Bibi Dong and Hu Liena exchanged surprised glances.
This little guy can cook?
Both women found themselves charmed by Huang Wei's earnest enthusiasm, and despite their curiosity being more bemused than believing, they agreed.
Bibi Dong's stern expression melted into genuine warmth. "My disciple personally invites us? How could we refuse? Very well, Little Wei—we'll stay and sample your cooking skills."
"Yes! Perfect!" Huang Wei's face lit up like a festival lantern.
He turned to Hu Liena, eyes sparkling. "Senior Sister, why don't you come help me prepare everything? Food you make yourself always tastes better, you know~"
Bibi Dong suddenly spoke up, a thoughtful expression crossing her features. "If that's the case... I'll join you as well."
The words surprised even herself. It's been so long since I've experienced anything resembling family warmth.
"Then let's all do it together!" Huang Wei nodded enthusiastically.
Soon, the three of them were working side by side in the courtyard.
Servants brought fresh ingredients at Huang Wei's direction, and under his guidance, Bibi Dong and Hu Liena helped process the various meats, vegetables, and seasonings.
The scene was... domestic. Peaceful. Almost surreal.
A family cooking together, Huang Wei thought, warmth spreading through his chest. This is nice. Really nice.
In the center of the courtyard, they set up a large table with a roaring fire beneath it. A massive black pot hung over the flames.
Huang Wei took charge, personally preparing the base—adding various spices and aromatics, frying them until the oil turned deep red and fragrant beyond belief. Then he added broth and brought everything to a rolling boil before beginning to add the prepared ingredients in careful sequence.
Both Bibi Dong and Hu Liena watched with fascination. This entire process was completely new to them.
Cultivation training is less exhausting than this, Hu Liena thought with amusement.
"This is a dish I invented," Huang Wei explained proudly. "I call it hot pot."
He gestured to the plates arranged on the table—thinly sliced meats, fresh vegetables, handmade noodles, various dipping sauces—and demonstrated how to cook each item in the bubbling broth.
Both women's eyes lit with interest.
Under Huang Wei's guidance, all three began eating together.
"Mmm! Delicious!"
"The food you prepare yourself really does taste different!"
Hu Liena cooked a piece of soul beast meat, dipped it in the prepared sauce, and the moment it touched her tongue, her eyes went wide with delight.
Bibi Dong had the same reaction—genuine surprise and pleasure crossing her usually composed features.
"So? My new invention's pretty good, right?" Huang Wei grinned smugly.
"Exceptional," Bibi Dong said with sincere appreciation.
He's only six years old and already has skills like this?
As Pope of Spirit Hall, she'd naturally investigated Huang Wei's background. An orphan, found and raised by the village chief of Huangjia Village. Parents unknown. Origins mysterious.
A poor child, she thought, sympathy welling up unbidden. In many ways... I see myself reflected in him.
The meal passed in warm companionship, laughter echoing through the courtyard.
For a brief, precious moment, the weight of titles and responsibilities faded away.
The meal wound down naturally, plates emptied and satisfied smiles shared all around.
As the servants cleared away the remnants of their feast, Bibi Dong's expression shifted—warmth giving way to something more businesslike, though still tinged with maternal concern.
"Little Wei," she began, "it's time for you to begin attending Wuhun Academy. I've already made all the necessary arrangements."
Huang Wei's face immediately fell. School? Ugh.
He'd never enjoyed school in either life. The very word made him want to dive back into his pond and hide.
"Teacher..." he said timidly, trying his best puppy-dog eyes. "Why do I need to go to school when I can just soak in water and cultivate? Going to class will just slow down my progress..."
Bibi Dong crouched down to his eye level, her expression patient but firm. "Even so, you're still young. Education is important—and you will attend. Be good and don't argue with me."
Her voice softened slightly. "Classes end quite early. You'll primarily be studying theoretical knowledge. Once your cultivation reaches level twenty, you can graduate early."
She paused, considering her next words carefully. "And as one of my direct disciples, you cannot afford to be weaker than others. After you reach level twenty, you'll need to enter the Death Canyon and emerge alive."
Huang Wei's eyes widened. Death Canyon?!
"Don't worry," Bibi Dong added quickly, seeing his alarm. "With your extraordinary defense, you'll be fine. I'll have Nana and the others accompany you. And if you can reach level thirty Soul Elder rank before the age of ten... I'll name you Holy Son of Spirit Hall."
The title hung in the air like a golden promise.
Huang Wei processed this information rapidly. Holy Son... that's a massive position. But it comes with expectations. Responsibilities.
He'd chosen Spirit Hall's side. He'd become Pope Bibi Dong's personal disciple. While he enjoyed the privileges that came with that status, he also had to bear the challenges and duties inherent to the position.
But honestly? This isn't a bad thing. It's training. It'll help me grow stronger, faster.
And with his defense, who could really threaten him?
Within Spirit Hall, he didn't believe anyone would dare bully him just because his cultivation was currently low. Not with Bibi Dong as his backer.
Maybe some talented youngsters from the younger generation might try something. But adults? Those old foxes? He shook his head internally. If they tried anything, Teacher would never let them get away with it.
Huang Wei nodded solemnly. "I understand, Teacher. I'll attend the academy."
"Good boy." Bibi Dong's delicate jade hand gently stroked his head, her touch warm and reassuring. She stood gracefully. "I won't disturb your training any longer. Practice well. Elder Yueguan will come tomorrow morning to escort you to Wuhun Academy."
"Yes, Teacher."
Bibi Dong departed with Hu Liena in tow, their figures elegant and commanding as they walked away.
Huang Wei watched them go, then wandered to the back of his estate where construction crews were frantically working on the artificial lake project—earth-moving soul masters excavating vast swaths of land, water-attribute specialists beginning to fill the massive basin.
"I wanted us all to stay together," he muttered to himself, "but circumstances don't allow it. Oh well. I'll just adapt as things change."
He turned back toward his small pond, stripping off his outer robe as he walked. "No matter what, I'll train hard and break through to level fifteen first."
By the time he reached the water's edge, he was down to nothing. With practiced ease, he dove in, summoning his Black Turtle martial soul and settling into his unique cultivation breathing method.
The servants discreetly collected his discarded clothes and went about their duties, long accustomed to their young master's routine.
Huang Wei had spent considerable time developing his own breathing technique—a method that helped him absorb ambient energy more efficiently. It was still in the exploratory and refinement stages, but already showing promising results.
Just a bit more time, and I'll perfect it.
Time flowed like water—ironic, given where he spent most of it—and before he knew it, night had fallen and dawn had broken anew.
The Next Morning
Huang Wei remained submerged in the pond, completely absorbed in his cultivation trance.
Until—
A powerful presence descended from the sky, landing gracefully within his courtyard estate.
The figure wore resplendent golden robes that shimmered in the morning light. His features were undeniably masculine, yet carried a distinctive feminine elegance—beautiful in an unsettling, almost otherworldly way.
Chrysanthemum Douluo—Yueguan.
He'd been ordered to escort Huang Wei to Wuhun Academy for his first day.
"Your Majesty!" The servants immediately dropped into deep bows, their voices respectful and tinged with fear.
Yueguan's voice was soft, almost melodious. "Where is Little Wei?"
"Your Majesty, the young master is in the pool behind you," a servant replied quickly.
Yueguan blinked in surprise. Behind me?
He hadn't bothered scanning with his spiritual sense when he arrived, but even so—as a Titled Douluo, he should have instinctively sensed Huang Wei's presence. Yet he'd detected nothing.
Curious now, he turned.
His eyes narrowed sharply.
The boy sat cross-legged in the water, but his body appeared almost... translucent. Wisps of energy from all directions flowed toward him in endless streams, gathering around his martial soul like moths to flame.
Remarkable. No wonder I couldn't sense him—these energy currents are masking his presence entirely.
Yueguan approached the pool's edge, his tone gentle. "Young Master Wei, it's time to wake up. We need to depart for Wuhun Academy."