Return to the Small Town

Xiao Chen's face was covered in black lines. "System, if you can't talk, say less!"

The system ignored Xiao Chen. With a casual tap, it projected the outside scene.

"Host, your luck with women is pretty good. That little girl is quite curious about you right now! If she hadn't been channeling her spiritual power into you, you wouldn't have woken up for a while!" the System Spirit said.

"She's Hu Liena, and the other one is Xie Yue?" Xiao Chen judged their identities at a glance from their appearances.

Although he had never met Hu Liena or Xie Yue, Xiao Chen knew very well that having Chrysanthemum Douluo accompany them meant they could only be the Golden Generation of Martial Soul Hall.

"Host, shouldn't your attention be on that little girl?" the System Spirit said, its eyes glowing with pink peach blossoms.

Xiao Chen: "..."

"System, you didn't turn into 'Peach Boy,' did you?" Xiao Chen said.

Even as he said this, he had to admit the system's taste was pretty good.

System: "Host, you're starting to guess wildly again. This System is This System, not something that turned into anything!"

"Fine, fine... So where's Chrysanthemum Douluo?" Xiao Chen asked.

"He probably sensed Chu Ruolan's group earlier and went to investigate your situation," the system said.

"So that means Chrysanthemum Douluo already knows I have Twin Martial Souls and that I'm equipped with four Ten-Year Spirit Rings?" Xiao Chen said.

The system nodded. "That's right. When you were being chased by the Thunder Pattern Leopard, they were following!"

"???"

Xiao Chen: "So you sensed Chrysanthemum Douluo all along but didn't tell me?"

The System Spirit smiled. "Host, didn't you want to join Martial Soul Hall? This System just gave you a push along the way!"

Xiao Chen was speechless. He really couldn't argue with that point.

"System, from now on, no matter who's spying on me in secret, you have to tell me!" Xiao Chen instructed very seriously.

"Don't worry, Host. This System definitely won't screw you over!" the System Spirit promised, patting its chest.

Xiao Chen wanted to say, Haven't you screwed me over enough already?

"Alright, since the Host is awake, I'll stop blocking your sea of consciousness. That Titled Douluo should be back soon." As soon as the system's voice fell, it withdrew the mental barrier.

Instantly, Xiao Chen sensed a gentle, soft thread of spiritual power carefully guiding his consciousness.

Xiao Chen went along with it, immediately leaving the System Space. His eyelids trembled slightly, and he slowly opened his eyes.

His vision went from blurry to clear, and the first thing he saw was an extremely delicate face—it was Hu Liena.

"You're awake!" Hu Liena said happily, immediately helping Xiao Chen sit up.

Although Xiao Chen knew who Hu Liena and Xie Yue were, he still had to put on an act.

He pretended to be weak as he slowly got up, then thanked them. "Did you save me? Thank you so much!"

Hu Liena smiled. "Yeah, so how are you going to thank us?"

Xiao Chen almost instinctively blurted out, 'By offering myself to you?'

Luckily, he caught himself in time and swallowed the words back, muttering inwardly, Damn it, I must be influenced by that dog system!

The system immediately shot back, "Host, stop trying to frame me here. That's just your true nature!"

Xiao Chen couldn't be bothered to argue with the system. Just as he was thinking about how to answer Hu Liena, Chrysanthemum Douluo suddenly walked in from outside the cave.

"Xiao Chen, you woke up pretty fast," Chrysanthemum Douluo said, somewhat surprised.

Before Xiao Chen could speak, Hu Liena took credit. "Grandpa Ju, I woke him up with my spiritual power!"

After saying that, she turned to Xiao Chen and extended her hand. "Hello, Xiao Chen. I'm Hu Liena, a forty-first-level Control System Soul Ancestor!"

Xiao Chen shook her hand politely, and she immediately pulled Xie Yue over to introduce him. "This is my brother, Xie Yue, a forty-third-level Agility Attack System Battle Soul Ancestor!"

"Greetings, Brother Xie Yue!" Xiao Chen nodded at Xie Yue, then looked toward Chrysanthemum Douluo.

Seeing this, Hu Liena quickly went to Chrysanthemum Douluo's side and said, "This is an Elder of Martial Soul Hall, a Titled Douluo, His Excellency Yue Guan!"

Hearing this, Xiao Chen immediately put on a shocked expression and made to rise and bow, but Chrysanthemum Douluo pressed him back down.

"No need for formalities!"

As Chrysanthemum Douluo touched Xiao Chen, he used his spiritual power to examine Xiao Chen's physical condition.

After confirming that Xiao Chen's body was fine, Chrysanthemum Douluo asked, "Xiao Chen, how old are you? Which sect are you from?"

"Reporting to Your Excellency, I'm fourteen years old, with no sect or school," Xiao Chen answered immediately.

"And where is your home?" Chrysanthemum Douluo continued.

"A village near Suotuo City," Xiao Chen said. This was the identity the system had arranged for him; even if they investigated, there would be no issues.

"How did your family feel safe letting you come to the Star Dou Forest alone?" Chrysanthemum Douluo pressed on.

"I'm an orphan. I lost my family a long time ago," Xiao Chen answered truthfully, a flicker of sorrow passing through his eyes.

Seeing this, Chrysanthemum Douluo immediately said, "Sorry for bringing up painful memories."

Xiao Chen smiled at that. "It's fine. I've long gotten used to being alone."

"What a wonderful child!" Chrysanthemum Douluo thought to himself, then continued questioning, "You haven't joined any academy?"

Xiao Chen shook his head. "No. I wanted to go to Shrek Academy before, but they rejected me!"

Xiao Chen held a grudge, and it was time to give Shrek Academy a bit of trouble.

"Shrek Academy?" Chrysanthemum Douluo had never heard of it. He looked at Hu Liena and Xie Yue, who also shook their heads.

"It must be some unknown little academy," Chrysanthemum Douluo mused. He felt somewhat relieved that this academy hadn't accepted Xiao Chen, yet also thought its people were truly blind to reject such a genius.

At the same time, he developed a distaste for the academy, believing that if they had accepted Xiao Chen, he wouldn't have been forced to attach so many White Spirit Rings.

"Xiao Chen, would you be willing to come with us to Martial Soul City?" Chrysanthemum Douluo extended an invitation on the spot.

He knew full well that the secrets of Twin Martial Souls were best understood by none other than the Pope, Bibi Dong. Bringing Xiao Chen back for her personal guidance was absolutely the best choice.

"Of course I'm willing!" Xiao Chen said happily, and this time his emotions were not feigned.

Seeing Xiao Chen nod in agreement, Chrysanthemum Douluo, Hu Liena, and Xie Yue all showed joy on their faces.

Hu Liena in particular had a brilliant gleam in her eyes, already eager to discuss the mysteries of martial souls and spirit skills with Xiao Chen.

"Let's go. We'll return to Martial Soul Hall immediately!" Chrysanthemum Douluo directly hoisted Xiao Chen onto his back.

"Your Eminence, before we go back, there's something I need to take care of," Xiao Chen said, remembering his promise to Chu Ruolan.

"What is it? I'll handle it for you," Chrysanthemum Douluo said.

Xiao Chen then explained the matter of his promise to Chu Ruolan regarding the battle with Blue Sunshine Academy.

Chrysanthemum Douluo thought for a moment before speaking, "We can go, but you cannot use your Second Martial Soul."

"Fine," Xiao Chen said. He hadn't planned on using his Second Martial Soul anyway.

Afterward, Chrysanthemum Douluo took Xiao Chen, Hu Liena, and Xie Yue to that small town and found an inn to stay in.

Hu Liena immediately wanted to discuss things with Xiao Chen, but Chrysanthemum Douluo stopped her, saying Xiao Chen was still too weak.

Knowing Xiao Chen needed to recover, Hu Liena let him rest alone in his room.

Not long after Xiao Chen and the others settled in, Chu Ruolan and her group also returned to the town. Since the Blue Sunshine Academy people hadn't come back yet, Chu Ruolan led Ma Yan and the others to check in as well.

Chrysanthemum Douluo immediately used spiritual transmission to inform Chu Ruolan that Xiao Chen would assist Fabia Academy.

Chu Ruolan was quite surprised. She had thought Xiao Chen had already returned to his clan with his elders, never expecting that he had waited here specifically for them.