After Hu Liena left, Qian Yun sat down on the swing too. Come to think of it, he had been the one to tie it up for her.
Back when Hu Liena was still in Beast King Village, she had been lonely and had few companions her own age. So the village chief had put a swing in the little courtyard, hoping it would help her feel less alone.
Sadly, after that sudden tragedy, it seemed all the memories of the past had vanished with the flames. Fortunately, Qian Yun had tied up another swing for her here.
When he first finished it, Hu Liena had complained that she didn't like it, but whenever she had free time, she still liked to come and sit there.
That ordinary-looking swing held a special meaning for Hu Liena.
But now that Hu Liena was going to live at the academy, the swing would likely be left lonely once again for a long time.
And from what Bibi Dong had said, the place Hu Liena was going seemed less than welcoming. Qian Yun was indeed a little worried that Hu Liena might be bullied, but deep down, he still had confidence in her.
Only after the daylight faded and stars glittered among the branches did Qian Yun finally end his quiet rest. He hopped off the swing and sat on the grass beside the great tree, dampened by the mist. He closed his eyes and let the chilly evening breeze wash over him.
He summoned his Martial Soul, and the Crown flickered in sync with the stars above. As it appeared, Soul Power began gathering rapidly around Qian Yun, rushing eagerly into his body.
This was how Qian Yun cultivated: by cultivating his Martial Soul. If he could find a mimetic environment suited to it, his cultivation would undoubtedly be even more effective.
But finding a suitable mimetic environment for an ordinary Martial Soul was incredibly difficult.
Qian Yun was different. This starry sky was the perfect mimetic environment for him. In a sense, anywhere beneath the stars was an ideal place for him to cultivate.
In this state, Qian Yun's Soul Power grew several times faster than usual. Of course, the sky wasn't clear every night. If he happened to get caught in rainy weather, he might as well go to sleep—the results would be even worse.
The next morning,
Qian Yun finally finished cultivating through the night. He shook the dew from his hair, stood up, and stretched his limbs before heading back to his residence in the morning light.
His residence was close to the tree. It only took a few steps to get there, and ginkgo leaves blown by the wind could even be found by the window of his room.
After changing into clean clothes, Qian Yun bit into a slice of bread spread with jam and washed it down with milk. He asked the servant beside him, "Did His Holiness the Pope say she wanted to see me today?"
A servant with a towel draped over one forearm respectfully replied, "Yes. His Holiness hopes to see you before lunch."
At that, Qian Yun paused mid-meal and glanced toward Hu Liena's residence. He shook his head. "All right. I'll go."
He had been wondering whether to go say goodbye to Hu Liena, but knowing her, she had probably left the previous night. She certainly wouldn't have given him the chance to say farewell.
Qian Yun tipped back his cup and drained the milk. He had little appetite for the rest of the bread.
"It's getting late. Have the carriage ready for me. I'm going to Pope Hall now," Qian Yun instructed the servant as he stood.
"Yes, sir."
Qian Yun arrived at Pope Hall. The weather was still cool, and the sun hadn't yet broken through the morning mist, but Bibi Dong was already here, handling official business.
Seeing Bibi Dong seated on the throne, impeccably dressed and still stunningly beautiful, one couldn't help but admire her diligence.
Qian Yun naturally didn't interrupt her. Bibi Dong seemed not to notice him, either, and continued reviewing the stack of reports. Time passed minute by minute. At last, Bibi Dong's brows knitted slightly.
"Heaven Dou Royal Academy wants to have a friendly exchange with Spirit Hall...?"
She glanced at the Minister of Administration below the dais and asked as if to herself, "The Imperial Fighting Academy has always kept out of Spirit Hall's affairs. Why would they suddenly ask for a friendly exchange?"
Not far from Qian Yun stood the minister, a somewhat overweight man with graying hair. At her question, he hurriedly explained, "Er, the proposal came from a teacher at the Imperial Fighting Academy named Qin Ming."
Bibi Dong ran a fingertip over the rough paper, sounding faintly interested as she said, "Go on."
"Yes." The minister wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and continued:
"Qin Ming's view is that Spirit Master cultivation should involve mutual exchange, with each side learning from the other. No one should hold back; everyone should speak frankly. That's the only way to further the development of Spirit Masters across the continent."
"He also said..." The minister cautiously studied Bibi Dong's still-calm expression before daring to continue. "He also said that since Spirit Hall holds a leading position in the Soul Master World, it should set an example and actively keep pace with the times instead of shutting itself off, lest it end up... er, living off its past achievements..."
By the end, the minister's aged voice had dwindled to a whisper. Even Qian Yun, standing closest to him, could barely make out the words.
When he finished speaking, the hall fell so silent you could hear a pin drop.
"Hmph."
Bibi Dong gave a soft snort, but her calm expression still revealed nothing. The minister immediately bent even lower.
Bibi Dong took one last look at the report in her hand, then flicked it lightly into the pile she had already read. Her red lips parted:
"Qin Ming may have a good idea, but instead of criticizing those noble academies that think too highly of themselves or those sects that keep their gates shut, he's come to criticize Spirit Hall! Heh. If Spirit Hall is living off its past achievements, then are all those sects and academies out there guarding their coffins and waiting to die?"
"Yes, yes!" Bibi Dong's calm words weighed on him like a mountain, leaving him unable to breathe. All he could do was nod repeatedly.
After this brief interruption, Bibi Dong returned to the stack of unread reports.
The gray-haired minister still didn't dare draw a full breath. Time passed minute by minute.
Bibi Dong set down the last report in her hand. The minister stepped forward and accepted it with both hands, then slowly withdrew from the hall, carrying the tall stack.
At last, she raised her eyes to Qian Yun, who had been waiting below for quite some time. A smile gradually appeared on her lips. "Xiao Yun, sorry for the wait. You've had to watch your teacher make a fool of herself."
Qian Yun looked at her. "Not at all. I was the one interrupting you while you handled official business. I just didn't expect you to start working so early. It puts me to shame."
Bibi Dong leaned forward slightly, revealing a glimpse of pale skin above her bodice. She straightened the skirt over her knees and smiled. "You always know just what to say. I wonder when you'll finally be able to help shoulder my burdens."
"Heh." Qian Yun scratched his head and smiled. "I'll do my best."
As they spoke, Bibi Dong had already come down from the dais and stopped in front of Qian Yun. "Xiao Na left last night. Did you get to say a proper goodbye?"
Qian Yun nodded slightly. "More or less."
Bibi Dong could tell from his expression what had happened. She reached out and patted his head. "Xiao Na is strong-willed, and you're considerate. I don't need to comfort either of you."
"Mm." Qian Yun tucked away his slight disappointment. "What did you want to see me about, Teacher?"
Leaning on her scepter, Bibi Dong studied Qian Yun's face as they walked and spoke unhurriedly. "I had planned to assign you to report to the Enforcement Team, but now you have something else to do."
"Oh? What is it?"
A spark entered Bibi Dong's eyes. She asked in return, "How strong are you now?"
Caught off guard by the question, Qian Yun thought for a moment, then answered frankly, "My Soul Power is at level 23, but I'm confident I have no equal among those at my level. Even against Spirit Masters with three or four rings, I can still fight!"
Hearing Qian Yun's somewhat boastful words, Bibi Dong nodded in approval. "Good. Since you're confident you won't lose, I can entrust you with the task of having a friendly exchange with the Imperial Fighting Academy."
"Huh?" Qian Yun was taken aback, then realized what she meant. "Teacher, are you angry?"
Bibi Dong shook her head. "No. This little matter isn't enough to anger me. It's just a bit of a shame."
Qian Yun didn't understand. "What a shame?"
"A shame to lose someone as talented as Qin Ming!" By then, they had boarded the carriage. Bibi Dong spoke to Qian Yun, who sat opposite her. "Do you remember when I said the other Spirit Master Academies had a bad atmosphere?"
"Mm, I remember."
Bibi Dong continued, "It's true that the other Spirit Master Academies have a bad atmosphere. Most of their teachers and students have little interest in cultivation and are preoccupied with other things.
"But Qin Ming is an exception. Since joining Heaven Dou Royal Academy as a teacher, he has put forward many insightful ideas. More importantly, he's willing to put them into practice. The Imperial Fighting Academy has already changed a great deal because of him. He even formed a formidable Imperial Fighting Team, all to make a name for themselves in the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament!"
"Oh, from the sound of it, Qin Ming really is a rare talent." Qian Yun had been listening in Pope Hall as well. His ideas seemed a little naïve to Qian Yun, but there was no denying that Qin Ming had brought so much change to the Imperial Fighting Academy. He was certainly talented.
"Qin Ming is a promising figure at the Imperial Fighting Academy, but that's as far as it goes! His ideas are far too naïve. He never considered how difficult the real situation is. These proposals might have been feasible in peacetime, but unfortunately..." Bibi Dong shook her head, giving her assessment of Qin Ming.
"Then what do you want me to do, Teacher?"
Bibi Dong smiled, her eyes narrowing. "Qin Ming thinks his ideas are ahead of their time and wants to exchange ideas with Spirit Hall. So let's give him what he wants. You'll face his students in a real fight. Once you win, he'll naturally keep quiet."
Qian Yun finally understood what Bibi Dong meant. Knowing how much responsibility he had taken on, he nodded firmly. "Since Qin Ming dared to provoke us and insulted you, Teacher, I'll make sure he understands who's really living off their past achievements!"
Seeing how adorably fired up he was, Bibi Dong couldn't help but pinch his cheek. "Well said. That's how my disciple should act."
At last, the carriage stopped. Qian Yun followed Bibi Dong out and into the dining room, where a simple but nutritious breakfast had already been laid out.
"You're not going to have anything?" Bibi Dong asked Qian Yun as she sat at the head of the table.
"Uh..." Looking at the same kind of bread he'd had for breakfast and remembering how dry it was, Qian Yun glanced at the beautiful Bibi Dong and suddenly found his appetite again. He sat down at once. "Sure. I haven't had breakfast yet, anyway."
Before you continue