(Hu Liena): The Enforcement Team's First Mission

Spring passed and autumn came around again. Before they knew it, another year had gone by.

Qian Yun had been in the Douluo Continent for over a year. For most of that time—nearly two years—he had stayed in Spirit City, or more precisely, in Pope Hall.

Most days were devoted to cultivation. Of course, that didn't mean simply improving their Soul Power. According to Bibi Dong's approach to teaching, cultivation wasn't just a matter of practicing in isolation. Developing their minds and tempering their character were equally essential.

So Martial Soul Theory, music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and even etiquette—all subjects that ordinary Soul Master Academies would never teach—were carefully incorporated into the curriculum at Pope Hall.

Even with such a tightly packed schedule, Qian Yun and Hu Liena had both successfully broken through level twenty and obtained their second Hundred-Year Soul Rings.

This came as a surprise to Bibi Dong. She had never expected her two disciples to be so extraordinarily talented. They had reached level twenty at just seven and a half years old!

Although the news hadn't been made public, it was certain that Qian Yun and Hu Liena had set a record as the youngest level-twenty Spirit Masters in the history of Spirit Hall—or even the entire continent. Naturally, the one who had been born with twenty levels of Soul Power didn't count.

But after her initial excitement, the clever Bibi Dong quickly realized something was amiss. Qian Yun's Crown Martial Soul was extraordinarily unusual. Even after searching through all the books in Spirit Hall's Library, she hadn't found any relevant records.

His astonishing cultivation speed could be explained by his Martial Soul's special properties. But Hu Liena's Demon Fox Martial Soul wasn't nearly as unusual. Never before had a Demon Fox Martial Soul reached level twenty so quickly. Even with Innate Full Soul Power, the explanation seemed a little far-fetched.

Still, despite her doubts, Bibi Dong found nothing wrong when she examined their Soul Power, so she could only set the matter aside for the time being.

Qian Yun understood Bibi Dong's actions. Their rate of cultivation would naturally make her suspicious.

But after spending every day together for over a year, he had come to understand Bibi Dong somewhat. She had the typical caution of someone in a position of power. She wouldn't act without being absolutely certain, and the same went for asking questions. She wouldn't ask Qian Yun unless she already had an answer in mind.

In any case, Qian Yun and Hu Liena had completed Bibi Dong's plan ahead of schedule. From then on, their activities wouldn't be limited to Spirit City. They would have to venture out and gain experience.

So, not long ago, the two of them had joined the Enforcement Team at one of Spirit Hall's branch halls. They were expected to spend quite some time there.

At that moment, they were in a forest somewhere in the Heaven Dou Empire.

Wearing their Enforcement Team uniforms, Qian Yun and Hu Liena followed the group along a rugged, muddy path.

It was midday. Although the glaring sunlight couldn't pierce the dense canopy and fall directly on them, the stuffy heat of the forest, the rotten stench of the dead leaves underfoot, and the animal bones that had probably lain there for ages still gave the two newcomers a rude welcome.

Near the middle of the group, Captain Yake Entu used a branch as a walking stick. He glanced at the sky, realizing they had already covered quite a bit of ground.

He looked back at the two quiet children trailing behind him. His sun-darkened face creased into a smile.

"Amiga, Boli, are you two holding up? Want to take a break before we keep going?" Yake Entu's deep voice carried through the group. Everyone stopped without thinking and turned to look at the man in the middle, their expressions varied.

Panting, his face flushed, Qian Yun looked up and met Yake Entu's gaze. Then he glanced at Hu Liena, who was already gasping for breath, and finally nodded.

"Good!" Yake Entu didn't waste time. He raised his head and called to the other team members, "Everyone, take a break here!"

"Woohoo!"

"Finally!"

The group seemed to come alive all at once. Cheers rang out as everyone hurried to find a place to sit and rest.

Qian Yun helped Hu Liena sit down and took the heavy backpack off her slender shoulders. Then he sat down too and removed his own backpack, which was even heavier than hers.

"Whew." Hu Liena was so relieved she didn't even bother wiping away her sweat. She grabbed her canteen and tipped it back, drinking greedily. No one would have guessed that not long ago she had been a pampered young lady in Spirit City.

Qian Yun shook his head. "Drink a little less. If you need to use the bathroom later, don't come asking me to talk to the captain for you."

"Ugh." Hu Liena seemed to choke. After coughing a few times, she obediently lowered the canteen. "Qian... I mean, Amiga, you're awful! Is that any way to joke with a girl?"

"Heh. I'm just stating a fact. You're tired, aren't you?" Qian Yun's smile didn't change in the slightest.

Hu Liena first nodded, then quickly shook her head. She wiped the sweat from her face. "I'm not tired!"

Seeing the stubborn look on her face, Qian Yun let his smile fade. "I know you're upset. You don't have to force yourself. Anyone would be unhappy after being thrown into a place like this."

Hu Liena glanced at him but didn't argue.

Qian Yun continued, "But you understand it too. Hothouse flowers can't withstand the wind and rain of the real world. Didn't you make a promise to Teacher? You swore you wouldn't let her down."

As Hu Liena listened, her eyes reddened and her voice took on a hint of a sob. "I know all that, but I still feel wronged. This really is tiring."

Qian Yun patted her shoulder and spoke softly. "If you're tired, don't push yourself. You still have me, don't you?" As he spoke, Qian Yun pointed to the two large packs beside them.

Hu Liena lowered her head, feeling a little guilty. She had picked out everything in those two bags herself. They were filled with all kinds of outdoor gear, but so far, they hadn't used any of it.

As the two of them chatted, Yake Entu walked over. He didn't stand on ceremony, planting his broad, dark hand right on Qian Yun's shoulder. "So, Amiga, is Boli getting used to it?"

Qian Yun nodded with a smile. "Captain, we're both doing fine. The scenery is beautiful, and the weather is pleasant. How could we not be used to it?"

Yake Entu burst out laughing at that. "Haha! You're quite the joker, kid! This is the first time I've heard anyone call Dead Man's Valley beautiful."

"With such powerful teammates around, even two tagalongs like us get to enjoy a leisurely stroll." Qian Yun looked around. The group was made up entirely of Spirit Masters, and was indeed much stronger than an ordinary army.

"By the way, Captain, how much farther do we have to go?" Qian Yun asked the question that was weighing most heavily on Hu Liena's mind.

Yake Entu's smile faded. He rubbed his broad cheek. "You should all know that this mission is to clear out a den of Spirit Beasts. We'll stop at a place called Stone Village along the way. It's about half a day from here, and we should get there before dark."

"Oh."

"Also, kiddo, this is only the edge of Dead Man's Valley, but you still can't let your guard down. Remember what I told you before we set out? Don't eat any mushrooms if you don't know where they came from, unless you want to see colorful little people dancing." Yake Entu glanced at the large backpacks they carried, figuring they were probably rookies, and offered a few words of warning.

Qian Yun nodded. "Boli and I remember."

Yake Bo'en brushed the dust from his backside and didn't bother them any further. He didn't understand why two little fellows who clearly looked like young masters had come all the way out here, but he knew better than to ask questions that weren't his business.

After resting a little longer, Yake Bo'en and the others set out again.

The break had raised everyone's spirits, and they reached Stone Village within the expected time. Hu Liena had also managed to keep going without a single complaint.

The small settlement before them was Stone Village. It had only a little over twenty households, and at a glance, the entire village seemed to be built from stone.

Led by a villager, Yake Entu arrived at the village chief's home.

"Welcome to Stone Village, honored sirs. I'm the chief of this little village. Jie'en." In front of the courtyard stood an old man in rough cloth, his face wreathed in smiles.

Jie'en was dressed plainly but neatly. The courtyard, which had been dim, now shone with lamplight.

But for some reason, Qian Yun thought the man's smile looked forced, as if something were troubling him.

Yake Entu responded to his warm welcome with a simple nod. "Chief, we're on a mission and need to stay in your village for one night. Would that be all right?"

The smile had been on Jie'en's wrinkled face from the moment he saw them. He hurriedly nodded. "Of course! Of course! Please, come in."

"Mm."

Just as everyone was about to step forward, an old woman suddenly burst out of the chief's house. Before they could get a good look at her, she fell to her knees and began to wail. "Lord Soul Masters, you have to help us! What are we supposed to do?!"

The sudden turn of events left everyone rooted to the spot. Jie'en rushed forward and grabbed the old woman, shouting, "What are you doing?! Get up and go back inside!"

As he pushed her toward the house, he turned back with an awkward, flustered smile. "Please don't mind her, sirs. My old wife has been out of her mind since she was a child. I hope you'll forgive her."

"Come on!..."

"Wait." Yake Entu furrowed his brow and raised a hand to stop them. Once they had both stopped moving, he continued, "Besides spreading our teachings, Spirit Hall has a duty to uphold justice. Old madam, if you've been wronged, you can tell us. We'll see that you get justice!"

"Sir, you've misunderstood. We haven't been wronged..." Jie'en tried to explain.

Yake Entu's brow tightened. "Hmm? Are you trying to obstruct the Enforcement Team in its duties?"

Jie'en stared blankly at Yake Entu's upright figure. After a moment, he finally dropped the act.

"Ah..." He let out a long sigh, as if it carried too many emotions to name.

Jie'en looked up at the group, then at his wife's aggrieved face, and slowly began, "This was actually my fault. Not long ago, someone claiming to be from Spirit Hall suddenly came to our village. But he didn't show a badge or explain what he wanted. There was something mysterious about him. He only asked me to give him a place to stay and said nothing else. I was puzzled, but he was a three-ring Spirit Master, so I could only do as he asked."

Yake Entu listened in silence, his expression unreadable. Qian Yun looked thoughtful.

"Everything was peaceful at first. But one day, my young nephew suddenly seemed to be bewitched. He became determined to go with that man and wouldn't listen to anyone. He even beat my wife and injured her. In a fit of anger, I told him to get out and never come back. Who knew he would really leave and never return?"