Bibi Dong let out a sigh of relief.
She tiptoed over.
Only when she had reached Lin Qiu's back did she crouch down.
She wrapped both arms around him from behind and hugged him tightly.
Her soft, delicate body pressed against Lin Qiu's back.
It carried a reassuring warmth.
Lin Qiu slowly opened his eyes.
He was not startled. He merely turned his head and rubbed his cheek against Bibi Dong's.
"What's wrong?"
"Are you feeling down?"
Bibi Dong rested her chin on his shoulder.
Her voice was muffled.
"No."
"I just wanted to hug you."
She paused, then spoke softly again:
"Don't take those things people said outside to heart."
"They're just a bunch of fools."
"As long as I'm here, no one will dare disrespect you."
"Even if you never cultivate in your entire life, you'll always be the son I, Bibi Dong, am proudest of."
Lin Qiu heard the worry and protectiveness in her voice.
He turned around.
He faced Bibi Dong.
He looked into those violet eyes, full of concern.
Lin Qiu smiled.
His smile was radiant and confident.
"Mom, don't worry."
"I'm not holding back from awakening because I'm afraid."
"I'm waiting for the right moment."
"Now..."
Lin Qiu looked out the window.
A sharp glint flashed in his eyes.
"The moment has come."
Bibi Dong looked at the certainty in his eyes. For some reason, the unease in her heart vanished in an instant.
She chose to believe him without reservation.
"Good."
"Whatever you want to do, Mom will support you."
Early that morning.
That long-absent mechanical voice rang out in Lin Qiu's mind.
[ DING! ] [ Congratulations, host. The survival mission has been completed. ] [ Mission reward: ??? (unclaimed) ] [ Claim requirement: Awaken your Martial Soul immediately. The reward will automatically merge into the awakening process. ]
It had finally come.
Lin Qiu sprang out of bed.
He loosened up his limbs.
Crackling pops rang out from all over his body.
After lying low for half a year.
It was time to reclaim what belonged to him.
Every year, Spirit Hall awakened disciples in several batches. They did not hold awakenings just once a year.
He remembered that today was the day this batch of Spirit Hall's elite disciples awakened their Martial Souls.
Perfect.
He might as well join the excitement.
Spirit Hall, Awakening Hall.
It was especially lively today.
Dozens of six-year-old children stood in neat lines, waiting for their fate to be decided.
At the top of the hall.
Bibi Dong sat on the Pope's throne, her expression imposing.
Several elders and consecrated elders sat on either side of her.
Though they did not always see eye to eye, they still showed up in force for an important matter that concerned Spirit Hall's future.
"Next, Hu Liena."
The Cardinal in charge of the awakenings called out loudly.
A short-haired little girl stepped forward.
She was adorable, with delicate features like a carved doll.
Yet her brows held an innate charm.
She walked to the center of the awakening formation.
As Soul Power flowed into it.
A scarlet Demon Fox phantom appeared behind her.
At the same time.
The test crystal ball blazed with dazzling light.
"Martial Soul: Demon Fox."
"Innate Soul Power: ninth rank!"
The Cardinal's voice trembled with excitement.
The hall erupted.
Ninth-rank Innate Soul Power!
She was a top-tier genius, second only to those with Innate Full Soul Power!
As long as she did not fall along the way, she was sure to become a Titled Douluo one day!
The elders seated above all nodded, satisfied smiles appearing on their faces.
"Excellent. She's a fine prospect."
"Looks like another future leader has emerged from this generation."
"Give her a good upbringing, and she'll achieve great things."
Hu Liena listened to the praise around her, her little face flushed with excitement.
Like a proud little peacock, she held her head high as she stepped down from the Awakening Platform.
Just then.
A sudden commotion came from the entrance to the hall.
The noisy crowd instinctively parted to make way.
A little boy in a white martial arts uniform strolled in with his hands in his pockets.
It was Lin Qiu.
The moment he appeared.
The atmosphere in the hall turned strange.
The murmurs died down at once, becoming hushed whispers instead.
"Why is he here?"
"Didn't they say he was afraid to awaken?"
"He's put it off for half a year. What, has he finally changed his mind?"
"Please. He's probably been pushed into it. If he doesn't awaken now, he'll really become a laughingstock."
The elders and consecrated elders frowned slightly when they saw Lin Qiu.
They clearly did not think much of him.
Only Bibi Dong.
Her usually cool gaze softened the instant she saw Lin Qiu.
She leaned forward slightly.
As if ready to rise at any moment.
Though Lin Qiu had told her he was confident, as his mother, she could not help feeling nervous now that the moment had arrived.
She had even prepared herself.
If the awakening went poorly, anyone who showed even the slightest hint of mockery would be thrown out by her on the spot.
Lin Qiu ignored the varied gazes around him.
He walked straight toward the Awakening Platform.
As he passed Hu Liena.
Hu Liena curiously sized up this legendary "Pope's adopted son."
She had seen him from a distance a few times before, but this was her first time meeting him so close.
He was... really good-looking.
Better-looking than any boy she had ever seen.
His eyes sparkled as if they held stars.
Hu Liena was a sucker for pretty faces.
The moment she saw such a handsome little boy, her fondness for him shot up.
She worked up her nerve and leaned over to whisper:
"Hey."
"You're Lin Qiu, right?"
"Don't be scared."
"I just awakened ninth-rank Innate Soul Power!"
"If anyone ever bullies you, just tell them my name."
"Big Sis Nana will protect you."
As she spoke, she even puffed out her still-flat chest with great seriousness.
She looked every bit the big sister.
Lin Qiu stopped.
He looked at the little girl with amusement.
The future Holy Maiden of Spirit Hall was still a kindhearted little airhead.
"Sure."
"Then I'll thank you in advance, Big Sis Nana."
Lin Qiu winked at her.
Hu Liena felt her heart skip a beat.
That little boy's smile was way too unfair.
Lin Qiu did not linger.
He stepped onto the Awakening Platform.
He stood in the middle of the six black Awakening Stones.
"Let's begin."
He spoke to the Cardinal, who was still somewhat dazed.
The Cardinal came to his senses and instinctively glanced at Bibi Dong.
Only after the Pope gave a slight nod did he dare to proceed.
"Clear your mind and steady your breathing."
"Focus and feel it."
As Soul Power flowed into the formation, six beams of golden light enveloped Lin Qiu.
Every gaze in the hall fixed on him.
Some were expectant, some mocking, some indifferent.
Lin Qiu closed his eyes.
He silently said in his heart:
"System, claim the reward."
Boom!
At that very moment.
A terrifying surge, impossible to describe, burst out from Lin Qiu's body.
It wasn't Soul Power.
It was an aura far more ancient, far more vast.
It was as if a god who had slumbered for countless eons was slowly awakening.
Crack!
The Awakening Stone beneath his feet couldn't withstand this pressure and split open, fissures spreading across it.
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