Maid's Identity

Deep in the night, the outer city of Martial Soul City was empty and silent.

Ling Xiao led Ling Xi, walking into the inner city of Martial Soul Hall without the slightest obstruction.

The guards at the gate bowed in salute the moment they saw Ling Xiao.

Seeing the unfamiliar girl following behind him, they dared not ask any questions.

The status of being the Pope's second direct disciple was the best pass one could have within Martial Soul Hall.

Soon, the two returned to Qinghui Hall.

Chuntao, the head maid guarding the hall entrance, immediately stepped forward upon seeing Ling Xiao return.

Her gaze fell on Ling Xi behind him, flashing with a hint of surprise, yet she dared not inquire further.

"Chuntao, prepare a set of well-fitting clothes for her."

"Arrange a guest room adjacent to the inner hall, and prepare a set of toiletries as well."

Ling Xiao instructed indifferently.

"From today on, Ling Xi is my personal maid and will be cultivating alongside me."

"Make sure you all remember this clearly."

"Yes, my lord."

Chuntao replied, her gaze toward Ling Xi now carrying a touch more respect.

She hurried forward and said to Ling Xi:

"Miss Ling Xi, please come with me."

Ling Xi looked at Ling Xiao, and only after seeing him nod slightly did she thank Chuntao.

She followed her away to wash up and change.

Only Ling Xiao remained in the hall.

He walked to the prayer mat in the inner hall, sat down, and closed his eyes.

His consciousness sank into his sea of spirit.

On the Demon Fruit Tree, the Succubus Fruit that had originally hung from the branch had become semi-transparent.

A miniature version of Ling Xi was reflected upon it.

As Ling Xi's soul power stabilized at level ten, a stream of pure soul power flowed continuously through the soul imprint, feeding back into his body.

It merged perfectly with his own soul power.

Ling Xi was only at level ten for now, so the feedback of soul power was not significant.

But this was only the beginning.

The higher Ling Xi's level climbed in the future, the more feedback he would receive.

"Master."

Ling Xi's soft voice came from outside the door, interrupting Ling Xiao's thoughts.

"Come in."

Ling Xi pushed the door open and walked in.

She had changed into a white maid's dress, which set off her fair skin and lively features.

After washing away the dust and fatigue, the changes brought about by the Succubus Fruit became even more apparent.

Even standing there quietly, she carried an alluring sense of affinity.

She walked before Ling Xiao and curtsied:

"Thank you, Master, for everything you have bestowed upon me. This servant has nothing to repay you with, I am willing to..."

"There is no need to keep such words on your lips."

Ling Xiao interrupted her.

"I gave you this opportunity so you could demonstrate your value, not to become a maid who only knows how to pour tea and water."

"I will focus on cultivating you; how far you go in the future depends entirely on your own efforts."

Ling Xi's eyes were filled with pleasant surprise.

"Ling Xi will definitely give it my all!"

"I will never fail Master's expectations!"

Her voice carried an irrepressible excitement.

Ling Xiao nodded and began to arrange her subsequent plans.

"For now, the most important thing for you is to learn theoretical knowledge and plan your own path of cultivation."

"On the path of a soul master, talent is certainly important, but if your theoretical foundation is not solid, you will only go astray in the future."

"I have quite a few foundational theory books here; you need to start learning from the very beginning."

"If you need any other books or materials, you can tell Chuntao directly and have her procure them. Do not have any reservations."

The status of a Pope's direct disciple carried exactly this kind of convenience within Martial Soul Hall.

Ling Xiao's voice remained calm, though his tone gradually grew stern.

"I have paved the road for you. Whether you can walk it to the end depends on you."

"I am giving you one week to thoroughly understand these three core subjects: General Outline of Spirit Master Basic Theory, Rules of Martial Soul and Spirit Ring Compatibility, and the Spirit Beast Compendium."

"One week from now, I will personally examine you."

"Yes! Boss!"

"Ling Xi guarantees that I will definitely master this content within a week!"

"I will absolutely not let Boss down!"

Back when she was in the orphanage, she had desperately wanted to learn knowledge about Spirit Masters.

Now that she had the best resources, how could she not give it her all?

Ling Xiao looked at the conviction in her eyes and nodded with satisfaction.

He said nothing more and waved his hand to dismiss her.

Ling Xi retreated and returned to her own room.

She immediately picked up the General Outline of Spirit Master Basic Theory.

By the light of the lamp, she began to study.

The lamplight illuminated her focused profile.

In her eyes were visions of the future and a thirst to become stronger.

In the inner hall, Ling Xiao leaned back on a soft couch.

His mind raced as he planned the subsequent arrangements.

Ling Xi had sufficient talent and a strong enough temperament.

The most important thing right now was to help Ling Xi select a suitable first spirit ring.

The Succubus Martial Soul was of the mental control type, but it also granted her an extraordinary physique, allowing her to supplement with close-quarters combat.

The first spirit ring needed to align with her martial soul's characteristics to stimulate her talent to the maximum extent.

After all, the stronger the host, the more feedback he would receive.

The moonlight outside the window spilled in through the lattice, falling upon the youth's face.

His thoughts drifted further and further away.

Early morning.

Ling Xiao sat at the desk by the window.

His fingertips traced across the Spirit Beast Compendium before him.

He was mentally planning the direction for his second spirit ring.

Ling Xi stood quietly by his side.

In her hands, she held a cup of freshly brewed warm tea.

Half a month had passed, and Ling Xi's growth was very apparent.

She had also completely adapted to her identity.

From an orphan girl in an orphanage, she had become a maid and a loyal subordinate by Ling Xiao's side.

"Bang!"

Just then, the hall doors were pushed open violently.

Hu Liena rushed in, full of energy, shouting as she entered.

"Little Junior Brother! I've come to see you! I finally don't have to be in closed-door meditation anymore, I brought you..."

Halfway through her sentence, her voice came to an abrupt halt.

Her gaze landed on Ling Xi, who was by Ling Xiao's side, her eyes filled with curiosity.

She had been in closed-door cultivation for the past half-month, pushing to reach level 26 spirit power.

The moment she came out of seclusion, she heard that her little junior brother had suddenly acquired a personal maid.

Today was the first time she had seen her.

The young girl before her looked to be only six or seven years old.

Her features were lively and pretty, her skin fair, and she possessed a natural, innate sense of affinity.

Her eyes were clear and clean, and as she looked at Ling Xiao, they held both fervor and reliance.

"Little Junior Brother, who is this?"

Hu Liena leaned in close to Ling Xiao, raised an eyebrow, and asked in a low voice.

Her eyes were filled with the glimmer of gossip.

Seeing this, Ling Xi immediately stepped forward.

She curtsied to Hu Liena, her voice respectful.

"This servant, Ling Xi, pays her respects to the Saintess."

"No need for formalities, no need."

Hu Liena waved her hand, her gaze lingering on Ling Xi.

She then turned back to look at Ling Xiao, waiting for his explanation.

Ling Xiao set down the book in his hand and spoke indifferently.

"I went for a stroll in the outer city a few days ago and happened to meet her."

"She is an orphan with no parents, possesses innate rank nine soul power, and awakened a mental-type Martial Soul. She is a promising talent."

"I took her in as a personal maid to cultivate by my side, and she can help out with chores during the day."

In his words, he made no mention of the Demon Fruit.

Ling Xi's Succubus Martial Soul was something she had awakened on her own; he had simply happened to discover this buried genius.

After all, Martial Soul City was vast, and every year countless geniuses awakened their Martial Souls only to be buried in obscurity because they were born into poverty and lacked guidance.

Him picking one up to cultivate was perfectly normal.

"So that's how it is."

Hu Liena suddenly realized, then smiled and patted Ling Xiao on the shoulder.

"Not bad, Little Junior Brother, your eye for talent is truly excellent!"

"Innate rank nine soul power and a mental-type Martial Soul—this talent is quite impressive!"

She turned to look at Ling Xi, a bright smile on her face.

"Ling Xi, right? From now on, in this Martial Soul Hall, if anyone dares to bully you, just report the name of Hu Liena!"

"Thank you, Saintess."

Ling Xi bowed, her tone respectful.

The more Hu Liena looked at her, the more satisfied she became.

She felt that her Little Junior Brother not only possessed heaven-defying talent but also had a sharp eye for people.

She did not press further about Ling Xi's background.

After seeing Hu Liena off, Ling Xiao stood up and straightened his robes.

He said to Ling Xi, "Follow me to the Main Hall to pay respects to Master."

Ling Xi immediately responded, "Yes, Boss."

She knew clearly that this trip to see the Pope was for her boss to grant her a legitimate identity.

She took a few deep breaths to suppress the nervousness in her heart.

Slowly, she followed behind Ling Xiao and headed toward the Pope's Main Hall.