Disciple of the Pope

"The matter of the sun emblem is not urgent. First, arrange an identity for me within Martial Soul Hall. Let's see... hmm, what do you think would be appropriate?" Yuan Qi pondered for a moment, but unable to come up with anything, he simply tossed the question to Qian Xunji.

"This... if you do not mind, the position of Martial Soul Hall Saint..."

"Too high. I want to start from the bottom; that is what you call tempering, after all."

"Then how about a Platinum Bishop?" Qian Xunji suggested.

"I am not skilled in management, and besides, is that really considered the bottom?" Yuan Qi asked.

"You don't expect me to actually make you a gate-guarding soldier just because you said you wanted the bottom, do you?" Qian Xunji pursed his lips, his inner thoughts leaking out.

"Father!" At that moment, a sudden cry came from the end of the corridor.

The two looked toward the sound and saw a young girl dressed in a white palace gown, sporting beautiful golden hair, exquisite and perfect features, and snow-white skin, running toward them. She opened her arms and threw them around Qian Xunji.

"Hehe, Xue'er." Seeing the girl, a look of tenderness appeared on Qian Xunji's face. He patted her head and called out with a smile.

Yuan Qi, standing to the side, stared blankly at the girl's face for a moment before looking up at Qian Xunji and blinking.

Although he did not speak, everyone could see his inner thoughts through the expression on his face—He actually has such a beautiful daughter?

On the road returning to Heaven Dou City from the Balaque Kingdom.

'Xue Qinge' looked up at the image on the Sky Screen, her eyes filled with disbelief.

This... Imperial Father? I never imagined that after so many years, I would be able to see his face again.

However, did this scene ever happen in the past?

I have absolutely no memory of it. And that Yuan Qi—there is no such person in Martial Soul Hall, let alone the fact that my Imperial Father would be so respectful toward him. This is simply impossible!

"What on earth is going on?" Because of the prior incidents involving Xue Hen and Tang San—both of whom she had investigated, confirming they were exactly as the Sky Screen described—and given how miraculous the Sky Screen was, how could such a magical thing broadcast false content? Yet, if it wasn't fake, why did she have no memory of it at all? Strange, too strange; she couldn't make sense of it!

Qian Renxue's heart was filled with questions.

Sharing her thoughts were Bibi Dong, Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo... and even Qian Daoliu, who stood before the Worship Hall watching the Sky Screen, felt the same.

That Yuan Qi—he had never seen him, nor even heard of him. How could he have come to Martial Soul City with Ji'er?

This was impossible!

Holding their doubts, everyone continued to watch.

"Father, did you bring me a gift from your trip this time?" After hugging her father, the girl released her arms, stepped back, and asked with a smile.

"Xue'er, Father was away on official business this time, so..."

"Ahem." A light cough sounded from the side.

"Hmm? Who are you?" The girl turned her head to look at Yuan Qi, sizing him up from head to toe with a flash of curiosity in her eyes.

This guy is dressed even more luxuriously than I am. What is his status?

"Xue'er, do not be rude. This is..."

"Hello, Miss Xue'er. My name is Yuan Qi, the newly accepted disciple of His Holiness the Pope." Yuan Qi interrupted Qian Xunji's reprimand, nudged him aside, and extended his hand toward Qian Renxue.

"Father's disciple?" The girl's attention fell on the word 'disciple', failing to notice that this guy, who looked even younger than her, had dared to bump into her father—the dignified Pope of Martial Soul Hall—without her father showing any sign of anger.

"Father, is he really your disciple? Did you take him in during this trip?" Qian Renxue asked, looking at Qian Xunji.

"This..." Qian Xunji did not answer immediately, looking at Yuan Qi with some unease.

Yuan Qi nodded at him.

Seeing this, Qian Xunji finally dared to reply: "Yes."

Upon receiving the answer, the girl immediately became interested. She put her hands behind her back, walked around Yuan Qi, and asked: "Looking at you, you seem to be two years younger than me. What is your Martial Soul, and what is your Soul Power level, that you could get my father to take you as a disciple?"

"I am twelve this year. My Martial Soul is the Sun, and my Soul Power is level thirty-nine," Yuan Qi answered, looking at the girl.

"Level thirty-nine?" The girl's footsteps came to an abrupt halt. "What level did you say?"

"Level thirty-nine."

"Xue'er, God... Yuan Qi, like you, possesses Innate Full Soul Power level twenty!" At this, Qian Xunji spoke to the girl.

Hearing this, the girl widened her eyes, looking at the boy in front of her in disbelief. "You are also Innate Full Soul Power level twenty?"

"That's right." Yuan Qi nodded with a smile.

"Oh, I see." Having received the answer, the girl gradually calmed down. No wonder her father would take him as a disciple; it turned out he was as gifted as she was.

"Hello, my name is Qian Renxue. It's a pleasure to meet you. Please take care of me in the future." Thinking this, Qian Renxue took a deep breath, a smile appeared on her face, and she reached out to shake the hand Yuan Qi had offered, smiling at him.

"Let's take care of each other," Yuan Qi smiled.

Qian Xunji stood to the side, watching this scene. He subconsciously raised a hand to stroke his chin, his eyes narrowing slightly as he smiled—a smile that appeared somewhat eerie.

Immediately, he straightened his expression, lowered his arm, and said to the girl: "Xue'er, Yuan Qi is Father's disciple. He has just arrived in Martial Soul City and is not yet familiar with the place. Could you help Father show him around the city?"

"Of course, Father," Qian Renxue agreed.

Afterward, she said to Yuan Qi: "Follow me. I'll take you to visit the Soul Fighting Arena in our Martial Soul City first. You can see exciting soul fights there every day."

"Very well, thank you for the trouble, Miss Xue'er," Yuan Qi smiled.

"Since you are my father's disciple, there is no need to call me Miss. Just call me Xue'er, just like my father does."

"Very well, Miss Qian Renxue."

"You... never mind. Just follow me; I'll take you to watch the Soul Fighting."

"Mn." Yuan Qi nodded, then said to Qian Xunji standing to the side, "I'll be going now. Thank you for the trouble of preparing a room for me, Teacher."

"I wouldn't dare—oh, no, it's no problem at all." Qian Xunji hurriedly corrected himself.

"Hm?" Qian Renxue frowned, glancing at her father and then at this junior brother who had suddenly appeared. Something felt off, but when she recalled how her father and... that woman interacted as master and disciple, it didn't seem entirely wrong. She shook her head, pushing the thoughts aside, and urged Yuan Qi, "Let's go. I'm taking you to see the Soul Fighting."

"Mn," Yuan Qi replied.

With that, the two walked out of the hall together.

Qian Xunji watched them leave, the corners of his mouth curling upward as he muttered, "Double happiness has arrived at once. Truly, the heavens are blessing our Martial Soul Hall!"

"I don't understand—can someone tell me who that Yuan Qi actually is?"

"Innate Full Soul Power at level twenty? Isn't the maximum Innate Soul Power ten?"

"A Sun Martial Soul?"

"The former Pope actually has a daughter named Qian Renxue!"