The Golden Generation Comes Knocking

After the two figures, one large and one small, left the hall, Bibi Dong leaned back on her throne, her gaze somewhat unfocused.

A beast spirit that could leave the body...

She thought of that man again, of that tangled past. Only when Gui Mei gave a soft cough to remind her did she come back to herself. Rubbing her brow, she suppressed those chaotic thoughts.

"Gui Mei, investigate Yang Jian's background. The more detailed, the better."

"Yes."

The hall fell silent once more. Bibi Dong gazed at the night sky beyond the hall, lost in thoughts unknown.

Meanwhile, Yang Jian, following behind Yue Guan, was considering something else.

Tempering his body...

Perfect. The Eight-Nine Mysteries also needed time to cultivate.

Once his physical strength improved, he would be able to absorb a first soul ring of a higher age.

A ten-thousand-year first ring was not truly impossible.

"We're here."

Yue Guan led Yang Jian through several corridors before finally stopping in front of a detached courtyard.

The courtyard was not large, but it was exquisitely arranged.

Unknown flowers and trees lined the bluestone path. At the center stood a two-story building with upturned eaves and carved lattice windows, elegant in every detail.

Upon pushing open the door, he found every piece of furniture inside. The tables, chairs, and bed were all made from fine wood, while the bedding was soft as clouds.

Looking at everything before him, Yang Jian felt as though it was not quite real.

Just a few days ago, he had still been sleeping in that drafty stone house in Yellow Fish Village, squeezed into one bed with his brother and sister.

Now, he was living in such a luxurious courtyard. It felt like a dream.

"This will be your residence from now on."

Yue Guan took a thin booklet from his robes and handed it to Yang Jian. "This is Spirit Hall's highest-grade meditation method. It is countless times better than those meditation methods circulating outside. Familiarize yourself with it tonight. Tomorrow, I'll come personally to teach you how to cultivate."

Yang Jian accepted the booklet and nodded respectfully. "Thank you, sir."

"Just call me Uncle Yue." Yue Guan waved a hand. "His Holiness the Pope has asked me to temporarily guide you in foundational cultivation. I can bear being called uncle."

"Uncle Yue."

Yue Guan gave a satisfied hum, offered a few more reminders, then turned and left.

Once the courtyard gate had closed, Yang Jian carried the meditation manual into his room and casually flipped through a few pages.

It had to be said, this was indeed good stuff.

The meditation routes recorded within were incredibly intricate. If it were placed outside, countless soul masters would likely fight over it.

But after only a few glances, Yang Jian closed the booklet and casually tossed it onto the table.

No matter how good a meditation method was, it could not compare to the Eight-Nine Mysteries.

He sat cross-legged on the bed, closed his eyes, and began circulating the Eight-Nine Mysteries.

This cultivation method could not only strengthen the body, but also cultivate soul power and temper the strength of the soul. Its efficiency far surpassed any meditation method.

The soul power of Douluo Continent was, in essence, also a form of energy between heaven and earth.

The Eight-Nine Mysteries could even refine the spiritual energy of heaven and earth from the primordial world. Why would the soul power here be any problem?

As the technique circulated, wisps of soul power gathered from heaven and earth and flowed into Yang Jian's body.

Part of that energy transformed into soul power and was stored in his dantian, while the rest entered his limbs and bones, tempering every inch of his flesh and blood.

And so, the night passed.

The next morning, Yang Jian was awakened by a knock at the door.

"Young Master Yang Jian, breakfast has arrived."

A woman's voice came from outside.

Yang Jian got out of bed and opened the door, finding two maidservants standing outside with food boxes in their hands.

They laid out the dishes from the boxes one by one across the table. There was a dazzling variety, no fewer than seven or eight dishes.

The most eye-catching was a platter of roasted meat, golden in color, crisp on the outside and tender within, releasing a rich meaty aroma.

"This is meat from a hundred-year soul beast. His Excellency Yue Guan specifically ordered it prepared for you," one maidservant explained. "He said you are malnourished and need to nourish your body properly."

Yang Jian picked up a piece and put it into his mouth. The meat was tender and juicy, melting on his tongue. It was more delicious than anything he had ever eaten before.

He remembered how, for the past three years, it had been fish, fish, and more fish every day.

Grilled fish, boiled fish, steamed fish, salted fish... he had eaten so much that he wanted to vomit at the sight of fish.

Spirit Hall really was not bad.

Yang Jian ate while inwardly marveling, sweeping every dish from the table clean.

After the soul beast meat entered his stomach, a warm current spread through his body and seeped into his limbs and bones, leaving him pleasantly warm all over.

Just as he set down his chopsticks, footsteps sounded outside the courtyard.

"This is the place?"

"Mm. I heard he's a new nominal disciple accepted by His Holiness the Pope."

"I'd like to see what sort of person he is."

Three figures appeared at the courtyard entrance.

Leading them was a girl around twelve or thirteen years old. Her chestnut hair fell over her shoulders, and her features were exquisite. A naturally seductive charm lingered in her shifting eyes.

She wore a tight-fitting training outfit that outlined her already developing figure.

Behind her stood a slightly older boy with short silver hair and a cold expression. His entire body radiated an aura that warned strangers to stay away.

Last was a red-haired boy with a burly build, half a head taller than others his age. He radiated blazing heat, like a walking flame.

Recognizing them by their traits, Yang Jian immediately knew who the three were.

Spirit Hall's Golden Generation: Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan.

"So you're the brat?"

Yan strode into the courtyard and looked down at Yang Jian, who was sitting at the table. His eyes held scrutiny and disdain. "You're sallow and skinny, looking like a monkey. How did His Holiness the Pope end up accepting you as a nominal disciple?"

Hu Liena frowned slightly. "Yan, don't talk like that."

"I'm only telling the truth." Yan folded his arms, looking unconcerned. Then he looked at Yang Jian and ordered, "Kid, come on. Release your spirit for me to see. Let's find out whether you're really qualified to be His Holiness the Pope's disciple."

Yang Jian set down his chopsticks and slowly wiped his mouth before finally raising his head to look at Yan.

"Who are you?"

Yan froze, then his expression darkened. "My name is Yan. I'm a member of Spirit Hall's Golden Generation, a Rank 32 Soul Elder."

"Oh." Yang Jian nodded. "So?"

Yan stepped forward and stared down at Yang Jian. "Even I haven't been accepted as His Holiness the Pope's disciple. What makes you worthy?"

Hu Liena and Xie Yue exchanged a look, but neither stopped him.

They were actually curious as well. What was so special about this six-year-old child?

Yang Jian tilted his head. "So what do you want?"

"A spar."

Yan pointed a finger at Yang Jian. "I won't bully you. I won't use soul power or summon my spirit. We'll rely purely on our bodies, and I'll show you what a real gap looks like."

Yang Jian looked at him, then suddenly smiled.

There was a hint of mockery in that smile.

"This... Yan, was it?" Yang Jian jumped down from his chair and looked up at him. "How old are you this year?"

Yan frowned. "Thirteen."

"Thirteen." Yang Jian nodded. "I'm six this year. You, a thirteen-year-old boy, want to spar with me, a six-year-old child, and you're saying it so confidently?"

Yan's expression stiffened.

Yang Jian continued, "And you're already a Rank 32 Soul Elder. Even if you don't use soul power or your spirit, your body has been tempered by soul power countless times already. You want to spar with me, a child who awakened his spirit only a few days ago?"

"You..."

Yan's face instantly flushed red.

Xie Yue gave a light cough and turned his head away.

Hu Liena covered her mouth, her shoulders trembling slightly as she clearly tried to hold back her laughter.

Looking at Yan's reddened face, Yang Jian abruptly changed his tone. "Still, since you're so interested, I'll play with you."

He also wanted to test just how strong his body had become after cultivating the Eight-Nine Mysteries.