Faced with Qian Xunji's offer to take him as a disciple, Ban Shu bowed without hesitation. "I'm willing to become your disciple!"
In this era, only two organizations stood above all the other sects, reigning supreme from the mountaintops.
One was the Clear Sky Sect, founded by Tang Chen, who was known as "Invincible on Land." The other was Spirit Hall, under the protection of the Angel God and led by Qian Daoliu, who was known as "Invincible in the Sky."
But the Clear Sky Sect was a family sect, and all its inner disciples wielded the Clear Sky Hammer. A halberd user like him wouldn't fit in there.
Besides, Spirit Hall would never let him leave for the Clear Sky Sect alive.
Things were different at Spirit Hall. As the Pope's personal disciple, Ban Shu would naturally have resources pouring in by the armload.
His status would rise along with them. Aside from Qian Daoliu and the other elders, who at Spirit Hall would dare slight him?
"Excellent. From today on, you are my personal disciple, Qian Xunji's. You'll receive the highest level of treatment in Spirit Hall from now on!"
Seeing that Ban Shu had agreed without hesitation, Qian Xunji's smile grew even wider. He couldn't help reaching out to pat Ban Shu's head.
"Xiao Ban, make sure you train hard from now on. Don't bring shame on your master, understand?"
"Yes, I understand, Teacher."
Ban Shu nodded obediently, the enormous Painted Halberd in his hand swaying slightly.
"You... put your Martial Soul away first. Don't hurt anyone."
Qian Xunji took a few steps back. The weapon probably couldn't hurt him, but remembering the force it had just displayed, he thought it best to be cautious.
"Oh, all right, Teacher."
Ban Shu nodded obediently and reached out with his right hand, putting away the Painted Halberd.
"Ahem!"
Qian Xunji cleared his throat twice, clasped his hands behind his back, and returned to his seat. "Yan Qiang, carry on."
"Yes."
The Cardinal Yan Qiang had only just come to his senses. He hurriedly answered, stood up, and continued awakening the children's Martial Souls.
Yet whenever he glanced at Ban Shu, his eyes betrayed utter disbelief.
He was a mighty Soul Saint, and yet a little brat who'd just awakened his Martial Soul had scared him senseless. If word got out, his fellow practitioners would laugh him out of the room!
The rest of the awakenings went by quickly. With a super-genius like Ban Shu present, the others had long since ceased to catch Qian Xunji's eye.
At last, the Martial Soul Awakenings ended. Qian Xunji immediately stood and went over to Ban Shu, gently patting his head.
"Xiao Ban, I'll make arrangements tomorrow. From now on, you'll live at Spirit Hall."
"That way, it'll be easier for me to guide your cultivation. If there's anything you don't understand, you can ask me or anyone else at Spirit Hall."
"All right, Teacher."
Ban Shu nodded obediently and agreed.
"Good."
Qian Xunji nodded in satisfaction, ready to head back. Spirit Hall had plenty of matters to attend to, and his visit today had already been a rare luxury.
"Teacher, wait."
Ban Shu suddenly tugged at Qian Xunji's sleeve and looked up at him. "Teacher, I'd like to bring someone else along. Is that okay?"
"Oh? Who do you want to bring?"
Though he phrased it as a question, Qian Xunji could more or less guess who Ban Shu meant.
"I have an older sister named Bibi Dong. She's very good to me, and I want her to come with me and live somewhere nice too."
Qian Xunji felt a warmth rise in his heart. His disciple knew how to be grateful. Not bad.
"Of course. Just tell your sister, and you can both come tomorrow."
Now that Ban Shu was his disciple, Qian Xunji agreed without hesitation, smiling broadly.
He'd be taking Bibi Dong as his disciple sooner or later anyway, so there was no difference if she came now.
After all, he was still just a child. No matter how mature he seemed on the surface, he still had his childish side.
Besides, it was good for him to have someone he cared about. With something holding them back, they would never betray Spirit Hall lightly.
As long as Bibi Dong and Ban Shu cared about each other, they'd be bound to Spirit Hall, unable to betray it.
After giving Ban Shu a few instructions and handing him his token of identification, Qian Xunji finally prepared to head back.
As for taking Bibi Dong as his disciple, there was no harm in waiting until he saw her tomorrow.
Watching Qian Xunji's figure gradually disappear into the distance, Ban Shu could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
The hardest part was over. From here on, everything depended on Ban Shu himself.
If he still amounted to nothing with such a powerful Martial Soul, he might as well run headfirst into a tree and be done with it.
And besides...
Ban Shu reached out, and the Painted Halberd appeared. Unlike the first time, he had shrunk it to a size that suited him, making it look much more proportionate.
He gently stroked the Painted Halberd and closed his eyes again, but the figure of Divine Steed Ban didn't appear this time.
Opening his eyes, Ban Shu sighed. "Looks like I still need to level up and obtain a Soul Ring."
His instincts told him he wasn't at full strength yet. If he could undergo a Second Awakening, perhaps he'd gain all of Divine Steed Ban's power.
By then, Ban Shu could proudly declare, "I'm not targeting anyone in particular. I'm just saying that everyone here is trash!"
"Xiao Ban!"
Bibi Dong's excited voice rang out. Hearing the joy in her tone, Ban Shu smiled too. He put away his Martial Soul and turned to greet her.
But to his surprise, her slender figure rushed up to him in an instant, arms spread wide as she pulled him into a fierce embrace.
"Xiao Ban, you were amazing! Innate Full Soul Power!"
Bibi Dong hugged Ban Shu tight. "And the Pope took you as his disciple too! That's wonderful!"
"Ugh! X﹏X"
Ban Shu slowly raised a hand to call for help, but she squeezed the air from his lungs. His arm went limp and dropped to his side.
"What's wrong?"
Hearing Ban Shu's muffled whimper from within her arms, Bibi Dong looked puzzled. She glanced down and saw him lying motionless against her, as if he'd passed out.
"Xiao Ban!"
"Ugh... my head hurts."
Ban Shu slowly opened his eyes, confusion flickering across them.
"Xiao Ban, are you all right?"
Suddenly, Bibi Dong's face appeared in Ban Shu's field of vision. She looked at him with concern and asked:
"What happened to me?"
Ban Shu held his forehead. All he remembered was Bibi Dong suddenly hugging him. Then everything went black, and he couldn't remember anything else.
"Well..."
Bibi Dong nervously scratched her cheek with a finger, then promptly changed the subject. "Xiao Ban, congratulations on awakening with Innate Full Soul Power! You were amazing!"
"It was nothing. Aren't you a genius with Innate Full Soul Power too, Sister Dong'er?"
Ban Shu stopped dwelling on it. He propped himself up with one arm, only to feel something soft beneath his hand.
"Hm?"
Puzzled, Ban Shu thought the sensation felt a little strange. He lowered his head and discovered that he was resting on Bibi Dong's thigh.
"You little rascal."
Blushing, Bibi Dong pressed him back down. "You haven't recovered yet. Lie down."
"Oh, all right."
Ban Shu tried his "best" to protest, but in the end he couldn't get the better of Bibi Dong, so he could only keep enjoying himself. What a hardship.
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