The room fell quiet for a moment.
Yan Lingji suddenly threw off the covers and sat up.
"Urgh—!"
Frowning, she cautiously shifted her body. The "injuries" she'd aggravated made her grimace in pain for a moment.
"Yan Lingji, Yan Lingji." She raised her hand and watched the faint wisp of flame dancing at her fingertips, muttering to herself, "You played with fire every day, and now look at you—you've been burned by your own flames."
She gave a self-mocking smile, pulled the covers over her shoulders, and gazed out the window at the brilliant blue sky.
"I hope... I didn't choose the wrong person."
Her voice grew softer and softer until it was almost inaudible.
"Escaping this chaotic world... isn't so bad..."
She lay back down, pulled the covers up to her chin, and closed her eyes.
Noon.
Zhao Linchuan returned to the manor carrying a young deer.
First, he'd gone to the Spirit Hall to borrow a set of Martial Soul Awakening Stones.
They weren't particularly valuable, and with his current status, borrowing them had been no trouble.
Back in the courtyard, he deftly cleaned the young deer and set it on the simple grill there.
Flames licked at the meat, which sizzled as fat dripped down, sending up waves of mouthwatering fragrance.
He turned the grill and sprinkled on some spices he'd found somewhere.
Their rich, heady aroma drifted far on the breeze.
Drawn awake by the scent, Yan Lingji came out wearing one of Zhao Linchuan's robes. It was far too large, hanging loosely from her frame, and the sleeves were so long that she had to roll them up twice before her fingertips showed.
Leaning against the doorframe, she watched the man in the courtyard, focused on grilling the venison. Her gaze was complicated.
"Awake?" Zhao Linchuan asked with a smile. "Perfect. Come eat."
Yan Lingji said nothing. She walked over and sat down beside him.
The venison was crisp on the outside and tender within, its juices flowing freely when torn apart. It was piping hot as it went into their mouths.
After eating and drinking their fill, the two returned to the main room.
Zhao Linchuan set the Martial Soul Awakening Stones on the floor, then straightened and beckoned Yan Lingji over.
"Stand on them. I'll awaken your Martial Soul."
Yan Lingji glanced at him but asked no questions. She did as he said, stepping into the center of the six stones.
Zhao Linchuan held his hands over them, and Soul Power surged into the Awakening Stones.
In an instant, countless golden motes welled up from their surfaces, floating into the air like fireflies and slowly surrounding Yan Lingji.
The motes settled in her hair, on her shoulders, and on her fingertips, bringing a faint warmth.
Yan Lingji instinctively opened her right hand. A phantom slowly rose from her palm.
It was a bird—its entire body wreathed in white flames. Its wings spread wide, firelight rippling across them, its bearing noble and majestic.
It hovered before Yan Lingji, slowly beating its wings. Its flames flickered in time with its breath.
A flicker of surprise crossed Zhao Linchuan's eyes, and he exclaimed in admiration.
"Mystic Bird? Vermilion Bird!"
He was genuinely surprised. The grade of Yan Lingji's Martial Soul far exceeded his expectations.
He quickly composed himself and explained gently, "After awakening your Martial Soul, the inner force in your body will gradually transform into this world's Soul Power."
He made a rough estimate. "Once the transformation is complete, you should reach the Soul King realm."
Yan Lingji lowered her head to look at the Vermilion Bird of flame still circling in her palm. She could feel that unfamiliar yet powerful force coursing through her meridians, and her eyes glimmered faintly.
"For now, focus on your cultivation," Zhao Linchuan continued. "I'll find a way to get you a few Soul Bones and raise the absorption limit of your First Soul Ring as much as possible."
As he spoke, a clear voice suddenly came from outside the courtyard.
"Linchuan! Are you there?"
Zhao Linchuan's brow twitched. He recognized the voice.
"Bibi Dong?" He turned to Yan Lingji and gave her a look. "We have a guest. Put these things away for now."
Yan Lingji dismissed her Martial Soul, but didn't move right away.
She tilted her head, the corner of her lips curling into a playful smile. "Should I hide?"
"So your little sister outside doesn't see anything you'll have trouble explaining."
"Do as you like." Zhao Linchuan's tone was flat. "There's nothing about our relationship that can't be said."
"Do as I like?" Yan Lingji raised an eyebrow and stared at him for two seconds. Then she suddenly chuckled, bent down, and collected the Awakening Stones one by one.
"So you still want me to hide, don't you?"
Carrying the pile of stones, she headed toward the rear hall with light steps, like a silent cat.
At the passage to the rear hall, she turned her head and tossed out a breezy remark. "Very well. I'll make room for you."
"Wouldn't want to spoil someone's good time~"
Her figure disappeared behind the curtain.
Almost at the same time, Bibi Dong appeared in the doorway.
She wore a pale purple dress today. Its hem swayed gently with each step, and she looked livelier than she had the day before.
She entered the main room. Her gaze first fell on the steaming teacup on the table, then shifted to the grill still standing in the courtyard. Her nose twitched slightly.
"Linchuan, were you having a barbecue?" She turned to him, a little reproach in her voice. "Why didn't you invite me?"
"I didn't know where you lived."
Zhao Linchuan's expression remained unchanged. He casually pushed the teacup toward her and smoothly changed the subject. "By the way, did you need something from me?"
"Can't I come see you even if I don't need anything?"
Bibi Dong pouted, looking less like the Holy Maiden and more like a young girl next door who'd been slighted.
But she quickly set aside her pout and turned serious. "My teacher wants to see you. I don't know what it's about, though."
"So the Pope wants to see me."
At that, Zhao Linchuan stood and straightened his robe, his tone turning more solemn.
"In that case, we'd better set off at once. We shouldn't keep His Holiness the Pope waiting."
As he spoke, he strode toward the door.
"Hey! Why are you walking so fast?"
Bibi Dong hurried after him. Their figures disappeared beyond the courtyard gate, one following the other, their footsteps gradually fading into the distance.
The main room fell quiet. The curtain stirred, and Yan Lingji slowly emerged from the rear hall.
Leaning against the doorframe, she gazed at the half-open courtyard gate, her eyes distant.
"What a beautiful woman."
"What is she to him...?"
Pope Hall.
Qian Xunji stood in the middle of the hall, his posture straight as a pine.
Zhao Linchuan and Bibi Dong stood to one side, hands at their sides.
Qian Xunji's gaze passed beyond the hall doors and settled on a pale golden cloud in the distant sky.
He was silent for a long time before finally speaking.
"Linchuan, what's the fastest way to restore the prestige of my Spirit Hall?"
Zhao Linchuan pondered for a moment before answering unhurriedly, "If we're talking about the fastest way, then naturally, it would be for the Great Worship to defeat Clear Sky Douluo Tang Chen in front of all the Soul Masters in the world."
He paused deliberately. "Only, that seems rather unlikely..."
"Hmph!" Qian Xunji snorted.
Before you continue