"The real issue," Tian Yue continued, "is that everyone at the academy—teachers and students alike—is whispering that the Pope intends to name Hu Liena as Holy Maiden of Spirit Hall. She just hasn't made it official yet, for whatever reason. Ever since that rumor spread, that fox has been strutting around like she owns the place."
"Given the tension between the Hall of Elders and the Papal Hall, the Pope's clearly ignoring Xue-jie and me—both older than that vixen. But I'd love to see her face when Xiao Shuang enrolls—younger than Hu Liena, yet clearly more talented. Will the Pope still pretend not to see? Losing the Holy Maiden title after flaunting it for so long? Priceless."
"That's it?" Qian Ningshuang yawned, utterly unimpressed. "A Holy Maiden title? Boring. If she wants it, let her have it. Do you even care, Yue-jie?"
To a transmigrator like her, being called "Holy Maiden" every day would be unbearably cringey.
"It's not that I want the title myself," Tian Yue clarified. "But historically, Spirit Hall's Holy Sons and Maidens have almost always come from the Qian or Tian families. Outsiders? You can count them on one hand—and every single one was the undisputed genius of their era. Hu Liena? She doesn't even come close."
Tian Yue didn't actually covet the position. She'd fully support Qian Renxue or Qian Ningshuang—after all, their talent and lineage were beyond question. Even a few close friends from their circle would be acceptable.
But Hu Liena? Please.
By birth? A commoner who got lucky with a martial soul mutation.
By talent? Spirit Hall City might not be overflowing with prodigies better than her—but there were certainly a few.
And there was another issue: as a spirit-type control Soul Master, could she even uphold the dignity of Holy Maiden?
The title of Holy Maiden wasn't ceremonial—it was a declaration of being the continent's foremost young genius. Challengers would never cease.
Tian Yue didn't look down on spirit-type Soul Masters. According to Spirit Hall's archives, they were rare—but rarity didn't equal strength. Their power lay in unpredictability. However, if an opponent's soul strength surpassed theirs, spirit-type Soul Masters became nearly useless. That's exactly how Tian Yue dominated Hu Liena.
Normally, spirit-type Soul Masters did have strong soul strength—but no one could guarantee that among countless future challengers, none would surpass Hu Liena's.
And if one did? How would that reflect on Spirit Hall?
Moreover, Hu Liena was a *control*-type Soul Master. Essential in team battles, yes—but in one-on-one duels? Few control-types ever shone.
Would she bring her whole team to every challenge? Then whose title would it really be—hers, or her squad's?
"Alright," Qian Renxue said gently, stroking Tian Yue's hair with her free hand. "If you don't care about the title, don't stew over it. If you can't stand seeing her face, just withdraw from the academy. What can you even learn there? With the Elders personally teaching you, the academy is just a waste of time."
She paused, then added firmly:
"And whether Hu Liena becomes Holy Maiden or not—whether she looks smug or humiliated—it doesn't matter. If the Pope wants to give her the title, let her. Without the Hall of Elders' recognition—and with inferior talent—it's just an empty name."
"Xiao Shuang, don't bother enrolling. Don't put yourself through that."
Under other circumstances, Qian Renxue would've delighted in thwarting the Pope's plans. But using Qian Ningshuang as a pawn to irritate Bi Bi Dong? Never. Her sister came first.
"Exactly," Tian E's voice came from outside the carriage. "Xue'er's right. Yue'er, if you're truly upset, after this soul hunt, Grandfather will take you to withdraw. We'll have your friends leave too. We old men have nothing better to do—let us teach you ourselves. Can the academy possibly teach you better than we can? Let the Pope waste her time with that school."
The root of the delay in naming a Holy Maiden? It was Tian E himself.
If not for his staunch opposition, Hu Liena would've been named long ago.
His objections weren't just about talent. After Qian Renxue's divine-level potential—and now Qian Ningshuang's even more astonishing gifts—Hu Liena paled in comparison. In Tian E's eyes, even Tian Yue and the other Elders' heirs had brighter futures.
Why? Three reasons.
First: education. Hu Liena received instruction from, at best, a Soul Douluo at the academy. Tian Yue? Taught daily by multiple Super Douluos. Could the Pope personally mentor Hu Liena full-time? Unlikely. But the Elders had all the time in the world.
Second: resources—especially soul bones, the most critical asset for any Soul Master. Before the rift, soul bones were shared. Now? The Papal Hall likely had no more than six. The Hall of Elders? Enough to give each heir at least one—and the strongest, like Qian Ningshuang, several. And when the Elders passed? Their personal collections would be inherited too.
Third: knowledge. While seemingly intangible, theoretical understanding shaped a Soul Master's judgment—often the difference between life and death, or seizing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Spirit Hall's most valuable research resided in the Martial Soul Research Institute under the Elders' control. Technically, Papal Hall members could access it—but Bi Bi Dong publicly championed a certain "Master's" theories, dismissing the Institute's work as inferior. Would her disciples dare study there? And if they did, how could they command respect?
That "Master's" theories? Useful for average Soul Masters, perhaps. But for a true genius? Following them was a fast track to ruin—unless blessed with extraordinary luck.
"Enough of this gloomy talk," Qian Renxue said brightly, cutting through Tian E's reflections. "Xiao Shuang, tell us a story."