Six years passed in the blink of an eye, and now here I was—walking down a grand, majestic hallway with my small hand tucked firmly in my mother's. Towering walls lined with ancient carvings loomed around us, echoing with power and history. On both sides, we were flanked by Spirit Hall's most esteemed elders—living legends whose gazes felt like blades against my skin.
The moment was grand, and I understood its weight. But outwardly, I stayed composed.
Among the sea of powerful figures, I recognized only a handful. At the forefront stood the venerable Elder Qian Daoliu—his presence sharp and divine like a blade wrapped in holy light. At his side was his old comrade, the Golden Crocodile Douluo, silent and unshakable, a mountain in human form. The rest of the elders were strangers, but the sheer pressure they exuded told me all I needed to know—every one of them was a powerhouse.
Few outside the highest ranks of Spirit Hall knew my true identity. To the world, I was merely an orphan adopted by the Supreme Pontiff. But to these elites, I was BiBi Dong's son—and more importantly, a child who could not be ignored.
As I walked toward the center of the Elder Hall, I felt their eyes—evaluating, dissecting, searching for flaws.
Was I afraid? No. But a child showing no fear would raise suspicion. And so, I played the part. I shivered ever so slightly, clung a bit tighter to BiBi Dong's hand, and let my eyes dart nervously around the room—mixing innocence with just enough awe to sell the illusion.
And just like that, they believed it.
Eventually, we reached the heart of the hall. Suspended in midair before us was a large, glowing crystal orb, pulsing gently with life. Beyond it stood a six-winged angel statue, holy and serene. Its radiant light poured down onto the chamber like divine approval.
This wasn't just any room. This was the Elder Hall—the most sacred space in Spirit Hall. A place where destinies were confirmed.
BiBi Dong released my hand, her fingers lingering briefly before she glided to the opposite side of the orb. She stopped beneath the statue's light, her posture regal, her beauty magnified by the golden radiance behind her.
Even knowing her soft side, I couldn't help but be stunned. In that moment, she didn't look like a mother—she looked like a goddess.
She gave me a subtle nod.
"Go on," it said. "It's your time."
I stepped forward.
As I approached the orb, it began to hum—softly at first, then louder, resonating with my very soul. I could feel the system within me stirring, awakening in sync with the moment I had been preparing for all my life.
The Elder Hall fell silent. Even Qian Daoliu leaned forward slightly, eyes glowing with curiosity and caution.
I reached out.
The moment my fingers touched the orb, a surge of warmth shot through me. Light exploded outward in swirling waves of gold and violet. It wrapped around me like a storm of energy—and the first martial soul awakened.
A giant serpent burst forth behind me—majestic, terrifying, and impossibly vivid. Its translucent golden scales shimmered with emerald and violet light, its serpentine body coiled like liquid shadow. Its eyes held intelligence, ancient and cruel, and its aura radiated illusion and poison—beautiful and deadly.
Gasps echoed through the hall.
Before the elders could react, the light pulsed again—and a second martial soul emerged.
Floating beside me appeared a Guzheng, elegant and divine, woven from sunlight and shadow. Its golden strings vibrated softly, resonating with invisible music. A single note played into the air—calm and powerful—and everyone felt it. Like a ripple of authority, it settled over the crowd.
Now the Elder Hall erupted in whispers and awe.
"Dual martial souls!"
"An illusion beast… and an instrument-type?"
"The system chose well…"
But it didn't end there.
The orb flared once more and scanned my body head to toe. A number appeared in glowing text for all to see.
Spirit Power—Level 20.
The silence that followed was more deafening than any shout.
Qian Daoliu's expression faltered.
The Golden Crocodile Douluo blinked, then actually blinked again.
Elders began murmuring among themselves, disbelief and envy in their eyes.
And BiBi Dong?
She smiled.
Her icy exterior melted, just for a moment, revealing something raw and genuine: a mother's pride. Her lips curled with triumph, and her eyes shimmered like she'd just won the favor of the gods themselves.
She stepped forward, her voice rising like a divine decree.
"From this day forward, Qing Chen is not only my son—he is my personal disciple. Should anyone oppose this, speak now."
Silence.
She pressed on, calm but resolute. "He will grow under my guidance. I alone will oversee his cultivation. He will not be influenced by outside hands."
Qian Daoliu's eyebrow twitched. "A talent like this cannot be monopolized, BiBi Dong."
Golden Crocodile Douluo folded his arms. "The boy's a monster. If anyone can train him, it's you."
BiBi Dong nodded, turning to lead me away from the orb—
"Hold it right there!"
The voice cracked like lightning.
Qian Daoliu's aura surged as he stepped forward, golden light flaring behind him. "You cannot make such a declaration without the Elder Hall's consent!"
BiBi Dong froze. Her spirit power flared to match his. Her robe fluttered with spiritual wind as pressure poured into the room. "I will not let you take him from me!"
Qian Daoliu's voice boomed. "I will not let you raise another weapon for your ambitions!"
The room trembled under their spiritual power. Elders rose from their seats, hands half-raised, prepared to intervene if it came to a clash between these two titans.
And then, I sighed—loud enough for the whole room to hear.
"Um… excuse me?"
All eyes turned to me.
I stood calmly beneath the angel statue, martial souls still glowing faintly behind me.
"Why can't I just… be both your disciple and hers?"
BiBi Dong blinked. "What?"
I turned to Qian Daoliu. "You don't trust her to guide me alone. And she doesn't trust the Elder Hall. So why not both?"
More silence.
"You want me to grow strong, right? You want Spirit Hall to have its future secured. Then train me—both of you. I'll learn from each of you. You can balance each other out, and I'll become stronger for it."
Golden Crocodile Douluo burst into laughter. "The kid's got a sharp tongue and a sharper brain."
BiBi Dong stared at me for a long moment. Then, slowly, a smile formed on her lips—soft and fierce.
Qian Daoliu exhaled heavily. "You propose for us to work together?"
I nodded. "Yes. Why not?"
He studied me. Studied her. Studied the hall.
And then he chuckled. "Very well. Let the boy be a dual disciple. But mark my words, BiBi Dong—if you try to make him your shadow…"
"You'll stop me," she said with a smirk. "And if you try to turn him into a puppet of the Elder Hall…"
"You'll do the same," he finished.
The tension drained from the hall. Elders nodded cautiously, still wary—but none dared to protest.
And me?
I smiled like a child, innocent and pure.
But inside, I was triumphant.
With both the Supreme Pontiff and the Grand Priest backing me, no one would interfere with my growth. No one would dare challenge my place.
Not yet.
Not until it was far too late.
Above us, the Goddess of Fate must've been watching—and laughing.
Because Spirit Hall had just unknowingly placed their greatest threat under their own protection.
And the game… had only just begun.