Ling Feng's Popularity

"Xiaoxue, what is the content of your first trial?" Qian Daoliu asked, looking at his granddaughter.

As the High Priest of the Angel God, he actually lacked the authorization to inspect the contents of Qian Renxue's divine trials, which couldn't help but make him wonder if he was truly a High Priest at all.

Qian Renxue was loosening her wrists; hearing this, she said casually, "My first trial is to become a Soul Saint within five years."

"A Soul Saint in five years?" Qian Daoliu's pupils constricted slightly.

"You are only at level twenty-eight right now. To increase by forty-two levels in five years—the difficulty of this... is not ordinary."

The higher a Soul Master's level, the more soul power is required to advance each level. Going from level twenty-eight to seventy in five years was simply a fantasy.

Qian Renxue turned around, hands on her hips, and raised an eyebrow at him, saying confidently, "Grandfather, do you not have confidence in me?"

As she spoke, she deliberately puffed out her chest, her soul power fluctuating slightly around her.

Qian Daoliu was amused by her, shaking his head as he said, "Silly child, how could Grandfather not have confidence in you? It is just that the requirements of this divine trial are too harsh, and I fear you are under too much pressure."

He raised a hand to stroke Qian Renxue's head, his tone softening, "If you can truly achieve this, you will be the fastest cultivator in the history of our Angel clan, enough to be recorded in the annals of history."

(The fastest progress in soul power, regardless of age.)

"That goes without saying." Qian Renxue lifted her chin proudly, then leaned closer to Qian Daoliu, saying with a grin, "Grandfather, don't worry. Even if I can't do it myself, don't I still have Master? Master is so powerful; he will definitely help me."

Qian Daoliu felt a stir in his heart upon hearing this.

That senior's methods were unfathomable. With his assistance, perhaps... it really was possible?

He smiled and shook his head, saying no more.

Half an hour later.

Martial Soul Academy, training grounds.

Below the arena, the crowd was boisterous, a sea of black heads packed so tightly that not even a drop of water could pass through. Cheers and shouts rose one after another.

"Go! Junior Ling Feng! Junior Ling Feng, I love you!"

"Ling Feng! Ling Feng! You're the best!"

In the stands, a group of young girls wearing academy uniforms waved their arms, their cheeks flushed red, their eyes flashing with infatuation as they made no effort to hide their adoration for the figure on the arena.

The boys nearby saw this and curled their lips, their tones tinged with jealousy: "Tch, he just won a few matches, is it necessary to be this crazy?"

"Exactly, he's just a brat under twelve. He really thinks highly of himself."

"If you've got the guts, go up and try it yourself? He's a Soul Ancestor powerhouse, you aren't even a Soul Elder, are you?"

On the arena, Ling Feng wore black robes, his posture upright as he faced the siege of three Soul Elders simultaneously.

His gaze was sharp, his footwork unpredictable. He dodged a soul skill attack from one, then turned sideways to throw a punch, a phantom of a White Tiger condensed from soul power roaring as it slammed into another.

"Bang!"

"Ah!"

In just a few moves, all three Soul Elders were blasted off the arena by him, falling to the ground in a sorry state.

"Wow! Junior Ling Feng is so amazing!"

"Too handsome! Is this the strength of Junior Ling Feng?"

"I knew Junior Ling Feng would definitely win!"

The little fan girls in the stands exploded instantly, their screams nearly piercing eardrums. Many were so excited they stood up, pushing forward desperately.

Ling Feng stood in the center of the arena, his breathing steady and his face expressionless. His gaze swept across the crowd below, and he said indifferently, "Is there anyone else coming up to challenge me?"

In a corner of the stands, Xie Yue looked at the radiant Ling Feng on the arena and smiled at Hu Liena beside him: "Little sister, Ling Feng is truly popular."

Hu Liena rested her chin on her hand, her eyes flashing with envy and hesitation: "Yes, Brother Ling Feng is not even twelve yet, and he is already a Soul Ancestor powerhouse. I am only a Soul Elder right now."

She gently covered her reddening cheeks, her voice as soft as a mosquito's hum, "Brother Ling Feng is so outstanding, and Brother Ye Fan seems to be a bit different toward me too, and Brother Li Taibai as well... it is truly so hard to choose."

Yan, standing to the side, felt his gaze dim slightly, and he subconsciously clenched his fists.

The gap between him and Ling Feng was growing ever wider. The unspoken feelings in his heart could only be buried deep, without even the qualification to be expressed.

"Who else is coming up to challenge?" Ling Feng spoke again.

"How about I come?"

A clear, bright voice rang out. The crowd followed the sound and saw a youth leap up, landing on the arena as lightly as a feather. It was none other than Li Taibai.

The wine gourd at his waist swayed gently, carrying a sense of ease.

"Look! It's Li Taibai!"

"Twin Martial Souls, Sword Immortal Li Taibai! One of the Martial Soul Hall Trio, a genius as famous as Ling Feng!"

"Now we have a good show to watch! A duel between two great geniuses, I'm so looking forward to it!"

The crowd instantly boiled over, the wave of discussion even louder than before.

"Li Taibai, I love you!" A bold senior student stood in the stands and shouted at the top of her lungs.

A burst of laughter erupted nearby, and many people whistled, the atmosphere becoming even more heated.

Seeing this, Ling Feng pushed his soul power to the limit, his eyes fixed vigilantly on Li Taibai: "Li Taibai, you want to have a match with me?"

Li Taibai merely waved his hand, laughing, "I won't fight you; you can't beat me anyway."

"Pah, you shameless thing!" Ling Feng's face darkened as he glared at him. "If you have the guts, put down that wine and let's have a fair fight!"

"On what grounds? Because your face is thick enough to block a blow?" Li Taibai raised an eyebrow and pointed to the Sword Immortal Wine Gourd at his waist.

"The Sword Immortal Wine Gourd is my Martial Soul. If you won't let me use it, then you shouldn't use your White Tiger Martial Soul either."

His Martial Soul was extremely unique; he could use two Martial Souls simultaneously, unlike Bibi Dong or Tang San, who could only utilize one at a time.

"Then don't use the Green Lotus Sword either! Let's have a proper, honorable duel!" Ling Feng refused to yield an inch.

"Do you have any shame left?" Li Taibai scoffed. "You have a Beast Martial Soul and I have a Tool Martial Soul. Your physical stats are higher than mine; do you expect me to fight without my Martial Soul just so you can beat me up?"

His gaze was filled with disdain; clearly, he did not hold Ling Feng in high regard.

Ling Feng frowned and asked, "What is your purpose here? You didn't really come just to pick a fight with me, did you?"

This guy usually preferred staying in the Worship Hall. Even when the three of them sparred, he rarely came to the Martial Soul Academy. Why had he suddenly shown up today?

Li Taibai set aside his playful expression and said indifferently, "The true master of Martial Soul Hall, the real soul-generation heir, has returned."

"Her?" A flash of surprise crossed Ling Feng's eyes. "Who is she?"

"Martial Soul Hall, Qian Renxue." Li Taibai spat out the six characters.

Ling Feng's pupils constricted, his expression turning grave. "What is she back for?"

Over the years, he, Li Taibai, and Ye Fan had been locked in a subtle struggle, each vaguely guessing that the others were transmigrators. They were all very familiar with the Douluo Continent, yet no one had ever broken the silence, nor did they know what the others' "golden fingers" were.

This delicate balance had allowed them to coexist peacefully without interfering with one another.

Naturally, he knew the name Qian Renxue.

"Who knows?" Li Taibai shrugged. "She told me to summon you all."

Ling Feng remained silent for a moment, dissipating the soul power around his body, his tone returning to calm. "Let's go. It is indeed time to meet her."

The two walked off the arena together, leaving behind a crowd of bewildered spectators.

"What's going on? Why did they stop fighting?"

"No idea. Who is this Qian Renxue they mentioned?"

"Never heard of her. Is she that impressive?"

The crowd murmured, their faces full of confusion, yet they consciously cleared a path for the two—anyone who could command the attention of both Ling Feng and Li Taibai was certainly no ordinary person.

Reaching the edge of the stands, Li Taibai stopped and looked toward Xie Yue, Hu Liena, and Yan. "Nana, Xie Yue, Yan, you come too. You are also among those she wishes to see."

A flash of surprise crossed Xie Yue's eyes, then he nodded. "Fine."

Yan remained expressionless, silently following behind.

Hu Liena, however, pouted, her face full of dissatisfaction. "Brother Taibai, who is Qian Renxue? Why is she calling for us?"

"If she wants to see us, why didn't she come herself?" She was the Pope's disciple, a person of noble status; when had she ever been treated like this?

Li Taibai looked back at her, his tone stern. "Nana, you will understand in a moment. Remember, do not offend her. Otherwise, even the Pope won't be able to protect you."

Hu Liena was startled by his serious tone. The dissatisfaction on her face vanished instantly, replaced by trepidation. "Is, is she that powerful? Whose disciple is she?"

Li Taibai did not answer, merely quickening his pace.