First in the Assessment

Closing the blueprint, Liu Xinghan said, "Great Enshriner, this blueprint is too profound. With my current abilities, I can't make it."

He was telling the truth.

He had not even figured out Rank 3 Soul Tools yet. Asking him to study the design blueprint of a Rank 9 Soul Tool was no different from asking him to read a heavenly tome. He could not even understand it, much less make it.

"As expected."

Qian Daoliu sighed, though he was not particularly disappointed.

The other party was only a child. How profound could his attainments in Soul Tools possibly be?

This Soul Tool blueprint had been passed down by the First Ancestor. It was the design for an exceptionally powerful Soul Tool—how could a six-year-old child possibly make it?

The only reason he had asked Liu Xinghan to take a look was to try his luck.

After thinking for a moment, Qian Daoliu said, "Keep this Soul Tool blueprint with you for now. I hope that one day, you will be able to make it."

Liu Xinghan nodded. "Alright."

He had no confidence now, but the future was another matter!

Just as Liu Xinghan put away the blueprint, a terrifying pressure suddenly enveloped the Worship Hall.

"Insolence!"

A furious shout exploded through the Worship Hall like thunder. An old man appeared out of thin air, followed by an equally terrifying pressure that was no weaker than the other party's, forcing it back.

Looking at the old man who had suddenly appeared, Liu Xinghan immediately realized that he must be another super powerhouse. The Worship Hall truly hid crouching tigers and coiled dragons.

At the same time, a figure entered through the doors.

She was tall and slender, dressed in a gorgeous long gown. Frost covered her peerlessly beautiful face. It was none other than Pope Bibi Dong.

"Bibi Dong, you are being insolent." The old man who had appeared suddenly glared at Bibi Dong and rebuked her.

Great Enshriner Qian Daoliu frowned and said, "Golden Crocodile, stand down."

Hearing this, Liu Xinghan immediately understood the old man's identity. He had to be the Worship Hall's Second Worship, the Rank 98 Peak Douluo, Golden Crocodile Douluo. No wonder he was so powerful!

Although Golden Crocodile Douluo was angry after Qian Daoliu spoke, he still stepped aside as ordered.

After entering the Worship Hall and seeing that Liu Xinghan was safe and sound, Bibi Dong let out a sigh of relief. Her gaze swept over Qian Renxue before finally settling on the Great Enshriner. She asked coldly, "Great Enshriner, why did you bring my disciple to the Worship Hall?"

After learning from Hu Liena that Liu Xinghan had been taken away by people from the Worship Hall, Bibi Dong had rushed here without stopping, afraid that Liu Xinghan had fallen victim to the Worship Hall's schemes.

Seeing that Bibi Dong had come for him, Liu Xinghan was deeply moved.

Qian Daoliu looked at Bibi Dong and said, "You do care a great deal about this disciple of yours."

Qian Renxue, standing nearby, was immediately taken aback. She did not yet know that Liu Xinghan had become the Pope's Disciple, but the clever girl quickly understood.

Liu Xinghan had actually become Bibi Dong's newly accepted disciple?

At that thought, her brows could not help but furrow.

Bibi Dong said coldly, "Naturally, I care about my disciple."

Seeing Bibi Dong's forceful attitude, Qian Daoliu could only sigh helplessly. "I did not harm him. I merely needed his help with something."

Bibi Dong snorted. "Without my permission, you had better stop setting your sights on my disciple in the future."

Without giving Qian Daoliu a chance to reply, she said, "Xiao Han, we're leaving."

"Yes, Teacher."

Liu Xinghan answered, glanced at Qian Renxue, then turned and followed Bibi Dong out of the Worship Hall.

Although he had many things he wanted to say to Qian Renxue, now was clearly not the time.

On the way, Bibi Dong asked, "Xiao Han, what did that old thing want from you?"

Liu Xinghan answered honestly, "They wanted me to help them make a Soul Tool, but it was too complicated. It was probably a Rank 9 Soul Tool, and I don't have the ability to make it yet."

Bibi Dong warned him, "Those old fellows in the Worship Hall oppose me at every turn. You and Nana are my disciples, so one day they may harm you because of me. Stay away from them in the future!"

Liu Xinghan nodded.

Days passed one after another.

After taking part in several more spirit battles, Liu Xinghan finally took first place in the Second Year Combat Test. He also ranked first in the entire grade in the Written Test.

With first place in both tests, he rightfully became the top scorer of this Mid-Year Assessment.

Side Quest completed. Liu Xinghan obtained 100 Points.

At the same time, a new Side Quest was activated.

Spirit Hall Side Quest 3: Become Pope Bibi Dong's disciple. Reward: Points x500.

The moment this task appeared, Liu Xinghan froze. He had already become the Pope's Disciple, hadn't he?

Did this count as completing the task in advance?

Sure enough, the system's voice confirmed his thoughts the next second.

"Ding! Task completed. Points x500 obtained."

Spirit Hall Side Quest 4: Become the Holy Son of Spirit Hall. Obtain a mysterious reward x1.

Liu Xinghan stroked his chin.

Becoming the Holy Son of Spirit Hall would not be easy.

The Holy Son and Holy Maiden were equivalent to the Pope's successors; not just anyone could take those positions.

Even the Pope could not directly appoint a Holy Son or Holy Maiden. The choice had to receive the unanimous approval of the Elders and even the Worship Hall before one could become the Holy Son or Holy Maiden.

In the original story, Hu Liena had only gained the recognition of Spirit Hall's many higher-ups and ultimately become the Holy Maiden of Spirit Hall after undergoing training in the City of Slaughter and obtaining the power of the Slaughter Domain.

Although becoming the Holy Son won't be easy, it's nothing I can't handle. Becoming the Holy Son is only a matter of time. Liu Xinghan thought confidently.

Setting everything else aside, merely spreading Soul Tool technology had already earned him an enormous contribution within Spirit Hall.

Just imagine it: one day, Spirit Hall's Spirit Master Legion would all be equipped with Soul Tools, their combat strength soaring until they could sweep across the continent.

As the one who had spread Soul Tool technology, wouldn't his contribution be the greatest?

That day, Liu Xinghan met Qian Renxue.

This was their first meeting since the Worship Hall.

"Big Sister Qian Xue!" Liu Xinghan ran over happily.

Dressed in white as pure as snow, Qian Renxue stood there like a celestial maiden. Looking at Liu Xinghan, she asked angrily, "Xiao Han, how did you become Bibi Dong's disciple?"

Liu Xinghan hesitated for a moment.

He knew that although Qian Renxue and Bibi Dong were mother and daughter, their relationship was extremely poor. They were more like enemies, while Bibi Dong and Hu Liena seemed more like mother and daughter instead.

Not to mention Hu Liena—even toward him, a disciple she had only accepted a few days ago, Bibi Dong's attitude was far better than the way she treated Qian Renxue.

Liu Xinghan did not hide anything and explained the whole matter from beginning to end.

Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue sighed. "Fine. Following that woman may be beneficial to you as well."

Liu Xinghan asked tentatively, "Big Sister Qian Xue, you're not angry anymore?"

Qian Renxue shook her head. "This isn't your fault. If she wanted to take you as her disciple, you had no way to resist. If you refused, your life might even have been in danger."

A surprised look appeared on Liu Xinghan's face. "No way, is it really that serious?"

Qian Renxue sneered. "What you see now is only the surface. You can never imagine just how vicious that woman truly is!"