Bibi Dong helped Leng Xiyue up, then asked, "I heard from my subordinates that you were wandering through the Martial Soul Forest when you happened to save a gifted student taking part in a trial. That was how they discovered you and brought you back. Do you remember how you ended up in the Martial Soul Forest?"
If she was going to raise the girl as her successor, she needed a clear understanding of her background.
If her family had driven her out, she could send someone to sever all ties with them completely. If she had accidentally become separated from her family, they would need to be granted certain benefits and status. If she was a street child or an orphan, things would be even simpler.
At Bibi Dong's question, Leng Xiyue shook her head. "Master, I don't remember. Maybe I hit my head while fleeing. I really want to know what my family used to be like, too."
Memory loss was hardly unheard of, and Leng Xiyue did not seem to be pretending. Bibi Dong suspected nothing and merely approached the matter from another angle. "In that case, do you have anything on you that might identify you?"
If she did not even have a keepsake, they would have to put some effort into investigating her origins and search bit by bit.
Leng Xiyue thought for a moment, then finally took out the dagger.
Trust was the foundation of any relationship. If she was unwilling to trust even Bibi Dong, she would never have chosen Spirit Hall.
Given my circumstances, and how upright my martial soul is, even if my ancestors were Evil Soul Masters, it should be fine, right?
Bibi Dong took the dagger. As she studied the design on it, her expression grew considerably more solemn, as though she was trying to recall something.
Suddenly, Bibi Dong turned toward the documents on the pavilion's table. With a thought, she sent one stack flying into her hand.
Leng Xiyue could not see what was written on them, but Xiao Bai slipped behind Bibi Dong to sneak a look.
On January 17, year 986 of the Martial Soul Calendar, a major battle broke out at the governor's residence in Clentia Province. Six Titled Douluos took part, four of whom belonged to the heretical Eternal Night Council. Elders Qian Jun and Jiang Mo went to provide support, but arrived too late. The governor, his wife, and over eight hundred members of the household all perished fighting to the death, including their three legitimate sons. Their eldest and youngest daughters remained missing; the search teams found neither of their bodies.
Subsequent investigations confirmed that the governor and his wife belonged to the seven overseers of the reclusive Hidden Dragon Society. Publicly, they had presented themselves as a rank-82 Soul Douluo and a rank-76 Soul Saint, respectively, but both were actually rank-96 Titled Douluos, with no records in Spirit Hall. Shortly after the battle ended, the Hidden Dragon Society sent two Titled Douluos as reinforcements. As the Hidden Dragon Society was considered a "friendly" organization, and headquarters had issued no relevant directives, Elders Qian Jun and Jiang Long allowed them to collect the belongings left at the governor's residence and depart without provoking hostilities.
Throughout his tenure, Governor Leng Mingxuan worked conscientiously and made significant contributions to Clentia Province. Of all the provincial governors in the Heaven Dou Empire, he was the only one who actively cooperated with Spirit Hall to suppress Evil Soul Masters. He also enacted a series of policies favorable to the people, who generally lived in peace and good health. His close ties with Spirit Hall may have angered the upper ranks of the heretical organization and prompted this assassination.
Now that he has fallen, the Empire will appoint a new governor to take office. Clentia Province's future remains uncertain. Headquarters is advised to monitor the situation closely.
-Three-star Cardinal Da Kelen
After reading the document carefully, Bibi Dong tossed it back, then returned the dagger to Leng Xiyue. Affecting a casual tone, she said, "I'm not entirely sure where this came from either, but I've already sent people to investigate. We should have results soon."
Bibi Dong remembered very clearly that the symbol engraved on the dagger belonged to the Hidden Dragon Society. There had been only one recent incident involving that organization, so after reading the report, she quickly understood the whole story.
With this heirloom in the girl's possession, and exactly two daughters missing, there could be no other explanation.
Leng Xiyue was still too young. Learning that her parents and brothers were all dead might leave lasting emotional scars, which would be detrimental to her growth. For now, she would have Javier fabricate a plausible account and leave the truth until the girl was older.
Naturally, Leng Xiyue did not believe her, and kept staring at the document that had been sent back.
Seeing this, Bibi Dong said, "That's just an ordinary document, full of dull political affairs. You'll have the chance to read such things when you're older. They aren't suitable for you yet."
At that, Leng Xiyue looked toward Xiao Bai, who had also read the document.
"Uh, she's right. It really isn't the right time to tell you yet."
Xiao Bai turned her head away and said nothing more.
She could sense Leng Xiyue's feelings, and naturally knew how much the girl looked forward to having a family. If she learned the truth now, she would be heartbroken. Once she no longer cared so much about such things, or found friendship or familial affection in Spirit City to fill that void, she would not feel so bereft.
She was still just a child, after all~
Still, the report said that the original Leng Xiyue had an older sister who was also missing. Presumably, someone had rescued her. It would not be too late to try searching for her once Leng Xiyue's wings had fully grown.
Leng Xiyue was no fool. With both of them acting like this, how could she fail to guess what had happened?
So I'll just keep being an orphan. No big deal. I'm used to it.
Seeing Leng Xiyue's spirits sink, Bibi Dong said gently, "All right. In a little while, I'll have Javier arrange for you to stay in a side hall. Over the next few days, someone will help register your records. For now, you can study in the Papal Hall's library. When I'm free, you can also come to me, and I'll personally guide your cultivation."
"In a few days, I'll have someone take you to Spirit Hall Academy. You'll be staying in its dormitories then. During these next few days, you may read the books in the library whenever you like. Consider it one of the privileges of being my personal disciple."
Hearing this, Leng Xiyue immediately brightened. Cultivation did not particularly matter; the important thing was getting into the Papal Hall's library. It was bound to contain detailed records on Soul Tools. If she could study them carefully, figure out how the current imitation Soul Tools worked, then use the Forge's power to combine them with technological products...
It was easy to foresee an entirely new form of "soul guidance technology" being born in her hands.
Bibi Dong, however, was a little concerned. The child was happy one moment and gloomy the next. But on reflection, weren't children her age always so changeable? Perhaps she was simply overjoyed to hear that Bibi Dong would personally guide her cultivation.
Soon, Javier arrived at Bibi Dong's summons and led Leng Xiyue to her accommodations in the side hall.
Though called a side hall, it was actually a three-story villa. From the outside, it looked utterly unremarkable, but once inside, the decor could only be described as extravagant. Rare gemstones and works of art were everywhere.
The furnishings inside were also perfectly suited to a little girl like her. Many things were a size smaller, and there was a full selection of clothes, shoes, and everything else she might need. She had no idea whether these had just been prepared or had been there all along.
There were no unnecessary rooms, and the layout was quite compact, though each room was rather large. The bedroom alone covered around three hundred square meters. All the furnishings were in excellent condition, and even with only one person living there, it did not feel empty.
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