Ling Feng's Popularity

"Xiao Xue, what is the content of your First Trial?" Qian Daoliu asked, looking at his granddaughter.

As the Angel God's high priest, he had no permission to inspect the contents of Qian Renxue's Divine Examination at all. He couldn't help wondering whether he was even a real high priest.

Qian Renxue was rolling her wrists. At his question, she answered casually, "My First Trial is to become a Soul Saint within five years."

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

"You're only at level twenty-eight right now. You have to gain forty-two levels in five years. The difficulty... is no ordinary challenge."

The higher a Soul Master's level, the more Soul Power it took to advance by each level. Going from level twenty-eight to level seventy in five years was simply an impossible dream.

Qian Renxue turned around, put her hands on her hips, and arched a brow at him, brimming with confidence. "Grandpa, do you really have so little faith in me?"

As she spoke, she even deliberately puffed out her chest, her Soul Power rippling faintly around her.

Qian Daoliu chuckled at her antics and shook his head. "Silly girl, how could Grandpa lack faith in you? It's just that the requirements of this Divine Examination are so harsh. I'm worried you'll be under too much pressure."

He reached out and patted Qian Renxue's head, his voice gentle. "If you really manage it, you'll be the fastest cultivator in the history of the Angel Clan, enough to go down in the history books."

(The fastest Soul Power progression, regardless of age)

"Of course I will." Qian Renxue lifted her chin proudly, then leaned closer to Qian Daoliu with a cheeky grin. "Grandpa, don't worry. Even if I can't do it on my own, I still have my master, right? My master is so powerful, he'll definitely help me."

Qian Daoliu's heart stirred at her words.

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

He smiled and shook his head, saying nothing more.

Half an hour later

Martial Soul Academy, Martial Arts Arena.

Below the ring, a sea of people roiled, packed shoulder to shoulder. 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 girls in academy uniforms waved their arms, their cheeks flushed and their eyes shining with adoration. They made no attempt to hide their infatuation with the figure on the ring.

Seeing them, the boys nearby curled their lips, their voices tinged with jealousy. "Tch, he's only won a few matches. Is all this really necessary?"

"Exactly. He's just a kid who hasn't even turned twelve, and he thinks he's so important."

"Then go up there and try him yourself! He's a Soul Ancestor. You're not even a Soul Elder, are you?"

On the ring, Ling Feng wore black and stood tall, facing three Soul Elders at once.

His gaze was sharp. His footsteps shifted unpredictably as he dodged one opponent's Soul Skill, then turned and drove out a punch. A White Tiger phantom formed from Soul Power roared as it slammed into another.

"Bang!"

"Ah!"

After just a few moves, he knocked all three Soul Elders off the ring. They hit the ground in a sorry heap.

"Wow! Junior Ling Feng is amazing!"

"So handsome! Is this junior Ling Feng's true strength?"

"I knew junior Ling Feng would win!"

The little fangirls in the stands erupted. Their shrieks nearly pierced everyone's eardrums, and many even jumped to their feet, desperately pushing their way forward.

Ling Feng stood in the middle of the ring, his breathing steady and his face expressionless. He swept his gaze over the crowd and said calmly, "Anyone else want to challenge me?"

In a corner of the stands, Xie Yue watched Ling Feng, radiant atop the ring, and smiled at Hu Liena beside him. "Little sister, Ling Feng really is popular."

Hu Liena propped up her chin, her eyes shining with envy and indecision. "Yeah. Ling Feng's not even twelve, but he's already a Soul Ancestor. I'm only a Soul Elder."

She gently covered her flushed cheek, her voice barely louder than a mosquito's buzz. "Ling Feng is so amazing, and Ye Fan seems to treat me a little differently too. Taibai as well... It's so hard to choose."

Yan's eyes dimmed a little at her words, and he unconsciously clenched his fists.

The gap between him and Ling Feng kept growing. He could only bury the feelings he dared not voice deep in his heart, without even the right to let them show.

"Anyone else want to challenge me?" Ling Feng asked again.

"I'll do it. How about that?"

A clear voice rang out. Everyone turned to look, only to see a boy leap up and land on the ring as lightly as a feather. It was Li Taibai.

The wine gourd at her waist swayed gently, lending him a carefree air.

"Look! It's Li Taibai!"

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

"This is going to be good! Two great geniuses facing off. I can't wait!"

The crowd erupted, their murmurs surging even louder than before.

"Li Taibai, I love you!" a bold upperclasswoman shouted at the top of her lungs from the stands.

Laughter broke out around her, and plenty of people whistled. The atmosphere grew even more lively.

Seeing this, Ling Feng immediately pushed his Soul Power to its limit and fixed a wary gaze on Li Taibai. "Li Taibai, are you going to fight me?"

Li Taibai waved a hand and smiled. "I'm not fighting you. You can't beat me anyway."

"Bah, you shameless bastard!" Ling Feng's face darkened as he glared at her. "If you've got the guts, put down the wine and let's have a fair fight!"

"What for? Because your face is big?" Li Taibai raised an eyebrow and pointed to the wine gourd at her waist.

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

Her Martial Souls were extremely unusual. She could use both at once, unlike Bibi Dong and Tang San, who could only use one at a time.

"Then don't use your Green Lotus Sword either. Let's fight fair and square!" Ling Feng refused to back down.

"Do you have no shame?" Li Taibai scoffed. "You have a Beast Martial Soul, and I have a Tool Martial Soul. Your body's stronger than mine. If I don't use my Martial Soul, am I supposed to just stand here and let you beat me up?"

Her gaze was scornful. Clearly, she didn't take Ling Feng seriously.

Ling Feng frowned and asked, "Why are you here? You didn't really come looking for a fight, did you?"

This guy usually liked nothing more than staying in the Worship Hall. Even when the three of them sparred, she rarely came to Martial Soul Academy. Why had he suddenly shown up today?

Li Taibai's playful expression faded. "The real master of Spirit Hall, a true Soul N-generation, is back."

"She?" A flicker of surprise crossed Ling Feng's eyes. "Who is she?"

"Spirit Hall's Qian Renxue." Li Taibai spoke the six characters.

Ling Feng's pupils contracted, and his expression turned grave. "What did she come back for?"

Over the years, she and Li Taibai, along with Ye Fan, had competed openly and covertly. They had all vaguely guessed that the others were transmigrators, and they were all familiar with Douluo Continent. None of them had ever said it aloud, and none knew what the others' cheat abilities were.

This delicate balance had kept them at peace, each leaving the others alone.

Of course, she knew the name Qian Renxue.

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

Ling Feng fell silent for a moment, then dispelled the Soul Power around him and returned to his calm tone. "Let's go. It's about time we met her."

The two of them walked off the ring together, leaving the audience stunned.

"What's going on? Why aren't they fighting?"

"No idea. Who's this Qian Renxue they mentioned?"

"Never heard of her. Is she powerful?"

Everyone buzzed with questions, faces full of confusion, but they still sensibly made way for the two. Anyone who could command the attention of both Ling Feng and Li Taibai was no ordinary person.

At the edge of the stands, Li Taibai stopped and looked at Xie Yue, Hu Liena, and Yan. "Nana, Xie Yue, Yan, you're coming too. She wants to see you as well."

A flicker of surprise crossed Xie Yue's eyes, then he nodded. "All right."

Yan showed little expression and silently followed.

Hu Liena, however, pouted, her face full of displeasure. "Taibai, who's Qian Renxue? Why does she want to see us?"

"If she wants to meet us, why doesn'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 glanced back at her, his tone serious. "Nana, you'll understand in a moment. Remember, don't offend her. Otherwise, even the Pope won't be able to protect you."

Li Taibai's serious tone startled Hu Liena. Her displeasure vanished, replaced by unease. "I-is she powerful? Whose disciple is she?"

Li Taibai didn't answer. He only quickened his pace.