The next day.
Sunlight shone over everything.
Lin Qian woke in the sunlight, withdrew his Soul Power, and stretched.
Just as on countless days and nights before, cultivation had been branded into his bones, unshakable even by thunder, never neglected for a day.
The time had come to hunt for a Soul Ring.
Straightening his knees, he got out of bed and washed up. Refreshed, Lin Qian walked out to welcome his First Soul Ring.
In the dining room, someone besides Ghost Douluo was waiting.
She had long black hair and did not seem very old, yet her cultivation as a Soul Master had given her a perfectly proportioned figure. She did not look especially beautiful at first glance, but closer observation revealed a distinctive charm.
"Your Highness the Holy Son, this is His Holiness the Pope's other disciple."
Ghost Douluo introduced her.
"Hello, junior brother. My name is Hu Liena~"
Unexpectedly, Hu Liena spoke first, extending her little hand.
Lin Qian readily followed suit and reached out, only to grasp empty air just before their hands met.
Hu Liena pivoted lightly away, brushing her right hand through her lovely hair to reveal her dreamlike eyes, sending flirtatious glances at Lin Qian.
"Junior brother, now that we share a teacher, I still haven't heard you call me senior sister~"
They were the same age, and he was the Holy Son, so by rights, there was no need for him to address her that way.
Lin Qian paused, but still called her, "Senior sister."
Now it was Hu Liena's turn to be surprised.
She had not personally witnessed Lin Qian awakening his Martial Soul; everything she knew was hearsay. It made her curious, but also a little jealous.
She and her older brother Xie Yue had grown up in an orphanage, struggling their way through more than a decade before their exceptional talent caught the Pope's eye and earned them places as her disciples.
Lin Qian was a wild boy from the Star Dou Great Forest, and he had only become the Holy Son because his talent was just that tiny bit higher.
Having grown up with everyone looking up to her, she had the confidence to believe she was no worse than anyone.
At her first sight of Lin Qian, she admitted that the boy was indeed rather handsome, but that was no reason to make him the Holy Son.
So, driven by her competitive spirit, she channeled her Soul Power and gave him an alluring smile.
Hu Liena's Martial Soul was the Demon Fox. To strengthen that advantage, every Soul Ring she absorbed had something to do with charm, so even without using a Soul Skill, ordinary people could not withstand her and would most likely make fools of themselves in public.
But how was this person so composed, not falling for it at all?
Watching from the side, how could Ghost Douluo fail to see that this senior sister and junior brother, whose bond was all plastic, were butting heads at their very first meeting?
But young people were full of hot blood, after all, and a fight could make acquaintances. He could just watch and step in if necessary, letting the two get to know each other~
Lin Qian said, "It's our first meeting, and I haven't prepared a gift. Please don't be angry, senior sister~"
I'm charming you, and you want to give me a present?
Like a fist striking cotton, Hu Liena froze briefly before quickly regaining her composure. She understood the principle of not striking a smiling face.
"Nana has reached rank thirty. Besides His Highness the Holy Son, she'll also be obtaining a Soul Ring this time."
As the atmosphere fell flat, Ghost Douluo hurried to smooth things over.
"You're rank thirty, senior sister? If I remember correctly, you're only twelve. What a genius!"
Knowing what girls like her liked, Lin Qian picked precisely what she wanted to hear.
"Now you know how impressive I am, right? Once we reach the Star Dou Great Forest, your senior sister will have your back!"
Hu Liena smiled sweetly, lightly moving her limbs, her every gesture brimming with allure as she doubled her charm.
Lin "Nascent Soul Old Dog" Qian remained as steady as Mount Tai, unmoved by temptation. He nodded and went to eat.
"Hmph, pretending to be so proper!"
In all her years, no one had ever been immune to her charm, and Lin Qian would be no exception.
Watching the boy's retreating back, Hu Liena gave a cold snort to express her displeasure.
The Star Dou Great Forest.
Under Ghost Douluo's guidance, the three finally reached the forest's outskirts after a day of travel.
The mighty Spirit Hall certainly would not sleep outdoors. Ghost Douluo splashed out lavishly and found a luxury hotel for them to stay in.
"Junior brother, are you hungry after traveling all day? Let's eat together!"
They had barely settled in when Hu Liena felt she was up to it again. She lightly brushed aside the stray hair over her forehead, bringing her charm back online.
Damn, she's got her sights set on me!
Lin Qian groaned inwardly, but Ghost Douluo had gone to check them in, leaving no one to help.
"Boss, one room!"
A rough voice came from outside the door, breaking the silence.
A man entered with a gorgeous woman tucked under each arm.
One man and two women sharing a room-those who knew, knew~
The hotel receptionist said, "Sorry, we're fully booked. Please try somewhere else, all three of you!"
"That's easy. Who checked in last? Just throw them out!"
The receptionist looked troubled. "Well..."
Following his gaze, the man saw a beautiful little girl standing prettily to one side.
His eyes lit up. "What a pretty girl! My name's NPC. Want to come upstairs and have some fun?"
His words were lewd, and his mung-bean eyes practically clung to her, leaving Hu Liena utterly disgusted.
Lin Qian was one thing-at least he was good-looking. What sort of trash was this man? Had he never looked in a mirror?
She rolled her eyes sky-high, not even bothering to acknowledge him.
Ignored, the man instantly burned with rage. With a savage grin, he revealed seven Soul Rings: yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black.
He was actually a Soul Saint!
"Little girl, I'll give you one more chance. If you still refuse, don't blame me for ruthlessly crushing a flower!"
Confronted with a tough opponent, Hu Liena was startled too. With Ghost Douluo absent, she was a little unsure what to do.
"NPC... an NPC? Why not just call yourself Cannon Fodder?"
Mocked over his name, the Soul Saint NPC flew into a humiliated rage and turned toward the boy who had spoken. "Pretty boy, kneel and kowtow now, and I might spare your worthless life!"
"Lin Qian, this isn't your place to speak. Back off!"
Hu Liena snapped at him.
Whatever else, he was still her junior brother under the same teacher. She could not stand by and watch him walk to his death.
"Senior sister, wait to the side so you don't get hurt when the fighting starts."
"..."
Unaware of his true strength, Hu Liena thought he was hinting for her to run. She felt both touched and angry.
How am I supposed to answer to our teacher Bibi Dong if you die?
Before she could speak, the battle had already begun. More accurately, it was a one-sided beating by Lin Qian.
He raised his hand and gathered strength, then shot forward like an arrow, moving at an unbelievable speed!
Bang!
Before NPC could even activate his Martial Soul, one punch broke through his defenses and sent him flying out the door.
Hu Liena: "???"
It was over before she had even seen clearly?
"What happened?"
Ghost Douluo arrived late, all nine Soul Rings-yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black-unleashing together as he stared warily outside.
"This junior had eyes but failed to recognize Mount Tai! I've caused great offense just now. I'll be leaving first!"
With a Titled Douluo appearing, NPC did not even dare come back through the door. He fled, practically pissing and shitting himself.
Ghost Douluo wanted to give chase, but feared it might be a scheme to lure the tiger away from its mountain. It did not matter if something happened to him, but absolutely nothing could go wrong with the Pope's two disciples!
"The rooms are ready. I'll stand guard for you tonight. Go upstairs and sleep!"
"All right."
Lin Qian obediently went upstairs, leaving only Hu Liena standing there with a complicated expression.