Meeting the Parents

Golden Crocodile Douluo pondered for a moment. Though old-fashioned, he possessed farsighted judgment. He said in a deep voice, "The Pope's move is truly bold."

"If Soul Tools can truly be developed, they will greatly benefit Spirit Hall's rise in strength."

"It's just... with such an immense investment and technology that could alter the continent's balance, should we consider bringing the two great empires and several duchies into this?"

"If they invest together, they can share the risks and reduce potential resistance in the future."

Qian Xunji gave Golden Crocodile an approving glance. "Second Worship speaks wisely."

"As the saying goes, a single tree cannot make a forest. The rise of Soul Tools should benefit the entire Soul Master world, even ordinary citizens, rather than being an affair belonging solely to Spirit Hall."

"However, if we are able to develop high-level Soul Tools in the future, we will begin a subsequent classified project."

Second Worship nodded. "That is indeed something we must consider."

Qian Xunji rose to his feet. "Once this meeting concludes, immediately send orders to the bishops of every major Holy Temple. Have them bring a brief explanation and some preliminary design diagrams for basic Soul Tools to formally visit the royal families of Heaven Dou and Star Luo, as well as the leaders of the major duchies. Explain the benefits and risks, invite them to invest and cooperate, and jointly usher the continent into a new era."

Everyone's spirits lifted at those words.

This would no longer be Spirit Hall's private research, but a grand undertaking that could lead the continent into transformation.

To take part in it carried extraordinary significance.

As the meeting neared its end, Qian Xunji gave his final instructions. "Jiang Mo and Qian Jun will take the lead in drafting the specific rules for establishing the Research Institute, together with Yue Guan and Gui Mei."

"I will need to leave Spirit Hall for several days soon. Jiang Mo and Qian Jun will continue to handle the hall's daily affairs in my absence. For major matters, send me an urgent message."

"Yes, we shall obey Your Holiness's orders!" the elders answered in unison.

The next morning, the sun shone brightly.

A luxurious carriage drawn by two Cloud-Flying Colts stood in the square outside Spirit Hall's main gates.

Cloud-Flying Colts had wings on their backs. Though incapable of soaring over long distances, their short-range gliding and high-speed running far surpassed ordinary horses, making them a favored means of transport among Heaven Dou Empire nobles.

Qian Xunji faced Jiang Mo, Qian Jun, and the other elders who had come to see him off.

"I'll leave the Research Institute's location and the initial contact with the various parties to you."

"Proceed according to the plan agreed upon yesterday. If anything changes, send word promptly."

"Yes, please rest assured, Your Holiness. We will spare no effort!" Jiang Mo, Qian Jun, and the others bowed as they accepted their orders.

"Mm." Qian Xunji nodded, then turned toward the siblings already waiting beside the carriage. "Dong'er, Xiao Xi, we're leaving."

"Yes, Teacher—Your Holiness."

Ling Yuan also ran over to see them off. Taking Bibi Dong's hand, she said with a cheerful smile, "Saintess, be careful on the road and come back soon."

"If Ping'an Village has any delicious local specialties, remember to bring me some."

Bibi Dong smiled with pursed lips. "All right, I'll definitely bring you some."

Seeing this, Bibi Xi said to Ling Yuan, "Miss Ling Yuan, how about... coming to my home for a visit too?"

Ling Yuan's pretty face reddened slightly, but her words remained sharp. "I'd certainly like to see what kind of place could raise such outstanding siblings."

"Unfortunately, this young lady has duties to attend to and is terribly busy. If I really went, you'd have to prepare a feast of fish and meat to properly entertain me."

Bibi Xi immediately pulled a long face and scratched his head. "There may not be much fish or meat. Conditions in our village aren't great... but we can fill you up on coarse grains and pickled vegetables. Would that work?"

"Coarse grains and pickled vegetables?"

Ling Yuan curled her lips in feigned disgust. "Then forget it. This young lady would rather stay in Spirit City and eat well."

Before she finished speaking, she could no longer hold back her laughter.

Bibi Xi also began to laugh foolishly.

"Are you two done talking?"

"If you keep this up, it'll be dark before we leave. Get ready to go."

Bibi Dong and Bibi Xi hurriedly answered and climbed into the carriage ahead one after the other.

Qian Xunji waved to the people seeing them off, then bent down and entered the carriage as well.

At the driver's shout, the two Cloud-Flying Colts whinnied together. Their powerful hooves scraped the ground, their wings spread slightly, and after several running strides, all four hooves left the ground. They glided close to the earth for a stretch before steadily taking flight at low altitude.

Inside the carriage, Bibi Dong leaned against the wall and somehow drifted off to sleep.

Bibi Xi, seated opposite her, sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, performing his daily Soul Power meditation. Soul Power circulated steadily around him.

After watching the sleeping Bibi Dong for a while, Qian Xunji took a thin blanket from the luggage beside him and covered her with it.

The movement woke Bibi Xi from his meditation. He opened his eyes and happened to see the scene.

"Your Holiness."

Qian Xunji looked up at him and smiled faintly. "In private, there's no need to be so formal."

"I'm much older than you. If you don't mind, you may call me Brother Qian."

Bibi Xi readily went along with it, a smile appearing on his face as well. "Brother Qian, these past years... thank you for taking care of my sister."

"I can tell that she's living well now. She's very happy."

His gratitude came from the bottom of his heart. If not for Spirit Hall and the Pope before him, he did not dare imagine where his sister might have ended up.

"She is my disciple. Taking care of her and teaching her are simply my responsibilities."

Yet as he spoke, Qian Xunji's gaze unconsciously returned to Bibi Dong's sleeping face.

"Only a disciple?" Bibi Xi asked tentatively.

Over the past few days, he had observed them closely. Their behavior had clearly gone beyond that of master and disciple.

Qian Xunji withdrew his gaze and looked at Bibi Xi. "What else do you think there is?"

"I think... Brother Qian, you like my sister, don't you?"

Qian Xunji fell silent for a moment, but did not deny it.

"Mm, you could say that."

"Then, do you oppose me being with her?"

"What would I oppose?"

Bibi Xi quickly waved his hands. "My sister and I have been able to recognize each other again. I already feel that Heaven has shown us mercy. How could I dare meddle in the affairs of the person she likes?"

He paused, recalling that startling incident in the fitting room, and could not help laughing. "Besides, Brother Qian, I still vividly remember the murderous look on your face when you jumped down from the ceiling that day."

"Though it was a misunderstanding, that level of nervousness couldn't have been faked."

At the mention of that embarrassing incident, Qian Xunji felt a little awkward as well. He gave a light cough. "That truly was a misunderstanding..."

"I know it was a misunderstanding."

"Which is why I'm even more certain that Brother Qian's feelings for my sister are real."

"Otherwise, how could you have gotten so angry?"

With Bibi Xi so bluntly exposing him, Qian Xunji did not grow annoyed. Instead, he found this "brother-in-law" perceptive and straightforward, easy enough to get along with.

He nodded, then changed the subject. "Xiao Xi, what kind of people are your parents?"

"What do they think of Spirit Hall?"

At the mention of his parents, Bibi Xi's gaze softened. "They're just ordinary villagers. They've suffered a great deal, and the person they worry about most is my sister."

"As for Spirit Hall, our village is remote, so we haven't had much contact with it."

"My parents only know that Spirit Hall is a powerful force. They know it's formidable, but they probably can't say much more than that."

"Still, if they learned that Spirit Hall's Pope had personally come to their home and even become their daughter's teacher, what kind of reaction do you think they'd have?"

"I reckon my father would be so frightened that he'd drop his hoe, while my mother might faint on the spot."