Yan's Challenge

Xiao Chen knew Bibi Dong had his best interests at heart, but since he could only add White Spirit Rings, there was no need for him to wait.

To him, every additional Spirit Ring meant more strength and another trump card. Besides, adding one sooner would let him develop his Soul Skills sooner, and that was the key to improving his strength.

But he had already contradicted Bibi Dong several times that day, and felt embarrassed to keep going against her wishes. So he nodded. "All right, Teacher. I understand!"

He still needed some time to cultivate to level thirty, so there was no need to rush.

Besides, Bibi Dong had already promised not to interfere with his choice of Spirit Rings. When the time came, even if Xiao Chen added Spirit Rings to both Martial Souls, he could use "I found Spirit Rings that were an exceptionally good fit" as an excuse to smooth things over.

Bibi Dong gave Xiao Chen a few more instructions, then called in Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo, along with Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan.

Bibi Dong knew that Chrysanthemum Douluo might be able to hide the fact that he had brought an unfamiliar boy into Spirit Hall from most people, but he could never keep it from Spirit Hall's upper ranks—especially the old fogeys in the Worship Hall.

So she planned to publicly announce to Spirit Hall's leadership that she had taken a disciple, and tell them about Xiao Chen's Twin Martial Souls as well.

This would also reduce the Worship Hall's scrutiny of Xiao Chen. After all, every Titled Douluo knew that Bibi Dong had Twin Martial Souls, so taking on a disciple with the same gift was perfectly reasonable.

"Elder Ju, Xiao Chen has become my second disciple, and will also be my last. There's no need to make a public announcement. Just let Spirit Hall's leadership know," Bibi Dong said.

"Yes!" Chrysanthemum Douluo replied.

Ghost Douluo and Yan, who didn't know the full story, were both taken aback. Neither had expected Bibi Dong to take another disciple.

"Elder Ju, you and Ghost Elder are the Titled Douluo I trust most. You may tell Ghost Elder about Xiao Chen's secrets, but you must not tell a third person!" Bibi Dong continued.

Bibi Dong knew that Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo were always together. There was no need to keep a secret from Ghost Douluo if Chrysanthemum Douluo already knew it. With the two of them covering for her, Xiao Chen would be able to grow more easily within Spirit Hall.

As for Yan, Bibi Dong had no intention of keeping him in the dark either. Xiao Chen would certainly be training with Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan.

Hu Liena and Xie Yue already knew some of Xiao Chen's secrets, so there was no reason to keep them from Yan.

"Nana, you and Xie Yue can tell Yan about Xiao Chen's secrets later. From now on, Xiao Chen will train with the three of you, and he'll compete alongside you in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament in two years," Bibi Dong said, looking at the three of them.

"Yes, Teacher!"

"Yes, Your Holiness the Pope!"

Hu Liena and Xie Yue answered together.

Bibi Dong continued, "Xiao Chen is currently at level twenty-three, while all three of you are above level forty. So I need to remind you: don't let him surpass you. If you do, you'll face Spirit Hall's hellish training!"

Hu Liena and Xie Yue shuddered at her words. Yan, however, wasn't worried at all. He didn't know Xiao Chen yet and had plenty of confidence in his own cultivation talent.

"Nana, find Xiao Chen a suitable courtyard in the rear hall of Pope's Hall. Then the four of you can get acquainted, and you can take him around Spirit City so he can get used to his new surroundings," Bibi Dong said.

"Yes!" Hu Liena replied, then beckoned to Xiao Chen. "Come on, little junior brother."

Then she led Xiao Chen toward the rear hall of Spirit Hall.

Xie Yue and Yan waited outside. The rear hall of Pope's Hall was where Bibi Dong lived, so only Bibi Dong and Hu Liena had permission to enter.

"Xie Yue, who exactly is this Xiao Chen?" Yan asked curiously.

"He's nobody special. He just happens to have Twin Martial Souls," Xie Yue replied.

"Twin Martial Souls?" Yan exclaimed. Now he understood why Bibi Dong had made an exception and taken Xiao Chen as her disciple.

"But even if he has Twin Martial Souls, shouldn't Nana be that close to him? Why does she treat him so differently from me?" Yan continued.

"You're not imagining it," Xie Yue said with a nod.

"???"

Yan stared at him, baffled. "Wait, Brother Xie Yue, what do you mean?"

"Nothing. Xiao Chen is Nana's junior brother, after all. Isn't it normal for her to be a little closer to him?" Xie Yue replied.

"That's true, but I still feel like something's off," Yan said, scratching his head.

"Don't overthink it. Xiao Chen is more than just someone with Twin Martial Souls. What I'm about to tell you, keep to yourself. Don't spread it around. If His Holiness the Pope finds out, neither of us will be able to bear the consequences," Xie Yue said.

Yan's curiosity was instantly piqued. Back in Pope's Hall, he had already been wondering what secret Xiao Chen was hiding.

Now it seemed there was more to it than just Twin Martial Souls.

Xie Yue immediately told Yan what he knew. After hearing the whole story, Yan was so shocked that he couldn't speak for quite some time.

"Xie Yue, you're not joking, are you?" Yan asked in disbelief.

"This is a secret His Holiness the Pope entrusted Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo to keep together. Do you think I'd joke about it?" Xie Yue replied.

Seeing Xie Yue's grave expression, Yan knew he wasn't lying.

But he still found it hard to believe.

Just then, Hu Liena and Xiao Chen walked out together, chatting and laughing. Yan immediately stepped forward. "Xiao Chen, I've never met a Soul Master with Twin Martial Souls before. Would you spar with me? Don't worry, I'll suppress my Soul Power to your level."

"Yan, if you want to spar, I'll take you on. Why pick on my junior brother?" Hu Liena said, stepping in front of Xiao Chen.

"Nana, I'm not picking on him! I said I'd suppress my Soul Power to Xiao Chen's level!" Yan said helplessly.

"That still won't do!" Hu Liena said firmly. "And don't call me Nana!"

She wasn't worried about Xiao Chen. In her opinion, if Yan suppressed his Soul Power to level twenty-three, Xiao Chen would thrash him.

She just thought it was inappropriate for Xiao Chen to spar with Yan before he'd even settled in at Spirit Hall.

With Hu Liena standing in front of him, Yan looked at Xiao Chen and said with a hint of provocation, "Xiao Chen, only Spirit Hall's leadership knows you're Nana's junior brother."

"If other people your age see how close you are to Nana, they'll definitely give you trouble. You should know I'm not the only one in Spirit Hall who's pursuing her. You can't hide behind Nana every time, can you?"

"If you agree to spar with me, I'll take care of any trouble brewing behind the scenes, win or lose. What do you say?"

Yan's words were provocative, but Xiao Chen could tell he meant no harm.

Clearly, Yan just wanted to find out for himself whether what Xie Yue had told him was true.

Xiao Chen had expected Yan to challenge him.

But Yan wasn't as unreasonable as Xiao Chen had imagined. In fact, he was much more straightforward than expected.