"Thousands of years ago, some people discovered that by killing and devouring ordinary people, they could enhance their talent and strength—gaining power rapidly."
"I know! Those are evil soul masters!"
Bibi Dong raised her little hand with confidence. Her teacher had told her this story many times, and she understood it well.
She shot a proud glance at Gu Han. What he'd done earlier had made her feel slightly inferior, and now that they were talking about something she knew, she couldn't help showing off. She was the senior sister, after all.
"Yes, Dong'er is right. They are known as evil soul masters."
Qian Xunji nodded and continued solemnly. "This shortcut to power once spread across the entire continent, plunging the world into chaos and misery."
He paused, a flash of fervor lighting up his eyes.
"Fortunately, our ancestors from the Martial Soul Hall descended like divine wrath. They swept across the land, purged the evil, and crushed the darkness."
"They were revered by the people and eventually became gods."
"Gods? Do gods really exist?" Gu Han asked, feigning shock.
Qian Xunji smiled at his reaction. "Yes. The gods exist. Our Angelic Lineage is descended from those very ancestors."
He raised his voice slightly, as if affirming a sacred truth:
"The true meaning of the Martial Soul Hall's existence is to guard this continent in the name of the ancestors—ensuring that evil soul masters will never rise again!"
Even though he had told this story to Bibi Dong countless times, Qian Xunji's passion never dimmed. Every time he spoke of the Angel's divine legacy, it reignited the fire in his heart.
"Under the Pope's command, the Grand Worship requests your presence in the Memorial Hall."
A black-robed deacon suddenly approached and knelt respectfully.
Qian Xunji's expression soured briefly. He'd just gotten into the rhythm of his speech, and now he was being interrupted. But he didn't let it show. After all, it was his elder summoning him.
"Understood. I'll go now."
Waving the deacon off, he turned to Gu Han and Bibi Dong.
"That's enough for today. Dong'er, show Xiaohan around the Martial Soul Hall."
Just as a smile bloomed on Bibi Dong's face, Qian Xunji added sternly:
"And remember, no sneaking out. Understood?"
"Yes, Teacher…" Bibi Dong pouted slightly, her plan foiled. She looked down at her toes and answered reluctantly.
"Don't worry, Teacher. Senior Sister and I will stay within the Martial Soul Hall," Gu Han replied with a respectful bow.
Qian Xunji nodded in satisfaction and left.
As soon as he was gone, Bibi Dong's demeanor changed. She became lively again, grabbing Gu Han's arm with her small hand.
"Brother, come on! I'll take you somewhere fun!"
Caught off guard, Gu Han was pulled forward, the faint fragrance of flowers tickling his nose.
He hadn't been a virgin in his past life, but facing this beautiful and spirited girl from a fantasy world made him flustered.
But he still remembered Qian Xunji's warning. Seeing that Bibi Dong was about to drag him outside the Martial Soul Hall, he quickly stopped.
She stumbled from the sudden resistance, but Gu Han reacted fast and caught her.
The soft warmth in his arms stunned both of them. Bibi Dong's face turned pink as she quickly jumped back.
An awkward and ambiguous silence filled the air.
Gu Han broke it.
"Senior Sister, have you forgotten what the teacher said?"
He didn't make a fuss about the fall. Instead, he reminded her of Qian Xunji's words.
To Qian Xunji, Bibi Dong was like a daughter. But Gu Han knew his own role was different. If he wanted to gain Qian Xunji's trust, he couldn't afford to mess up.
Qian Xunji's plan was likely to use Gu Han as a motivator for Bibi Dong—to make her more disciplined. If Gu Han ended up getting influenced by her instead, it would all backfire.
"Ah, I forgot! Sorry, Brother! Hehe\~"
Bibi Dong giggled, but her eyes sparkled with mischief.
Gu Han smirked. "Senior Sister, aren't you curious about my self-created soul skill? Take me to where you usually train. I'll show you how to use soul power."
As expected, her eyes lit up instantly.
"Self-created soul skills? Really? Okay, let's go!"
She grabbed his hand again and dragged him toward the Martial Soul Hall's training area.
"Phew, dodged that bullet..."
Gu Han exhaled silently, watching the joyful girl pulling him along. It was hard to imagine this bright and innocent version of Bibi Dong becoming the cold, tyrannical Empress of the Martial Soul Empire.
The roots of that transformation were already there: Qian Xunji's controlling nature, and the future betrayal by Yu Xiaogang.
To be fair, Qian Xunji's methods were harsh. But if he saw his carefully-raised successor about to elope with some useless outsider, anyone would snap.
Still, Gu Han understood why Bibi Dong had fallen for Yu Xiaogang. She was naïve. Qian Xunji had sheltered her too much. Like a flower in a greenhouse, she'd never faced the real world.
But now that Gu Han was here—tied to the Martial Soul Hall and to her—he swore to change those tragedies.
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