Bringing the Siblings Home

Upon hearing these two names, Qian Xunji's heart skipped a beat.

Xie Yue and Hu Liena —aren't they the brother and sister from the Spirit Hall's "Golden Generation" in the original novel?

Hu Liena, in particular, was later taken in as a personal disciple by Bibi Dong and was bestowed the title of Saintess of the Spirit Hall, holding a highly respected position.

I never expected to meet them here, in this way.

The village was still shrouded in the lingering Black Mist. The entire village, including their parents, had disappeared, their fate unknown.

If I hadn't happened to pass by, this brother and sister would probably not have become future stars, but would have simply become nameless "missing persons" in history.

He suppressed his thoughts and said calmly, "Let's go back."

However, Xie Yue did not immediately follow.

He instinctively pulled his sister behind him, tilted his head back, and warily sized up the tall, imposing man with fiery blond hair before him.

Who are you?

Although he was only six years old, as the older brother, he knew very well that he should never easily leave with strangers.

The village chief had repeatedly instructed them to always ask about the origins of strangers, especially since they were accompanied by their young sister.

At this moment, Qian Renxue stepped forward, blocking the path between the brother and sister, and introduced herself in a clear voice, "My name is Qian Renxue, this is my father Qian Xunji, and my mother Bibi Dong. We are from the Spirit Hall."

Hu Liena timidly peeked half her face out from behind her brother, her face still wet with tears, her messy hair stained with cigarette ash.

She scratched her head and asked softly, "The Spirit Hall... what is that?"

Xie Yue pursed her lips and answered first, "It's one of the top forces on the continent."

"I remember Grandpa Village Chief saying that the Spirit Hall is the most powerful Soul Master organization on the entire continent, responsible for awakening Martial Soul for commoners and training Soul Master."

Bibi Dong slowly bent down and asked softly in the same gentle tone she used when speaking to Qian Renxue, "Then... would you like to come with us?"

Xie Yue gripped her sister's hand tightly and glanced back at the dilapidated village behind them.

The house still stands, but the people are gone, leaving only broken walls and ruins weeping in the wind.

He looked down at the streaks of gray on his sister's face, washed away by tears, then looked up at the family of three before him—they were dressed in fine clothes yet exuded dignity, and although their expressions were cold, they meant no harm.

After a moment's hesitation, he finally nodded.

They are already homeless.

Rather than wandering the wilderness with his younger sister, seeking refuge with the Spirit Hall might be their only way to survive.

"Then come with us."

Qian Xunji quickly bent down and picked up Xie Yue in one swift motion.

The boy stiffened, clearly unaccustomed to being touched by a stranger, but quickly regained his composure, still turning his head to check if his sister was alright.

Bibi Dong also knelt down and hugged Hu Liena.

The little girl was much more obedient than her brother, her little hands instinctively gripping the fabric of Bibi Dong's shoulder, as if it were her only support.

Qian Renxue didn't let anyone carry her; instead, she spread her eight wings and stood beside Bibi Dong.

After takeoff, Hu Liena looked up, staring blankly at the eight flapping wings behind Qian Renxue. Her eyes were filled with astonishment instead of tears, and she even forgot to cry.

Qian Renxue noticed her gaze, turned her head, and smiled gently at her.

--Wuhun Spirit City.

When Qian Xunji and his group flew to the outskirts of the city, they could see from afar that the outer city wall was already full of guards, with a Soul Guidance Cannon standing solemnly every few steps, its muzzle facing outward, its killing intent faintly visible.

Before setting off for Vast Sea City, this place was just a routine patrol, but now it has clearly entered a state of full combat readiness.

"It seems the situation has truly changed."

At the city gate, Snake Lance Douluo She Long was inspecting the defenses when he suddenly saw three figures descending from the sky. Upon closer inspection, his expression brightened. "It's His Dean the Dean and His Holiness the Pope!"

He quickly stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "Your Dean, Your His Holiness the Pope, Miss."

Qian Xunji put Xie Yue down, his gaze sweeping over the heavily guarded soldiers on the city wall, and asked in a deep voice, "Why is the defense so tight?"

Snake Lance Douluo's expression was grave. "Your Majesty, the Spirit Hall... has been isolated."

"The Heaven Dou Empire has sealed off all Spirit Temple within its territory and expelled our personnel; although the Star Luo Empire has not openly broken with us, it has also secretly restricted our scope of activities."

"The Worship Hall is worried about a surprise attack while you are away, so it has ordered the outer city to be reinforced three times over, all Soul Guidance Cannon to be mounted on the walls, and the city to be on high alert."

After a brief pause, he asked in a low voice, "Your Majesty... is it because we attacked the Clear Sky Sect that we provoked the various forces to rise up against us?"

Qian Xunji shook his head decisively. "Impossible. The Clear Sky Sect alone cannot unite the two great empires."

"Although the Clear Sky Sect is renowned in the Soul Master World, it is far from being able to command the respect and obedience of the entire world with a single call."

"For the Heaven Dou Empire to go to such lengths as to break with tradition and seal off the Holy Temple, there must be a deeper scheme at play—either there's a stronger backer behind them, or... someone is playing a much bigger game."

Bibi Dong's expression was cold and stern as she said, "Prepare yourselves, we're going back to the Pope Palace for a meeting."

"Yes." Snake Lance Douluo acknowledged the order and withdrew.

Upon arriving at the entrance of the Pope Palace, Bibi Dong stopped and turned to Qian Renxue: "Xiao Xue, take Nana and Xie Yue to arrange their accommodations."

Qian Renxue pouted, dissatisfied, and said, "I also want to attend the meeting."

"What kind of meeting is this for? Take them to settle in, that's your job."

Qian Renxue turned to look at the brother and sister.

Xie Yue still held her sister's hand tightly, trying to straighten her back, but her slightly red eyes could not hide the confusion and helplessness in her heart.

Hu Liena huddled behind her brother, clutching his clothes tightly with her small hands, only daring to show half her face as she timidly gazed at the towering, imposing Pope Palace before her.

Seeing this, Qian Renxue's displeasure quietly faded away.

She stepped forward, extended her hand to Hu Liena, and softened her tone. "Nana, Xie Yue, come with me."

Bibi Dong said gently, "Go, follow her."

Xie Yue bowed deeply. "Thank you all."

Hu Liena followed her brother's example and bowed timidly, saying, "Th... thank you."

"You're welcome, go ahead."

Qian Renxue turned around and walked along the side corridor of the palace.

Hu Liena hesitated for a moment, then grabbed her brother's clothes and jogged after him.

Soon, news of Qian Xunji and Bibi Dong's return spread throughout the Spirit Hall.

Inside the Pope Palace's main council chamber, both sides of the long table were already filled with people.

All the elders of the Elder Hall were present— Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan, Ghost Douluo Gui Mei, Snake Lance Douluo She Long, Pufferfish Douluo Ci Xue,... and the newly promoted elder Ling Yuan, all with solemn expressions, waiting for the meeting to begin.

Meanwhile, the Second Worship, Golden Crocodile Douluo, personally attended the Worship Hall.

Dugu Bo, as the chief representative of the Soul Guidance Research Institute, attended the meeting, his expression carrying a hint of scholarly aloofness and pride.