Join the Spirit Hall

Qian Yun and Hu Liena had arrived in Muyi City two days ago. During that time, Hu Liena had lived up to expectations and awakened the top-tier Demon Fox Martial Soul, which had once again left Duomeng so shaken that he stayed up late writing a letter.

A-Qiang and the village chief had also been properly laid to rest in a scenic cemetery. This had given Hu Liena a much better impression of the Spirit Hall.

What had surprised Qian Yun, though, was that Hu Liena also had Innate Full Soul Power. He couldn't make sense of it.

Since both of them had Innate Full Soul Power, they clearly didn't need to cultivate anymore. Yibu gave them some basic knowledge about Spirit Masters and Spirit Beasts, along with the fundamentals of cultivation.

As for Spirit Rings, when Qian Yun asked about adding one, Duomeng simply said the time wasn't right and repeatedly warned them not to add a Spirit Ring to themselves on a whim.

But looking at his grin, which nearly stretched from ear to ear, Qian Yun couldn't help feeling there was more to it.

Sure enough, that afternoon, Duomeng summoned them and announced some big news: Bibi Dong, the Pope, wanted to summon them in person!

Though the two were baffled and shocked, they were hurried along to get ready and set off at once.

A few days later, in front of Pope Hall

Qian Yun straightened Hu Liena's clothes, then stepped through the enormous stone gate with her. It was big enough for a dragon to pass through.

The grand, opulent hall had surprisingly few stone pillars. Qian Yun had no idea how they had managed to support the place. Once inside, he found the light much softer than the glaring sunlight outside. Colored light streaming through stained glass cast a hazy, mysterious glow across the floor, yet the hall still inspired reverence. In the distance, Qian Yun could just make out an elaborately decorated throne and the person seated upon it.

Qian Yun's heart jolted. That had to be Bibi Dong.

He suppressed his nerves. As he drew closer, he noticed a pale-skinned figure standing to one side beneath the dais, with golden hair falling to his shoulders and a curvaceous figure like a woman's.

His skin was smooth and fair. He rested one hand on his waist, and his appearance was strangely alluring. Most striking of all were his lips, which were a purplish black, whether from makeup or simply their natural color. They gave him an almost unreal appearance.

Recognizing him, Qian Yun realized that this was Chrysanthemum Douluo, one of Bibi Dong's right-hand men—Yue Guan.

The latter rested one hand on his waist and toyed with his chin with the other, fixing Qian Yun with an indescribable smile. Qian Yun hurriedly looked away, then turned his gaze toward Bibi Dong on the throne above.

At first glance, Qian Yun was dazzled. She wore a luxurious silver-gray robe over her graceful figure, and a three-tiered Crown symbolizing power rested on her head. In her left hand, she held a scepter nearly two meters long, studded with countless precious gems. Her bearing radiated supreme authority.

Most dazzling of all was her flawless face beneath the Crown, a symbol of absolute divine power. Her phoenix eyes, seemingly blessed with all the heavens' favor, held a faint smile. Her nose was straight and elegant, and beneath it, her lips were enticing. Her beauty made every word in the world seem inadequate.

Qian Yun and Hu Liena stood there, momentarily at a loss. Yue Guan wasn't surprised. They weren't the first to lose their composure. Unlike the usual people, whose expressions turned ugly when they stared like this, these two children looked rather adorable.

He covered his mouth with a hand and chuckled. "Why don't you hurry up and pay your respects to His Holiness the Pope?"

His voice wasn't pleasant; it was rather grating. But Qian Yun and Hu Liena didn't dare misbehave. Coming to their senses, they knelt before Bibi Dong and called out in unison, "This subordinate pays respects to His Holiness the Pope."

Since the two of them had already joined the Spirit Hall, addressing Pope Bibi Dong as their superior was only proper.

Seated on her throne, Bibi Dong looked at the two adorable children and smiled, nodding. "Rise."

"Yes!"

Yue Guan nodded as well. He hadn't expected the two little ones to be so adorable, in addition to their extraordinary talent.

Facing two children, Bibi Dong clearly couldn't maintain the same sternness she showed her other subordinates. After they stood, she spoke gently. "I imagine you've already guessed why I summoned you."

Qian Yun nodded. Perhaps because of his height, he had to crane his neck to see Bibi Dong seated on the raised platform.

Bibi Dong nodded too. "Indeed. Your guesses were right. You both possess exceptional talent, and ought to serve my Spirit Hall. I summoned you here so that you can receive better training and, in the future, contribute to the development of the Spirit Hall."

Qian Yun's small hand trembled. He gave Hu Liena a look, then stepped forward, placing his right hand over his chest. Hu Liena hurried to follow, placing her small hand over her chest as he had, and they spoke together. "This subordinate will not disappoint His Holiness the Pope!"

Bibi Dong had noticed their little exchange. The corner of her mouth lifted in a smile. "Heh. Very good!"

She had been sitting upright all this time. Now, leaning on her scepter, she slowly rose and made her way down the steps with graceful, measured steps. The heavy scepter tapped against the hard stone tiles as she walked, each thud deep and resonant.

Bibi Dong descended from the dais and stood before Qian Yun and Hu Liena. Only then did Qian Yun realize that she wasn't especially tall, though her beauty and imposing presence were undiminished.

A glint flashed in Bibi Dong's beautiful eyes. "Now, show me your Martial Souls. Let me see whether your talent is truly as exceptional as they say."

Her tone brooked no argument. Qian Yun nodded. "As you command."

Then, under the watchful eyes of everyone present, he closed his golden eyes. There was no need to hide anything from Bibi Dong.

"Martial Soul Possession!"

In the next instant, his long black hair stirred without a breeze. At his temples, a Crown seemingly formed from countless stars slowly took shape, while an invisible energy radiated from his body.

Bibi Dong watched him, her brows drawing together in surprise. Mental energy projection?!

The invisible energy surged outward like a tide, about to reach Hu Liena beside him. Bibi Dong made no visible movement, but a transparent barrier appeared around Hu Liena. Qian Yun's mental energy struck it and failed to budge it in the slightest.

Qian Yun quietly opened his eyes. His brilliant golden irises shimmered with flowing light, and Bibi Dong keenly sensed the elements around them beginning to stir.

Bibi Dong's thoughts stirred at the change. She curled her fingers slightly, and the space around her slowly warped. In the next instant, she had seized a translucent ball of pale blue water-element energy in her palm. But the surprise in her heart only grew. What exactly is this child's Martial Soul? How can he wield the elements so powerfully?

It was no wonder she had lost her composure. She could clearly sense that she had drawn all the water elements from the area, yet other elements were still stirring. In other words, Qian Yun could control more than one kind of element!

Elemental control wasn't especially impressive on its own. Any Soul Saint with strong mental power could influence the elements within a certain range.

But what level was this boy at? He didn't even have a single Spirit Ring! And yet he could commune with several kinds of elements!

Suppressing her slight agitation, Bibi Dong nodded impassively and parted her red lips. "All right, that's enough."

"Yes." The Crown on Qian Yun's head vanished without a trace.

Bibi Dong gave Qian Yun a long look, then turned to Hu Liena. "Little one, it's your turn."

Meeting Bibi Dong's gaze, Hu Liena blushed and spoke a little awkwardly. "Yes, Your Holiness the Pope."

"Martial Soul Possession!"

At her soft cry, Hu Liena's eyes took on a bright pink hue, and a fox's tail appeared behind her. Her figure seemed to grow a few inches taller, giving her a graceful, budding elegance. Her whole aura changed dramatically, making people want to draw closer to her.

"Oh? So it really is the Demon Fox Martial Soul." Feeling the allure Hu Liena was unconsciously radiating, Bibi Dong nodded with satisfaction.

These two little ones truly had extraordinary talent. Qian Yun's Martial Soul in particular left her somewhat baffled. As for the girl named Hu Liena, although her Martial Soul couldn't compare to Qian Yun's, there was no denying that the Demon Fox was still a top-tier Martial Soul.

Unconcealed approval showed in Bibi Dong's eyes. "Mm, very good. Put your Martial Souls away."

"Yes."

Once Hu Liena put away her Martial Soul, the charm faded, leaving her with a little more of her own natural cuteness.

After showing off their talents, Qian Yun and Hu Liena stood in silence, facing each other. There was no doubt their talents were remarkable, but whether they had impressed the Pope remained to be seen.

Bibi Dong pretended to mull it over for a moment, then glanced discreetly at Yue Guan.

Yue Guan paused, then immediately understood. He walked over to Qian Yun, faced Bibi Dong, and bowed slightly. "Your Holiness, Qian Yun and Hu Liena have truly dazzling talent. With children like them, our Spirit Hall will surely reach new heights in the future.

Bibi Dong still wore a faint smile and made no comment.

Yue Guan turned slightly and placed a hand on Qian Yun's shoulder. "As the saying goes, jade must be polished before it can become a fine vessel. Even the most gifted genius will be wasted without a good guide."

Qian Yun looked up at him, thinking, What is he up to?

Hu Liena looked completely baffled.

At that, Yue Guan turned back and dropped to one knee before Bibi Dong. Looking up at her, he spoke with earnest sincerity. "Therefore, this subordinate humbly asks His Holiness the Pope to take them as disciples!"

Bibi Dong looked coolly into Qian Yun's eyes, but addressed Yue Guan. "Such exceptional talents—are they willing to become my disciples?"

There was no need for Yue Guan to prompt them now. Qian Yun and Hu Liena exchanged a glance, then knelt together and declared, "This subordinate is willing! Your students, Qian Yun and Hu Liena, pay respects to our teacher!"

A breathtaking smile blossomed across Bibi Dong's exquisite face. "Heh. Xiao Yun, Xiao Na, rise!"