The hall shimmered with golden brilliance, every corner echoing power and majesty.
Hu Liena walked behind her teacher as her mood floated with both nervousness and expectation. For the past few days, she had been shut away in cultivation, focusing on perfecting her newly gained third soul skill—a charm technique that would allow her beauty to overwhelm the senses. Because of that, she had missed most of the rumors swirling through Martial Soul Hall.
Only today had she overheard several platinum bishops whispering. Apparently, her teacher personally went to Thunder Academy and brought back… a boy. A boy so dazzling that even the Great Worship himself had frowned with displeasure, and yet, the Pope had still resisted all backlash to protect him.
Hu Liena's curiosity burned. What kind of child could make Teacher act personally?
She remembered her own beginning. Even she, with the ultimate Charm Spirit, had once been dismissed at first encounter. Teacher's eyes were as high as the heavens; she tolerated no mediocrity. If not for discovering her unique spirit's potential, Hu Liena might never have become the Saintess of Martial Soul Hall.
That was why… the fact that this boy had not only been accepted but openly shielded by Teacher was astonishing.
Her heart fluttered quicker. Could his looks really be exaggerated so much? Could anyone truly outshine my imagination?
Her thoughts drifted back to that day outside the Star Dou Forest… a fleeting encounter with a boy she had only glanced once. But that one glance still lingered vividly in her mind, haunting her. The boy's face had been one of unparalleled beauty, his aura unforgettable.
She had even lingered in Notting City afterward, searching taverns and teahouses for any sign of him, hoping destiny would let their paths cross again. She had only caught broken gossip about some beautiful woman accompanied by a stunning child… and stories of a useless "Master" being scolded and spat upon.
But there had been no trail to follow. No information, no way to trace him.
That moment, that single glance… had planted an irreversible seed in her heart.
Hu Liena sighed quietly. Perhaps it was all simply fleeting. Perhaps I'll never see him again in this life. But if fate is kind enough to allow me one more meeting… just once more… it will be enough.
Because her love was not loud or dramatic. It was gentle, buried deep, a flame that either burned wildly or quietly smoldered where no one could see.
Qian Renxue was different—arrogant, fiery, unpredictable. Like fire that wanted to consume everything it touched.
And yet Hu Liena… was warmth, persistence, and hope.
"Teacher," Hu Liena asked softly as they walked side by side up the broad golden staircase, "is my new junior martial brother really as good-looking as the rumors say?"
Bibi Dong's expression softened for a fleeting instant. Her reply was faint, but its weight was absolute. "Unique in the world."
Hu Liena's chest rose with excitement. Teacher never praised lightly.
Bibi Dong's voice lowered. "But I worry for him. He's new to this place, unfamiliar with the ways of Martial Soul Hall. Surrounded by ambition, burdened by attention. I need someone to stay near him… but I don't trust just anyone. That's why I've chosen you, Na'er."
Hu Liena snapped to attention. "Teacher, I will look after him!"
Bibi Dong gave her a long, searching glance, and her tone sharpened slightly. "But remember this… you must also guard your heart. Never let yourself sink too deeply into his appearance. Even I, at my level, almost…" She stopped herself and turned away.
Hu Liena bit her lip and nodded, though disbelief flickered in her heart. Is he truly so breathtaking? More than the boy I once—
Her thought froze. For as they stepped into the Pope's Hall courtyard…
She saw him.
The child in her memory, the face that had haunted her dreams. The beautiful boy she had thought lost forever.
Subei.
Her breath caught. Her heart skipped wildly, burning with sudden joy, disbelief, and trembling emotion.
"It's… it's him…" her heart whispered.
Her lips parted, eyes shining almost heart-shaped. All doubts, all questions shattered in that instant. There was no need for comparison—her junior martial brother was the boy she had fallen for at first sight.
Bibi Dong, however, shifted her gaze elsewhere. Her sharp eyes locked on Liu Erlong, who was just arriving with Xiaowu at her side. The Pope's lips curved into a smile that was half-amused, half-dangerous. So, here she comes after all…
Liu Erlong immediately noticed her. No matter where the Pope stood, her beauty and presence were too dazzling to miss.
Xiaowu, however, shrank slightly behind Liu Erlong, trembling. She tugged on her adoptive mother's sleeve with wide, anxious eyes. "Mom… it's her. She's the one who brought Brother here."
For reasons she could not put into words, whenever Xiaowu looked at Bibi Dong, a chill ran down her spine. It was like staring directly into the eyes of her predator. The terrifying aura of slaughter and control sparked instinctive fear in her soul beast bloodline.
She shivered, unable to stop the dread.
Liu Erlong touched her head gently, her voice protective. "Don't be afraid, Xiaowu. Your mother's here."
"…Mm." Xiaowu clung to her clothes tightly, her small hand wrapped around Subei's.
"You are Liu Erlong."
The Pope's voice cut through the air with exquisite calm. Her features were perfect, sculpted like a goddess, her gaze burning with hidden meaning as she fixed it on Liu Erlong.
"I've long heard of you… the fire dragon spirit of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Clan, with no rival in her realm. I had wanted to meet you for a while. Today, I finally have the chance."
Liu Erlong met her with a polite smile, calm and gentle, her tone measured. "The Pope's name has long shaken the continent. Indeed, seeing you today… I find the reputation well-deserved."
"How have you been… these years?"
The phrasing was subtle, carrying weight.
Liu Erlong's heart tensed. She knew—it wasn't just greetings. It was about him. About Yu Xiaogang.
But her face betrayed nothing, her answer placid. "I've been well. I live happily with Xiaobei and Xiaowu."
She skillfully sidestepped the thorn.
Bibi Dong's smile lingered, but her gaze shifted back to rest on Subei. "Na'er—this is your new junior martial brother, Subei. Take care of him in Martial Soul Hall."
Hu Liena's voice trembled with emotion as she immediately answered. "Yes, Teacher! I will!"
But before the joy could root itself, Xiaowu shot forward, tugging fiercely at Subei's hand. "No! Brother doesn't need anyone else! I'm enough to take care of him! He doesn't need outsiders!"
Her pink eyes burned with jealousy. One after another—first the golden princess, now this foxy charmer! So many women were aiming for her brother. Her competitive pressure was suffocating!
"Xiaowu," Subei whispered, holding her tightly, "we must be polite! If we act hostile to everyone, no one will like us. Be good, okay?"
"But Brother," she stomped her foot angrily, "her eyes are wrong when she looks at you!"
"What do you mean wrong? That's just… the gaze of friendship!"
"Friendship, my tail!" Xiaowu glared accusingly.
Meanwhile, Hu Liena forced her courage, stepping closer with a blush. She extended her small, delicate hands. "Hello… I'm the teacher's disciple, Hu Liena."
Subei reached out to accept—and the moment their palms touched, Hu Liena's heart spun.
So soft. So warm. So impossibly perfect. Her eyes glazed, a faint mist rising in their depths.
This warmth… this is what they mean by affection.
The seed in her heart sprouted fiercely in that instant.