First Encounter with Hu Liena
Inside the carriage, Hu Liena's bewitching, oval face was creased with worry. She brooded that her Soul Power was still too low. She could not take part in this year's All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament and would have to wait for the next Soul Master Tournament.
She would not disappoint her teacher. She would use all her strength to crush the Soul Masters of Heaven Dou and the Star Luo Empire, defeating both empires with an unbroken string of victories. Spirit Hall's champion's throne could not be taken so easily. She would make Spirit Hall's prestige resound throughout the entire Douluo Continent.
"Nana, what are you thinking about? It's no good to look so worried. You're Spirit Hall's Holy Maiden. What could be troubling you so much?"
Sitting across from her in the carriage was a feminine-looking man in golden armor. His pale, delicate face was full of smiles, and his right index finger was raised in a graceful, orchid-like gesture as he put the question to Hu Liena in a gentle voice.
"Grandpa Chrysanthemum, I was thinking how much of a shame it is that I can't take part in this year's Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament. I only have myself to blame for my Soul Power being too low to represent Spirit Hall."
Hu Liena pouted and complained to Chrysanthemum Guan with a displeased look on her face.
"Hehe, Nana, Spirit Hall will have its elites representing it in this Soul Master Tournament, so there's no need for you to worry at all. How could the Soul Masters of the two great empires possibly be a match for Spirit Hall? The talent Spirit Hall has nurtured is beyond anything those two empires can compare with.
"After so many medicinal herbs and so much effort have been invested in them, if they still can't deal with the Soul Masters from the academies of the two great empires, they can either go carry out missions or be eliminated."
A cold light flashed through Chrysanthemum Guan's eyes. He knew a few things about Spirit Hall's inner workings. The effort and hardship required to climb the ranks could not be summed up in a sentence or two. One could have Spirit Hall's resources, but without some impressive achievements and contributions, those resources would have to be repaid to Spirit Hall thousands or tens of thousands of times over.
As for the fate of anyone who wanted to defect from Spirit Hall, the torment would be worse than death. Spirit Hall would make him understand that trying to escape its control was an unwise path to take.
"Don't worry, Nana. With your innate level-nine Soul Power and Spirit Hall's training, you'll definitely reach the Soul King realm by the next tournament. When the time comes, you'll easily defeat the Soul Masters of the two great empires. As for their advanced Soul Master academies, put your mind at ease. With your brother and Yan there, it's pure wishful thinking for a bunch of Soul Masters with only Soul Ancestor strength to think they can defeat Soul Kings."
Chrysanthemum Guan spoke with complete confidence. As a Titled Douluo, he knew exactly how strong each realm ought to be. To defeat someone a whole realm above you, your Martial Soul's quality had to reach unprecedented heights, or its attributes had to suppress those of your opponent's Martial Soul. Otherwise, trying to win was like striking a rock with an egg.
"You're right, Grandpa Chrysanthemum. With my brother and Yan, and Spirit Hall's ample resources to train us, the three of us in the Golden Generation will definitely reach the Soul King realm by then. It'll be easy to claim the champion's throne from Soul Masters who are only Soul Ancestors, and we won't have let Spirit Hall's training go to waste."
Hu Liena's face lit up with excitement as she spoke cheerfully to Chrysanthemum Guan across from her.
"That's right. Nana, you must keep that confidence. You're Spirit Hall's Holy Maiden and His Holiness the Pope's disciple. You're not someone just any Soul Master on the continent can compare with. You stand above ten thousand people and below only one; your status is worlds apart from theirs. You must keep your composure and control your expressions at will. Only then will you be a worthy Holy Maiden."
Chrysanthemum Guan offered Hu Liena this earnest advice. As he looked at her across from him, remembering how she had grown from a girl who had just awakened her Martial Soul into a graceful young beauty, affection flashed in his eyes. He cherished Hu Liena as his own granddaughter. Because of his Martial Soul, he had never been able to marry and have children, but with Old Ghost and Hu Liena in his life, he, Chrysanthemum Guan, would no longer grow old alone.
The thought filled Chrysanthemum Guan with quiet happiness. Smiling broadly, he said, "Nana, have you decided what kind of Soul Ring you want to obtain in the Star Dou Great Forest? Let Grandpa Chrysanthemum test you. As His Holiness the Pope's only disciple, you already know most things there are to know about Soul Beasts. You can choose the Soul Beast for this Soul Ring yourself. I won't make any recommendations this time."
"Grandpa Chrysanthemum, I want to get my third Soul Ring from a Netherworld Fox. That kind of Soul Beast can produce Netherworld Ghost Fire, and the Netherworld Ghost Fire Soul Skill has the dual effects of mental attacks and burning. It would give me a long-range offensive Soul Skill."
Hu Liena blinked her pretty foxlike eyes as she spoke coaxingly to Chrysanthemum Guan.
"Since you've made your choice, Grandpa Chrysanthemum will personally find you a Netherworld Fox of a suitable age for your third Soul Ring. We'll rest in Star Dou Town for today, and tomorrow I'll take you to the Star Dou Great Forest to get your Soul Ring."
"All right, Grandpa Chrysanthemum. We came all the way from Spirit Hall to the Star Dou Great Forest by carriage, and my bottom is sore from sitting. A day's rest will be just right to ease the pain. You really do think of everything." Hu Liena smiled at Chrysanthemum Guan.
"Oh, you!"
Chrysanthemum Guan looked at Hu Liena with affection. His granddaughter was so well-behaved, sweet, and sensible that he felt deeply gratified.
Su Tianyu watched as Spirit Hall's carriage stopped outside a luxurious hotel not far away. A feminine-looking man in golden armor stepped out.
Standing on the carriage, Chrysanthemum Guan looked up at the hotel before him, a trace of distaste flashing in his eyes. He quickly adjusted his expression, however, and lifted the carriage curtain. A moment later, a bewitchingly beautiful girl emerged.
She was a girl of about thirteen or fourteen, with a pair of long, narrow foxlike eyes and a fair, dewy complexion. Dressed in a pale-gold gown, she radiated an aura of charm. She swept her peach-blossom-like fox eyes over the gazes directed at her from all around, distaste showing in her own. She hurried down from the carriage and followed the golden-armored figure ahead of her into the hotel.
"Is that Spirit Hall's Chrysanthemum Douluo and Holy Maiden Hu Liena?"
Su Tianyu saw the two people emerge from the carriage from a distance, a puzzled look on his face. He had not expected to run into a famous woman from the Douluo Continent just by going somewhere at random. He thought no more of it and continued strolling around Star Dou Town. Hu Liena's appearance was only an insignificant little interlude.
As the sky gradually darkened, Su Tianyu found an inexpensive hotel and booked a room, then made his way to Star Dou Town's snack street.
Looking at the crowded street ahead, Su Tianyu entered a shop with a decent number of customers. He planned to have some dinner and then return to rest. For the next year or two, he intended to train on the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.