Meeting the Grand Consecrated Elder

Seeing Guangling Douluo being scolded by Azure Luan Douluo, Grand Consecrated Elder Qian Daoliu smiled faintly, then opened the file in his hands.

As he read through it page by page, the astonishment in Qian Daoliu's eyes grew more and more pronounced.

After finishing the page, Qian Daoliu was just about to turn to the next when a slender hand suddenly pressed down on the file.

"Wait, I'm still on the last line."

"Guang Ling!"

Azure Luan Douluo's sharp rebuke rang in Qian Daoliu's ears.

As it turned out, while Qian Daoliu was reading Zhang Yang's file, Guangling Douluo had somehow edged closer and was sneaking a peek with his head stretched forward.

Qian Daoliu had naturally noticed Guangling Douluo's little antics.

It was just that Qian Xunji quite liked Guangling Douluo's lively, slightly mischievous personality.

Honestly, who had come up with the idea of Guangling Douluo, this little rascal?

"A long-range Martial Soul type. It seems you really are the only one who can handle him."

With that, Qian Daoliu handed the file to Guangling Douluo.

"Ah, looks like I really can't get out of it this time." Guangling Douluo spread his hands and shook his head with feigned regret.

Guangling Douluo took the file to the side to study it, while Qian Daoliu turned around and clasped his hands behind his back.

As he gazed at the statue before him, Qian Daoliu's thoughts raced.

He was trying to guess what Bibi Dong's intention was in doing this.

Qian Daoliu thought it over for a long time, until the conversation over by Guangling Douluo caught his attention.

"I say, why not find him a Thousand-Needle Porcupine?"

Guangling Douluo sat on the meeting table, joking around as his feet swung back and forth.

In front of Guangling Douluo, Azure Luan Douluo sat upright in a chair, arms folded across his chest, gazing at him with a calm expression.

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

They were the Spirit Hall's Sixth Consecrated Elder, Thousand Jun Douluo, and Seventh Consecrated Elder, Falling Devil Douluo.

"...When that beast is fleeing, the moment an enemy closes in, it shoots out all the spikes on its back in an instant."

"Wouldn't a Soul Skill like that be just what this kid wants? Heh heh."

Guangling Douluo laughed at his own suggestion, as if he'd just thought of something hilarious.

"Guang Ling, what kind of Soul Beast did you kill for your eighth Soul Skill, [Endless Realm]?"

Azure Luan Douluo asked.

"The Ice Crystal Snow Python. But that beast is an ice-type Soul Beast, and even the weakest ones are Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts, so it's not suitable."

Leaning on the table, Guangling Douluo said seriously, "Otherwise, we should still find him a Thousand-Needle Porcupine..."

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

Seventh Consecrated Elder Falling Devil Douluo, who stood nearby, chimed in.

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

"What about a Blue Flame Lion? Its flames..."

"Thousand-Needle..."

Seeing Guangling Douluo and Falling Devil Douluo's conversation grow more and more pointless, Azure Luan Douluo finally spoke. "It's too early to consider all that. We haven't even met the boy yet."

"!"

"(⊙o⊙)..."

Guangling Douluo and Falling Devil Douluo fell silent at once.

Right. They hadn't even met the boy, and they were already discussing Soul Beasts. They really were getting ahead of themselves.

"A young Soul Master with such outstanding talent certainly deserves to be nurtured with care."

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

Seeing that Qian Daoliu gave no indication either way, he continued, "But nurturing him with care will consume a great deal of resources. The Second Consecrated Elder and Fourth Consecrated Elder are still cultivating, so for the time being..."

"Then we can wait," Guangling Douluo said nonchalantly. "We've already delayed it for a month, so another month won't make any difference. Besides, not having a Soul Ring won't stop him from continuing to cultivate."

Seeing that Thousand Jun Douluo, who had remained silent all this time, did not object, Azure Luan Douluo nodded. "Then that's settled for now."

And so, Zhang Yang's Soul Hunting Operation was forced to be postponed.

It wasn't until June 1, when Zhang Yang was planning to take a day off and head to Spirit City for a happy Children's Day, that Teacher Dewey brought him some news.

"The Education Committee wants to see you."

Zhang Yang asked excitedly, "Is it about my Soul Ring hunt?"

By the time Zhang Yang reached the Education Committee, the committee members had changed into their formal attire and brought him another message.

"The Grand Consecrated Elder wants to see you."

"Huh?"

And so, a thoroughly bewildered Zhang Yang found himself at Elder Hall.

"By order of the Grand Consecrated Elder, Zhang Yang, a student of Spirit Hall Academy, has been brought here."

Facing the row of Hall Guards at the entrance to Elder Hall, the Education Committee member bowed respectfully.

As the saying went, even a seventh-rank official at the prime minister's gate held weight. Even though the committee member was a Soul Douluo, he still had to show utmost respect to these Soul King-level Hall Guards who guarded the elders' door.

Before long, the Hall Guard who had gone inside to announce their arrival came back out and said in a stern voice, "Zhang Yang may enter."

At once, the committee member raised a hand and gently nudged Zhang Yang. "Go on."

Zhang Yang immediately followed the Hall Guard into Elder Hall.

Once inside, Zhang Yang could see from afar the dazzling, pure-gold statue of the Six-Winged Angel.

But what drew Zhang Yang's attention even more were the seven people around the statue.

Some stood two meters tall, their muscles bulging and their builds as sturdy as tigers; others looked like youths, their figures well-proportioned and their bodies wreathed in a chill.

Some sat, others stood. Their expressions ranged from impassive to grinning, and each carried themself differently.

But without a doubt, every one of them was watching Zhang Yang closely.

When they reached a spot fifty meters from the steps, the Hall Guard stopped and said respectfully, "Reporting to the Grand Consecrated Elder, Zhang Yang has arrived."

Zhang Yang hurriedly bowed. "Greetings, Grand Consecrated Elder. Greetings, elders."

On the way here, the committee member had repeatedly reminded Zhang Yang to mind his manners. If there were other people present, he was to address them all as elders.

"Don't worry about calling them by the wrong title. You're still young, and the elders won't blame you if you make a mistake."

That was what the committee member had said.

"Mm."

Qian Daoliu was the only one of the seven who had his back to Zhang Yang. He gave a soft acknowledgment, and the Hall Guard promptly withdrew from Elder Hall.

Turning around, Qian Daoliu looked down at Zhang Yang, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes.

Words were only words. Even after reading the file, Qian Daoliu was still astonished by just how young Zhang Yang was when he saw him in person.

Qian Daoliu's voice was warm and resonant. "It's hard to imagine that a child this young already has Soul Power at level forty."

He clasped his hands behind his back, his expression calm. "Do you know why I called you here?"

"Reporting to the Grand Consecrated Elder, Zhang Yang does not know." Zhang Yang cupped his hands.

Qian Daoliu said evenly, "Because the Pope has handed you over to me. From this moment on, you belong to my Elder Hall."

Zhang Yang froze. Pointing at himself, he asked in disbelief, "Me? Become an elder?"

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

As for Guangling Douluo, the instant he heard those words, he let out a snort of laughter.

"Pfft... Hahahaha, become an elder? Hahaha! Grand Consecrated Elder, this kid is hilarious."

Guangling Douluo clutched his stomach and laughed so hard he doubled over. Azure Luan Douluo gave him a helpless look. "Guang Ling."

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

Zhang Yang looked a little awkward and lowered his pointing hand.

Zhang Yang knew he'd misunderstood, but it wasn't as if he'd meant to. Who could blame him when Grand Consecrated Elder Qian Daoliu's words were so misleading?

Seeing that Guangling Douluo had quieted down, Azure Luan Douluo turned back to Zhang Yang. "I said you'd become part of Elder Hall, not that you'd become an elder."

"Oh, yes. Zhang Yang understands." Zhang Yang cupped his hands.

"Mm." Azure Luan Douluo nodded in satisfaction.

Qian Daoliu spoke again. "However, throughout its history, Elder Hall has only accepted Titled Douluos."

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

"So, if you want the elders of Elder Hall to acknowledge you, you must prove that you have the potential to become a Titled Douluo."

"Of course, before that, there's another matter that urgently needs to be resolved. Guang Ling."