Spirit Hall's tofu was fragrant and soft

Three days flew by, and Su Yuntao arrived at Holy Soul Village as promised.

Just as they were about to leave the village, Qin Chao suddenly stopped.

"Uncle, do you have any money on you?" Qin Chao asked, a little embarrassed.

Word had already arrived from Spirit City: as long as he delivered Qin Chao, he could also transfer to the main hall. To Su Yuntao, Qin Chao was now practically an honored ancestor. Whatever Qin Chao asked for, he would agree without question.

After quickly searching himself from head to toe, Su Yuntao found only seventeen Gold Soul Coins. There was nothing he could do about it. A Soul Grandmaster's monthly allowance was only ten soul coins, and his spending had gradually exceeded it...

Qin Chao hesitated for a moment, then took one Gold Soul Coin from Su Yuntao's palm. "Consider this a loan. I'll pay you back as soon as I receive my allowance..." With that, Qin Chao turned and ran toward an intersection.

Old Jack stood there. He had wanted to see Qin Chao off, but feared the child was too young and would be reluctant to leave, so he could only follow quietly behind. He had never expected Qin Chao to notice him anyway.

"What did you come back for? Hurry up and catch up with Master Su!" Old Jack said, showing Qin Chao a stern face for once.

Qin Chao said nothing. He simply spread his arms and gently hugged Old Jack. Old Jack was the first person he had met in this world, and Qin Chao had long since come to consider him family.

Pressing the Gold Soul Coin into Old Jack's hand, Qin Chao turned and ran back toward Su Yuntao.

Looking at the Gold Soul Coin in his hand, Jack's aged eyes overflowed with tears.

With Qin Chao leaving home, Jack naturally wanted to give him some pocket money. Yet after scraping together everything he could, he had only managed two Silver Soul Coins through gritted teeth. This year's grain had not yet been sold, and that was all he could afford.

He had never expected that, although Qin Chao had said nothing, the boy had taken it to heart.

"Study hard..." Jack had so much he wanted to say, but those were the only words he could get out.

Partings were always sorrowful. Even Su Yuntao, who had been so excited, grew rather quiet.

"You don't have to pay that money back..." After they had walked for a long while, Su Yuntao suddenly spoke, blurting the words out of nowhere.

"Huh?" It took Qin Chao a while to understand. A small smile tugged at his lips. "If I'd known you were so generous, Uncle, I would've taken another two coins..."

"Why, you little..." Su Yuntao gave Qin Chao an exasperated glare, just as Qin Chao looked up at him. They exchanged a smile, and the atmosphere grew wonderfully warm.

Once they reached the main road, Su Yuntao and Qin Chao boarded the carriage prepared in advance. After several days of nonstop jolting, they finally arrived before the gates of Spirit Hall's main hall.

Looking at the towering, majestic building before him, Qin Chao felt a little dazed.

Spirit Hall. He had finally reached the sacred place he had yearned for before transmigrating.

Qian Renxue, Hu Liena, Bibi Dong...

Seeing Qin Chao's distracted expression, Su Yuntao assumed the imposing building had stunned him. Over their days together, he had always felt that Qin Chao was far too mature. At last, he could see a little childishness in him.

"What are you thinking about?" Su Yuntao asked, a hint of teasing in his voice.

"About Bibi Dong..." Caught off guard by the question, Qin Chao instinctively voiced his thoughts.

As though he had suffered a fright, Su Yuntao hurriedly reached out and covered Qin Chao's mouth.

"Don't mess around, kid. This is Spirit Hall! How can you address Her Holiness by name..." He glanced around and only relaxed when he saw that no one had noticed.

After that little commotion, Qin Chao finally came back to his senses. "Uncle, aren't we going inside?"

Su Yuntao shook his head with a wry smile. "My rank is too low to take you inside, but someone should be coming to meet us..."

Speak of someone, and they arrived. Spirit Hall's gates slowly opened, revealing a young girl in red standing prettily in the entrance.

"Are you Soul Grandmaster Su Yuntao?"

The girl's crimson lips parted slightly. Her voice was a little husky, yet that huskiness held a unique charm.

As a devoted reader of the novel, Qin Chao instantly recognized her.

Flowing black hair, a fondness for red clothes, a husky voice-who else could it be but Hu Liena?

Just as in the novel, Hu Liena was not breathtakingly beautiful, but the alluring air she carried was especially enticing.

Hearing Hu Liena's question, Su Yuntao hurriedly nodded. "Yes, yes, that's me, Su Yuntao. I previously belonged to the branch hall in Nuoding City and was transferred to the main hall just recently..."

Hu Liena paid little attention to Su Yuntao's answer. Her gaze had already been drawn to the child whose hand he held.

What a handsome child...

Looking at Qin Chao's delicate features, Hu Liena could not help admiring him inwardly. She had heard he was so gifted that even her teacher was considering taking him as a disciple. To meet this little genius at the earliest opportunity, Hu Liena had specifically cut her training short and waited at the entrance. Now that she saw him, his looks alone made her long wait worthwhile.

"Little brother, come here~" Hu Liena beckoned to Qin Chao.

Under the gaze of those bewitching eyes, Qin Chao had already blushed. He looked up at Su Yuntao and only stepped forward after seeing him nod, instinctively taking the fair little hand Hu Liena had extended.

Hu Liena was briefly startled when he took her hand. She had merely beckoned for the child to come over. She had not expected him to make himself at home so readily.

Qin Chao's delicate little face had earned him plenty of goodwill. Hu Liena did not let go, merely reaching out with her other hand to gently ruffle his little head.

Qin Chao's hair was soft and smooth, quite pleasant to touch. It reminded Hu Liena of her fluffy tail during Martial Soul Possession, making her like him even more. Holding his hand, she led him into the great hall.

With a beauty's soft hand in his, Qin Chao felt a little lightheaded. Only after a few steps did he come to his senses.

"Pretty big sister, Master Su is still outside!" Qin Chao reminded her.

The moment his tender little voice rang out, Hu Liena's heart nearly melted.

"Master Su, you can head to the side hall to complete the formalities first. The staff there will help you get acquainted with the place..."

Su Yuntao cast Qin Chao a grateful look and hurriedly agreed.

All my careful attention these past few days wasn't wasted. This child is so perceptive! If not for him, I'd probably still be standing awkwardly outside like a fool...

Su Yuntao was about to leave when Qin Chao spoke again, stopping him.

"Uncle, please wait a moment..." Letting go of Hu Liena's little hand, Qin Chao bowed respectfully to Su Yuntao. "Thank you for taking care of me these past few days. I'm sorry for all the trouble..."

"Oh, come on, kid. It was nothing..." The sudden thanks left Su Yuntao a little at a loss.

Seeing Qin Chao's solemn expression, Hu Liena's lips curved into a smile.

"How can this little fellow be so adorable when he's being serious..." Hu Liena scooped Qin Chao into her arms. "Being grateful and repaying kindness is a good thing. How about this, Master Su? Wait in the lobby for a little while. I'll take this little fellow to my teacher first, then personally escort you to the side hall to report in..."

"Your teacher?" Su Yuntao was rather confused.

"My name is Hu Liena. I'm Her Holiness the Pope's disciple..." Hu Liena introduced herself calmly, but Su Yuntao was so shocked that he froze on the spot.

Only after Hu Liena had carried Qin Chao far away did Su Yuntao finally recover.

Taking him to her teacher? Is Qin Chao actually being granted an audience with the Pope herself? It looks like this little fellow is about to soar straight into the heavens...

Naturally, Qin Chao had no way of knowing what was going through Su Yuntao's mind.

Held in Hu Liena's arms, Qin Chao felt a little dazed by the faint fragrance lingering around his nose. They were far too close. Through her thin clothes, Qin Chao could even feel the girl's newly developing figure.

Damn, does this count as "eating tofu"-copping a feel...?

Qin Chao's little face was bright red, but his mind was filled with vivid shades of dirty yellow...