The sun rose quietly over the Spirit City, gilding the buildings with a faint golden hue. The first rays of dawn fell upon the marble pavements.
A new day began — the kind of day that would change someone's destiny.
Inside the Junior Soul Master Academy of Spirit Hall, the dormitories stirred with life as sleepy children prepared for another day of training.
Among them, a young girl named Hu Liena sat up in her bed, her heart already racing. She quickly washed her face, combed her hair, and put on her neat uniform. Her movements were unusually quick — almost restless.
Today was no ordinary day.
As today is the day, Pope Bibi Dong would accept her as a disciple.
Standing before the mirror, Hu Liena gazed at her reflection.
A young girl with a short soft blonde hair and amber eyes looked back at her. At first glance, she wasn't breathtakingly beautiful. But the longer one looked, the harder it became to turn away. There was something subtly enchanting about her — an inexplicable charm that seemed to flow naturally from her smile and gestures.
It was because, of her Martial Soul — the Charming Fox.
Hu Liena took a slow breath, adjusting the ribbon on her collar. Her mind wandered back to that day, only a few weeks ago, when everything began to change.
Back then, she hadn't even known that the elegant woman who had appeared at the academy was the Pope herself.
Bibi Dong had visited quietly, watching the children train from a distance. When she approached Hu Liena for the first time, her words had been simple — a few casual questions, a fleeting smile.
But after that, she came again and again. Sometimes to watch and sometimes to speak with her.
Then, one afternoon:
"Hu Liena, will you be my disciple?"
Hu Liena could still remember how her heart had nearly stopped.
She had answered without hesitation.
"Yes."
At only nine years old, she knew what it meant — how it could change her life completely.
For an orphan who had grown up under the protection of her twin brother Xie Yue, life had never been easy. The world could be cruel, but Spirit Hall had given them shelter. To become the Pope's disciple meant security, power, and recognition — everything an orphan could dream of.
And yet… she didn't understand why the Pope had chosen her.
'In the junior academy class,' she thought as she tied her belt, 'Brother Jun Wuhen is the most talented. He has full innate soul power and a legendary beast martial soul — Qilin.'
Just recalling his cold, handsome face made her cheeks grow warm. She bit her lip lightly, embarrassed at her own thoughts.
'Then there's Sister Chu Yue, also born with full soul power and a Harp martial soul. She's graceful, talented, …'
Hu Liena's small hands clenched.
"She's my greatest rival."
And above all, there was still another — a legendary senior whispered about in the academy.
A genius who, according to rumor, had obtained a thousand-year soul ring as their second ring.
Hu Liena took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.
The early sunlight poured through the dormitory window, painting golden streaks on the floor. She slung her small bag over her shoulder and stepped outside, her fox tail-shaped hair ribbon swaying behind her.
The academy grounds were already bustling — students practicing, teachers calling out instructions, the faint hum of spirit energy in the air.
Hu Liena started walking down the stone-paved path toward the main building where classes were held, her heart fluttering with nervous excitement.
She suddenly heard a familiar voice shout from behind,
"Nana!!!"
Hu Liena stopped and turned, her hair catching the early morning light.
A red-haired boy was sprinting toward her across the courtyard, waving one hand and panting heavily.
'Why does this guy always cling to me?' she thought helplessly.
The boy skidded to a halt in front of her, clutching his knees and breathing hard.
"Huff… Huff… Good morning, Nana!"
His eyes shone brightly — full of unguarded warmth that only made Hu Liena sigh inwardly.
She crossed her arms.
"Why are you screaming in the morning, Yan?"
Her tone was cool and calm, though her expression remained polite.
Yan straightened, scratching his cheek awkwardly. His red hair caught the sun like fire, and despite his boyish grin, there was a faint tension behind it.
Hu Liena tilted her head slightly, her words sharp as a blade wrapped in silk.
"That's why you're not as strong as Jun Wuhen."
Her words struck deeper than she intended.
Without waiting for a response, she brushed past him and walked toward the teaching buildings, her steps light but decisive.
Yan stood frozen, his fingers curling into fists. His usual smile faded as he watched her golden silhouette disappear down the corridor.
"Jun Wuhen…" he muttered bitterly under his breath.
"It's always because of that proud guy."
For a long moment, he stayed there, his chest rising and falling with frustration before turning to head in the opposite direction.
----
The ceremony of becoming the Pope's disciple would be held that evening, but until then, the academy continued as usual. The morning classes, lectures, and training sessions still filled the day .
When Hu Liena entered her classroom, chatter filled the air. The morning sunlight poured through tall windows, catching dust motes in golden light. Dozens of students sat in neatly arranged rows, but her gaze immediately found him.
By the window, a young boy sat alone, his chin resting on one hand as he looked outside. His expression was unreadable — calm, detached, as if he were thinking about something far beyond this small academy.
His eyes were cold, but that coldness only made his features more striking. The light outlining his profile made him seem almost ethereal to Hu Liena.
"Jun Wuhen…" Hu Liena whispered unconsciously.