Aftermath

News of Spirit Hall's establishment of the Soul Tool Hall spread through Spirit City and then across the entire continent as if it had grown wings.

Some were shocked, some confused, some disdainful, and some secretly wary. But no matter what, Spirit Hall did not slow its efforts. With Qian Daoliu and Bibi Dong jointly pushing things forward, preparations for the Soul Tool Hall were in full swing.

The site was chosen on an open stretch of land east of Spirit City. It had originally been Spirit Hall's backup training grounds, but it was now sectioned off for the construction of a new hall. Large numbers of craftsmen came and went every day, hauling stone and timber, while the clang of construction rang out from morning to night.

Huo Yuhao's days became busy.

For the next half year, he trained with Qian Daoliu in the mornings and at noon. He could not neglect his soul power cultivation because of the Soul Tool Hall. In the afternoons, he checked on the construction progress and discussed every detail with the craftsmen. At night, he studied the new books spat out by the Eye of Eternity and tried to create higher-grade soul tools.

Sometimes, he was so busy that he did not even have time to eat.

Whenever Qian Ren Duo and the others came looking for him, they often found nothing but empty air—or he happened to be too busy to see them.

"This kid's busier than the Grand Enshrined One," Qian Ren Duo complained.

Qiu'er said nothing. She merely looked thoughtfully at the ever-growing pile of metal materials and half-finished products in Huo Yuhao's courtyard.

That afternoon, Huo Yuhao finally had some free time and wandered around Spirit City alone.

He walked along the long streets, passed familiar shops, and greeted several stall owners he knew. The sunlight was pleasant, warm against his body, making him want to stretch lazily.

"Well, well, Hall Master."

A smiling voice came from behind him.

Huo Yuhao turned around and saw Hu Liena standing not far away. She wore a pale purple dress, her fiery red hair draped over her shoulders, and she was looking at him with a bright smile.

"Sister Na." Huo Yuhao smiled as well.

Over the past year and a half, he had grown much closer to the people from the Papal Hall.

It had started with the conversation after that selection tournament. Hu Liena had approached them herself and said that she wanted the Papal Hall and the Hall of Enshrined to reconcile. Qian Ren Duo and the others agreed, and the younger generation on both sides gradually began interacting.

At first, things were still somewhat awkward. After all, they had grown up with different ideas drilled into them, and they had always felt that the others belonged to "that side." But after spending more time together, they realized it was not such a big deal. What did the complicated grudges and resentments of the older generation have to do with them? They were only teenagers. They had trained together, competed together, eaten together, and chatted together. Slowly, they became friends.

That cold-faced guy Xie Yue turned out to be rather sly once they got to know him. Yan, the hot-tempered older brother, was actually quite loyal. He was just hopelessly devoted to Hu Liena, and no one could talk sense into him. As for Hu Liena, the Papal Hall's Holy Maiden was nothing like the noble, aloof beauty she seemed to be in public. In private, she was simply an older sister who loved making jokes.

"What is it? Has the Soul Tool Hall's Hall Master come out personally to inspect the common folk?" Hu Liena walked over and matched his pace. "Or has Hall Master finally finished being busy and come out for some fresh air?"

"Holy Maiden, please stop teasing me." Huo Yuhao scratched his head with a bitter smile. "I was just taking a walk and getting some air. I've been staring at blueprints every day lately. My eyes are about to go blurry."

Hu Liena laughed.

The two of them strolled slowly down the street, chatting idly.

"Do you know?" Hu Liena suddenly said. "Because of the Soul Tool Hall, a rumor is spreading all over Spirit City."

"What rumor?"

"They say you're the Grand Enshrined One's illegitimate son."

Huo Yuhao stopped walking.

He looked at Hu Liena. That captivating face of hers was filled with a mischievous smile.

"...Holy Maiden, that joke isn't funny at all."

"It isn't a joke. People really are saying it." Hu Liena's eyes curved into crescents as she smiled. "Think about it. Fourteen years old, a Soul King, Hall Master of the Soul Tool Hall, personally trained by the Grand Enshrined One—if you're not an illegitimate son, then what are you?"

Huo Yuhao sighed.

"I can't be bothered with them," he said. "Let them spread it. It won't cost me a piece of flesh."

"How open-minded." Hu Liena gave him a thumbs-up.

The two walked on for a while longer.

"No, Little Yuhao." Hu Liena suddenly stopped and looked at him. "What should you call me in private?"

Huo Yuhao froze for a moment, then understood.

Looking into Hu Liena's teasing eyes, his scalp tingled. Ever since they had become closer, he had discovered that this older sister had a rather wicked sense of humor. She loved seeing him embarrassed and teased him every chance she got.

"Sister Na..." He lowered his head obediently and called out honestly.

Hu Liena burst into laughter.

"That's more like it."

Huo Yuhao: "..."

He scratched his head and continued walking.

Hu Liena caught up with him, the smile on her face gradually fading somewhat.

"Yuhao, one thing is true," she said.

Huo Yuhao looked at her.

"I'm joining the Soul Tool Hall."

Huo Yuhao stopped again.

"Huh? Why?"

He was somewhat surprised. Hu Liena was the Papal Hall's Holy Maiden, one of the future candidates for Pope. Her status was noble and her prospects boundless. What was she going to the Soul Tool Hall for?

Hu Liena looked at him, a hint of seriousness in those foxlike eyes.

"You know my martial soul leans toward the spiritual type, and my offensive power isn't particularly strong," she said. "Of course, I'm not saying your spiritual-type martial soul lacks offensive power. We're not even in the same league."

Huo Yuhao nodded and waited for her to continue.

"Besides, although I'm the Holy Maiden, they say I'm the most likely to inherit the position of Pope. But—" Hu Liena paused. "You know that, for the past several decades, the position of Pope has always been held by someone from the Angel Clan."

"The Pope is an exception. She was a peerless genius with Twin Martial Souls, and she also happened to be the last Pope Qian Xunji's final disciple. There was no Angel of her generation more outstanding than her, so she was able to become Pope."

"And now, I know that Spirit Hall's young mistress with the Six-Winged Angel Spirit is far stronger than I am."

Huo Yuhao fell silent for a moment.

Of course he knew who she meant.

Qian Renxue.

The one who had pulled him out of the ruins when he was six. The one who had bid him farewell eight years ago, whom he had not seen since. The one who possessed the Six-Winged Angel Spirit and was called a God-Favored One by everyone in Spirit Hall.

"Sis... Qian Renxue is the Angel God's chosen one," he said. "It's normal for her to be stronger than all of us. Besides, she'll probably directly take the Grand Enshrined One's position in the future. She may not even want your position as Pope."

"That may be true." Hu Liena sighed. "But the pressure is still enormous. The Pope has high hopes for me, but I know myself that I'm still far from that position. Besides, whether it's martial soul, talent, or background, I can't compare to her in any of them... It really is frustrating."

She looked toward the enormous angel statue above the Papal Hall in the distance, her gaze somewhat unfocused.

"Anyway, for me, one more skill means one more opportunity." She withdrew her gaze and looked at Huo Yuhao. "I have high hopes for the future of soul tools. I'll learn something from you. Even if I can't become Pope in the future, I won't end up doing too badly."

Huo Yuhao was silent for a while.

"Have you thought it through?"

"I have." Hu Liena nodded. "I applied to the Pope voluntarily. In half a year, I'll enter Slaughter City."

Huo Yuhao was stunned.

"Slaughter City?"

"That's right." The corners of Hu Liena's lips lifted slightly, her smile carrying a hint of determination. "I have to obtain that Killing God Domain."

Huo Yuhao looked at her, unsure what to say.

He had heard of Slaughter City. It was said to be the most chaotic and dangerous place on the continent, filled with vicious criminals. People slaughtered one another every day, and people died every day. Of every ten who entered, 9.9 never came out.

"Sister Na..." he began.

"Don't try to talk me out of it." Hu Liena interrupted him. "I know it's dangerous, but I have to go."

She looked at Huo Yuhao, determination gleaming in her eyes.

"I truly have no other choice. If I want strength, I have to pay a price."

Huo Yuhao fell silent.

Looking at the woman before him, he suddenly felt a little admiration for her.

The Papal Hall's Holy Maiden, of noble status, breathtaking beauty, and exceptional talent—in the eyes of others, she already had everything. But she herself knew that it was not enough. She was still far from enough, and she needed to work even harder.

To become stronger, she was willing to go to a place like that.

"Do you want to go with me?" Hu Liena suddenly asked.

Huo Yuhao shook his head and answered without hesitation:

"No."

Hu Liena raised an eyebrow.

"Am I that bored?" Huo Yuhao said. "I don't lack domain abilities. Besides, a place like that really makes me uncomfortable."

He was telling the truth. The Eye of Eternity had given him too much. Spirit Eyes, Ice Jade Scorpion, Deathly Saint Law God—which of them was not stronger than the Killing God Domain? He would have to be completely out of his mind to run off to that hellhole and suffer.

Hu Liena sighed.

"Has anyone ever told you that you're really terrible?"

She looked at the angel statue in the distance. The enormous statue shone brilliantly beneath the sunlight, overlooking all of Spirit City.

"I truly have no other choice," she said softly. "If I want strength, I have to pay a certain price."

Huo Yuhao looked at her—at that exquisite profile, at the determination and loneliness in her eyes.

"Then I wish you success," he said seriously. "Come back alive and in one piece."

Hu Liena turned to look at him.

Then she smiled.

Her smile was brilliant and sincere, unlike her usual captivating smile.

"I will."

She reached out and rubbed Huo Yuhao's head.

Huo Yuhao let her rub his head without dodging. He even lowered his head slightly.

He was not very good at comforting people with words, so he could only do his best to comfort the girl before him through gestures and other means.

The two stood in the street as sunlight poured down from above, coating them in a layer of gold.

In the distance, the angel statue of the Papal Hall watched over everything.

Farther away, the clanging from the Soul Tool Hall construction site continued.

Everything had only just begun.