Pope's Hall.
Xiao Yan looked around. The last time he had come here, he had been too nervous and hadn't had time to take a careful look. Only upon entering again did he discover how truly magnificent the place was, with a sacred and refined air about it, much like his teacher, Bibi Dong.
"Xiao Yan." Bibi Dong's voice from her seat pulled Xiao Yan from his thoughts. "These two are Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo, my trusted confidants." She gestured to the two elders beside her. One wore white, while the other was draped in a black robe. The black and white suited each other, each setting off the other rather well.
Xiao Yan bowed to the two Douluo. Ghost Douluo Gui Mei gave him a gloomy glance and remained silent. Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan, on the other hand, covered his mouth and chuckled, then waved a hand. "No need for formalities. His Holiness the Pope and we two share weal and woe. You may simply call us grandfathers."
Those words gave Xiao Yan quite a fright. He hadn't noticed in the slightest that this Lord Chrysanthemum Douluo was a man. But things had come to this, and the elder had shown him favor, so Xiao Yan could only awkwardly say, "Grandpa Ghost, Grandpa Chrysanthemum." At that, Yue Guan's smile grew even brighter.
Bibi Dong was also in an excellent mood at the sight. She coughed softly, ready to get down to business.
"Xiao Yan, do you know what the 'Golden Generation' is?"
Hearing this, Xiao Yan gave it some thought. Bibi Dong had previously said that he would also be a member of the Golden Generation. Thinking along those lines, Yan was probably a member as well. Xiao Yan knew Yan's talent and strength; among those his age, he was already as rare as a phoenix feather or a qilin's horn.
"This disciple thinks they should be the young people Spirit Hall focuses on nurturing?"
"Correct. This 'Golden Generation' is a model team established by Spirit Hall to nurture young Soul Masters. At present, only three people are able to join it. The others aren't qualified."
"The first is Yan, who was evenly matched with you just now." At this point, Bibi Dong suddenly felt like laughing. Yan was also a genius who appeared but once in an age. His talent was absolutely top-tier not only in Spirit Hall, but across the entire continent. Yet the young genius Spirit Hall had spent so much effort and so many resources nurturing had failed to gain the upper hand against the six-year-old child before her, despite being more than twenty levels ahead. This Xiao Yan truly was terrifying to such an extent.
"That boy Yan has probably never suffered such a setback at the hands of someone his own age in his life," Bibi Dong said with a smile. "But don't get carried away. You possess an Ultimate Martial Soul, so it's perfectly normal for you to suppress Yan. A true expert, however, can't succeed by relying on that suppression alone."
Xiao Yan nodded in agreement. He had never looked down on Yan in the slightest. If not for the great power of the Heavenly Flames, he wouldn't have dared to contend directly with a three-ring Soul Elder using the strength of a single ring.
"The second member is Xie Yue, Liena's older brother. Among Spirit Hall's current younger generation, he probably has few rivals, but in the future..." With that, Bibi Dong glanced at Xiao Yan, her tone carrying an indescribable admiration. It was no wonder. Xiao Yan was only six, yet he could match Yan. By the time he reached Xie Yue's current age, his achievements would probably far surpass his. She, Bibi Dong, had encountered a peerless genius this time.
"The third member is your junior senior sister. Liena is also exceptionally gifted. Given time, it may be time for me to hand my position as Pope over to her," Bibi Dong said with a sigh. She had neither father nor mother, and she and her daughter were as incompatible as fire and water. To her, Hu Liena was like a daughter of her own flesh and blood, her only family. And now she had gained another family member.
"Xiao Yan, I want you to become the fourth member of the 'Golden Generation.' From now on, I will provide you with the best cultivation resources. I promise you that within ten years, your name will surely shake the Douluo Continent."
Xiao Yan was delighted to hear this. Restoring his strength was precisely what he needed most now. "Teacher, just call me Yan'er. Xiao Yan has no father or mother and has long regarded Teacher as family. This boy, Xiao Yan, will never forget Teacher's support today for as long as he lives." With that, he bowed again.
Bibi Dong smiled in relief. Ever since she had met this child, she had felt that the two of them were truly alike. Equally lonely, equally strong. And now, Xiao Yan's youthful and straightforward trust moved her all the more, reminding her of those years, her teacher, her first love... She would never let those betrayals happen again to this young child. At the thought, Bibi Dong could barely keep her emotions in check. She could only wave her hand and say, "All right, Yan'er. Go see your senior sister and get to know your future teammates." With that, she closed her eyes, listening to Xiao Yan's departing footsteps as she recalled the past...
Xiao Yan left the hall and suddenly discovered that all three members of the "Golden Generation" were standing there, seemingly waiting for him.
"Junior Brother Xiao Yan!" A young female voice rang out, tinged with tears, and a figure suddenly crashed into Xiao Yan. Looking closely, he saw it was Hu Liena. Little Hu Liena wept against him, like a pear blossom in the rain. Of course, girls her age were emotional; seeing him leave covered in blood must have worried her. Xiao Yan patted Hu Liena on the shoulder and said, "Don't worry, Senior Sister. I'm fine." With that, he gave her a sunny smile. Only then did Hu Liena realize she had lost some control of her emotions. She shyly retreated behind her brother and peered secretly at Xiao Yan past him.
Xie Yue extended a hand with graceful poise and said, "Little Brother Xiao, I'm Xie Yue, Liena's older brother." Xiao Yan shook his hand and smiled. "You're too courteous, Brother Xie Yue. Your great name has long resounded in my ears like thunder. Just call me Little Yanzi." Xie Yue smiled at that and said, "Just rumors growing with every retelling. Brother Xiao, you're a young genius with a boundless future. We'll be on the same team from now on, so we'll have plenty of time to get used to one another." With that, he patted the shoulder of the person beside him, none other than the battered and bruised Yan.
An awkward expression appeared on Yan's face, and Xiao Yan found it rather amusing. But Yan was, after all, a man who knew when to yield and when to stand tall. He sighed, then slung an arm over Xiao Yan's shoulders and said, "Xiao Yan, kid, I owe you a favor today. Don't worry, I always repay kindness!" With that, he vigorously ruffled Xiao Yan's hair, then strode away laughing.
Hu Liena and Xie Yue both smiled. Xie Yue said, "Don't take it personally. That's just how he is; he cares about his pride." Xiao Yan smiled too. He rather liked Yan's forthright disposition.
The sun gradually sank, its light spilling over the four children as though gilding them with a faint layer of gold. It heralded the coming of the era that belonged to the Spirit Hall Golden Generation.