Ah Yin: The Hall Master Is the Best

This '★' rating could, to a certain extent, represent a person's future achievements, influence, and the like.

Two stars meant they would achieve something modest, likely reaching at least the Soul Elder rank.

Even the Soul Elders guarding the gates of Skywater City's Spirit Hall had two stars, while Soul Grand Masters only had ★.

Three stars required at least the Soul Emperor level.

Four stars... Qian Yunxiao had yet to encounter one.

Yang Lang of Skywater City Spirit Hall's branch hall only had three stars.

For this village to have five children rated at two stars was already quite impressive.

As expected of a village he had carefully selected.

After Ah Yin chose the children, she used her Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul to awaken their Martial Souls.

With Ah Yin's strength, she could perform eight draws at once and awaken the Martial Souls of all eight children simultaneously.

Unfortunately, she had not gathered enough for ten draws. Otherwise, she might have gotten a decent guaranteed result.

Ah Yin's Soul Power was exceptionally gentle and carried a healing effect, making the children thoroughly enjoy themselves.

As he watched Ah Yin radiate a pure, holy light, Qian Yunxiao's eyes were full of admiration.

Ah Yin noticed Qian Yunxiao's gaze as well.

His gaze could not possibly have been purely admiring; there was surely some desire in it, though it only made up a small part.

Ah Yin could tell that this Hall Master seemed to harbor a desire to possess her.

Though uneasy, she also felt a faint hint of anticipation.

The eight children's Martial Souls were Snow Swallow, Snow Cat, Iron Shovel, Scythe, Blue Silver Grass...

The slightly better ones were the Snow Swallow and Snow Cat.

Though they were only the lowest-grade Beast Martial Souls.

As long as they possessed Soul Power, they could cultivate.

The results left Ah Yin both happy and worried.

Of the eight children she had selected, three could cultivate.

As for the other five children... well...

Because Ah Yin was not purely human, her emotions were complicated.

The smiles of those human children upon learning that they had Martial Souls and could cultivate Soul Power made Ah Yin happy as well.

Yet once they grew up, they would all have to hunt Soul Beasts for Soul Rings.

By helping them open the door to cultivation, was she not helping humans harm her own kind?

Then, when she saw the disappointed expressions of those children unable to cultivate, Ah Yin felt cruel again, as though she had personally crushed their dreams.

Ah Yin's expression gradually turned gloomy.

Qian Yunxiao noticed it too.

His Angel Martial Soul appeared, releasing a light that shone across the world.

He easily awakened the Martial Souls of the eight children under his care.

There was not much difference compared with the children Ah Yin had handled.

Iron Shovel, Scythe, and Blue Silver Grass were all present as expected.

However, among the children Qian Yunxiao had handled was one with excellent talent, possessing the Giant-Eyed Snow Ape Martial Soul.

This Martial Soul was considered a mid-grade Beast Martial Soul, and with level-four Innate Soul Power, the child had enough potential to cultivate to a respectable realm.

Clearly, Qian Yunxiao had won his bet with Ah Yin.

Those children who could cultivate could later join the Spirit Hall branch in the nearby small city, or attend some junior Spirit Hall academies.

The matters that followed were no longer Qian Yunxiao's concern.

"Ah Yin, what's wrong? Are you feeling down because you lost to me?"

After leaving Xueluo Village, Qian Yunxiao asked about Ah Yin's condition.

Ah Yin shook her head. "I was saddened by the expressions of those children after learning that their Martial Souls could not cultivate Soul Power. It felt as if I had strangled their futures."

Ah Yin truly did possess a somewhat saintly air about her.

That was only natural. After all, she would become the "Mother of All Spirits" of Douluo Continent in the future.

Qian Yunxiao took the initiative to comfort her. "This is their fate, just as some Soul Beasts are swallowed alive by other Soul Beasts before they can even hatch from their eggs. They... at least get to live peacefully in the human world."

Ah Yin knew that was true. The human world was far more peaceful than the world of Soul Beasts.

"I'm also worried... that after I help those children awaken their Martial Souls, they'll slaughter many Soul Beasts... Hall Master, what do you think of Soul Beasts?"

For some reason... Ah Yin cared deeply about Qian Yunxiao's view of Soul Beasts.

If... if Qian Yunxiao hated Soul Beasts, Ah Yin would leave him.

Qian Yunxiao knew it was time to make his stance known.

He had rehearsed certain words in his mind countless times.

He absolutely did not believe his performance would be worse than Tang Hao's!

"Regarding Soul Beasts... especially those that dislike conflict and do not harm humans, I truly feel sorry for them. Other Soul Masters always end up involving them when hunting Soul Rings, but aside from pity and remorse, there is nothing else I can do. This is the law of nature. However, if I become the Pope of Spirit Hall in the future, I will definitely find a way to change this situation."

Qian Yunxiao's heartfelt words made Ah Yin's heart race.

Wasn't the type of Soul Beast Qian Yunxiao had deliberately mentioned exactly like her? So her Hall Master... was such a gentle man?

Qian Yunxiao had chosen his words with careful restraint.

In truth, many people felt some pity for innocent living beings that suffered harm; they simply did not show it.

What Qian Yunxiao said struck just the right balance.

He would not be foolish enough to claim he pitied all Soul Beasts. That would have made him seem hypocritical and stupid.

Still not fully reassured, Ah Yin continued, "If... if you encountered the kind of kind and harmless Soul Beast you mentioned, and she was all alone with no one to rely on, what would you do?"

As she asked this question, Ah Yin felt especially expectant.

Qian Yunxiao knew Ah Yin had already placed herself in that situation. If he gave the right answer now, he would earn many points.

"Since we met, it is fate. I would take good care of her, treating her like a pet, or even like family."

This answer made Ah Yin's heart pound uneasily.

Would she... would she be a pet in the Hall Master's eyes?

"If... that Soul Beast was being hunted by someone else, someone very powerful, someone Hall Master could not defeat, what would Hall Master do?"

Ah Yin was already very satisfied with Qian Yunxiao's answer, but she still wanted more.

In response, Qian Yunxiao lightly flicked Ah Yin's forehead with his finger. This time, his face was filled with unquestionable dominance. "Someone I can't defeat? Ah Yin, remember this: your Hall Master is the strongest person in this world. No one can take away anyone I protect from my hands. For example, you—if anyone tries to harm you, even if they are a Titled Douluo, I will make them die!"

Qian Yunxiao's sudden change in aura even made Ah Yin feel an urge to submit.

Ah Yin, Ah Yin... you are an emperor. Even if you only rule over Blue Silver Grass, you are still an emperor. How can you be this flustered...?

As she encouraged herself inwardly, Ah Yin answered softly, "I understand, Hall Master. You're the best!"

Ah Yin had never expected Qian Yunxiao to treat her so well.

For her sake, he would not even fear a Titled Douluo?

This feeling... Ah Yin truly did not know how to describe it.

Watching Ah Yin primly board the carriage, Qian Yunxiao's lips curled up slightly.

It was time to carry out the next plan.

Titled Douluo... activate!