Ling Yuan's Visit

Boom!

Less than five minutes after Qian Renxue left, someone pushed open the bookshelf concealing the secret passage from the inside.

"There's someone else in the secret passage?" Qian Zong turned toward the bookshelf behind him.

The secret passage in the Martial Soul Library was built much like the stairwell of a modern library, with a spiral staircase connecting its three floors.

The design was nothing remarkable, but Spirit Hall had no shortage of powerful experts. As long as someone guarded the entrance, no one could enter without permission.

Why does this woman look familiar? I feel like I've seen her somewhere.

A woman emerged from the passage. Her tight combat suit traced her slender waist and long legs, while her amber eyes, shaped like a phoenix's, were utterly captivating.

Women on the continent matured early, especially female Soul Masters, whose figures could fully develop at a young age.

The woman before him looked thoroughly mature.

Ling Yuan entered the private study, and the bookshelf slid back into place.

She dropped to one knee. "Ling Yuan greets the young master."

Ling Yuan had waited in the alley for several minutes before a member of the Angel Legion arrived.

After a brief explanation, that person had guided her into the secret passage. That was how she had come out through the bookshelf.

So it's her. Recognition dawned on Qian Zong. His gaze drifted to Ling Yuan's face. She really does look a little alike.

Perhaps because of her age, Ling Yuan's face and figure now differed somewhat from the Ling Yuan Qian Zong had seen in the animation.

At this point in her life, her figure was even more striking. Her face had less of the mature warmth of the aunt next door and more of a bold, heroic air.

"Please, get up. No need for ceremony, Douluo Ling Yuan." Qian Zong put on no airs and invited her to sit. "What brings you here?"

Qian Zong had read Ling Yuan's file in Spirit Hall. She had become a Soul Douluo at thirty-nine, a testament to her exceptional talent.

Going by the current timeline, she would advance to Titled Douluo before long and become an elder of Spirit Hall.

But Qian Zong had no particular plans for Ling Yuan. Her loyalty was beyond question and her talent was great, but she was too reckless. Letting her settle into an elder's post at Spirit Hall seemed perfectly fine.

Ling Yuan was puzzled. The Young Hall Master did not seem to know why she had come.

She rose and glanced at the chair opposite Qian Zong's desk. Since he had invited her, she thought for a moment, then went over and sat down.

Qian Zong took another cup from the desk, filled it with tea, and gently pushed it toward her.

Then he refilled his own cup.

Given the choice, Qian Zong still preferred sweet drinks to tea.

Soul Masters had formidable bodies and excellent healing methods anyway. He could drink all the sweet drinks he wanted without worrying about kidney stones or cancer.

But Ling Yuan was not Qian Renxue. Qian Zong could not be quite so casual with her.

On a first meeting, he still had to observe the proper courtesies.

Ling Yuan was astonished. She was meeting both Qian Renxue and Qian Zong for the first time.

Yet neither had lorded their status over her. Instead, they had been warm and easygoing, stirring waves of gratitude in her heart.

Resolve filled Ling Yuan's eyes as she voiced her heartfelt thanks. "Young Master, from now on, I will stay by your side for life and keep you safe."

So that's it. This must be the coming-of-age gift the ancestor mentioned. Not bad. Qian Zong finally understood.

Qian Zong nodded. "Then I'm sorry to trouble you from now on."

Just because the Worship Hall was full of experts above the Super Douluo level did not mean Qian Zong would turn his nose up at everyone else. He valued someone with Ling Yuan's potential enormously.

"Douluo Ling Yuan, I'm several decades younger than you. If you don't mind, how about we call each other sister and brother from now on?"

Ling Yuan's gaze faltered slightly.

Those words sounded so familiar. They really were siblings.

"Your status is so exalted. What have I done to deserve..."

Qian Zong might not care about rank, but Ling Yuan did. A subordinate ought to know her place.

Just as she was about to refuse, Qian Zong raised a hand to stop her.

"Sister Ling Yuan, don't sell yourself short. With your talent, you're certain to advance to Titled Douluo one day.

"I'm no more than a broken man now. It would be my honor to call you my sister."

Qian Zong lifted his teacup with both hands and offered it to Ling Yuan.

"Or do you look down on me, Sister Ling Yuan, and refuse to acknowledge me as your little brother?"

Ling Yuan was no lovestruck fool, but she was deeply loyal to Spirit Hall, a true pillar of its ranks.

Qian Zong was also Spirit Hall's Young Hall Master. His will could stand for Spirit Hall's will. That smooth series of moves left the beautiful woman utterly dizzy.

In short, he knew just what would work on her.

"You misunderstand, Young Master." Ling Yuan accepted the cup, drained it in one gulp, and patted her chest in promise. "Since you think so highly of me, I'm yours from now on."

Ling Yuan was happy from the bottom of her heart.

She had already resolved to become Qian Zong's companion. Before meeting him, she had worried he might be difficult to get along with.

Now she saw that despite his youth, he had a fine character.

Most importantly, he was handsome—exactly her type.

She had come out ahead.

Ling Yuan was happy, and so was Qian Zong. A future Titled Douluo would be a pillar of any faction.

Now that future Titled Douluo was not only his personal guard but also his sworn older sister. His security had risen another notch.

Once people settled into comfort, they became especially afraid of dying. That went doubly for Qian Zong, who had survived life on the streets.

Qian Zong feared death more now than ever before.

Winning Ling Yuan over was an enormous gain for him.

Qian Zong teased, "Sister Ling Yuan, are you still going to call me Young Master?"

"Zong... Zong..."

Ling Yuan tried to speak, but her head buzzed. An inexplicable sense that she was crossing a line rose in her heart.

Back when Qian Xunji was still the Pope, she had been nothing but an orphan. All she had wanted was to grow stronger and repay Spirit Hall's kindness.

She had never expected Qian Xunji to die before she had even come into her own.

Now Qian Xunji's child stood before her, and she could not help thinking too much.

"Little Zong?"

Ling Yuan had meant to say "Brother Zong," but at the tip of her tongue, she remembered Qian Renxue calling him "Little Zong," and the mysterious Titled Douluo she had met in the alley doing the same.

Before she knew it, she had blurted out what they called him.

Qian Zong nearly choked on his tea.

What do you mean, Little Zong?

Shouldn't you call me Brother Zong?

Realizing her slip, the usually proud Ling Yuan blushed and hurried to explain. "I'm sorry, Young Master, I..."

"It's fine." Qian Zong swallowed his tea, waved a hand, and smiled gently. "You can call me Little Zong from now on, Sister Ling Yuan."

Given Ling Yuan's age, it was reasonable enough for her to call him that.

"By the way, Sister Ling Yuan, what's your Soul Power level now?"

Spirit Hall did not update its Soul Masters' files in real time. When Qian Zong last checked Ling Yuan's file, its information was already five years old.

Clearly, Ling Yuan had not gone to Spirit Hall to update her file in those five years.