Apprenticeship to Golden Crocodile, Summoning Yan Lingji

Heavy footsteps echoed as a burly man, over two meters tall and clad in golden armor, strode inside.

Qian Xunji hurried to greet him, bowing slightly. "Second Consecrator? Why have you come?"

His tone was respectful and humble, devoid of any papal majesty.

This was because the man before him was one of the most senior powerhouses in Spirit Hall, a level 98 Super Douluo: Golden Crocodile Douluo!

Golden Crocodile Douluo waved a hand, his gaze passing over Qian Xunji to land on Zhao Linchuan.

"I was passing by and heard your conversation."

He chuckled, walked up to Zhao Linchuan, and looked him up and down.

"Little friend, This Seat is the Second Consecrator of Spirit Hall, a level 98 Super Douluo."

"I just saw that your spirit contains the attribute of Ultimate Gold, so I wish to take you as my disciple."

"Are you willing?"

At these words, the expression on Qian Xunji's face turned strange.

He opened his mouth to say something, but ultimately remained silent.

Zhao Linchuan looked up at the mountain-like, burly old man, his thoughts racing.

He truly needed an identity—one that would allow him access to the core of the organization.

Becoming a disciple of Golden Crocodile Douluo meant having the entire Consecration Hall as his backing.

Moreover, this Second Consecrator held a higher seniority and greater influence than the Pope himself.

He did not hesitate for long, bowing slightly. "This student greets his teacher."

"Hahaha! Good!"

Golden Crocodile Douluo laughed heartily, took a storage ring from his robes, and shoved it into Zhao Linchuan's hand without further ado.

"I came in a hurry and didn't prepare a gift, so just take this for now."

"I will make it up to you with a proper apprenticeship gift later."

Zhao Linchuan did not decline, accepting it with both hands. "Many thanks, Teacher."

Golden Crocodile Douluo nodded in satisfaction and patted his shoulder with such force that Zhao Linchuan swayed slightly.

"Continue your talk." He waved his hand and turned to walk out of the hall. "I am heading back. My token is inside that ring; if you encounter any difficulties, just come to the Consecration Hall to see me."

"This student respectfully sees off his teacher!" Zhao Linchuan cupped his hands toward the man's retreating back.

Only when the burly figure disappeared outside the hall doors did Qian Xunji withdraw his gaze.

He took a deep breath, his expression complex. A flash of annoyance crossed his eyes—annoyance at himself for acting so reserved and wasting time with small talk, failing to snap up Zhao Linchuan as a disciple first.

He stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping back and forth between Bibi Dong and Zhao Linchuan.

A genius spirit master, a rare talent.

He desperately needed such a successor, or rather, he needed someone like this to assist the successor he had already chosen.

But how could he keep him in Spirit Hall completely?

His gaze lingered on Bibi Dong, then shifted back to Zhao Linchuan, as an idea he had used many times before gradually took root in his mind.

"Alright, that will be all for today." His tone was gentle. "Dong'er, take Linchuan around Spirit City and find him a place to stay. You young people should interact more."

He pointed at Zhao Linchuan. "From now on, you don't need to be a librarian anymore. When you have free time, interact more with Dong'er and discuss the future direction of your cultivation."

Zhao Linchuan and Bibi Dong exchanged a glance and replied in unison, "Yes."

The two exited the hall, their footsteps gradually fading away, leaving the vast Pope Hall in silence once more.

The smile on Qian Xunji's face slowly faded. He stared at the hall doors, his brows knitting together.

Suddenly, a voice full of temptation echoed in his mind, like a venomous snake crawling out of the abyss to coil around his consciousness.

"Are you really going to just hand over the student you worked so hard to cultivate to someone else?"

"Do you not want the glory of the angels to shroud the continent once again?"

"Take her back! She can bear you a child capable of inheriting the throne of the Angel God!"

"Scoundrel!" Qian Xunji growled, veins bulging on his forehead. "Do not attempt to bewitch my will!"

He closed his eyes, breathing heavily, his hands clenched into fists.

That voice had haunted him for too long, and now it had begun to erode his willpower.

He had to find a suitable successor as soon as possible—someone who could take control of Spirit Hall before he was completely consumed.

To that end, he decided to let Bibi Dong and Zhao Linchuan develop feelings for each other.

He wouldn't need to push it; he would only need to intervene slightly at the right moment...

Time passed until the afternoon.

Bibi Dong led Zhao Linchuan through several streets, finally stopping in front of a manor.

"You can stay here for now." Bibi Dong pushed open the ajar gate and stepped aside to let Zhao Linchuan enter.

The two walked side by side through the front courtyard, Bibi Dong speaking as they went:

"I will send some servants over later. If you need anything, just let me know."

Zhao Linchuan looked around and gave a slight nod. "Many thanks."

"No need for formalities. You did Spirit Hall a great favor today; this is nothing."

After chatting for a few moments in the courtyard and receiving a few more reminders about daily trifles from Bibi Dong, she took her leave.

Zhao Linchuan watched her silhouette disappear at the manor entrance before pushing open the door to the main hall.

He sat in the head seat, closed his eyes, and sank his consciousness into his sea of awareness.

The system interface appeared in his mind, with a single unread message flickering quietly.

[You have prevented a farce of master and disciple turning against each other, saving countless lives from fire and water.]

[Reward obtained: Character Summoning Card -- Yan Lingji]

"Yan Lingji?" Zhao Linchuan opened his eyes. With a flick of his thought, a card appeared out of thin air in his palm.

The card depicted a woman with a graceful figure and hair like a waterfall. Her eyes seemed to hold the autumn waters, yet also concealed flames.

In the image, she was trapped inside a crystal box resembling a fish tank, draped in a few wisps of light gauze. The rippling water around her could not obscure that face of peerless beauty.

The portrait was so lifelike it felt as if she might step out of the card at any second.

[Please select a summoning method:]

[1: Travel to the Nine Songs of the Sky world to bring her back (Duration: ten minutes).]

[2: Direct summon.]

I can actually travel to the world where Yan Lingji is?

Zhao Linchuan stared at the small text, his eyes flickering slightly, and thought, Travel to the Nine Songs of the Sky world.

As soon as the words fell, the card suddenly erupted with a dazzling light.

Space rippled, and Zhao Linchuan felt his vision blur as the surroundings began to twist and distort.

The beams, window lattices, and tables of the main hall all melted in his field of vision, transforming into streaks of colorful light flowing backward.

The next moment, his vision plunged into darkness.

When the sensation of solid ground returned beneath his feet, a damp, cold aura rushed toward him.

Zhao Linchuan opened his eyes to find himself in a dungeon.

Dim, yellow lamplight flickered on the walls, casting the surroundings in shifting light and shadow.

The air was thick with the smell of mold and rust, and the faint sound of dripping water could be heard.

And directly in front of him stood a massive crystal box.