Strong Kiss

At dusk, Bai Ying arrived beside Qian Renxue carrying a large platter piled high with lamb skewers.

"You really are a natural-born chef! Not only is your food delicious, but you also care about what's it called again? Oh, right! That human touch! These lamb skewers have to be eaten outdoors to really enjoy them!"

Bai Ying smiled faintly, then sat down across from Qian Renxue and replied, "Of course barbecue tastes better eaten outside. Look, isn't sitting here on the balcony, eating barbecue while gazing at the stars and the bustling Spirit City, much better than eating indoors?"

"That's true. It definitely feels better than eating inside!" Qian Renxue nodded in agreement.

"It would be even better with some beer!"

Qian Renxue gave Bai Ying a chop to the head, hitting him hard, and scolded him, "You're so young, yet you already want to drink?"

Bai Ying waved his hands and explained, "What do you mean? As the saying goes, barbecue goes with beer, and fried chicken goes with cola! That's the perfect combination!"

"Quit making excuses! You're not old enough to drink yet, understand?"

"Got it, got it!"

Qian Renxue smiled with relief. "Eat up. Get a good rest afterward. Tomorrow is the day you awaken your Martial Soul! You can't oversleep and arrive late."

Hearing this, Bai Ying complained to Qian Renxue, "Arrive late? Have you ever seen me dare to be late these past two years? Never mind the other old men—Golden Crocodile, that old bastard, practically wants to train me to death! I'm only six years old! How could they make me endure such inhumane training? I really don't know what they're thinking. What if I get hurt from all this training?"

Hearing Bai Ying's complaints, Qian Renxue couldn't help feeling distressed. She had seen how Golden Crocodile Enshriner trained people before, and it really was too harsh. Still, the results were indeed excellent.

"Alright, alright. After you awaken your Martial Soul tomorrow, you'll rarely have opportunities to train with the enshrined elders. You'll spend most of your time cultivating. By then, it'll be difficult even if you want to train with them."

"That's not necessarily true. If I awaken a useless Martial Soul, I still won't have any chance to cultivate."

Qian Renxue teased him when she heard this. "If you awaken a useless Martial Soul, I'll make you cook in the kitchen every day. Your food is so delicious that cooking is a skill in itself! I'll have you prepare meals for everyone in Spirit City every day, right there in the kitchen!"

"But since you're so good at cooking, could your Martial Soul be a spatula or a kitchen knife?"

Bai Ying played along with Qian Renxue and then asked in surprise, "Really? You're not lying to me, are you?"

Qian Renxue fell for it completely. Covering her mouth, she laughed and said, "Alright, alright! I was only teasing you!"

The next day, everyone in Spirit City who had reached the appropriate age gathered in the square, waiting for their Martial Soul awakenings. Several high-ranking members of Spirit Hall, along with some assistant teachers and elders, were also watching from the side. They would take in disciples if they saw anyone with decent potential.

"Daina, Martial Soul: Steel Sword, Soul Power: Level 5."

"David, Martial Soul: Owl, Soul Power: Level 6. Not bad!"

"Xiao Sheng, Martial Soul: Frozen Fish, Soul Power: Level 6."

"Xiao Qiang, Martial Soul: Grouper, Soul Power: Level 7. Not bad, not bad!"

"Xiao Lan, Martial Soul: Orchid, Soul Power: Level 6. For a support-type soul master to reach Innate Level 6 Soul Power is very impressive!"

At the same time, Qian Renxue and Bai Ying arrived at the scene as well. Looking at the densely packed crowd, Qian Renxue said to Bai Ying, "Let's go. I'll take you to the Worship Hall to awaken your Martial Soul."

Bai Ying thought it over briefly and felt that she was right. Waiting here might take a long time, so it would be more practical to go straight to the Worship Hall for his awakening. Besides, it was fine to tell the enshrined elders directly about his Twin Martial Souls. Every enshrined elder was utterly loyal to Spirit Hall and the Qian Clan. If he awakened his Martial Souls here and someone discovered later that he had Twin Martial Souls, explaining it would only be troublesome.

"Alright, then let's go to the Worship Hall."

Before long, Qian Renxue and Bai Ying arrived at the Worship Hall. When Qian Daoliu saw them, he asked, "What Martial Soul did you awaken?"

"I haven't awakened it yet." Bai Ying scratched his head awkwardly.

Qian Renxue immediately said, "There are too many people over there. I want Grandpa to awaken Xiao Bai's—cough... Xiao Ying's Martial Soul."

Hearing this, Qian Daoliu stood up and looked toward Bai Ying. "Stand in the center. I'll awaken your Martial Soul for you."

Just as Bai Ying was about to take a step forward, the system's voice suddenly rang out in his mind.

Ding~ Goddess Qian Renxue detected. System quest issued: Forcefully kiss Qian Renxue. Reward: Innate Level 20 Spirit Power. Failure penalty: None!

Hearing the quest issued by the system, Bai Ying cursed inwardly, Damn you! Yesterday, I spent so much time with her, and you didn't make a sound. Now, when I'm about to awaken my Martial Soul, you're telling me to forcefully kiss Qian Renxue? Qian Daoliu is right here! Are you trying to get me killed?

Does the host wish to abandon the quest? Abandonment penalty: None.

Damn it, fine! I'll do it! With Innate Level 20 Spirit Power, Qian Daoliu's temperament means he probably won't say anything. As long as he awakens my Martial Soul, the quest will go smoothly. If he refuses to awaken it for me, I'll just go back to the square! The bold will eat their fill while the timid starve!

"Xiao Ying, what are you thinking about? Come over here." Seeing Bai Ying standing motionless, Qian Renxue urged him on.

The sound of Qian Renxue's voice reached Bai Ying's ears, and he was slightly startled. He then said awkwardly, "I'm just nervous because I'm about to awaken my Martial Soul."

Qian Renxue said helplessly, "There's nothing to be nervous about. Besides, it's not as if you've never seen a Martial Soul awakening before."

"Big Sister Xue'er, could you come over here for a moment?"

Although Qian Renxue didn't know what Bai Ying wanted, she still walked over and asked, "What is it?"

As soon as Qian Renxue finished speaking, Bai Ying leaned over and kissed her soft, fragrant red lips.

"Mmph!"

Qian Daoliu was stunned by the sudden turn of events. He quickly came to his senses—his precious granddaughter had just been forcefully kissed!

Bai Ying sensed that Qian Daoliu had realized what happened and released Qian Renxue.

"W-what are you doing?" Qian Renxue asked, her voice tinged with embarrassment.

"Big Sister Xue'er belongs to me from now on!"

As the two spoke, Qian Daoliu's voice rang out. "Boy!"

The instant Qian Daoliu's Soul Power erupted, Qian Renxue stepped in front of Bai Ying. Seeing his granddaughter standing between them, Qian Daoliu hurriedly stopped the surge of Soul Power.

"Xue'er, what are you doing?"

Qian Renxue stammered, "I... I..."

Seeing this, Bai Ying stepped forward, dropped to one knee, and said, "I've come here not only to awaken my Martial Soul, but also to ask the Great Enshriner for your granddaughter's hand in marriage!"

Qian Renxue was left at a loss by Bai Ying's words.

"Ask for her hand in marriage? Hmph, what qualifications and conditions do you have to make such a request?"

"Once the Great Enshriner awakens my Martial Soul, you'll know what qualifications I possess!"

Hearing this, Qian Daoliu understood what Bai Ying meant and said, "Xiao Ying, over the years, the other enshrined elders and I have long regarded you as family. You truly are a promising child, and we've all recognized your potential. But you say I'll understand your qualifications after awakening your Martial Soul. That means you're very confident in your own talent, doesn't it? Do you know what Xue'er's talent is?"