Inside the luxurious bedchamber, on a massive bed made from the hide of a Thousand Year Thunderstorm Demon Bear,
Su Zhen slowly opened his eyes. The sharp pain coursing through his body made him suck in a breath.
"Someone, bring me a cup of water."
Su Zhen's hoarse voice came from his throat. After lying unconscious for so long, he felt as if his body were about to fall apart.
The maid serving outside brought him a cup of Blue Silver Grass flower dew at once. Su Zhen took it and tipped his head back to gulp it down, only then feeling as though he had come back to himself.
"How long was I asleep?"
Su Zhen rubbed his aching temples and asked.
"Replying to Young Master, you slept for three hours."
"That long? Didn't my teacher send a Healing System Soul Master to treat me?"
"The Great Enshrined said you should go see him yourself."
"Where is my teacher?"
"The Great Enshrined is waiting for you in the Worship Hall."
With the maid's help, Su Zhen quickly dressed and headed out toward the Worship Hall.
Pushing open the doors, Su Zhen immediately spotted Qian Daoliu standing beneath the Angel God Statue.
"Teacher, I'm here."
Su Zhen came before Qian Daoliu and called out softly.
"Xiao Zhen, are you wondering why I didn't find a Healing System Soul Master to treat your injuries?"
"Please enlighten me, Teacher."
"Over these past few years in the Worship Hall, whenever you were injured, you always sought out a Healing System Soul Master. That has made your body dependent on them. If one day you had no Healing System Soul Master by your side, how long would it take your body to recover to its peak?"
Qian Daoliu's explanation startled Su Zhen. He had never considered that possibility.
"Thank you for clearing that up, Teacher. From now on, I'll try to rely less on Healing System Soul Masters."
"Good. Just remember that."
"Yesterday, you gained the upper hand in your duel with Lion. After reaching a unanimous decision, we enshrined elders have approved your plan to go out and gain experience."
Qian Daoliu turned the conversation to yesterday's duel and announced the final decision regarding Su Zhen's excursion.
"Wonderful! Thank you, Teacher, and thank you to all the grandfathers for understanding."
Su Zhen was genuinely delighted by the news. At last, he could go out and carry out some of the plans he had in mind.
"However, considering how important you are to Spirit Hall, we'll send a Titled Douluo and two Soul Douluos to accompany you on your journey and protect you. Of course, they won't intervene unless your life is in danger."
"I'll follow your arrangements, Teacher."
"Go on, then. Get ready for your trip. You'll leave tomorrow. Keeping you cooped up in the Worship Hall for so long must have driven you stir-crazy, right?"
"Yes, Teacher. I'll go prepare."
Su Zhen bowed respectfully and left the Worship Hall.
"I'm leaving soon. I should go see Little Fox."
Su Zhen descended the steps outside the Worship Hall and reached the complex of Spirit Hall buildings halfway down the mountain.
In front of the magnificent Pope Hall, Su Zhen found a Hall Guardian Knight and said to him,
"Go to Saintess Hall and tell the Saintess that Su Zhen is here. Ask her to come out and see me."
"Yes, sir!"
The Hall Guardian Knight bowed and headed toward the rear hall of Pope Hall. The young man before him was someone he couldn't afford to offend. The Kirin Embroidery on his robe proved that he was a core member of the Worship Hall. One word from him could cost the knight his job, even though he served Pope Hall.
Before long, a girl in a Bright Yellow Short Palace Dress came bouncing out.
As soon as the girl left Pope Hall, she spotted Su Zhen standing outside.
"Brother Zhen, you came to see me?"
"Of course, Na'er. It's been a long time since I came to see you. I had some free time today, so I thought I'd stop by."
Su Zhen looked at Hu Liena and smiled brightly.
Hu Liena had been discovered at the Spirit Hall Orphanage by the Awakening Martial Soul Deacon in charge of awakening martial souls during the second year after Qian Daoliu took Su Zhen to the Worship Hall. That very day, Pope Bibi Dong had taken her as a disciple.
Su Zhen had met her while on vacation, when he took Oscar shopping in Spirit City. They had clashed over a Hundred Year Deer Spirit Grass that could strengthen the body, and that was how they became acquainted. At first, the two had been at each other's throats. Even after exchanging introductions, neither would back down. It was only when Bibi Dong came and took Hu Liena away that the conflict ended in Su Zhen's victory.
Afterward, Su Zhen told Qian Daoliu about the incident, but Qian Daoliu said nothing. The very next day, however, Hu Liena ran to the Worship Hall alone to apologize. After that, they kept running into each other in all sorts of places around Spirit Hall, and gradually grew close.
Su Zhen had no idea why Bibi Dong had made her newly accepted disciple yield, but he could feel that Bibi Dong's influence within Spirit Hall had grown a little stronger afterward.
Perhaps it was a deal between the forces of the Worship Hall and Pope Hall.
"Na'er, I'm leaving Spirit Hall tomorrow."
"What? Brother Zhen, why are you suddenly leaving? Do you have some mission to carry out?"
Hu Liena's expression changed as soon as she heard Su Zhen was leaving. She asked anxiously.
"I'm going out to gain experience. I've been in the Worship Hall for a long time, so I want to see what Soul Masters outside are capable of."
"I see. So you came to see me today to say goodbye?"
"That's right. I'll be gone for quite a while, so you won't see me for a long time."
"Then you have to spend the whole day with me today, Brother Zhen. You can't refuse."
"Alright. I'll spend the day with you."
Hu Liena took Su Zhen by the arm and led him down the mountain. The two spent the whole day wandering around Spirit City before parting. After escorting Hu Liena to Pope Hall, Su Zhen headed back.
Hu Liena pushed open the doors of Pope Hall and walked inside. At the far end of the hall, a voluptuous woman in a purple robe sat on the papal throne.
"Xiao Na, has he gone back?"
The woman asked, her voice languid yet still commanding.
"Yes, Teacher. He left after walking me to the hall."
The woman was Bibi Dong, the current Pope of Spirit Hall and Hu Liena's teacher.
"You did well. Go on. I'll arrange another chance for you to meet him later."
"Yes, Teacher."
Hu Liena turned to leave. At that moment, she was a world apart from the girl who had stood before Su Zhen, her whole body radiating coldness.
Only Bibi Dong remained in the empty hall, leaning back in her chair.
"Heh, Su Zhen. I hope you and Xiao Na get along well. She's a surprise I've prepared for you."
Bibi Dong's casual voice echoed through the hall.
Su Zhen returned to his bedchamber and began packing. He put some healing medicine, dry rations, and clothes into his Soul Guidance Ring.
"This should be about enough. I hope I can get some things done on this trip."
Knock, knock, knock~
There was a knock at the door. Su Zhen went to open it, and Oscar appeared in his pajamas.
"Little Ao, it's so late. Why aren't you asleep? What are you doing here?"
Su Zhen asked in confusion.
"Brother Zhen, after I got back, I thought about it. I want to go with you."
"No, Little Ao. You're an auxiliary-type Soul Master. Staying in the Worship Hall and focusing on your cultivation is the best path for you."
Su Zhen firmly refused Oscar's request.
"But—"
"No buts. Now, go back to bed. Right now."
Su Zhen raised his voice, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"Alright, Brother Zhen. I'll go back now. Don't be angry."
Seeing that Su Zhen was getting angry, Oscar quickly turned and left, saying nothing more about going with him.
Su Zhen closed the door, returned to his bed, sat cross-legged, and began his cultivation for the night.
The night quietly slipped away as he cultivated.
Before you continue