Chapter 2: Qian Daoliu's Invitation
"Innate full soul power!"
The crystal sphere overflowed with dazzling light, illuminating the astonished faces of Mian and Dean He.
For a long moment, both stood frozen in shock—until Mian finally snapped out of it. He hurried forward, gripping Lin Beiya's arm tightly, his eyes filled with barely contained excitement.
He wasn't one of those backwater deacons from remote branches. Having been educated in Spirit City itself, Mian understood just how extraordinary this situation was. A martial soul that produced innate full soul power was never ordinary.
Even if he had no idea what role a stone statue could play as a martial soul, one thing was undeniable—soul power was directly tied to the strength of the martial soul.
Right now, Mian's priority was crystal clear: bring this child to the Spirit Academy for advanced training.
Not only would it forge a good relationship with a future prodigy, but it would also look very good on his record.
"Child, what's your name?" he asked.
"My name is Lin Beiya."
Pulled from his thoughts by the question, Lin Beiya smiled as he introduced himself.
"A genius with innate full soul power... We don't see one like you even once in ten years," Mian said with admiration. "Go pack up at the orphanage, then come with me to report to the Spirit Academy."
"Thank you, Deacon Mian. I'll be right back."
With Mian's permission, Lin Beiya returned to Shi Nuo's side. His friend looked even more thrilled than he did.
"This is amazing, Beiya! Innate full soul power! Our North City Orphanage has never seen a genius like you before!"
"Haha, looks like we'll be enrolling in the Spirit Academy together."
"Yeah! We'll look out for each other there!"
Lin Beiya had no intention of rejecting the Spirit Hall's invitation just because, in the future, Tang San would destroy it. For one thing, he had benefited greatly from the Hall's support these past six years.
For another, awakening innate full soul power right under their noses, and then turning them down?
Did he look like someone begging to get stabbed by Qian Xunji's blade?
That's right—the current Pope was still Qian Xunji. Lin Beiya had discreetly confirmed this through the orphanage dean.
As for Bibi Dong, the future Pope, she was currently the Saintess of the Spirit Hall and had been absent from public life for years.
From this information, Lin Beiya roughly determined the timeline—this was the late era of Qian Xunji's papacy, meaning the "Secret Chamber Incident" had already occurred.
In other words, Tang San, the future God King, was probably still in the Tang Sect back in Shu, secretly learning hidden weapon techniques.
Even if the "The Great Hammer Smashing the Pope" incident happened within the year, Lin Beiya calculated that he was still six years older than Tang San.
Now that he had awakened the Athena God Cloth Vessel as his martial soul—and had plenty of time to plan—why would he fear Tang San?
While Lin Beiya and the chubby Shi Nuo were still chatting, Dean He approached them after a brief discussion with Mian.
"Beiya, Shi Nuo," the old man said kindly, "starting tomorrow, both of you will report to the Spirit Academy."
"Yes, Dean!"
Seeing the two children he had raised finally stepping into a bright future, the dean couldn't hide the warm smile that crept onto his face.
"The North City Orphanage will be proud of you. When you succeed in the future, don't forget where you came from."
"Don't worry, Dean—we won't," Lin Beiya said earnestly.
"That's right," Shi Nuo added with a grin. "We'll come visit you often."
To them, Dean He wasn't just a caretaker—he was family. He wasn't the cold, utilitarian type who viewed children merely as Spirit Hall investments.
When Lin Beiya and Shi Nuo had trouble fitting in with the other orphans, the old man had quietly tried to help them integrate, showing genuine care.
He never skimped on food, clothing, or resources, treating every child equally.
Both boys remembered that well. They had already made up their minds—once they became powerful, they'd do everything they could to repay the orphanage.
"You're good kids," the dean said softly. "I believe you'll both grow into top-tier soul masters."
Just as he was about to lead them back to pack their belongings, a golden figure suddenly appeared in the hall.
The newcomer's gaze locked instantly onto Lin Beiya—sharp, solemn, and impossible to ignore.
It was none other than Qian Daoliu, the former Pope of the Spirit Hall.
Moments earlier, he had been meditating before the angel statue when he sensed a powerful resonance between it and a newly awakened martial soul. Shocked, he had come to see the source for himself.
Because Qian Daoliu had rarely shown himself in recent years, Mian—being a low-ranking deacon of the Spirit Hall—didn't recognize him. However, judging from the man's aura and robes, it was obvious he belonged to the highest echelon of the Hall.
"My lord," Mian spoke carefully, "may I ask your business here? This child has just awakened a stone statue martial soul, but he possesses innate full soul power. I was preparing to escort him to the Spirit Academy for training."
"Stone statue?"
Qian Daoliu frowned deeply. A stone statue martial soul resonating with the Angel God? That made no sense.
After a long moment of silent thought, he finally made up his mind—he would take this child with him.
It had been far too long since he last felt the divine presence of the Angel God. Now that a trace of that holy resonance had appeared, he could not let it slip by.
Reaching into his robes, Qian Daoliu produced a golden token embossed with the sigil of the Douluo Hall—a symbol recognized only by the highest members of the Spirit Hall.
The moment Mian caught sight of it, his pupils shrank. He immediately bowed, his voice trembling with newfound reverence.
"G–Grand Worship! Are you planning to bring this child into the Douluo Hall?"
"Mm," Qian Daoliu replied calmly. "Leave him to me. You may return to your duties."
"Yes, my lord!"
By now, Lin Beiya had a rough guess of who this man was. When he heard Mian refer to him as "Grand Worship," it confirmed his suspicions beyond any doubt.
But beside him, Shi Nuo—his round-faced friend—panicked. Just a few words between these adults had completely changed Beiya's fate. He had been looking forward to going to school together!
"Um… excuse me, sir," Shi Nuo blurted out nervously, "does that mean Beiya can't go to the Academy anymore?"
Both Mian and Dean shot him warning glances, desperately signaling him to stop talking before he offended someone he shouldn't. But children rarely read such cues, and Shi Nuo continued to look straight at the old man with earnest concern.
Fortunately, Qian Daoliu wasn't the type to lose patience with children. A gentle smile softened his stern face as he reached out to ruffle the boy's hair.
"Don't worry, little one," he said warmly. "Even if your friend joins the Douluo Hall, that doesn't mean he can't study at the Spirit Academy. It simply means he'll receive better training and guidance. This is a blessing for him."
Hearing that, Shi Nuo let out a huge sigh of relief and grinned brightly.
"Did you hear that, Beiya? This great lord is going to personally train you!"
"I heard, I heard," Lin Beiya chuckled. "Go back with the dean first and help pack up my things, too. I'll go ahead with this senior."
"Got it! See you at the Academy!"
Watching Dean He and Shi Nuo leave, Lin Beiya turned back to meet Qian Daoliu's gaze.
"You are Lin Beiya, correct?"
"Yes, Grand Worship," Lin Beiya replied with a respectful bow.
Seeing the boy's composure and manners, Qian Daoliu nodded in satisfaction.
"Your martial soul is quite special," he said. "Would you be willing to accompany me to the Douluo Hall?"
"I am willing," Lin Beiya answered without a moment's hesitation.
There was no need to think twice.
Compared to remaining in the main Spirit Hall and risking exposure to Qian Xunji and Bibi Dong, following Qian Daoliu was a far safer bet.
After all, one of them was doomed to die early, and the other's heart was consumed by vengeance.
At least Qian Daoliu still acted like a normal human being.
"Good," Qian Daoliu said approvingly.
"Then come with me."
The old man turned and led the way out of the side hall, his golden aura faintly illuminating the path ahead. A boy and an elder—one curious, one solemn—walked together toward the mountain behind the Spirit Hall.
'I wonder how old that little angel is now,' Lin Beiya mused silently as he followed.
'If I'm lucky, maybe I'll run into her soon.'
Thinking of that radiant angelic girl—the Angel God's chosen heir—a faint smile curved his lips. His interest stirred, and for the first time since his transmigration, he felt a flicker of genuine anticipation for the future.
—
End of Chapter