Late at night, the streets of Spirit City's outer district were empty and quiet.
With Ling Xi in tow, Ling Xiao walked into Spirit Hall's inner city without a single obstacle.
The guards at the gate saw Ling Xiao and immediately bowed.
They saw the unfamiliar girl following him, but didn't dare ask questions.
As the Pope's personally chosen second disciple, Ling Xiao's identity was the best pass he could have in Spirit Hall.
Before long, the two returned to Qinghui Hall.
Chuntao, the head maid standing guard at the hall entrance, saw Ling Xiao return and hurried over to greet him.
Her gaze fell on Ling Xi behind him, and a flicker of surprise crossed her face, but she didn't dare ask questions.
"Chuntao, prepare a set of clothes that fits her."
"Arrange a room beside the inner hall, and prepare a set of toiletries as well."
Ling Xiao gave his instructions calmly.
"From today onward, Ling Xi will be my personal maid and train by my side."
"Make sure you all remember that."
"Yes, sir."
Chuntao replied, looking at Ling Xi with added respect.
She hurried over and said to Ling Xi:
"Miss Ling Xi, please come with me."
Ling Xi looked at Ling Xiao. Only after he gave a slight nod did she thank Chuntao.
Then she followed Chuntao to wash up and change.
Only Ling Xiao remained in the hall.
He went to sit on a cushion in the inner hall and closed his eyes.
His consciousness sank into the Sea of Consciousness.
On the Demon Fruit Tree, the Succubus Fruit that had once hung from a branch had turned translucent.
A miniature Ling Xi was reflected on its surface.
As Ling Xi's Soul Power stabilized at level ten,
a stream of pure Soul Power flowed along the soul imprint, continuously nourishing him in return.
It merged perfectly with his own Soul Power.
Ling Xi was only level ten for now, so the Soul Power she returned to him was meager.
But this was only the beginning.
The higher Ling Xi's level rose in the future, the more power she would return to him.
"Boss."
Ling Xi's gentle voice came from outside, interrupting Ling Xiao's thoughts.
"Come in."
Ling Xi pushed the door open and entered.
She had changed into a white maid's dress that set off her fair skin and bright, lively features.
After washing away the dust and fatigue, the changes brought about by the Succubus Fruit became even more apparent.
Though she stood there quietly, she radiated an irresistible warmth.
She walked up to Ling Xiao and curtsied.
"Thank you, Boss, for giving me everything. I have no way to repay you, but I'm willing to—"
"You don't need to keep saying things like that."
Ling Xiao cut her off.
"I gave you this opportunity because I want you to prove your worth, not because I want you to be a maid who can only serve tea and water."
"I'll focus on nurturing you. How far you go in the future will depend entirely on your own efforts."
Ling Xi's eyes filled with delight.
"I'll give it everything I've got!"
"I absolutely won't let you down, Boss!"
Her voice brimmed with barely contained excitement.
Ling Xiao nodded and began laying out her plans for the future.
"Right now, your most important task is to study theory and plan your path of cultivation."
"Talent is certainly important on the path of a Soul Master, but without a solid grounding in theory, you'll only stray from the right path."
"I have plenty of books on basic theory. You'll start from the beginning."
"If you need any other books or materials, just tell Chuntao and have her get them for you. Don't hesitate."
As the Pope's personally chosen disciple, Ling Xiao enjoyed exactly that kind of convenience in Spirit Hall.
Ling Xiao's voice remained calm, but his tone gradually grew stern.
"I've paved the way for you. Whether you can keep walking is up to you."
"I'm giving you one week to study the General Outline of Spirit Master Basic Theory, the rules for matching Martial Souls with Soul Rings, and the Soul Beast compendium."
"One week from now, I'll test you myself."
"Yes, Boss!"
"I promise I'll learn all of it within a week!"
"I absolutely won't let you down!"
Back at the orphanage, she had desperately wanted to learn about Soul Masters.
Now that she had the best resources, how could she not give it everything she had?
Seeing the conviction in her eyes, Ling Xiao nodded in satisfaction.
He said nothing more and waved for her to leave.
Ling Xi withdrew and returned to her room.
She immediately picked up General Outline of Spirit Master Basic Theory.
By lamplight, she began to study.
The light fell across her intent profile.
Her eyes held both hope for the future and a burning desire to grow stronger.
In the inner hall, Ling Xiao leaned back on a soft couch.
Plans for what came next raced through his mind.
Ling Xi had talent to spare, and the right disposition, too.
For now, the most important thing was to help her choose a suitable First Soul Ring.
The Succubus Martial Soul specialized in mental control. It had also given her an extraordinary physique, allowing her to train in close-quarters combat as well.
Her First Soul Ring had to complement her Martial Soul and bring her talents to the fore as much as possible.
After all, the stronger his host was, the more power she could return to him.
Moonlight streamed through the window lattice and fell across the young man's face.
His thoughts drifted farther and farther away.
Morning.
Ling Xiao sat at the desk by the window.
His fingertips traced the Soul Beast compendium before him.
He was planning the direction of his second Soul Ring.
Ling Xi stood quietly by his side.
She held a freshly brewed cup of warm tea.
Half a month had passed, and Ling Xi had grown noticeably.
She had also fully adapted to her new role.
She had gone from an orphan at the orphanage to a maid and loyal subordinate at Ling Xiao's side.
"Bang!"
Just then, the hall door burst open.
Hu Liena charged in at a whirlwind pace, calling out as she came.
"Little junior brother! I'm here to see you! I'm finally done with closed-door meditation. I brought you—"
She broke off mid-sentence.
Her gaze landed on Ling Xi beside Ling Xiao, and curiosity filled her eyes.
She had spent the past half month in seclusion, cultivating and pushing toward level twenty-six in Soul Power.
As soon as she came out, she heard that her little junior brother had suddenly acquired a personal maid.
This was the first time she had seen her.
The girl before her looked no more than six or seven years old.
She had lively, delicate features, fair skin, and a natural warmth about her.
Her clear eyes rested on Ling Xiao, full of devotion and dependence.
"Little junior brother, who's this?"
Hu Liena leaned close to Ling Xiao, raised an eyebrow, and asked in a low voice.
Her eyes gleamed with gossip.
Seeing this, Ling Xi immediately stepped forward.
She curtsied to Hu Liena and spoke respectfully.
"Your servant Ling Xi greets the Saintess."
"At ease, at ease."
Hu Liena waved her hand, her gaze roaming over Ling Xi.
Then she turned to Ling Xiao, waiting for an explanation.
Ling Xiao set down the book in his hand and spoke calmly.
"I went for a stroll in the outer city a few days ago and happened upon her."
"She's an orphan with no parents. Her innate Soul Power is level nine, and she awakened a mental-type Martial Soul. She's a promising talent."
"So I took her in as my personal maid and decided to train her by my side. She can also help out with things from time to time."
He didn't mention the Demon Fruit at all.
Ling Xi had awakened the Succubus Martial Soul herself. He had merely happened to discover an overlooked genius.
After all, Spirit City was vast. Every year, countless people awakened Martial Souls, only for promising talents to be buried because they came from poor families and had no one to guide them.
It was only natural for him to bring one back and nurture her.
"So that's how it is."
Hu Liena nodded in understanding, then smiled and clapped Ling Xiao on the shoulder.
"Not bad, little junior brother. You've got a good eye!"
"Innate level-nine Soul Power and a mental-type Martial Soul—her talent is really something!"
She turned to Ling Xi, a hearty smile on her face.
"So you're Ling Xi? If anyone in Spirit Hall dares to bully you, just tell them you have Hu Liena on your side!"
"Thank you, Saintess."
Ling Xi bowed respectfully.
The more Hu Liena looked at her, the more pleased she became.
She couldn't help thinking that her little junior brother had incredible talent and a keen eye for people.
She didn't press Ling Xi about her background any further.
After seeing Hu Liena off, Ling Xiao stood and straightened his robe.
"Come with me to the Main Hall to pay our respects to Master," he said to Ling Xi.
Ling Xi immediately answered, "Yes, Boss."
She knew this visit to His Holiness the Pope was her boss's way of giving her a proper, recognized identity.
She took a few deep breaths, steadying her nerves.
Then she followed Ling Xiao toward the Pope's Main Hall.
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