As expected.
With just one glance into the crowd, Su Linfeng immediately spotted three familiar figures.
The six-year-old Xie Yue and Yan didn't look particularly striking—just smaller versions of their future selves. But Hu Liena, because of her Demon Fox Martial Spirit, stood out sharply among the crowd.
Her light golden hair had not yet fully deepened in color. It hung softly by her ears, fluttering with the breeze like flowing honey, the tips slightly curled, faintly hinting at the seductive charm her Demon Fox Martial Spirit would one day embody.
But what drew the most attention were her fox-like eyes.
The outer corners naturally tilted upward, her pupils like amber soaked in morning dew, shimmering faintly with pinkish light—signs of her martial spirit's impending awakening. Her cheeks still held traces of baby fat, round and tender like sticky rice dumplings.
Hu Liena wore a light golden lace dress, cinched with a crimson sash at the waist. Golden fox-tail patterns embroidered into her cuffs subtly revealed the nature of her martial spirit.
In her own way, she rivaled even the young Qian Renxue in charm, each with their own unique allure.
Su Linfeng also noticed that Saratu's impartial attitude toward him confirmed something important: despite being brought personally by Bibi Dong, the procedures could not be bypassed. Even the Saintess's ward had to undergo a proper entrance exam. That showed just how fair and strict the Spirit Hall Academy truly was.
"Mm."
Bibi Dong nodded slightly, then pointed at the seven names circled in red.
"Then let's pick all seven of them. This will also let me see whether their potential is worth my personal investment."
What?
Did they hear wrong? Or did the Saintess misspeak?
The entire faculty of Spirit Hall Academy stared wide-eyed in disbelief.
Even Su Linfeng's lips twitched. Seriously, Sister? The principal just told you not to pick those seven, and you go and pick exactly them? All seven at once? Either you trust me far too much… or you really want me dead.
Ignoring the shocked faces, Bibi Dong lowered her gaze to Su Linfeng, gently patting his small head.
"In the world of soul masters, strength is everything. Even within the Academy, defeating them will spare you much trouble in the future."
Uh…
Su Linfeng sighed helplessly.
He had thought she was simply testing him. But in reality, she intended to help him establish authority in the Academy from the very start.
After all, Bibi Dong had experienced these things firsthand. She clearly wanted more than just to test the so-called Golden Generation's talent—this was also a way to measure Su Linfeng himself.
"Saintess."
Saratu finally found his voice, his expression complicated.
"Permit me to remind you, the entrance test is normally just a formality—to give our faculty an objective sense of a child's abilities. There's no need to escalate things like this, is there? These seven children broke through rank 10 a month ago, and His Holiness the Pope personally helped them obtain their first soul rings."
He paused, then added seriously:
"And Hu Liena and Xie Yue's situation is especially… unique, Saintess—"
But Bibi Dong was never one to listen to persuasion.
Even after all that was said, she didn't budge an inch.
In the end, Saratu could only sigh and resign himself. He studied Su Linfeng again with some surprise, then summoned the Golden Generation.
"We greet the Saintess."
Hu Liena, bright and polite, stepped forward first, leading the others in a bow.
Bibi Dong nodded slightly, explaining her intent.
"Prove yourselves to me, and you will have priority access to all the Spirit Hall's resources."
That kind of temptation made the Golden Generation's eyes shine. One by one, they clenched their fists, determined to put on their best performance.
"Saintess."
Yan, reckless and hot-blooded as always, couldn't hold his tongue.
"Just look at that Su Linfeng—he's younger than me and Xie Yue, barely older than Nana. And you expect all seven of us to test against him? I alone will be enough!"
The others exchanged glances, some even smirking. Even Xie Yue's lips curled slightly upward, clearly not taking Su Linfeng seriously.
Su Linfeng glanced at Bibi Dong helplessly. At this point, he understood her intentions perfectly.
Indeed, strength was the only law of the soul master world. If he won this fight, he would silence countless doubts before they even began.
"Yan."
Hu Liena shot him a glare. Unlike the others, she was sharp enough to read the bigger picture.
"Can't you fix that hot-headed temper of yours? How dare you question the Saintess's decision?"
"Nana, don't you trust me?" Yan snapped.
"You… you're such an idiot!"
Exasperated, Hu Liena ignored him. She turned and walked directly to Su Linfeng, her face softening into a smile as she extended her small hand.
"My name is Hu Liena. Welcome to Spirit Hall Academy."
"Su Linfeng."
Su Linfeng smiled back, clasping her hand.
This girl—
Not only clever and perceptive, but bold and careful, reading the room better than anyone else. She knew Bibi Dong wasn't the type to make frivolous decisions. For someone her age to remain so calm and rational—it was no wonder Bibi Dong valued her so highly.
In truth, Hu Liena wasn't a simple "villain." She was a character caught between loyalty and circumstance—clever, loyal, but bound by the currents of her era. A blade for Spirit Hall, yet also a prisoner of her own fate.
"Enough."
Bibi Dong waved her hand.
"You have five minutes to prepare. When the time's up, the match begins."
The faculty exchanged glances but said nothing more. They could only clear out the training ground.
Hundreds of students, previously in training, crowded to the edges of the vast plaza, leaving a circular arena nearly a hundred meters wide.
The news spread quickly: a new transfer student, Su Linfeng, was about to challenge Spirit Hall Academy's Golden Generation.
The plaza buzzed with excitement.
"You've got to be kidding! That kid's challenging Hu Liena and the others?"
"And even worse—1 versus 7! How insane is that?"
"Exactly! Those seven are the Pope's personally acknowledged geniuses. In a few decades, they'll be candidates for the Douluo Hall itself!"
The five minutes passed in a flash.
Saratu raised his voice:
"Release your martial spirits. The duel begins!"
"Transform!"
Hu Liena's childish voice rang out.
Xie Yue and Yan immediately moved, taking their places at her side, while Xu Yu, Zhang Ping, Li Kai, and Sun Chuantao spread out behind her in formation. Two in front, one in the center, four in the rear—clearly, their teamwork was already well-honed.
Hu Liena made a polite gesture toward Su Linfeng.
"Hu Liena. Martial Spirit: Demon Fox. Rank 11, Control-Type Soul Master."
As she spoke, a yellow soul ring rose from beneath her feet, pulsing with rhythmic light.
"Hu Liena! Hu Liena! Hu Liena!"
Before the match even started, the crowd of students was already chanting her name, fired up with excitement.
It was obvious.
In their hearts, the Golden Generation was their pride—especially Hu Liena, who, with her talent, had already become the unquestioned leader of the new students.
Following her lead, the rest of the Golden Generation proudly displayed their martial spirits and soul rings.
"Xie Yue. Martial Spirit: Moon Blade. Rank 13, Attack-Type Battle Soul Master."
"Yan. Martial Spirit: Flame Lord. Rank 12, Attack-Type Battle Soul Master."
"Sun Chuantao. Martial Spirit: Ringed Giant Blade. Rank 10, Attack-Type Soul Master."
"Li Kai. Martial Spirit: Black-Horned Boar. Rank 10, Attack-Type Soul Master."
"Zhang Ping. Martial Spirit: Golden Waist Swallow. Rank 10, Agility-Type Soul Master."
"Xu Yu. Martial Spirit: Radiant Golden Scepter. Rank 10, Support-Type Soul Master."