Training Beyond the Hall

Ling Jing silently grumbled to himself, but his face remained respectful. "Teacher, I've already broken through to rank thirty. I came this time because I want to obtain my third soul ring, and while I'm at it, travel around and gain some experience."

Staying in Spirit City and focusing solely on cultivation would certainly have been smooth sailing, but having finally traveled to an era before Tang San's birth, it would have been far too regrettable not to see what this age had to offer.

Moreover, Ling Jing wanted to take this opportunity to head to the Icefire Yin Yang Well and claim the Immortal Herbs there for himself.

Although he did not remember any descriptions of Immortal Herbs from the original story...

Ling Jing instinctively glanced at Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan, who stood to Qian Xunji's lower left.

Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan possessed the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, an Immortal Herb Martial Soul. This made him exceptionally obsessed with medicinal herbs and Immortal Herbs alike. He would surely be able to recognize the Immortal Herbs within the Icefire Yin Yang Well and understand their effects.

Therefore, Ling Jing's main purpose in coming this time was to borrow Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan from Qian Xunji.

As for Yue Guan's close partner, Ghost Douluo Gui Mei... he could take him along as a buy-one-get-one-free deal.

When Bibi Dong, who stood beside Ling Jing, heard that he wanted to go out and gain experience, she decided to accompany him. When Ling Jing had first mentioned it, a surge of panic and irritation had suddenly risen in her heart, as though her most beloved toy were about to be snatched away and shared with someone else.

Unable to set her mind at ease, Bibi Dong ultimately decided to go with Ling Jing.

"Going out to gain experience?"

Qian Xunji frowned slightly as he pondered in silence.

There was no need to say how important Ling Jing was to Spirit Hall. Once Ling Jing broke through to become a Titled Douluo and took over the position of Pope from Bibi Dong, he would likely become the most powerful Pope in Spirit Hall's history.

Therefore, Ling Jing's safety absolutely had to be guaranteed.

Although Dong'er was already a rank seventy-five Soul Saint, she had yet to become Titled. If they encountered powerhouses at the Soul Douluo or Titled Douluo level, she would still find it difficult to protect Ling Jing properly.

His father might have arranged for people to protect them as well... but if he, as Ling Jing's teacher, did nothing, it would be rather indefensible.

With that thought, Qian Xunji nodded. "You've cultivated diligently for three years. It would be good for you to go out and see the world. However, traveling outside inevitably comes with dangers. Even with Dong'er protecting you, it would be difficult to escape unscathed if you encountered some powerful enemies."

"How about this? Your teacher will send Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo to protect the two of you. What do you think?"

Ling Jing's eyes immediately lit up at those words.

Well done, Teacher!

I haven't even said anything yet, and you've already taken the initiative to send Gui Mei and Yue Guan with me... you truly are my benefactor, Ling Jing's teacher!

After we visit the Icefire Yin Yang Well, I'll definitely find a suitable Immortal Herb for you to take!

Only three possessors of the Seraphim Martial Soul had appeared in the original story: Qian Daoliu, Qian Xunji, and Qian Renxue, the grandfather, father, and daughter. Of the three, Qian Xunji had undoubtedly performed the worst. As a rank ninety-five Seraphim Martial Soul wielder, he had brought Gui Mei, Yue Guan, and a group of Spirit Hall's red-clad bishops, yet failed to defeat Tang Hao, who had only just become a Titled Douluo. He had even been severely injured by Tang Hao.

That record was truly abysmal.

From this perspective, Qian Xunji's talent might not have been enough to support him in becoming one of the world's strongest experts.

But with Immortal Herbs, things would be different.

Qian Xunji's strength could definitely advance another step.

Furthermore, the several great Worships of Worship Hall might also benefit from this...

As for Bibi Dong beside him, she was not nearly as happy.

If Gui Mei and Yue Guan traveled with them, it meant she would not be able to spend time alone with Little Jing...

But on second thought, her teacher's words did make some sense.

Little Jing's safety was indeed the highest priority. If she ignored his safety merely to be alone with him... Bibi Dong could not accept that at all.

"Thank you, Teacher."

Looking at Ling Jing and Bibi Dong, Qian Xunji revealed a faint smile. "Yue Guan, Gui Mei, the two of you must protect Dong'er and Little Jing well. You cannot allow them to suffer the slightest mishap. Do you understand?"

The moment his words fell, Yue Guan and Gui Mei clasped their fists. "Rest assured, Your Holiness. With the two of us here, we will never allow anyone to harm Her Highness the Holy Maiden or His Highness the Holy Son!"

Although Ling Jing had not yet been formally invested as the Holy Son, that was merely because he was still too young. In truth, Spirit Hall's upper ranks and Worship Hall had long regarded Ling Jing as the candidate to succeed Bibi Dong as Pope—and the only candidate.

Thus, Ling Jing lacked only a title.

Even if Yue Guan and Gui Mei addressed him as His Highness the Holy Son now, there was nothing inappropriate about it.

The following morning.

Ling Jing and Bibi Dong, having already packed everything, appeared outside Spirit Hall, with Yue Guan and Gui Mei following behind them.

What Yue Guan and Gui Mei had not expected was that Golden Crocodile Douluo, the Second Worship of Worship Hall, was also seated in the carriage.

Just as Qian Xunji had thought, Ling Jing's safety was indeed the foremost priority.

Upon hearing that Ling Jing wanted to go out and see the world, Qian Daoliu had even considered accompanying him personally to safeguard his path.

However, Qian Xunji's wife was pregnant again. Qian Xunji had to handle government affairs while caring for his wife, and he also needed to stay behind to look after Xiao Xue. After hearing that Qian Xunji had already sent Yue Guan and Gui Mei, Qian Daoliu decided to dispatch Golden Crocodile Douluo to protect Ling Jing and Bibi Dong.

Seeing Yue Guan and Gui Mei looking somewhat hesitant, Golden Crocodile Douluo raised his eyelids and said blandly, "Relax. This old man isn't that frightening."

At this, Yue Guan and Gui Mei could only exchange bitter smiles before boarding the carriage.

Inside the carriage.

Golden Crocodile Douluo looked at Ling Jing, instantly adopting an entirely different expression. A faint smile appeared on his face, and his voice became extremely gentle.

"Little Jing, you said you wanted to go out and gain experience. Have you decided where you wish to go first?"

"Or... do you plan to head to the Star Dou Great Forest first and hunt your third soul ring?"

Hearing Golden Crocodile Douluo's voice, Yue Guan and Gui Mei could not help but twitch at the corners of their mouths.

Why was the gap between people so enormous?

Golden Crocodile Douluo's attitude had clearly not been like this when he faced them just now!

"I think... I'll first go to Heaven Dou City to take a look, then visit Sunset Forest along the way to experience another Soul Hunting Forest. After that, I'll head to the Star Dou Great Forest to obtain my soul ring."

Ling Jing had thought it through very clearly.

Although tempering his body at the Icefire Yin Yang Well would not allow him to challenge a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring for his third soul ring, it could still raise his soul ring limit by a considerable amount. Moreover... if he first went to the Icefire Yin Yang Well and found an Immortal Herb for Bibi Dong, she might be able to break through directly to rank eighty.