaobao ignored her and headed straight inside.

"Ye Xiaobao, you're back. I need to talk to you."

Hu Liena also spotted Ye Xiaobao and walked toward him.

"Teacher asked me to pass something on to you."

Hearing that Bibi Dong had something to tell him, Ye Xiaobao asked in a low voice:

"What is it?"

"Teacher said she'll be in seclusion recently, so she asked me to tell you to cultivate on your own."

Ye Xiaobao nodded to show that he understood. Just as he was about to enter the courtyard, Hu Liena spoke again:

"We'll soon be going to the Star Dou Great Forest to obtain our third soul ring. I hope to battle you again then."

Faced with Hu Liena's challenge, Ye Xiaobao frowned slightly.

"Not interested."

Hearing Ye Xiaobao refuse without hesitation, Hu Liena asked:

"You're not scared, are you?"

She was somewhat displeased. After all, she had come here to issue a challenge.

Then she added:

"What a coward. Fine, be scared if you want, but from now on, you're not allowed to mention beating the three of us ever again."

Ye Xiaobao?

What gave her such inexplicable confidence?

Was defeating the three of them really something worth being proud of?

Hu Liena gave a cold snort. Just as she was about to leave, she saw the Demon Subduing Douluo walking over.

Hu Liena had not expected to encounter the Seventh Enshrined here. She bent at the waist and saluted him.

"Greetings, Seventh Enshrined."

"Mm."

After Hu Liena straightened up, she saw Demon Subduing had already walked over to Ye Xiaobao.

"Xiaobao, I happen to be free today. Let's spar for a while."

Seeing that it was the Demon Subduing Douluo, Ye Xiaobao smiled and nodded.

"Seventh Enshrined, I couldn't ask for more."

Hearing this from the side, Hu Liena was also shocked that the Demon Subduing Douluo was going to act as a sparring partner for a child.

The enshrined of the Worship Hall rarely ever left the Worship Hall.

Moreover, every one of them stood above the mundane world and represented Spirit Hall's strongest combat power.

Yet now, one of them was actually going to serve as a sparring partner for a child.

Hearing Ye Xiaobao still call him Enshrined, the Demon Subduing Douluo seemed to dislike the title.

"Didn't I tell you? Don't call me Sixth Enshrined. Call me Teacher."

Ye Xiaobao did not respond, and the two entered the courtyard.

Hu Liena followed them inside as well. She wanted to see just what Ye Xiaobao had done to make the Seventh Enshrined willing to spar with him.

In the courtyard.

Ye Xiaobao and Demon Subduing had already taken their positions on opposite sides.

With a backhanded grip, Demon Subduing summoned the Coiled Dragon Cudgel into his hand.

He attacked Ye Xiaobao directly.

The Golden Cudgel also appeared in Ye Xiaobao's hand as he met the attack head-on.

For a time, Soul Power ran rampant throughout the courtyard.

Every clash between the two produced a tremendous roar, while the shadows of their cudgels filled the sky, displaying their speed to the fullest.

Hu Liena stood frozen at the side, utterly dumbfounded.

His strength was actually this formidable!

She had never expected the gap between herself and Ye Xiaobao to be so vast.

No wonder the Seventh Enshrined was so courteous to Ye Xiaobao.

As Bibi Dong's disciple, her insight was naturally exceptional.

Although neither of them had activated their soul rings, the Soul Power generated by every collision was beyond what an ordinary Soul King could compare to.

If it had been her, she would not have been able to withstand even a single strike.

No wonder Ye Xiaobao had never regarded the three of them seriously.

No wonder he had been so dismissive of her provocation.

The difference in strength was simply too great. He could not be bothered to take an interest at all.

The battle between Ye Xiaobao and Demon Subduing also reached a fever pitch.

Although Demon Subduing had adjusted his Soul Power to the same level as Ye Xiaobao's, he still placed enormous pressure on him.

After all, he was a Titled Douluo!

After the time it took to burn an incense stick, Ye Xiaobao finally conceded defeat.

"Xiaobao, not bad. You can already hold on for over a hundred and twenty moves now."

"It's all thanks to the Seventh Enshrined's excellent teaching."

The Demon Subduing Douluo felt somewhat helpless upon hearing that form of address.

Hu Liena stood to one side, not knowing what she should say. She felt that at this moment, she was nothing more than a clown.

Ye Xiaobao also ignored Hu Liena standing nearby. After seeing Demon Subduing off, he entered the Gravity Array to cultivate.

And so, Ye Xiaobao began another stretch of dull cultivation.

Just like that, five years passed quickly...

That morning.

Inside Ye Xiaobao's room.

He was sleeping.

Suddenly.

Bang.

Hu Liena shoved open the door and barged in.

"Ye Xiaobao, Teacher is looking for you. It seems to be about what you mentioned last time. She wants you to go over."

Hearing that Teacher Bibi Dong was looking for him, Ye Xiaobao immediately opened his eyes and sat up.

But in his haste, he forgot that Hu Liena was still in the room.

"Ah!"

Hu Liena cried out.

"What's wrong with you? Why aren't you wearing any clothes? I'm still here."

Hu Liena secretly glanced at the naked Ye Xiaobao.

Her face turned red all the way to the tips of her ears, and she hurriedly covered her eyes with her hands.

After years of arduous cultivation, although Ye Xiaobao was only twelve, he no longer looked like a child.

The rapid growth of his Soul Power had made him look no different from an adult man.

He was nearly one meter ninety tall, with a lean and upright build—the type who looked muscular without clothes and slim in them.

"Sorry, I forgot. I forgot."

Ye Xiaobao felt somewhat embarrassed. Although the two had become somewhat familiar through their interactions over the years,

this was still the first time he had stood naked before Hu Liena.

He quickly put on his clothes and fled the room as though escaping.