Setting Off

Over the next month, Dongfang Yu trained alongside Hu Liena and the others. The four of them also grew much closer.

"Xiao Yu, another round?" Yan asked with a grin.

Dongfang Yu's face darkened as he snapped, "Are you addicted to bullying people or something? If you've got the guts, go train with Senior Sister and the others yourself."

Dongfang Yu had definitely kept this score in mind. Over the past month, Yan had sought him out for sparring whenever he had nothing better to do, and every match ended with Dongfang Yu getting beaten up.

"Are you two preparing to spar again?" Hu Liena asked with a smile as she approached from afar.

"Senior Sister, did you need something from me?" Dongfang Yu asked, glancing at her.

"Teacher wants to see you," Hu Liena replied.

"I'll go right away," Dongfang Yu said. This was the first time Bibi Dong had summoned him in the past month.

"Hey, we'll spar again when you get back!" Yan shouted at Dongfang Yu's retreating figure. Dongfang Yu merely waved casually without taking so much as a cloud with him.

Hu Liena sighed helplessly. "Yan, is it really that fun to keep bullying him?"

Yan was delighted the moment he saw Hu Liena and hurriedly said, "Nana..."

"Stop. Please call me by my name. Don't call me Nana," Hu Liena said with a slight frown.

"This... all right. You don't know how quickly that kid Xiao Yu has improved this past month. I feel like in another two months, I might not even be able to beat him," Yan said, looking somewhat dejected.

Hu Liena hesitated. "Is it really that exaggerated? Isn't Junior Brother still level 23?"

Yan shook his head slightly. "Soul power is secondary. What matters is experience. He already had extensive combat experience as a foundation, and after sparring with me for a month, he's practically gained wings."

Hu Liena nodded slightly. "That's true."

"There's something else..."

Seeing Yan hesitate, Hu Liena asked, "What else?"

"I have this strange feeling. Every time I spar with him, it doesn't feel like sparring at all," Yan recalled.

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Hu Liena said, her expression turning somewhat displeased.

"I mean... I feel like many of his moves seem to contain... a very strong killing intent." Yan glanced at her expression and phrased it as tactfully as possible.

Hu Liena frowned. She did not think Yan would lie to her, but she still said, "Junior Brother is still so young. That shouldn't be possible. All right, if there's nothing else, I'll be leaving."

Seeing that Hu Liena had not taken it seriously, Yan sighed inwardly. There was actually one more thing he had not said: Perhaps those moves were killing techniques to begin with...

A month later, the Papal Hall still looked as cold and lifeless as ever.

Spending every day in this silent, frigid Papal Hall, doesn't that woman Bibi Dong ever feel cold? Dongfang Yu thought before striding into the Papal Hall.

Before long, Dongfang Yu saw Bibi Dong reclining on the Papal throne with her eyes closed. He bowed slightly and greeted her, "Teacher."

At his voice, Bibi Dong's long eyelashes fluttered lightly. She then opened her eyes and said, "Mm, you're here."

"I wonder what business Teacher has with this disciple?"

"Oh, it's like this. There's a matter I wish to send you to handle." Bibi Dong sat upright and looked at Dongfang Yu calmly.

"Please give your instructions, Teacher," Dongfang Yu said respectfully.

Bibi Dong noticed his respectful manner and smiled faintly. "Consider this an opportunity for you to gain experience."

"Recently, someone below reported that Evil Soul Masters have appeared near a small city called Nuoding City, on the southwestern border of the Heaven Dou Empire. I want you to deal with them."

Dongfang Yu froze. Sending someone of his current strength to deal with Evil Soul Masters? My most 'beloved' teacher, do you simply not want your 'favorite disciple' to return alive?

"Teacher, this disciple lacks experience and fears he may not handle it well..."

"Of course I know you cannot handle it alone, so I have already arranged a capable assistant to help you," Bibi Dong interrupted, as though she had prepared everything in advance.

"According to the report, those Evil Soul Masters are mostly Great Soul Masters and Soul Elders. I want you to kill every last one of them."

Only then did Dongfang Yu feel the weight lift from his heart. If they were only Soul Elders, then with an assistant, he should be able to handle them.

"Then who is Teacher sending to assist me?"

Bibi Dong smiled and called out, "Come out."

Soon, someone entered from outside the Papal Hall. She was young and beautiful, with delicate features and short orange-red hair that made her appear capable and spirited.

Dongfang Yu was dumbfounded. "S-Senior Sister?" This was his capable assistant? Was there some mistake?

Hu Liena stepped closer, covering her mouth as she let out a soft laugh. "Junior Brother, are you surprised?"

Dongfang Yu's mouth twitched as he muttered quietly, "Very surprised."

Seeing the relationship between her two disciples gradually improve, Bibi Dong's eyes showed a trace of delight. "Nana is now a level 34 Soul Elder. Xiao Yu, the two of you will go together."

This woman really has a big heart. She's actually sending both of her disciples at once. Isn't she afraid something might happen? Maybe you wouldn't be sad if I died, but if Hu Liena died too, you'd have plenty to cry about.

"This disciple will follow Teacher's arrangements," Dongfang Yu replied.

"All right, go rest. The two of you will depart tomorrow."

"This disciple takes his leave," they said in unison before withdrawing.

Bibi Dong's gaze drifted as she murmured, "Grow stronger quickly."

The sun gradually dipped westward, and the wisps of white clouds in the sky seemed to have been edged with gold, brilliant and varied.

The fading afterglow of the setting sun shone upon Dongfang Yu and Hu Liena, stretching their shadows long. Everything appeared so peaceful and beautiful.

"Senior Sister."

Hu Liena showed Dongfang Yu only her profile as she raised her head slightly toward the sky. Her bright eyes curved pleasantly as she asked, "What did you want to say?"

Looking at her profile, Dongfang Yu lost himself for a moment. This little fox really is ridiculously beautiful.

"Senior Sister seems very confident about this trip?"

"I've had similar experience before. I've dealt with Evil Soul Masters in the past. They're nothing special," Hu Liena replied.

Dongfang Yu smiled and nodded. "Then I'll be relying on Senior Sister to look after me this time."

"What Teacher means this time is... to see how you perform. I'm only assisting from the side. In the end, it'll depend on you," Hu Liena said with a radiant smile, showing no dissatisfaction at all.

Dongfang Yu hesitated for a moment before answering, "Mm, I'll do my best."

"All right, go back and make your preparations early."

With that, the two parted ways and returned to their respective residences.

That night, stars fell and clouds scattered. The entire Spirit Hall was unusually quiet, as though it were the calm before a storm.

Staring at the ceiling, Dongfang Yu remained awake for a long time, feeling both nervous and excited.

Nuoding City? Nuoding Academy? Holy Soul Village?

Perhaps I should find an opportunity to take a look at that child favored by fate.