Setting Off, Going Home

The hall fell silent for a moment.

A trace of complicated emotion flickered through Bibi Dong's violet eyes.

Twelve years old, with a body comparable to a Titled Douluo's, a martial soul weighing fifty thousand jin, and four ten-thousand-year soul rings...

A genius like this would absolutely be able to carry Spirit Hall's banner after her.

"By the way, how are things between Yang Jian and Nana?"

Bibi Dong suddenly changed the subject. "Have they progressed to the point of becoming boyfriend and girlfriend?"

At those words, Yue Guan's smile became somewhat subtle.

"Not yet."

"But in my opinion, that girl Nana definitely has feelings in that regard."

"As for Yang Jian..."

He spread his hands without finishing the sentence.

Bibi Dong more or less understood.

It seemed that once Yang Jian returned from his training, she would need to give them a push.

And while she was at it, she should formally take him on as her personal disciple.

Meanwhile, Yang Jian was on his way back to his courtyard.

The flowers and trees lining the bluestone path were in full bloom. A gentle breeze carried a faint floral fragrance.

"Yang Jian."

A familiar voice suddenly called out from the side.

Yang Jian turned his head and saw Xie Yue slowly approaching from another fork in the path.

After several years apart, Xie Yue had grown much taller. His short silver hair was still as cool and stern as ever, but his features now carried a greater sense of maturity.

"Senior Brother Xie Yue." Yang Jian stopped.

After exchanging greetings, the two walked forward side by side.

Xie Yue looked at the youth beside him, who was half a head taller than himself, then recalled how Yang Jian had been much shorter than him six years ago. His heart was filled with emotion.

As Hu Liena's older brother, Xie Yue naturally knew how his sister felt about Yang Jian.

To be honest, he had nothing to complain about when it came to Yang Jian.

His talent, temperament, and strength were all beyond reproach.

It was just that this kid seemed rather slow when it came to matters of the heart.

Remembering the exasperated yet helpless look on his sister's face whenever she mentioned Yang Jian, Xie Yue could not help sighing inwardly.

"Didn't Nana just go looking for you?" Xie Yue pulled himself from his thoughts and casually asked, "Why are you here alone?"

"I'm going out to train for a while," Yang Jian answered honestly. "I just spoke to Teacher about it. I'm heading back to pack up, then I'll leave."

Xie Yue nodded in understanding.

"Be careful. Nana, Yan, and I are preparing to join Spirit Hall's Elite Training Program. We'll strive to break through to Soul King in a few years. When you come back, we can spar again."

"Alright." Yang Jian nodded.

After walking a little farther, Yang Jian suddenly remembered something and casually asked, "By the way, what has Yan been doing lately? I haven't seen him in a long time."

Xie Yue's steps paused slightly, and a helpless expression appeared on his face.

"Him..." Xie Yue sighed. "Ever since what happened six years ago, he's been training like a madman. He goes to the training grounds before dawn and doesn't return until dark. His personality has changed a lot too. He doesn't like talking anymore, and his whole demeanor has become gloomy."

"I guess you left quite a shadow on him."

Yang Jian gave an acknowledging sound but said nothing more.

He did not have a good impression of Yan.

In any case, Yan had better not provoke him again.

Otherwise, he could only teach the guy another profound lesson.

After bidding farewell to Xie Yue and returning to his courtyard, Yang Jian packed his luggage.

There was not much to pack, really.

Just a few changes of clothes.

He stored everything in his ring-shaped soul tool, and just as he was about to leave, he saw Yue Guan walk in from outside the courtyard.

"Ready?" Yue Guan gave him a once-over.

"Mm."

"Then let's go. Her Holiness the Pope has instructed me to personally protect you."

Yang Jian did not refuse.

After all, with a Titled Douluo by his side, what he planned to do next would indeed be much easier.

The two left the courtyard and headed down the bluestone path toward Spirit Hall's gates.

They encountered quite a few people along the way.

"Brother Jian! Want to go have some tea together?"

"Brother Jian, are you heading out?"

"Brother Jian, remember to come play with us when you get back!"

Most of them were students who had witnessed that battle in the training grounds six years ago.

Over the past six years, they had often come to visit Yang Jian and invite him to all kinds of gatherings and events.

Yang Jian responded to each of them with a smile, neither seeming distant nor overly warm.

He understood perfectly well.

These people had seen his outstanding talent and strength.

That was why they wanted to curry favor with him.

But he did not dislike it.

After all, in a place like Spirit Hall, connections could sometimes be even more important than strength.

Any of these people might become useful allies in the future.

Maintaining these relationships was important as well.

Yang Jian calmly dealt with the people trying to ingratiate themselves with him for a while.

Very soon, Spirit Hall's gates came into view.

Just as Yang Jian was about to leave—

Rapid footsteps sounded behind him.

"Yang Jian!"

Hu Liena ran over, panting. Her chestnut-colored hair had been blown into slight disarray by the wind, and a faint anger showed on her delicate face.

"You're going out to train, so why didn't you tell me?" She stood before Yang Jian with her hands on her hips, glaring at him indignantly. "If Teacher hadn't mentioned it just now, I wouldn't have known!"

Seeing her like this, Yang Jian could not help smiling.

"Don't make it sound like we're being separated by life and death." He reached out and smoothed the windblown strands of hair by her face. "I'm only going out to train. It's not like I'll never come back."

Hu Liena bit her lip, her eyes turning slightly red.

"Take me with you."

"No." Yang Jian decisively shook his head. "Senior Brother Xie Yue told me. You're joining the Elite Training Program, so you can't come with me."

Hu Liena fell silent.

The Elite Training Program was Spirit Hall's most elite training program. Countless people fought desperately for a place in it, and once enrolled, they could not withdraw.

"Then... then remember to come back early. I'll wait for you."

Hu Liena's voice lowered, filled with reluctance. Then she stepped forward and wrapped both arms around Yang Jian's waist, burying her face against his chest.

"When you return, I'll give you a gift."

Her voice was so soft that only Yang Jian could hear it, and her face flushed faintly red.

Watching this from the side, Yue Guan's lips unconsciously curled upward into an exceptionally standard auntie smile.

Young love was wonderful.

"Got it."

Yang Jian nodded, feeling Hu Liena's soft pressure against him.

He was not sure what that gift meant, but he did not ask.

The two quietly embraced for a while.

"Alright." Yang Jian released her. "Go back now."

Hu Liena gave a soft hum, yet did not move.

By then, Yue Guan had already called over a luxurious carriage, which was waiting outside the gates.

He tactfully did not urge them, merely standing beside the carriage and waiting patiently.

Yang Jian turned and walked toward the carriage, climbing inside.

He leaned out through the window and waved at Hu Liena.

"Go back now."

Hu Liena stood where she was, biting her lip.

The carriage slowly started moving.

Hu Liena watched as it gradually disappeared into the distance. The figure leaning out from the window grew smaller and smaller, until it became a blurry outline and vanished at the end of the road.

She secretly made up her mind.

The next time they met, she would definitely break through to Soul King.

She could not fall too far behind Yang Jian anymore!