Inside a hotel room.
Jiang Nannan sat cross-legged on the bed. The aura around her had completely settled, but the Soul Power radiating from her body still proclaimed the leap in her strength.
"Teacher, Doudou!"
Jiang Nannan opened her eyes, her face glowing with irrepressible joy. "I... I'm at level twenty!"
In a single day, she had gone from level sixteen to level twenty!
In the past, she would have thought this had to be some wicked method that drained her potential and forced growth before she was ready.
But now, she realized that having resources was a wonderful thing.
Two top-grade Soul Bones and a Black Tortoise Divine Pill had forced her into the ranks of Soul Grandmasters.
All of this was thanks to Chen Doudou and Bibi Dong, and Jiang Nannan's gratitude toward them only grew.
"Not bad. These two Soul Bones seem to suit you. Come on, show your teacher your Soul Bone Skills."
Bibi Dong nodded in satisfaction.
Jiang Nannan took a deep breath and focused.
A burning sensation came from her left leg. She said softly, "Cloud Thunder God Eagle Left Leg Bone Skill, Cloud Thunder Twin Wings!"
As soon as the words left her mouth, a pair of radiant wings woven from blue-green clouds and silver lightning unfurled behind her.
The wings gave a gentle flap. There was no earth-shaking commotion, but Jiang Nannan's figure suddenly blurred. In the next instant, she appeared at the other end of the room, moving so fast that only an afterimage remained.
"Impressive speed!"
A note of praise flickered in Bibi Dong's eyes. "Among Soul Masters of the same level, hardly anyone can match that speed. Even against older students, you'll have the means to hold them off and escape."
Jiang Nannan folded away her wings and gave a slightly bashful smile. Then she focused again, and a layer of eerie, gray-white light glimmered across her brow. "Phantom Spirit Sacred Ape Skull Skill, Phantom Spirit Labyrinth!"
As her words fell, an invisible wave of spiritual energy spread outward from her.
The air seemed to twist and grow viscous. Just one glance made the mind reel, as if you had stepped into a bizarre, ever-shifting labyrinth.
"An illusion? A very practical mental-control skill."
Bibi Dong commented, then turned thoughtfully toward Chen Doudou. "Doudou, come over here. Let Nannan try using Phantom Spirit Labyrinth on you."
"Huh? Use it on me?"
Chen Doudou blinked, reluctant. "Sister Dong, isn't that a bad idea?"
Bibi Dong rolled her eyes at him. "Quit whining. Your level is the closest to Nannan's."
"Oh..."
Chen Doudou reluctantly moved over.
As Jiang Nannan watched Chen Doudou take his place, she nervously swallowed. Then she focused, and the gray-white light at her brow shone brightly. An invisible wave of spiritual power surged toward Chen Doudou like a tide.
"Phantom Spirit Labyrinth, activate!"
But the scene she expected—Chen Doudou's eyes going vacant as he fell into an illusion—never came.
Chen Doudou stood where he was, scratching his head with a bewildered look. "Sister Nannan, what... what are you doing? Practicing your powers?"
Jiang Nannan froze, then increased her spiritual output until her face turned red.
But Chen Doudou was still completely fine. He even yawned. "It's no use, Sister Nannan. That move doesn't work on me."
"Ah!"
Suddenly, Jiang Nannan let out a scream and crouched down, clutching her head. Her face had gone deathly pale.
"Nannan, what's wrong?"
Bibi Dong's expression changed. She reached out to rub Jiang Nannan's back, sending a gentle stream of Soul Power into her body to soothe her chaotic mind.
Jiang Nannan threw herself into Bibi Dong's arms, trembling and sobbing as if her heart would break. "Teacher, it was terrifying... I saw a sword dripping with blood, and so many, so many corpses. There was a whole river of blood. It was so scary..."
At her words, Bibi Dong understood at once.
It seemed she had been struck by a backlash from Asura God's Divine Sense. But then again, it made sense.
If Asura God had sent his son, Doudou, down here, how could he not have set up some safeguards?
The mental attack must have touched that divine sense, triggering the backlash.
It was a good thing in itself, but to eight-year-old Jiang Nannan, it was a major ordeal.
It was no less than the psychological trauma of taking a slap to the face.
"It's all right now, Nannan. It's all right..."
Bibi Dong gently comforted Jiang Nannan.
Chen Doudou had also been startled by Jiang Nannan's reaction. He cursed inwardly. What a rotten father! Where were you when Bibi Dong was spanking me? Why didn't you come out and stop her then?
The afternoon sun shone bright and warm.
Since Jiang Nannan had successfully broken through to level twenty, she urgently needed to obtain her Second Soul Ring.
The three of them wasted no time. They left the hotel and explained the reason to Jiang Nannan's mother.
Jiang Nannan's mother was immensely pleased and grateful. She insisted on holding Chen Doudou and Bibi Dong there for a meal before letting them go.
After much pulling and coaxing, they ate until their bellies were full before setting out.
As they left the Jiang family's shabby little courtyard, Jiang Nannan's face turned red with embarrassment. "I'm sorry, Teacher, Doudou. My mother's just a little overenthusiastic... I hope she didn't make you uncomfortable."
Bibi Dong glanced at the person beside her. "It's fine. There's no need to apologize. This kid seemed to enjoy the food well enough."
Chen Doudou burped. "What's that supposed to mean? You ate plenty too. Besides, if you don't take your meals seriously, you've got a problem with your attitude, right?
"Sister Nannan's mother makes such delicious food. If I don't eat it now, I won't get another chance once we leave."
"Ehehe... If Doudou likes it, I can cook for you. I learned from my mother."
Chen Doudou threw his arms around Jiang Nannan and announced excitedly, "Really? That's great! Sister Nannan, I've decided—you're the cook for our team from now on!"
"You really are a fast friend. Nannan's a Soul Master, not your maid."
Bibi Dong watched them speechlessly and held out a finger to push Chen Doudou's too-close face away.
"Hmph. Sister Nannan's not an outsider."
"You sure have a way with words."
Listening to the two of them bicker, Jiang Nannan felt a warmth in her heart.
Having lost her father when she was little, she had always wished she had a younger brother.
And now, that daydream had actually come true!
She looked at Chen Doudou's innocent, slightly mischievous face. The corners of her mouth rose against her will, and she murmured softly, "This is wonderful."
After that, Chen Doudou summoned Pegasus Zeus.
The three of them mounted the horse, and together they became a streak of light shooting into the sky.
It was far more spectacular than traveling on the ground. The passersby below stopped and looked up, crying out in amazement.
"Look! What's that?"
"It's a flying Soul Beast! Good heavens, there are three people riding on it!"
"Good heavens, what kind of power does it take to own a flying Soul Beast these days?"
Ignoring the commotion below, the Pegasus flew steadily through the high skies.
This was Jiang Nannan's first time riding so high. She was a little frightened, but also excited by the novelty. Her small hand clutched Chen Doudou's clothes as she watched the scenery race by beneath them, her eyes filled with wonder.
Chen Doudou, meanwhile, was thoroughly enjoying himself, facing into the fierce high-altitude wind.
Now this was what you called being able to fly anywhere in the country!
By dusk, they reached the town nearest the outskirts of the Star Dou Forest.
Star Dou Town.
As always, the town bustled with activity. Students, merchants, and Soul Hunting groups came and went without end.
Since it was already late, the three of them checked into an inn that looked fairly clean.
Once they had settled in, Chen Doudou eagerly dragged Jiang Nannan and Bibi Dong out to wander the streets.
As they passed a shop selling rare metals and Soul Tools, a timid voice called out to them.
"E-excuse me... could I pet that horse?"
Chen Doudou turned around and saw a little girl who looked about six years old.
Her long, jade-green hair was tied into twin ponytails. She wore a pale-green, soft dress and held a rabbit doll in her arms.
The little girl had big eyes, like a startled fawn. She looked at the majestic Pegasus Zeus beside Chen Doudou with a mixture of longing and fear.
Chen Doudou sized her up. "Who are you?"
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