Suspicion

Ghost Douluo nodded. "There really is no such person in the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, but a child named Yu Xiaofeng did indeed appear in a village on the outskirts of Star Dou Forest."

"His parents died in an accident, so his name is merely a coincidence."

"Besides, if he truly belonged to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, shouldn't his martial soul at least be a dragon?"

"Even if he inherited his mother's martial soul, have you ever heard of a Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon possessing a body martial soul?"

Qian Daoliu said, "Better safe than sorry. If we nurture him only to find out in the end that he is one of the enemy's people, wouldn't we become the laughingstock of the entire Douluo Continent?"

Ghost Douluo said, "Then why not send Yu Xiaofeng to Yu Xiaogang? I imagine he would be even more interested in finding out whether Yu Xiaofeng is a member of his clan—or perhaps even his younger brother."

Beneath Ghost Douluo's sinister smile, his eyes carried a trace of mockery. Upon hearing this, Qian Daoliu suddenly smiled. "Not bad. Since we're unsure, we'll send him over and let them help us raise him. Perhaps Yu Xiaogang might even get Yu Xiaofeng to tell the truth."

Ghost Douluo asked doubtfully, "Oh? How so?"

Qian Daoliu said, "For a child of only six, Yu Xiaofeng is acting far too normally. Without the upbringing and instruction of a great clan or sect, how could he have created such a heaven-defying palm technique as the Eight Trigrams Palm: Heavenly Return Sixty-Four Palms?"

"He has too many secrets, and there are too many coincidences surrounding him. Even I can no longer be certain."

Ghost Douluo said, "It would be such a pity to kill a child like Yu Xiaofeng. As long as he remains by Hu Liena's side, he won't be able to escape."

A hint of cunning flashed in Qian Daoliu's shrewd eyes. "Then let us wait and see."

As the two spoke, Yu Xiaofeng had already burst into tears. Though Bibi Dong knew who was responsible, she also understood that it had to be that old fellow Qian Daoliu testing Yu Xiaofeng.

Bibi Dong said, "Xiaofeng, you should leave. If you stay here, Hu Liena may be hurt again, or even..."

Yu Xiaofeng froze, then wiped away his tears and looked at Bibi Dong, his face full of confusion.

After glancing at Hu Liena, Bibi Dong spoke again. "With me here, who do you think could possibly hurt Nana?"

Yu Xiaofeng was no fool. Naturally, he understood the hidden meaning in Bibi Dong's words. He said nothing, merely staring at her as he waited for her next answer.

Seeing that he remained silent, Bibi Dong took out a ring and handed it to Yu Xiaofeng. "This is a soul tool. Take it. I'll take you away later, so prepare yourself."

Yu Xiaofeng accepted the soul tool Bibi Dong had given him, but he still had not received an answer. He had an answer in mind, yet he still did not dare to consider it.

Bibi Dong sighed. "Ghost Douluo was the one who hurt her. As for why he hurt her, you should be asking yourself that."

"Ask me?"

Yu Xiaofeng replied, somewhat dazed.

Bibi Dong said, "Your name is Yu Xiaofeng. What is your relationship with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?"

Yu Xiaofeng shook his head and sighed inwardly. The first people I saw after coming back to life were you people, okay? How would I know this body's origins?

Then he said, "No relationship. I am just me."

Bibi Dong said, "You may think that way, but others will not."

Yu Xiaofeng said, "You mean Grandpa Qian suspects that I was sent by the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?"

"If I had been sent by the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, wouldn't changing my surname have been better?"

Bibi Dong said, "Changing your surname would instead reveal a flaw. Whether you truly are one of them has nothing to do with me, but I still hope you leave as soon as possible. That would be best for you, for me, and for Nana."

After Bibi Dong left, Yu Xiaofeng stayed by Hu Liena's side and did not leave. The first rays of dawn shone in, falling upon Hu Liena's face and restoring a faint trace of color to her pale complexion.

Yu Xiaofeng stepped forward and asked, "Nana, how are you feeling?"

Hu Liena opened her hazy eyes and looked at Yu Xiaofeng with a sweet smile. "I'm fine. Teacher said you're leaving Spirit Hall. Is that true?"

Yu Xiaofeng nodded. "Yes, I'm leaving. You need to get better soon, understand?"

Looking at the severely injured Hu Liena, Yu Xiaofeng said bitterly to himself, Nana, only after I leave will you be safe. He could only bury those words deep in his heart. After swallowing, he said to Hu Liena,

"When I cultivate to the rank of Titled Douluo, no one will be able to hurt you then."

"I promise."

A crystalline tear slid from the corner of Hu Liena's eye. Her smile glistened with tears as she stubbornly said, "You stupid fool. Does Hu Liena really need your protection?"

"When the time comes, just watch how your big sister protects you, you stupid fool."

Yu Xiaofeng broke out in a cold sweat. Why is this girl still like this?

Who exactly is the fool here? Would a grown man like me let you protect me? He could only swallow those words, forcing out a bitter smile. "Fine, I'll listen to you."

With tears in her eyes, Hu Liena said again, "Remember to come back and see me when you have time, you stupid fool. Did you hear me?"

Yu Xiaofeng wiped the tears from Hu Liena's eyes and revealed a row of white teeth. "I'll miss you. Cultivate well and take good care of yourself. Don't turn into a fatty by the next time I come back."

Hu Liena pouted and laughed as she scolded him, "Get lost, you stupid fool. I won't."

Just then, a knock sounded at the door, interrupting their conversation.

"Xiaofeng, it's time to go."

It was Bibi Dong speaking.

Yu Xiaofeng smiled at Hu Liena once more. "Wait for me."

Hu Liena turned her head away, tears slipping from the corners of her eyes once again. When she heard the door open, she turned back around.

As she watched Yu Xiaofeng's retreating figure, Hu Liena felt a sense of loss, as if someone had stolen her heart. Tears streamed down her face without end.

The moment the door closed, Hu Liena burst into tears. "You brat, don't forget what you said."

Yu Xiaofeng, who had just stepped out of the room, stopped abruptly upon hearing those words. He turned to glance at Hu Liena's door and muttered, "Take care. Wait for me to come back."

This scene brought a tearing pain surging from Bibi Dong's chest. It felt so painfully familiar. Back then, he had once made such a promise too, but in the end, she had been the one to break it.

"Teacher Wu, I didn't expect you to personally see me off."

Yu Xiaofeng spoke in surprise.

The old administrator of Martial Hall nodded. "The road may be safe, but we still need to guard against accidents, don't we?"

"Besides, both of them instructed me to escort you to Nuoding Academy. How could I refuse?"

Teacher Wu said.

Yu Xiaofeng stopped in astonishment. "Grandpa Qian knows?"

"You brat, you're running away from home over something so serious, yet you didn't even tell Grandpa Qian. Are you angry with Grandpa Qian?"

Qian Daoliu appeared out of thin air, smiling at the two below.

Old Wu immediately bowed respectfully. "This subordinate greets His Holiness the Pope, Qian Daoliu."

Qian Daoliu nodded to signal that he could rise. Yu Xiaofeng awkwardly wanted to speak, but Qian Daoliu raised a hand to stop him. "It's good to go out and gain experience. Remember, you are the god-grandson of me, Qian Daoliu, and a member of Spirit Hall."

"If someone beats you up, it will be my face that is disgraced. I can afford to lose face, but Spirit Hall cannot."

He then took out a bag of Golden Soul Coins and a pair of Silk Gloves, tossing them both to Yu Xiaofeng. "I believe your godmother has already given you a soul tool. Take these as well. When you have time, remember to come back and visit this old man."

Yu Xiaofeng stored the items in his soul tool, then said to Qian Daoliu, "I will cultivate diligently. I will never bring shame upon you or Spirit Hall."