Behind Spirit Hall stood an immensely magnificent building that soared into the clouds-the Worship Hall.
Spirit Hall's seven great Enshrined lived within, and even the Pope had no authority over them.
Qian Renxue scooped Lin Gu into her arms, spread her angel wings, and flew toward the highest part of the Worship Hall.
"Hold tight, Lin Gu! My grandpa is in the highest hall!"
Cradled in Qian Renxue's arms, Lin Gu watched the six wings behind her as she flew swiftly into the sky, passing through layer upon layer of clouds until they reached the highest grand hall among them.
The grand hall shone with holy light, and a towering Angel God Statue stood at its center.
Qian Renxue flew over with Lin Gu, slowly landed at the hall, and pushed open the Worship Hall's great doors ahead.
Clouds swirled around it, making it seem like a heavenly palace.
Lin Gu could not help marveling. It truly was a beautiful haven beyond the mortal world.
"Up ahead is where my grandpa lives. All seven great Enshrined are here. Lin Gu, I'll take you to meet my grandpa."
At the mention of her grandpa, Qian Renxue's face finally blossomed into a warm smile, like a flower coming into bloom.
Before she could run over, a voice arrived ahead of its owner, gentle and kindly as it drifted down from the sky:
"Xiao Xue, you're here! Hahaha, come let Grandpa have a look at you. Grandpa missed you to death!"
A man dressed in gold, with long white hair and six wings just like Qian Renxue's, flew slowly down from above the clouds. He immediately came before Qian Renxue, held her shoulders, and gazed at her dotingly.
"My darling granddaughter, you're still so adorable. Grandpa missed you to death!"
They had only just met, yet he had already said twice in succession that he missed Qian Renxue to death. Qian Renxue pressed her lips together in a smile. Only before her grandpa did she seem like a cherished child, and she said:
"Grandpa, didn't we just see each other yesterday? You missed me already?"
"Of course! Even one day without seeing Xiao Xue makes me miss you terribly!"
Qian Daoliu had eyes only for Qian Renxue and had not even noticed Lin Gu standing beside her.
Lin Gu rubbed his head and smiled. Qian Daoliu really dotes on Qian Renxue, but why doesn't he help her? He let Bibi Dong send her off as an undercover agent for nothing, delaying her cultivation for so long.
Qian Renxue smiled, but then she thought of Bibi Dong again and let out a deep sigh.
"Grandpa, I talked to Bibi Dong. She wouldn't listen to me at all. Grandpa, what do you think I should do?"
At those words, Qian Daoliu's smile gradually froze. He forced a smile, then slowly said:
"Xiao Xue, she is your mother, after all."
"Mother? She's not! I don't have a mother like that!"
Qian Renxue folded her arms across her chest and spoke with a frown, her expression sorrowful, helpless, and angry all at once.
Qian Daoliu could only comfort her, looking equally helpless as he said quietly:
"After all, our Spirit Hall wronged her. Xiao Xue, try your best to listen to her."
Qian Renxue huffed, puffing out her cheeks. "Grandpa, that's all you ever say. Forget it. Grandpa, look, I brought an incredibly talented genius. He's simply one of a kind on the continent. Look!"
Finally, after their exchange of pleasantries, Qian Renxue introduced Lin Gu to Qian Daoliu.
Qian Daoliu looked over and saw a handsome six-year-old boy standing there.
Seeing this, Lin Gu hurriedly cupped his hands in greeting.
"I am Lin Gu. My respects, Lord Enshrined!"
Qian Daoliu saw that the boy was merely a One-Ring Soul Master whose Soul Power was not particularly high. At most, he has innate full Soul Power, while my Xiao Xue has innate level 20 Soul Power. That's what truly is one of a kind on the continent. Why does Xiao Xue admire him so much? So he asked:
"Xiao Xue, what's different about him? What makes even you call him one of a kind?"
Qian Renxue chuckled, thoroughly acknowledging Lin Gu's strength. She gently patted his shoulder and said:
"Lin Gu, release your Martial Soul and Soul Ring. Let my grandpa broaden his horizons."
At that, Qian Daoliu laughed. "Broaden my horizons? I've lived so long. What is there on this continent that I haven't seen?"
"Grandpa! You'll find out in a moment."
"All right, then I'll take a good look!"
Qian Daoliu watched closely as Lin Gu pursed his lips, then immediately released his Martial Soul and Soul Ring together.
A faint purple light slowly lit up, and a purple Soul Ring appeared around Lin Gu. He was also wearing an orange breastplate and holding a small white wooden knife.
At the sight, Qian Daoliu immediately jumped in fright, drawing back a little as he exclaimed in surprise:
"A Thousand-Year Soul Ring? A One-Ring Soul Master? This... how is that possible?"
Qian Renxue smiled, clapped her hands, and said proudly:
"Grandpa, that's not all. His first Soul Skill is a shield, and it's so thick that I spent a whole two hours attacking it without breaking it. I reckon it's at least a Titled Douluo-level shield. And his Martial Soul? It's very special!"
Qian Renxue had learned about Lin Gu's Martial Soul, the equipment slot, from Bibi Dong. She also roughly understood that his subsequent Soul Skills might all be as powerful as his first Soul Skill.
After hearing this, Qian Daoliu was dumbfounded, his eyes fixed straight on Lin Gu.
"Xiao Xue, is what you're saying true? Even his first Soul Skill has Titled Douluo-level strength?"
Qian Renxue nodded proudly, as though she had raised Lin Gu herself.
"Your name is Lin Gu? What is your Martial Soul? This breastplate?" Qian Daoliu examined Lin Gu closely, only to notice the small wooden knife in his hand, which also seemed to be part of his Martial Soul.
His brows furrowed slightly. Only after carefully sensing Lin Gu's Soul Power fluctuations and Martial Soul did he rule out twin Martial Souls. "It's not twin Martial Souls?"
"Grandpa, his Martial Soul is an equipment slot. Every time he hunts down a Soul Ring, he gains a piece of equipment like a Soul Bone. According to Spirit Hall's records, the breastplate he's wearing is probably his first piece of equipment. And the reason his Soul Skill is so powerful is very likely the piece of equipment he's wearing."
Lin Gu pursed his lips. Looks like Qian Renxue investigated very thoroughly.
Qian Daoliu nodded and asked Lin Gu, "Lin Gu, is that true?"
A One-Ring Soul Master possessing Titled Douluo-level strength, even with a thousand-year first Soul Ring-no one would believe such an unsupported claim, whoever said it. That was why he asked.
Lin Gu nodded, thinking, The opportunity is here. My chance to stack "Steel" is here. Then he said:
"Lord Enshrined, won't you know whether it's true by trying it yourself? How about sparring with this junior?"
At those words, Qian Daoliu laughed. "Little fellow, how interesting. You should know that I'm a level 99 Peerless Douluo, while you're only level 13."
Following Qian Daoliu's words, Lin Gu said, "In that case, Lord Enshrined, do you dare let me punch you once to test it?"
Qian Daoliu smiled. After all, the boy was only six. He would put it down to a child's innocent words and ignorance, so he said:
"All right. Come at me with all your strength. If I so much as furrow my brow, I lose!"
Hearing this, Lin Gu smiled faintly. Wonderful! My chance is here!