Great Worship Elder of the Worship Hall

Qian Daoliu looked at Jun Xuehan and said, "Jun Xuehan, you are very impressive. Letting you enter the Pope's Palace was a mistake on Xue'er's part. Come back to the Worship Hall with me. You are a true prodigy, with a Beyond Optimal Soul Ring Configuration. I will find a Worship Elder in the Worship Hall to teach you. Whether it is soul rings or soul bones, I can provide them for you. What do you think?"

Qian Daoliu's voice was very calm, but the meaning behind his words was unmistakably clear.

A year ago, when Lie Yan left the Worship Hall for Heaven Dou City, he had already learned of Jun Xuehan's existence. But he had not paid much attention at the time. Innate Full Soul Power and Twin Martial Souls, with both Martial Souls being at least Top-tier Martial Souls—such talent was rare indeed, but it was not enough to draw his attention.

But things were different now. Jun Xuehan's Martial Soul carried faint traces of divinity, which meant he was someone who had been favored by a god. Moreover, the divinity within his Martial Soul vaguely seemed to surpass that of the Six-Winged Angel.

Added to that was his Beyond Optimal Soul Ring Configuration, his unyielding willpower, and something as exceedingly rare as an External Soul Bone.

He was only a Level 22 Soul Grandmaster, yet he could withstand the Aura Pressure of a Level 42 Soul Ancestor. Such talent was enough to call him a true prodigy.

And if such a prodigy were properly nurtured, it was not impossible for him to glimpse that supreme realm. Even if he fell somewhat short, reaching Qian Daoliu's current level would still not be impossible.

What was more, Jun Xuehan was also someone favored by a god. Even if he had not received a god's true favor, he had at least once been favored by one.

That was what Qian Daoliu truly valued.

Because a person like that would surely become a powerful support for his granddaughter in the future.

"Thank you for your regard, Great Worship Elder, but I already have a master. I still understand the principle of respecting one's teacher and honoring the Way, so I can only decline your kind offer. Besides, whether it is the Worship Hall or the Pope's Palace, do they not both belong to Spirit Hall? My talent is ordinary, with nothing particularly outstanding about it. It would be the same wherever I went." Jun Xuehan spoke calmly, his voice composed.

"Interesting. Truly interesting. You are right. Both the Worship Hall and the Pope's Palace belong to Spirit Hall. Since you are unwilling to go to the Worship Hall, I will not force you. If you encounter any problems, you may come to the Worship Hall and find me." Qian Daoliu smiled, then turned and headed directly toward the Worship Hall.

If he had originally come merely because of Qian Renxue's request to take a look at Jun Xuehan, then the talent Jun Xuehan had displayed now was enough for Qian Daoliu to decide to nurture him.

That was why, before leaving, he had said that Jun Xuehan could come find him if he had any problems.

As for Jun Xuehan currently being Bibi Dong's disciple—

Qian Daoliu was not worried in the slightest.

Because he was confident that his granddaughter could win Jun Xuehan over. His granddaughter was someone chosen by a god, someone truly favored by a god. No matter how great Jun Xuehan's talent was, and no matter that he had once received a god's favor, so long as Jun Xuehan had not received a god's true favor, he would forever remain beneath his granddaughter, Qian Renxue.

Besides, Qian Renxue had saved his life. So long as Jun Xuehan remained within Spirit Hall, that was enough. Whether he was in the Pope's Palace or the Worship Hall was of little consequence.

How could someone who respected his teacher and honored the Way possibly forget a debt of gratitude?

And if someone could even forget kindness shown to him, what loyalty could you expect from him, let alone respect for his teacher and the Way?

Qian Daoliu had not gone far when Golden Crocodile Douluo, the Second Worship of the Worship Hall, emerged from around a corner and asked, "Big Brother, how is that boy Xue'er mentioned? Is his talent any good?"

Hearing this, Qian Daoliu smiled and said, "His future is promising. He is a genuine prodigy, and you will certainly like him. That little fellow not only has unyielding willpower, but also a powerful physique."

"His Second Soul Ring is already a thousand-year one, something even Xue'er failed to achieve. His blood and vitality are abundant as well, making him very suited to your path of Body Cultivation. It is a pity that he is already Bibi Dong's disciple. If, when Lie Yan brought him back, she had first taken him to the Worship Hall for us to meet, you might have gained an outstanding disciple."

"Still, Brother Golden Crocodile, if you have the time, you can go give him some guidance. Xue'er has never asked me for anything in all these years. Now she has come to ask me because of him, so we should show him some consideration. As for Bibi Dong, I will have someone notify her."

As Golden Crocodile listened to Qian Daoliu, a sharp glint flashed through his eyes. "Big Brother, if he truly is the prodigy you say he is, can we poach him? After all, he was recommended by that girl Xue'er. He should have belonged to our Worship Hall from the start."

Qian Daoliu smiled. "Why did we not bring him back when we learned of him a year ago? Now that he has already taken a master, we want to pluck the fruit—do you think Bibi Dong would be willing? But if you can poach him, I have no objections."

Golden Crocodile thought for a moment and looked in Jun Xuehan's direction. A faintly contemplative look appeared in his eyes, but he did not say anything further.

The next day, at dawn.

As Jun Xuehan was carrying out his usual Morning Training, he suddenly heard Bibi Dong's voice behind him.

"Xuehan, come with me." Bibi Dong's voice was no different from usual, but the slightly gloomy look on her face showed that she was in a bad mood.

"Oh, all right, Teacher." Jun Xuehan agreed and followed behind Bibi Dong toward the study.

When they arrived in the study, Bibi Dong sat in the seat of honor. Her eyes were closed, and she showed no intention of speaking.

To Bibi Dong's left sat an elderly man with a burly build and an aged face. The old man sized Jun Xuehan up and slowly said, "I am Golden Crocodile Douluo, the Second Worship of the Worship Hall. Your teacher has already agreed to let you return to the Worship Hall with me. Are you willing to take me as your master and let me teach you from now on?"

Hearing Golden Crocodile Douluo's words, Jun Xuehan politely declined without the slightest hesitation.

After all, he had already told the Great Worship Elder the same thing yesterday. How could he change his mind after merely one night? Even if Golden Crocodile Douluo's seniority exceeded that of Qian Daoliu, and even the Great Worship Elder had to give him some face, Jun Xuehan had declined the Great Worship Elder yesterday. Would he hesitate to decline a mere Second Worship now?

When Bibi Dong heard Jun Xuehan's words, she slowly opened her eyes and looked at him with approval.

A new book recommendation: Becoming a God Through Fishing, Starting from Battle Through the Heavens.