Early the next morning, Yu Tianling got out of bed and began his physical training: 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, and a ten-kilometer run around the courtyard.
Sound familiar?
That was right. This was the renowned One-Punch Man workout.
The night before, Lin Qingze had come to see Yu Tianling and told him that he now worked at Spirit Hall Academy. He told Yu Tianling not to worry about him, to study diligently under the Pope, and to strive to become a Titled Douluo as soon as possible.
So, after some serious consideration, Yu Tianling had decided to temper his body this way. He did not expect to become invincible with a single punch like Saitama; as long as it improved his strength, it would be worthwhile.
"You're Yu Tianling? Teacher's new disciple?"
Just as Yu Tianling finished his training and was about to wash up before heading to Spirit Hall Academy, a cold voice suddenly came from the entrance.
"Hmm?"
Yu Tianling turned around, and a figure in purple came into view.
She had long black hair and looked no more than eleven or twelve years old. Her figure was nearly perfect, and she possessed a distinctive charm.
"Senior sister?"
Yu Tianling spoke with a hint of uncertainty, though he was already certain that the girl before him was Bibi Dong's other disciple, Spirit Hall's Holy Maiden, Hu Liena.
He also understood why Hu Liena was so cold toward him. Wasn't it simply because she felt he had stolen Bibi Dong's affection from her?
Hearing the little boy's words, Hu Liena confirmed that he was indeed the Yu Tianling she had come to find.
With his long white hair and delicate face, he looked remarkably like a porcelain doll. He was staring intently at her, making her blush faintly despite herself.
To cover it up, she hurriedly said with a trace of embarrassment, "Teacher told me to take you to register at Spirit Hall Academy. Hurry up and wash. I'll wait outside."
With that, she hastily ran out of the courtyard.
"Hu Liena, you really are interesting."
Watching his senior sister flee in disarray, Yu Tianling could not help chuckling. Then he quickly washed up, dressed in black, and walked out of the courtyard.
When she saw Yu Tianling emerge, Hu Liena walked ahead without a word, while Yu Tianling followed at an unhurried pace.
Spirit Hall Academy was the most powerful Soul Master Academy on the entire continent, an institution established by Spirit Hall within Spirit City to cultivate talent.
It stood on the western side of Spirit City, nestled against the mountains and beside the water, with exceptionally beautiful scenery.
The academy's gates looked much like Spirit City's own gates. The entrance alone stood dozens of meters high, and four imposing characters were emblazoned on the gatehouse: Spirit Hall Academy!
"Holy Maiden!"
As soon as the two reached the gates, the guards eagerly greeted Hu Liena. At the same time, they looked in confusion at Yu Tianling beside her, wondering why it was not that fellow Yan this time.
"This is Teacher's new disciple, and also Spirit Hall's Holy Son."
Noticing the guards' puzzled gazes, Hu Liena instantly thought of something. Her expression changed, and after leaving those cold words behind, she strode away.
"Ah, the Holy Son!"
"Your Highness, Holy Son, please forgive us! We had eyes but failed to recognize Mount Tai!"
Hearing Hu Liena's words, the guards instantly paled in alarm. They begged Yu Tianling's forgiveness in trepidation, all but dropping to their knees to kowtow.
"It's fine. Those who did not know are not guilty. Keep guarding the gates. I'll go check on my senior sister."
Yu Tianling waved dismissively and hurried in the direction Hu Liena had gone.
He was not like that fellow Tang San, who declared everything a path to death at the slightest provocation.
The roads within Spirit Hall Academy were extremely wide and paved entirely with stone slabs. Statues of successive Popes stood in the very center.
"Senior sister, slow down!"
Yu Tianling ran a few steps and finally spotted Hu Liena ahead, walking with her head down. He could not help calling out.
Hearing her junior brother's shout, Hu Liena abruptly stopped, suddenly remembering the task Teacher had given her: taking her little junior brother to register.
The dean's office
"Your Highness, Holy Maiden, this is...?"
Seeing Hu Liena arrive with a child following behind her, the dean could not help feeling astonished, unsure what status someone would need to warrant the Holy Maiden bringing him in person.
"This is Teacher's new disciple, Spirit Hall's Holy Son, Yu Tianling."
"Holy Son!"
Fei Situo hurriedly bowed.
Inwardly, however, he did not quite understand Bibi Dong's intentions. Why appoint a Holy Son when there was already a Holy Maiden?
"There's no need for such courtesy, Dean."
Yu Tianling spoke amiably to Fei Situo.
"Dean, Teacher intends for my junior brother to begin studying in Spirit Hall Academy's junior division every morning. In the afternoons, she will teach him personally."
Hearing the message Hu Liena relayed, Fei Situo was inwardly astounded. Bibi Dong was actually going to teach the Holy Son herself!
After all, even the Holy Maiden Hu Liena was only nominally Bibi Dong's disciple. In practice, Chrysanthemum Douluo taught her most of the time.
"What kind of genius must he be to receive personal instruction from His Holiness the Pope?"
Fei Situo could not help looking at Yu Tianling beside Hu Liena and asking with a hint of curiosity.
"Holy Son, may I ask what your Martial Soul and Soul Power Level are?"
"Rank fifteen, one-ring Battle Soul Master. Martial Soul: Ancient Void Dragon."
Yu Tianling naturally would not refuse Fei Situo's reasonable request. As he spoke, he activated Martial Soul Possession, and a deep yellow soul ring appeared at the same time.
Meanwhile, after Yu Tianling activated Martial Soul Possession, the other two present instantly felt the suppression of a higher-ranked Martial Soul over a lower-ranked one. Both their expressions changed.
"A top-tier Beast Martial Soul!!!"
"Innate full soul power!"
Hu Liena looked at Yu Tianling, unwilling to concede. Only now did she understand why Bibi Dong had taken this new disciple. She could not help encouraging herself inwardly: she had to cultivate diligently from now on and make her master see her in a new light.
In all of Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong was the only person currently known to have innate full soul power. Of course, Hu Liena knew that her master's daughter possessed innate super soul power, starting at rank twenty.
"Please inform His Holiness the Pope that Fei Situo will certainly not betray her trust. I will personally teach His Highness the Holy Son theoretical knowledge."
Fei Situo, who had not taught students for many years, suddenly felt his blood boil with enthusiasm.
Such a genius was a rare find even in a thousand years. With proper instruction, he could absolutely leave his name upon the continent in the future, so Fei Situo decided to teach Yu Tianling himself.
"All right. I'll tell Teacher."
Seeing the dean's excited expression, Hu Liena understood what he was thinking. But this was indeed the best approach. As a master of theory, Fei Situo was no less capable than Yu Xiaogang.
"Holy Maiden, please take the Holy Son around Spirit Hall Academy. I'll first make arrangements for academy affairs and draw up a plan for teaching the Holy Son."
"All right."
And so, Yu Tianling followed Hu Liena on a leisurely stroll through Spirit Hall Academy that drew plenty of jealousy.
Spirit Hall Academy occupied an enormous area, at least larger than Nuoding City. It encompassed three divisions: junior, intermediate, and advanced. As an academy directly under Spirit Hall, the wealthiest organization on the continent, its facilities were practically up to imperial family standards.
Along the way, Hu Liena took Yu Tianling from building to building, introducing some of Spirit Hall Academy's rules.
As a result, students almost everywhere saw a boy following beside their Holy Maiden, whom they could admire only from afar and never approach with familiarity. They nearly ground their teeth to pieces.
"Who's that boy?"
"Damn it, if only I were the one beside the Holy Maiden! I'd trade ten years of my roommate staying single for that."