Ghost Leopard Douluo

Ling Xiao had just returned to Qinghui Hall.

From outside the hall came the announcement of a guard from the Pope Palace.

"Lord Ling Xiao, His Holiness the Pope has sent down an order."

Ling Xiao raised a hand, signaling for the guard to enter.

The guard, clad in silver armor, stepped in quickly and knelt on one knee.

"Reporting to Lord Ling Xiao, His Holiness has instructed me to inform you."

"His Holiness has ordered that Ghost Leopard Douluo will accompany you to ensure your safety."

A flash of understanding crossed Ling Xiao's eyes.

Ghost Leopard Douluo, a level 95 agility-attack type Titled Douluo and an elder-level powerhouse of Martial Soul Hall.

His speed was unrivaled within Martial Soul Hall, and his skills in reconnaissance, assassination, and protection were all at the top tier.

"Go back and tell Master that this disciple thanks him for the arrangement."

Ling Xiao instructed the guard calmly.

"Yes, Lord Ling Xiao."

The guard bowed and retreated quickly.

Ling Xi, standing to the side, watched the guard's departing figure, a trace of disappointment flashing in her eyes.

She stepped forward quickly and said to Ling Xiao, "Boss, I will go and pack your belongings right away."

"Mm, thank you for your hard work."

Ling Xiao nodded slightly, his gaze falling upon her as he added.

"For this trial, I will not be taking you or Linglong along."

Ling Xi's body paused slightly.

Ling Xiao's voice continued.

"Martial Soul Hall is our foundation, and Qinghui Hall requires someone to hold the fort."

"I can only rest easy if these matters are left to you."

No matter how reluctant she felt or how much she wanted to stay by her Boss's side, she would never go against his decision.

Her tone was firm: "Yes, Boss! Rest assured, I will guard Qinghui Hall well and cultivate diligently!"

"While you are out on your trial, please take care of your health and stay safe."

Just then, the voice of Hu Liena drifted in from outside the hall.

Before she had even arrived, her words had already reached them.

"Little Junior Brother! Little Junior Brother, come out here! I heard you're going out for a trial?!"

Before the words had faded, Hu Liena stormed in, looking quite indignant.

She rushed up to Ling Xiao, put her hands on her hips, and demanded, "You little rascal! Such a big thing as going out for a trial, and you didn't even tell me first?"

"If I hadn't gone to see Master just now, I would still be completely in the dark!"

Ling Xiao looked at her puffed-up expression and smiled helplessly: "Senior Sister, I only just returned from Master myself; I was planning to tell you later."

"I don't care!"

Hu Liena huffed, stepped forward, grabbed his arm, and began to rub against it.

"If you're going out for a trial, you must take me! I want to go too!"

"It's the perfect chance for me to hone my practical combat skills, and we can look out for each other—isn't that great?"

She had long since grown tired of staying in Martial Soul Hall.

Now that such a good opportunity had presented itself, how could she possibly let it slip by?

Ling Xiao felt the sensation from his arm and felt his heart waver.

Hu Liena was nearly twelve years old now, and her body was beginning to develop; she had yet to realize the lethality of this action toward a man.

Ling Xiao looked at her excited expression and shook his head:

"No, Senior Sister, I cannot take you this time."

"Why not?!"

The smile on Hu Liena's face vanished instantly, replaced by an expression of disbelief.

"Why can't you take me? I'm already a level 32 Soul Elder; I can protect myself!"

"Senior Sister, don't be anxious, sit down and listen to me."

Ling Xiao pulled her to a seat and explained in a gentle tone.

"First, you are currently at a critical stage in pushing for your next Soul Power Level."

"Life on the road during a trial is unstable, and you won't be able to cultivate with a calm mind; it will only delay your breakthrough progress. Master has high hopes for you—you wouldn't want me to catch up to you ahead of schedule, would you?"

As these words fell, Hu Liena's momentum weakened instantly.

She had been working so hard lately precisely because she did not want to be surpassed by Ling Xiao.

If she were to delay her soul power progression because of an excursion, the loss would outweigh the gain.

Seeing that she had taken his words to heart, Ling Xiao continued, "Second, you are the Saintess of Martial Soul Hall. Your status is special, and you cannot easily leave Martial Soul City for too long."

"Once you leave the city, you will inevitably attract the prying eyes of countless people. By then, not only will you be in danger, but you will also bring quite a bit of trouble to Master."

Ling Xiao looked at her, his tone earnest.

"Furthermore, after I leave, there will be no one to look after Qinghui Hall. Ling Xi and Linglong are still young; if I am not here, it is inevitable that someone might bully them."

"In the entire Martial Soul Hall, you are the only one I can trust, Senior Sister."

"I would like to ask you to help me look after them and ensure they do not suffer any grievances."

Hu Liena looked into Ling Xiao's sincere eyes, and the dissatisfaction in her heart gradually dissipated.

"So that's how it is! Rest assured! Leave it to me!"

Ling Xiao watched her reaction and couldn't help but laugh.

"Then many thanks, Senior Sister."

"When I return from my training, I will definitely bring you a gift."

"Really?!"

Hu Liena's eyes lit up.

"I suppose you have a conscience, kid! Then I shall reluctantly agree to stay in Martial Soul City and watch the house for you!"

"But you must keep your word; if even one gift is missing, it won't do!"

"Rest assured, Senior Sister, I will never go back on my word."

Ling Xiao nodded with a smile.

Having coaxed Hu Liena, she began to chatter away,叮嘱ing Ling Xiao.

He must pay attention to safety on the road and send word back to Martial Soul Hall if he encountered any danger.

Before leaving, she did not forget to promise once more that she would definitely look after Ling Xi and Linglong for him.

That night, Ling Xi and Linglong huddled together.

"Sister Ling Xi, tell me, why didn't the Boss take us with him?"

Linglong hugged her knees and asked in a low voice, her pale golden eyes filled with disappointment.

"Is it because our strength is too weak, and following the Boss would only hold him back?"

Ling Xi looked at her, sighed softly, and reached out to stroke her hair.

"The Boss has his own arrangements, and what we must do is obey the Boss's orders."

"However, you aren't wrong; our strength is indeed not yet strong enough."

She looked down at her own hands, her tone filled with resolve.

"The Boss is already level 24; the path he has to walk in the future is very long."

"If we keep standing still, sooner or later we won't be able to keep up with the Boss's pace."

"The fact that the Boss didn't take us this time is a reminder that we need to cultivate even harder."

Linglong nodded vigorously, her eyes filled with determination.

"Sister Ling Xi is right! Starting tomorrow, we will double our cultivation!"

"Good, let's do it together!"

Ling Xi looked at her, her own eyes igniting with fighting spirit.

The two girls looked at each other, both seeing the same resolve in the other's eyes.

The next day, before dawn, the two of them appeared at the Martial Arts Arena.

One practiced with a whip, the other with a sword, both working extremely hard.

Qinghui Hall.

A black figure appeared silently in the hall.

The visitor wore a tight black outfit, his frame lean and his expression gloomy.

It was none other than a Martial Soul Hall elder, a level 95 agility-attack system Titled Douluo, Ghost Leopard Douluo.

Ling Xiao sat in the main seat and raised his eyes to look at him.

Ghost Leopard Douluo bowed slightly toward Ling Xiao, his tone stiff and rigid.

"Lord Ling Xiao, by the order of His Holiness the Pope, I am to accompany and guard you throughout this excursion and follow your commands."

His attitude was neither humble nor arrogant; he did not fawn like Chrysanthemum Douluo, nor did he show contempt or defiance. He was simply fulfilling Bibi Dong's order.

Ling Xiao was not surprised by his attitude; he had heard of Ghost Leopard Douluo and knew his personality.

Ling Xiao stood up, gave him a slight nod, and spoke with a polite tone.

"This journey for experience is a long one; I shall have to rely on you for safety along the way, my lord."

"It is my duty."

Ghost Leopard Douluo responded indifferently, then raised his eyes to look at Ling Xiao and asked straightforwardly.

"May I ask, Lord Ling Xiao, what is the target route for this training?"

Ling Xiao walked to the window and looked out past Martial Soul City, toward the direction of the Heaven Dou Empire.

A profound light flashed in his eyes, and his tone was calm.

"The first stop: Heaven Dou Empire, Heaven Dou City."