Worship Hall

Ling Yu brought Na'er to the training room again. The two sat cross-legged on the sofa, neither saying a word.

"In a few days, how about I take you out to have some fun for a while?"

Ling Yu looked at the girl beside him and said softly, "We can see scenery different from Spirit City. While we're at it, I'll take you to the place where I lived as a child. How does that sound?"

Gu Yuena nodded excitedly. That meant that for the time ahead, Brother would be mine alone!

At the thought of this, a sweet, innocent little smile appeared on her face.

Seeing her agree, Ling Yu could not help but let out a sigh of relief.

Then, under her gaze, he resumed their usual cultivation.

The next day, after Ling Yu finished cultivating, he gave Na'er a few more instructions before following Bibi Dong toward the mountaintop.

Neither of them spoke along the way. The oppressive atmosphere finally eased somewhat when Ling Yu saw a tall golden building.

The building was magnificent and imposing, constructed entirely from precious gold-white materials. At the very top of the hall stood an angel with three pairs of wings behind its back, its expression full of compassion, as though pitying the suffering of all living beings.

The two slowly climbed the final step. The familiar old man was already standing before the entrance to the hall, his expression calm, as though he had long anticipated their arrival.

The moment Bibi Dong saw the old man, she nodded at him and did not say another word.

The old man did not mind in the slightest. Looking at the two of them, he said softly, "Come with me! Everyone is ready!"

Although Ling Yu was puzzled, he knew this was not the time for questions. He followed behind them toward the grand hall ahead.

When the doors opened, six old men were already standing inside. Including the old man who had welcomed them, there were exactly seven.

These seven were the pinnacle of combat power on the Douluo Continent—seven Titled Douluo above rank 95!

The instant Bibi Dong and Ling Yu followed Qian Daoliu into the hall, the six old men all turned their gazes toward Ling Yu at the entrance, automatically ignoring Bibi Dong.

Because this young man was the protagonist of today's event.

There was no probing through pressure. That day, that scene, had long been witnessed by all seven of them. Meaningless tests had no significance whatsoever.

Ling Yu saw two old men in golden robes within the hall. One was extremely burly, with a huge, ferocious crocodile embroidered on his gilded robe. The other was the old man who had welcomed them into the Worship Hall, and a Six-Winged Angel was imprinted upon his robe. Ling Yu knew that this symbol was the old man's martial soul.

Qian Daoliu, a rank 99 Limit Douluo known as the "Invincible of the Sky"!

"Today, I have gathered everyone here. I believe you all know what is about to happen!"

Qian Daoliu looked at those below him. After seeing them nod, he turned to Bibi Dong.

The two exchanged a glance. Ling Yu watched as the woman beside him walked to the long table in the hall and sat opposite Qian Daoliu.

"Ling Yu, disciple of the Spirit Hall Pope, step forward and receive your order!"

Hearing Qian Daoliu's words, Ling Yu quickly came back to his senses. He took a deep breath and walked forward, standing before everyone.

"Following deliberation by all Spirit Hall enshrined, elders, and the Pope, Ling Yu is hereby appointed the Holy Son of Spirit Hall! Step forward and receive the decree!"

Ling Yu looked at everyone in disbelief. Every gaze directed at him was incomparably solemn—except for one person, Bibi Dong!

Upon hearing that Ling Yu had become the Holy Son, a sweet smile appeared on her face. No matter what rumors and gossip came later, at least from now on, you'll never be able to shake me off again!

Suppressing the confusion and doubts in his heart, Ling Yu stepped forward until he stood before Qian Daoliu and accepted from his hand a gilded command tablet engraved with the character "Holy"!

Receiving the tablet with both hands, Ling Yu looked up at the old man before him. Yet to his surprise, the old man's gaze was somewhat complicated, but also held a trace of relief.

"From now on, you are the Holy Son of Spirit Hall. Your status is equal to that of the enshrined, and only one rank below the Pope and the Great Enshrined. In addition, with this tablet, you may freely deploy Spirit City's three thousand Soul Master troops and mobilize any Spirit Hall forces other than those of the Pope's Palace and Worship Hall!"

Seeing Ling Yu's dazed expression, Qian Daoliu said solemnly, "I hope that from now on, you will shoulder your responsibilities!"

Ling Yu was somewhat bewildered, but he still nodded heavily at Qian Daoliu.

This visit had come quickly and ended quickly. Ling Yu had not expected Bibi Dong to bring him into the Worship Hall today for this matter—to appoint him as the Holy Son of Spirit Hall!

This was a status even higher than the Crown Princes of the two great empires!

As they descended the mountain, Ling Yu was still deep in thought. He did not understand why they had made him the Holy Son when he had not yet contributed anything to Spirit Hall.

Could it have merely been because he had killed more than a dozen Evil Soul Masters last time?

How could that be possible!

They had only been Soul Ancestors and Soul Elders, mere cannon fodder within the Evil Soul Master organization. How much credit could that possibly earn him?

Because of his talent?

That was possible, but there were still things that did not add up.

"Stop thinking about it!"

Just as Ling Yu was agonizing over it, Bibi Dong somehow leaned closer, so close that her body was nearly pressed against his slender frame.

"What are you doing?"

Ling Yu looked at her with some dissatisfaction. Although he understood that she had certain thoughts about him, she could not be this blatant, could she? They had only just left the Worship Hall!

Bibi Dong looked at him, her lips curling slightly as she said softly, "Come to my bedroom tonight. I have something to tell you!"

Ling Yu looked at her suspiciously. Perhaps his gaze made her annoyed or embarrassed, but Bibi Dong flashed away without waiting for his reply, vanishing from where she stood.

Ling Yu shook his head helplessly. Fine, since I was about to leave for a while anyway, this time I'll feed myself to the wolf!

If I don't enter hell, who will?

With a somewhat wicked smile on his face, Ling Yu skipped down the mountain.

After cultivating Soul Power and ninja arts for an afternoon with Na'er accompanying him, Ling Yu washed himself clean, left his room, and headed next door.

Knock, knock!

After knocking lightly on the door, Ling Yu swallowed, his expression somewhat nervous.

"Come in!"

Hearing Bibi Dong's gentle voice, he immediately shuddered and carefully pushed open the door.

He discovered that the lights inside were not on. It was completely dark.

Bang!

The door behind him suddenly slammed shut. Just as Ling Yu was about to dodge, a pair of soft, boneless hands pressed down on his struggling shoulders.

"Don't move!"

The instant he heard the voice, the lights in the room came on. He turned to look behind him, but the sight before his eyes instantly left him frozen in place, his body stiff and his breathing rapid.