As the Young Master of the Martial Soul, This Is What You Deserve

Little Green and Little White instantly understood. They knew that now Qin Zheng had emerged into the world, he was surely all alone.

At this moment, he must need them as personal guards.

They immediately activated their soul power. Their enormous bodies rapidly shrank and condensed, scales gleaming as dragon wings unfurled.

In the blink of an eye.

Two palm-sized, lively miniature flying serpents appeared.

One green and one white, their wings crystalline and their draconic aura flowing. They looked adorable and agile.

The two miniature flying serpents affectionately circled twice before flying swiftly toward Qin Zheng. They wanted to perch on his shoulders and guard their master at close range.

Yet Qin Zheng frowned slightly and calmly spoke a single word.

"Stop."

The two little flying serpents hovering in midair suddenly froze. Their round beast eyes were full of bewildered confusion as they timidly looked at their master, not knowing what they had done wrong.

"With my cultivation, I overlook all of Douluo Continent. Why would I need your close protection?"

Qin Zheng's tone was calm.

In an instant.

Little Green and Little White came to a sudden realization, their gazes instinctively falling upon Qian Renxue, who stood nearby with her petite figure and immature aura.

Among everyone present, only this young little heiress had the weakest cultivation and needed protection the most.

The two immediately turned their light bodies around and flew swiftly to Qian Renxue's shoulders with gentle auras, landing steadily on either side.

Their tiny snake heads lightly rubbed against Qian Renxue's fair, tender cheeks.

Their wings trembled softly, radiating mild soul power. They were utterly affectionate, filled with the desire to please and protect her.

The soft touch against her cheeks carried a faint coolness.

A light blush spread across Qian Renxue's exquisite little face. Her golden eyes lowered as her small hands nervously clutched the hem of her skirt, her heart filled with unease and guilt.

"Ancestor, isn't this inappropriate...?"

She tilted her head slightly and looked at the obedient miniature flying serpents curled up on her shoulders, one green and one white. Their wings quivered gently, their draconic aura warm and mild.

Though they were hundred-thousand-year soul beasts capable of intimidating the continent, they were now as docile as domesticated spirit pets, carefully pressing close to her shoulders without the slightest trace of ferocity.

Yet the more obedient they were, the more embarrassed Qian Renxue felt.

She might have been young, but she was not foolish.

Ever since their ancestor had fallen asleep, these two soul beasts had faithfully remained in the forbidden grounds, honoring their promise year after year without ever leaving. They could be called their ancestor's closest and most trusted companion beasts.

Today, she had merely come with nowhere else to turn, following the ancestral teachings to awaken her ancestor and ask for help.

She had rendered no service whatsoever, nor had she offered any gift or tribute.

It was already generous enough that Qin Zheng did not blame her for this. Yet now she was actually receiving the precious companion beasts that had accompanied him for a thousand years. Such an immense gift truly made her feel unworthy.

She bit her pink lower lip and gently raised a hand, wanting the two little flying serpents to return to Qin Zheng's side. Her soft voice was filled with restraint.

"Ancestor, I can't accept this..."

"Big Sister Little Green and Big Sister Little White have accompanied you for two thousand years. They are your trusted companions. I cannot take away your companion beasts. This gift is far too precious; this junior cannot accept it."

Qin Zheng lowered his eyes to look at her flustered, soft appearance.

A faint warmth rippled through his cold, profound eyes. He raised a hand and gently smoothed the slight crease between her brows, his deep, mellow voice slowly sounding.

"You little child, you truly are foolish."

"With my current cultivation realm, I have long overlooked the entirety of Douluo Continent. Ordinary attacks and sinister schemes alike cannot harm me in the slightest."

"Having these two beasts by my side is merely an embellishment."

"Besides, you are Spirit Hall's legitimate young heiress, and my descendant. A thousand years ago, Master treated me well, yet I slept for a thousand years. That alone is a debt I owe."

"Now that I have awakened, protecting the inheritor of my clan and giving a meeting gift to my junior are only proper."

"Having them remain at your side to protect you in my stead is the best place for them."

His gentle words fell one by one, carrying the indulgence of an elder. In an instant, all the awkwardness and guilt in Qian Renxue's heart vanished.

She raised her eyes toward the handsome and imposing black-robed youth before her. Her golden eyes shone as if filled with starlight, warmth flooding her heart as all her inferiority and unease faded away.

Having received her ancestor's approval.

Qian Renxue no longer declined. She turned her head slightly, gently pressing her little face against the two miniature flying serpents on her shoulders. Her voice was soft and sweet, carrying the pure obedience unique to a child.

"Then... I'll have to trouble Big Sister Little Green and Big Sister Little White to guide me from now on."

"Hiss, hiss..." Little Green and Little White immediately affectionately rubbed against her cheeks. Their wings fluttered softly, scattering specks of warm spiritual light, their beast eyes filled with tenderness.

Seeing the girl's lively and adorable appearance, the smile at Qin Zheng's lips grew ever gentler.

Then.

He raised his eyes toward the towering, heavy stone gates of the forbidden grounds, a faint trace of melancholy passing through his black eyes.

"A thousand years of slumber, trapped here in silence."

"Though this place is good, to me, it is ultimately nothing more than a cage."

"Only two beasts here are of any value. Other than them, there is nothing worth lingering for. Now, it is time to go out and see the Douluo world a thousand years hence."

As his words fell.

He took the initiative to reach out, once again firmly taking Qian Renxue's soft, slightly cool little hand. His warm, broad palm held her securely, protecting the small girl at his side.

Golden Crocodile Douluo beside them hurriedly suppressed all his thoughts. He stood respectfully, consciously falling half a step behind and assuming an utterly humble posture.

Two miniature flying serpents coiled around Qian Renxue's shoulders, quietly accompanying them.

Blinding sunlight poured down, bathing Qin Zheng's tall, upright figure.

The dark-black dragon robe shimmered with muted golden light, while a faint dragon's majesty flickered around him, his air of looking down upon heaven and earth seeming utterly natural.

Before them stretched the grand and magnificent complex of Spirit Hall buildings.

The halls extended one after another, their upturned eaves soaring high, majestic and imposing.

Having endured the passage of a thousand years, it remained prosperous and dignified as ever.

Spirit Hall was bustling with activity at this moment. Countless disciples, deacons, and guards went about their respective duties, presenting a flourishing sight.

But when everyone caught sight of the group below the steps, all movement suddenly froze. Countless gazes converged on them in unison, filled with astonishment and curiosity.

"Second Worshipper!?"

No one in Spirit Hall failed to recognize Golden Crocodile Douluo, the Second Worshipper.

A Rank 98 Peak Douluo, he was Spirit Hall's foremost existence beneath Qian Daoliu, the Great Worshipper. His status was exalted, and his presence icy and imposing.

Yet at this moment.

This supreme expert, whose might shook the continent, was actually following respectfully behind a black-robed youth who appeared no older than seventeen or eighteen. His body was slightly bowed, his manner humble.

Was this really Spirit Hall's Second Worshipper!?

Such an extreme contrast instantly shocked everyone present.

The eyes of countless Spirit Hall disciples were filled with disbelief as they secretly speculated about the youth's mysterious identity.

Who could make Golden Crocodile Douluo lower his head, follow at his side, and serve him so respectfully?

Just who was this person?

The mid-level deacons within the hall were even more bewildered and suspicious. Yet due to Golden Crocodile Douluo's usual majesty, none dared to speak up and inquire. They could only suppress their shock and watch from afar.

The entire Spirit Hall plaza was quiet and oppressive.

Qin Zheng paid them no heed. His bearing remained calm and composed as he led Qian Renxue onward without slowing, walking between the magnificent halls.

A moment later.

He spoke indifferently, his voice even and unruffled. "Xue'er, during the thousand years I slept, how have Spirit Hall and Spirit City developed?"

Hearing this, Golden Crocodile Douluo immediately stepped forward half a pace by instinct, intending to cup his hands and answer.

In his view, Qian Renxue was only nine years old. How could she clearly summarize Spirit Hall's thousand years of rise and fall, its changes in overall structure?

Naturally, it should be he, an old-established Worshipper, who reported on her behalf. That would be the most proper and thorough arrangement.

But the instant he moved, he met Qin Zheng's calm, dark gaze sweeping toward him.

"Hmm?"

That glance was placid and without ripples, yet it carried an immense pressure that seemed to span countless ages.

Invisibly, it made one utterly afraid to overstep even the slightest boundary.