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When the Spirit Hall Academy team, one of the three seeded teams, stepped onto the arena, the entire venue fell silent. All participating teams held their breath, eager to catch a glimpse of the true strength of this mysterious team.
The three walked side by side at the forefront of the team, like three wolf kings poised to strike. The powerful aura and unwavering belief in victory emanating from them could only be possessed by those who had experienced countless victories. The pristine white team uniforms were embroidered with six striking Spirit Hall emblems, and the purple book-shaped badge on their left chests shone brightly, signifying their noble status as the "Golden Generation."
The silver-haired youth leading them was over 1.9 meters tall, with a stern face. Beneath his calm expression lay a profound self-confidence, as deep as an abyss and as steady as a mountain. On either side stood a red-haired man and a golden-haired woman. The red-haired man's dark red eyes seemed to flicker with flames, while the golden-haired woman, though seemingly ordinary at first glance, possessed a unique Charm that made it impossible to look away upon closer inspection.
"They're sending out their strongest lineup right from the start?" Feng Xiao watched the arena thoughtfully.
"Everyone, pay close attention." Dugu Bo had appeared in the Royal Fight resting area at some point, and he explained in a deep voice, "These three are the 'Golden Generation' cultivated by Spirit Hall. The silver-haired one is Xie Yue, a level 52 attack system Spirit King with the Moon Blade Tool Spirit; the red-haired one is Yan, a level 52 fire-attribute attack system Spirit King with the Flame Lord Spirit; and the golden-haired woman is Hu Liena, Xie Yue's younger sister, a level 51 control system Spirit King with the Fox Spirit."
Old Poison Fiend's gaze lingered on Hu Liena for a moment longer: "Pay particular attention to that girl; her Charm ability is remarkably similar to your zither music."
Feng Xiao nodded slightly, his fingers unconsciously caressing the zither strings.
The moment the Spirit Hall Academy team ascended the arena, Hu Liena's gaze shot like an arrow towards the Heaven Dou Royal Academy waiting area, precisely locking onto the figure in white playing the zither.
Their gazes met in mid-air. Hu Liena's beautiful eyes burned with fierce fighting intent, and her red lips parted slightly, revealing a provocative smile. Feng Xiao, however, merely smiled calmly, nodding slightly in greeting, exuding elegance in every gesture.
Hu Liena's delicate brows furrowed, and she was about to provoke him further when she was interrupted by Yan, who suddenly leaned closer.
"Nana, what are you looking at?" Yan scratched his fiery red hair, looking confused as he followed her gaze.
Hu Liena withdrew her gaze and shot him an annoyed look: "None of your business. Focus on preparing for the match."
Yan awkwardly smiled, rubbing his hands, and said, "Why do we need to be serious against a second-rate academy like this? We can just play around and..." Although his voice wasn't loud, it was enough for the opposing team's participants to hear clearly.
Sure enough, the members of the opposing team immediately glared angrily, and a few hot-tempered ones had already clenched their fists. Xie Yue sighed helplessly, reaching out to press Yan's shoulder: "Say less." His icy gaze swept across the other side, instantly making those angry students feel as if they had fallen into an ice cave.
Hu Liena no longer looked at Feng Xiao; her fingertips merely twirled around her hair unconsciously. This zither master, who could easily break Spirit fusion skills, was the opponent she truly cared about.
When the Spirit Hall Academy team revealed their spirit rings, a gasp of admiration spread throughout the arena, but after witnessing Feng Xiao's stunning performance, the crowd's reaction was not as shocked as it initially was. A lineup led by three Spirit Kings was undoubtedly a devastating blow to other ordinary academies—after all, many participating teams struggled to even gather a full Spirit Ancestor lineup, making this power gap a dimensionality reduction attack.
After the match began, with a glance and a soft laugh from Hu Liena, accompanied by the continuous flashing of her spirit rings, the power of Charm enveloped the entire arena. Under the combined efforts of the Golden Generation, the battle was virtually over the moment it began. This overwhelming victory allowed all participating teams to profoundly experience the terrifying strength of Spirit Hall Academy.
In the Royal Fight Team's resting area, everyone unconsciously held their breath. Yu Feng swallowed, Oslo's fingers unconsciously tapped his seat, and even the usually confident Dugu Yan pursed her lips. A thought lingered in everyone's mind: "Even with a teammate like Feng Xiao, can we truly defeat them?"
Feng Xiao keenly sensed his teammates' wavering resolve, and a hint of understanding flashed in his eyes. He gently stroked the zither strings, thinking, "So that's it. That little fox's plan." Spirit Hall sending out its strongest lineup from the start and quickly ending the battle with overwhelming force was clearly intended to plant an insurmountable shadow in the hearts of all participating teams. With their minds shaken, they would naturally be even less able to resist Hu Liena's Charm ability.
Feng Xiao looked up at the arena, meeting Hu Liena's meaningful gaze. A hint of slyness flashed in the girl's fox-like eyes, and her red lips curved into a triumphant arc.
The first day of matches quickly concluded.
Under the cover of night, within the Supreme Pontiff Palace, Bibi Dong sat on her gilded throne, her slender fingers gently turning the thin file before her. As the candlelight flickered, a rare trace of surprise appeared on her exquisite face.
"Innate spirit power level four, a level 50 quasi-Spirit King under fourteen years old," she murmured softly, a glint of extraordinary light flashing in her amethyst-like eyes. The few lines of text on the page outlined the image of a genius that even she found remarkable.
Her scepter tapped lightly on the ground, and Bibi Dong unconsciously recalled Qian Renxue's unusual behavior that day. Now, she finally understood why her proud daughter would regard this young man with such special attention.
"No wonder she values him so much." Her slender fingertip lingered on Feng Xiao's name, and Bibi Dong's lips curved into a meaningful arc.
In a trance, Bibi Dong's thoughts drifted back many years, and a strange yet familiar figure emerged in her mind. Her fingertips unconsciously tightened, and the gilded scepter gleamed with a cold light in the moonlight.
"If he, back then, had also possessed such talent..." This thought had barely arisen before she herself extinguished it. A bitter arc formed on her lips, and even she couldn't distinguish whether this was mockery of fate or pity for herself.
In the flickering candlelight, Bibi Dong gazed at the young man's handsome portrait in the file, a sense of indescribable jealousy welling up in her heart. This young man named Feng Xiao was not only exceptionally talented, but more importantly, his background was as clean as a blank sheet of paper—this meant he could be perfectly accepted by any force, unlike her back then, who was suffocated by the shackles of her own power.
The night wind swept through the hall, rustling her loose hair and carrying away a barely audible sigh. The gem on her scepter refracted a hazy glow, reflecting the fleeting vulnerability in her eyes. But the next second, the majesty of the Spirit Hall Supreme Pontiff returned to that flawless face.
Bibi Dong's clear, cold voice echoed through the empty hall, carrying an unquestionable authority: "Someone."
A black-robed bishop entered in response, kneeling on one knee: "What are Supreme Pontiff's orders?"
"Thoroughly investigate everything about Feng Xiao of Heaven Dou Royal Academy." Her fingertip lightly tapped the file, a sharp glint flashing in her purple eyes, "I want to know all of his growth trajectory and interpersonal relationships." Her scepter tapped lightly on the ground, "Every single detail."
"As you command."
"Additionally," Bibi Dong looked up at the moonlight outside the hall, "summon Snake Lance and Ci Xue for an immediate audience."
"Yes!"
As the black-robed bishop bowed and withdrew, the hall returned to silence. Bibi Dong gazed at the flickering shadows cast by the candlelight, her slender fingers unconsciously caressing the scepter. She suddenly looked forward to meeting this talented young man.
Meanwhile, deep within Pope Mountain, an ancient and solemn hall stood majestically. In the center of the hall, a colossal Seraphim statue emanated a brilliant golden light, illuminating the entire hall as if it were day.
Before the statue, a golden-haired man stood in prayer. His eyes were closed, his face solemn, and he softly chanted ancient prayers. His golden long hair flowed with a sacred luster in the divine light, and his entire being seemed to merge with the statue.
Suddenly, clear footsteps echoed in the empty hall. Qian Daoliu slowly opened his eyes, and a ripple of emotion flashed in his profound, star-like gaze.
"Grandpa." Qian Renxue walked to the statue, about to kneel in greeting.
Before she could fully kneel, Qian Daoliu's figure flashed like a phantom before her, his broad hand steadily supporting her arm.
"Xue'er, you..." Qian Daoliu frowned slightly, keenly sensing the subtle changes in his granddaughter.
Qian Renxue's lips curved slightly: "Grandpa sensed it too?"
"Release your Spirit." Qian Daoliu commanded with a grave expression.
Qian Renxue dared not delay. With a thought, her Seraphim Spirit instantly manifested. Three pairs of brilliant golden wings unfurled behind her, and within the sacred radiance were interwoven strands of crimson-gold flame patterns, raising the temperature of the entire hall by several degrees.
Qian Daoliu's pupils constricted, and a rare shock appeared on his still-youthful face. He trembled as he reached out, lightly touching the wings that flowed with crimson-gold light: "This is... the aura of Solar True Flame? How is this possible?"
"Grandpa, is there a problem with this?" Qian Renxue asked, puzzled by Qian Daoliu's solemn expression.
Qian Daoliu's expression was solemn, and he said in a deep voice: "Xue'er, tell Grandpa, why did your Spirit undergo such a change?"
Qian Renxue hesitated for a moment, then recounted the story of Feng Xiao gifting her the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower. After listening to his granddaughter's narration, a hint of understanding flashed in Qian Daoliu's eyes, and he slowly said: "Xue'er, you should know the history of our Angel clan. The ancestor, the Angel God of Seraphim, possessed both sacred and fire attributes, but sacred was always the primary attribute. Although the ancestor could borrow the power of Solar True Flame, due to the limitations of the God Position, he could only exert a portion of its power."
He reached out and gently stroked the crimson-gold patterns flowing on Qian Renxue's wings, his voice filled with barely concealed excitement: "But now you seem to have broken through this constraint."
Qian Renxue suddenly realized, and a look of shock flashed in her beautiful eyes. Only then did she realize that it was clearly deep night, yet the Solar True Flame aura emanating from her Spirit was still as fiery as ever, completely unaffected by the alternation of day and night.
Qian Daoliu gazed at the crimson-gold light flowing on his granddaughter's Spirit, and his majestic face gradually softened, revealing a look of relieved satisfaction: "Originally, Grandpa was worried that your undercover mission in Heaven Dou was a waste of time." He gently shook his head, a glimmer of emotion in his eyes, "It seems Grandpa is getting old."
His broad hand gently stroked the top of Qian Renxue's head. Qian Renxue felt the warmth of her grandfather's palm, and a warm current surged through her heart.
Qian Daoliu suddenly changed the subject, a hint of inquiry flashing in his profound gaze: "However..." His fingertip gently caressed his scepter, and he looked at Qian Renxue meaningfully, "That young man named Feng Xiao, not only recognized such an immortal-grade item, but also coincidentally gifted it to you."
Qian Daoliu's lips curved into a teasing smile: "Xue'er, aren't you going to bring him to see Grandpa?"
"Grandpa!" Qian Renxue's fair cheeks instantly flushed crimson, even the tips of her ears turning rosy. She stomped her foot in annoyance, her six wings behind her unconsciously retracting slightly.
Qian Daoliu rarely saw his granddaughter in such a girlish state, and he couldn't help but burst into hearty laughter. His laughter echoed through the sacred hall, and even the light from the Angel God statue seemed to soften a bit.
Qian Daoliu affectionately patted Qian Renxue's shoulder, a profound glint in his eyes: "Alright, Grandpa won't say anymore." He paused, his tone gentle but unquestionable, "During this time, Grandpa will help you thoroughly examine that young man."
Qian Renxue lowered her head, blushing, her wings unconsciously trembling slightly, tacitly agreeing to her grandfather's arrangement.
The hall suddenly fell silent. Qian Daoliu hesitated for a moment, then spoke: "Xue'er, about your mother..."
"I only have you as family." Qian Renxue immediately interrupted, her voice as cold as ice.
Qian Daoliu sighed deeply, reaching out to stroke his granddaughter's golden long hair: "She is still your mother. If you truly want a future with that child..." Qian Daoliu's gaze was gentle yet complex, "You'll need her approval."
Qian Renxue turned her face away, her voice unconsciously a few shades lower: "My matters don't need her interference."
The words were spoken as softly as a mosquito's hum, and even she could hear the lack of confidence in them. Her golden wings slightly retracted, casting a flickering shadow under the light of the statue.
Qian Daoliu looked at his granddaughter's stubborn profile, shaking his head helplessly. He knew this mother and daughter pair too well—one more proud than the other, one more stubborn than the other. Qian Daoliu's gaze turned towards the outside of the hall, as if piercing through layers of palace walls to see the figure sitting on the Supreme Pontiff's throne.
"Never mind." Qian Daoliu sighed softly, then asked, "Where is that child named Feng Xiao now?"
Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue's eyes suddenly lit up, clearly realizing that her grandfather supported her. The crimson-gold patterns on her six wings glowed as if ignited: "He... he came to participate in the competition with Heaven Dou Royal Academy, and I personally led the team." As soon as the words left her mouth, she suddenly realized she had answered too eagerly, and her fair skin instantly flushed crimson, even the tips of her ears turning translucent red.
Reflected in the golden light of the Angel God statue, she shyly turned her face away, her wings unconsciously retracting, but unable to hide that charming blush. Qian Daoliu looked at his granddaughter's demeanor, a knowing smile flashing in his eyes, and said, "Oh? So Xue'er brought him personally." Qian Daoliu drew out his words meaningfully, "Then Grandpa must see him properly."
Qian Renxue stamped her golden boot in annoyance, the crimson-gold light on her wings flickering with her emotions: "Grandpa!"
Qian Daoliu looked at his granddaughter's blushing cheeks, his loving expression growing stronger. He gently patted Qian Renxue's shoulder and said softly, "Alright, Grandpa won't tease you anymore. After the grand competition ends, bring him to see Grandpa."
Upon hearing this, the crimson-gold patterns on Qian Renxue's wings flickered slightly, as if she was relieved, yet also with a hint of anticipation. She nodded gently, her voice as faint as a mosquito's hum: "Mm."