Ghost Leopard Douluo

Ling Xiao had just returned to Qinghui Hall.

A guard from the Pope Palace announced himself outside.

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

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

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

"Reporting to Lord Ling Xiao, His Holiness ordered me to inform you that..."

"His Holiness has ordered Lord Ghost Leopard Douluo to accompany you and ensure your safety."

A look of understanding flashed through Ling Xiao's eyes.

Ghost Leopard Douluo was a level 95 agility-type Titled Douluo, one of Spirit Hall's powerful elders.

He was the fastest in Spirit Hall, and excelled at reconnaissance, assassination, and protection.

"Go back and tell Master that I'm grateful for her arrangements."

Ling Xiao gave the guard a calm instruction.

"Yes, Lord Ling Xiao."

The guard bowed and quickly withdrew.

Ling Xi watched him leave, disappointment flickering in her eyes.

She hurried over to Ling Xiao. "Boss, I'll go prepare your things right away."

"Mm, thanks for the effort."

Ling Xiao gave a slight nod, then looked at her and added,

"I won't be taking you or Linglong with me on this trip."

Ling Xi paused.

Ling Xiao continued,

"Spirit Hall is our foundation. Someone needs to hold down the fort at Qinghui Hall."

"You're the only one I can trust with these matters."

Though she hated the thought and wanted to stay by Boss's side, she would never go against his decision.

She replied firmly, "Yes, Boss! Don't worry. I'll guard Qinghui Hall and work hard at cultivating!"

"Take care of yourself while you're away, and stay safe."

Just then, Hu Liena's voice came from outside the hall.

She spoke before she even arrived.

"Junior Brother! Junior Brother, get out here! I heard you're going away to gain experience?!"

Before her words had even faded, Hu Liena stormed inside, fuming.

She rushed up to Ling Xiao, hands on her hips. "You little rascal! Something this big, and you were going away without telling me first?"

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

Ling Xiao looked at her puffed-up expression and smiled helplessly. "Senior Sister, I just got back from seeing Master. I was planning to tell you later."

"I don't care!"

Hu Liena huffed, stepped forward, grabbed his arm, and rubbed against it.

"You have to take me with you! I want to go too!"

"It'll be a great chance to hone my combat skills, and we can look out for each other. What could be better?"

She'd long since grown tired of staying in Spirit Hall.

With such a good opportunity, how could she possibly let it pass?

Feeling her against his arm, Ling Xiao's thoughts began to wander.

Hu Liena was nearly twelve, and her body was starting to mature. She had no idea how devastatingly alluring that gesture was to a man.

Seeing her excitement, Ling Xiao shook his head.

"No, Senior Sister. I can't take you this time."

"Why?!"

The smile vanished from Hu Liena's face, replaced by pure disbelief.

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

"Senior Sister, don't get worked up. Sit down and hear me out."

Ling Xiao led her to a seat and explained gently,

"First, you're at a crucial point in your cultivation, pushing to raise your Soul Power Level."

"Traveling will be rough and unsettled. You won't be able to focus on cultivation, and it'll only delay your breakthrough. Master has high hopes for you. Surely you don't want me to catch up to you even sooner?"

That took some wind out of Hu Liena's sails.

She'd been working so hard lately because she didn't want Ling Xiao to overtake her.

If traveling held back her cultivation, it would hardly be worth it.

Seeing that she was listening, Ling Xiao continued, "Second, you're Spirit Hall's Saintess. Your position is special, so you can't leave Spirit City for too long."

"If you leave the city, countless people will start watching you. You'll be in danger, and you'll cause Master plenty of trouble."

Ling Xiao looked at her, his expression serious.

"Besides, no one will be looking after Qinghui Hall while I'm gone. Ling Xi and Linglong are still young. Without me here, someone might bully them."

"You're the only person in all of Spirit Hall I can trust."

"I'd like you to look after them for me. Make sure no one mistreats them."

Hu Liena met Ling Xiao's earnest gaze, and her displeasure gradually faded.

"So that's why! Don't worry, leave it to me!"

Ling Xiao couldn't help smiling at her.

"Then thank you, Senior Sister."

"When I get back from my travels, I'll bring you a gift."

"Really?!"

Hu Liena's eyes lit up.

"At least you've got a conscience! Fine, I'll graciously stay in Spirit City and mind the house for you!"

"But you'd better keep your word. I expect every last bit of that gift!"

"Don't worry, Senior Sister. I won't go back on my word."

Ling Xiao smiled and nodded.

After he'd soothed Hu Liena, she chattered on, reminding him to be careful on the road and to send word back to Spirit Hall if he ran into danger.

Before leaving, she once again promised to keep an eye on Ling Xi and Linglong.

That evening, Ling Xi and Linglong huddled together.

"Big Sister Ling Xi, why do you think Boss isn't taking us with him?"

Linglong hugged her knees and asked softly, her pale golden eyes full of disappointment.

"Are we too weak? Would we only hold him back if we went with him?"

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

"Boss has his reasons. Our job is to follow his orders."

"But you're right, too. We really aren't strong enough yet."

She looked down at her hands, determination in her voice.

"Boss is already level 24, and he has a long road ahead of him."

"If we stay where we are, sooner or later we won't be able to keep up with him."

"By leaving us behind, Boss is reminding us that we need to work harder at cultivation."

Linglong nodded firmly, resolve shining in her eyes.

"Big Sister Ling Xi is right! Starting tomorrow, I'll train twice as hard!"

"Good. We'll do it together!"

Ling Xi looked at her, her own fighting spirit kindling.

The two girls looked at each other and saw the same resolve in each other's eyes.

Before dawn the next day, they were already at the Martial Arts Arena.

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

Qinghui Hall.

A black-clad figure appeared inside the hall without a sound.

The newcomer wore a black outfit, with a lean build and a gloomy face.

He was Ghost Leopard Douluo, a level 95 agility-type Titled Douluo and an elder of Spirit Hall.

Ling Xiao sat in the main seat and looked up at him.

Ghost Leopard Douluo bowed slightly to Ling Xiao, his voice stiff and flat.

"Lord Ling Xiao, by order of His Holiness the Pope, I'll accompany you on this trip and protect you throughout. I await your orders."

He neither fawned over Ling Xiao like Chrysanthemum Douluo nor looked down on or defied him. He was simply carrying out Bibi Dong's orders.

Ling Xiao wasn't surprised by his attitude. He'd heard of Ghost Leopard Douluo and knew what sort of person he was.

Ling Xiao stood and nodded politely to him.

"This journey will be a long one. I'll be relying on you to keep us safe along the way."

"It's my duty."

Ghost Leopard Douluo replied curtly, then looked up at Ling Xiao and asked bluntly,

"Lord Ling Xiao, where do you plan to go on this trip?"

Ling Xiao walked to the window and gazed toward Heaven Dou Empire, beyond Spirit City.

A profound gleam flashed in his eyes as he answered calmly,

"Our first stop is Heaven Dou Empire: Heaven Dou City."