At Qinghui Hall's Martial Arts Arena, the wind howled around the spears, and the clang of metal rang out without end.
Morning sunlight fell upon the young man in the middle of the arena.
Six months had passed.
Ling Xiao's figure had grown even taller and more upright.
The spear in his hands swept through the air like a flood dragon emerging from the sea, its tip glinting with cold light.
He thrust, swept, lifted, and chopped. Every move was executed with consummate skill.
He had also completely mastered the Seven Forms of Breaking the Formation.
When his spear struck, wind and thunder followed. Offense and defense flowed as one; his spear technique had reached the pinnacle.
"Enough!"
With a low shout, Ling Xiao lowered his spear and stood at attention.
His stance was as steady as a mountain. He wasn't even winded.
"Boss, your spear technique has improved again."
At the edge of the arena, Ling Xi hurried over.
Her eyes and brows were gentle, and her voice was full of admiration.
She, too, had grown a great deal over the past six months.
Her Soul Power had steadily climbed to level eighteen, and she wasn't far from level nineteen.
Ling Xiao's gaze swept over to the other side of the arena.
Linglong stood gripping a sword, practicing the basic sword forms over and over.
She wore a martial arts uniform, her figure spirited and her features cool.
Her pale golden, slit-pupil eyes occasionally revealed a trace of dragon might, while her aura remained calm and restrained.
Half a year ago, she had eaten the Azure Dragon Fruit. Her Innate Soul Power had settled at the peak of level nine, and in less than half a month, she had broken through to level ten.
Ling Xiao had personally accompanied her to the Soul Hunting Forest, with Shi Jian guarding them, to hunt a five-hundred-year-old Sub-dragon Beast for its Soul Ring.
The Soul Ring was a good match for her Martial Soul. She had comprehended her First Soul Skill, [Dragon's Roar Break], which carried the power to intimidate with dragon might and combined offense with defense.
Now, six months later, Linglong's Soul Power had steadily risen to level thirteen, making her a Soul Master.
She had become increasingly adept at controlling her Azure Dragon Martial Soul.
To outsiders, Ling Xiao only said that Linglong was an orphan he had found in Maple Leaf City. He had taken her in as a maid because he felt sorry for her.
Everyone in Spirit Hall assumed that the Pope's personal disciple was simply compassionate and had taken in another maid with a tragic background. They thought nothing more of it.
Even Bibi Dong only knew Linglong as a talented subordinate Ling Xiao had taken in. The protagonist hadn't told her much.
"Linglong has the basic sword forms down solidly."
Looking at the figure in the corner, Ling Xiao spoke calmly.
"Linglong's the one who's willing to put in the hard work."
Ling Xi said with a smile.
"For the past six months, she's studied Soul Master knowledge with me. She gets up before dawn to train her body and practice swordsmanship, and she hasn't slacked off for even a single day."
Ling Xiao nodded slightly, a look of satisfaction flashing through his eyes.
He hadn't been wrong about her.
The potential of the Azure Dragon Fruit was being gradually drawn out of her.
For the past six months, his days had been regular and full.
Every morning, he practiced with his spear and honed his physical skills.
In the morning, he meditated and cultivated his Soul Power.
In the afternoon, he went to the Pope Palace to seek Bibi Dong's guidance or visited the Library Pavilion to read through its books.
In the evening, he guided Ling Xi and Linglong in their cultivation and nurtured their bonds with them.
Every so often, Hu Liena would barge in, full of energy, and challenge him to a practical spar.
Against Ling Xiao, Hu Liena found herself increasingly outmatched.
Ling Xiao was now a level-twenty-four Soul Grandmaster, his spear technique at its peak and his spiritual power absurdly strong.
In their one-on-one spars, she lost more often than she won.
Whenever she lost, she would storm off and shut herself away to cultivate. The next time she came back, Ling Xiao would still beat the fight out of her with his endless bag of tricks.
Their constant attempts to outdo each other had become routine.
Bibi Dong had seen all of this.
Her favoritism and trust toward Ling Xiao had grown to the point that even Hu Liena fell short.
She had almost never refused any request Ling Xiao made.
His footing in Spirit Hall had already become secure.
The timeline of the original story was steadily moving forward.
Tang San had already begun systematic cultivation at Nuoding Academy.
His opportunities were beginning to appear, one after another.
He couldn't stay trapped in Spirit City any longer, watching Tang San grow step by step and gather opportunity after opportunity.
It was time to go out into the world.
That afternoon, Ling Xiao changed into a formal Soul Master uniform and headed for the Pope Palace.
The hall was quiet and solemn.
Bibi Dong was dozing on her throne.
Her long hair fell over her shoulders, and her papal robes set off her peerless beauty, while giving her an air of coldness and authority that kept people at a distance.
When Ling Xiao entered, Bibi Dong's expression softened into a smile.
"Ling Xiao, you're here? Have a seat."
Bibi Dong gestured to him, her tone warm.
"What brings you here at this hour? Didn't you just finish sparring with your senior sister? I heard you made Nana cry again, and she went back to shut herself away and cultivate."
Ling Xiao smiled helplessly at that.
"This disciple did let Senior Sister have a few moves. She's just very competitive, so it's only natural for her to sulk when she loses."
"Do you think I don't know what she's like?"
Bibi Dong said with a smile, shaking her head.
Then her gaze settled on Ling Xiao.
"Judging by your aura, you've reached level twenty-four?"
"Master, I broke through not long ago."
Ling Xiao answered respectfully.
"This disciple has come today to ask your permission for something."
"Oh? What is it?"
Bibi Dong raised an eyebrow, watching him with interest.
"Speak freely. If it's within my power, I'll grant it."
"This disciple would like to ask your permission to go out on a training mission."
Ling Xiao's words fell.
The smile faded somewhat from Bibi Dong's face.
She frowned at her disciple and said earnestly,
"Go out on a training mission? Ling Xiao, you're not yet eight years old. Your Soul Power is at a crucial stage of rapid growth, so you should focus on quiet cultivation."
"The outside world is a tangled web of forces, and all sorts of factions are watching like tigers waiting to pounce. It's too dangerous."
Ling Xiao was the disciple she valued most. His talent was unmatched in ten thousand years. In the future, he would surely inherit her mantle, and might even surpass her and stand at the peak of Douluo Continent.
She didn't want Ling Xiao to face any danger before he had grown up.
"Master, I understand why you're worried."
Ling Xiao took a step forward, his voice sincere and resolute.
"It's precisely because my Soul Power is rising so quickly that I need to go out and gain experience."
He looked up at Bibi Dong.
"I'm not yet eight, but I'm already at level twenty-four."
"This speed is certainly a good thing, but it also carries great risks. My Soul Power is increasing too quickly, while my practical experience is nowhere near keeping pace. My foundation is far too shaky."
"If I stay cooped up in Spirit City, building a castle in the air, then even if my Soul Power keeps rising until I reach Soul King or Soul Emperor, my actual combat ability will still be greatly diminished."
At this, Bibi Dong was momentarily at a loss for words.
Ling Xiao wasn't even eight, yet he was already level twenty-four.
At this rate, he was sure to reach level twenty-five before turning eight.
He was a full two years ahead of Hu Liena, and had reached this point earlier than she or Tang Hao had at the same age.
In all her years, she had never encountered cultivation speed this heaven-defying.
The path of a Soul Master wasn't just about piling up Soul Power.
Practical experience, control over Soul Skills, and command of the battlefield all determined a Soul Master's strength.
Ling Xiao had always stayed in Spirit City, where his only opponents were Hu Liena and a few instructors. He was far too short on practical experience.
If things continued this way, it would inevitably hinder his future growth.
She couldn't refute Ling Xiao, because what he said made sense.
Seeing Bibi Dong fall silent, Ling Xiao continued.
"Master, I know you're worried about my safety. But a towering tree can't grow in a greenhouse."
"If I want to truly help you in the future, and stand at the peak of the continent, then I have to go out and see the real Douluo Continent, temper myself in actual combat, and strengthen my foundation."
"Besides, I won't be taking any risks alone."
Ling Xiao added,
"This disciple asks that you allow a senior elder to accompany me. That way, you won't have to worry about my safety."
Bibi Dong looked at the resolve and calm in his eyes.
She didn't know how she could refuse him.
Her disciple not only had heaven-defying talent, but also possessed a clarity and maturity far beyond his years.
After a long silence, Bibi Dong finally sighed and nodded.
"Fine. I grant your request."
A glimmer of delight appeared in Ling Xiao's eyes, and he immediately bowed.
"Thank you, Master!"
"Don't celebrate too soon."
Bibi Dong looked at him, her tone stern.
"I'll arrange for an elder to stay with you the entire time."
"If you dare go off on your own to some dangerous place, I'll drag you back at once and confine you for a year. Understood?"
Her final words carried a hint of severity, but they also reflected Bibi Dong's concern.
"This disciple understands! I would never dare worry you, Master!"
Ling Xiao answered at once, his voice utterly solemn.
"Good."
Bibi Dong nodded with satisfaction.
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