Greetings, Grand Consecrated Elder

Seeing Guangling Douluo being reprimanded by Qing Luan Douluo, the First Worship Qian Daoliu smiled faintly before flipping open the file in his hands.

As he read page by page, the astonishment in Qian Daoliu's eyes grew increasingly profound.

Just as he finished one page and reached to turn to the next, a slender palm suddenly pressed down upon the documents.

"Wait, I still need to see the last line."

"Guangling!"

The sharp reprimand of Qing Luan Douluo rang in Qian Daoliu's ears.

It turned out that while Qian Daoliu was reviewing the profile of Zhang Yang, Guangling Douluo had crept over at some point, craning his neck to peek.

Qian Daoliu had naturally been aware of these little antics from Guangling Douluo.

However, Qian Xunji had always quite liked Guangling Douluo's lively and slightly mischievous personality.

One had to wonder, who exactly had come up with such a little rascal as Guangling Douluo?

"A long-range attack type martial soul; it seems this really can only be left to you."

With that, Qian Daoliu handed the materials in his hand over to Guangling Douluo.

"Hey, it seems I really can't shirk this one," Guangling Douluo said, spreading his hands and shaking his head in mock regret.

Guangling Douluo took the materials to the side to study them, while Qian Daoliu turned around, hands clasped behind his back.

Gazing at the statue before him, Qian Daoliu's thoughts were spinning rapidly.

He was speculating on what exactly Bibi Dong's intentions were in doing this.

Qian Daoliu pondered for a long time, until the sound of voices from Guangling Douluo's direction drew his attention.

"In my opinion, we should just find him a Thousand-Needle Porcupine."

Guangling Douluo sat on the conference table, half-joking, his two feet swinging back and forth.

In front of Guangling Douluo, Qing Luan Douluo sat upright in a chair, arms crossed over his chest, watching him with a calm expression.

To their left, a pair of twins—one sitting and one standing—were carefully examining the file.

They were the Sixth Worship of Martial Soul Hall, Thousand Jun Douluo, and the Seventh Worship, Falling Devil Douluo.

"...That kind of beast, once cornered by an enemy while fleeing, will instantly fire all the needles on its back."

"Wouldn't a soul skill like that be exactly what this kid wants? Heh heh."

Guangling Douluo chuckled to himself as he spoke, as if he had recalled something very amusing.

"Guangling, what kind of soul beast did you kill for your eighth soul skill: Endless Realm?"

Qing Luan Douluo asked.

"An Ice Crystal Snow Python, but that beast is an ice-attribute soul beast, and the weakest ones are ten-thousand-year soul beasts; it wouldn't be suitable."

Guangling Douluo braced himself against the table and said seriously, "Otherwise, we should still find him a Thousand-Needle Porcupine..."

"I remember there was one in the Star Dou Forest... or perhaps the one in the Jincheng Mountains..."

The Seventh Worship, Falling Devil Douluo, who was standing to the side, also spoke up.

"I think something other than a Thousand-Needle Porcupine would be better..."

"How about a Blue Flame Lion? That breath of flame he has..."

"Thousand-Needle..."

Seeing that Guangling Douluo and Falling Devil Douluo were descending into a pointless conversation, Qing Luan Douluo finally spoke up: "It is too early to consider these things; we haven't even met the person yet."

"!"

"(⊙o⊙)..."

Guangling Douluo and Falling Devil Douluo were instantly struck dumb.

That was true; they hadn't even met the person yet, so discussing soul beasts now was indeed being a bit too hasty.

"Such a gifted young soul master is indeed worth cultivating with care."

As Qing Luan Douluo said this, he turned to look at Qian Daoliu before the statue.

Seeing that Qian Daoliu gave no indication, he continued: "However, careful cultivation requires consuming a vast amount of resources. The Second Worship and the Fourth Worship are still in seclusion, so for the time being..."

"Then we'll just wait," Guangling Douluo said nonchalantly. "We've already delayed for a month, so another month doesn't matter. Besides, not having a soul ring doesn't stop him from continuing his cultivation."

Seeing that the usually silent Thousand Jun Douluo did not object, Qing Luan Douluo nodded. "Then it is settled."

And so, Zhang Yang's soul-hunting mission was forced to be postponed.

It wasn't until June 1st, when Zhang Yang was planning to take a day off to enjoy a happy Children's Day in Martial Soul City, that Teacher Dewey brought him a message.

"The Education Committee wants to see you."

Zhang Yang asked in surprise, "Is it about my soul-hunting mission?"

When Zhang Yang arrived at the Education Committee, the neatly dressed members of the committee also brought him a piece of news.

"The Great Consecrated Elder wishes to see you."

"Eh?"

Just like that, a bewildered Zhang Yang was brought to the Elder Hall.

"By the order of the Great Consecrated Elder, Martial Soul Hall Academy student Zhang Yang has been brought here."

The committee member bowed respectfully to the line of hall guards standing at the entrance of the Elder Hall.

As the saying goes, even a gatekeeper at a prime minister's residence holds a seventh-rank position; even as a Spirit Douluo, the committee member had to be respectful when facing these Spirit King-level guards who watched the door for the elders.

Soon, the guard who had gone inside to report returned, his voice cold and stern: "Zhang Yang may enter."

Hearing this, the committee member immediately nudged Zhang Yang: "Go on."

Zhang Yang followed the guard and walked into the Elder Hall.

Upon entering the hall, Zhang Yang saw the golden Six-Winged Angel statue from a distance.

But what caught his attention even more were the seven people surrounding the statue.

Some were two meters tall with knotted muscles, robust as tigers, while others looked like youths with well-proportioned builds and an aura of chilling frost.

They sat or stood, their expressions ranging from indifferent to grinning, each with a different posture.

But without a doubt, they were all watching Zhang Yang's every move.

Stopping fifty meters from the steps, the guard bowed and said, "Reporting to the Great Consecrated Elder, Zhang Yang has been brought here."

Zhang Yang hurriedly saluted: "Greetings, Great Consecrated Elder, greetings, esteemed elders."

On the way here, the committee member had repeatedly urged Zhang Yang to mind his manners, telling him to address everyone as an elder if others were present.

"Don't be afraid of getting it wrong. You're still young; the elders won't blame you if you make a mistake."

That was what the committee member had said.

"Hmm."

Qian Daoliu, the only one among the seven with his back to Zhang Yang, gave a soft grunt, and the guard retreated obediently from the Elder Hall.

Turning around, Qian Daoliu looked at Zhang Yang below the dais, a flash of surprise in his eyes.

Words are, after all, just words; when Qian Daoliu saw Zhang Yang in person, he was still surprised by his youth.

Qian Daoliu's voice was gentle and magnetic: "It is hard to imagine that such a young child already possesses level 40 spirit power."

He clasped his hands behind his back, his expression calm: "Do you know why you were summoned?"

"In reply to the Great Consecrated Elder, Zhang Yang does not know," Zhang Yang said, cupping his hands.

Qian Daoliu spoke in a flat tone: "Because the Pope has handed you over to me. From now on, you belong to my Elder Hall."

Zhang Yang was stunned, pointing at himself in disbelief: "Me? Become an elder?"

Qian Daoliu's expression stiffened, and Golden Crocodile Douluo, who had been resting with his eyes closed, twitched the corner of his mouth.

As for Guangling Douluo, he couldn't hold back and burst into laughter upon hearing this.

"Pfft... hahahaha, become an elder? Hahaha, Great Consecrated Elder, this child is too interesting."

Guangling Douluo clutched his stomach, laughing until he doubled over, while Qing Luan Douluo gave him a helpless look: "Guangling."

"Oh, oh, sorry, sorry." Guangling Douluo immediately covered his mouth.

Zhang Yang's expression was awkward, and he lowered his finger.

Zhang Yang knew he had misunderstood, but he couldn't help it—who told the Great Consecrated Elder Qian Daoliu to phrase it so ambiguously?

Seeing that Guangling Douluo had quieted down, Qing Luan Douluo turned back to look at Zhang Yang: "It means you are to become a member of the Elder Hall, not that you are to become an elder."

"Oh, yes, Zhang Yang understands," Zhang Yang said, cupping his hands.

"Hmm." Qing Luan Douluo nodded in satisfaction.

Qian Daoliu spoke again: "However, the Elder Hall has historically only accepted Title Douluo."

"Although the Pope has issued an order, rules are rules."

"Therefore, if you wish to gain the recognition of the elders here, you must prove that you have the potential to become a Title Douluo."

"Of course, before that, there is one more matter that needs to be resolved. Guangling."