Douluo: Protect Our Spirit Hall [8]

As Night Qifeng had anticipated, things unfolded just as expected.

Not long after—

Hu Liena underwent her Martial Soul Awakening. She awakened a top-tier spiritual-type Martial Soul: the Enchanting Fox. Moreover, she possessed innate full soul power.

The scene immediately erupted into chaos.

"Pause the awakening ceremony immediately!"

The presiding Platinum Bishop, Xivis, couldn't afford to care about anything else. Leaving behind a brief command, he swiftly moved to Hu Liena's side.

"Child, come with me to meet the Pope."

Xivis addressed the bewildered Hu Liena curtly, giving her no time to respond.

His withered hand pressed down on her shoulder, and with a surge of soul power, he lifted her into the air and sped off in the direction of the Pope's Hall with great urgency.

Roughly ten minutes later—

At full speed, Xivis arrived with Hu Liena in tow at the solemn and majestic Pope's Hall.

Hu Liena hadn't figured out what was happening yet. Just moments ago she was at the ceremony, and now it felt like she'd been transported miles away.

Her young mind buzzed in confusion.

"Please announce this: Platinum Bishop Xivis of the West City Martial Soul Temple seeks urgent audience with Her Holiness the Pope. There is a matter of great importance to report."

Xivis bowed and spoke to the knight guarding the Pope's Hall.

"The Pope is not currently in the hall. Please return at another time."

The captain of the guards responded in a flat, businesslike tone.

"What?! Her Holiness isn't here? Then when will she return? I truly have urgent news to report!"

Xivis cried out anxiously.

"The whereabouts of the Pope are not for us to know. As for when she will return, we cannot say. However, she instructed that in the case of an emergency, matters may be reported to Her Highness the Saintess."

The guard captain offered an alternative path.

"Ah, that's right. I can report to the Saintess! Thank you for the reminder."

Xivis nodded hurriedly, then tugged Hu Liena toward the Saintess' Hall adjacent to the Pope's Hall.

Inside the Saintess' Hall

At that moment, Bibi Dong was seated cross-legged on her bed.

Behind her floated a terrifying, grotesque figure—her first Martial Soul, the Death Spider Emperor. Two yellow, two purple, four black, and one red soul ring pulsed rhythmically around her—nine rings in total.

She was stabilizing her cultivation.

After years of effort, she had finally acquired the ninth soul ring for her first Martial Soul: a 100,000-year soul ring from the Death Spider Emperor.

She had also obtained six soul rings—each over 50,000 years—for her second Martial Soul from the depths of the Star Dou Great Forest.

Her soul power had reached Rank 95.

However, absorbing so many high-level rings at once had caused instability in her cultivation, and she now needed time to consolidate her realm.

As for the next three soul rings for her second Martial Soul, she was in no rush. She was aiming for 100,000-year rings.

According to ancient records in the Martial Soul Hall's archives, there were two 100,000-year soul beasts dwelling deep within the Star Dou Forest—the Sky Azure Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape.

But their exact locations remained a mystery, and hunting them would be extremely difficult.

No matter. She could wait.

She had also received word that a 100,000-year Soft Bone Rabbit soul beast had appeared on the outskirts of the forest in human form. She planned to claim it as her second Martial Soul's seventh ring.

Just then, a voice reached Bibi Dong's ears.

"Platinum Bishop Xivis of the West City Martial Soul Temple seeks an audience with Her Highness the Saintess. He has urgent matters to report."

Bibi Dong's brow furrowed slightly. Being interrupted mid-cultivation displeased her, but she nonetheless stood up and left the hall to see what was going on.

She was not accustomed to receiving visitors in the Saintess' Hall.

With a graceful movement, Bibi Dong floated outside.

"Wow… She's so beautiful…! I didn't know someone so divine, noble, and elegant could even exist in this world…"

At the sight of Bibi Dong, Hu Liena's eyes widened in awe, her rosy lips parting slightly in shock.

"Platinum Bishop Xivis of the West City Martial Soul Temple greets Her Highness the Saintess."

Upon seeing her, Xivis immediately knelt on both knees in respect.

Hu Liena, stunned to learn that this stunning woman was the Saintess, quickly followed suit and knelt as well.

"Speak. What is it?"

Bibi Dong's tone was cool, her gaze sharp.

"Reporting to Your Highness: During today's Martial Soul Awakening Ceremony in West City, we discovered an exceptionally rare talent named Hu Liena. She possesses a top-tier spiritual-type Martial Soul—Enchanting Fox—and innate full soul power."

Xivis reported with deep respect.

"Oh? Is it her?"

Bibi Dong's eyes lit up with interest upon hearing those words. Her gaze fell on Hu Liena, who was peeking at her in amazement.

"Yes, Your Highness," Xivis confirmed.

At that moment, Bibi Dong recalled something.

Ever since she broke through to the Titled Douluo level, the Pope and the elders of the Elder Hall had been urging her to take on a disciple.

It was a long-standing tradition of the Martial Soul Hall: as the successor to the Pope, every Saint Son or Saintess who reached Titled Douluo status must accept at least one gifted disciple, to ensure continuity of leadership in case of an unexpected vacancy.

This was the perfect opportunity.

With that, Bibi Dong made her decision.

In a flash, she appeared before Hu Liena.

"Ah—!"

Startled by Bibi Dong's sudden movement, Hu Liena let out a cry.

"There's no need to be afraid. I won't harm you."

Bibi Dong's gentle voice sounded beside her ear. She then placed a soft jade-like hand on Hu Liena's shoulder and channeled her soul power into her.

Moments later, Hu Liena's Enchanting Fox Martial Soul manifested within a swirl of pink mist.

Using her spiritual sense to probe, Bibi Dong confirmed it—innate full soul power.

She was very satisfied.

"Your name is Hu Liena?"

Bibi Dong's voice softened noticeably.

"Y-yes."

Hu Liena answered nervously, her voice small.

"I wish to take you as my disciple. Are you willing?"

Bibi Dong looked at the shy and flustered girl before her.

"Ah?"

Hu Liena was stunned. Had she heard that right?

"Hurry and accept! Bow and address her as your teacher! Her Highness the Saintess is offering to take you as a disciple—this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"

Xivis was taken aback as well. Seeing Hu Liena frozen in place, he urged her on anxiously.

"I—I'm willing!"

Hu Liena finally came to her senses. She bowed respectfully and called out sweetly, "Teacher!"

"Good."

At that, a rare smile broke across Bibi Dong's otherwise cold face.

"From today forward, you are my disciple. I'll call you 'Nana' from now on."

Bibi Dong removed a jade bracelet from her wrist and handed it to Hu Liena.

"I don't have anything else suitable for a gift right now, so take this bracelet as your initiation present. It's a soul tool with five cubic meters of storage space. Inside is my personal Saintess token—use it to visit me at any time here at the Saintess' Hall."

"Thank you, Teacher!"

Hu Liena accepted it happily, cherishing it as she placed it on her wrist.

Watching the delighted girl, Bibi Dong instructed:

"Nana, return for now. Come back tomorrow morning. I'll begin preparing your soul master cultivation plan. I still have matters to attend to."

She then turned toward Xivis and spoke plainly:

"Xivis, well done. I will see that you're rewarded for your service. For now, escort Hu Liena back, and handle her official Soul Master registration and enrollment into the Martial Soul Hall Academy."

"Thank you for Your Highness's praise. It is my duty, and I will see it done flawlessly."

Xivis lowered his head further, his demeanor more respectful than ever.

"That's all. Nana, go with Bishop Xivis and get everything settled. Come back early tomorrow."

"Yes, Teacher! Nana takes her leave."

Hu Liena responded promptly.

"Very well. Go."

With that, Bibi Dong disappeared in a flash and returned to her cultivation.

Led by a beaming Xivis, Hu Liena began the walk back to West City.

Even after walking a long distance, her mind remained clouded in disbelief. It all felt surreal.

But the cool, elegant bracelet on her wrist served as a constant reminder—

It was real.

She had truly been accepted as a disciple by the Saintess herself.

Joy bubbled in Hu Liena's heart.

She couldn't wait to go home and share the news with her brother, Xiaofeng, and Yan.