Spirit Hall
As the song ended, the spirit beasts sounded with enjoyment and excitement. Mei's status screen then opens in a flash, and she is shocked at what she sees.
"Mei's Idol Status"
Current Status:
Age: 7
Spirit: Starlight Stage
Soul Power: 10
Fans: 17
Idol God Trial: 0/9 <
Mei then clicks the Idol God Trial, and the screen shifts to a different part
~ Idol God Trial ~
1. Gather 100,000 fans (17/100,000)
2. [LOCKED] (◕‿◕)✧
'Congrats, Mei-chan~!' Ai's voice echoed in my skull like a pop song stuck on repeat. 'You've got groupies! Even if they're all furry.'
I jumped. "Wha—?!"
'Relax! This is our new VIP hotline,' she continued. 'Some grumpy multi-armed god said I couldn't materialize willy-nilly. But~ I negotiated.'
"...You mean you annoyed him until he gave in?"
A mental sniff. 'Rude. I'll have you know I— Oh look! Panther approves!'
The massive beast had crept closer during my silent conversation, its star-flecked eyes studying me. Then... it nodded.
My stomach fluttered. This was...
"A debut."
" This feels great, by the way, why is the rest of the trial isn't open?" Mei asked Ai
'It would only open when you complete the previous trial, it's not like I haven't made the rest okay.' Ai answered back
The panther in Mei's lap raised its head and looked at Mei's eyes with anticipation. Mei then noticed that all the other animals were looking at her in anticipation.
' It seems they want an encore,' Ai said gleefully
As Mei was about to sing again, she heard a voice.
" Why are all these soul beasts gathering here?" a young male voice.
Xie Yue POV
I was hunting a soul beast for my second soul ring when I got separated from my sister and elder Yue.
I saw the soul beast I was hunting seemed to stop and go in a different direction. So I followed it, and then I used the signal flair to call for my sister and the elder.
When I was close to the beast, I saw something strange. A little girl was sitting in the clearing surrounded by many soul beasts, but the strangest thing was that they seemed docile and looked expecting something from the girl.
Out of curiosity, I accidentally blurred out "Why are all these soul beasts gathering here?"
That startled her and the soul beasts around her.
Now that I'm closer to her, I can see her face more clearly. I was stunned by how beautiful she was. From her jade-like skin to her starry-like eyes and her soft pink hair framing her delicate face, and her soft pink lips that look quite tempting.
I gulped the saliva in my mouth and was about to introduce myself when I heard a bell-like voice
" T-They were just listening to me singing," she answered nervously, and seemed to be trying to hide behind the panther.
As I was about to introduce myself, I was interrupted by my sister's voice.
"Xie Yue!" Hu Liena burst into the clearing. Behind her, Elder Yue glided forward, golden petals drifting in his wake.
"What happened? We felt—" Hu Liena's words died as she spotted Mei. Her sharp gaze darted around the empty clearing, then back to me. "Why are you just... standing there?"
I blinked slowly, as if waking. "She... the beasts..." His voice trailed off, his usual eloquence failing him.
Elder Yue studied Mei with the intensity of a scientist examining a rare specimen. "Child," he said, his tone deceptively mild, "what exactly were you doing here?"
Mei clutched the hem of her sundress. The truth spilled out before she could stop it: "Singing."
Hu Liena's brows shot up. "Singing."
"To the spirit beasts," I added quietly, still staring at Mei.
A beat of silence. Then—
"Fascinating." Chrysanthemum Douluo smiled, though his eyes remained calculating. "I am Chrysanthemum Douluo of Spirit Hall. This is Hu Liena, and her brother Xie Yue. Might we know your name?"
"M-Mei."
"Mei." He tested the name like a foreign delicacy. "That stage beneath your feet—is that your martial spirit?"
She nodded.
Hu Liena crouched to Mei's eye level, her earlier suspicion giving way to curiosity. "You're what, seven? And you're already hunting for a soul ring?" A grin tugged at her lips. Mei nods nervously as if confirming my sister's statement.
I finally snapped out of my daze. "Elder Yue, we should—"
"Assist her, of course." The elder interrupted smoothly. "A talent like yours shouldn't wander alone, Mei. We could help you find a suitable spirit ring." His gaze flickered to the spot where the panther had vanished. "Perhaps even... introduce you to proper training."
Hu Liena said excitedly. "No pressure. But if you do want to join Spirit Hall eventually—"
"Liena." My voice was sharper now. " You're being a bit pushy."
Mei took a deep breath. "I... I appreciate the help. But I think I need to find my way first."
Chrysanthemum Douluo's smile didn't waver. "Wise beyond your years." He produced a golden token and pressed it into her palm.
"Should you change your mind, this will grant you help to any Spirit Hall branch. But I hope you won't turn down our offer to help you find a spirit beast and take you back to the city, after all, it would be a shame if a genius like you dies too soon."
Mei seems to be contemplating it for a while and finally said, " If you all don't mind me tagging along."
Before anyone answered, I answered a bit too excitedly, " We don't mind at all". I could feel my face heating and turning red, as well as the strange gaze from Elder Yue and my sister. I quickly look away, completely missing a mischievous smirk from my sister.
Elder Yue then cleared his throat and said, "Well, shall we get going?" and started moving deeper into the forest. We all started moving behind him, and I moved closer to Mei to protect her.