Inside the main hall of the Pope's Palace, a little girl stood before the throne with her hands clasped against her chest, looking around uneasily like a frail little animal.
Several pairs of eyes were studying her.
"Little girl, show us your Martial Souls."
Yue Guan's voice rang out.
"Don't be afraid. They only want to see your Martial Souls. They won't hurt you."
"Come on, be good!"
Yue Guan's gentle voice eased the little girl's nerves slightly.
Then two Martial Souls slowly appeared behind her.
"Hiss!"
"Roar!"
Two ferocious spiders appeared before everyone.
"They're twin Martial Souls! They really are twin Martial Souls!"
"And beast Martial Souls of the same origin!"
"Those are the Death Spider Emperor and the Soul Devouring Spider Emperor!"
Even the Peerless Douluos could not help exclaiming in astonishment.
Having heard that the little girl Qian Xunji brought back possessed not only twin Martial Souls but also innate full Soul Power, all the enshrined elders of the Worship Hall had hurried over to verify it.
Twin Martial Souls were already incomparably rare, yet this little girl's were beast Martial Souls of the same origin, and she even had innate full Soul Power!
Spirit Hall had not seen anyone with such talent in ten thousand years.
How could they not be astonished?
When everyone looked at the little girl again, their eyes were already burning with excitement.
How was this merely a little girl? She was clearly a future Peerless Douluo powerhouse!
A Peerless Douluo!
There were only three of them on the entire Douluo Continent!
Even Qian Daoliu could hardly conceal the excitement on his face.
This... this little girl Xun'er had brought back was actually so gifted. There was no longer any need to worry about Spirit Hall's future.
His Spirit Hall truly had the mandate of heaven!
All the enshrined elders wanted to take her as a disciple, but with Qian Xunji before them and Great Enshrined Qian Daoliu behind him, they knew that a peerless genius like her was not destined for them.
"Xun'er, since you brought this little girl back, how about leaving her instruction to you from now on?"
At that moment, Qian Daoliu turned to Qian Xunji and asked.
If Qian Xunji refused, he would take the opportunity to accept the little girl as his own disciple. In any case, he would never let anyone else lay a finger on her.
A genius like this was safest only in the hands of his own family.
"Very well!"
Qian Xunji naturally understood Qian Daoliu's meaning and readily agreed.
"Come here!"
Qian Xunji beckoned to the little girl.
The little girl shuffled slowly over to Qian Xunji and tilted her head up to look at him.
"From now on, your name will be Bibi Dong!"
Outside, as Bibi Dong watched this scene, her mind still buzzed despite already knowing.
That little girl was her!
She had no memories at all from before she was six. So she had lost her memories after that bizarre ritual.
No wonder her teacher had said she was an orphan but never told her anything about where she came from.
Who exactly were those black-robed people?
Was that slaughtered village her birthplace? Had her father and mother been killed by those black-robed people?
For a moment, Bibi Dong's thoughts tangled like a skein of hemp.
Her teacher had saved her back then, yet she had betrayed him!
Bibi Dong could not help raising her head to look at the figure nearby. Teacher, why wouldn't you tell me you were the one who saved me?
Below the abyssal rift, Qian Renxue's lips parted slightly.
She had never imagined that this was her mother and father's past.
Her father had saved her mother, but why had her mother never shown him any gratitude, treating him with such coldness and resentment instead?
With questions in her heart, Qian Renxue watched the Heavenly Screen.
On the Heavenly Screen, Qian Xunji had Bibi Dong turn to face everyone.
"From now on, Bibi Dong will be my disciple and Spirit Hall's Holy Maiden!"
Everyone placed a hand over their chest and bowed in congratulations.
"Congratulations to His Holiness the Pope on gaining such an outstanding disciple!"
"Congratulations to His Holiness the Pope!"
Bibi Dong looked at everyone with her large eyes, her expression revealing delight and unease.
News of Qian Xunji taking a disciple and appointing a Holy Maiden soon spread throughout Spirit Hall. Under Spirit Hall's arrangements, Spirit City began a three-day celebration.
All of Spirit City bustled with festivity.
Inside a residence in the inner city.
Dressed in a thin silk robe, Qian Xunji reclined against the headboard. Before him, a lovely figure stood by the window, watching the fireworks bloom across the sky outside.
Whoosh... bang!
Brilliant fireworks blossomed in Ah Yin's clear blue eyes.
The last time she had seen fireworks was while traveling with her eldest brother and second brother. She wondered how they were doing.
"Would you like to go out and take a look?"
A voice came from behind her. Ah Yin turned to find that Qian Xunji had already walked over beside her.
A glimmer of anticipation flashed through Ah Yin's eyes as she looked at Qian Xunji.
"I... can I go out?"
Qian Xunji froze. He had only spoken casually, but looking at Ah Yin's expectant eyes, he could not bring himself to refuse.
"Of course, as long as you want to!"
Half a cup of tea later, Qian Xunji and Ah Yin appeared on the street, having changed their clothes.
The streets bustled with crowds, decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers. All of Spirit City, both the inner and outer city, had been adorned for the celebration.
As the news spread, not only did cultivation families and sects send people to offer congratulations, but large numbers of Soul Masters were also drawn to Spirit City. Within a single day, Soul Masters could be seen everywhere in the city.
With Spirit Hall's law enforcement teams present, these Soul Masters did not dare casually start conflicts at such a crucial time.
"Buns! Piping-hot, fragrant buns!"
"Roasted sweet potatoes! Fragrant and sweet roasted sweet potatoes!"
"Candied hawthorn skewers! Candied hawthorn skewers for sale!"
Vendors' cries rang endlessly through the streets, and the scents of all kinds of food drifted through the air.
At that moment, Ah Yin was like a little gluttonous puppy, her delicate nose twitching constantly as she greedily sniffed the various fragrances in the air.
Watching her, Qian Xunji could not help finding it amusing.
With a slight wave of his hand, Gui Mei appeared behind him.
"Go buy some of every tasty thing on this street."
"Yes!"
"Masks! Pretty, fun masks!"
Ah Yin approached the mask stall, examining the masks with wonder.
"Miss, would you like to look at some masks?"
"There's a masked bonfire gathering in a little while. Would you like to buy a mask?"
Seeing Ah Yin's exquisite, luxurious clothes, the stallholder came forward with a broad smile.
Ah Yin picked up a mask and examined it, then put it on and turned to ask Qian Xunji.
"What do you think? Does this mask look nice?"
Ah Yin had chosen a blue rose mask that completely covered her little face.
"Not bad!"
Qian Xunji nodded slightly.
"Miss, you're already beautiful. With a mask, there's an added touch of mystery. You look even lovelier!"
The stallholder also showered her with praise.
At that moment, Gui Mei walked over with his arms full of food.
"Your Ho... Young Master, I've bought the food."
Having nearly addressed him as His Holiness the Pope the instant he opened his mouth, Gui Mei hurriedly corrected himself.
If anyone else learned that this was His Holiness the Pope, who knew how great a commotion it would cause?
Qian Xunji said nothing, merely casting a glance at Ah Yin.
Gui Mei immediately understood.
He approached Ah Yin and showed her the delicacies in his arms.
"Miss Ah Yin, have a look. What would you like to eat?"