Time Remains

To Jun Xuehan and Bibi Dong's surprise, after Golden Crocodile Douluo was refused, not only did he not get angry, he actually laughed.

"Ha ha, Big Brother was right. You're not only a true prodigy, but a prodigy with both talent and character. Your Holiness the Pope, I won't take this boy as my disciple, but I'll teach him Body Cultivation in the mornings. That shouldn't be a problem, right?" Golden Crocodile Douluo turned to look at Bibi Dong in the seat of honor, his eyes utterly calm.

He was a man of temperament by nature. When Qian Daoliu had said that Jun Xuehan was suited to follow his path of Body Cultivation and possessed vigorous blood and vitality, he had already been interested. But Golden Crocodile valued more than talent—he also valued character. If someone's character was poor, then no matter how high their talent was, Golden Crocodile would still look down on them.

"That's fine. Xuehan does Morning Training every day anyway. There's no harm in having him learn Body Cultivation from you." Bibi Dong nodded lightly and agreed.

"Kid, you don't have any objections this time, do you?" Golden Crocodile said slowly.

"Then I thank the Second Worship for your favor." Seeing Bibi Dong give him a slight nod, Jun Xuehan immediately agreed.

"Good. I'll come find you tomorrow morning." With that, Golden Crocodile Douluo stood up and walked straight out of the study, heading toward Worship Hall.

Once the matter was settled, Jun Xuehan bowed to Bibi Dong before leaving the study to continue his Morning Training.

Watching Jun Xuehan's departing figure, Bibi Dong nodded in satisfaction. She was now exceedingly pleased with Jun Xuehan.

Sometimes, time truly was like flowing water, Gone Forever.

In the blink of an eye, five years had passed since Jun Xuehan entered Spirit Hall, and he was now twelve years old.

Over those five years, Jun Xuehan's life had been very disciplined. In the mornings, he practiced Body Cultivation with Golden Crocodile Douluo. During the morning, Bibi Dong guided his cultivation and spear practice. In the afternoons, he went to the Library Pavilion to study the theories Bibi Dong had assigned him. At night, he performed Meditative Cultivation.

Though only twelve years old, Jun Xuehan was already around 1.7 meters tall, and his Soul Power had reached Level 35 Soul Elder.

His Third Soul Ring came from a Mystic Water Spirit Dragon that was around 3,500 years old, a soul beast with powerful water attributes.

Third Soul Skill: Tidal Meteor Shower—a Meteor Shower formed from condensed Water Element, capable of wide-area bombardment. Its duration was determined by his own Soul Power.

That morning, Jun Xuehan unusually did not perform Morning Training. Instead, he went directly before Bibi Dong and said, "Teacher, I want to leave and undertake a Training Journey across the continent."

Hearing Jun Xuehan's words, Bibi Dong stopped what she was doing and looked up at him. "Are you planning to go help Xue'er in the Heaven Dou Empire?"

Jun Xuehan shook his head, then nodded. "In a sense, but not entirely. I mainly want to train across the continent. After all, reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles."

Bibi Dong lightly tapped her fingers against the tabletop. "That makes sense. A Training Journey would do no harm. I'll have One Titled Douluo accompany you to protect you."

Jun Xuehan immediately refused. "Teacher, if someone is protecting me at all times, can it still be called a Training Journey?"

Bibi Dong gave a soft laugh and said gently, "A Level 35 Soul Elder with strength comparable to a Soul King can barely be considered capable of protecting himself while training on the continent. This is the Pope's Token. If you encounter something you cannot handle yourself, take the Pope's Token to a Spirit Hall Branch, Spirit Hall Main Branch, or Spirit Hall Holy Temple along the way."

"But remember one thing. If you encounter someone you cannot defeat, do not act on impulse. Ensure your own safety first. It won't be too late to settle the score in the future."

Bibi Dong instructed him carefully. She was extremely satisfied with this disciple. Not only was he diligent in cultivation, but he also loved learning and picked up everything very quickly. In only five years, he had basically mastered everything she had taught him.

"Alright, Teacher. I understand." Jun Xuehan nodded slightly and agreed at once.

He knew perfectly well how Bibi Dong had treated him over the past five years. Calling it the best treatment possible would not be an exaggeration. She had practically taught him everything she knew. So long as he was willing to learn, Bibi Dong was willing to teach, never withholding anything.

"When are you leaving, and when do you expect to return?" Bibi Dong placed the Pope's Token before Jun Xuehan and asked softly.

"I'll leave Pope's Palace shortly. As for when I'll return, I can't say for certain." After thinking it over, Jun Xuehan did not give an exact time for his return.

"Then I'll set a time for you. Three years from now will be the All-Continent Elite Soul Master Academy Tournament. Return within three years and participate in the competition. How about it?" Bibi Dong asked with a faint smile.

"Mm. I'll definitely return before the All-Continent Elite Soul Master Tournament begins." Jun Xuehan agreed without much thought.

Three years was neither particularly long nor particularly short, but it was enough time for him to undergo a period of training.

"Regarding cultivation, I don't think I need to remind you, but I'd better do so anyway, lest you grow lax in your cultivation. When you return, the All-Continent Elite Academy Competition will be used to test the results of your cultivation." After adding that reminder, Bibi Dong said nothing more.

Jun Xuehan picked up the Pope's Token, bowed to Bibi Dong, and took his leave from the study.

After leaving Bibi Dong's study, he had nothing to pack. He kept all his daily necessities in his Soul Tool, so he headed directly out of the rear hall.

As Jun Xuehan walked along a path in Pope's Palace, he happened to see Hu Liena approaching him.

"Junior Brother, shouldn't you be doing Morning Training? Where are you going?" Hu Liena asked curiously as she looked at Jun Xuehan.

"I'm planning to train across the continent. I probably won't be back anytime soon." Jun Xuehan shrugged, his tone completely calm.

Over the past five years, his relationship with Hu Liena had become quite good. At the very least, they were no longer as distant as they had been when they first met.

"Train across the continent? Did Teacher agree?" Hu Liena blinked, asking in surprise.

"Of course she agreed. Otherwise, how could I be going on a Training Journey across the continent?" Jun Xuehan said indifferently.

"Teacher agreed? Alright, then, Junior Brother, be careful while training on the continent. Come back to Worship Hall and visit often. If anyone from the Younger Generation bullies you, come back and find your Senior Sister. I'll avenge you." Hu Liena's eyes curved into crescents as she reached out and patted Jun Xuehan on the shoulder.