Along the way, Lin Beiya gawked around like a country bumpkin visiting the Grand View Garden, curiously taking in all the unfamiliar sights. The angel statues scattered everywhere lent the whole journey a sacred air.
Qian Daoliu felt somewhat troubled. Lin Beiya had resonated with the Divine Statue of the War Goddess, so, logically, with his Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul, he should also have sensed that something about Lin Beiya was unusual.
But throughout the journey, Lin Beiya had seemed no different from an ordinary person.
"What on earth is going on? Could the Angel God's perception have been wrong? That can't be right..."
Even so, Qian Daoliu still planned to take Lin Beiya before the Angel Statue and try again. After all, it had been a long time since he had received a summons from the Angel God.
When they arrived at the Angel Temple, a sacred aura washed over them. The stone doors, carved with ancient reliefs, stood dozens of meters high and exerted a powerful pressure.
With a wave of Qian Daoliu's hand, the stone doors swung open.
"Go on in, child!"
"Okay."
Lin Beiya didn't hesitate. If the other man wanted to do something to him, there was nothing he could do to resist anyway.
Even without sunlight, the Angel Temple was not dim.
Colorful stained glass bathed the hall in scattered gold, while the light fell upon the enormous Angel Statue at its center, suffusing it with a sacred charm.
After bringing Lin Beiya before the statue, Qian Daoliu looked at him with hopeful eyes.
"Child, try summoning your Martial Soul."
"Okay."
Lin Beiya was a little puzzled about why Qian Daoliu wanted him to do this, but he didn't refuse.
He guessed that his Martial Soul must have triggered some unusual reaction from the Angel Statue, which was why Qian Daoliu took such an interest in him.
A flash of light appeared, and the stone statue of Athena materialized in Lin Beiya's hands. Throughout the process, Qian Daoliu watched him without blinking, afraid he might miss even the slightest detail.
Unfortunately, the old man, who had spent his entire life serving the Angel God, felt no stir from the Angel Statue this time.
"Ah, I must have lost my head, putting my hopes in a child who's only just awakened his Martial Soul."
"..."
Lin Beiya was at a loss for words. It seemed his guess had been right: when his Martial Soul awakened, it really had stirred the Angel Statue. But surely he couldn't be blamed for what was happening now.
He glanced tentatively at Qian Daoliu and asked timidly,
"Grand Pontiff, should I go back to the orphanage, pack my things, and report to Spirit Academy?"
At Lin Beiya's words, it was Qian Daoliu's turn to be speechless. The fact that Lin Beiya couldn't stir the Angel Statue now didn't mean he never would. Who knew what kind of power this never-before-seen Martial Soul might unleash after absorbing a Soul Ring?
Qian Daoliu had lived for a hundred years and had the patience to wait for Lin Beiya to grow.
"It's fine. You can stay in Douluo Hall. You can attend classes at Spirit Academy whenever you like. I'll let them know. You're also free to read any of the books in Spirit Hall."
With that, Qian Daoliu tossed Lin Beiya a token engraved with an angel.
Apparently not expecting the other man to let him stay after all, Lin Beiya fumbled to catch the token. After looking it over, he clasped his hands in a salute.
"Thank you, Grand Pontiff. I'll work hard at cultivating."
"Mm."
Whatever the case, Qian Daoliu planned to invest effort in cultivating him, which was good news for Lin Beiya. The least he could do was show some basic courtesy.
After Qian Daoliu ordered someone to arrange accommodations for Lin Beiya, their meeting came to an end.
Lin Beiya followed the maid step by step toward the side of the hall.
Beyond the hall lay a scene like a little garden. Flowers and birds were everywhere, lending a touch of life to the sacred atmosphere of Douluo Hall.
After saying goodbye to Qian Daoliu, Lin Beiya began to consider how to develop his Martial Soul. He didn't notice the small golden head peeking out from behind a shrub in the pavilion at the center of the garden.
"Sir Lin, as the Grand Pontiff instructed, you'll be staying here."
Everyone who lived in Douluo Hall was someone of importance. Even as a servant, the maid didn't dare slight a child like Lin Beiya. Her manners were exceptionally courteous, and she had clearly received a good education.
"Thank you. I hope we can get along."
"It's no trouble. If you need anything, Sir Lin, just let me know."
Once the maid had left, Lin Beiya pushed open the door and went inside without hesitation.
The bedroom and living room were combined in a single space, decorated in the European style of his previous life. The hundred-odd square meters might not have stood out in Spirit Hall, but for Lin Beiya, who had spent six years crammed into a communal bed at the orphanage, it was already quite nice.
After spending several hours getting used to the room's layout and furnishings, Lin Beiya's growling stomach urged him to go out and find something to eat.
Since this was a new environment, Lin Beiya decided to trouble the maid who had brought him here. This place wasn't like the North City Orphanage, where he could step outside, head into the woods, and hunt something to fill his stomach.
He turned and shut the door. Just as he was about to look for the maid, he found himself face-to-face with a pair of deep-blue eyes.
"Ah!!"
Startled by the suddenly appearing little face, Lin Beiya cried out and stumbled back several steps, slamming into his door with a bang.
"Y-you... are you human or a ghost? Why don't you make any noise when you walk?"
"You're the ghost! I was flying, of course I didn't make any footsteps!"
A crisp, slightly childish voice rang out, and only then did Lin Beiya get a proper look at the figure before him.
Her pure white dress fell from her flat chest to her calves, with patches of pale skin showing through its openings.
His gaze moved up to a delicate face. Golden hair fell over her shoulders, and a hairband patterned with a Six-Winged Angel adorned her forehead.
If he wasn't mistaken, this was the little golden-haired Qian Renxue he had been hoping to meet. Judging by her face, she seemed to be about his age.
At that moment, Lin Beiya had finally confirmed the timeline. He and Qian Renxue were the same age, which meant he was nearly nine years older than God King Tang. In other words, Tang San was still in Shu, secretly learning the Tang Sect Secret Arts.
"Hey, what are you staring at?"
"I asked you, who are you? Why did Grandpa bring you to stay in Douluo Hall?"
The haughty voice snapped Lin Beiya back to his senses, and he met Qian Renxue's eyes again. He hadn't expected the girl to be such a spoiled young miss as a child. With her hands on her hips, she looked ready to teach him a lesson if he didn't give her a proper explanation.
After thinking it over, Lin Beiya decided to tell the truth. There was nothing worth hiding, anyway.
"Uh, I'm Lin Beiya. I awakened my Martial Soul today, and it's the Statue of the War Goddess."
"As for why the Grand Pontiff had me move into Douluo Hall, I'm not really sure either."
Little Angel was clearly dissatisfied with Lin Beiya's answer. She pouted and snapped,
"Are you trying to brush me off? Believe me, I can make you regret it!"
"Tch."
Lin Beiya snickered inwardly. A punch from me would make this adorable little girl cry for ages, wouldn't it? We're both six and just awakened our Martial Souls. Who's afraid of whom? I even exercised regularly at the orphanage!
Lin Beiya was full of confidence that he could beat Little Angel—until the little golden-haired girl summoned her Angel Martial Soul and two yellow Soul Rings quietly rose into view. His smile froze on the spot.
Before you continue