After leaving the training grounds, Hu Liena hurried to catch up. "Junior brother, you really didn't let him save any face."
Lin Feng flexed his wrist and smiled at her words. "He was the one who wanted to spar. I couldn't just stand there and let him hit me, could I?"
"I never said you were wrong to fight back." Hu Liena glanced at him. "But he'll probably be depressed for several days after this."
A rank forty-three Soul Ancestor had lost to a rank thirty-five Soul Elder, and in front of so many people at that. Anyone would have felt awful.
Lin Feng didn't particularly care.
If Yan interacted with him normally, he naturally wouldn't go out of his way to cause trouble. But since Yan insisted on using a sparring match to teach him a lesson, he had no reason to play along.
The two hadn't gone far when a guard approached them.
"Young Master Lin Feng, His Holiness the Pope summons you."
"Teacher wants to see me?" Lin Feng paused, then nodded and followed the guard to the Pope's Palace.
Inside the hall, Bibi Dong was reading a document. When she saw him enter, she set it aside.
"I heard you defeated Yan?"
"Yes."
"He's already rank forty-three. You've certainly given your teacher a surprise." Bibi Dong looked at the boy before her, her smile deepening.
The child who had first been brought to the Pope's Palace six years ago had grown considerably taller, and his performance in cultivation had never disappointed her.
A thousand-year second soul ring, an eight-thousand-year third soul ring.
Combined with his ability to fight above his rank, these were enough to prove that her years of nurturing him hadn't been wasted.
"However, there's one thing you must remember."
"Please tell me, Teacher."
"Sparring on the training grounds and the battles you encounter outside are two different things."
Bibi Dong said slowly, "Yan knows who you are. He wouldn't attack with the intention of killing you. But enemies outside might not give you a chance to prepare."
"Your devouring ability is powerful, but it also has a range limit. If your opponent never lets you get close, what do you intend to do?"
Lin Feng thought for a moment. "Use spiderwebs to restrict his movements, then find an opportunity to close in."
"And if he's faster than you, and your spiderwebs can't catch him?"
At that, Lin Feng didn't rush to answer.
Bibi Dong didn't demand an immediate answer either. She only said, "Remember these questions. Don't assume you can handle every Soul Ancestor just because you won one match."
"I understand."
Lin Feng nodded, then continued, "Teacher, there's actually something I wanted to ask your permission for today."
"What is it?"
"I want to leave Spirit City and spend some time gaining experience outside."
Bibi Dong looked at him, her expression shifting slightly. "Why have you suddenly had this idea?"
"Over the years, I've spent most of my time cultivating in the city. Even when I hunt Soul Beasts, someone arranges everything for me beforehand." Lin Feng said earnestly, "I want to go out on my own and try handling things myself when they come up."
"Besides, as you just said, Soul Masters outside won't follow the rules of sparring. I have to experience that for myself."
Bibi Dong didn't agree immediately.
Lin Feng's strength was indeed far from weak now, but in her eyes, he was still only twelve years old.
After a moment, she asked, "Where do you plan to go?"
"I'll head toward the Heaven Dou Empire first, look around along the way, then find somewhere to gain experience."
"Have you thought it through?"
"I have."
Looking at his determined expression, Bibi Dong finally nodded. "In that case, you have my permission."
Her gaze swept over the wound on Lin Feng's arm, and she added, "Get your injury treated first. Leave tomorrow."
A smile immediately spread across Lin Feng's face.
"Thank you, Teacher!"
"Don't celebrate just yet."
Bibi Dong took a token from beside the desk and held it out to him.
"Keep this safe. When you need help, you can go to the local Spirit Hall Branch, but you mustn't use it to run wild."
"I understand."
Then Bibi Dong took out a silver ring.
"This is a Storage Soul Tool. I've prepared some Gold Soul Coins, changes of clothes, and medicine for your injuries inside. You can use it by infusing it with Soul Power."
Lin Feng accepted the ring and tried it according to her instructions. Sure enough, he sensed a separate space inside.
It was roughly a few cubic meters in size, more than enough for some personal belongings.
Bibi Dong gave him a few more reminders before letting him return to prepare.
When he reached the entrance, Lin Feng heard Bibi Dong's voice behind him again.
"If you can't get used to being outside, come back."
He turned and nodded earnestly.
"Mm."
Early the next morning, Lin Feng finished packing and arrived outside the Pope's Palace.
Hu Liena was already waiting there, a small bundle in her hand. "Leaving is such a big deal, yet you didn't even think to tell me beforehand."
"I only got Teacher's permission yesterday. Didn't I tell you as soon as I came back, senior sister?"
Hu Liena pushed the small bundle into his hands.
"Food for the road. Once you're out of the city, nobody will remind you to eat on time every day."
Lin Feng opened it and took a look. Inside were several wrapped pastries, all ones he often ate.
"You really do think of everything, senior sister."
"Oh, stop it." Hu Liena rolled her eyes at him, then added, "If you meet someone you can't beat, run. Don't think you can beat everyone up just because you defeated Yan yesterday."
"Don't worry. I'm not that stupid."
They walked together to the end of the steps before Hu Liena stopped.
"When you get somewhere, remember to have the branch send a letter back."
"Got it."
Lin Feng waved, then turned and headed toward the city gates.
Meanwhile, inside the Pope's Palace.
Bibi Dong watched the entrance, only withdrawing her gaze after Lin Feng's figure had disappeared completely.
"Yue Guan, Gui Mei."
Two figures appeared without a sound.
"Your Holiness."
"Follow him."
Bibi Dong's tone was calm, but her instructions were perfectly clear.
"Let him handle ordinary battles himself. You needn't intervene in everything. But if anyone threatens his life, you must keep him safe."
"Yes."
Yue Guan acknowledged the order, then smiled. "With the two of us there, you can rest assured."
Gui Mei said little, merely nodding slightly.
After the two left, Bibi Dong picked up the document again, but didn't immediately open it. She sighed inwardly.
This child really has grown quickly.
When I first took him as my disciple, he was just a little fellow who didn't even have his first soul ring. Now he's already reached the point of wanting to venture out on his own.
Elsewhere, Lin Feng had already walked out of Spirit City.
Looking back at the towering city gates, he let out a soft breath, then continued along the road.
As for whether he was truly traveling alone...
Lin Feng knew full well that, given how much Bibi Dong valued him, she would most likely arrange for someone to follow him in secret.
Who would be able to put her mind at ease? Recalling the two figures who frequently came and went from the Pope's Palace, he already had a guess.
However, Lin Feng didn't stop to search for traces of those two Titled Douluos. Since Bibi Dong wanted him to gain experience without worry, he was best off pretending he knew nothing.