Qian Daoliu's Invitation

"Innate Full Soul Power!"

The crystal ball, saturated with soul power, shone with a brilliant light, reflecting the shock on the faces of Mi An and Dean He.

After a long while, Mi An finally regained his composure. He stepped forward and grabbed Lin Beiya's arm, his eyes filled with excitement.

He was no mere ignoramus from a remote branch hall; having received a proper education in Martial Soul City, he understood that Lin Beiya's martial soul was definitely not simple. Although he did not yet know what use a stone carving could have as a martial soul, it was an indisputable fact that innate soul power was linked to the strength of one's martial soul.

Taking Lin Beiya to the Spirit Academy to receive a better education was the most urgent task he needed to accomplish.

Firstly, it was to build a good relationship with a child whose talent was so visibly apparent, and secondly, it was for the sake of his own performance record.

"Child, what is your name?"

"Lin Beiya."

Pulled back to reality by Mi An's question, Lin Beiya smiled and introduced himself.

"A genius with Innate Full Soul Power is a rare find even in a decade. After you go back to the orphanage to pack your things, you can come with me to report to the Spirit Academy."

"Many thanks, Deacon Mi. I shall return shortly."

With Mi An's nod of approval, Lin Beiya returned to the side of Shi Nuo, whose excitement now even surpassed his own.

"That's great, Beiya! Innate Full Soul Power! Our North City Orphanage has never seen a genius like this before!"

"Haha, we can go report to the Spirit Academy together now."

"Right, if we go together, we can look out for each other!"

Lin Beiya did not refuse to join the Spirit Academy just because the Martial Soul Hall would be destroyed by Tang San years later. For one, he had indeed benefited from the Martial Soul Hall's charity over these six years. Secondly, having awakened Innate Full Soul Power right under their noses, if he were to turn around and refuse to join, did he think Qian Xunji couldn't lift a blade?

That's right, the current Pope of the Martial Soul Hall was still Qian Xunji; Lin Beiya had gathered this through side inquiries to the Dean. As for the future Pope, Bibi Dong, she was currently the Saintess and had reportedly been out of the public eye for many years.

From this information, Lin Beiya could roughly deduce that the timeline was in the late stages of the "Secret Room" incident, and their "God King Tang" should still be in Shu, secretly learning the techniques of the Tang Sect.

Even if the "Great Hammer Strikes the Pope" event were to break out this year, he could still confirm that he was six years older than Tang San.

Now that he had awakened the Athena Divine Cloth as his martial soul and had plenty of time to lay his plans, he certainly wouldn't fear God King Tang.

While Lin Beiya was talking with the chubby boy, Dean He, after exchanging a few words with Mi An, slowly walked over to the two of them.

"Beiya, and Shi Nuo, starting tomorrow, you two will report to the Spirit Academy."

"Understood, Dean!"

Watching the two children he had raised head toward a bright future, the corners of Dean He's mouth curled into a smile involuntarily.

"The North City Orphanage will be proud of you. Don't forget the orphanage once you've made something of yourselves."

"Rest assured, we won't."

"That's right, Dean. We will come to visit you often."

Facing the orphanage dean who had raised them, both Lin Beiya and Shi Nuo felt genuine respect from the bottom of their hearts. This old man was not as utilitarian as he claimed; he treated every child with sincerity, aiming to cultivate talent for the Martial Soul Hall.

In fact, when he noticed that Lin Beiya and Shi Nuo were not fitting in with the other children, the old man had put a lot of effort into trying to help them integrate, though the two had no interest in it, so it eventually faded away. Furthermore, he had never been stingy with their food or clothing.

The two had seen all of this, so they felt no resistance at all toward helping the orphanage as much as they could once they became successful.

"Mm, you are both good children. The Dean believes you will become top-tier powerhouses."

Just as Dean He was preparing to take the two back to the orphanage to pack their luggage, a golden figure suddenly appeared in the side hall. His gaze was fixed directly on the three of them—or more accurately, the old man's gaze was fixed directly on Lin Beiya.

The newcomer was none other than Qian Daoliu, the former Pope of the Martial Soul Hall, who had vanished from before the Angel Statue. Sensing that the martial soul Lin Beiya had awakened could resonate with the Angel Statue, Qian Daoliu had rushed to the awakening site immediately.

Because he had rarely appeared in recent years, low-level deacons like Mi An did not recognize him, but judging by his attire, he clearly belonged to the upper echelons of the Martial Soul Hall.

"My lord, may I ask what brings you here? This child awakened a stone carving martial soul, but he possesses Innate Full Soul Power, so I intend to send him to the Spirit Academy to study."

"A stone carving?"

Hearing Mi An's words, Qian Daoliu frowned deeply. He truly could not understand how a martial soul like a stone carving could resonate with the Angel God.

After a long while, Qian Daoliu decided to take Lin Beiya with him. He had not felt the calling of the Angel God for a long time, and now that there was finally some movement, he had to try something, no matter what.

He pulled out a token unique to the Douluo Hall and held it before Mi An, causing the deacon's pupils to shrink as he became even more respectful.

"Greetings, Great Elder. Do you intend for this child to join the Worship Hall?"

"Mm, leave this child to me. You go attend to your other duties."

"Yes, my lord!"

Lin Beiya also had a rough idea of the situation. With Mi An calling him "Great Elder," he understood the identity of the person before him.

However, Shi Nuo, seeing that the two had changed his best friend's life trajectory in just a few sentences, felt a sudden surge of anxiety. He still wanted to go to school with Lin Beiya!

"Um... my lord, does this mean Beiya can't go to school anymore?"

As Shi Nuo spoke, both Mi An and Dean He signaled him with their eyes, warning him not to offend this person.

But a child didn't care about such things; his gaze remained fixed on the old man before him.

Fortunately, Qian Daoliu did not intend to bicker with a child. He revealed a kind smile and patted the little chubby boy's head.

"Rest assured, child. Even if he joins the Worship Hall, it does not mean he will stop attending the Spirit Academy. He will simply receive a better education, which is a good thing for your friend."

Hearing this, Shi Nuo let out a sigh of relief and turned his head excitedly toward Lin Beiya once more.

"Beiya, did you hear that? This lord intends to cultivate you well!"

"I understand. You should head home with the Dean to pack your things, and pack my luggage as well. I will be leaving with this lord first."

"Very well, we shall meet at Spirit Academy then!"

Watching Dean He lead Shi Nuo away, Lin Beiya turned to meet the gaze of Qian Daoliu.

"Your name is Lin Beiya, correct?"

"Yes, Beiya pays his respects to the Great High Priest!"

Seeing that the child was uncommonly well-mannered, Qian Daoliu nodded in satisfaction before stating his purpose.

"Your spirit is quite unique; would you be willing to accompany me to Douluo Hall?"

"I am willing."

Without a second of hesitation, Lin Beiya immediately nodded to accept Qian Daoliu's invitation. Staying at Douluo Hall was far better than being discovered by Qian Xunji and Bibi Dong in the future; after all, one of them was destined not to live long, while the other was filled with nothing but hatred.

By comparison, Qian Daoliu was far more normal.

"Hmm, then come with me."

Following Qian Daoliu out of the side hall, the old man and the young boy walked slowly toward Douluo Hall, which was located on the back mountain.

I wonder how old that little blondie is now, and if I might run into him on this trip.

Thinking of that "angel investor," Lin Beiya felt his interest piqued, and at the same time, he began to look forward to his own future.