Angel Spirit

Before Worship Hall on Pope Mountain, as two figures appeared, the many Temple Knights guarding Papal Hall immediately tightened their grips on their swords.

"Stop."

As the two figures approached, the Temple Knights clad in silver armor moved in unison. More than a hundred Temple Knights raised their knightly swords at once, their shout like thunder. "This is a forbidden area. Take another step closer, and you will be killed without mercy."

Yet the two approaching figures did not stop. Yan lagged slightly behind, while Golden Eagle Soul Sage Lor Diarra at the front raised a token.

A knight commander hurried forward. When he saw the emblem on the token, he immediately bowed. "Greetings, the Pope's envoy."

More than a hundred Temple Knights performed the same gesture in perfect unison. Golden Eagle Soul Sage Lor Diarra did not act smugly, instead stepping slightly aside to let Yan go first.

As the Temple Knights looked at the small figure before them, surprise flashed in all their eyes. None of them had expected the Pope's envoy to be a child who looked no older than six or seven.

Yan waved to the Temple Knights, then entered Worship Hall with Lor Diarra. At the end of Worship Hall's main hall stood a massive Six-Winged Angel statue made of pure gold, ten meters tall. Before the statue knelt a thin, small figure, currently praying with closed eyes.

Yan tilted his head toward Lor Diarra, then entered the adjacent side hall's conference chamber alone and sat down. Before long, a maid came forward and served fragrant tea. He made no move, merely sitting there quietly as he waited.

The side hall's conference chamber was enormous, covering over a thousand square meters. It was resplendent in gold and jade, extravagantly decorated in a style resembling classical Western architecture. The first impression it gave was one of brightness; everywhere one looked, everything gleamed.

"Wait outside. Without my orders, no one is permitted to disturb us."

The three-meter-tall arched doors opened, and a gentle voice sounded from outside. Yan appropriately withdrew his wandering gaze and turned his attention toward the archway.

The doors stood wide open, and a woman walked in from outside. The moment she appeared, Yan could not take his eyes off her. Skin fairer than snow, a straight nose, slightly narrow phoenix eyes, and an exquisitely beautiful face carrying a trace of imposing dignity—every feature drew his gaze.

But the most crucial part was below that snow-white neck. Though this woman was only eleven or twelve, her figure was already exceptionally alluring, utterly mismatched with her age.

If one ignored her face, she could easily be mistaken for an adult young woman. Her magnificent bosom, in particular, would draw every man's eyes. A classic baby face... Ahem. With great force of will, Yan shifted his gaze upward, while outwardly pretending nothing had happened.

He looked over the beautiful girl who had entered once more. This time, there was a little more appreciation in his eyes—an appreciation of beauty.

The girl wore a golden palace gown. The dress was a single piece, seemingly woven from golden threads. It bore no excessive decorative patterns, its style simple and elegant.

Its golden standing collar protected her fair, slender neck. Her long golden hair was casually draped down her back without being carefully combed, creating a stark contrast with her immaculate palace attire.

Across from Yan, the beautiful girl's expression changed slightly as well, seemingly revealing a hint of interest. Though Yan's emotional shift had been extremely subtle, she had still noticed it—especially the change in his gaze.

Yan's initial look had been somewhat excessive. She had seen that gaze on many people, though usually adults. It was a man's desire to possess a woman. She had no idea what her sister was thinking, keeping such a little brat by her side.

However, the speed at which Yan's gaze changed surprised her. In merely a moment, he had cast aside his distracting and improper thoughts, leaving only a pure appreciation for beauty—for her beauty.

The atmosphere in the side hall's conference chamber was rather heavy. Yan sat before a long table, looking up at her, while the beautiful girl stopped after entering through the doors.

Their gazes collided in midair. There were no sparks flying, only a prolonged stare.

"You have come on the Pope's behalf. What is your purpose?"

The standing girl slowly walked over and sat across from Yan. Her gentle, pleasant voice easily made one feel as though a spring breeze had brushed over them.

Yan sat on the other side of the long table, meeting the beautiful girl's gaze. "The Pope received word from Worship Hall. She was very angry over your intention to activate the infiltration plan. It is rare for her to lose her temper like this, especially toward Grand Elder."

A faint smile appeared on the woman's face. "The infiltration plan was devised by the previous Pope. Spirit Hall has poured an untold amount of effort into it over the years. If it were simply abandoned, wouldn't all that work have been wasted? Besides, what right does she have to be dissatisfied with Grand Elder?"

"I also think she blamed the wrong person. Perhaps concern has clouded her judgment. After all, this concerns her own flesh and blood."

Yan's tone remained calm, but his words caused the girl across from him to change expression drastically. "I have never met Grand Elder Qian Daoliu, but I know something of him. He is not that sort of person.

"In truth, I do not think this plan is any good either, especially when you are the one carrying it out. As the awakener of the Angel Spirit, your talent is peerless in this age. Staying in Worship Hall and cultivating properly is the right path. Why involve yourself in such scheming and waste your time, throwing away your talent for nothing?"

Bang!

The girl across from Yan reacted with extraordinary intensity. She shot to her feet, planted both hands on the table, and leaned down, staring at him as though she wanted to devour him. "Do you know what you are saying? How do you know about these things? What is your relationship with her? Why did she tell you all this?"

The girl fired off four questions in succession. Her near-outburst showed that she had lost her composure. Her most deeply concealed secret had been exposed, and she could no longer remain calm.

Yan's expression remained placid, his voice as unhurried as ever. "None of that is important. What matters most is that if you want to prove yourself, there is no need to use this method. By the way, your current cultivation is...?"

The girl did not answer. She continued to press him with her eyes, but faced with Yan's unchanging gaze, she finally replied, "Level thirty-nine."

"Level thirty-nine. Not bad. The Angel Spirit awakens with innate Soul Power at level twenty. In roughly six years, you have reached level thirty-nine. You should be even less willing to waste your talent."

Yan nodded approvingly, then continued, "I am seven this year, and my Soul Power is currently level twenty, so I cannot compare to you, miss. However, I have always admired the Angel Spirit. Might I receive your guidance? Afterward, everything you wish to know, I can tell you and explain."

Second chapter update. Please give it a round of favorites, follow-up reads, comments, and votes. Also, there will be no recommendation slot next week. If you have any way to promote the book, such as adding it to a reading list, I hope you can lend a hand.