Teacher Gao Lan continued from the lectern:
"So, I'm going to put you through two years of special training at the Soto Soul Fighting Arena!"
"The Soto Soul Fighting Arena?"
The students of Class One exchanged glances and began murmuring among themselves.
Han Bing, however, was completely calm. The fastest way to improve your strength was naturally through battle. These past few years, I've grown stronger by fighting almost every day!
Besides sparring with him at the academy, his master and several of the other elders trained with him as well.
That was why his strength had grown so quickly.
Teacher Gao Lan continued:
"Exactly, the Soto Soul Fighting Arena. My requirements are simple: you must earn Gold Soul Fighting Badges. But there are two conditions. First, Han Bing must compete as a support-type Soul Master and cannot use his Second Martial Soul. Second, Hu Liena cannot use her charm abilities or the Martial Soul Fusion Skill she has with Xie Yue."
"You must also compete under aliases. Choose your own code names and wear masks! After three days of rest, you can set off for Suotuo City!"
Everyone nodded, looking forward to the special training.
The arrangement suited Han Bing perfectly. This kind of training would be ideal for practicing how to use his Haki.
The group dispersed, taking three days to rest and get themselves ready.
Han Bing had grown quite a bit over the past six years and was now nearly one meter seventy tall.
Years of daily training had given him a clearly defined physique, and his features had grown sharper.
His eyes were still a vivid blue, and his ice-blue hair was especially striking.
At that moment, he returned to the Worship Hall.
A powerful chill poured from within. Before leaving for the academy, he had made ten Ice Orbs for Guang Ling Douluo.
Guang Ling Douluo was cultivating with the help of the Ice Orbs.
The Worship Hall was filled with bone-chilling cold. Now and then, immense waves of Soul Power surged through it, enough to make anyone tremble.
Before long, a colossal pressure burst skyward, sweeping over them like a crashing wave.
The force sent Han Bing's hair flying.
Han Bing's eyes widened as he stared at the Worship Hall.
"What's going on?"
Guang Ling Douluo's booming laughter rang out from inside.
"I've broken through! At last, this old man has reached level ninety-seven! Hahaha! Wonderful!"
The pressure naturally drew the other elders' attention. One after another, they hurried toward the Fifth Elder Hall.
"Disciple, what are you doing out there? Come in!"
Han Bing slowly pushed open the door and entered.
By then, the other elders had arrived as well. The first to congratulate Fifth Elder were Qianjun and Jiangmo Douluo.
"Congratulations, Fifth Elder! You've broken through to level ninety-seven!"
"Oh, it was just luck. Just luck!"
The other elders came to offer their congratulations, and even Great Enshrined Qian Daoliu, who rarely appeared, came to the Fifth Elder Hall.
Everyone immediately bowed respectfully.
"Great Enshrined!"
Qian Daoliu nodded and looked over Guang Ling Douluo, who had just broken through to level ninety-seven. He said slowly:
"Guang Ling, congratulations on reaching level ninety-seven. For us Titled Douluo, every breakthrough after level ninety-five brings a qualitative improvement. From what I can see, your ice attribute has undergone a complete transformation."
Han Bing stood respectfully to one side with the other elders.
Over the years, he had gotten to know the other elders well. Whenever they had time, they came to see him.
Once they learned that Guang Ling had taken in a peerless genius as his disciple, they had all grown curious.
They had spent plenty of time helping Han Bing train.
But Great Enshrined Qian Daoliu rarely appeared. For the past six years, Han Bing had only heard of him and had never met him.
Today was their first meeting.
But Qian Daoliu had long been aware of Han Bing. As the highest authority in Spirit Hall, he kept an eye on everything within it.
Han Bing had been on his radar for a long time.
He was exceptionally gifted, but there had been no need for Qian Daoliu to step in. The other elders were already guiding him.
Hearing Qian Daoliu's praise, Guang Ling Douluo quickly replied:
"Great Enshrined, I owe this breakthrough to my disciple, Han Bing. He's the reason I reached level ninety-seven so quickly!"
Guang Ling Douluo beckoned Han Bing over and said:
"Come, disciple. Pay your respects to Great Enshrined!"
Han Bing cupped his hands and bowed respectfully.
"Han Bing pays his respects to Great Enshrined!"
Qian Daoliu nodded, looked Han Bing up and down, then took his seat on the high dais.
The elders understood at once. Great Enshrined almost never came out, so he must have something important to say.
They stood respectfully to either side, waiting for Qian Daoliu to speak.
Qian Daoliu studied Han Bing for a moment, then said slowly:
"Guang Ling, your disciple is indeed impressive."
"Spirit Hall is now under Bibi Dong's control, but she lets her emotions sway her decisions. I fear for Spirit Hall's future. Han Bing has such extraordinary talent—we must do everything we can to nurture him."
"Han Bing, are you willing to serve Spirit Hall for the rest of your life?"
Han Bing nodded without the slightest hesitation.
"Of course."
Seeing no sign of deceit in his eyes, Qian Daoliu continued:
"Then Spirit Hall will do everything it can to nurture you and prepare you to become the next Pope."
Han Bing lifted his head slightly, astonishment flickering in his eyes. Bibi Dong was still in power. Wouldn't this bring her wrath down on him?
But Qian Daoliu's next words put his mind at ease.
"But now isn't the time. I owe Bibi Dong a debt, and I've spent these years repaying it. But she lets her emotions sway her, and I fear she'll bring all of Spirit Hall to ruin. So every one of you elders must secretly support Han Bing."
"When the time is right, we'll make Bibi Dong step down!"
The elders immediately cupped their hands and agreed.
"Yes, Great Enshrined!"
Qian Daoliu continued:
"Han Bing, I can see that you're thoughtful and meticulous. I'd feel at ease entrusting Spirit Hall to you in the future. However you choose to lead it, all the elders and the elders of Spirit Hall will follow your orders."
"There is something else I'd like to ask of you."
Han Bing first offered his sincere thanks. "Thank you, Great Enshrined! What is it? I'll do everything I can."
Qian Daoliu gazed into the distance and spoke slowly:
"My granddaughter, Qian Renxue, is also a genius of this age, every bit your equal. She has Innate Level 20 Soul Power, but Bibi Dong hates us and sent her to infiltrate the Heaven Dou Empire. All these years have gone to waste."
"My family has guarded the Angel Inheritance for generations. I hope you can help her. She's been undercover since childhood—she's had a hard life. With your talent, your future is boundless. Even becoming a god is entirely possible. So I'd like to entrust Qian Renxue to you."
"Of course, I won't force you. You can start out as friends, teammates, and allies fighting on the same side."
"If possible, while I'm still alive, I'd like to see my granddaughter, Qian Renxue, find a good home."
Han Bing was stunned. What did he mean?
Was he trying to arrange for Qian Renxue to marry me?
Before Han Bing could react, Great Enshrined continued:
"So, I'd like to arrange for Qian Renxue to marry you. Of course, I won't force you. It would be best if you were willing, but if you aren't, I won't insist."
Han Bing stared at him, stunned. He hadn't expected Qian Daoliu to come here just to discuss this.
But seeing the worry on his face, Han Bing understood: he knew he would have to sacrifice himself someday to help Qian Renxue become a god. So this was his last resort!
Before you continue