A Challenge from Yan

Xiao Chen knew Bibidong meant well, but since he could only attach White Spirit Rings, there was no point in waiting.

For him, every additional Spirit Ring meant more strength and another trump card; moreover, attaching rings earlier allowed him to develop his spirit skills sooner, which was the true foundation of his power growth.

But he had already contradicted Bibidong several times today and felt awkward arguing with her further, so he nodded and said, "Yes, Teacher, I understand."

After all, it would still take some time to reach level thirty, so there was no need to rush.

Besides, Bibidong had already promised not to interfere with his Spirit Ring choices. When the time came, even if he attached rings to both his spirits, he could just brush it off with the excuse that he had encountered exceptionally compatible rings.

Bibidong gave Xiao Chen a few more instructions before calling in Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo, Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan.

Bibidong knew full well that Chrysanthemum Douluo bringing a strange youth into Spirit Hall might fool others, but it absolutely could not be hidden from Spirit Hall's upper echelons, especially those old fossils in the Hall of Elders.

So she planned to openly announce her apprenticeship to Spirit Hall's high-ranking members, and at the same time, reveal Xiao Chen's Twin Spirits to them.

This would also reduce the Hall of Elders' investigation into Xiao Chen, since all the elders knew Bibidong herself had Twin Spirits—taking on a disciple with the same ability was perfectly reasonable.

"Elder Chrysanthemum, Xiao Chen has entered my tutelage as my second and final disciple. There's no need to publicize this; just let Spirit Hall's upper echelons know," Bibidong stated.

"Yes!" Chrysanthemum Douluo replied.

Ghost Douluo and Yan, who were unaware of the situation, were both startled—neither had expected Bibidong to take another disciple.

"Elder Chrysanthemum, you and Elder Ghost are the Titled Douluo I trust most. Regarding Xiao Chen's secret, Elder Chrysanthemum may tell Elder Ghost, but absolutely no third person," Bibidong continued.

Bibidong was well aware that Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo were almost never apart, so there was no need to hide Chrysanthemum's knowledge from Ghost Douluo. With these two covering for her, Xiao Chen could grow better within Spirit Hall.

As for Yan, Bibidong didn't plan to keep him in the dark either, because Xiao Chen would inevitably train alongside Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan.

Hu Liena and Xie Yue already knew part of Xiao Chen's secret, so there was no reason to hide it from Yan.

"Nana, Xie Yue, you can tell Yan about Xiao Chen's secret yourselves. From now on, Xiao Chen will train with the three of you. Two years from now, at the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, Xiao Chen will participate alongside you," Bibidong said, looking at the trio.

"Yes, Teacher!"

"Yes, Your Holiness the Pope!"

Hu Liena and Xie Yue replied simultaneously.

Bibidong continued, "Xiao Chen is currently at level twenty-three, while the three of you are all above level forty. So I must warn you—don't let Xiao Chen surpass you, or you'll face Spirit Hall's hellish training."

Hu Liena and Xie Yue both shuddered at that, while Yan remained unconcerned. Unfamiliar with Xiao Chen, he had plenty of confidence in his own cultivation talent.

"Nana, first go to the rear hall of the Pope's Hall and find a suitable courtyard for Xiao Chen to stay in. Then the four of you get acquainted, and take Xiao Chen around Spirit City to familiarize him with the new environment," Bibidong said.

"Yes!" Hu Liena acknowledged, then called to Xiao Chen, "Come on, little junior apprentice brother."

With that, she led Xiao Chen toward the rear hall of the Pope's Hall.

Xie Yue and Yan waited outside. The rear hall of the Pope's Hall was where Bibidong usually resided, so only Bibidong and Hu Liena had access.

"Xie Yue, what's Xiao Chen's background?" Yan asked curiously.

"Nothing special—just Twin Spirits," Xie Yue replied.

"Twin Spirits?" Yan was stunned. Now he understood why Bibidong had made an exception to take Xiao Chen as her disciple.

"But even with Twin Spirits, Nana shouldn't be that close to him. Why do I feel like her attitude toward him is worlds apart from how she treats me?" Yan pressed.

"Your feeling is correct," Xie Yue nodded.

"???"

Yan was baffled. "Wait, Xie Yue, what do you mean by that?"

"Nothing. Xiao Chen is Nana's little junior apprentice brother after all. Isn't it normal for her to be close to him?" Xie Yue said.

"That's true, but something still feels off," Yan scratched his head.

"Stop overthinking. Xiao Chen is more than just Twin Spirits. What I'm about to tell you, keep to yourself—don't spread it around, or if His Holiness the Pope takes offense, neither of us can bear the consequences," Xie Yue said.

Yan's curiosity was instantly piqued. Back in the Pope's Hall, he had been dying to know what secret Xiao Chen carried.

Now it seemed it was more than just Twin Spirits.

Xie Yue promptly told Yan everything he knew. After hearing it, Yan was so shocked he couldn't speak for a long time.

"Xie Yue, are you sure you're not joking?" Yan asked incredulously.

"His Holiness the Pope had Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo jointly guard this secret. Do you think I'd joke about that?" Xie Yue replied.

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

But he still found it hard to believe.

Just then, Hu Liena and Xiao Chen walked out chatting and laughing. Yan immediately stepped forward and said, "Xiao Chen, I've never seen a Twin Spirit soul master before. How about a spar? Don't worry, I'll suppress my Spirit Power to your level!"

"Yan, if you want to spar, I'll be your opponent. Don't bully my little junior apprentice brother," Hu Liena said, stepping in front of Xiao Chen.

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

"That's still not allowed!" Hu Liena's tone brooked no argument. "And don't call me Nana!"

She wasn't worried about Xiao Chen—in her mind, if Yan suppressed his Spirit Power to level twenty-three, he'd definitely get thrashed by Xiao Chen.

She just thought it wasn't appropriate for Xiao Chen to spar with Yan right after arriving at Spirit Hall before he'd even gotten familiar with the place.

Seeing Hu Liena blocking his way, Yan turned to Xiao Chen and said with a hint of provocation, "Xiao Chen, the fact that you're Nana's junior apprentice brother is only known to Spirit Hall's upper echelons."

"If other people our age saw you being this close with Nana, they'd definitely cause trouble for you. You should know, I'm not the only one in Spirit Hall pursuing Nana—you can't just hide behind her every time, can you!"

"If you agree to spar with me, win or lose, I'll take care of all those underhanded troubles for you. How about it?"

Although Yan's tone was full of provocation, Xiao Chen could sense no malice in it.

Clearly, Yan just wanted to personally verify whether what Xie Yue had said was true or false.

Yan coming to cause trouble was entirely within Xiao Chen's expectations.

But Yan wasn't as unreasonable as he had imagined; in fact, he was far more straightforward than Xiao Chen had anticipated.