Guangling Douluo casually picked up an apple and took a bite, speaking in a light tone.
But in the next moment, his expression turned serious. "Still, I want to remind you of something."
"Senior Guangling, please speak," Gu Han said respectfully. Bibidong also straightened up, showing humility.
"I just witnessed your self-created soul skill. It's impressive. But between the ages of six and twenty, that's the prime period to cultivate and improve soul power. Self-created soul skills are good, but I advise you to prioritize raising your level. There will be time to refine those skills later."
"Thank you for your guidance, Senior Guangling," Gu Han replied with a nod. He knew the elder was right—this was the age to focus on cultivation.
He recalled Feng Xiaotian from the original work. Though innately full of soul power, Feng was only a Soul Sect in his twenties—not because of lack of talent, but because he spent too much time refining his self-created skills. That, and perhaps waiting on Huo Wu.
But Gu Han was different. His techniques came from the unknown cultivation method, tailored to his own condition. More importantly, this method seemed to have no bottlenecks—his cultivation had always advanced steadily, regardless of level.
Still, Guangling Douluo didn't know this. His reminder came from a good place, and Gu Han accepted it respectfully.
"Understood, Senior. I'll keep that in mind," Bibidong added. She too knew this was the critical time to grow in power.
But taking half an hour a day to train the techniques her brother taught her wouldn't hurt—just like stretching after long meditation.
"Well then, I'll be going," Guangling Douluo said, satisfied with their attitudes. With a few steps and jumps, he exited the Saint Hall.
After he left, Bibidong turned to Gu Han, eyes wide with surprise.
"Brother, this Guangling senior is really strong. I didn't expect him to acknowledge you."
"Ah, that was thanks to my senior sister fighting for me," Gu Han replied with a light smile as he pulled out the offering token.
He had some thoughts. He knew Guangling Douluo's character from the animation—he was dependable and trustworthy.
Still, he recalled being baffled by one moment in the show: a Level 96 Douluo like Guangling easily got past Dugu Bo and lin when targeting Xue Beng. As a long-range attack-type spirit master, he struck Yu Xiaogang straight in the chest—yet Yu Xiaogang didn't die. Outrageous.
The protagonist's plot armor was something else.
When the Martial Soul Empire fell, most of the offerings likely didn't survive. Even Bibi Dong's strongest strike couldn't hurt Tang San at Jialing Pass.
"It's not just protagonist aura. That's a blatant cheat," Gu Han sighed inwardly. It was understandable for the protagonist to survive—but for every supporting character to walk away from fatal injuries?
Back then, seeing Yu Xiaogang perfectly fine after such a hit, Gu Han had nearly lost it.
It was like a normal person getting shot in the heart by a sniper rifle, then waking up the next day like nothing happened.
Bibidong tilted her head, waving a small hand in front of Gu Han's dazed face.
"Brother? Brother?"
He blinked back to awareness. Seeing Bibidong's cute frown and curious look, he asked, "What's the matter, Senior Sister?"
"What were you thinking? You spaced out."
"Nothing important. Just wondering—if Guangling is the Fifth Offering, then how strong must the other offerings be?"
Bibidong's eyes lit up. "You want to know?"
Gu Han met her gaze, curiosity playing across his face. He bowed respectfully. "Please teach me, Senior Sister."
She smiled, puffed out her chest slightly, and then cleared her throat like a little instructor.
"There are five people in the Offering Hall right now. Guangling Douluo just recently broke through to Level 96 and joined their ranks. His martial soul is a bow and arrow with ice and light dual attributes. Very strong—and his soul skills are beautiful."
Gu Han nodded. It seemed Qianjun and Jiangmo hadn't yet reached Level 96. But that shouldn't take long, as the age gap between them and the other offerings wasn't large—except for Qian Daoliu and the Golden Crocodile Douluo.
"I won't talk about the Grand Offering—he's the strongest in the Martial Soul Hall. A Level 99 Peerless Douluo. His martial soul is the Six-Winged Angel."
"The Second Offering doesn't appear often. His martial soul is the Golden Crocodile King. He carries dragon blood and is extremely powerful."
"The Third Offering's martial soul is the Qingluan Divine Bird. He looks really cool and has a good relationship with Guangling Douluo. Teacher said he broke through to Level 97 recently."
"And the Fourth Offering..."
She paused.
"What about the Fourth Offering?" Gu Han prompted, curious to hear her impression.
"He's also a strong attack-type soul master. His martial soul is the Blazing Lion. But he looks terrifying—with a red beard and a fierce face. He scared me when I saw him."
Gu Han chuckled inwardly. Little Bibidong was so endearing. He wondered what she might've been like without the dark turn her life would later take.
But this time, things would be different. They were now family. He wouldn't let her walk that same path.
"By the way, Brother, I know a little secret about the Offering Hall," Bibidong whispered, leaning close.
Gu Han grinned. "What is it?"
"Qianjun and the Demon-Slayer Elder are currently in secluded cultivation. They've both reached the threshold of Level 96. If all goes well, they'll be the next new offerings."
"Your teacher told you all this?"
(End of this chapter)
"Hey friends! If you're enjoying the story, consider joining my Patreon
patreon.com/Free_Firefly
— you'll get up to 20 chapters ahead and help me keep writing more for you!