Spirit Hall Academy

A few days later, the carriage gradually slowed. The outline of a magnificent giant city came into view, its towering walls gleaming with a cold, metallic sheen. Above the city gates, banners bearing the enormous Spirit Hall emblem fluttered in the wind.

Its grandeur even appeared greater than that of Heaven Dou City.

"We're here."

The two stepped down from the carriage. Hu Liena's previously playful expression faded, and her smile became much more formal.

"Changqing, welcome to Spirit City."

Su Changqing looked at the city's blooming splendor and felt the magnificence of this holy land of Soul Masters. A faint, expectant smile rested on his lips.

This year in Spirit City was crucial. It directly concerned whether he would be able to reach the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well in the future. Su Changqing had to seize this opportunity properly!

"Mm. Where are you taking me now, Sister Nana?"

"I'll arrange a place for you to stay first, then I'll return to Spirit Hall to report to my teacher about this training trip. Once I'm done with everything, I'll come find you."

"Alright."

Under Hu Liena's guidance, Su Changqing was settled into a luxurious residence. After arriving, he did not choose to go out and wander around. Instead, he remained in his room, meditating and cultivating.

Perhaps too much had happened. An entire day passed, yet Hu Liena never came to see him.

Before he knew it, it was the following morning.

Knock, knock, knock—

"Come in."

The door was pushed open, and Hu Liena entered with a smile on her face.

"Changqing, is your stay here comfortable?" she asked softly.

Su Changqing nodded. "Mm. Anywhere Sister Nana arranges for me is comfortable."

At his words, delight immediately lit up Hu Liena's brows. In two or three steps, she reached Su Changqing, who was sitting on the bed.

She raised both hands, intending to pinch Su Changqing's cheeks.

Just as she was about to succeed, Su Changqing grabbed her wrist. Before she could resist, those flawless, fair hands had already been pressed against his own face.

Su Changqing controlled Hu Liena's hands just like that, making her vigorously knead and pinch his cheeks.

"Mmph... you brat! Let go... mmph..."

Hu Liena's muffled words reached him, but Su Changqing acted as though he had heard nothing.

She was always pinching his face. If he did not teach this little girl a proper lesson now, wouldn't she become even more outrageous in the future?

After an unknown amount of time, Su Changqing finally released her and spared Hu Liena.

By then, Hu Liena's face had already been rubbed bright red by her own hands, giving her an additional touch of shy beauty.

Even Su Changqing was somewhat surprised by the sight.

As expected of someone with a Fox Spirit—she really was beautiful!

"Sister Nana, if you try another sneak attack next time, I'll personally teach you a lesson."

Hu Liena curled her lips. "How stingy. You won't even let me pinch your cheeks!"

After saying that, she changed the subject. "My teacher said she agrees to let you join Spirit Hall Academy. You can graduate once you reach four Soul Rings. That won't be difficult for you."

At that, a smile curled across Su Changqing's lips.

One year would definitely be enough. He only needed to figure out whether he could make Bibi Dong let him leave after that year was over.

Besides, now that he was in Spirit Hall, Qian Renxue surely knew about him as well. He had to find a way to keep this mother and daughter in balance. Otherwise, no matter which side he joined, the other would surely find a way to kill him!

The best approach was to make both sides believe he was interested in them, taking resources from both. It would be difficult and highly risky, but it was still better than becoming someone else's dog!

Having grown up in the Feng clan, Su Changqing had seen far too many abandoned pawns!

"Sure. That really won't be difficult."

"Let's go. I'll take you to the academy now and let you get familiar with the environment first."

"Alright. Sister Nana, remember to come find me tonight."

"?"

After hearing Su Changqing's words, Hu Liena's face briefly went blank. Then her heartbeat quickened, and her cheeks reddened slightly.

"Th-this... Changqing, is something the matter?"

"Did you forget? Didn't I say I'd help you increase your Soul Power?"

"Oh, oh, so that's what you meant. Alright, let's go to the academy first."

For some reason, Hu Liena felt a little disappointed after hearing Su Changqing's answer.

What exactly had I been expecting?

The two left the residence and, under Hu Liena's guidance, arrived at Spirit Hall Academy.

Spirit Hall Academy stood on the eastern side of Spirit City, built against mountains and beside water. It leaned against a great mountain range known as the Spirit Hall Mountain Range.

To the west, directly across from it, lay the Star Dou Great Forest.

"Senior Sister."

"Hello, Senior Sister."

Upon entering Spirit Hall Academy, many students respectfully greeted Hu Liena. It was easy to see her status within the academy.

"This is the main teaching building. Classes are usually held here. Over there is the mimicry cultivation area, where you can choose a cultivation environment based on your personal needs. And over there is the dining..."

"Nana! You're finally back!"

At that moment, a man's voice suddenly interrupted Hu Liena.

He appeared to be around Hu Liena's age, a young man dressed entirely in red.

Beside him stood another ordinary-looking young man, likewise around fifteen or sixteen years old.

"Mm, I returned yesterday. Is something the matter?"

Hu Liena's expression changed. Her seductive aura vanished completely, and she now seemed much colder.

"N-no, it's nothing..."

The young man scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

"How was your training? Were you injured?"

"What does that have to do with you? Do I look injured?"

Hu Liena's tone had become much colder. Clearly, she had already lost patience with him.

"If there's nothing else, don't disturb me. I still need to show this junior around the academy."

As soon as she said that, Hu Liena actually grabbed Su Changqing's wrist and led him away.

The moment the young man saw that, it felt as if the sky had collapsed around him!

At the same time, a surge of fury rushed into his heart!

"Wait, Nana!"

The two stopped.

"Yan, can't you understand what I'm saying?"

Yan did not answer her. Instead, he strode toward Su Changqing, his eyes filled with rage.

Looking down at Su Changqing, who was more than a head shorter than him, his gaze was full of disdain.

"Kid, who are you? This is Spirit Hall Academy. Are you a student here? Do you have the proper credentials? Who recommended you? Let me see them!"

"Yan! Don't go too far. Su Changqing is my friend!"

Hu Liena was finally angry. Faint ripples of Soul Power even began to spread from her body.

"Nana, I'm only worried that you've been deceived. This little brat's identity needs to be made clear!"

"Senior, Sister Nana handled everything for me personally. I don't have many things yet," Su Changqing said calmly.

Hearing the way he addressed Hu Liena, Yan became even more agitated.

"Sister Nana? How intimate. Who exactly are you? What is your purpose in infiltrating Spirit Hall Academy?!"

The moment Yan finished speaking, he raised a hand and grabbed at Su Changqing.

Su Changqing immediately grabbed his wrist in return, firmly locking it in place before him.

"Senior, fighting in public isn't allowed, right? If you want to spar with me, then let's go to the academy's Soul Dueling Arena."